There was something weird about Penny.

Actually, that might have been an understatement. There were a few things about Penny that didn’t add up. For one, her behaviour and way of dressing hinted at a less than ideal childhood or maybe a disorder of some sort. That could all be explained away.

The lack of motion from breathing, the surprisingly low temperatures across most of her body, and the fact that Penny only blinked once a minute were harder to explain.

Still, she was enjoyable company as Akelarre walked deeper into Vale and towards the centre of the city, her new friend walking shoulder to shoulder with her and asking pertinent questions.

“So,” Penny said, and Akelarre was beginning to recognize the girl’s way of speaking that took in everything she said, then redigested it into easier to understand packages. “The criminal underworld of Vale is not to blame for their own criminal actions. The issues that cause these actions are instead systematic and are caused by a lack of resources in the lower economic spectrum of Vale society.”

Akelarre shook her head from side to side in a ‘so-so’ gesture. “Not quite. Some, yes. When regular work isn’t enough to support you or your family, and taxation is high enough that it interferes with your ability to live comfortably, a lot of people will turn to under the table work for sustenance. They aren’t necessarily criminals in that they don’t want to cause harm, even if they are breaking the word of law.”

“But breaking the law makes you a criminal by definition,” Penny argued. Judging by the ear-to-ear smile, she was enjoying the talk as much as Akelarre was.

“Maybe,” Akelarre said. “But that’s the kind of criminal that society can live with. If you fight that kind of low-level crime too hard you’ll just breed resentment. On the other hand, you have criminals, what I would call actual criminals, who do things like sell drugs, steal, run extortion rackets or who use their wealth to hurt others in order to benefit themselves. They’re doing actual harm to the rest of Vale because of their actions, and aren’t in a position where their actions can be excused because of necessity.”

“I think I comprehend,” Penny said. “Does that mean that certain criminal factions are more dangerous than others? They do crimes that are more criminal than other criminals?”

“You shouldn’t measure the threat of a faction based on how criminal they are or aren’t. The Knights were probably some of the worst criminals in Vale, but they were taken care of by a single person over little more than a week. Whereas the Strays, a group of faunus right supporters are hardly criminal at all other than the occasional protest against shops and companies that discriminate against the faunus, and yet they are far better equipped and trained for fighting, some of their members being ex-White Fang and all. Societal threat and actual threat are not the same thing.”

Penny stared off into space for a moment. “My records do not contain any information regarding the destruction of the criminal group known as the Knights. Though I have overheard from some VPD officers that they are acting in a way that does not fit their usual modus operandi.”

Akelarre eyed Penny from the corner of her eye as they split apart to move around a lady pushing a stroller. “That’s because,” she said when she rejoined Penny. “Your Grimm Girl, which I still think is a silly name, took care of the Knights. She disbanded the group.”

Penny gasped. “My initial assumption that the change in the status of Vale’s underworld and my own case was link was correct? Sensational!”

Grinning, Akelarre nodded along to Penny’s enthusiastic rambling. “Why did you start your... case in the first place?” she asked.

Penny paused for the barest of seconds before answering. “Because I was asked to investigate.”

“I see,” Akelarre said even though she didn’t, not yet, at any rate. “And why were you asked to investigate, instead of someone else?”

“I cannot disclose that information,” Penny said, sounding genuinely sorry.

Akelarre placed a hand on Penny’s shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She made sure to only smile as she looked Penny’s way. Either the girl was all skin and bones under her coat, or her shoulder was definitely not normal. “It’s okay, Penny, friends sometimes need to keep things from each other, right?”

“Friends?” Penny repeated.

“Yeah,” Akelarre agreed easily. She started sending out some of her faster bugs ahead. The pair were nearly at the Bullhead depot that Akelarre wanted to visit. It was also, fortunately, one of the busier sections of the city, with malls and stores and the familiar square where she had met Ruby some time ago not two blocks away. Her bugs sensed at least three police officers patrolling the region and she was sure it wouldn’t take much effort to find more.

