Author's Notes:

-Man, this chapter is a longer one. But I think you'll enjoy it nonetheless.

Ren and Nora walked out of the business building complex in their interview outfits. As they went past the revolving door, they started to gently pace through the streets as they made their way back to the treehouse.

Nora skipped along for a few steps. "I can't believe we actually managed to get a job. And on our first try! Well, a paid internship, but close enough. Soon enough, we'll eventually get a real job."

Ren smiled amusingly. "What, did you think it would be super hard?"

"You're the one who told me that life isn't easy."

"Life as a whole is not easy. Finding a job is the easier part. Keeping it can be tricky. But I believe that this internship will work out quite well." Nora smiled briefly for a moment before she saw a little red-haired girl smiling as she carried a poster of Pyrrha Nikos. Upon seeing this, she turned away despondently. Ren noticed this and the two stopped before the crosswalk as the Valkyrie got lost in her thoughts. "Nora?"

She hung her head in sorrow. "I miss her... I miss both of them..."

He sulked slightly. "I know. I miss them too... but they're where they need to be."

"I suppose that's true. But... still... it feels like... we're in this wrong situation. Like... we should be doing something else."

"Like what?"

"I don't know." She sighed. "Maybe I'm just crazy."

"You are, a little, but you're still my best friend. All we really have is each other."

"True." she said with a faint smile.

"As for Jaune and Pyrrha, I hope they're alright, wherever they are."

Jaune had woken up, yawning and stretching his arms as he sat up. He looked at the calendar hanging on his wall over by the door. The 15th of November. Emerald's birthday was November 25th. With the amendment to the rule of having a job, he wondered what his younger sister would do the day after she turns sixteen. She said she was still thinking about it, but she said that she would give her answer soon. It had been three weeks since Jaune arrived at the Arc family household. Three weeks had been forced into housekeeping and subservience (mainly by Rouge). He had learned to live with it, even if he didn't like it. He actually hated it.

He then looked at the clock on the other side of the same wall. 9:45am. Oh man, he overslept! He groaned as he got up and got dressed. By now, his mom and dad had left for their respective jobs. He dusted the living room and the entire downstairs and dumped Amethyst's laundry on her bed. As he went through the routine of chores, he couldn't help but look back on better days. The days when his biggest concern was trying to get good to pass off as a qualified huntsman trainee. The days when he had friends that helped him, supported him and believed in him. The days when he had Pyrrha Nikos by his side, even before he realized how he felt about her.

Pyrrha...

He remembered the feeling of her lips upon hers, gently embracing her when he slept and cuddled with her the first time, even making love for a brief moment and as he recalled her, a certain memory came back to him. It was three days after Pyrrha had been found and safely returned. She was lying on the couch, cuddled underneath two blankets, with Jaune sitting next to her in a chair he pulled over from the dining room table. Ren and Nora were out running errands, so it was just the two of them in the apartment.

"You don't have to do this." Pyrrha said to him as he brought a glass of water to her.

"I know, but I'm worried about you." His voice began to break. "I...I almost lost you. It almost feels like... like..."

"Like this is all surreal? Like it's nothing but a dream?"

"Yeah..."

"It does feel that way, doesn't it?" He nodded in agreement. She looked at him sadly. "I know you won't like hearing this, but... it feels like I was supposed to meet my end at the top of the tower... but now... since I've survived..."

"Don't say that. I don't know if you're saying this because you accidentally killed Penny, which wasn't even your fault, or because that thrice-damned fall maiden defeated you, but you're alive, and you deserve to live on. That thrice-damned Cinder Fall... she's the one who deserves to die."

"But can we really decide who deserves death and who doesn't?"

"Maybe, maybe not. Either way, you're here. And I'm glad you're here, with me."

"Yeah..." From under the covers, she took out her left arm and placed her hand with Jaune's. "I suppose I'm glad too."

Jaune smiled as he held her hand.

The young former Beacon student sulked as he returned to the present. He had to face reality. He'd never see her again. Nothing was ever going to change. Not for the better anyway. He got done with the daily indoor chores for the day. He stood in the kitchen, putting the mop back into the nearby closest then retrieved and put up a wet floor sign. After doing this, he pressed his back against the closet door.

"Well, it could be worse. Oh wait, this is rock bottom. It can't get worse."

