The Faunus Girl

Getting to Know You

Iberis and I make our way back to our team's room, walking in silence, which isn't normal for us. I have managed to calm myself down by grazing my hand on the wall as I walk. Having physical contact with something that isn't me reminds me I'm ok.

"Hey Hiki," Iberis breaks the silence.

"Yeah?"

"Why didn't you let Yang do anything?"

I let out a sigh stopping in the hallway, "I told her to leave it alone because people like Titian, or Cardin, won't react positively to violence for the Faunus cause. Those humans need to see that the Faunus are just like other people, and that not all of us are bad."

"So does that mean you think some Faunus are bad?" He asks.

I'm taken aback by his question, "Well of course, because groups like the White Fang exist. I can't believe that everyone on this planet is one hundred percent good, that's dangerously naïve. Besides, I've seen for myself that it's not true anyway." Iberis' shoulders sag at my honesty.

I place my hand on his shoulder, "That being said, I also don't see the world as all evil because I'm still an optimist. I believe that people do the things they do for three reasons, they were raised that way, to protect the people they love, or to protect themselves."

The younger boy looks at me with his big dark eyes, seemingly so innocent, but I keep in mind that I still don't know him too well. "The world is a weird place kiddo, but all you can do is try to make it better. So for me that's using violence against people as a last resort, and only when it's absolutely necessary."

Iberis averts his eyes from me, "Also..."

I tilt my head to try and catch his gaze again, "Also..."

He furrows his brows, "When I tried to talk to you after class, you looked...detached."

My ears lower, "What do you mean?"

"It's like you weren't here, I mean I know you were physically, but I don't think your mind was." The boy explains.

I gaze at my feet, "You're right, I wasn't really there when you called out to me. It happened more when I was a kid, but sometimes I feel like my mind is isolated from reality. My sight gets blurry, and I can't really move my body. But I can still hear everything around me clearly, if anything it's deafening. It's scary cause I feel like I'm trapped in my own body, but it goes away after a while."

"Is there anything I can do to help you?" He asks quietly.

I look up at him and his face expresses an understanding feeling, like I just put something he's experienced into words for the first time. "Just try not to freak out when I get like that. Try to call me back from it gently, like when I wake you up for school." I smile.

Iberis lowers his head, fearing I said something wrong I start to panic a little. Before I can say anything my teammate embraces me, hugging me tightly with his head resting just underneath my chin.

"You're a good person Hiki, I'm sorry this happens to you." He says gently.

I realize that I haven't been embraced like this in a very long time, was it since I left home, or somewhere on my journey? When was the last time I had a hug? My eyes start to burn, my breath trembles, and I slowly wrap my own arms around him.

"Don't sweat it dude, I've dealt with this for a long time, I know what I'm doing. It's just nice to finally have someone who I can open up to." I admit.

He looks up at me and give the biggest grin I've seen from him, "Yeah, I feel the same way."

I ruffle his hair, "Then it's settled kiddo, looks like you're stuck with me." I laugh.