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“I have never had a friend before,” Penny muttered.

Feeling her heart crack, Akelarre stopped next to Penny and turned the shorter girl around so that she was facing her. “Okay. So we have options. I don’t like leaving you here alone, but I have things to do. So you can either come with me and I’ll watch over you for the rest of the day, or you can show me where you’re staying tonight. That would work too. Either way... do you have a notepad and pen?”

Penny nodded and pulled both out from an inner pocket of her trench coat. “I am note-taking ready.”

“Right,” Akelarre said before reeling off a series of numbers. “That’s my phone number. You can call me at any time if something is going on, okay?”

“I understand, friend Akelarre.” Penny looked up from her notepad. “Why do you call it a phone?”

Akelarre winced. “Okay, good. So did you want to come with me?” she gestured with a nod towards the Bullhead docks behind her. “I just need to do a couple of things, then I’ll be heading back to The Club.”

Penny shook her head. “That is okay, friend Akelarre. I must go and report my findings for the day.”

“Ah, okay,” Akelarre said. “Then it’s goodbye for now, I guess.” She raised both arms for a hug and waited.

And waited.

Penny stared at Akelarre’s arms, then back up to her face. “I do not understand.”

“Penny, don’t you know how to give a hug?” she asked.

“Negative.”

“Never?” Akelarre asked with mounting horror.

Penny, perhaps sensing the revulsion Akelarre was feeling at the idea, shook her head again and clarified, “I have never received or given a hug before. Though I have consumed media on the subject of hugging and other such sexual actions.”

“Hugging isn’t sexual,” Akellare said, a dusting of pink fighting onto her cheeks. “It, it can be, but it usually isn’t. It means that you like and care for someone. I... Penny, can I give you a hug?”

“Are you implying that you like and care for me?” Penny asked.

“Of course. You’re my friend. A new friend, but a friend nonetheless,” Akelarre said.

Penny nodded solemnly. “In that case, engage hugging protocols, friend Akelarre.”

With a growing smile, Akelarre wrapped her arms around Penny’s shoulders and squeezed her tight. “You’re supposed to hug back,” she said, her head resting against Penny’s.

Surprisingly strong arms wrapped around Akelarre’s waist and squeezed. “Like this?”

“Exactly!” Akelarre said. “You’re a natural hugger, Penny.”

“My internal temperature is rising at an alarming rate,” Penny said. “Is this normal.”

“Yes,” Akelarre decided after a bit of a think. “It’s probably okay.” She let go of Penny and the girl did the same after a second’s pause. “So, how was it?”

“It was wonderful,” Penny said with all the genuine happiness of a puppy being given leftovers.

“Good!”

“More than good. Sensational. Marvelous. I must engage in more hugging.” Penny raised her arms again. Laughing, Akelarre allowed herself to be swept into another rib crushing hug.

Akealrre was still laughing when Penny finally let go, but her expression didn’t come close to matching the joy Penny was radiating. “I have to go,” she said. “But call me, for anything, including more hugs later, okay?”

“Understood,” Penny said. “Can I engaging in hugging activities with others?” Before Akelarre had time to process the question and find a proper answer, Penny turned around, took her pipe out, and used the stem to point at a young man who was passing by. “Greetings, citizens! I am Penny Polendina and I wish to engage you in hugging and other such friendly activities.”

The man didn’t even say anything, he just slowed down his march along the sidewalk and went the wide way around Penny while eyeing her suspiciously.

“My attempt has failed. But I shall persevere.”

“Penny,” Akelarre said. “I think you should limit hugging to friends only. And family too.”

“Does that mean that you are my only sustainable source of hugs on Vital?” Penny asked.

Akelarre sighed. “Okay, you know what. You’re coming with me.” Reaching out, she grabbed Penny by the hand and started for the Bullhead docks.

“Where are we going?” Penny asked as she kept up with Akelarre.

“We, my dear Penny, are going to deliver a letter.”

“To whom?”

Akelarre grinned over her shoulder. “Headmaster Ozpin of Beacon.”