"You seem to know quite a bit about weaponry." She asked the small girl beside her, Ruby. Earlier Malenia wasn't keen on being talkative to someone, especially to a child. But to her surprise, Ruby was a cheerful character. It reminds her of Miquella, despite being so wise and intelligent, he could act like a child sometimes. She theorized that his curse of eternal youth also affected his emotions.

They were walking to the cafeteria, already leaving the guest quarters not a second ago. It was embarrassing for her though as Ruby watched her try and squeeze herself again in that darned lift. She swore she heard the girl giggle, but she was a child after all, so she let it slide.

She saw the look on the child's face when she saw Malenia. Her face was plastered with fear and nervousness. Her height and stature were intimidating to normal humans, even in the Lands Between. Despite not being one of the tallest of her siblings she was still quite large.

Despite that, this girl still tried to talk to her. Now she is more comfortable, albeit a bit jumpy, she doesn't stutter or spout out nonsense unlike earlier.

"Yeah! weapons are an extension of our soul, they are like… our babies." She replied, "It's more than a tool for me, it's a part of myself." she added while looking down at her weapon, gazing at it as if it was a babe.

Malenia never saw it like that, she always thought weapons are no other than tools made for killing. She only takes care of her blade because her brother made it, and also for it to last longer. It is unbreakable but it doesn't mean it is not vulnerable to dirt.

"I see, that's an interesting way to put it." She said plainly.

"Speaking of babies, I made my own weapon, with my own bare hands too!" She then something from under her cloak.

To Malenia it looks like a red rectangular metal contraption. The joints and screws were a dead giveaway so she assumed it was foldable. The real weapon would show once it was shifted or assembled. She guesses that it is rather convenient for a weapon to shift in a smaller form factor. But it will be harder to maintain due to moving parts. Malenia's prosthetics are hard to clean, especially with one arm, and no legs…

Ruby then pressed a button and proved that her hypothesis was correct. She watched as the contraption unfolded itself, expecting it to be a small sword or some sort of one-handed weapon but it still continued to unfold, a sharp blade started to manifest itself. Malenia was surprised as she backed up slightly to avoid getting cut. Malenia brought her sword arm on top of her sheathed blade on instinct. Ruby noticed this and pulled away her weapon.

"Oops! I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I was just trying- I almost got you hurt and-" Ruby continued to babble as she desperately apologized. She let her sword arm drop, sensing her mistake. Malenia knew she was durable, normal blades couldn't even cut through her skin, but it still stung, and sometimes it bruised her. But she wasn't sure if the same applies here as she lost her great rune, thus losing the powers that came with it.

Although she was still as powerful physically and skillfully. She was unsure if her durability was still the same. It was a clumsy mistake, being a child and all. But she couldn't let it go without telling her off.

Frowning, Malenia told her off "It's fine, Ruby. Although I would appreciate being aware of your surroundings." She told Ruby with a stern tone, akin to a mother scolding her child. Cutting Ruby's apologetic babbles off.

"I-" Ruby paused, looking up at Malenia. She then lowered her head, looking at the ground, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

"..."

Malenia felt like she kicked a puppy, and took note of how she looked at her with apologetic and embarrassed eyes. It reminded her more again of Miquella.

They continued walking in silence. Ruby wears an embarrassed look, fearing that she made a fool out of herself in front of a stranger, a guest that she was tasked to tour around.

She relented and sighed, "T'was an accident Ruby, do not fret." Malenia puts her golden hand on Ruby's shoulder, trying to reassure the girl. "But please, do be careful. You could harm other people without noticing it." Malenia said from experience. Many knights and guards contracted the rot from her because she was in their vicinity, or they touched something she touched. It was unfortunate but there's no reason to cry over spilled milk. That was when she limited contact with other people, except cleanrot knights. During her campaigns only cleanrot knights were allowed to be near her, it was difficult to command that way, but she managed.

Ruby tore her sight from the ground and gained the courage to look up at the tall woman again. Ruby noticed the faint smile Malenia gave her.

She bobbed her head several times, still muttering apologies "R-right"

"Anyway," Malenia started, noticing Ruby's weapon's full form in all its glory. "That is definitely an impressive armament." A scythe, how interesting. It even fits her appearance, akin to a reaper of some sort.

Malenia noted that it was almost as tall as her, and she also noted that Ruby was almost less than half the size of it. This child has some strength. "You made this? You certainly have a gift for smithing."

Ruby smiled, recovering from her embarrassing display earlier. "Yup! I also designed it myself," she said as she hugged her beloved weapon.

