The fall night air in Vale was brisk and with it close to winter it was only getting colder. While most were celebrating thanks to the Vytal Festival they were unaware of the storm that was coming. All around them a plan was in motion. A plan to execute something that was gonna change history for the better.
All week members of the White Fang were gathering together in the city hoping to accomplish what could be their most important mission yet. They had reservations about the plan, but Adam Taurus explained this was the only way to get progress. It was the only way for them to have a better future. They understood people were going to die, but if that meant it could lead to a better future for their people then they would sacrifice anything.
Walking to a convenience store late at night Ilia Amitola had gotten the unfortunate luck of going on a snack run for the rest of the group. When you can easily pass in the human world as one of them this kind of thing usually happens. With a list in her hand she went through the sliding doors as a soft jingle went off signaling her arrival.
The store was more like a gas station with very little space. To the right were the cold drinks and to the left were the chips and candy. The middle had the sole employee who was an older woman who was paying more attention to the tv than her. Apparently it was a recap to the day's matches at the festival. She had already watched them live so she paid no attention to it.
Gathering a small basket for her items she grabbed the sour cream and onion chips for Sister Trifa and the spicy ones for herself. As she opened the fridge for the cold drinks she heard the jingle signal someone else had entered. Not knowing what kind of beer everyone liked she just grabbed the cheapest 12 pack and carried it in her other hand.
"Having a good night honey?" the woman behind the counter asked as she gave her, her items so she could check them out.
"Yes." Ilia wasn't in the mood for talking so she hoped this would be quick.
The woman seemed nice and wrung up her items before accepting her lien. She had to admit the woman did have a motherly vibe to her and she'd be lying if she didn't find her attractive. The young couple behind her were quite annoying with the girl going on about her day and the boyfriend completely ignoring her.
After bagging her items the woman behind the counter gave her a genuine smile.
"Stay safe out there, gorgeous."
Ilia couldn't help it. While she was usually good at controlling when the color of her skin changed she couldn't help but blush when the woman complimented her. Unfortunately her skin doesn't act like other humans when they blush. She hadn't realized she made a mistake, but the people there did.
In a flash the woman grabbed her by the arm to get a closer look at her. That of course made everything worse as Ilia's skin was now a dark red all over. The couple behind her had now noticed and what started out as a calm night soon turned into anything but.
The woman's warm demeanor had changed into one of fury.
"Let me go!" Ilia said, trying to pull away.
"Ew what's wrong with its skin?" The girlfriend asked as she started taking a video with her scroll.
"Filthy animal thinks she can come in here and take what humans need." There was no shout from the woman as she said this. Instead her voice was low and scornful.
"She's not contagious is she? I heard they can infect you if they bite you."
The boyfriend was a lot bigger than her, suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and though she flailed around trying to get free he held his grip as he picked her up and threw her outside. This of course gathered a crowd around them as other people pulled out their scrolls to record what was happening.
"I was just trying to-" Ilia words were cut off as the boyfriend kicked her hard in the stomach making the air come out of her body.
"This animal is a thief!" the woman who had come around the counter said holding the lien she gave her. "She stole this money to pay for food she has no right to."
All around her people started shouting and Ilia wished she could just go home and pretend this never happened. But of course the world would never allow her to do that by constantly reminding her what she was everyday. While some people were still recording on their scrolls others had surrounded her and started using words she had heard all her life.
All this came to a stop when a loud boom pulled everyone's attention away from her. The whole crowd turned to look at one of the fighters from the festival. It was so odd how someone who looked so innocent with her red hair and green dress could be a formidable opponent. The spot she was standing in a slight crater in it from her landing.
"My name is Penny Polendina. What seems to be the trouble citizens?" she asked as if she hadn't just done anything that warranted everyone gawking at her.
The woman behind the counter pushed through and accused Ilia of stealing lien from humans and trying to trick her into selling her food. All the while the people made her trapped so she couldn't go anywhere.
"Is what she saying true?" Penny asked her. The young girl had a certain genuine compassion feel about her. All the while appearing poised and childlike.
"No." Ilia said not being able to look at her eye because of the urge to blush coming again.
After a few seconds Penny reached down and helped her up, making sure she was okay.
"I can sense no lie coming from her. It would be unwise to alert the authorities on the matter."
The crowd around them erupted though none of them made a move against them. They had seen her fight in the tournament and weren't gonna risk someone like her beating them in a fight. Soon they began to move onto other things, though some still stayed.
"You know what she is right? She's a filthy animal trying to rip off good hard working people in this country." a man from the crowd shouted.
Any hope of getting out of this unscathed had left Ilia's thoughts. Penny now knew what she was and would for sure turn her in for this.
"I'm afraid you're incorrect sir. Seeing as she has two legs and arms and is not a part of the animal kingdom she doesn't classify as an animal. The correct term is of course faunus. They have been a part of this world since its creation."
Ilia had to admit a part of her wanted to laugh at Penny talking to people as if they were uneducated children. Still, if she already knew what she was, why didn't she turn her in?
After sensing defeat the whole crowd left leaving only the two of them on the street. Ilia had to admit Penny confused her. For someone who was so formidable in combat she acted like a completely different person out of it.
"I do not detect any rib fracture though there might be a slight bruise. Shall I call upon a taxi service for you?"
Lost for words Ilia could only shake her head.
"Very well then." Penny said, giving her salute before getting ready to take off.
"Wait!" Ilia called out, finally finding her voice. "Why did you help me knowing what I am?"
Penny moved from her position and looked at her with the most beautiful green eyes.
"You did not steal the money. It would be dishonorable to call you a thief when you're not.
"But…I'm a Faunus."
Penny looked at her quizzically before her eyes started glowing green. After a few seconds they returned back to normal.
"I do not sense brain injury from a concussion. Oftentimes they can lead us to forgetting things that do not make sense."
Once again Ilia was at a loss for words
"Huh?"
"You're a Faunus and you're not a thief. Since you have done nothing wrong I cannot alert the authorities."
Again Ilia's body betrayed her a deep blush appeared on her face, though this time she didn't care who saw.
If Penny was bothered by it she didn't show it.
After taking off she gave her a quick wave before disappearing into the sky.
Hours later Ilia still couldn't wrap her head around how someone like her could be so compassionate and genuine. She decided what they were doing was the right thing. The world needed people like Penny in it and she was proud to fight for one so long as she was in it.