A.N: After five years of writing a fight-scene heavy fanfic, it's definitely weird to do one that has enough plot to match the fights. I mean, Wild Hunt is still action-adventure first and foremost, but I do honestly enjoy these moments. As long as I think they're well-executed of course. Hope you think the same.

Chapter 18: An Aunt's Love

After combat class came to an end, and everyone recovered from the sheer ass-whooping from the powerhouse known as Gin Byakko, the day proceeded as normal. Circe Ithaca had a very simple message for Pyrrha before she continued her day. "Just go about your day like normal, dear. I'd like to meet with a few of your teachers. We'll meet up after lunch. I still want to get to know all those wonderful friends you've told me so much about."

What could Aunt Circe want to speak with my teachers about? Pyrrha wondered. Perhaps a partnership of sorts? That must be it, she probably wants to help try and properly mobilize the newfound support for the Huntsmen Academies. And considering Professor Ozpin's status as a leader in the teaching community...

"Your aunt is super nice, Pyrrha!" Pyrrha was cut out of her thoughts by a gleeful Ruby Rose. "Like, super duper nice!"

Pyrrha was walking with her friends-Team RWBY and Team JNPR-to their next class. She instinctively smiled, hearing the praise being heaped on her aunt and substitute parental figure. "She is amazing." Pyrrha acknowledged without hesitation. "Probably the best role model a person could ask for."

"And the best boss you could ever work for." All eight students jumped at the familiar voice.

Ren, Nora and Jaune all flinched when they saw Gin Byakko appearing, seemingly out of nowhere. He gave them all a friendly smile, as though he did not beat up ⅜'s of them in less than 2 minutes. "'Sup, Ms. Pyrrha's friends. Hope you don't mind little old me tagging along."

"Actually, we do mind." Yang glared competitively at Gin, still not appreciating his attempts at "out me-ing" her during class.

Gin just laughed. "Cool, I'll tag along anyway. Getting to know Ms. Pyrrha's friends is a treat. Especially after Lady Circe practically shoved the letters she used to write home into mine and Chrysos' face."

Pyrrha turned as red as her hair. "You read those letters? Gin, those were private!" She exclaimed, scandalized.

Gin raised his hands in defense. "Lady Circe didn't give me much of a choice. Like I said, she kinda shoved the letters in my face and made me read 'em." He then smiled warmly. "I gotta tell you though, Ms. Pyrrha, the moment she found out you made friends, that was the happiest I had seen her in awhile."

"D-don't be so honest about it." Pyrrha still sounded so embarrassed. "It sounds weird."

"I don't think it's weird at all." Jaune offered. "Pyrrha, you wrote to your own family about us. That's like one of the sweetest things you could do."

If Pyrrha could turn even redder, she would have. Gin chuckled at the sight. The best part of those letters was Ms. Pyrrha coming to terms with how she felt about Jauney-boy. He noted. And if he keeps acting like an accidental Casanova without even realizing it...hoo boy, Ms. Pyrrha's letters in the future are going to have a lot of heartache and longing.

"Hey, Jauney." Gin addressed Jaune. "I know you probably don't think this after I kicked ya in the stomach. But I actually do like you, a lot."

"Umm...thank you?" Jaune was honestly confused by such a random statement.

What Jaune failed to realize was that was Gin giving his blessing for Jaune to eventually realize how he felt about Pyrrha and subsequently date her. Pyrrha meant a lot to Gin, almost as much as Lady Circe did. So, of course the boy Pyrrha liked had to get his approval. Jaune was not much in the strength department, but he made Pyrrha happy. And thankfully, that was enough for Gin.

"So, anyway, what're the rest of your classes like?" Gin eagerly asked. "'Cause I'm totally cool with sitting in on them if it means getting to hang out with you guys."

"Try saying that after experiencing the hellish nightmare that is Professor Port's class." Yang muttered, dreading being 'zombified' once more by Port's god awful stories about himself.

"You can totally hang out with us, Gin." Ruby smiled. "And afterwards, you've gotta tell me all about how you got so strong without going to any Huntsmen Academies."

Pyrrha briefly noticed Gin's face fall before it returned to its usually happy look. "It's really nothing special." Gin promised. "I just had a hell of a teacher in Chrysos."

"What about you?" Gin asked Ruby. "I saw you on TV during the Vytal Festival. You must be quite the pint-sized powerhouse to be able to wield a scythe that's your freaking height."

Ruby immediately began to geek out, finding a kindred spirit in the equally as bubbly and eager Gin Byakko. "Well, I mean, I designed Crescent Rose myself, so I guess the fact I'm able to wield it so well is just a testament to how awesome I am." She could not help but brag.

"No. Freaking. Way!" Gin geeked out too, much to the disbelief of everyone except Pyrrha. "You designed that thing! Awesome! Totally awesome!"

Great, Yang lamented, of course my little sister hits it right off with this guy.

And thus, Pyrrha discovered the only thing that surpassed Gin's limitless energy and enthusiasm: a combination of all that with Ruby's.

Meanwhile, as Hansel Kobalt began entering his office to enjoy a break before his next class, his attention was suddenly grabbed by a woman clearing her voice behind him. "My apologies, Professor Kobalt." Said Circe Ithaca, flanked by Chrysos Agamemnon. "I know it's rude of me to come to you unannounced, but you left your class so quickly."

