I feel like it would be best to talk to Yang about her cynical plot to murder Ruby sooner rather than later. I approach her and raise a hand to greet her. She smiles at me without showing teeth, which I appreciate. It always feels like someone is threatening me when they bare their teeth. When the men who watched me in my tank bared their teeth, it was never for a good reason.

"Hey there, dude. I don't remember if I ever got your name."

"I mentioned it in passing. My name is Lily Shepherd. Please do not refer to me by my full name. Lily is sufficient."

"Sure thing, Lily. So, you're Ruby's friend now, huh?"

She says it with a small smile. Something in her tone makes me think there is some subtext I am missing, but I press onward anyway.

"Yes, it would appear so."

She chuckles, even though that is not a joke. Apparently, this is the correct response because she seems pleased.

"So, Lily, what do you think of Ruby?"

This is it, the moment she tests me. Outright accusing her would end badly for everyone, but I don't want to leave my new 'friend' hanging, especially when I owe her after she gave me a cookie. If I speak well of Ruby, will Yang see me as an obstacle to her plans? Or will I be able to convince her to spare Ruby's life?

"I think," I choose my words carefully, "That Ruby is a talented young woman with great potential."

Yang's smile softens. "She really is, isn't she?"

"Yes."

She tilts her head to one side. "You think she's cool?"

"…Yes. I think she is 'cool.' She knows about weapons, and that is a useful hobby."

She seems happy at that. Did I manage to convince her to stop her efforts to undermine Ruby? I think I may have succeded because she looks more at ease. No longer planning the murder of her sister has apparently taken a weight off her shoulders. She turns to me after a moment, a grin on her face.

"Say, Lily, you're the first person I've talked to in a while who hasn't immediately stared at my chest."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because a lot of people like to look at chests? Usually anyway. Some ladies aren’t interested and some guys like other guys, and that's cool, too. It's just that a lot of people immediately stare at my chest. Not that I’m bragging or anything."

Her chest is not particularly remarkable. Her fat deposits are larger than average but don't seem particularly unusual. I have fat deposits of my own, though they are much smaller. There is nothing wrong with that, of course. The size of one's fat deposits is irrelevant to their inherent value.

I tilt my head to one side. "They stare at your chest because of…” I have to guess, and the only thing irrational enough to fit is, “physical attraction?"

Yang nods. "Yup," she says, popping the 'P.'

"That seems impolite."

"Yup."

"Oh. I am sorry to hear that."

She shrugs. "Eh, it ain't your fault."

The two of us descend into silence. It's not unpleasant. Eventually, Yang sees Ruby poking at something she shouldn't touch, and leaves, saying a hasty goodbye.

The snob seems to be running out of steam right about now, and Pyrrha is looking uncomfortable. I approach the two of them, and the tension between them automatically makes me tense up, but I force myself to relax. I’m not in a combat zone, that part isn't helpful right now.

"Salutations."

I was just going to introduce myself and maybe ingratiate myself to Pyrrha by offering her an escape route. But honestly, seeing a fellow fighter act like a cringing coward when they have every reason to stand up for themselves is making me uncomfortable.

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"Pyrrha Nikos," She flinches for some reason, "Why have you not expressed your discomfort? Is your," I struggle for a moment before the correct idiom comes to me, "Spine defective?"

She seems to wither under my gaze as Weiss looks torn between being furious and humiliated. And in the background, swaggering forward full of unearned confidence is the Hapless Idiot. Now that he's closer, I recognize him from the airship. Vomit Boy. This can only end poorly for him.

Pyrrha stutters over her response. "I, well, uhm-"

"Hello, ladies!" The Hapless Idiot gestures to the entire group, including me.

"You." There's an impressive amount of venom in her voice when Weiss turns to look at the Hapless, soon-to-be-dead, Idiot.

"Now, I know we got off to a bad start earlier-"

"You vomited on my shoes."

"-but I'd like to apologize and move forward."

Weiss looks at him with an expression I would guess leaves Vomit Boy with all of half an hour on this mortal coil. A very painful half hour.

Pyrrha looks like she wants to run. I am increasingly uncomfortable with her behavior. Is she a Warrior or prey? She should stand her ground with conviction or retreat, not stand here waffling. Weiss’ behavior is also illogical. Pyrrha is clearly not interested, so why is she continuing? Once again, I am forced to guess, and once again the only answer illogical enough to fit is attraction.

While the argument escalates in the background, I take out my scroll and look up ‘unwanted advances due to physical attraction’. Yang mentioned unwelcome and socially unacceptable behavior being exhibited by humans she interacted with. Weiss seems to be exhibiting some of the same behaviors. So, is she attempting to court Pyrrha rather than recruiting her?

Weiss seems to be working up a head of steam while the idiot, sorry, Jaune; apparently his name is Jaune, makes a fool of himself. Pyrrha is standing there fidgeting. What I find out about harassment makes me angry. 'Normal' people are truly unkind to each other sometimes. Now I feel a bit bad for hastily judging Pyrrha.