"Still talking to yourself, are you?"

He raised his eyebrows in surprise, turned to Tangerine and smiled. "Sometimes I'm the only one who listens."

"I'll listen. Listening is part of communication after all."

Suddenly a few knocks were heard on the door. Jaune said, "I'll get it."

[cue RWBY Music-Forever Fall, at beginning, words of the song start when the door is opened]

He made his way over to the door, opened it and turned his head up in surprise as he saw the visitor. "Pyrrha?" The red-haired warrior stood at the doorstep, her crimson hood down as the autumn wind blew around her. An orange leaf landed on her head, getting stuck in her hair, but neither of them noticed. Neither one cared. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes and even when they came crashing down, she sobbed silently, not even saying a word. "Pyrrha?"

"Jaune..." She sobbed, throwing herself into his chest. "I've missed you..." She sobbed again. "Everything's... gone wrong... Can't afford to..."

He gently embraced her. "Pyrrha? Pyrrha, what's wrong? Speak to me, please!"

"Jaune... There's so much I want to say..." She choked up, crying again. "I... I don't know how to say it... or what..." She sobbed hysterically, breaking down.

"It's ok." He gently stroked her hair, trying to calm her. "I'm here for you, no matter what. I always have been, and I always will be."

The two held each other in that comforting embrace in near silence for a moment. How long it lasted, neither one knew.

"Jaune... So much... has happened... It feels like... darkness has closed in. I wanted to find some source of light... something, or someone, to hold onto."

He brushed her tears away with his thumb. "It's ok. You're safe here. No one will hurt you." They both felt a wind chill blow right past them. "You should come in, it's cold out here." The two went back inside, going through the living room. Pyrrha took off her cloak and threw it on her arm as the two newly reunited lovebirds went to the kitchen. She placed her cloak on the back of one of the dining room chairs before sitting down in that same seat. "Is there anything I can get for you? Water? Tea?"

"Both would be nice, if you are willing to go to that trouble."

"It's no trouble, really! Any particular kind?"

"Do you have rose? It's my favorite."

Jaune briefly smiled at her as he filled a glass with water. "You're in luck. Mom and dad stopped by the store yesterday and got some."

He handed her a glass of water and started preparing the rose tea. He sat down beside her as he waited for the water to boil. Tangerine, who had been standing there the whole time, silently raised her eyebrows in response to Pyrrha's arrival.

"Pyrrha Nikos? In the flesh?" Tangerine asked, bewildered. "What brings you here?"

She sniffed, her expression turning sorrowful once again. "I can state numerous reasons why I came here."

"Is it... Cinder?" Jaune asked, his nerves tensing. Pyrrha nodded back and forth sadly. He sighed in relief before turning back to her with sad eyes. "Is this a confidential matter?"

Pyrrha sighed. "No, it isn't." She wiped away some tears from her right eye with her index finger. "When I returned home, a week after leaving Vale, I returned to find my home in charred and partially burnt remains. My parents are dead." Jaune gasped, and Tangerine was visibly downcast along with her younger brother. "They were murdered, with no trace as to who's responsible or why they did it. And my little brother, Ash, is missing."

"Oh my gosh... That's horrible. And not to sound like an idiot, who's Ash?" Jaune inquired. "I don't remember you mentioning him."

"Really? I never told you about Ash Nikos, my younger brother?" Jaune nodded. Pyrrha tried to continue without her voice breaking. "Well, he's about Ruby's age. He's a student at Sanctum Academy. He's very kind and we hardly ever fought and my brother... and before I really met you and all of my other friends at Beacon, he was the only true friend I had. I miss him. What I wouldn't give to know he's alright... or where he is."

"I'm sure he's out there somewhere." Tangerine commented.

Jaune added, "She's probably right. Although... this revelation... I'm not sure whether to be relived or depressed, as this is not what I thought it was."

"Why, what did you think it was?" Pyrrha asked.

"Jaune! Where's my tea?!" a commanding voice shouted from upstairs.

"Oh, not again..." The blond haired warrior grumbled.

The pot in the back was starting to boil over. That was Rouge's rose passionfruit tea. "Ahh!" He quickly lifted it up, letting the liquid fall down the sides of the pot. Some of the hot liquid touched his hand, causing them to feel the burn just a little bit. He groaned as he set the pot down on a non-heated part of the stove top. "Damn Rouge..."