Hansel narrowed his eyes, immediately catching onto the reason why Circe finished. "Of course," he muttered, "I should've realized it sooner."

He sighed. "Sorry," he said, "had I known you had come here because of me, I wouldn't have just bolted."

"Oh, don't be so full of yourself." Circe said in a lighthearted tone. "I'll admit, the news report of your new job was part of the reason, but it gave me a reason to play hooky from all the politics and see my adorable niece."

Circe smiled. "I promise you, Professor, I have no intention of being unfair to you. I just want to talk, get a few things out in the open. That's it."

"And after that," Circe continued, "you won't have to worry about me at all. I'll spend all my time with Pyrrha and her friends, maybe throw in a quick meeting with Professor Ozpin about some important business that will benefit Beacon, but I won't bother you after this."

Hansel looked at Circe's face, as though he were searching for any lies. That was the thing about liars. Usually they had some sort of tell that gave them away. Hansel could not find one. So, he decided to indulge Circe and nodded. "Okay," he said, "let's talk. I've got some time before my next class."

Circe smiled brightly. "Wonderful," she said, turning to Chrysos, "you can wait outside, Chrysos. I'd rather this be between the two of us."

"Milady, I'm your bodyguard." Chrysos reminded her.

"And we're in friendly territory." Circe reminded him. "And besides, I trust young Professor Kobalt. I ask that you do the same. And if you can't, then trust my judgment at least."

Hansel frowned at Chrysos eyeing him. Always the same. People looked at him like a criminal, all because of his family name. Chrysos turned back to Circe and bowed in respect. "As you wish, Lady Circe."

Hansel opened the door to his office. "After you." He said, showing some surprising manners. Something he could thank Glynda for.

Circe entered Hansel's office and was immediately left in awe at the sight. "My word, it's like a dorm room." She noted. "Not what I expected from a member of the faculty."

"You're not the first person to say that." Hansel admitted, remembering his meeting with Ruby in what seemed like such a long time ago. "But, when I came back, it just made sense to Professor Ozpin that I moved back into my old room."

Circe hummed thoughtfully, before gazing at Hansel in a twinge of sympathy. "I see," she said, "so this is where you ended up after that incident. You have my condolences, Professor."

"Ma'am, I'd rather you stay honest with me." Hansel cut her off. "You don't really mean that, not when it comes to the Kobalts."

"I do though," Circe assured him, "I may not agree with the things your family did, Professor, but nobody deserves what happened to them."

Hansel fell silent before shaking his head. "I'm not here to be pitied, Ms. Ithaca." He told her. "Just tell me why you're here."

Circe sighed. She took a seat in one of the two chairs facing each other. Hansel took the free one. "Very well, let's get down to business." Circe nodded in understanding. "As I'm sure you figured out, Professor, as soon as I saw the story about your position here at Beacon, I flew out here the first chance I could because I wanted to meet you."

"But see," Circe continued, "I'm not speaking with you as Circe Ithaca, the politician. I'm speaking with you as Circe Ithaca, Pyrrha Nikos' aunt and legal guardian."

Hansel seemed to relax considerably upon hearing that. For a brief moment, he saw Glynda Goodwitch sitting in place of her. "I do apologize if the realization of why I was here caused you any undue stress." Circe continued.

"Don't be," Hansel brushed it off, "I was the one who assumed it. If you are here out of concern for your niece, then I have no right to be pissed. So, what is it you want to talk about?"

"Well, like I said, I'm here as her aunt." Circe repeated. "I'm here, so to speak, as a parent concerned for her child's education and the direction it's going in."

"You and probably a ton of other parents who can't stand me because of my family." Hansel sighed. "I wouldn't be surprised a ton of students suddenly dropped out because of me being here."

Circe gave Hansel a sympathetic gaze. "And that really is unfair, don't you think?"

"Professor," Circe continued, "I promise you, I hold nothing regarding your family's actions against you. You're your own person, a person who has tried to do much good for Remnant."

"After all, you work so hard to protect us from dangerous terrorists like Gray Jackal." Circe reminded him. "And you undertake such a dangerous job, knowing you'll probably receive no thanks from the populace. To be honest, if people would just look at you from that perspective, I think they'd realize they have no reason to fear or hate you."

"It's not like I do it for their thanks." Hansel denied. Deep down though, he knew that was a lie. A part of him truly did want to be praised. To be recognized for his efforts, and not just for some damn name he had no say in receiving.

Circe smiled knowingly. "Well, let me thank you for your service, Professor." She said. "Thanks to you, people are able to sleep better at night because Gray Jackal cannot disturb their very lives. And they don't even realize it. Thanks to you, life is quite trying for those terrorists. And for terrorists, a trying life is the least they deserve."

"You've done so much for a world that irrationally hates you. Thank you."

"Are you trying to soften me up for what comes next?" Hansel raised an eyebrow.

Circe could not help but laugh. "Take it anyway you will." She said. "But I promise you, I meant what I said."

"Anyway, about me being here as the 'concerned parent.'" Circe got back on track. "While I did mean everything I said, how I feel about you as a teacher still stands."

"The truth is, Professor, much like those parents who worry you so, I too am honestly considering transferring Pyrrha from this school to Haven, or even to Atlas." Circe revealed. "As much as I'd like to say otherwise, I just can't unconditionally trust a school that would hire a teacher young enough to be a student. Youth usually means inexperience, unfortunately. And inexperience is not what students need from their teachers when they are learning to survive in such a harsh career field."