"Excuse me."

"What?" Weiss speaks sharply, turning from Jaune to face me.

"If you are interested in Pyrrha, there are more appropriate ways to show it."

"I- What!?"

"Attraction-"

"What!?"

"-does not permit you to invade someone's personal space and make them feel unsafe."

"Now, hold on a minute!"

I turn to Pyrrha. "Pyrrha, you need to communicate more clearly. If you do not, some people," Weiss squawks, "will take advantage of that and walk all over you. Your lack of communication does not make it alright for them to behave that way, but being firm and clear is a good first step."

I turn to Weiss. "You should be ashamed of yourself; she was clearly uncomfortable, and instead of respecting her boundaries, you kept pushing."

"I wasn't- I'm not, I mean, not that there's anything wrong with liking women, I just-"

"Wait, you're into women?"

This, from Jaune, brings Weiss to a stop mid-denial. "…Yes."

Jaune looks momentarily disappointed before turning to Pyrrha. "In that case, maybe-"

Pyrrha immediately replies. "I also prefer women as partners."

Jaune's eyes slide in my direction. My answer is immediate. "No."

Looking crestfallen, Jaune wanders away, and both women let out matching sighs of relief. Weiss turns to look at Pyrrha.

"I think we got off on the wrong foot. And that was my fault. I approached the interaction with the intent to gain something, which was wrong. I probably came off as a snob or a spoiled rich kid, and that's not entirely inaccurate, but it isn't who I want to be."

At least she admits it.

She sticks out her hand towards Pyrrha. "Hi, I'm Weiss. It's nice to meet you."

Pyrrha hesitates before extending her hand as well. "I am Pyrrha. It is nice to meet you, Weiss. Would you like to talk about something other than teams and fighting?"

Weiss smiles a bit and nods, shaking Pyrrha's hand. Well, now they appear to be allies. At least I have gained favor with them by driving away an unwelcome suitor and aiding them in coming to an understanding.

The dark-haired boy and his companion still stand there, removed from everyone else. As I approach, the bubbly one tugs on the quiet one's arm and points at me. He lifts his eyes to meet mine, and there is a moment of understanding. This young man was not born a Warrior, but he has faced trials that have made him into one.

"Salutations."

"Hi there!"

"Hi."

"I am glad you are both reasonable. People seem to overreact to the strangest things around here. I was concerned that even a simple greeting would somehow upset someone."

The dark-haired one shrugs lazily. "You can't please everyone."

"Yes, I have noticed."

The bubbly one laughs. Again, that was not a joke.

"I love your armor, but it needs way more color! My name is Nora, and mister broody over there is Ren. What's your name?"

"Lily."

"Ooh, that's a cool name! Do you like pancakes?"

"…yes?"

Apparently, that was the correct answer because the hyperactive ball of energy in a student's clothing bounces up and down. "See, Renny? Lots of people like pancakes!"

"I never said they weren't popular. Even I like pancakes. I just said that most people eat them once a day and not with every meal."

She turns to me. "What do you think, Miss Lily? Are pancakes the best food?"

"Nora, I never said-"

"I have not tasted every variety of food, so I cannot say for certain. I believe all things should be taken in moderation, and eating pancakes with every meal sounds unhealthy. That said, I prefer waffles."

Nora looks crushed, as though I just delivered the worst news she's ever heard. Ren groans, putting his head in his hands. Apparently, my initial reading of them was incorrect. They are both insane. I am saved from trying to decipher this lunacy by the only reasonable person here grabbing my arm.

People are setting out sleeping bags, preparing to rest here. I do not have one. My orders were: "Socialize with humans and faunus without murdering them. And for the love of the Brother Gods, try not to cause trouble, alright?" These orders did not include a packing list, so I did not bring anything besides my weapon, safely stored in my bag.

I allow Ruby to drag me over to the spot where she set up her sleeping bag right next to Yang's sleeping bag. It is good to see that Yang has given up her murderous ambitions and made amends with her sister. Ruby looks me over.

"Wait, where's your sleeping bag? Your pajamas?"

"I do not have those things."

"What? Then where will you sleep!?"

"On the ground, probably."

She looks appalled. This is what I meant when I was talking about overreacting. I will use my arms as a pillow and my cloak as a blanket. Simple.

I remove my cloak and prepare to use it as a blanket. Ruby gasps, and I turn to look at her.

"Oh! You're a Faunus! I mean, that shouldn't be surprising, not that I'm saying there are things about you that make you seem like a faunus, not that there's anything wrong with-"

She cuts herself off. "-I'm going to stop talking. Good night, Lily!"

I feel a pair of eyes burning the tips of my ears, and when I turn to look, I catch the young woman with poor taste pretending not to stare at me. Now that I am not distracted by her utterly trash taste in smut, I spot a few odd details about her, namely that her bow twitches when I catch her staring. A faunus? I shake my head. Irrelevant.

I lay down facing Ruby and Yang. The two of them stay up later than is advisable chatting. I fall asleep almost immediately after they do, and remain asleep until morning.