Pyrrha observed the situation, confused. "What's going on?"

He grabbed a tea plate and a tea cup from the cabinet, set the cup on the plate and poured the super hot liquid as he answered, "Long story short, I've been punished for forging transcripts and been punished as housekeeper and butler. Rouge has been using me for various tasks of servitude, the most common demand being for tea of some kind."

The young lad was about to run off, but Tangerine stopped him with her hand. "You have a girlfriend to comfort. I'll help out just this once and take the heat from Rouge."

"Really? Thank you, Tangerine!"

He handed the tea to her as she briefly glared at him. "Don't mention it."

"Jaune!"

"Coming Rouge!" Jaune exclaimed.

Tangerine then left with the tea. "Jaune!" She dashed up the steps as quickly and carefully as she could. "Jaune Arc!" The tomboy dashed down the hallway, entered Rouge's room and stood beside her, Rouge not even looking closely at her. "Oh, there you are. About time you got here." She took the tea plate, grabbed the cup and took a sip before swallowing. Then she widened her eyes and did a double take. "Wait a second! You don't look like the butler!"

She smirked. "I'm not."

Rouge was unamused. "Did Jaune rope you into doing his chores for him?"

"No, I volunteered to take your tea up to you. Jaune's comforting his girlfriend right now. I may know nothing of love, but I can see that she really needs him right now."

The femme fatale raised an eyebrow. "Pyrrha Nikos herself? Here? That seems ludicrous."

"Come on, Rouge." Tangerine folded her arms as her older sister took another sip. "When was the last time I ever lied to you?"

The model mused to herself as she set the teacup on the plate. "Three years ago, when you first started hunting criminals, on the first day, you claimed that it was easy. Azura saw right through it and you then confessed that you were almost killed twice. You may be a lot of things, but being a liar isn't one of them... Still I find it hard to believe..."

The street fighter sighed. "If you don't believe me, I'll bring you to them."

Rouge promptly stood up, taking her tea with her and the two started to make their way downstairs.

Back in the kitchen, Pyrrha was still speaking to Jaune. She looked at him curiously. "Same question from earlier, what did you think it was?"

"Well... it's been several weeks since we went all the way. I thought that... you might have been pregnant."

She chuckled thrice. "I can't believe you thought that."

"Well... I... I never thought I'd see you again. What was I supposed to think?"

"Hmm... I guess that's fair, but I did tell you I'm on birth control."

"You did." He sighed. "I guess I was just paranoid."

"It happens to the best of us."

The two eldest Arc sisters entered the room. Tangerine motioned her arms towards Pyrrha. "See? Would I ever lie to you?"

"Okay, I admit. You were right, you're not a liar." Rouge took another sip of tea before addressing the red-haired warrior. "I hope you're finding yourself at home here."

"I am, although I haven't even been here all that long." She looked at the siblings who were opposites of each other before turning to her boyfriend. "I'm guessing these are some of your many sisters you told me about?

"Yep, these are the two oldest-Rouge and Tangerine. The fashionista and the tough tomboy."

Pyrrha looked at Rouge curiously. "Hmm... It seems that you have the appearance of a fashion model, let it seems like there's more that meets the eye."

"Quite astute, Ms. Nikos. I am a professional huntress."

"So you graduated from Beacon."

"Shade, actually. I was a member of team LUNA. Sounds exactly as it's spelled."

She took another sip of tea as Pyrrha looked at her in wonder. "Really? Why Shade? Then again, people still ask me 'Why Beacon?' so I might not have any real reason to ask..."

The model set the teacup down. "No, it is a valid question. I choose Shade Academy since Shade is said to be more welcoming to potential huntsmen and huntresses, they have the cheapest tuition, which is still not cheap, and it was closer to home."

"Why would cheapest tuition matter? Aren't you incredibly wealthy as a model?"

"You see..."

"Well..." Jaune said at the same time. He continued, "Long story. Mind if I tell her?"

She smiled. "Do tell."