"Is there a 'but' or an 'unless' somewhere?" Hansel inquired, not surprised by Circe's statement at all.

Circe smiled. "I may be playing the role of the concerned parent here, Professor, but I'm still a woman of fairness and courtesy first and foremost. I'm more than willing to let her stay in Beacon if you can prove to me that you as a teacher can bring out the best in her."

Hansel nodded, folding his arms. Of all the guardians who had to confront me on this, it had to be the guardian of one of the two students Beacon can't afford to lose. Hansel lamented.

He really must have been born under an unlucky star for crap like this to happen to him. "You know, you're kinda putting me on the spot here." Hansel could not help but point out to stall for time, while trying to come up with an answer to her challenge.

Circe smiled apologetically. "I know, and I'm sorry." She said. "But, unfortunately, this was something I had to do in-person, and the sooner the better."

Hansel thought over his answer before replying with a question of his own. "Does your niece know about your intentions?"

Circe was honestly surprised by Hansel's response. "No," she replied.

Hansel nodded. "Well, good luck in trying to get her to agree to this. She's made so many friends here, and not being able to nurture and maintain those friendships any longer is going to eat at her if you suddenly decide to change her school."

Circe looked hurt by that. "I don't want that." She promised. "I just want what's best for Pyrrha."

"Like any decent parental figure should." Hansel acknowledged. "I was lucky to finally experience what that was like when I got dropped off here."

"But if you really wanted what was best for your niece, you'd keep her here, in a place that doesn't care that she's some sort of celebrity." Hansel told her. "Take it from someone who doesn't like his own 'fame' either, the last thing she needs is to go to Haven, where she'll be put right back on that pedestal, or Atlas, where she's practically guaranteed an officer's rank because of who she is."

"At Beacon, people are treated like people, not as potential soldiers, and certainly not like celebrities." Hansel acknowledged, before finding himself becoming a bit more sentimental. "It's...why I love this place...it's my home."

"Your niece," Hansel got back to the subject of Pyrrha, "just wants to be an individual, not a goddess that's above the rest. And the friends she's made make her feel like an individual. If you plan to spend time with your niece and her friends after our meeting, you'll see it. Not a single one of them cares about who she is."

Circe could not help but smile. "That does make me happy." She admitted. "I could tell her fame was starting to wear on her."

"Then why'd you let her continue?"

"That's a long story." Circe admitted. "Her motivations...God, they changed so much throughout her life."

"Anyway," Hansel continued, knowing she did not want to further explain, "you take her out of Beacon, and she loses that individuality. Right now, that's her biggest fear. And that fear coming true...that's probably the worst thing that can happen to her at the moment."

"How do you know all of this?" Circe inquired curiously, honestly surprised that Hansel had her niece pegged like that.

"Because I'm her teacher." Hansel bluntly responded. "I've had to learn about the hopes, aspirations, and fears of every single one of my students these past few weeks, whether I wanted to or not."

Oh my God. Hansel realized, comically disgusted with himself. Am I more involved in the lives of my students then I first thought? That is such bullshit.

"I see," Circe hummed thoughtfully at this. However, there was still one more thing she had to cover, "even if I acknowledge that you are attentive enough to the feelings of your students to qualify as a decent teacher, how can I be certain you are capable of preparing my niece for the dangers of the life of a Huntsmen?"

Hansel sighed. "Now that, I'm not sure I can answer." He admitted. "The thing is, me being hired was a shock to me. Professor Ozpin just...outright told me to come back and be a teacher out of the blue."

"Why?" Circe inquired curiously.

"I can't pretend to understand what he's thinking a hundred percent of the time." Hansel shrugged. "But I do trust his judgment."

"So you expect me to agree that you are qualified enough to continue teaching my niece based on Professor Ozpin's judgment?" Circe raised an eyebrow.

Hansel shook his head. "While I still don't fully understand his motives, what I do know is combat." He pointed out to her. "It's just as you said, I'm in the thick of it, fighting terrorist cells, practically every day. If there's anyone who understand the dangers of this life, it's me. Maybe Professor Ozpin wanted me to pass that knowledge on to the students here."

"Every professor knows the dangers of the Huntsmen life." Circe pointed out.

"I have used my knowledge of battle to compile reports on the strengths and weaknesses of each of my students." Hansel told her. "And I've given those reports to every single students. Your niece has sought me out to improve on her own weaknesses. A few days ago, I spent an entire detention period making students run laps so that they get something other than a punishment out of it. I can go on and on about the ways I'm trying to help these kids so they don't die out there, which is the last thing anyone should want, let alone a teacher."

"But you know, even if you still don't believe in me as a teacher," Hansel continued, "for some reason, my students do. And if Professor Ozpin's word isn't enough, then why not trust the students who seem to think I'm doing a good job."

Circe was once against silenced by Hansel's logic. "You've given me much to think about, Professor." Circe admitted.

Hansel sighed. "Look," he said, "since we're being honest here, I'll come right out and say it: I never wanted this job. I work better in the field. Not cooped up in some classroom."

"So why stick around?" Circe inquired.

"Because Professor Ozpin asked me to stick with this job, and he believes I can do something for them." Hansel said bluntly. "And as long as he wants me around, I intend to offer as much as I can to your niece, and the rest of the academy."

Even if it is something I do on the side. Hansel added inwardly. This job won't interfere in my mission, my purpose.

