Talon and Michael said goodbye to Rie as she left the grounds. "We'll see you in a few days, Rie." Talon hugged his lifelong friend. "It'll be boring without you around." Rie laughed.

"Boring? With Michael around? Please. That's like saying an argument with Weiss would go my way. It's impossible unless you make it happen." Talon and Rie shared a knowing smile as Rie was separated from her friends by the transport's door.

After Talon and Michael said their farewells to Rie, they followed Glynda. Just 2 days, Talon. She'll be fine for those 2 days. She isn't stupid or all that gullible. Talon kept saying that in his head, still feeling uneasy about her being alone in Vale for 2 days. He was so worried about his childhood friend that he didn't even notice Michael and Glynda staring at him until Michael shook him. "Huh?"

"Are you okay, Mr. Teknos?" Glynda said, no real emotion on her stern face, but clear concern in her voice.

"Yes. I'm fine. Just wondering if Rie will be alright by herself, is all." He flashed a quick, fake smile.

"I understand that you and Ms. Himora are old friends, correct? It's only natural to feel concern." Glynda's face softened just a bit. "It speaks volumes of your capacity to care." The ghost of a smile returned to Glynda's lips again before she schooled her face once more into a stern expression.

"I'm fine. Honest. She's a big girl. If she can't handle herself for 2 days without me to guide her then she isn't Beacon material." Talon smiled, again without actually meaning it. Rie, please prove me right about you.

"Talon, as you said, it's only 2 days," Michael offered, trying to cheer up Talon. "She will contact us if something goes wrong. She's smart and skilled with her Semblance. The only time she'll be in trouble is when she runs out of Dust, which won't happen any time soon."

But what if she doesn't see her attacker until he knocks her out? What if she's kidnapped? What if HE's here… Ok, now you're just being paranoid. There's little chance of Archangel being in Vale. Just calm down, Talon. Think about this logically. She is skilled and you yourself trained her in observation. If someone does take her hostage, chances are they'll have Dust somewhere nearby. She'll be fine. "Yeah. You're right." Talon offered a genuine smile this time. "Shall we go?"

Glynda nodded, motioned the 2 boys to follow her, and turned to walk back into the school. "Mr. Frost," she said as she started walking, "you will be teaching the combat class alongside myself. Mr. Teknos, until we can think of what exactly to have you teach, you will be assisting Professor Port and Professor Oobleck as they teach. We will probably have a class for you within a month."

Michael's eyes lit up at the prospect of combat. "So, will I be teaching students firsthand or…?" Michael trailed off as Glynda turned to face him.

"We'll see, Mr. Frost. That depends on the skills of the students. If we have a student who believes they could hold their own against you or someone that I believe could, then you will have the opportunity to 'teach them firsthand.'" Glynda actually smiled a tiny bit at her own joke. Michael wilted a bit, then perked up as he remembered that Weiss Schnee would be coming to Beacon

I know she would think she could take me on. "Ok. I can live with that." Michael took out his flask and drank some whiskey. Glynda shook her head, amused.

"So, shall we continue?" Talon offered, reminding Glynda that he and Michael don't know where their rooms are.

"Yes, we shall." Glynda turned and walked towards the school, with Talon and Michael close behind.

Rie found a hotel and payed in advance for 2 days. She didn't fully unpack, and went out to explore the city of Vale. Ok, Talon would want me to try to learn the city. So, let's learn.

Two hours later, Rie found herself in the commercial district. She walked by a bar called the Crow Bar. As she walked past, a man walked out of the doors. "I told ya, no one can outdrink me!" the man shouted into the bar with a Scottish accent. The man- boy, really. Upon closer inspection he was the same age as Rie- looked like the bottom of a ship. He had barnacles all over his face, and had a crab claw gauntlet. Attached to his hip was what appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun. Despite the barnacles, the boy was handsome. The boy turned and saw her. "Now here's a pretty lass. You fancy a drink with me, lass?"

Pretty? Lass? Drink with him? "N- no thank you. I shouldn't drink. Talon says that I'm a "lightweight". She flushed. Why did I say THAT!

"That's a shame, lass. It's been far too long since I've shared a drink with a pretty lass such as yourself. If ya ever change your mind, ya can find me here tomorrow or on weekends once classes at Beacon start. Just ask for Sam Jones." He punctuated his name by tapping his chest. He winked at her.

He thinks I'm pretty? Maybe… it's only one drink… but I need to map out this district… Still, a drink with him… Rie flushed again without realizing it.

"Ya alright, lass? Your face is red as a tomato." Sam didn't sound mocking. "Sorry if my offer embarrassed or offended ya in some way." Rie flushed even more.