"I may have forgotten to mention that my paternal grandfather, while he was a great hero, had a huge gambling problem. When he died, he left my father with a massive debt of 125 million. We still have six million more Lien to pay up before we get out of it. Anyway, due to the massive debt, many of us who wanted to be hunters looked to a different path. Since Rouge was the oldest, she got to continue the family legacy and she was the only one who got any formalized combat training, went to a primary combat school prior to her huntress trainee days, and even got a legitimate letter of recommendation. It is also this reason that Tangerine choose to be a street fighter to become a huntress. Anywho, Rouge tried to apply for scholarships, but she didn't get much. Even with the small amount of scholarship money and her earnings as a waitress, she believed she was going to drown in debt. However, about two weeks prior to the beginning of her first year, she was waiting on the table of an agent for a fashion company named Venus. When she brought the drink to the man, he asked her, 'You look like you have much more potential than that. You're clearly unhappy with your line of work. Why are you doing this?'

"Since she had no other tables to wait on at the moment, she answered to him, 'I'm about to enter huntsmen school, but I'm poor and I hardly have any money. I don't have much choice but to work low paying jobs to try and get out my own debt.' He smiled at her and handed her a card, saying, 'When your shift's done, call this number. You won't be sorry.' Although a bit suspicious at first, she called the number and scheduled an appointment. At this interview, she learned about Venus, a different kind of fashion company that was seeking new models. She told them of her situation, and eventually, she struck a deal with the owner of the company, Venus Rosetta. The company agreed to pay for all of her college, but in return, she would work for them until she made enough money to cover what they spent on her, expecting to work for them for three to four years. They gave her the choice to start her work immediately or wait until she had graduated from Shade Academy. She chose to start immediately.

"Although it was a way to graduate debt free, she told us that she initially dreaded the prospect of being a model. She thought they would distort her image, make her feel like she had to wear a mask in the public eye, and end up being miserable. However, this was not the case, because Venus isn't like the other fashion companies. Unlike other modeling industries that focus more on creating a flawless image to create an impossible standard of beauty, this one focuses more on natural beauty, and doesn't use makeup as an agent to hide flaws, but rather to enhance what was already there. According to what they told her, she had, and still possesses, a lot of natural beauty. During her years at the academy, while simultaneously doing her schoolwork, she started modeling and became even more fit, more confident and even happier than she could have expected. She enjoyed her job, so much so that after three years, when her debt was paid, she continued doing her job for money, making it her primary occupation. Of course, since she's become a model, she's become vain, overconfident and has an ego the size of Beacon Tower."

Pyrrha snickered as Rouge yelled at him, "Hey!"

"Wouldn't that ego be smaller with the CCT Tower in Beacon crumbling to the ground?" Tangerine asked.

"Most of it is still there, remember? Me and Pyrrha had to retrieve the remains of Milo and Akouo." Jaune reminded them.

"Oh yeah..."

Jaune got the pot of rose tea off the stove, this time not letting the pot boil over as he removed it from heat and got out a teacup, pouring a cup and then handing it to Pyrrha.

"Thanks Jaune. You are too kind."

"You're welcome, and really, it's no trouble. Compared to everything else I do on a regular basis, this is fairly easy."

Pyrrha took a brief sip. "I assume you're talking about the household chores."

"That and the butler related tasks I do." Rouge finished her tea and set the plate and cup on the table before walking away. Once she was out of earshot, Jaune took the plate and cup, speaking, "Rouge has been really demanding of me when I became butler. She's been milking it for all it's worth."

"Then why don't you stand up for yourself like you stood up to Cardin?"

He hang his head in sorrow as he put the dishes in the sink. "I don't have much choice. Subservience is part of my punishment."

"Yeah, but, hasn't she taken it a bit too far?" the tomboy asked him. Before he could answer, an alarm went off on Tangerine's scroll. She fished it out of her right pocket and opened it up. "Oh right. It's ten am. Time for me go. Better grab my gear and head out." Tangerine put it away, went up the stairs to her room and quickly grabbed some of her weapons. She came back down the stairs, wearing the blood orange arm gauntlets on her arms, a bow and crossbow on her back, a sword sheathed on her hip, along with her two signature weapons- the spear and whip. "Well, I'm off to catch criminals and make big bucks! See ya later!"

"Good luck, Tangerine!" Pyrrha exclaimed. Tangerine shut the door on her way out. "She's a bounty hunter, I presume?"

"She prefers the term street fighter or semi-pro huntress, cause to her, bounty hunter makes it seem like she has no morals. But yes, she does hunt criminals and turn them in for cash. She's also my new combat teacher."