She also designed it herself, this one is more talented than she thought. Malenia couldn't help but ask how old is the girl, even if it is an awkward question.

"You surely have talent, for a young girl."

"Hey! I'm already Fifteen! And I drink milk…" Noting how fast she replied and hearing her defensive tone she surmised that it is a sensitive topic. Fifteen was still quite young… Well in the Lands Between, during Marika's reign, 16-year-olds were already allowed to marry.

"T'was not meant to be offensive, I was merely stating a fact." Malenia explained, "I have to say, you have a bright future ahead of you, little Ruby." Malenia said, sincerely. "Making an impressive piece at your age, you should be proud of yourself.

Ruby took it differently, she flushed and pulled her red hood over her head. Visibly flustered over the unexpected compliments she received. "T-thank you Miss Malenia," Ruby said in a voice that Malenia found adorable

"Uh… If you don't mind, I have some questions about your prosthetics…" she added, curiously scrutinizing her arm. Ruby can understand if she doesn't want to talk about it. Losing three limbs probably wasn't easy.

She nodded, intending to entertain her questions "Ask away."

"How do you move them? Does it connect to your nerves or brain electronically? And it looks like it's still made out of gold, is it unalloyed too?" Malenia doesn't know how one thing connects 'electronically', but she answered anyway to her best ability.

Malenia outstretched her arm, doing gestures. Displaying its capability "There are spikes that pierce into my stump… Then there is a latch around the stump so it could hold the arm itself, making it difficult to pull off or remove."

"I don't see how metal spikes can make you control the arm like it's natural…" Ruby said with uncertainty, seeing how her arm moves fluidly like it's a flesh-born arm. If it wasn't clanking or having the sound of metal joints creaking, she would've assumed it was armor.

"My brother made this for me too. So I don't know how exactly it works." Malenia admires her brother's skill in smithing and inventing, he certainly had a knack for it. But he created the Haligtree after all, so it was natural. She'd go far as to say that Miquella is more powerful than her, or he already is. She just doesn't know it yet.

"Did he… also make your legs?" She asked hesitantly, fearing it would be a more sensitive topic than her arm. To her, losing your ability to walk would be more devastating and traumatic.

If Malenia was bothered, she didn't show it. "Yes, he made all of it. I owe him a great deal." That's why Malenia dedicated her lift to Miquella, even if Miquella didn't approve of that. But he gave in and gave her the title of 'Blade of Miquella'.

They continued walking, and both of them made small talk while Ruby explained things about Beacon. They passed by groups of students, who gave the pair a glance and continued walking.

It is almost dusk, after all, lectures must be over, so a lot of students now wandering about.

Not like it mattered to her anyways, she would just ignore them as it is a trivial matter.

"I wonder why everyone is looking at us…" The little girl beside her said, also noticing the throng of students passing by glancing and looking at the both of them, nervousness lacing her tone.

Malenia audibly sighed, "My apologies, it seems they are speaking about me. Guessing T'is about my stature." At this, Ruby put two and two together and understood. The little reaper understood what's it like to be judged by others, she got that experience from Weiss at the start of their… friendship? Ruby proceeded to open her mouth without thinking, attempting to reassure the tall woman.

"Oh uh… Just ignore them, you're… perfect as the way you are…?" Ruby replied, unsure of what to say. She assumed Malenia was insecure about her appearance…

Well, she does think that Malenia is a beautiful woman, at least, that's what she thinks because her eyes were covered by her helmet. Which Ruby think is weird, who wears a helmet regularly?

The tall woman just raised a brow and looked down at Ruby, who was, once again, hiding her face under her hood. Realized what she just said was stupid and embarrassing. Then, again she did say she wasn't good at talking to strangers.

Ruby expected Malenia to look at her weirdly, but surprisingly, she could hear the faint sound of a chuckle coming beside her, or rather above her. She came out from her red-cloth shell and looked up at Malenia, smiling.

"You're such a strange girl Ruby."

"...Thanks?" Ruby replied, unsure if it was a compliment. But seeing Malenia's smile, she was sure it is one.

"Wow, now I know why you're so tall" Ruby commented seated beside Malenia, watching her devour her 6th helping of steak and mashed potatoes.

Malenia was embarrassed. She ate like a pig, but she couldn't help it. The hunger overpowered her so she stuffed food in her mouth like a squirrel. She found the cuisine here strange, there were a lot of pastries and food she didn't recognize. The only thing that was remotely familiar to her was the steak and mashed potatoes she saw, and various cuts of fruits.

