Hey guys.
I need to take a break from these once a week uploads to just sort out everything I'm writing for this story, mainly just writing it, dunno how long the break will be but I'm not abandoning this story, this is a short rest for myself cause I'm getting exhausted writing and editing these things over the period of a week.
FYI this chapter nearly killed me and I think it shows
Also I'm probably gonna go and edit and clear up the earlier chapters cause I found continuity and other errors when looking back for information.
~§~
"I can fly a bullhead one handed" Said Tanith, as if she was a child on a bike.
"Tanith I've literally seen you read a book while flying, one handed ain't that impressive" Said Elster, smirking as Tanith pouted.
"You are no fun" she said as they flew over the Mistral coastline and suddenly Tanith's scroll lit up and went off like crazy.
"Oh shit, by the sounds of it someone died" joked Tanith as she reached into her pocket.
"Don't use your scroll while flying" scolded Elster and Tanith stuck her tongue out as she opened her scroll
"Ah" Said Tanith, looking at her scroll wide eyed
"What?" Asked Elster
"Lucia… had her baby a few days ago" Said Tanith as she began going through various messages.
"Oh, well congratulations" Said Elster
"She got out of the hospital today, so there having a party at her house to celebrate, everyone's gonna be there" she said worried as she rubbed her scars.
"Oh you'll be fine" Said Elster "and even if you aren't I'll be there, you can stick with me, it'll be okay"
~§~
"Do we need to like, buy something or bring something?" Asked Tanith nervously as they walked through the terrace neighbourhood toward her cousins house.
"No" said Elster, wrapping an arm around her "stop worrying and chill"
"Okay" nodded Tanith before she stopped and stared up at one of the houses, Elster guessing it was Lucia's. Tanith nervously wracked her hands, her left more violent and her right much more gently "how am I… what is… agh" she rubbed her face.
"Chill, go in, say hello" Said Elster, calmly walking her up the path to the front door.
"Okay, Okay Okay Okay" nodded Tanith as she rang the doorbell.
The door opened and they came face to face with Lucia, who grinned at her as she looked her up and down.
"Is that my cousin whose been gone for a week and a half?" Asked Lucia grinning.
"Is that my cousin that just pushed another living being out of herself?" Replied Tanith as they hugged.
Lucia pulled away and held her at arms length as she looked her up and down "Damn girl, did you get a tan? And a tattoo!" She said bending down and grabbing Tanith's right hand, brining it up for inspection as Tanith hissed in pain "Oh shit! Sorry!" She said quickly letting go and looking worried "you okay?"
"Yeah, right arm is just a bit sensitive at the moment" said Tanith, not exactly a lie but not the truth either. "We were in Vacuo for a day, got the tattoo there" she explained.
"Well come in, come in! Arnold's got Palomo at the moment, he can't stop gushing" she said laughing as she lead them into the house.
It was a narrow hallway with a stairway to the right and to the left an entry to the living room which had people in it, further down the corridor was the kitchen and then beyond that was the small garden.
"Your dad's currently killing it at the grill, your mum is somewhere, I dunno where" said Lucia.
"You have such a large family" Said Elster as she looked around.
"Yeah, well some are family friends and others from Arthur's side, don't mention this but I can't remember most of their names" said Tanith from the corner of her mouth as they move through the garden.
"You don't know some of your relatives names?" Asked Elster in surprise
"Well what can I say?" Asked Tanith as she made a gesture to the garden.
"Tanith!" Said her mother as she walked over.
Tanith smiled at her mom "hey mom"
"Do you have a tan?" Asked her mother before focusing in on her right hand "and a tattoo!" She said shocked
"The answer to both of those is yes" Said Tanith, before shooting finger guns "and the answer to the next inevitable question is Vacuo" covering up the pained grimace at using her right hand as a cringe.
"Of course" said her mother shaking her head before and turning to Elster "and how is the best thing to ever happen to my daughter?" She asked smiling and Elster smiled back.
"I'm great, feels nice to be doing my actual job again" Said Elster nodding.
"Hey baby!" Said Tanith's father coming in and hugging her.
"Hay Dad, how are you?" Asked Tanith hugging him back
"I'm great, cooking this barbecue like a king" he said proudly "love the tattoo" he nodded
"What happened to 'if you ever get a tattoo I will cut off the part it's on?'" Asked Tanith smirking slightly
"That changed after you turned 18" Said her father before turning to Elster "and it's lovely to see you to" he said shaking her hand.
Tanith looked around and noticed that Lucia had left them.
"So, how have you been?" Asked her mother as she looked at her.
