"Let's check this out!" Ruby spoke excitedly as she pulled me along.

We'd been running around for the better part of the day now, and still her drive to explore stretched on. She led me to all sorts of attractions, with most of them being small games and the like. While our skills at said games were clearly lacking for all to see, I couldn't help but find myself slipping out a smile from time to time.

The fact that she was able to pull us along so quickly without a care brightened my mood; it was certainly better than being scoffed at or avoided.

"So what is it?" I asked as she wore a smirk.

"It's called a unity charm." She said taking hold of the two small bracelets, smiling as she wrapped one around her wrist. "They're free for everyone. Wearing it shows that you attended the festival, and also shows that you support peace between the kingdoms and it's people."

"That seems a little... odd for such a thing."

Contrived would have been a better word for it, but she seemed happy enough and I didn't want to spoil her mood. Personally I suspected the reasoning was just made up to sell the bracelets, considering that they looked rather bland. Nothing but a solid white, with no designs or artistic flair of the sort.

Yet Ruby didn't think so as she reached over, taking my hand as she fit it over my wrist. I took a moment to look it over, feeling a small bit of humor in the fact that it nearly blended with my skin.

"It's a way to keep everyone calm and happy." Her smile faltered a bit. "Although not everyone attends or supports the festival these bracelets are told to help people relax, as well as provide a bit of good luck. They may not look like much, but at least give them a chance."

I sighed in defeat as I sent a small smile to her, trailing my eyes back to the charm.

"Alright, I guess there's no harm in wearing it."

"Thanks." Ruby looked relieved at that, picking up her chipper mood once more as her eyes lit up. "Hey look! It's Pyrrha!"

She took off again, and after recovering from the sudden motion I turned and ran after her. Pyrrha looked to have heard us as she faced our direction, and just in time for Ruby to stop before her.

"Hi Pyrrha, how's it going?" The hyperactive girl asked as the red-head blinked for a moment.

"Oh, Ruby, I'm doing well."

Her answer didn't exactly paint too good of a picture; she sounded almost...

Distant.

"Great! Hey, why not spend lunch with me and V?"

"It's V and I."

Ruby blinked.

Pyrrha blinked.

I blinked.

Why did I say that?

It would seem my childhood lessons still held some grasp over me, but I never got long to ponder such a discovery as Ruby was back to her excited state.

"So anyway, how about it? I'll pay." Ruby tempted as Pyrrha continued to hold a split look.

"I... well..." She sighed. "Sure, that sounds wonderful."

"Great! You and V take a seat at the stall while I head back to my room and grab some extra cash."

Ruby zipped off before any of us could question it. Looking to Pyrrha I shrugged and took a seat with her. The girl still continued to hold her not so relaxed look, fidgeting for a few seconds before I decided to break the ice.

"So, what is it that's got you so down?"

"Got me down? Nothing at all."

"You're not exactly a great liar you know." I told as she let out a breath. Her head dropped into her arms as she stopped hiding her mood. "You can tell me if you want, Ruby won't be back for at least a little bit."

"It's just that... well... can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead." I answered as Pyrrha lifted her head slightly.

"Have you ever felt like... I don't know, there's a purpose to things? Have you ever thought... that there's a reason as to why things happen, and why we're born the way we are?"

Now that was a tough one, and something I was sure had an underlying meaning to it.

What are you really asking?

"I never really thought about it, but I guess my answer would be... maybe."

"Maybe?" She questioned as I sent a small nod.

"Yes, maybe. If things were really meant to happen, then I guess it is what it is."

"So, if certain things were meant to happen... should we just let it, even if it can hurt?" She asked, this time with a softer voice.

That's interesting. What are you implying?

"Would it really matter? If it was meant to happen then it would; regardless of what we did. But no, I don't think we should let it happen." I told as she looked confused.

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean?"

"Well... whether something was meant to happen or not it wouldn't make a difference in the end. We don't know if anything is meant to occur or not, so wondering if such things are 'meant to be' or not is pointless." I faced Pyrrha as I posed my own question. "But that's not what this is, is it? Why not tell me what you're really think?"

She faltered for a bit, before clasping her hands as her eyes shut.

"Well, what if I told you I believe in destiny? what would you think?"

"So that's what this is about?" I questioned as she nodded, looking to me for my answer. I sighed and leaned on my elbow, head plopped in my open palm as I looked to her. "I wouldn't really have much to offer on that front."

"How so?"

"I've never really held a strong belief in destiny myself. Even if I did it still wouldn't change anything. Like I said there is no way of knowing what's 'supposed' to happen or not, so trying to plan around, with, or against it is ultimately worthless."

Pyrrha flinched at my blunt wording, but even so she didn't look too upset.