Circe seemed to consider Hansel's words. She gave him a reassuring smile. "Getting to meet you in person and seeing just what you really are like, it really makes me wish the world could see the real you, Professor." She admitted.

Hansel raised an eyebrow. "And what is the real me, by your definition?" He asked curiously.

"Someone with tremendous loyalty to the people he cares for, like Professor Ozpin. Someone with a strong sense of duty and conviction. Someone who is willing to set aside his personal feelings to do what is right." Circe replied.

Hansel gazed at Circe and sighed inwardly. She got three...but I don't just do this because it's right. This is all for my sake. It has been from the start...

"I'll leave you to your next class, Professor." Circe cut Hansel out of his musings. "If you'll excuse me, I have a niece to smother with love."

Hansel nodded. "Of course," he said politely, "this was a very...pleasant chat, Ms. Ithaca."

Circe rose from her seat and made her way to the doorway out of Hansel's office. Hansel's voice then stopped her. "Ms. Ithaca, I'll be completely honest with you." He said. "I do my best to judge every person as an individual. Doing otherwise would make me no better than all the people who judge me for my name."

"But even so, it's hard for me not to judge politicians because I've honestly never personally met a decent one."

Circe could not help but give Hansel a confused gaze from such a statement. Hansel noticed this and sighed. "S-sorry," he said in embarrassment, "I'm really bad at this stuff. What I'm trying to say is…um…thanks for being the first politician I've actually liked."

Circe giggled at Hansel's adorable embarrassment before nodding in understanding. "You're very welcome, Professor." She said before exiting his office.

And so, Circe left Hansel in contemplation and to prepare for his next class. She was immediately greeted by Chrysos. She noticed how close he seemed to be to the door and smiled knowingly. "Chrysos," she teased, "were you spying on us?"

Chrysos coughed in embarrassment. "My apologies, Madam." He said. "I just…if I don't know you're safe, I'm afraid I feel tremendous anxiety."

Circe smiled, truly touched by Chrysos' amazing loyalty. "You should work on that," she told him, "there's more to life than your job, Chrysos."

Chrysos fell silent at this. Circe realized she might have overstepped her bounds and sighed. "I'm sorry," she said, "I wasn't thinking."

"No, it's fine, I know you mean well, Madam." Chrysos said softly. "However, this job is my life. It became my life when…"

"No," Circe cut him off, "you don't have to relive it anymore, Chrysos, that was in the past. We are in the present now. It's up to us to make sure our futures are nothing like our past."

"...I couldn't agree more, Madam." Chrysos responded. "Now then, shall we find Ms. Pyrrha?"

Circe shook her head. "No, I think we should see if Professor Ozpin is available for a meeting. I'm sure he has cleared his schedule with me here. Besides, Gin's definitely with them. And I seriously doubt you're going to restrain from giving him another Bear Claw."

Chrysos growled at the very mention of Gin's free-spirited ways. Circe chuckled. "Let's let Gin have a few moments of freedom then." She decided. "Before you punish him for the second time today."

While Circe went to meet with Professor Ozpin, the day went on for the students of Beacon Academy. It was now past lunchtime, and Teams RWBY and JNPR, accompanied by the still-happy and energetic Gin Byakko, found themselves enjoying a free period in Team JNPR's room.

"It's...pretty crowded in here." Ren noted.

"The more the merrier, Renny!" Nora cheered.

"Or in Ren's case, the more the Rennier." Yang joked before looking around, eagerly, fishing for laughter. "Huh? Huh?"

All she got were snickers from Gin, who had made himself at home, leaning in Jaune's desk chair. And they were not snickers because of her joke. "Swing and a miss." He teased.

Yang turned red with anger, her eyes lit up bright red as sparks of fire started to dance around her hair. "Yang…" Ruby nervously warned her sister.

Gin noticed Yang tense up and smirked competitively. "Oho? You want to go, Yang?" He inquired eagerly. "I didn't get to see you fight in my battle royale with the rest of the class, so it might be fun."

"The thought is quite tempting." Yang admitted.

"Yang, we are guests in someone else's room, behave yourself." Weiss chided her.

"And honestly, Yang, I'm afraid you've got no chance at beating Gin." Pyrrha admitted. "Like I keep saying, Gin's even stronger than I am."

Yang's eyes turned to normal, as did her hair. She was still pouting though. Gin smiled reassuringly. "I don't mean anything by it, Yang." He promised. "I just like pushing people's buttons to keep 'em on their toes and keep 'em nice and loose."

"Oh yeah, caught plenty of that back in the day." Pyrrha rolled her eyes, making Gin chuckle.

"Yang is the last person who needs to loosen up." Blake sighed.

"If anything, she needs to tighten up instead." Weiss added, making Ruby giggle and Yang look at her teammates with a gaze of betrayal.

"Nah," Gin shook her head, "Yang's fine the way she is."

That blunt, but sincere statement made everyone look at Gin in surprise. "I mean, the world's already tense." Gin pointed out. "No matter how much we try to deny it, we're on the border between hope and despair."

"That's why I like working for Lady Circe so much." Gin admitted. "She works hard to give everyone hope. It's hard for politicians to be both good leaders and good people. But she manages it, and in doing so, she makes people happy."

Pyrrha nodded in agreement. "Point her to a cause she can believe in, and she'll throw her support in it, 100%." She noted.