"Pretty good" Said Tanith nodding even as she saw the flash of disagreement on Elster's face before she also smiled again. "Been around, seen some cool stuff and killed some Grimm" she said smiling
"As long as you stayed safe"
Tanith paused in replying and bit her lip before nodding "for the most part" she finally said.
Before her parents could question her further Lucia walked back over a bundle in her arms.
"This is Palomo" Said Lucia "he's sleeping at the moment, luckily he sleeps like a rock so" Said Lucia smiling in pure happiness.
"He's very cute" Said Tanith, looking down at the round face in the bundle.
"Yeah he is, he's my child" Said Lucia sassily
"You excited to be a mother then?" Asked Tanith
"Heck yes I am" Said Lucia.
Elster simply stared down at the baby, her mind thinking of her own brother, the brother she'd never met, the brother growing up probably thinking his sister was dead.
She shook her head and focused in something else, looking at Tanith smiling face as she talked with Lucia and her parents.
"Yeah, Vacuo is pretty awesome" Said Tanith smiling
"Is that where you've been the whole time?" Asked Lucia
"No, we've stuck to the Sanus continent going between Vale and Vacuo for now" Said Tanith "we're staying away from Atlas for now, too racist"
"I also don't like the cold" Said Elster smiling.
"I think we're gonna chill out around Mistral until we come back for the wedding?" Said Tanith looking at Lucia for confirmation.
"Yes, it's gonna be later this week" she pointed at them "so I hope you've got dresses or something formal"
"Ahh" nodded Tanith "dresses, skirts, makeup… pink and white"
"You've never worn a dress in the your life have you?" Asked Lucia
"No"
"You wore that dress to the beacon dance, you can just wear… oh… right" Said Elster
"You managed to get her in a dress?" Asked Lucia
"Yes"
"Did you take pictures?" Asked Tanith's mother
"No"
"Dammit"
"Well that'll change in half a week, when you wear dresses!" Said Lucia
"Oh... joy" said Tanith melodramatically as Lucia rolled her eyes.
"I think I'd look good in a shirt rather then a dress" Said Elster
"I swear to god I'm getting one of you in a dress" Said Lucia pointing a finger threateningly.
"Well then, if one of us must" Said Elster sighing dramatically before pushing Tanith forward "I guess Tanith can sacrifice herself"
Tanith glared at her before rolling her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips "fine, I'll wear a dress"
Lucia squealed and grinned "perfect"
"So, any good stories?" Asked her father.
"Well, there was the time we fought a giant owl" Said Tanith.
"An Ascalaphus" muttered Elster.
"That was a fun adventure in a sexist village with a shaman and this asshole who ran the village, fun times" said Tanith fondly.
"That doesn't sound fun" Said her mother
"You just had to be there" said Tanith shaking her head.
"Shouldn't you be at the grill?" Asked Lucia suddenly looking at Tanith's father.
He blinked and clicked his tongue "shit" then he ran off.
"That man" said her mother shaking her head "I can't remember why I married him"
"Because I'm wonderful!" He called back and Tanith's mother turned to him.
"How did you even hear that?" She asked shaking her head
"I'm guessing what your saying" he called back before refocusing in the grill.
Her mother just chuckled and rolled her eyes, then they glanced at Tanith with a look she knew well, a look that said 'I know something wrong and well talk later' and she felt dread form in her at the likely oncoming conversation.
The barbecue wore on, and after the sixth time a relative or family friend had asked Tanith what had happened to her face she decided to call it a day, telling her parents and Lucia she was heading home for the day.
~§~
Tanith was idly sitting in the living room, messing about with a game on her scroll, Elster upstairs in the shower when the front door opened, Max's head shooting up and toward the door before he whined excitedly and jumped off the sofa.
"Hey" She called as she heard her parents walk into the living room.
"Hello" Said her mother as she stretched "it was beginning to die down when we left. I need a drink" she sighed as she walked to the kitchen.
"I second that" said her father following.
Her mother then stopped and looked at her before pointing "you can come in here as well, we clearly need to have a talk" she said, Tanith feeling her mother's anxiety and suspicion.
Tanith winced and grudgingly got up, walking over to the kitchen and sitting at the table as her parents fiddled with various kitchen appliances.
"You said you got hurt earlier" Said her father concerned as Tanith sensed his worry.
"I didn't say I got hurt, I said I've been safe for the most part" said Tanith, not making eye contact.
"Is that why your covered in bruises and scabs and you've been favouring your left side?" Asked her mother, crossing her arms as suspicion came off her.
"Okay fine, I got a little hurt on my arm, but I'll be fine… in like three weeks" she said the last part quickly and quietly.
"Show me" said her mother, looking at her with a steely gaze.
Tanith stared at her for several moments before hesitantly rolling up her sleeve and showing the bandage wrapped around her arm.