When they arrived at the cafeteria Malenia was impressed by the interior. Even Raya Lucaria doesn't invest this much in their facilities that they deem 'unimportant'. Thankfully there were not many students yet, they were quite early Ruby told her. The chefs made an exception and served her the food, as Ruby explained to them she was a guest.

But her only complaint was the tables and chairs, like all the other chairs around they were too low for her. Malenia sat awkwardly cross-legged on the floor with her helmet on her lap, at the end of the table. Surprisingly she was still taller than Ruby who is seated at the table.

Thankfully nobody around saw her eat like that.

"My apologies, it's been so long since I last ate," Malenia said before continuing to eat her meal. "I could wonder why you're so short, with the number of pastries you consumed." She quipped.

Ruby replied with her mouth full of cookies, "Hey! Thas sho mean!" she swallowed, before continuing "I just love cookies, my mom used to make them for me. It became my favorite food…"

"I see, she must be a nice and caring mother. She wouldn't be a mother anyway if she wasn't nice and caring."

Ruby nodded before smiling "She was…"

Malenia felt like she stung a sore spot in the small girl, she cursed herself for prying. But she couldn't have known, but she knew what the girl felt. Losing family was all familiar to her.

"I'm sorry if I dug up unpleasant memories." She apologized.

"Oh! No no! It's fine, you didn't know. It's true anyway, she was a great mom. Plus, she was a huntress too. Dying… is expected from this line of work."

Determination showed on her face, "That's why I want to be a huntress like her, I want to save and help people. "

Malenia understands her, these huntsmen seem to be honorable and respected. But she doesn't know enough to judge them. For all, she knew they were being used like puppets. And what's stopping huntsmen from using their powers against the people they were supposed to save?

"An admirable goal," she commented, but she noted that the girl looks to be naive, for her age it is expected. They aren't exposed to the world yet. So her goal was idealistic at best.

"But, things aren't always what they seem, remember that." Malenia looked into Ruby's eyes with a serious face. It's a piece of advice she could use.

Ruby just nodded, unsure what to make of what Malenia just said. They continued to eat until-

"Hey, Ruby! There you are!" Malenia heard a voice call out to them, she turned her head and saw three people walking down the aisle, walking towards them.

"Hey, guys." she greeted them "Sorry, Ms. Goodwitch called me for something," Ruby called back, as they approached Malenia began observing the three.

One was a blonde girl, with long wild hair. She was showing too much skin in her opinion. The one beside her is a pale-skinned white-haired girl, her hair tied in a long ponytail with a tiara, who she assumed was the leader. Judging from her refined looks. The one behind them is a raven-haired girl with a black bow on her head. Seemingly fixed on reading a book.

"Why didn't you just text us anywa-" The white-haired girl spoke, but she noticed a certain red-headed woman sitting on the floor cross-legged.

"Uh… Who's this?" She asked Ruby, confused and surprised. Even the black-haired girl looked up from her book to look at her, eyes widening also.

"Oh! This is Miss Malenia." Ruby gestured to her, "She's a guest of the Academy, and Ms. Goodwitch asked me to show her around."

"So you're the woman that the whole campus is talking about." The blonde-haired girl said, surprised. "Wow, they were right. You are pretty big…" She noted as she saw even when she sat on the floor they were almost the same height.

"Yang! That's rude!" Ruby turned to Malenia "I'm sorry for my sister…"

Malenia did think the comment was brash and direct, but she ignored it. She already gets a lot of comments about her stature, so at this point, she just brushed it off. Albeit it did bother her at first.

"It's fine, I but I do prefer you not comments about my proportions," Malenia said before continuing to eat.

At this, they noticed the six discarded cafeteria trays on the table. "Sheesh, no wonder." the blonde one whispered under her breath

"YANG!" Ruby chastised her sister, hearing the comment.

Malenia furrowed her brows, getting slightly irritated, not at the comment itself but at the noise.

"Jeez, alright. I'm sorry, Miss…" She said the latter part to Malenia, noticing her irritated expression, fearing she might have offended the woman. Plus, Yang understands what's it like to be judged because of her proportions. She beat up a guy who called her a bimbo, nine bones were broken that day.

"By the way, as you heard already I'm her sister, Yang Xiao Long." Xiao Long? It was like a name from someone from the land of the reeds, but still, she doesn't look like them.

She pointed to the two others behind her. "That's Weiss Schnee, she can be a Lil haughty" Yang joked pointing at Weiss

"Pleasure to- HEY!" Weiss took offense to that comment.

