If I were to put this in a timeline, this would have taken place before Volume 1's 'Ruby Rose' episode. This is just a little background piece on the leader of Team MACL.

II. Leaving The Nest

Marille Seance was always an early riser. Why? It's because she loves the sight of the morning sun rising from the horizon as the day begins. A relaxing sight, in her opinion, that preludes the numerous things her responsibilities as the eldest in a household full of young children that need to be done.

But today, it won't be about her numerous responsibilities for once.

"Who'll take care of us!?"

"Who will read to me about the cool warriors in the Great War…?"

"I don't want you to go!"

A handful of cries filled the small vehicle trudged along the main road at a moderate speed and safe speed. It was big enough to fit a family and some camping equipment if they were on a road trip. About eight children sat in the back, boys and girls still young enough to need constant care but old enough to learn, surrounding one teenage girl.

Some of the young ones around her tugged on the white and violet flannel scarf she had around her neck despite the spring weather that is transitioning to summer as the days came to pass. Her short sleeved apricot shirt with black stripes was ruffled by the constant movement to her sides. Her violet skirt was barely safe as one child sat on her lap and is always moving about, turning around to look at her or at the scenery outside. Thankfully, he wasn't crying. Her black fingerless gloves and apricot leggings were left untouched, a miracle which she was also thankful for.

The driver at the front tried to tune out the ruthless voices of the young ones behind him, and his battle was a losing one. Combined with the traffic, he is nearly on the verge of shouting or ripping the remainder of his white hair until he pulls out his own brain by accident.

A hand lands on his knee. The passenger beside him offered a sympathetic expression, silently telling him to calm down with just her eyes. He had taken in a big breath and let it all out in a single go.

"C'mon guys, Maw-Maw and Pop-Pop will still be there with you," Marille offered, but it seemed to be unable to quell the group of children. In fact, they even cried harder.

"They just miss you, sweetie," Maw said from the front.

"Even when you're still here…" Pop added, turning right to another bigger street that flowed faster than the one they were just on.

"They're just exaggerating." She patted the heads of the two boys sitting beside her, chuckling. "They'll be better when we get to the airport."

"I doubt that." He chuckled along.

She continued to comfort them as best as she can while drowning in their tears and attention. Their current destination was the airport, where Marille will board an airship that is headed to Vale for Beacon Academy. The single teenager in the vehicle had managed to convince that she is qualified enough to be part of the new first year students for this year, a definite momentous achievement for her.

"Congratulations, Marille!"

"Your mother and I are so proud that you're going to be starting your studies in one of the best academies in Remnant."

Marille could remember the couple congratulating her from one of the monitors in the Cross Continental Transmit terminals the day she visited Vale when she was summoned in order to formally accept the invitation. She, too, was very proud of her accomplishment, but she wished that her parents were there to celebrate with her. Unfortunately, a highly needed member of a super-famous hotel management team and a fiercely dedicated captain of a police force could not pull away from their respective occupations to do such a thing.

"Thank you, mom, dad," Marille said, accepting the greetings with a big smile.

"We're sorry that we can't be there right now, but we promise that we'll make it up for you."

"It's okay, mom! I know you're busy with the expansion and that dad is trying to train a specialized squad that assists Huntsmen and Huntresses."

Her mother on the other side of the video put her hands together in front of her chest as she leaned into the screen. "We're really grateful that we raised a very understanding girl."

"Takes after her father," The man on the other line chuckled, eliciting a negative, but teasing, response from the woman.

"I take after both of you and nothing's going to change that." Marille told the two, laughing at their antics. Even after being married for at least twenty years and taking on difficult jobs in their own right, they sometimes act like a teenage couple.

Marille snapped out of her daydream when her grandfather had just started pounding on the horn as a vehicle cut him off right after passing an intersection. His window was now rolled down and his head partially out as he angrily ranted at the reckless driver.

"For Dust's sake, WATCH WHERE YOU'RE DRIVING! I have children on-board!" A vein was popping and beating as he tried to sit back down and stop at another stop light. The children behind him had covered all of their ears, Marille covering the ears of the one sitting on her lap, to avoid any damage to their hearing. His wife had turned off her hearing aid a few moments it happened. When everything had settled and after a few deep breaths were made, it was calm once again inside the van.

"What I was trying to say before I was rudely interrupted," He spoke again, this time much calmer than before, all of his grump in his voice somewhat faded after that outburst. "Just know that we'll be cheering you on from home."

"Let us know if you're able to communicate from Beacon," Her grandmother said, turning slightly so she can look at her granddaughter. "And try to do your best, Marille."

"I'll try, Maw-Maw." Marille leaned over to the passenger side and planted a kiss on her cheek.