Gin gave Yang a smile. "The point is," he said, "you're fine the way you are. I couldn't imagine you as some angsty girl who yells at people anyway. So, stick with the jokester-persona."

"Th-thanks." Yang could not help but smile at Gin's sincerity.

"Maybe just work on the temper a little. I really don't mean anything by it." Gin added in a teasing tone.

Gin quickly grabbed a book out of the air that was tossed at him by Yang. "I rest my case." Gin joked.

Pyrrha gazed at the door to and from her team's room. "Hey, Gin," she said, addressing the elephant in the room, "will Aunt Circe be much longer?"

Gin shrugged. "Hard to say," he admitted, "I know Lady Circe wanted to meet with Professor Ozpin and Professor Kobalt. But, this visit was so out of the blue, it's gonna be hard for them to quickly make time in their schedules for her, big-time politician or not."

Blake's cat ears twitched at this. "Wait, Professor Ozpin and Professor Kobalt?" She looked at Gin suspiciously.

Everyone's eyes widened as they all turned to Gin, who went pale when he realized he might have said too much. "Ah shit." He muttered.

"Gin," Pyrrha narrowed her eyes, "why does Aunt Circe want to meet with Professor Kobalt?"

Gin frantically raised his hands in surrender, seeing the suspicion in everyone's eyes. "Whoa, okay, let's all just calm down here." He said. "No need to shoot the messenger. Lady Circe's got nothing malicious planned. She just wanted to make sure that Beacon still has the students' best interests at heart. And from there, she wanted to offer whatever help she could to the headmaster."

Chrysos might actually kill me for this. He lamented. Me and my big fat mouth.

Ruby frowned, remembering those horrible patrons at Pleasure Island Pizza that called Professor Kobalt a 'freak'. "So as soon as the Vytal Festival goes great after everything that led up to it, there's no reason to question Beacon." She noted. "But as soon as someone nobody seems to like gets hired, it's time to freak out?"

Gin chuckled humorlessly. "Hardly seems fair, doesn't it?" He tried to lighten the tension.

He saw Ruby frowning at him with a look of disapproval, like a child who just discovered their parents or teachers were not perfect. He frowned back. "Hey, come on, Ruby." He pleaded. "Don't give me that look. You're such a sweet girl. Giving me a look like that makes me feel like I'm the bad guy here."

Ruby realized she probably was being a bit unfair and managed to regain her composure. "Sorry," she said softly, "it just...I just experienced people treating the professor horribly. And it still kinda makes me mad, honestly."

"Ruby, you have to pick your battles." Weiss told Ruby sternly. "There's no need for you to stand up for the professor as much as you do. Certainly not when it involves complete strangers. If word got out that students are arguing with civilians, or worse, it could cause a scandal."

"I know that," Ruby admitted, "but...I just react before I have a chance to really think. I like to think I'd react the same if it were any of you. I don't know why hearing that stuff about the professor sets me off so much, it's just…"

"Well it's because you're kind," Pyrrha interrupted with a smile, "you're just the kind of person who can't stand seeing people mistreated."

"But Weiss is right though," Pyrrha continued, "there's no need to do that on the professor's behalf. And I'm sure he'd tell you the same thing."

"He did." Ruby admitted. "But it's still so unfair. How could anyone think treating someone so poorly-let alone call them a freak-is okay?"

Everyone's eyes widened. "A freak?" Gin frowned. "You're right-about everything, really-but especially about that. Calling someone a freak is just not cool at all."

Gin sighed. "Poor bastard," he mused, "considering his age, he's probably had to live with labels like that his entire life."

Gin shook his head. "In an ideal world, a person's sins die with them. But our world is the furthest thing from ideal." He pointed out. "Chrysos and Lady Circe taught me that."

"The sad truth is, we inherit the sins of those who came before us." Gin sadly admitted. "It's the greatest injustice this world has ever known, but it's one we can't escape from."

"I'm going to have to side with Ruby on this," Jaune spoke up, "that's not fair at all. I mean, look at the Schnee Dust Company, they've been getting in trouble for some questionable business practices, but Weiss is way too nice to ever do the same. She doesn't deserve to suffer from her family's mistakes."

Weiss could not help but smile at Jaune's statement. She may not like him the way he did her, but she did appreciate his heart. "Thank you, Jaune." She said softly.

Gin chuckled. "With attitudes like that, maybe there's a chance things can get better." He noted, before adding seriously. "Unfortunately though, there's always going to be that nagging feeling in the back of someone's mind: 'how long before he does what the rest of his family did?' 'How long before she starts doing the same her father did when he ran the company?' You can lessen the impact, but you can't escape labels."

"That just pisses me off." Ruby admitted, making everyone look at her in surprise. None of them had ever heard her speak crassly before, and that was not even bad. A testament to how pure and innocent she usually was.

"As it should. That's a heart of gold you've got there, Ruby, be proud of that." Gin complimented before continuing. "I myself fall into Lady Circe's line of thinking: Professor Kobalt deserves to be judged as his own man, and not for the fact his family went all mad scientist and wrecked their reps."

"Mad scientist?" Ruby looked at Gin in confusion.

Gin raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"

Ruby shook her head. Gin chuckled. "Maybe ignorance is bliss." He mused. "Well, it's not my place to give you the full story. If any of you don't know, you're just going to have to hope one day your professor is comfortable enough to share those kinds of details about his life. I'm sure he knows the full story, considering it's his family history. Hell, I'm sure he wants to forget the whole thing, pretend it all never happened so that he can move on with his life. But, unfortunately, the rest of Remnant has no intention of letting him."