"Alright, I understand, although... isn't that kinda dangerous for her?"

"Yeah. One could argue that it's just as dangerous as, or even more hazardous, then Rouge's job as a huntress. But however, Tangerine is a vigilante, taught herself with some guidance and she's pretty darn good at her job. She returns home with little to no injury. Most of the time."

"So, if Tangerine is skilled enough to be a teacher, why didn't you come to her before going to Beacon?"

"I guess... because I never thought about it."

"Tell me... do you regret not coming to her earlier?"

"No, because if I had, I never would have meet you."

Jaune told hold of Pyrrha's hand and gently kissed it, earning a smile and blush from her.

Meanwhile, on a rooftop of the city of Kana, the former terrorist woke up with the moon. Blake breathed in, noting to herself that today was the day. Before the White Fang agents entered the warehouse, she dashed through the city on the rooftops, jumped down and entered the warehouse from the rooftop entrance, landing on the metal railing. She knelt down and waited for the right moment. Maybe, if she was lucky, she wouldn't have to say anything, and they would just indirectly tell her where Adam was hiding. A few minutes later, a White Fang lieutenant entered the area, standing nearby the stage. The Lieutenant had white hair, a white jumpsuit and a Grimm mask covering the eyes with red markings and blue snowflake on the left. His posture and appearance looked familiar, yet where had she seen him?

Shortly after his entrance, three White Fang members joined him. The first one had dog ears, the second one had a dog tail, and the third one, a woman with a mouse tail.

"All the preparations are in place." the lieutenant spoke.

"Lieutenant Wycliffe. You're here." one of three other said. "I thought you had a meeting with Perry on the outskirts of Olympia."

"I did, but the meeting was quickly adjourned. Me and three of my fellow White Fang members barely escaped from the authorities... and that deranged street fighter who had the nerve to confront us. One of the recruits was captured and arrested, so, seeking to avoid that same fate, we fled the city. The other three were called to Mistral." Wycliffe elaborated.

"Mistral? Isn't that place a disaster zone for the White Fang right now?" the second guy asked.

"That's why Sienna sent more people over there." the third one responded.

"And might I ask, a street fighter?" the first one asked.

"A girl with orange hair and eyes who possessed multiple weapons. Also had a powerful semblance used recklessly." Lieutenant Wycliffe answered. "Either way, the venue is ready for new members tonight."

"Are you sure we won't be caught?" the third one asked.

Wycliffe nodded with confidence. "Positive. This is a city with a good amount of people. We can hide right in plain sight."

"On a completely unrelated note, how is Leader Taurus faring with the Fall of Beacon?"

"No word that I've heard of recently. Then again... White Fang messengers aren't exactly the fastest deliverers." the second one answered.

"But they don't get killed either. Do you know how many messengers have gotten killed since the Beacon CCT Tower fell?" the woman asked.

As he rambled on, Blake thought, Man, this is taking a while... Come on, Blake. Patience.

"So where did Master Taurus retreat to after the events that occurred at Beacon?"

Blake accidentally knocked a bolt of place as she kept herself from slipping and falling as she set her hands down, a rattle was heard and a bolt fell loose. She tried to grab it. "Oh shot!" she whispered.

"He went to..." The bolt fell down to the floor and bounced once before landing right in front of them. "Hold on. Something doesn't seem right." She looked up and saw Blake. "An intruder!"

"Well, so much for not being seen." Blake said to herself. She jumped down and showed herself to the criminals, unsheathing Gambol Shroud as soon as she landed.

"Wait a second. I know you!" Lieutenant Wycliffe cried out. "You're the stray cat faunus Blake Belladonna! You no-good traitor!"

She looked him calmly, almost pleading with him. "You don't have to do this, Wycliffe. Just tell me where Adam Taurus is and I won't have to hurt you."

"We don't need to tell you." The girl said to her. "You'll find him... when we send you right to him! You're gonna pay for your crimes, Belladonna!"

"Ow!" Pyrrha exclaimed, rubbing the back of her head.

"Sorry! I'm not trying to hurt you!" Amethyst exclaimed.

Amethyst stood on a stool with a purple hairbrush in her hand, trying to brush out Pyrrha's hair for her. The other sisters, save for Rouge and Tangerine, were sitting around in the living room as Pyrrha knelt on the floor before Amethyst.