"You need to change that" noted her mother.
"What makes you say that?" Asked Tanith, not wanting to show the wound to her parents.
"I'm a teacher Tanith, I had to learn how to look after injuries" Said her mother as she fiddled in a cupboard and got to a roll of bandages "take it off, I'll change it for you"
Tanith sighed and reached up, slowly undoing the bandage under her parents scrutiny.
"Jesus Christ" breathed her father as anxiety and anger rolled off him, they both saw the wound, red and clearly irritated, a dip in the skin of her arm several millimetres deep "Tanith what happened?"
"Have you been helping Elster on her missions?" Asked her mother irritated and also angry, looking at the wound "I'm gonna have to have a little word with-"
"It was my idea!" She interrupted resolutely "Elster accepted a contract to locate and capture a criminal, he owned a club and I convinced Elster to let me help her, she was against it from the start but I was stubborn"
"What happened Tanith?" Asked her father again, more firmly as he stared intently at her, her mother sitting next to her and also staring at her while she began to apply a new bandage.
"I acted as bait, knocked him out. Then we ran from his thugs, got into a pretty cool car chase" said Tanith hopefully, a smile on her face that quickly left under her parents gaze and their emotions "So Elster was taking out the cars, when one o them pulled up beside us and prepare to shoot us, so Elster shoved me down and saved me and we crashed"
"You were in a car crash?" Asked her mother, pausing in the applying of bandages as anxiety and anger began building up.
"I was fine" waved off Tanith
Both her parents stopped what they were doing to give her a deadpan stare with combined feeling of anger and anxiety that she withered under.
"Mostly" She said looking to the side "So Elster is fighting these thugs when some thugs from one of the other crashed cars walk up and try to hold me hostage"
"Tanith" Said her mother through gritted teeth "not doing much to convince us you were okay"
"Look, Elster totally beat them up, I even knocked one out. Then because of that one of them shot at me and I was lightly shot-"
"You were shot!" Said her father throwing up his hands as outrage burst from him for a few seconds, similar sentiments from her mother next to her.
"It was a graze" insisted Tanith "you should of seen what Elster did to the guy who shot me, he went away way worse. And I'm fine, Elster cauterised the wound and then a doctor saw me and everything was fine" she said as her mother finished wrapping up the wound.
"You were shot" Said her mother, shaking her head as irritation and anxiety came off her.
"I'm fine, why doesn't anyone believe me when I say that?" groaned Tanith as she rubbed her face.
"Maybe because you didn't tell us you were mentally ill for 7 months" commented her father, hurt coming off him.
Tanith sighed "look, I'm completely fine okay? If your gonna blame anyone blame me, don't blame Elster, she already blames herself enough about it and I hate it when she does that" said Tanith pleading
"You were in a car crash and shot" Said her mother "how do you think that's going to affect you mentally, looking at you physically think about it mentally and-"
"I'm a perfectly functioning human being" growled Tanith "occasionally I'm not okay but-"
"You shouldn't be getting into these situations if your 'occasionally not okay'" argued her father angrily
"I'm fine!" Shouted Tanith "Elster looks after me and-"
"We can see how well Elster looks after you" said her mother looking at her arm.
"It was one fucking incident and-"
"Somebody call my name?" Asked Elster walking into the kitchen, hair still wet from the shower.
"No, but excellent timing" Said Tanith's mother fixing her with a hard stare as anger came off her "my daughter was shot in the arm"
Elster paused and nodded regretfully "yes she was"
"Care to explain yourself?" Asked her mother
"Mum-"
"Well… I can't" Said Elster sadly "I was never a leader, I made a judgment call and fucked up-"
"That's not an excuse for letting our daughter get shot!" Said Tanith's father angrily, a spike of outrage shooting off him
"Dad!-"
"I know, I tried my best to protect her but failed, however the wound could have been a lot worse and-"
"She could've died!" Said her mother angrily getting up, outrage now spiking off her.
"Think about her mental state, but you just let her participate in a dangerous mission even though she isn't mentally fit!" Said her father and making Elster frown.
"'She' is in the room" muttered Tanith
"Your daughter may have corruption but to say she is mentally unfit is insulting, especially to say so right in front of her, think about how hearing that might affect her?" Said Elster angrily
Her father blinked before taking a step back "I-"
"Your daughter is perfectly okay to function, telling her she isn't won't help anybody, especially her" said Elster scowling.
"We're just worried that she isn't okay to make good decisions" Said Tanith's mother.
"I understand that, at one point I also felt that way" Said Elster "But she is perfectly able to function, occasionally something will happen, a hallucination or pain but as long as someone is there for her she'll be fine" she pointed a finger "she won't be fine if you keep telling her she isn't"
"But she's not okay!" Said her mother angrily.