"Who here does know, exactly?" Gin asked curiously.

Pyrrha, Blake and Weiss raised their hands. Gin's eyes widened. "Less than I expected." He muttered.

"Nora and I had something of a nomadic life." Ren explained. "It's not like we had a chance to stay up to date on that kind of stuff."

"I don't pay attention in history." Yang said proudly.

"Ditto." Ruby added.

Jaune paused for a moment before nodding. "I'm getting better, but I don't know this one."

Gin sighed. "Like I said, I can't tell you everything. Not my place to do it. But, I can give you an idea at least. Chrysos and Lady Circe gave me something of a rundown when we were on our way to Vale."

Gin gave them all a serious look. "Have you all ever heard of the fairy tale about the apothecary who tried to conquer death?"

"I have!" Ruby excitedly responded. "I read it with Yang once."

"Yeah, and it scared you so much that you had to sleep in my room for a month." Yang added, making Ruby glare at her.

Gin nodded. "It's a sad story," he noted, "all that fool wanted was to conquer that horrifying abyss for the sake of mankind, so that no one would have to suffer the pain of loss ever again."

He sighed. "People love to brag about advancements in science. They talk about how it's the key to improving all facets of life, like it's going to save the world. But where do you draw the line exactly? At what point do you realize that there are some places that we were never meant to go?"

Gin found himself gazing out the window. "Scientists spend all their time figuring out if they can do something, they never stop to consider if they should." He noted. "Take the fellow in that fairy tale for example: He found a way to conquer death, sure. However, he failed to realize that life is meant to end when it ends. In his desperation to conquer death…he created a monster. And that monster took everything from him, including his life. No happy ending in this fairy tale, just a sad, cruel lesson that should serve as a cautionary tale."

Ren's eyes slowly widened in realization. "Weiss mentioned on his first day of teaching class that the Kobalts were powerful Huntsmen and brilliant scientists back in the day." He noted. "Are you telling me that their reputation was destroyed because…"

Ren trailed off, unable to say it. Gin smiled sadly and shook his head. "Maybe not that specifically. Honestly I don't know all the details myself." He admitted. "After the Kobalts' reputation was destroyed, all records of their actions were sealed off. The world was so desperate to pretend their most brilliant minds hadn't gone off the deep end, they made it seem like it never happened in the first place. Well, that's also not true, because their sudden ostracization and the rumors of just how bad the things they did actually were, all of the things they did, indeed happened in the eyes of the public."

"And the world now curses the Kobalt name to this day." Yang realized.

Gin nodded. "Science is great and all, but we're still human in the end. No amount of scientific advancements are worth sacrificing our humanity. There needs to be a balance between our desire for progress, and our own morals. That was what that tale was trying to teach us. Unfortunately, people are arrogant or desperate enough to believe they can succeed where others had failed."

Gin looked at Ruby, who seemed to be contemplating his words. Before he could say anything to her, everyone heard a sudden knock on the door. "Anyone home, Auntie's making a house call." Came Circe's eager voice.

"Shit!" Gin hissed, seeing everyone's downtrodden faces. "Everyone look like you're having a good time, right now! If Lady Circe finds out I opened my big mouth I'm going to be in serious trouble."

Gin watched as everyone forced a smile on their faces. He quickly ran over to the door and opened it. "Lady Circe, wassup?" He inquired, sweating nervously.

"Gin, you look exhausted, what's wrong?" Circe responded with her own query.

Gin laughed. "Oh, I was just showing off how many push-ups and sit-ups I could do." He lied. "Almost broke my own record. Guess I was more tired from that battle royale than I thought."

Circe looked behind Gin and saw the smiling faces of Pyrrha and her friends. "Oh good, everyone's here. I know about Team JNPR, so I guess this makes the rest of you Pyrrha's dearest friends." She realized.

Ruby, still bothered by everything Gin said, smiled brightly, wanting to make a good impression on Pyrrha's aunt. "It's nice to meet you, Ms. Ithaca. I'm Ruby, leader of Team RWBY."

Circe had stars in her eyes. "Oh. My. God!" She squealed. "You're Ruby?"

Ruby was suddenly pulled into an embrace by the doting aunt. "Oh, you're even more adorable in person!" She noted. "I just want to spoil you! Visit Mistral some time. I'll make you Baklava!"

"Can't breathe!" Ruby shrieked. "Can't breathe!"

And just like that, the tension was out of the room. Gin smiled with relief when he noticed that everyone's smiles were no more genuine. Circe Ithaca's positive enthusiasm strikes again. "Let's see," Circe gazed at the rest of Team RWBY, "based on how Pyrrha described the rest of you in her letters, you must be Weiss, Blake and Yang, right?"

"Nice to meetcha, Ms. Ithaca." Yang waved politely with Weiss and Blake.

"And as for the rest of Team JNPR, you all must be Jaune, Nora and Ren. My word, you're all exactly like how Pyrrha describes you."

"Auntie…" Pyrrha groaned in embarrassment, making Gin chuckle.

"Make yourself comfortable, Ms. Ithaca." Jaune offered Circe one of the beds. "Sorry that it's so crowded in here. These rooms are meant for four people."