"I know it's not your fault." Amethyst continued brushing as Pyrrha spoke. "It's my fault for not keeping my mane neatly brushed over the last several days.".

The little gem was confused for a moment. "Mane? Don't horses only have manes?"

"It's just another way of saying hair. Just keep brushing please."

Tangerine came down the stairs, holding a rolled up poster in her hand and a black marker in the other one. "I hate to bother you, but do you mind signing this?"

She unfurled the poster of Pyrrha Nikos, showing her with a red background in a combat ready position. sighed. "Sure, I suppose."

Pyrrha took the marker and signed the poster, Tangerine smiling as she did so. "Thanks. I know you're a star and all that, but I'm smart enough to realize that you have your own battles. We all do."

"You are wise beyond your years. Not many of my fans realize that underneath the image, I'm just like you guys."

"People do look up to you- they see you as a hero. Some, like me, even see you as a source of inspiration." She got out her fire-dust spear, which was similar in design to Milo, except slightly bulkier, fire red and orange and visible fire dust seen at the tip and throughout the stem of the weapon. "Where do you think I got the inspiration for my first signature weapon, Torch-Ture?"

"Torch-Ture? Hmm. Interesting play on words."

Tangerine put the weapon away. "Thank you."

"Do you believe that I'm really a hero after what happened back there in the Amity Colosseum?"

"Of course! And those people that believe you meant to do an act of malice are dumb and blind!"

Pyrrha slightly smiled as Emerald added, "I wouldn't say dumb or blind, but perhaps bamboozled and jumping to conclusions. Then again, what is the audience supposed to think? They don't know better- but we do."

Azura and the others nodded in agreement as Tangerine left to take the newly signed poster and marker to her room. Acacia broke the brief silence by asking her, "So, where exactly are you going to sleep?"

"That is a good question." Pyrrha said. "I'm not even really sure."

"I think every room is taken up." Amethyst worked her way through a nasty knot in Pyrrha's hair.

"I thought we had a spare bedroom for guests. It just hardly gets used." Indigo answered.

"We used to have a spare room, but since no one used it for years, Emerald converted it into an indoor botanical garden." Azura answered.

"Oh, I think I will be able to find my own arrangements."

"And done. One fully brushed mane."

She grabbed her black scrunchie and put her hair back up. "Thanks, Amethyst."

The little girl beamed a bright smile at her. "No problem, although, you had a lot of knots in there, there particularly nasty ones."

Pyrrha smiled. She was slowly starting to fell at home. Several hours later, night had fallen. Pyrrha had moved her stuff to Jaune's room and was in her pajamas. Jaune threw his pajama top on before taking a seat next to Pyrrha on the twin size bed.

"I know you like the idea of spooning and forking, even if this bed is too small for both of us." Jaune said.

"It gives us a reasonable excuse to cuddle. Then again, do we really even need an excuse to cuddle?" Pyrrha playfully asked him. "I mean, I'm pretty sure everyone knows that we're boyfriend and girlfriend."

He nodded. "They do."

"Do they know of... the home runs we scored?"

"No, and I'd rather keep it that way. I thought the older ones would scold me if they knew, so I said nothing about it."

"That's understandable." She stroked his face. "Can we continue this?"

"I would, but... I'd rather not be caught by my family members. Also, you need time to heal and properly grieve."

"Fair enough." She smirked. "Perhaps sometime day, we can return to that particular activity... Until then, you being here is all that I can ask for."

He told her, "Well I'm not going anywhere."

A moment later she responded, "And neither am I."

The two leaned in close and locked lips. As the lovebirds lay there on Jaune's bed, Pyrrha pinned him down and threw one arm around his neck, letting the other hand play with his ear. Jaune snaked his right arm around her waist and let his free hand roam to her buttocks, then let it slip down farther, softly grasping at the upper backside of her leg. She moaned softly, leaning in closer to him and diving her tongue into his mouth. His tongue snaked towards her in response. As they broke the kiss for air, Pyrrha stared into his eyes as he looked at her lovingly.

"I love you, Jaune. I have always loved you."

"I love you too, Pyrrha. I can not thank you enough for accepting me for who I am."

Unbeknownst to the two of them, one of the Arc sisters overheard their every word. She smirked, only her mouth being visible with the shadows in the hall, before walking away.