Tanith slammed her hands on the table, making the room jump and drawing attention to her.
"I never fucking said I was okay!" She shouted "I said I was fine, I never said I was okay! I know I'm not okay!" She took a deep breath and pushed away from the table .
"I'm not okay" Said Tanith "I'll admit that, I'm genuinely not okay. But when people treat me like a normal person… whenever I'm with Elster" she looked at Elster before nodding, a smile on her face "I feel okay. I feel strong enough to take on whatever my condition throws at me" she said.
Her mother and father seemed unsure what to do, looking at each other then Tanith with an unreadable expression as a mix of emotions roiled within them.
"I'm sorry" Said her father finally "I did some research into the condition and… there were people talking about people they knew with the condition… I just got so worried"
"I also think we have a right to worry when you get shot" Said her mother crossing her arms.
"You do" nodded Tanith "and I'm glad you care but you need to trust me" she said patting her chest "and if you can't do that then trust Elster"
Tanith's mother narrowed her eyes at Elster who gave a nervous smile as she rubbed the back fo her head awkwardly.
"I suppose she's gotten you this far" said her mother finally.
"You're gonna have to make it up to us" said her father crossing his arms.
Elster's eyes darted around before they widened and she grinned "how about I cook for you?" she said hopefully.
~§~
Elster and Tanith walked down the street, Elster was wearing black formal trousers with a blue button up shirt, Tanith wore a green dress that stopped at her knees and sleeves that covered her arms.
The wedding was a coastal event, looking out to the north sea. Because of this Elster wore a gray blazer over her shirt while Tanith simply wore her dress being more used to the cold, Elster holding her close with an arm round her waist but being mindful of her injured arm.
"Are you cold?" Asked Tanith smirking
"Maybe, you can't prove it though" Said Elster.
"If its any consolation I think you look very hot" Said Tanith smiling up at her.
"And you look pretty" Said Elster squeezing her waist.
Tanith had her hair done up in an intricate braid that Elster had done which went down to her shoulders, some hair left to frame her face. Elster had simply let her hair flow free, as per her usual style, except she had made it less scruffy even if it still covered the majority of her back.
They eventually saw the large building up ahead, it was stone with large glass windows that shone with light inside. The front was a beautiful garden with hedges cutting off access to the back where the wedding would take place looking over the sea.
Elster held open the door as Tanith walked through and they were in the reception. Staff lead them through a beautiful large ball room with chandeliers and tables with seats set around the edge and empty space in the centre and another table with plates but no food on it. Then they went through a large set of doors to the back.
The garden had lanterns set up that lit the area up, large trees and a trimmed hedge bordered the garden where several others had already arrived. A white carpet laid out over a beautifully cut lawn, in the a short hedge below a view of the sea as it crashed onto the beach, a mountain in the distance to mark the end of Onyx bay. Tanith spotted her parents and directed Elster toward them as Elster looked at the sight in awe.
"Hey" She said as she walked along the chairs and took a seat next to her mother.
"Wow, you look beautiful" Said her mother smiling a sheer father nodded beside her.
"Yes, It's difficult but I try my best" Said Tanith smiling as she sat down
"You always look beautiful" Said Elster
"Thanks Elster, problem is though is that you have a biased opinion" said Tanith smirking as Elster rolled her eyes and pulled her close, Tanith resting her head on her arm. "Are we late or early?"
"You're on time" Said her father "someone wanted to be here early" he grumbled as Tanith's mother swatted his arm.
"You can't be late to a wedding" she sniffed.
"Well technically you can" Said Tanith, her mother swatting her arm, avoiding her wound and swatting her forearm.
"Nice way of covering up your injury" complimented her mother. Tanith's dress had a shoulder drape over her right shoulder that hung loose over her right arm like a cloak down to the elbow.
"Well I thought it was perfect when I saw it" Said Tanith smiling.
"I really like it" Said Elster before leaning close and whispering so only Tanith could hear "it's a shame I'll have to rip it off later"
Tanith bushed before whispering back "if you do rip it, I'll kill you"
"Well then, I suppose there's always plan B" replied Elster
"And what's plan B?"
"Well dresses you see give such easy access to-"
"What are you whispering about?" Asked her mother, quirking an amused eyebrow at Tanith's flushed and panicked face, Elster simply sitting back up straight with an amused smirk on her own face.
"Ugh… bullhead fuel prices" said Tanith quickly.
