A/N: Thank you all for following along thus far! I'd love to hear from more of you about how you're enjoying it :D PMs and reviews are always welcome.

Laws of Attraction

The throngs of incoming students flooded the airship, the buzz of chatter and excitement filling the air. Everywhere she looked, people were jumping around, trying to meet as many people as possible. There were more than a few cliques already formed – likely friend groups from the same combat schools – and the rest of the students seemed desperate to find other people to spend the next few days with, while settling into the school.

Pyrrha was doing no such thing. Instead, she was basking in a glow of anonymity, hiding in a fairly empty corner of the passenger deck. Very few of the other students paid attention to her, seated upon a windowsill overlooking Vale below. She had scoped it out the moment she had boarded- she had learned her lesson from her trip on the boat to this continent, after all. It was better for her to stay out of sight, to avoid the inevitable gossip as long as possible.

Maybe someone here won't care about your past, a part of her chided. You'll never know until you try talking.

She groaned internally. That's all well and good, but I'd rather wait it out. At least then, people won't stare until after we actually make it to Beacon.

So, she waited, comfortably perched within her corner, inconspicuously watching the other students flit around the deck. She did initially think of approaching a few of the students who had taken refuge near her; however, everyone in that area had books or Scrolls which they were focused upon, with little heed for the rest of the passengers. As she tried to muster up the courage, unfortunately, they all ended up vacating the area as a boy (who looked much greener than he should have) wandered over into the vicinity and threw up in a garbage can nearby. The smell was enough to drive everyone away, even turning her own stomach.

Luckily, by that point, the airship had almost landed. Casting a sympathetic glance towards the blond figure hunched over the garbage can, shuddering quietly, she headed towards the exit gate to finally take a look at Beacon. After ensuring that her bags were in the proper holding area to be delivered to her dorm room, she followed the crowd.

As students whipped past her to look at the lavish facility, even Pyrrha couldn't contain her awe at the simple beauty and splendor of the academy. From the moment she stepped off the ship's ramp, she was greeted by the full magnificence of Beacon. Unlike her peers, she walked leisurely, taking the time to examine her surroundings. It was a beautiful place, after all- why not appreciate it?

The road she walked upon went straight from the aerial docking bay to the front door of the Academy. On either side, a lush green lawn was perfectly manicured around the courtyard, the tilework neat and edges tidy. Trees and small canals dotted the area, giving it a whole other layer of intricacy. A part of her really wanted to run onto the grass and explore what other little secrets the school could offer upon the main avenue, but as an automated voice repeated distantly upon the speaker system, there was no time for that. She had to report to the amphitheatre ahead.

With an eager smile on her lips, she pressed onward, taking in the sight of the double-ringed colonnades on either side, looming high over the main entrance up ahead. They bordered the entire inner courtyard, circling a magnificent statue. She paused, gazing up at the resolute expressions of the two warriors standing atop the depicted cliffside. Her eyes wandered down to look at the Beowolf below, fangs and claws bared, ready to attack. She felt her entire body stiffen slightly at even the mere sight of it- although she had faced Grimm in the past, they always made her uncomfortable.

Creatures without souls. Although she was strong, their mere presence always made her scared. And yet, looking at that dangerous figure, she smiled, a wave of resolve striking her.

This is why I'm here. She beamed up at the magnificent main building behind the statue, rising in numerous towers and spires towards the heavens. If I'm scared, then most people must be terrified. Therefore, it's my job to save them.

Circling around the statue, she followed the other waves of students wandering into the main amphitheatre beyond the large, imposing doors at the end of the avenue.

Inside, there were already rows upon rows of students waiting. The nervous energy in the room was almost palpable, the air buzzing and the laughter and excitement growing more raucous with every new addition to the room. She quickly stepped to the side, giving other students the chance to go past her as she took in the sight of almost a hundred students facing the center stage, all waiting for the first announcement of their Beacon career.

A small flicker of anticipation flew up into her throat. "Maybe someone here is alone, too?" she mused aloud, looking curiously at the numerous faces before her. Out of the blue, it struck her; no one was looking back at her. It was a little unnerving, having so many people around her without anyone paying any attention to her- but in the middle of this massive gathering, no one was paying any heed to the fact that Pyrrha Nikos was there. It was so, so different from the voyage there.

She was just like anyone else. The very thought of it warmed her heart with newfound hope.

Suddenly, it felt like a bag of bricks was flung at her shoulder as someone barrelled into her at a high speed. "Oof- sorry!" a high-pitched, bubbly voice called, sprinting past Pyrrha before the girl even had a chance to recover. Pyrrha snapped her head up to see the speaker, but all she caught view of was a head of bright orange hair and a pink skirt disappearing into the crowd, with a flash of green jogging after it.

Dazed, she straightened herself up and walked forward, but once again found herself distracted by other students. A quad of tall, cocky looking young men sauntered in front of her, elbowing the people in their way as they pushed through to the front of the crowd. The tallest of the group turned back to look at her, a snide sneer upon his lips as he held out one of his gauntleted hands to push past her.

Unimpressed, Pyrrha caught his hand, tensing to stop it in its tracks. The boy looked visibly startled at her surprising strength, even if only for a second- unfortunately, he very quickly recovered and glared at her, indigo eyes narrowed. A flash of recognition lit his eyes, and suddenly, his animosity almost doubled.

She smiled back at him peacefully, despite disgust brewing in her stomach. Why would people be so rude on the first day? she thought to herself, letting go of his silver gauntlet. The young man quickly snatched his arm back and pushed past a nearby student, trying to play off the quick exchange for his friends.

She sighed, shaking her head, but her attention soon went back to the other students. Everyone was so different- there were even a few Faunus in this new intake. It was exhilarating, thinking of all the new potential friends she could make.

After all, she hadn't had anyone in Sanctum. But Beacon would be different- she was sure of it.

A few voices caught her attention in front of her, as a short, dark-haired girl ran eagerly towards a beautiful blonde who was waving her over. A smile broke out across Pyrrha's face, watching the two young women interact so familiarly- it was sweet, watching how genuinely excited they were for what lay ahead.

Not everyone was as eager, though. Pyrrha glanced at the figure the short girl had left behind, and barely contained a giggle when she recognized the blond who had been vomiting from airsickness on the ship. He looked utterly defeated as the shorter girl left his side. Her amusement only intensified when she overheard his conversation. "Ugh, great. Where am I supposed to find another nice, quirky girl to talk to?" the blond moaned in defeat, following the two other girls from a distance with slumped shoulders.

Pyrrha raised a brow as she watched the encounter. If you turned around, you might find one, she thought wistfully, but the thought wasn't directed at the blond- instead, it was more of a general statement. If anyone in the room approached her, how happy she'd be!

You could always say hello yourself, that same niggling part of her brain said. She rolled her eyes at the thought- she was brave, but not that brave. Not yet, at least.

The blond and the two girls settled in a few rows ahead of her as a stern man stepped onto the stage. Pyrrha turned her attention to him, eyeing the no-nonsense Huntress at the man's side. As he spoke, introducing himself as Professor Ozpin, the headmaster of Beacon, she felt a rush of adrenaline course through her. This was happening. This was it.

As he spoke of the dangers they'd face, the trials they'd have to endure, she could feel it. This was where she would finally become a Huntress- she just knew it.

This would be the start of everything she'd been waiting for.