AN: Hello everyone! I'm posting this chapter today because Christmas is tomorrow. I just felt like that would be the best thing to do since whoever reads this that celebrates it might be busy with things.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays, hug your loved ones, and have a nice day!
Chapter Thirty Seven
Angel
The group stayed at the ruins for the next day, then they ventured back to Raine's home on Sunday. They had all relaxed around the small house for the rest of the day, then they started to leave for Vale in the morning.
Nia stepped forward and gave her daughter a hug. "It was good to see you, Raine. I guess I'll see you in a few weeks."
"It was good to meet you, Nia," Aulin said, "Thank you for having us."
"It was good to meet you both too, Aulin," Nia told Aulin and Alex, "Come back any time. That goes for everyone here."
"I'd like to..." Alyss started to say and yawned, "keep coming every once in a while. It's nice.
"I'll be here every few months at least," Jace said, "I know it doesn't need it, but I just want to get my arm a checkup every few months."
"I'm sure Halt would let you stay here when you do," Nia smiled, "I have no problem with it."
"I think this is something we could do every year," Alex started with a grin, "Just visit each other's house for a week."
"Maybe next time, this one can actually stay for more than a few days." Vivi said.
"And hopefully you won't get missions that keep you away from me for so long." Raine said, standing on her toes to give Vivi a kiss.
"That kinda makes me feel bad," Alyss said and yawned again, "Me and Jace are together like... all the time."
"So are we," Aulin said and rubbed the back of her neck, "Never really thought about that."
"It's really not so bad," Raine said with a small grin, "It just makes me want to do everything I can when we are together."
"Like what Eli told me and Alyss before," Jace said, "You're away from each other for so long and you just cherish your time when you're together again."
"Exactly." Raine said.
"Especially since we're both Rangers." Vivi added.
"Isn't that what Ozpin said at the dance too?" Auron asked, "Just cherish what time we spend together? Well, at least I know Shyla's gonna be safe."
"That's true, but she's got you to worry about." Aulin said.
Auron chuckled. "Yeah, she does. I gotta try to be more careful."
"I guess we're gonna go now, mom," Raine said after a few moments, "Do you wanna walk with us to the airdocks?"
Nia smiled again and nodded. "I can. I'll be able to spend a bit more time with you at least."
The group set off through the forest toward the village, walking slowly to enjoy the peaceful moment. Their airship wasn't scheduled to leave for a little while, so they had no worries of missing it. Jace had opted to carry Alyss like he had a few days prior, she was still tired and drowsy from what she did.
Soon, they walked by the walls of Calm and past the guards, who had greeted them all in kindness. They walked through the gates and went toward the roofed waiting area near the airdocks where the ship was sitting. Auron went to take his truck inside and then he rolled Titan inside while Jace stayed with Alyss. Jace took Legacy off his back and leaned it against a post holding the canopy up and he sat down with Alyss still in his arms. She nuzzled her head into his shoulder and relaxed.
"I can get used to you carrying me around like this." She murmured.
Jace smiled at hearing that. "I can't have you fall asleep while you're walking. I don't want you to get hurt from falling on your face."
"Umm..." Alex spoke up and looked around the area.
"What is it?" Jace asked, taking his eyes from Alyss and looking at him.
"I think we're drawing a bit of a crowd." Aulin said.
"Huh?" Jace looked around and saw multiple people had crowded around the waiting area, "Oh..."
"Excuse me," The village mayor, Bowing, greeted them all and stepped forward, "Alyssia Wystar is here, correct?"
"I'm here," Alyss greeted him, standing from Jace's lap and bowing tiredly, "Was there something you needed, sir?"
"I want to thank you, young lady," Bowing said, giving a deep bow toward her, "I have been working with Maria and Hayley, trying to find some way to get her son a prosthetic sooner. We have been trying to do something to help him for so long. Since you've been to Calm those months ago, I have heard of the kindness you showed to Maria's daughter. I wanted to thank you then, but you were on the way to Pyne when I found out. And then just a few days ago... you performed a miracle for one of our own. You grew an arm..."
"Sir... you don't have to thank me for doing that," Alyss said softly, "I'm training to be a Huntress, and I only did what I said what I was gonna do with my semblance. I just want to help anyone."
"And I understand that," Bowing said, raising to his full height with tears in his eyes, "I have never met anyone who is as kind as you are. I know this may not be much... but please take this." He pulled a small box out of his pocket.