"I imagine bullhead fuel is pretty expensive" mused her father
"You would not believe, 150 Lien a litre, it's a 2000 litre fuel tank. Luckily we don't have to refuel too often, the VT-4 has a much better fuel economy then the VT-3, about 60% better" She chuckled, trying not to make it obvious she was changing the subject, Likely working well because she was also getting wrapped up in the subject "yet Atlas still insisted on having them fully fueled up at all times, idiots"
"I think that's more Papa Schnee trying to get every Lien he can" Said Elster.
"The amount of Schnee dust company propaganda" said Tanith shaking her head "saw their influence everywhere in the military"
By now the chairs were mostly full and a small band were beginning to okay some light music as quiet murmuring filled the air.
"I don't want to sound rude, but how much longer will this take?" Asked Tanith
"Not much longer, looks like everyone is basically here" said her mother
"Cool"
"Oh dear" Said her mother, looking toward the back "Uncle Digby's here"
"Shit, he hasn't kicked the bucket?" Asked Tanith, glancing back to see the familiar balding man with white hair and a frail body with slowly failing jasmine eyes.
"What's wrong with Uncle Digby?" Asked Elster curious also looking back quickly
"He's racist" said Tanith bluntly.
"Ah, I see what's wrong with Uncle Digby" said Elster nodding and sinking slightly in her seat.
"Pay him no mind, no one else does" said Tanith "shame too, he's generally a nice guy, juts served in the Great War and well…" she trailed off.
"I'll be fine" assured Elster.
Then the music changed to a wedding tune, the guests all falling silent as the door was opened and Arthur walked up the aisle, clearly nervous but hiding it behind a wide smile.
"He's nervous" Said her mother in a babying voice "precious"
He stood up at the front next to the officiate and his best man and watched as the door to the building opened again and Lucia stood there, grinning wide. She was wearing a pretty white dress and was flanked by her bridesmaids.
Grand music played as she slowly walked up the aisle, grinning at various people, Tanith included as she finally made It to the front to a very stunned Arthur. She smiled at him and took his hands, Arthur blinking and then smiling at he as he gripped her hands.
"Love" started the officiate "love is something special, love is something that should be treasured. Love has no bounds, it can be between a man and a woman, a man and a man, a woman and a woman"
Tanith smiled slightly as Elster pulled her close.
"Marriage is one of the final steps showing your love for each other. Arthur Cooper, do you take this woman to be your wife?"
"I do" He said nodding.
"Lucia Landy, do you take this man to be your husband?"
"I do" Said Lucia grinning giddily.
"Then I pronounce you husband and wife" said the officiate smiling "you may now kiss"
They leaned into each other and their lips met as the crowd applauded, after several seconds they separated and turned toward the crowd, hands still entwined.
"If everyone would like to make their way inside for food, alcohol and partying" Said Lucia smiling as the guests all began to stand.
"Wait about a minute" Said Elster, placing a hand on Tanith's shoulder to stop her joining the rush "let's just let them all pass"
"Probably a good idea" nodded Tanith.
It only took a few moments for the crowd to finally clear as they joined the tail end of the crowd. They walked back into the ballroom of the estate, the room they had walked through to get to the wedding, now though it was filled with people as they stood around or sat at tables and talked.
"I'm hungry, let's eat first" Said Tanith, dragging Elster over to the buffet table.
There was a wide variety of foods of al kinds, a separated table with champagne flutes and a selection of non-alcoholic drinks.
"How will I be taking Tanith home tonight" mused Elster as Tanith took a champagne flute and shot a playful glare at her.
"Perfectly sober" she defended as they walked over to an empty table, sitting down and
eating while talking.
"This reminds me of my parents wedding" Said Elster in a fond voice as she looked into the distance "I was about 8 or 9 at the time"
"How old were your parents when they had you?" Asked Tanith in confusion
"Must have been in their very late teens, it was such a great event. I remember I had this dress that I loved, I was with my Nan most of the time, she looked after me while I watched my parents get married, then I was with my parents as they talked to people at the reception" she sighed regretfully "that was a… great memory" she said smiling sadly.
Tanith smiled and reached over, taking her hand and giving it a comforting squeeze.
"You could always visit them" Said Tanith
"I… I don't know" Said Elster looking away and out to the ballroom floor and watching people talk, another part of the floor dedicated to a few couples dancing.
"Well take your time, don't rush" Said Tanith before offering her champagne flute "drink some of this"
"You know I don't like alcohol" Said Elster frowning even as she took the glass
"Yeah, that's why it's hilarious to see your face when you taste it" Said Tanith smirking as Elster rolled her eyes and brought it to her lips.
"Only because I love you" she muttered and she let a small amount slip into her mouth and immediately grimaced at the strong bitter taste of alcohol as Tanith snorted in amusement, taking the glass back. "Fucking disgusting"
"Meh, taste isn't why I'm drinking it" shrugged Tanith as she took a sip
"Your not going to get drunk off of one glass of champagne" Said Elster "I've seen what it takes to get you drunk"
"Well I also feel super posh drinking this" Said Tanith shrugging lightly.
