"What's that book you're reading?"

Blake's cat ears twitched in annoyance. She came specifically to this corner to avoid the other kids, and yet here was one. Looking up, Blake saw that it was a girl slightly smaller than herself. She had a bright smile and large grey eyes, with a little red cape tied around her neck.

"Nothing special." Blake said. "Little red riding hood and the big bad wolf."

"Ohhh I love that one!" The girl's smile became larger. "I read all the fairy tales! My sister and my dad and my mom read them to me every night! Mom tells it the best."

"I'm sure she does." Blake turned her eyes back at the book. "I'm trying to read."

"Sorry," the girl said, "Maybe I can join you?"

Blake looked around. "Fine. But be quiet."

The little girl bounced up and down in excitement. She lied next to Blake, peeking over her to read the book. Strangely, Blake didn't have any problems accepting this interloper into her world. Maybe it was the cape. It did make the girl look cool.

"My name is Ruby! You are?"

"Blake."

Ruby was surprisingly patient, letting Blake do her reading in peace. She stared at the book (and secretly, at Blake) in awe.

"So how come you're away from the other kids?"

"They make fun of my ears."

"Whaa? But they're so cute!"

"They're... they're..." Blake blushed. "You think they're cute?"

"Um yeah! I mean," Ruby scratched the back of her head. "Is it wrong to say that? I don't really know how to talk to peopleverywellyouseeI-"

"It's fine." Blake said, holding a hand to Ruby's mouth. "Just... not everyone thinks so."

"Whaaa? Lemme at em!"

Ruby was about to get up but Blake grabbed her hand and brought her down.

"No! It's good..." Blake said nervously. "It's just words. Words don't hurt."

"That's not what mom says," Ruby puffed herself up, crossing her arms. "She says bullies are bullies and they gotta be fought! She's a huntress so she should know."

"A... huntress?"

Ruby's eyes sparkled with joy. "A Huntress! They fight the Grimm, save the people, have those cool awesome weapons! I want to be a Huntress like my mom more than anything. To help people, to be a hero... like in those fairy tales!"

"A fairy tale hero?" Blake laughed. "You sure you can be that?"

"Yeah! I'm building my own weapon so I can be prepared!" Ruby raised a fist in the air. "I wanna make the world better like my mom!" She looked at her friend curiously. "What about you? What do you wanna do?"

Blake hesitated. "I... I want to help people too. Like my parents. They fight for the Faunus."

"Oooooh really?" Ruby took Blake's hand. "Let's be heroes together!"

Blake didn't know how they got into this conversation... but she liked it. She smiled back. Before she could say anything though, the bell rang. The kids were starting to head back in.

"See you again Blake?"

Ruby asked with enormous puppy dog eyes. Normally Blake would hate them... but she can make an exception for this one.

"Definitely."