Gillian Asturias in Knight of Salem

In *Knight of Salem*, **Gillian Asturias** (c. 28 BB — ) is a former Shade Academy graduate, huntress, and human trafficker who aimed to reinstate the Vacuo monarchy and become ruler of Vacuo alongside her brother, Jax Asturias. After The Crown operations were dismantled by Salem and Tyrian Callows, she is unceremoniously transformed into a cat by Salem. She makes her first appearance in chapter 3 evaluating Jaune Arc after he was hypnotized by Jax and has made infrequent appearances throughout the narrative.

## *Knight of Salem* from Gillian's Perspective

### Prelude

Gillian was likely born around the early 30s BB to late 20s BB in Vacuo. Jax and Gillian were former students of Shade Academy under the tutelage of Professor Theodore, headmaster of Shade. According to Gillian, during her time at Shade, she learned that Huntsmen were trained to distinguish themselves. It is likely around this timeframe that she and her brother gained ambitions of toppling the Vacuo government to reinstate a monarchy with themselves at its center. According to Carmine Esclados, she states that Gillian and Jax aimed to raise funds through human trafficking to stage a coup and instate themselves as leaders of Vacuo. This is affirmed by Gillian, who states that The Crown were slave traders. Whether or not Gillian knew of Jax's later behavior to hypnotize women and use them as prostitutes is intentionally left ambigious. While the extent of children kidnapped is unknown, Vacuo news reports that over 120 children were recovered from the Crown and reunited with families.

### Kidnapping of Jaune

Eventually, Gillian is seen evaluating Jaune after Carmine kidnaps him. She notes that they would likely have little problems finding a buyer on the human trafficking market, but that part of her wanted to keep him around. When asked whether this was wise, Gillian reassured that Jax had taken care of the matter by hypnotizing Jaune. Later, Gillian encountered Salem, who was not happy about Jaune being taken from her. A fight soon broke out, with Gillian attempting to kill Salem via an unhealthy dose of stabbing. In an unexpected maneuver, Salem turned Gillian into a cat, and she was left stuck in a feline state due to having no prerequisite knowledge of human-animal morphing. According to Salem, Gillian was exceptionally confused at her predicament, but soon started panicking when Salem threatened to break her neck to break Jaune out of his hypnotized stupor. Umber Gorgoneion, in an effort to save Gillian, explained Jaune's stupor was caused by Jax, so Salem and Tyrian decided to sought him out. When asked whether Gillian would stay as a cat forever, Salem states that she could learn how to turn back if she survives, but that she could turn Gillian into another animal less suited for the Vacuo climate. Gillian rejected this notion by shaking her head, much to Salem's approval.

### Mirage Club

Gillian accompanied Salem, Tyrian, a hypnotized Jaune, and Carmine to the Mirage Club. After arriving, Gillian and Carmine saw that Jax used his semblance for more than just conventional human trafficking. Carmine attempted to protect herself and Gillian by pointing out that while they trafficked people, they did not support enslaving women for sex purposes as Jax had. Gillian affirms this, shaking her head in disapproval of the behavior. Salem pushed Gillian into Carmine's arms, and Gillian expressed further discontent seeing Jax receiving services from two topless women.

#### Jax's Final Moments

Gillian observed Jax attempt to flirt with Salem, much to her and Carmine's horror. Gillian watched as Jax, Salem, and Tyrian engaged in conversation discussing the inadequate nature of the blood sport, Gillian and Jax's deluded ambitions of becoming rulers of Vacuo, and the incest if they were to be king and queen. Gillian and Jax, despite their enthusiasm for restoring the Vacuo monarchy, had not realized this implication as Carmine states Gillian had a confused expression on her face at this revelation. Gillian also saw as Rosa Schwein attempted to kill Tyrian as Jax's request, with Tyrian easily dispatching her. Both Gillian and Carmine came the realization that they stood little chance against Salem or Tyrian. Gillian witnessed Jax's final moments, as Salem walked up slowly and killed Jax through methods unspeakably horrible as implied by Carmen.

### Traveling to Mistral

Gillian accompanied Salem, a now-unhypnotized Jaune, and Tyrian as they ventured to Mistral. Gillian and Salem were being carried by Jaune, who was exhausted from dealing with the weight of the situation. Gillian hopped off and walked around as Jaune set up camp, soon following Jaune as he collected water. Jaune promised to get tuna-flavored cat food for Gillian, much to her horror. Gillian relaxed when Jaune said she could have human food, but soon tensed when Jaune mentioned buying cat food once reaching Mistral. Soon enough, Jaune started a fire, and Gillian sat in front of it to absorb its warmth. Jaune also prepared beef soup and set some aside for Gillian, who drank it. At some point, the group was ambushed bandits, led by Vernal. The group were escorted to the Branwen tribe, with Jaune carrying Gillian. After their arrival, Gillian witnessed Vernal brag about Raven Branwen's power and how she could easily defeat Salem. In an unexpected twist, Raven ran away using a portal, giving Salem full control over the Branwen tribe.