"I'm just going to enjoy my tasty drink" Said Elster taking an exaggerated swig of her drink.
"So… we should probably decide what to do next" Said Tanith
"We'll take a break" said Elster
"What?"
"Tanith, I know it's been pointed out so much that it's still a surprise we're trying to keep it secret, but you were shot in the arms few days ago" said Elster as Tanith rolled her eyes "I had the realization earlier that since when we first started dating this is the first real… chance to have a holiday we've ever had"
Tanith blinked and titled her head, they had in the past made plans for both of them to have a week off during the summer. But of course that had never happened with the fall of Beacon.
"Let's just take a week, relax, sight see and all that" said Elster.
"But what about money and-"
"Tanith, I made over 200k in Lien in the last four jobs I've taken, we're fine" Said Elster taking her hand.
"Jesus, that much?" Asked Tanith
"Well I was taking the highest paying jobs" said Elster.
"But aren't they meant for like, teams of huntsmen?" Asked Tanith
"Yes, which is why I use the lone huntsmen board, why do you think there are four different boards?" Asked Elster
"Convenience?" Said Tanith, a smile on her lips as Elster rolled her eyes.
"No"
Tanith stuck out her tongue and Elster shook her head smiling. Then Tanith's eyes widened at something behind them and Elster turned to see that Uncle Digby was nearby and talking to a few of Arthur's relatives.
Tanith coughed and jerked her head behind her and Elster nodded, they had finished their meals and both quietly got out of their chairs, Elster keeping her head low as Tanith took her hand and quickly lead her away.
They were stopped in their getaway by Lucia standing in their way, a frown on her face.
"Running from Digby?" She asked and Tanith nodded "I can ask one of my bridesmaids to run interference so-"
"No, it's fine, don't go out of your way" Said Tanith
"Im fine" Said Elster "I've dealt with hundreds of racists, I've heard it all before" she said waving a hand.
"If your sure" Said Lucia before smiling "Tanith, come say hello to Palomo"
"I said hi to him a few days ago" said Tanith moving back slightly and into Elster.
"He was asleep, that doesn't count" pouted Lucia
"It does to me" Said Tanith
"Tanith just say hello to the baby" insisted Lucia
"But-"
"Just say hello" Said Lucia finally closing the distance.
Tanith breathed a deep breath and felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. She leaned forward and looked down at the baby that stared at her, eyes open and curious.
"Hello" she said nervously.
The baby looked at her indifferently before smiling a gummy smile.
Tanith blinked.
Elster leaned over her and gave a smile at the child "hello"
"See, That wasn't so bad?" Said Lucia
"Well I was expecting a different reaction" Said Tanith
Lucia tilted her head confused before gasping in realization. "Oh my god Tanith! I'm so sorry! I didn't even think, I was just so caught up in the moment and-"
"It's fine Lucia" assured Tanith "don't worry about me, go and enjoy it"
"But-"
"No, no buts" Said Tanith smiling "go and have fun"
Lucia narrowed her eyes "alright, but I haven't forgotten about you"
"I'll try and remember" said Tanith smiling as Lucia walked off and she felt an arm wrap around her as Elster leaned in.
"Guess someone isn't as hideous as they first thought" said Elster
"It's a baby, it's a fifty fifty chance" dismissed Tanith
"You're a baby" shot back Elster "you should just enjoy yourself, let go"
"That's easy for you to say, you don't know anyone here"
"I'd like to point out that I'm not only one of the tallest people here but the only faunus apart from one or two staff members, so I do stand out" she said, a smirk in her voice.
"You know what I mean" Said Tanith, a hand absently trailing past her scars and fixing a lock of hair behind her ear.
"I do" nodded Elster before she pulled Tanith close and leaned down to her ear "but it's just the fact we're at a wedding in public that means I haven't bent you over yet, if that helps with your self consciousness" she said huskily before standing up fully again like nothing had happened, Tanith staring with wide unseeing eyes as her cheeks turned red in a heavy blush.
"R-right" She croaked, shaking herself "let's ugh… go do something" she said lamely.
"Like what, wanna dance?" Asked Elster.
"Hmmm, I think that will have to be a pass" Said Tanith
"Oh well, I tried" sighed Elster
"You know I can't dance, and I know you think you can dance when drunk" Said Tanith smiling as Elster glared.
"Shut your face" She said.
"Um, excuse me?" Said a hesitant voice behind them and they turned to see one of Luisa bridesmaids, she had forest green hair with aqua eyes, her hands clasped nervously in front of her "your Tanith right?"