"I've had these skills since I was a child, and since then I've always believed I needed to use it in some way. I thought that maybe I was given these gifts so that I may help people in need." She stopped for a moment. "But I don't know now. I've... I've been given a chance to do good, but it has the price of costing me everything... and I don't know what to do."

"And who decided that was your destiny?" I asked as she looked to me.

"Excuse me?"

"Who said your destiny was to protect people?" I turned and faced her fully. "Last I checked 'destiny' was unknown. Nobody can determine what fate has in store, or if it even exists."

"But I have all these gifts."

"And what of it? How do you know it's your fate to protect people?"

"So what, I run away!?" She nearly shouted; it seemed I was getting on her nerves.

"Doesn't matter. If you're meant to help people then you will, if you're not then you won't, it's that simple."

I watched blankly as she glared at me, and I was able to see the burning passion in her eyes. I stood and turned to walk away, all the while letting my final thoughts be heard in way of my departure.

"Don't focus on your destiny, focus on yourself. Let fate do it's own dirty work."

.

.

Ruby had been about to barge in their room, yet the sounds of talking on the other side of the door stayed her hand. She only listened for a moment before deciding to leave. Blake was still in there, and based on the tone she used Ruby instantly understood that the girl needed some privacy.

And so there she was, on her way back to the others hopefully able to explain - with minimal embarrassment - that she couldn't cover for all of them. Passing along the stalls she was halted. It wasn't a voice, nor a call that stopped her, but what felt like a brick wall.

Ruby crashed to the ground, rubbing her forehead as she looked up to see a girl standing above her, hand outstretched and wearing a simple smile.

"Apologies, it was not my intention to obstruct your path." She told as Ruby took her hand.

The girl was strong, as shown by just how quickly and effortlessly she pulled the cookie loving leader to her feet. Ruby stumbled a bit before catching herself, sending an apologetic look.

"No it's fine. I wasn't paying attention so it's mostly my fault anyway."

The other girl gave a stiff nod, smile stretching further.

"Nice to meet you."

"You too?" Ruby felt a tad of confusion well over her.

She'd never seen the girl before, which wasn't much of a surprise really considering the festival and all. What had her curious though was the girl herself. All of her movements looked sort of stiff, and her voice seemed to hold a single flat tone. It was almost like she was reading from a script, word for word but without any emotion.

No, that wasn't right, there was a single emotion that flowed smoothly through her voice, one that heavily contrasted with her, one that Ruby didn't know how to react to.

Joy.

But it wasn't a natural joy, it felt... fake. Ruby had seen people fake things before, usually Yang's friends; pretending to care about her so they could get in her sister's good graces.

But this was different.

There was no underlying malice in her voice like those of Yang's fake friends. There was nothing actually, just a plain muted joy; stuck on a single note and never ending.

Ruby couldn't quite wrap her head around just how strange it was, and was starting to get a headache from it. Fortunately she was shaken from her state of questioning by the voice of the girl once more.

"Are you alright?" She asked as Ruby waved her hands quickly.

"I-I'm fine! Just thinking is all. Sorry about that. So... what's your name?" Ruby tried, hoping that the mystery girl wouldn't question her lapse in attention.

"Penny Polendina, nice to meet you." She spoke shaking Ruby's hand with what could only be described as a vice grip.

Ignoring the pain of her nearly shattered limb Ruby gave what she hoped looked like a painless smile.

"R-Ruby Rose, n-nice to meet you t-too."

Her hand was free a moment later and Ruby held it close, cradling it against her chest as the pain left. Penny however gave her a curious look as she tilted her head.

"Are you well? You're acting very strange."

I'm the strange one!?

Letting go of those thoughts she sent another smile. The pain was mostly gone now, but Ruby certainly didn't want to do anything to test that theory. Instead she let her hand drop to her side, looking around the area for a bit before turning back to Penny.

"I'm actually on my way to meet with some friends."

"Oh." Penny looked to understand. "May I go with you? I'm new, and have only been looking around at the festivities close to here."

Ruby thought about it for a moment, before shrugging.

"Sure."

There was no real reason for her to say no, and she had never really been one to turn down someone in need. The young leader knew first hand just what it was like to be in a new place with nobody around to help, so she felt a small bit of sympathy for Penny.

The two trailed along for a bit before they stopped at a particular stall. Ruby felt the confusion flow through her again as she swung her head back and forth looking around the area.

"Is something the matter?" Penny questioned as Ruby let out a breath.

"My friends were here a while ago."

"Oh, where did they go?"

"That's what I'm wondering."

To be perfectly honest Ruby didn't exactly blame them for leaving. She had taken a while to get to Beacon again, and in the end she didn't have anything to show for it. But she hoped at least V would have stayed, even if Pyrrha had things to do. Then again V was only given the day off, and she couldn't really blame him for getting frustrated and leaving.

Ruby shook her head, feeling her own frustration overcome her.