"Oh it's no trouble at all." Circe took a seat on the edge of the bed. "Honestly, you spend so much time in 5-star resorts, you reach a point where you want something a bit more simple, like this."

"So," Circe smiled, "might as well get right down to it. Are you children enjoying your education?"

"It has its ups and downs, but I think I speak for everyone when I say we are all getting much out of it." Weiss noted, making everyone nod in agreement.

"I'm glad to hear it," Circe nodded, "I just got out of a meeting with Professor Ozpin. Knowing that you are all making your time here at Beacon worthwhile has made my decision seem like a good one."

"What decision?" Blake raised an eyebrow at Circe.

Circe giggled. "Secret, dear. You'll know soon enough in my next press conference."

"But enough about education, I want to talk about family." Circe gestured to Pyrrha. "Thank you all so much for looking after my niece these past few months."

"Hey, no problem," Jaune smiled, "Pyrrha's our friend. She'd do the same for any of us without a second thought."

"Not that she needs any of us to look after her." Weiss noted. "Pyrrha's one of the top students, and as Sanctum's undefeated champion, she's practically untouchable."

Circe noticed Pyrrha's face fall slightly. Nodding in understanding, she addressed her niece. "Pyrrha," she said, "could you please take Chrysos into the cafeteria and grab him and me something to eat? We've been so busy with meetings today neither of us have had much to eat yet."

Pyrrha's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh, I didn't even think about that. I'm sorry."

Circe smiled. "No, no, it's my fault, Professor Ozpin and I talked for way too long." She assured her.

"Ms. Pyrrha," Chrysos bowed before escorting her out of the room.

Circe smiled when she was out of earshot. "I hate taking advantage of how sweet she is, but she doesn't need to be here for this part." She noted.

Circe gave everyone a sad expression before sighing. "You know, I had hoped this would be obvious by now, but my Pyrrha has a lot of trouble making friends."

"She does?" Ruby looked at Circe in confusion. "But she's so nice, why would she have trouble making friends?"

Circe laughed. "I like you, Ruby." She admitted. "You have such a simple view of the world. It's refreshing."

"But the thing is, Pyrrha has had trouble making friends her whole life for a reason similar to why it's hard for politicians to have real friends." Circe explained. "Everyone was either too afraid to approach her because she's this undefeated champion who's above everyone else, or just trying to get on her good side so that they could say they were friends with a celebrity."

Weiss' eyes widened, realizing immediately that she might have reminded Pyrrha of that. Circe sighed. "It's lonely at the top." She noted. "Pyrrha learned that at a young age. I tried to discourage her from pushing herself as hard as she did to become champion because I knew what that did to kids her age, but she insisted."

"And eventually, in spite of her desperation to have friends, she just...resigned herself to living alone at the top. God, she really wanted real friends, but I think by the time she was done at Sanctum, she had given up."

"Pyrrha always seems so happy though." Nora sadly pointed out.

"The ones who smile the most are usually hiding the most pain." Circe sagely pointed out. "And Pyrrha's no exception."

Circe then smiled. "And then, when started at Beacon, I got the strangest letter from her. It was short but sweet."

"'Auntie, a boy didn't know who I was. And now he's my partner. I think he's going to be a great friend. I'm really excited to be here, Auntie. Beacon was definitely the right choice.'" Circe remembered that letter like it was yesterday.

"I...I almost started crying." Circe admitted. "I had tried so hard to help Pyrrha find real friends, but when your aunt is a celebrity too, most people want to be your friend to get in your aunt's good graces."

"That was me." Jaune realized. "Pyrrha was talking about me."

Circe smiled at the young man. "Jaune, you have no idea how happy meeting you made her. With every letter she sent me, I could tell she was slowly returning to her old self, not the celebrity-self that was inevitably made when everyone was just praising her left and right. I don't know why you didn't know her, but that was the greatest thing she could have heard."

"I...had no idea." Jaune admitted. "I mean, Pyrrha told me how lonely she was. But I never…"

"She didn't want you to worry too much about her, don't beat yourself up about it." Circe assured him.

"Every single letter that came after that one could only talk about how amazing her friends were, and how not a single one of them seemed to care that she was some sort of celebrity." Circe continued, making everyone gape in amazement at the realization that Pyrrha-strong, kind and wonderful Pyrrha-thought the world of them. "At that moment...I realized that even though she broke everyone's heart when she refused to go to Haven, Beacon was the right choice for her."

And I was a fool to consider taking that from her. Circe realized.

"I know Pyrrha's a big celebrity," Circe continued, "but she's got her flaws like everyone else. She fusses way too much. She gets flustered way too easy. And she's still as socially awkward as they come, but I can tell by her letters she's getting better."

"My point is, she can be a handful, like anyone else your age." Circe pointed out before adding. "But that's why she needs people who care about her for who she is, and not what she is. You know, what you're doing right now."

"I know it's probably selfish of me to request this, but as her last living family, her happiness means the world to me." Circe told them. "Please, stay by my niece's side. You all mean so much to her. After all, you kids helped her get her real smile back."

Everyone fell silent, shocked at the woman they just met opening up to them. Ruby then spoke up. "Well come on, have a little more faith in us." She said with a smile. "If you know us from Pyrrha's letters, then you should know we'd never desert someone as awesome as she is."

"Yeah, Pyrrha's an irreplaceable teammate and friend." Jaune added with all the sincerity he could muster. "No way we'd abandon her."