"Yup, that's me" Said Tanith nodding, feeling the trepidation and anxiety coming from the girl.
"I'm Lin, I'm a friend of Lucia's" she said holding out her hand which Tanith shook.
"Glad to hear it" Said Tanith, slightly awkward
"I'll just get right into it" she huffed "I understand you have a rare condition"
Tanith narrowed her eyes slightly "and how do you come to understand that?" She asked
"I overheard your cousin mumbling about it before the ceremony amongst the many things she was worried about" Lin admitted sheepishly.
"That woman" said Tanith fondly shaking her head "fine, yes, I have a rare condition"
"I'm sorry, it's just that I'm a researcher at the Scientific Discovery and Research Centre in Mistral" She said
"Damn, that's pretty cool" Said Tanith guessing where this was likely going "I'm guessing you'd like to research me?"
"Only if you agree to it!" Said Lin quickly "it'll be mostly questions and maybe a few other tests, but we won't do those unless you agree to them" she said
"And this'll be to research a possible cure and such from the results" Said Tanith
"Well yeah, hopefully" shrugged Lin smiling
"And I won't be like, shoved into a water tank and forced to try and go to another dimension?" Asked Tanith jokingly and Lin shook her head chuckling
"No, the worst might be a brain scan" she assured
"Okay…" nodded Tanith thinking and turning to Elster who was calmly watching the exchange.
"It's your decision" she shrugged looking at Tanith.
"Alright… I'll do it, but in like… two weeks, how about the…" She did maths and calendars in her head "the 16th?"
Lin's eyes rolled up as she also did maths and calendars before nodding "Yup, I can have everything set up by then"
"Cool, I guess just turn up to the place?" Asked Tanith
"Yeah, just show up and say your there to see me and we'll get right to it" Said Lin before nervously looking around "and please don't tell Lucia, she's incredibly protective of you" she said "she said we shouldn't try to stress you out or anything"
"Why does everyone think I'm going to break if they stress me" grumbled Tanith
"Well hopefully whatever I find will get rid of that belief" Said Lin smiling
"One can only hope" sighed Tanith
"So what do you do at the moment?" Asked Lin
"I'm a Bullhead pilot, I fly my girlfriend around so she can do hunter missions" Said Tanith as Elster smiled.
"And I'm guessing you're the girlfriend and huntress" Said Lin looking at Elster.
"Yup, Elster Castle" She said.
"Is that a good line of work?" Asked Lin "must be dangerous"
"One of the most dangerous jobs out there" Said Elster "But I find it quite fun, lots of variety"
"Probably better then being shoved inside an office" said Lin smiling
"Nah, you do important work as well, without you we'd barely understand Grimm or diseases" said Elster encouragingly "there's only so much a hunter can do" she said shrugging
"I suppose that's true, so do you two simply travel the world going on adventures?"
"Yeah, suppose you could say it's the dream life" laughed Tanith as Elster nodded.
"And you worked at Beacon before that, didn't you?" Asked Lin
"Yeah, Elster and I both worked at Beacon" said Tanith
"Oh, were you a teacher?" Asked Lin looking at Elster who grimaced
"God no, I'd be a terrible teacher, I worked in air traffic control" she said and Lin frowned in confusion.
"So how long have you known Lucia?" Asked Tanith quickly
"Oh, we met at college" said Lin "we were both in similar fields and we just clicked. She talks about you every now and then, she cares a lot about you"
"Well we were basically sisters when we were younger" explained Tanith "we did so much together that we just became close, I went to a different college only because the college she went to didn't do a course in engineering" said Tanith
"So you have a degree in engineering but you went into the military?" Asked Lin frowning.
"Well I finished my four years but I always wanted to fly so my parents got me into the Atlas aviation school flight program, I went into the simulator with all these arrogant pricks that simply wanted to ascend the ranks of the military and here I was with my purple hair and jeans" she shook her head smiling "anyway I fucking destroyed them, one of the highest scores they've ever seen, accepted me on the spot and I was so excited…" she trailed off and smiled sadly.
"And then you served in the military?" Asked Lin
"For about 8 months before I got an offer from Beacon which I immediately accepted" Said Tanith "best decision I've ever made"
"Lin, Lin, Lin" said another bridesmaid coming up, nervously glancing at Tanith "Lucia needs you"
"Ah, okay" nodded Lin before smiling at Tanith and Elster "it was great meeting you"
"You too" nodded Tanith as Lin followed the other bridesmaid away.