Great, I just had to let them down didn't I.

"Ruby?"

The young girl was broken from her mind once more as she looked over to Penny, who watched silently. Shaking her head Ruby put on a smile, deciding to let it all go and apologize later. She still had Penny to watch over, and she had a plan in mind.

"I'm good. Hey, why don't we take a look around? I can give you a small tour if you like?" Ruby tried as Penny smiled herself.

"That would be sensational!"

.

.

Pyrrha leaned her back against the wall, doing her best to let the tension leave her.

To say she was in a bad mood would be an understatement. Vermillion's words did nothing to help her already building stress, and coupled with the fact that she didn't have much time left to decide made her all the more angry.

What am I supposed to do!?

Pyrrha knew she had until the end of the festival to decide, and from the way the headmaster made it sound she was unsure of what exactly would happen to her. She had the chance to help people, but at what cost?

Letting out a frustrated growl the champion stood, kicking a rock across the pathway as she tried to steady her breathing.

"Pyrrha?"

She was torn from her anger by the single familiar voice, one she hoped never to hear while she was in such a state.

"J-Jaune?" Immediately she tried to calm herself, slipping back into her positive demeanor as the boy approached with a worried look.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She said, watching as his face scrunched.

"Pyrrha. You can tell me you know." His look softened, yet the worry still shown through. "Whatever it is, you don't have to do it alone."

Alone... Pyrrha felt like laughing at that swipe of irony. That was precisely the issue: the problem could only be faced alone. Only she herself was given the choice to make, only she was deemed skilled enough to undertake the challenge if you could even call it that. Nobody else had been considered as far as she knew.

But Jaune wouldn't accept that answer, he was far more stubborn than most gave him credit for, and at points she was thankful for that. Instead she decided on a different course of action.

She wanted to know how he would act.

"Jaune, I wish to ask you something."

"Anything." His worry sounded almost desperate, yet Pyrrha let it go as she spoke.

"If you were given the chance to save people, but at the cost of losing everything you've ever known and loved, what would you do?"

"Um... what?" He asked, yet she simply stared at him, silently awaiting his answer. The boy scratched at the back of his neck, visibly at a loss for words as his eyes flicked back and forth. "I... Pyrrha, what caused this? Why ask something like that?"

"Please... just answer me Jaune." Her voice was shaky, yet she made no attempt to hide it as his eyes widened. It looked as though he was finally able to tell just how tense she was. He steadied himself, facing her with a bold look.

"I wouldn't take it."

"You wouldn't?" Pyrrha was honestly confused at that answer. She wholeheartedly expected him to boldly claim he would leap at the chance to save people.

"Don't get me wrong, I want to help people and all but if it takes something that extreme well... I don't think I'd be able to abandon my friends and family so easily. Maybe if there was no other choice I might consider it, but I think I'd try and look for another way first."

It was so honest and straightforward, with not a hint of deception or lies within. He spoke honestly with an almost child-like innocence, something that hit her deep. Pyrrha couldn't help the smile that flowed over her lips, almost breaking out into a chuckle, and yet she held it in opting instead to let her breathing finally relax.

"Are you okay, did I say something wrong?"

"No Jaune." She stepped closer, wrapping her leader in a hug, to which he nearly jumped. "Everything you said was perfect."

"Uhhhhh... okay..."

She released him and stepped back, quietly laughing at the small dusting of heat across his cheeks. It calmed her to know he was willing to talk with her so openly, and knowing he wouldn't shy away from her just because of her title reminded her why she respected him so much. What he lacked in skill he more than made up for in personality.

At least in her eyes.

"So... you good." He asked awkwardly as Pyrrha let a giggle escape her. She wore an honest smile as she gazed at him.

"Yes Jaune, I'm good."

"Great... good, t-that's good." He turned away, striking an animated pose of feigned composure. "Well then, would you like to come back to the room? Nora's telling us of the time she wrestled a Boarbatusk on the back of an Ursa last winter."

Pyrrha released a slight laugh as she took hold of the boys hand, watching in amusement as he stammered a bit at the action.

"I would like that."

Author's note

...

We're back with a normal chapter again finally, however it comes with some (potentially) bad news.

For the upcoming Monday and following Friday I will might not be posting updates, there's a chance I might be very busy. This is not solid however, so I still may be able to get the next chapters out, but it all depends on luck. Apologies for that, but life calls every now and then. At least we managed to get this one out, so there's that.

Update note: I won't be posting next week either.

Lost my wifi, and until I get it back I won't be able to post. Will be posting two chapters back to back when able.

Barring that however we got to see Pyrrha make an appearance again, for better or worse. V's also causing trouble once again, with Jaune surprisingly the one to save the day... sort of.

I've also changed the story description to better suit what we have here now.

Anyway that's all for now so tell me your thoughts. See you next time.