The trip to the port was thankfully calmer than their departure as the children had stopped crying as they are now mumbling and asking questions about what being a hunter was, even though they had had this conversation already. But it kept their minds busy from the impending tearfest of her leaving.

They eventually arrived at the port's parking space as quite a number of them had already taken multiple spaces as a good few of them were waiting for their own airships to be ready for departure, some portions of the port already having a line or a group patiently awaiting arrival and departure.

A parking spot was then occupied by the vehicle and its passengers started to disembark, stretching tired and idle limbs as number of groans about the long ride began to be heard from the group of children now standing beside the car. A few of the older kids helped Marille with some of her bags while she mainly focused on the one bag that contained her equipment. All of her defensive armor, and the most important piece of all, her weapon lay inside the organized heap in the bag as she inspected it momentarily before closing it once again.

Marille's eyes looked up at the bullhead that had opened its doors, an announcement now saying that the airship headed for the city of Vale is now boarding passengers. With a huff, she stood and straightened herself as she faced her relatives that rode with her, patiently waiting for her.

"Okay guys, this is it," she announced as she walked closer to the group. Marille bent down on one knee in front of the children in front of her and smiled sadly. "I know I'll be gone for a while, but I trust all of you that you won't give grandma and grandpa a hard time while I'm away. No rough housing, no running around, no making a lot of noise, okay?"

The kids nodded almost simultaneously at her instructions, some of them giving their own variation of the response, "I'll try."

"I"m gonna try to visit if I'm allowed. Hopefully the academy would allow it." The brunette promised. One intake of air later, she opened her arms and readied herself. "One last hug before I go!"

In an instant they all piled onto her, dozens of arms wrapped around the teenager as they devoured her in one massive hug. Almost all of them cooed in anxious comfort as she tried to play off the pressure of eight children on her single 5'8" frame, not wanting their beloved cousin to go away.

"Okay...that's a goodbye hug…" Marille stated, wincing as they have yet to let go.

Her grandmother shook her head but had an amused look on her face. Her grandfather, on the other hand, knew that the bullhead won't be waiting for her all day.

"Alright, alright! Break it up, give her some space," He walked over and was waving for them to separate, tapping them on their backs and heads precisely on their pressure points to make them step back. When everyone was finally not suffocating the teen, he huffed and looked at the girl with shaky eyes, unable to find the words.

"We don't want you to be late for your flight," Her grandmother spoke instead, stepping beside her husband, slipping her hand into his for comfort.

"We'll miss you, Marille," he finally managed to speak. Marille shook her head and enveloped the two in a hug of her own. His aged hands patted her on the back as he whispered the following, a saddened tone to his voice. "It's not gonna be the same back at the house without you there."

"I'll miss you too, grandpa." She pulled away, trying to smile and stay strong.

"Just be careful, sweetie." The older woman tucked away a stray fringe on her granddaughter's face, letting the sight of her beautiful girl sink in before she has to leave, probably for the last time.

It was a thought she didn't want to entertain, but a possibility for the occupation she is training for. She knew that taking care of her cousins will not match the dedication she will need to learn everything she need at the academy or the hardships she will go through in an encounter with a Creature of Grimm as a Huntress. She may wish her all the safety in the world, but it all comes down to her abilities.

With a nod and sniffle, she went and gathered all of her packed belongings. She checked her weapon once again, making sure that it is there. Dust forbid that she forgets the most important thing she needs as a huntress-in-training.

But during her checking, one of her younger cousins walked over. He sees the shield inside the bag and knocks on it with his small hand.

"Gowd wuck, Dymond…" He looked up at Marille, giving her a winning smile despite the uneven teeth. Marille smiled back and knocked on the shield too before ruffling his hair. After picking up and putting on the straps on her shoulders of the bags, she faces them one last time until her next visit whenever it may be. An announcement for the boarding bullhead to Vale once again went through the speakers.

"Okay guys! Here I go! See you when I see you!"

A chorus of goodbyes followed her as she turned around and walked towards the open ramp of the bullhead ahead of her. One small look over her shoulder gave her a sight of eight children and their two grandparents waving in different styles, some composed and some wild and frantic.

She smiled. Marille felt a pang of sadness the more she put distance between her family and herself, but she had to be strong. She could not be a huntress if all she could think about is being with her family. She had to leave the nest eventually, and at least, for now, it would be of her own volition. If she wanted to be a huntress she had to soar into the sky.

With one more look over her shoulder, she took in a breath. One step into the bullhead took her one step closer to soaring.

If you guys feel inclined to leave a comment about the story, some nice/harsh criticism, or some other kind of remark then go ahead an write me up. Until then, I'll leave you guys for now and try to update Of Lies and Fantasies.