Alyss immediately shook her head. "You don't have to give me anything, sir. I only just want to help..."
"I know, and I respect that so much. But please," Bowing insisted, "It is a ring that I had made. I spoke with Raine over messages and she told me what she believed your ring size is. I want you to take it and know that you are forever welcome here. This is something I have rarely done for anyone outside of Calm. Please, Alyssia, it would be an honor for you to take this."
Alyss hesitated as she looked down, her eyes beginning to shed tears. She looked up and slowly reached for the small box. She took it from him and just stared at it for a few moments while her friends, boyfriend, and a growing crowd of villagers watched. Slowly, she opened the box and her voice caught in her throat. The ring was silver. It was wide-banded and it split and swirled to where it held a beautiful amethyst that matched her earring. Engraved in the silver were designs of leaves, matching her oakleaf emblem.
She slowly took it out of the box and held it between her fingers. She handed the box back to Bowing and he held it for her, then she went to put the ring on. It fit perfectly onto her right ring finger. She looked at it for a few moments, then she looked up to the mayor.
"I-I don't know what to say..." Alyss said after a few moments of silence.
"You don't need to say anything, miss," Bowing gave a wide smile, "This is the highest honor I can give, if it can be considered that. I don't know if I can ever truly show my gratitude."
Alyss took the ring box back from him and she clutched it to her chest. "Th-thank you, sir."
"Now... I will leave you to your business. You are always welcome here, Alyssia."
"Please, sir. J-just call me Alyss."
Bowing bowed deeply once more before he left her. Alyss just stood there, swaying back and forth on her feet from the fatigue she felt. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked to her right, seeing Jace standing there with a smile on his face.
"You okay? You look like you're about to fall over."
Alyss nodded slowly. "I just... don't deserve all this praise..."
Jace's smile widened. "Sure you do. You grew a kid's arm where he was born without one. I think you deserve all the praise in the world. I think you do after what you did for me when we met, and I think they think so too." He finished, looking around at all the faces that were looking back at them.
Alyss looked through the crowd of people and saw every one of them smiling at her. She saw Hayley and Braxton in front with Eli and a woman with golden-yellow hair and matching eyes. Then there was the dragon Faunus blacksmith she and Jace had met, Steele. She looked further through the crowd and saw Maria and her children, all waving at her with Saint waving his right arm, the scales the same as his left.
Alyss waved back at them and the three walked toward her. "Hello... I-I'm sorry that I fell asleep like that. My semblance just... makes me so tired. I didn't wake up until Friday."
"Thank you so much!" Saint exclaimed and hugged her, "I can do so many things now and I can play a whole bunch more!"
"I don't know how I can ever thank you, Alyss," Maria said and wrapped her arms around her in a hug, "I know you say you just want to help, but I just can't thank you enough for your kindness... Y-you're an angel..."
"I-I'm really not, though..." Alyss said quietly, "I hope you'll all be alright in the future."
"U-umm... Alyss?" Zarya stepped forward a bit and held her hands out, holding something, "I made this for you... C-can you maybe wear it?"
Maria and Saint stepped away from her and Alyss crouched down to her level. She handed the ring box to Jace and he held it for her as she took what Zarya handed her. It was a bracelet of purple string and multiple little blocks. When Alyss read them, her eyes teared up even more. It said "Kitty Angel".
Alyss slipped the bracelet around her wrist and she tightened it to fit a bit loosely, but not enough to fall off her wrist. She looked from the bracelet to Zarya and she gave a shaky smile. "I'll wear it every day, sweetie. I promise." Alyss said to her.
Zarya came forward and wrapped her small arms around her neck for a hug. "Thank you for helping me and my brother, Alyss. I'm gonna miss you."
"I'll miss you all too," Alyss said and hugged back, "I'm glad I helped you both."
They released each other and Alyss stood up to her height. She stayed silent for several moments as everything just sunk in for her.
"Hey Aly," Raine said just behind her, "The airship's about to leave."
Alyss looked back at her and nodded, then she looked back to the small family, and ultimately to the small, assembled crowd. "Thank you all for thinking so highly of me. I just do this because I want to help people. I don't do it for praise or lien or anything like that. I heal people to see their happiness, and I do it so they don't have to be embarrassed or ashamed of any scar or injury..." She gave a loud, long yawn, "When I come back in the future and if someone is hurt, please don't hesitate to find me. I just hope you really never have to."