"That was interesting" commented Elster
"I need another drink" sighed Tanith
"You alright?" Asked Elster
"Yeah, I'm fine" Said Tanith as they began to wander over to the wine table "so far the evening has been gre-"
"Tanith!" Said a familiar withered voice form her childhood and she turned, quickly covering the cringe to smile at her Uncle. "It's been so long and my what happened to you?" He said coming over, Elster somehow not being seen despite standing right next to her.
"Hey Uncle, I just crashed, no big deal" she said waving him off.
He chuckled "you remind me of the pilots of those awful contraptions back in the day, they woulda said the same things and they'd have lost limbs" he shook his head "but those are some impressive scars"
"Thank you, my girlfriend says the same thing" Said Tanith unthinkingly, her uncles eyes widening in surprise.
"Well what a surprise, is she here?" He asked
"Yes, she's… she's right next to me" said Tanith bracing for the fallout as her uncles eyes turned to her left and up at Elster who smiled at him.
"Hello, I'm Elster Castle" she said smoothly, offering a hand which he stared suspiciously at.
"Get your filthy hand away from me halfbreed" he growled and Elster let her face drop to a neutral expression, dropping her hand back to her side, Tanith felt her anger rise but was also surprise at the lack of any negative emotion from Elster who simply held her uncles gaze unblinkingly. "What do you do?" He asked lowly "White fang?"
"Uncle!" Exclaimed Tanith angrily but also keeping her voice down so as to not create a scene.
"No, I'm a huntress, I hunt monsters, including the white fang" Elster said "what do you do?"
"I'm a veteran" he said taking a step toward her "I've seen what you animals did in the war, I lost a lot of friends because of your kind"
"I'm sorry to hear that" said Elster "but war is a horrible thing, every side took considerable losses"
"We should of exterminated every single one of you" he said taking another step closer.
Elster eyes seemed to scan him, she took in his threatening posture, his curling fist and clenched jaw, eyes alight with hatred and anger "if your planning on attacking me then realise your going to ruin not only this wedding but also the bones of your hand" she said calmly
Tanith's uncle looked around and took a step back "hope we never meet on the street halfling"
"Well I wouldn't want to lose my hunter license over beating up an old man" said Elster, a smirk tugging at her lips as she put and arm around Tanith's waist "see ya round"
Her uncle seemed to blink, as if just remembering Tanith was also there and the reason why he had been drawn to Elster in the first place. Elster simply gave him a wink as they turned round and walked away, Elster deciding to give one last display of defiance by letting her hand slide down to Tanith's ass before Tanith elbowed her in the gut and she chuckled, moving it back to her waist.
"All things considered, that went pretty well" Said Elster
"I can't believe he called you a halfbreed" she muttered as Elster just shrugged
"Yeah, That was bad" nodded Elster
"How did you not like… explode or something, I would of" said Tanith
"Two reasons, 1) we're at a wedding and a fist fight isn't usually the best thing to have at one of these" Said Elster waving a hand around them "and 2) I've heard it so much that it's effect, sort of… wore off after a year" she said shrugging
"Ugh… racism" sighed Tanith
"Meh, stopped caring 7 years ago"
"Speaking of not caring you put your hand on my ass in front of my Uncle" Said Tanith, trying to sound angry.
"Meh, partially jab at him mostly just making sure everyone knows your mine" Said Elster, a smirk on her lips.
"I think they can tell already" muttered Tanith, a blush still on her face.
~§~
The evening wore on, darkness falling outside as Tanith and Elster walked around and talked with various guests. But the place was booked till midnight so soon guests began to leave, Lucia saying the celebrations continued at her house if people wanted to go along.
Tanith and Elster decided to simply call it a night (Elster noticing the amount of yawning she was doing) and got a taxi back to her parents house, her parents deciding to go along to Lucia's house and unable to provide transportation back.
Max was happy to see them as they walked in, Tanith giving him a scratch to calm him down before flopping onto the couch, not even bothering to turn in the lights.
"Tired?" Yawned Elster
Tanith said something incomprehensible into the sofa.
"I'll take that at a yes" chuckled Elster before scooping her up "there's no difference taking you home like this then drunk you realise" Elster laughing as Tanith swatted her arm with a grunt. "Would you like to go to bed with your dress on?" Asked Elster as she opened the door to Tanith's room.
Tanith's face scrunched up before she huffed and wiggled out of Elster's arms, reaching around and clumsily undoing the dress as Elster unbuttoned her shirt. Some they were both on underwear and Tanith collapsed into bed while Elster climbed in behind her, wrapping herself around the smaller woman.
"Night" Said Elster not receiving an answer as Tanith was already asleep.
~§~
Jesus Christ in a bicycle this chapter nearly in killed me, help.
I'm taking a break, their may not be a chapter for a week or longer, I dunno how long.
See ya!