#### Registering Jaunesville

Gillian accompanied Jaune, Tyrian, Salem, and Vernal as they registered the new village of Jaunesville, formerly Kuroyuri. When the group is offered food, Gillian expresses discontent upon Jaune asking whether they had cat food. She visibly relaxed at the revelation that they had tuna. Later, Jaune offered to head to Mistral, accompanied with Gillian. Salem threatened Gillian to make sure Jaune got to Mistral safely, otherwise she would subject her to skin parasites. Gillian responded to Salem's requests, despite Jaune's insistence that she was a cat that did not understand her. Jaune left with Gillian shortly after, confident that he would escape, but was unexpectedly ambushed by Leonardo Lionheart. Gillian witnessed Jaune and Leonardo interact at a diner, and she did not appreciate Leonardo's efforts to send Jaune to Argus via his personal shuttle since she would get in trouble with Salem.

### Arrival at Argus

Gillian travelled with Jaune to Argus, displeased at her situation, as she feared being stuck as a cat for the rest of her days. She reflected on her experience as a cat, noting that seafood was decent, external parasites and dogs were terrible, and did not look forward to potential veterinarian visits. Gillian was also dismayed to realize she was adopting more cat mannerisms, such as purring when being pet and grooming herself. She still planned to rebuild The Crown, but with 100% less human trafficking, but got distracted by Terra Cotta-Arc petting her. Gillian was also not happy with Adrian Cotta-Arc attempting to grab her, insisting that she was royalty, much like a cat. Later, Atlesian authorities broke down the door and arrested Jaune, Saphron Cotta-Arc, Terra, and Adrian, which Gillian found inconvenient.

### Atlas Academy

Gillian found dealing with a hostage situation awkward, as she was not used to saving people and was stuck as a cat. Gillian expressed further cat mannerisms, such as having less problems with eating cat food and receiving pets. She eventually came across Neon Katt and Flynt Coal, who adopted Gillian and took her back to Atlas when Gillian realized Atlas Academy was potentially where Jaune was stationed. When Neon assured Flynt that she could speak to cats because she was a cat Faunus, Gillian took the opportunity to try and communicate her transmorgrification, but was dismayed to realize Neon could not actually understand her. Gillian was further disappointed to learn Neon planned to name her "Bubbles."