Alyss said some final goodbyes to everyone there, and Hayley reminded her to keep taking care of Jace's arm. Everyone boarded the airship as Raine gave one more hug to her mother. Vivi was taking that flight as well, considering she needed to go to Vale anyway.
Jace sat down with Alyss at one of the tables by the window and she immediately put her head against his shoulder. "So, how are you feeling?" Jace asked her and set the ring box on the table.
After several moments without an answer, Jace looked down at her. "Alyss?"
Aulin grinned from across the table. "She passed out."
"Aly. Wake up." Jace nudged Alyss' shoulder a few times, stopping her sleepy purring as she opened her eyes.
"Hmm?"
"We're in Vale now."
Alyss sat up and yawned loudly. "Gods, I'm so tired."
"Hopefully you can stay up long enough to get you to your bed."
Aulin laughed and smirked. "That's one way to get a girl in bed."
"If I wasn't so tired, I'd smack you," Alyss said, "Also, don't you dare be doing that stuff in our house. Mom's nose is more sensitive and the smell of the hormones gives her a bad headache."
The stare that Alyss sent the Aulin and Alex made them shiver. "Yeah... let's not." Alex said.
"Or I guess you can... I dunno... do it in the shower or Auron's truck. If it's the truck, then shower after."
Auron stared at Alyss with a look that said, 'Really?'. "Don't just give my truck over to them."
"Well they can take the shower then."
Aulin shrugged it off. "It's fine, Aly. I'm not gonna risk making your mom uncomfortable, and I haven't even met her yet."
They all felt the airship touch down and gave it a few moments before they moved to leave. Vivi and Raine came up to them and Vivi waved goodbye. "Time for this one to go back to her duties. It was a fun few days."
"In more ways than one," Raine grinned and kissed Vivi, then she looked back to the others, "I'll catch up with you guys in a bit."
She and Vivi left and they all went to the cargo hold for the vehicles. The doors opened and Jace and Alyss sat on Titan. The others got in Auron's truck and they drove them out of the ship. They pulled them to a stop and Auron poked his head from the window of his truck.
"Me an' them decided we're gonna wait for Raine. You two can go on ahead," He told the two on the motorcycle, "I'm gonna go stop by a grocery store an' get everything I need for a damn big amount o' jerky. Aly, does your mom have a dehydrator?"
Alyss nodded. "Yeah. She doesn't use it, so it's pretty much been buried. I don't even know if she kept it."
Auron hummed a bit. "Well, ask her to dig it out. I'll probably go buy one, then I'll use both to get it all done sooner if she's still got it."
Jace nodded. "Alright. See you guys in a bit."
Jace started Titan once more and Alyss wrapped her arms around his waist like always, kissing him on the back of the neck as well. She clutched tightly and Jace drove down the road away from the airdocks. Jace avoided the streets with heavier traffic, stopping at red lights and immediately accelerating when they turned green. Within thirty minutes, Jace pulled Titan to the side of the road in front of Alyss' home.
Jace shut the engine off and looked behind him. "You still with me, Alyss?"
Alyss nodded. "Barely." She said, taking her helmet off.
Jace laughed as he stepped off his motorcycle. "Just a little further, Kitten."
He took his helmet off and he put it in its case, then he grabbed Legacy from it's case and set it on his back. He grabbed Alyss' helmet and put it in next to his, then he closed them up. Alyss stepped off of Titan and Jace picked her up like he had before, grinning as he looked down at her. She smiled and leaned her head up to kiss him, then he carried her up the slope to the front door.
Alyss reached out and knocked on the door. After a few moments, the door opened and Lilith smiled at them both. "I take it there's a reason for carrying my cub in your arms?" She asked Jace.
"Really sleepy." Alyss answered with a tired smile.
"You'll wanna hear why, too," Jace grinned and kissed Alyss at the base of one of her ears, "Then I think she might need to sleep for a bit."
Lilith nodded and wrapped her arms around Alyss the best she could in a hug. "I'll look forward to hearing it. And hearing where the ring and bracelet came from."
Alyss hugged back and sighed. "I really don't think I deserve them."
"You know, you really don't need to knock," Lilith told them as she led them into the home, "You can just come in."
Jace set Alyss on her feet and they took their shoes off, and Jace set Legacy next to the door on the other side. The two followed the aging cat Faunus into the living room and they all sat down.