Yang ignored her "Then that's Blake." She pointed to the black-haired girl with a bow. "We're part of team RWBY"

Malenia looked at Ruby, confused. It must be a coincidence that she is named after her team, or was named after the leader. She strongly agreed with the latter but it wasn't important.

"So you're the one who saved Erika and Paprika. Erika told me about it." Blake suddenly asked, surprised. Malenia thought she was a quiet person judging from her appearance if it makes sense.

"I did, are you two acquainted?"

Blake nodded "We talk to each other from time to time." she said, not elaborating further.

"If I may ask, how are they?" Malenia asked Blake. She is a bit concerned about her, almost losing your friend like that takes a toll on your mental health. She still couldn't forget the way she begged her.

"Well, Erika is still staying at the infirmary with Paprika. They are both doing fine, although Erika is a bit beat up." Blake said, showing genuine concern, "She told me she wants to speak with you, to thank you…" she added.

Malenia was glad they were doing fine, but she doesn't deserve the thanks. She only did the right thing. She doesn't deserve the gratitude of someone, after all, that she has done.

But she remembered this is a whole new chance. A whole new world.

"Where is the infirmary located?" She turned to Ruby "I wish to visit them."

"I can take you there." Ruby nodded "It's past visiting hours but we can still drop by probably."

"We're coming too," Yang said, not asking.

Malenia just nodded, the more the merrier it seemed,

Standing up to her full height, she donned her helmet and brushed her garb, discarding pieces of food that fell on her lap. The girls found it weird that she wears a helmet like it was normal but didn't comment.

"Wow, you are much taller than I thought…" Yang commented. "HA! Coco owes me twenty lien." Yang made a bet with Coco if she was taller than her teammate.

"...What?" Yang noticed that her team and Malenia were staring at her.

The red-headed woman just sighed, now children were gambling about her. She must talk to the Headmistress about this. "I do not appreciate being treated as a subject for gambling." She said sternly.

"C'mon! It's just a be-"

"I will be consulting Glynda about this," she interrupted

Yang was about to protest more, but she remembered she was a guest in Beacon, usually, guests are important figures that either the Headmaster or Ms. Goodwitch watches over. Gambling and betting are not allowed in Beacon… and this lady has contact with Ms. Goodwitch. Put two and two together she'll experience her wrath.

"Yes, Ma'am…"

"Ha! That's what you get-" Weiss continued to gloat at Yang, who has been telling her not to gamble or bet for the past month.

They left the cafeteria on time as students were starting to pour in. As expected Malenia got looks and whispers again but like a brick wall, it didn't bother her. She'll deal with it if it got annoying.

While they were on their way, Blake walked beside Malenia matching her pace, seemingly wanting to ask something.

"I would like to thank you too… Erika and I aren't close but we're friends." She looked up at her solemnly. "I would have lost a friend without you, Miss Malenia."

"I only did what was right, do not think of it."

Yang butted in "What happened to her team anyway? Where were they?"

"That asshole thought it would be a good idea thought to split up while they were on patrol in forever fall." Blake said, hate rising in her voice. "Erika and Paprika got overwhelmed by a pack of Ursai. While the other two were on the other side of the forest."

It was a stupid idea to split up, especially if you're against a greater number of enemies. Malenia wondered what was her leader thinking. Surely someone dull as that wasn't made team leader?

"I happened to hear her plea for help from a thousand paces away. Arrived too late as her partner was injured." Malenia finished telling what happened.

"She told me you slew seven Ursai by yourself… pretty quick too." Blake glanced to Malenia's long blade, sheathe at her waistband. "She told me you were strong and fast, are you a huntress by any chance?" Blake asked the million lien question.

The other girls were curious too, especially Ruby. She always thought Malenia was some sort of fighter or something equivalent.

"If she was, she would be famous already for her height alone, and I never heard of her." Yang said "No offense if you are one…" she added, realizing her statement sounded rude.

Malenia knew these types of questions are going to be asked eventually, she thought for a moment to come up with a credible lie. She gambled on living in an isolated settlement on the frontiers. Hopefully, there ARE settlements out there, that do not all live in walls, but she remembered Glynda's statement about settlements falling, so she used that as a basis for her lie.

After several silently defeaning seconds, she spoke. "I am no huntress, unfortunately. I was raised in an isolated settlement that fell to Grimm not long ago. I was part of a group of warriors that are equivalent to huntsmen that guarded it. I was the only one that survived…"

"I-I'm sorry, we didn't mean to pry." Blake apologized, and Yang was also apologetic. Weiss and Ruby were silent since they knew better than to pry. Although Weiss is still skeptical of her.