## References

1. ↑ "That's Gillian Asturias. Aside from the fact she's a wanted criminal in Vacuo, she also graduated from Shade over seven years ago."
2. ↑ "Shocking news from Vacuo as a child trafficking ring was shut down earlier today, a criminal ring led by ex-students of Shade Academy, Jax and Gillian Asturias."
3. ↑ [Ozpin] would have to call Theodore later and offer his support. No one could fully control what students did after graduating, and the old fellow would need his support in the coming days.
4. ↑ That was something taught in Shade. What most people didn't realise was that huntsmen were *trained* to dress up and stand out.
5. ↑ "Crown took Jaune and the others – they need money to stage their coup and declare Gillian and Jax the new rulers of Vacuo! Their base is outside the walls in the desert. I can take you to them!"
6. ↑ "[Jaune] is your slave, no? We're slave traders currently. I'm prepared to let you buy him off me."
7. ↑ "While the true depths of their crimes are unknown, over one hundred and twenty children were recovered from Crown and are currently now being reunited with their families."
8. ↑ "Besides, he's quite the cute little thing. Blonde hair, blue eyes, fit and healthy. I doubt we would have trouble finding a buyer, though I have to admit that a part of me thinks we should keep him around."
9. ↑ "Oh dear, that won't be a problem." Gillian Asturias smiled darkly. "My brother has already taken care of that. Isn't that right, Jaune?"
10. ↑ Recognising the danger, Gillian swore and charged in, leaping forward with the rapier lunging for Salem's throat.
11. ↑ Light streaked out and touched Gillian's chest. She vanished in an instant, her clothing and sword continuing on its way, the latter clattering to the floor as the bundle of cloth pooled two feet in front of Salem.
12. ↑ The feline was black all over, a shade of fur that was as perfectly straight as Gillian's had been. Her eyes were dark green and very, very wide.
13. ↑ Well, well, well," Salem purred, holding Gillian to her chest. The cat was not purring. It wasn't doing much of anything, doubtless stunned at its predicament.
14. ↑ Salem's eyes narrowed. "Is this a Semblance?" She hoisted the cat up. "Is it yours? Maybe I should snap your furry little neck and see if it ends."
15. ↑ "Mrowwwwww!" Gillian wailed helplessly.
16. ↑ "There is a small chance she can learn to turn back." The cat went still, listening intently. "Of course, whether she survives long enough to learn it is another matter entirely. I'm not sure how kind your home is to a stray cat with no instincts, survival skills or means of providing for itself. If you like, I can turn you into a worm or a frog instead."
17. ↑ The little ball of fuzz shook its head wildly.
18. ↑ "I didn't know about this!" [Carmine] promised. "Neither did Gillian. The trafficking is evil, I know, but there were lines we drew. Jax never told us they were making girls do this. Gillian would have never stood for it."
19. ↑ The cat meowed and shook its little head as best it were able.
20. ↑ There was a topless woman feeding [Jax] grapes from a silver tray while another massaged his shoulders from behind. Gillian hissed from Carmine's hands.
21. ↑ "And who might this vision of beauty be?" Jax asked flirtatiously. He leered at Salem, looking her up and down. Both Gillian and Carmine froze in horror.
22. ↑ Even Gillian was making a cute little confused cat face.
23. ↑ *We never stood a chance, did we?* Carmine thought. Gillian must have been thinking it as well because she hid in Carmine's elbow.
24. ↑ "[Carmen]'s been cooperative but terrified, and no matter how hard we try she won't tell us what Salem did to Jax or Gillian Asturias. Whenever we ask, she clams up and won't speak."
25. ↑ Gillian skipped along beside him, the small feline preferring him to Tyrian and Salem for some reason. Smart cat, honestly. It sometimes felt like she was the only actual human here aside from him.
26. ↑ The water looked clear enough and Jaune dipped the pot into it, collecting some as Gillian sniffed and then lapped at it.
27. ↑ "We need to get you some cat food at some point," he said. The feline stiffened and looked up with what he could have sworn was a horrified expression.
28. ↑ "Don't worry, you can have normal human food for now." It relaxed. "But that's probably not good for you in the long run. I'll see if I can't grab you some dry biscuits and wet cat food once we reach Mistral."
29. ↑ At least someone appreciates my work, [Jaune] thought as Gillian curled up in front of the fire and gently flicked her tail left and right.
30. ↑ Sighing, [Jaune] slurped up his own broth and set a small amount in it again for Gillian. The feline dipped her head in and licked it up, tail wagging happily.
31. ↑ It was making the short leader of the troupe even angrier, something Jaune was intimately familiar with since she kept her weapon to his back the whole way to their camp, pushing him along while he carried a purring Gillian in his hands.
32. ↑ "RAWR!" Gillian's claws went for his eyes.
33. ↑ Gillian began to purr happily, which was about as good as he was going to get.
34. ↑ Jaune's eye twitched. "I won't be kidnapped! This isn't the wilderness, there aren't any Grimm or bandits around and Mistral is a law-abiding and civilised place. Besides, I'll have Gillian with me." He pointed to the cat perched atop his head. "So I'm technically not alone."
35. ↑ "Listen here, Gillian. You will defend my slave, or I will consign you to a life of being feasted upon by fleas and ticks until the end of your days. Am I understood?"
36. ↑ "Mrowww!" Gillian opined angrily from atop Jaune's head. She clawed at Lionheart. "Hsss! Hsss!"
37. ↑ "Gillian!" Jaune scooped her off and cradled her against his chest, preventing her from getting at Lionheart while also tipping her onto her back like a baby. Gillian's eyes stared up at him, wide and panicked.
38. ↑ Jaune, in his absolutely ignorance, had managed to separate them from Salem, something that Salem had made very clear would be Gillian's fault if it happened.
39. ↑ Seafood was at best passable, fleas were a nightmare, dogs could all die and she was not running the chance of the moron currently trying to placate her deciding that she needed to be spayed. He would not survive an attempt to take her – a refined lady and monarch – to a vet.
40. ↑ Gillian huffed as the dark-skinned woman took her from Jaune, set her down on her lap and stroked her back. The worst part of it all was the instinctive, rumbling purr her throat produced despite her best efforts not to.
41. ↑ It didn't matter if she licked herself in places no lady should, she was still human.
42. ↑ I can rebuild. Once I find out how to change back or convince Salem to change me back, I can return to Vacuo and build Crown anew....No more slave taking, either. That was what got her into trouble the first time around. For now I will wait and learn, and let this woman pet me.
43. ↑ [Adrian] reached out for Gillian's tail and she swept it back close and placed a paw over it, glaring at the gummy little monster. Children were cute from a distance but she'd seen how grabby they could be with animals. She was a queen, darn it!
44. ↑ *Well*, Gillian Asturias thought. *This is less than ideal…*
45. ↑ Gillian Asturias was not used to having to rescue people. Not as a human and certainly not as a cat. In fact, succeeding at all looked like it was going to be quite the challenge considering Jaune had been taken to a military camp goodness knows where and she was… well, a cat.
46. ↑ Cat food, eating from a bowl, having strange people run their hands all over me. Hmm. That doesn't sound so – no, bad Gillian! Focus!
47. ↑ Gillian purred as Neon rubbed a spot behind her ear. Yes, yes, that was it! Use those fingernails, peasant. Use them. Oh hells yes- no! No! She was not a cat!
48. ↑ If these two really were from Atlas Academy, then they must have been here in Argus with Atlas' soldiers.
49. ↑ Which meant they were probably bunking in the same base Jaune had been taken to!
50. ↑ This could be her chance. *"You can hear me?"* she meowed. *"Finally. Listen, girl, I'm not a cat but a woman who has been turned into one. I need your assistance in locating and freeing someone. If you do this, I promise you will be rewarded in ways you cannot possibly imagine!"*
51. ↑ *"What!?"* Gillian meowed. *"I did not say that at all!"*
52. ↑ *"You can't understand cats at all, can you?"* Gillian meowed sadly. *"Faunus can't actually speak to animals, can they?"*