"The Pancake Quartet leaves no one behind!" Nora cheered.

Circe laughed, restraining herself from tearing up a little. "I had to make sure." She said simply.

Pyrrha then returned with wrapped up sandwiches, flanked by Chrysos. "I'm sorry, Auntie, this was all they had." She held out the sandwiches.

Before Pyrrha could hand the sandwiches to her aunt, she was suddenly tackled by Nora in a flying hug. "Pyrrha!" Nora wailed.

"Wha?! Nora?!" Pyrrha was shocked.

Circe chuckled at Nora's affection to her niece, she noticed that everyone was now looking at her, all smiles. She nodded in satisfaction, seeing how genuine they all were. You really have found some wonderful friends, Pyrrha. She concluded.

The rest of the day was all smiles, an amazing accomplishment considering that everyone's moods had been shot to hell by Gin's conversation on the Kobalt family. And now, with classes done for the day, aunt and niece had finally found some alone time at a fancy restaurant in the city.

"It's been quite awhile since the two of us have been able to sit down for a nice meal." Circe mused. "I'm just glad I was able to get a table reserved on such short notice."

"You are one of the most beloved people in Mistral." Pyrrha noted. "No surprise Vale's now trying to get on your good side."

"Honestly though, Aunt Circe, I still prefer your cooking over fancy places like these."

Circe smiled. "You give me too much credit. They were your mother's recipes. She was twice the cook I could ever hope to be."

Circe shook her head as memories of her sister came rushing back. "Oh, how I wish she could see you now, Pyrrha." She admitted. "She'd be so proud of you."

Pyrrha looked off to the side. "Even after the Vytal Festival?" She asked softly.

Circe frowned. "Where did this come from?" She asked curiously.

"Well, you had to be getting questions." Pyrrha noted. "'Why did your sweet niece dismember that poor girl?' 'What the hell are Mistral academies teaching kids?' You know, that kind of stuff."

Circe shook her head. "Pyrrha, everyone I've known in my career has asked no such question. They know you. They know you'd never do such things on purpose." She promised. "Now that things have calmed down, people are slowly beginning to realize just how badly we were all set up by that horrible woman. I feel the worst for poor Professor Lionheart, he's getting so many questions as to how those people had managed to forge Haven records."

Circe smiled. "The important thing is that you're all okay, and that in spite of what happened, you're all able to move forward with the resolve to one day take the fight to horrible people like that Cinder Fall."

That's right, Pyrrha thought sadly, because I'm going to be the Fall Maiden. Not Pyrrha anymore, just the Fall Maiden. I'll one day lead the charge and take the fight to the enemy…

"Pyrrha, sweetie, what's wrong?" Circe noticed how sad her niece looked.

"Auntie," Pyrrha said softly, "are you really okay with me continuing to do this?"

Circe raised an eyebrow. "Where did this come from? I told you, you shouldn't feel bad about that poor girl."

"It's not just that." Pyrrha admitted, knowing she had to get this off her chest somehow, but still had to keep her new secret. "What happened at the Vytal Festival...I feel like something changed in me. In the sense that I now have a greater understanding of what this life entails."

"When I started training...I wanted people to recognize me, I craved that attention. I thought that if I was the best, people would notice me and be my friend." Pyrrha shook her head. "I already know that's selfish, and it was wrong of me to think that way."

"But even after I realized that, I still felt so empty, because I felt like I didn't really have a reason to become a Huntress." Pyrrha admitted.

"I see." Circe simply replied. "And are you still struggling to find that answer?"

Pyrrha nodded. "I don't know what to do, Auntie." She said. "And when I see you, who's always so assured in everything she does, it just makes me feel like a failure."

Circe frowned. "First of all, never call yourself that. You are the furthest thing from a failure, and I know your friends would say the same if they heard that."

"Second," Circe continued, "there is no shame in stopping, as long as that's what's in your heart."

"I know I don't want to stop, Auntie." Pyrrha replied.

"Then search your heart, Pyrrha, and find what it is that wants to make you continue." Circe told her. "It's already within you, so finding it will be easier than you think."

Circe then gave her niece a gentle smile. "And never forget that no matter what your choice is, and no matter what your reasoning is, never doubt that I love you, and I always will."

At that moment, all of Pyrrha's emotions came rushing to the forefront. Her happiness at being alive after that hell that was the Vytal Festival, the stress of becoming the new Fall Maiden, and the fear of losing her individuality. It all came rushing back as she leapt from her seat and tearfully threw her arms around her aunt, embracing her tightly. "Auntie!" She wailed.

Circe smiled, calmly soothing her beloved niece. A confused but concern waiter came by and she smiled. "We're going to need a bit more time before we order." She said softly, the waiter nodding in understanding as he left.

The two stayed like that for awhile, before Pyrrha managed to calm down and return to their seat. Circe then spent the rest of her time with her niece, doing her best to steer the conversation elsewhere by talking about boys, particularly Jaune Arc.

Pyrrha went from emotional to embarrassed in an instant, and remained that way for the rest of the night.

By morning, Circe Ithaca would be on a flight back to Mistral, and Pyrrha Nikos, while still feeling plenty of emotional turmoil, also felt truly happy because of one simple fact:

She had family and friends that truly loved her...

A.N: Whew, this was an emotional rollercoaster, wasn't it? I hope everyone enjoyed it regardless. Next time, one final downtime chapter before the revelation of where the next arc's destination will be.