"T'was inevitable. Not your fault." Malenia tried her best to sound like she was reminiscing and sorrowful. It worked and the girls stayed silent throughout their walk to Beacon's infirmary.

When they arrived the nurse tried to deny them entry but when she saw Malenia she accepted. Either Ms. Goodwitch told them about her or she was scared of her. But judging her face earlier, she believed it was the latter.

They were outside the room that Paprika was in, but she could hear people arguing inside. She opened the door.

"If you didn't split us up this wouldn't have happened!"

"If you were competent enough it wouldn't!"

Malenia saw Erika who was beside an unconscious Paprika, bickering with a purple-haired man. They didn't notice them coming in and continued to bicker back and forth.

"We were fucked by a pack of Ursai! What the fuck did you want me to do?!" She snarled.

"How about killing them?!" He bit back

She threw her arms in disbelief. "You say that like it's fucking easy killing NINE Ursai."

"Pfft, like it's hard in the first place. You were always a weak piece of shit like her." He pointed to Paprika. "Always holding back the damn team."

"Why, you-" She was cut off as she noticed a familiar tall woman approached, her anger eased a bit. The purple-haired man noticed her too, surprised by her tall height.

"That's enough." She said sternly, with a voice of authority. It reminded them of Ms. Goodwitch but scarier.

"W-Who the hell are you?" The man asked, his surprise fading. "Heh, I-is this your mommy?" he noticed her red hair, assuming she was related to Erika.

Before Malenia could speak Erika responded "She's the one who saved us. Be more respectful you turd!" She pointed at him

"You should've let them die, these animals are dead weight anyway." The man muttered

That comment made something in Malenia snap. In a blink of an eye, she grabbed the man's throat with her golden arm. "GRRHHHKRL" She brought him up close to her face so that they see eye to eye.

"W-What the hell! Let-" he was cut off when Malenia smacked her helmeted head on his face.

"Listen here you little runt, what kind of scum let their teammates die as if they were pawns." She squeezed his neck, slowly cutting off airflow to his brain. "I should gut you right now you worthless, insipid, uncouth brat. But if you call her that again I will see to it that you will get what people like you deserve."

Erika was sure that room temperature lowered to a couple of degrees, she froze as fear took over her body as she watched Malenia strangle Corden. She never thought Malenia would be this terrifying, to her she seemed like a nice and calm lady. But the way she spoke… it was with killing intent.

The girls behind Malenia were frozen as well, wide-eyed as they also watched Corden being strangled.

"M-Malenia… STOP!" Erika forced out before Malenia could suffocate the man. She wanted the man to disappear from her life but not like this… He was scum but he didn't deserve to be murdered…

The woman didn't listen, or she didn't hear. At this, her body unfroze and rushed to her to stop her from killing Corden.

"Miss Malenia! Stop!" The girls at the door also rushed to stop her. Erika tugged on Malenia's arm.

Malenia was about to push them away but then she looked at how she was desperately tugging her, begging. She looked down at her. She was in tears, begging.

'P-please help us! Please…'

Malenia's expression softened, instead of anger, it was replaced by irritation. She clicked her tongue.

"Tch." Malenia let go of his neck and dropped Corden to the floor, who was now gasping for deep breaths. Coughing and hacking. When he was done, he looked up at Malenia shaking with fear, who was staring down at him like he is a piece of trash on the ground.

"Remember my words, boy. Now scram." She threatened, intending to scare him off.

Without another second, he got up hastily and ran out of the room. Erika watched as Corden tumbled clumsily and tripped on the way out. That was scary, if she probably didn't stop Malenia she would've killed him... but, she must admit watching that, she got a little satisfaction out of it.

AN:

Sorry for the late update. I rewrote this chapter two times. The next chapter would explain why Malenia snapped. I could fit the explanation In the scene but it would ruin the feeling. Also, if Ruby feels like a child here, she isn't. You can feel that she got comfortable with Malenia later on. Hell, If I meet a 7'10 woman I'd definitely stutter and splutter. If you think I wrote the characters wrong or if you have problems with the chapter I'd happily accept your thoughts, I'm still learning anyway on how to write.

Next chapter will be the aftermath and the meeting, deciding where to go etc.

I also think my pacing is slow, too much words and details that it feels like it's bloated. I don't know, tell me what you think.

PS: I might rewrite chapter two, the same thing happens but I'd put more details and stuff, more dialogues also.