"I'm fine. I… just… It's really hot today." Rie flinched as a cool breeze blew past her. "I mean in comparison to Atlas weather. I'm here to be a student at Beacon." Get it together, Rie. Control yourself. She heard Talon's voice clearly in her head. Remember, control is a wonderful defense. Almost a necessary one. Lose that, and your opponent gains the advantage because you start making mistakes. That happens, and it's game over.

"A student at Beacon, lass? Then I'll see you when classes start." Sam smiled and tipped his feathered tri-corned hat. "Good day miss…"

"Himora. Rie Himora." Rie smiled. Inside, Rie was swooning. He's a student, too? I hope I get on his team…

Ten "minutes after her interaction with Sam, Rie found herself in front of a bookstore named Tukson's Book Trade. When she went in, no one was inside. She walked to the counter and rang the bell. "One second," a deep voice called from a door behind the counter. When the door opened, a man with very large sideburns stepped through, carrying a box containing books. He looked almost wolfish. "I'm sorry, ma'am," he said, putting the books down. "This shipment just came in and I was just paying the man who brought them. Welcome to Tukson's Book Trade, home to every book under the sun. My name is Tukson."

"EVERY book?!" Rie could barely contain her excitement. If he has EVERY book, then he would have THAT one!

"Well, every book I can find, anyway." Rie wilted a bit. Tukson noticed this, and tried to salvage the situation. "Why don't you tell me what book you're looking for, and I'll tell you if I have it in stock." Tukson flashed a quick, almost wolfish grin.

"I was just wondering if you had A Dance in Dust by Talon Teknos." Tukson started.

"I don't get a lot of requests for that one… Let me check in the back." Tukson walked into the back room, and returned a few minutes later with a book in his hand. "You're in luck, ma'am. We still have a copy."

Rie's eyes widened to the size of saucers. He has it! He actually has it! "How much is it?"

"Well, it's a rare book and I only have the one copy… I also don't know if or when I'll get another…" Rie braced herself. "I'd say about 200 liyen."

Rie checked how much liyen she had, and nearly screamed in excitement. I have enough! I can afford it! "I'll take it!" Tukson, pleased at the girl's excitement, smiled.

"Pleasure doing business with you miss…"

"Himora. Rie Himora. And the pleasure is all mine." Tukson started.

"Rie Himora? You're Talon's assistant, aren't you?" Rie flinched.

Great… Another person that I will be no more than "Talon's assistant" to..."That I am, Tukson. I aim to some day become the leading Dust expert in Remnant. Talon said he'd help me reach that point." Tukson smiled.

"A noble goal, Ms. Himora. That would explain why you would be searching for A Dance in Dust. That, and your connection to Mr. Teknos."

"Tukson, you have no idea how glad I am to have met you. I appreciate this book and will remember you for having it." Rie and Tukson smiled.

"I have some more books on Dust, if you're interested." Tukson indicated a shelf off to the side of the store.

"Thank you, but I'm a little bit busy. I'll come back soon, though. Thank you so much." Rie started to walk away. Before she reached the door, Tukson called her name. She turned to see another copy of A Dance in Dust in his hand.

"This copy is a bit used, but if you would like to trade it for your copy, you can." Rie, confused, walked back to see what was so special about this copy. Tukson handed it to her and allowed her to open it. Rie gasped as she read the inside of the cover.

A Dance in Dust is more a book of instruction than a book of fiction. This book is written because of my assistant, Rie Himora. I hope that my words in this book help her achieve her dreams. Talon Teknos.

"Tukson, how do you…"

"It's mine. I know you are who this book was meant for. Besides, what use is a message like this to me? The instruction aspect of this book went right over my head. I can read the book without the message and other things he wrote in the margins for you to better understand his teachings."

"You could sell this for so much more than 200 liyen. I can't take this from you." Tukson laughed.

"Talon's father sent me this copy along with the other copies I received for sale. Talon's father and I go way back. He sent me the signed copy as a gift, and now I'm trading it to who the signed copy is really for." Rie was speechless. Here was one of the rarest things she'd ever seen. This book was worth so much more than Tukson was trading it for.

"Tukson… I… I don't know what to say…" Rie was close to tears. Tukson grabbed the new book and left Rie with the signed one.

"Just say 'It's a deal.'" He smiled. Rie, fighting back tears of joy, nodded her head. She hugged Tukson, who was surprised at first. He patted her head. "I hope you enjoy your purchase, Ms. Himora. Come again any time you like." Rie nodded. She turned, ran outside, and used her Semblance to create a hoverboard made entirely of Dust. She hopped on her Dust board and flew straight back to her hotel.

Thank you, Tukson. Thank you so much.