"You know how I always say I want to use my semblance and help people be more confident and happy..." Alyss started, sitting up as straight as she could next to Jace.
Lilith nodded. "I know, dear. And I'm glad you think that way."
"Well... in Calm, we saw Maria and Zarya, the girl that I helped and her mother. And we met Maria's son, Saint. He... was born with only one arm."
"He was?" Lilith asked sadly, "That poor boy... I hope he will be alright."
"That's the thing, mama..." Alyss gave a smile, "I... I-I grew him an arm."
Lilith looked at her strangely, wondering if she heard right. "You grew an arm? Fully?"
"Yes, mom. I really did."
"A-and he has full use of it?"
Alyss nodded again. "And that's why I'm so tired... I was only asleep for... maybe a day or two. I should probably still be asleep, really. I've just been so tired after that..."
"You really grew a boy's arm back..." Lilith smiled as tears filled her eyes, "You are such an angel, Aly."
Alyss shook her head. "I'm really not, though..."
"You are!" Lilith insisted, "I've watched you grow up, I've watched you help so many people with your semblance, and I've watched you take in all of the hate our race gets and just shrug it off... You've done more than I ever have or could hope to do. You are my hero now, cub. You've made me so happy and proud to be your mother."
Alyss smiled as her eyes mirrored her mother's. "I-I never expected to hear that... That I'm your hero..." She wiped at her eyes, "You're still mine. You taught me to be this way."
"You've grown so much since I did, though..." Lilith told her, "A-and the ring and bracelet?"
"Zarya made the bracelet for her," Jace said, letting Alyss take a break from the story, "It says "Kitty Angel". And the mayor of Calm had the ring made for her for what she did for Saint. She just got them this morning. We heard that apparently everyone in Calm has been calling her a Maiden or an angel."
"I really don't deserve to be called one..." Alyss said quietly.
Lilith stood and stepped over to hug her daughter. "You are my little angel. I'm going to go prepare dinner. It'll be simple, today. Then, you can go rest."
"The others will be here soon," Jace told her, "Auron stayed behind with Raine to wait for her to say bye to her girlfriend."
"I don't remember if I told you about Aulin and Alex or not." Alyss said.
"Who are they?" Lilith asked.
"Alex is my little brother," Jace grinned at saying that, "We found out awhile ago when he joined Aulin's team. They're both orphans, so Aulin said she had nowhere to go. We offered for them both to come with us since my house is Alex's house now and since Aulin is dating Alex. I guess you have two more guests than what you thought."
Lilith smiled and nodded. "I look forward to meeting them." She said and started to leave the room.
"Oh, and I have something to suggest later," Jace told her, "Aly would've, but..."
Lilith giggled. "She just fell asleep."
"...And then me and Aul got pulled down the bank into the water," Alex grinned as he told Lilith of the fishing trip. Lilith laughed at the story and he continued, "It turned out to be a huge catfish. I pulled it out of the water with my bare hands and we ate really well for the time we were out there."
Alyss yawned and laughed at the memory of it. She had decided, much to her mother's protests, to stay awake until she usually goes to bed. "He's not joking. He really caught a catfish with his hands."
"After getting soaked to the bone," Aulin laughed, "Me and Alex had to sit naked under some covers until Jace dried our underwear off, then we sat half naked while he got the rest of our clothes."
"That sounds so hilarious," Lilith laughed again, '"At least you all had the luxury of not dealing with Grimm."
"Definitely," Auron agreed, "No one brought their weapons but Jace an' Raine. I had my revolvers too, but I always take those with me."
"I can launch ice spikes with my semblance too," Aulin said, "But I'd just rather not fight half naked. Y'know, unless it's pillow fights."
"That sounds like a fun time." Alex said with a grin.
"Hey mom, how do you feel about going to Atlas sometime?" Jace asked Lilith.
Lilith tilted her head a bit and her ears took a look of curiosity. "Atlas? I've been curious, but... I don't know."
"There's this one spot that I really want you to see behind Jace's house in the forest," Alyss said, "It's so beautiful and peaceful and warm... Nothing like anywhere else in the world."
"A warm place on Solitas?" Lilith asked, "That sounds interesting."
"I can give you dad's number," Jace said, "You'll have a place to stay if you decide to go. And you won't have to walk to the place because dad can fit his truck through the path."
Lilith hummed. "Sounds like a mini vacation. I would love to try to go. Your father sounds like a great man to meet."
"He really is." Alex said.