Neo stepped into her room at the inn, closing the door behind her. The room was small and simple, just a bed, a small table, a TV and a bathroom with a large window on the wall opposite the door. Rain was beating on the window of the room, doing nothing to help her mood. After shutting the curtains, she let her disguise fall away, her black and white dress and black pigtails magically falling away into her usual outfit and hair color. She had used the same disguise from the Vytal festival as a disguise to purchase a room in some small town on the way to Mistral. She didn't know exactly where she was, but she really didn't care.
She looked fine, but her eyes betrayed how she really felt. They stayed white, as they had since the day she was flung off that airship. At first they had been white because she was terrified as she floated down to Vale, somehow managing to fend off any Grimm that took interest in her on her way down. But as she watched Roman's airship crash into Vale in flames and subsequently was unable to find him, her eyes remained that pale white color out of the fear she felt. Even now, several weeks later, they still stayed white, displaying her internal fear and uncertainty for anyone who knew what to look for.
She curled up on the bed, bringing her knees up to her chest.
She felt the same as she had all those years ago before Roman found her and took her in. Alone. Scared. Small.
She tried to ignore the small tears peeking out of the corner of her eyes, pretending they weren't there even as they slid down her cheeks.
He had promised to always be there for her, but where was he now?! They were supposed to always make it through this crazy plot of Cinder's. Even when she had been scared and unsure of the future, Roman had always put up a big cocky smile and said they would make it through this like they always did, even though she knew he was just as scared as she was.
She missed that stupid smile.
Memories swirled around her as she slipped out of consciousness, letting sleep overtake her. Dreams of fire and fear plagued her as dark beasts screamed and smoldering eyes shone in the darkness. She covered her ears as the screams came back, filling the air as they proclaimed their pain and terror. She wanted to cry and scream as she had back then, but could offer nothing more than a silent wail to join the chorus.
Suddenly, a single flame lit up in the darkness. This one warm and soothing, unlike the hungry flames that had consumed and destroyed. This little flame danced in the darkness, warming her and comforting her. It shielded her from the horrors of the night and she smiled for what felt like the first time. The darkness gradually disappeared, though the little flame never left her side, and she was filled with happiness rather than fear. She gigged happily as orange hair and ice cream filled her view, a soothing voice and rich laughter drifted through her ears. Sweet cigar smoke tickled her nose as all the colors, smells and sounds swirled together.
The sunlight peeked through the curtains, pulling her out of her sleep. Rubbing her eyes and wiping the tear stains off her cheeks, she sat up.
As she stood up and threw back the curtains, she knew that things were still far from ok, but at least she had a glimmer of hope now.
He may not be with her at the moment, but she had to believe Roman was out there. He was a survivor, like her, and he was out there looking for her. She had to believe that. If she didn't, then what would she have left?
She got up, checked her parasol, and prepared to leave. There was no more time to waste.
She would stick to the contingency plan that her and Roman had agreed on years ago. Make it to the safe house in Mistral and meet up with Roman, That's where he would go looking for her.
She changed her appearance, once more taking the disguise she wore to the Vytal festival. With a new spark in her step that had been missing for far too long, she sauntered out of the Inn.
Now this, this was a purpose, not some ridiculous scheme like the one Cinder had forced them into. Getting back to the one person she actually cared about was something she could fight for, and nothing was going to stop her.