It's the final chapter of vol 5, thank you everyone for all your reviews and support.
~§~
"God fucking dammit" cursed Tanith as they flew over the city.
Turns out that things could change in the space of a few hours. During the day Qrow had been called by Leo informing them to meet up at night at his academy. Something that Qrow, Ozpin and Elster suspected was a trap.
"Why did you just swear?" Asked Elster.
Tanith shrugged "I don't know, this just feels off. I mean, the middle of the night?" Tanith gestured vaguely with a hand "why not the fucking day?"
Elster quirked a brow and checked her axes were loaded "I know, this doesn't sit right with me either" she spun her axes and slipped them inside her sleeves.
"I'm glad I'm not going crazy then" she paused "well, at least not in my suspicions"
"Your not going crazy Tanith"
"Feels like it sometimes" muttered Tanith
Elster looked at her before reaching over, grabbing her arm "Tanith, you're perfectly normal okay? If I felt like you needed extra help then I would set you up more regular therapist meetings"
Tanith bit her lip before nodding "okay"
Elster gave and encouraging smile before leaning back into her seat.
"Thanks"
"I'm here for you"
"I know" Tanith looked out over the city. She let her sense focus into Elster, the general feeling of trepidation and anxiety from the occupants in the back being shared by Elster. She wanted the faunus to be calm, that way she'd make better decisions if she needed too (and Tanith suspected she would). Tanith thought and a idea crossed her mind, a faux annoyed expression crossed her face "I can't believe I was roped into playing taxi"
"Tanith, you have access to a bullhead that you can fly" Elster tilted her head before pointing her finger "plus you volunteered to fly us over!" She accused.
Tanith put her hands up, removing them from the joystick which immediately sent panic and fear shooting through Elster "I only did it cause I knew someone would ask, so I decided to earn some cred and offered"
"Please put your hands back on the joystick"
"Ya know, I've heard that from a few men before-"
"Tanith please"
Tanith brought her knees up and paced them round the joystick, the bullhead staying steady as she piloted with her knees and Elster glared. After a moment though Tanith made a noise in her throat, then they both burst into laughter. Tanith replacing her knees with her hands as she guided the bullhead to a landing in the academy's courtyard.
"You're such… a bitch sometimes" Said Elster between laughter, Tanith feeling the anxiety fade away.
"You love me for it" sang Tanith as she guided them for a landing.
"I suppose… on occasion it fills me with fondness"
Tanith rolled her eyes "guess someone doesn't want to get lucky tonight"
Elster smirked and undid the buckle as the bullhead touched down "like you can keep your hands off me" they stood up and bumped into each other due to doing it at the same time, Tanith's head crashing into Elster's chest "see, proven correct after a minute without contact"
Tanith scowled even as she blushed "god you are insufferable"
"But you love me for it" sang Elster in the same sing song voice Tanith had used. Before Tanith could respond she skipped out of the cockpit and stepped outside, Tanith quickly following to see the others were waiting, Qrow looking at Tanith.
"Stay here" said Qrow "this should only take a minute" he said, Tanith feeling his doubt as he said it.
"Sure" said Tanith crossing her arms and resting her back against the bullhead, Elster also stopping and standing as the group walked away "Elster, go join them, I'm sure their gonna need your help" said Tanith
"Your sure?" Asked Elster in concern.
"Yes, I'll be fine Elster, what's the worse that could happen?"
"Anytime you say that something happens"
"Elster, I'll be fine"
Elster stared at her before leaning down and pecking her cheek and quickly walking after the group as they began to enter the building. Tanith shook her head with a smile and let her head flop back onto the wall of the bullhead.
~§~
As soon as they entered the building they saw Lionheart standing on a platform above them, Elster thinking he looked very nervous. "Why hello. Thank you for... coming" he called out nervously before looking all of them over "There... seems to be more of you than last time" he chuckled nervously.
They all stopped and looked up at him and Qrow shrugged "Eh, you know what they say, 'The more the merrier', So what's going on with the council?"
"Why... did you bring your weapons?"
Elster frowned along with the others while Qrow gestured in confusion "What? Leo, we're Huntsmen. You okay?"
"Of course! Of course, sorry. Just haven't had my evening coffee"
Qrow grunted "look, it's nice to see you, but we got work to do. Are we getting support from the council or not?"
"Mom?" Yang suddenly asked and before anyone could react they heard a bird taking off as Qrow fired at a banister. The bird flew down behind Lionheart, then it transformed into a woman with a mask
"Raven..." Whispered Ruby and Elster guessed that's who the woman was even though she was still very confused, some shock stemming from seeing a bird turn to a woman.
"They... they really are magic..." said Nora in shock.
Raven removed her mask and sneered "If you're going to shoot me, shoot me. That was insulting"
"What are you doing here?!" Demanded Qrow
"I could ask you the same thing" drawled Raven "You've been scheming, little brother. Planning to attack your own sister"
Qrow looked at her before scowling at Leo "Leo... what have you done?!"
Leo struggled to answer "I..."
Raven interrupted "Leo did what any sane person would in his position - he looked at all the information he had in front of him, assessed the situation, and made a choice. And it seems you all have too"
"You have the Spring Maiden" growled Qrow
Raven smirked "I do"
"Then hand her over and let's work together! We can beat Salem!"
"All that time spent spying for Ozpin and you still have no idea what you're dealing with. There is no beating Salem!" Called out Raven and Elster tilted her head.
"You're wrong" Said Ruby quietly "We've done things that most people would call impossible, and I know the only reason we were able to do it is because we didn't do it alone! We had people to teach us, people to help us, we had each other. Work with us. At least I know we'll have a better chance if we try together. Please" Ruby held out her hand.
Raven stared before scoffing "You sound just like your mother"
Raven drew her sword and created a portal (Elster assumed). From the portal, a fireball was launched and hit Ruby square in her torso. She landed several feet back. Yang cried out "Ruby!"
Elster was closest to where she landed and quickly crouched next to her soon joined by Yang who were both relieved to see that her aura had taken the blast.
"Hello boys and girls" drawled a smooth voice and Elster looked up to see a woman she vaguely recognised. She was joined by several others and they stood in a line with Raven
Ruby sat up and growled "Cinder..."
Elster assumed it was the fire ball woman but her musings were cut short as she heard a bullhead engine starting and turned toward the door to hear the bullhead leaving. Tanith leaving.
~§~
Moments earlier
~§~
Tanith sighed, they hadn't been Inside long but she was already bored. She felt a shadow fall over her and she cracked open an eye, then turned to stare at the massive man before her.
Behind him several white fang grunts with weapons were staring at her, what drew her attention was Adam Taurus himself with bared teeth as he stalked toward her, his hand going to the hilt of his sword and Tanith's eyes widened while her heart thundered in her chest.
Then the large man placed a hand on the faunus leader's shoulder and looked at him with a hard stare for several moments before the man grit his teeth and backed away.
"Ma'am" said the large man with a deep voice "I suggest you leave"
Tanith stared up at him before nodding and slowly backing away, feeling the wall for the open door which she quickly climbed in and closed, taking a moment to breath.
She walked up to the pilots seat and took off into the air, turning as if to leave.
~§~
"Looks like your transport has made the right choice" Cinder drawled with a smirk
"Everybody stay calm!" Called out Qrow.
The doors behind them opened up and a large man walked through. "The White Fang is prepping demolition and securing the school grounds. No one's getting in, and no one's getting out" he drawled as he slammed them shut.
Elster felt her blood run cold, where was Tanith? Had something happened to her? Was she safe?
The man advanced toward them before the sound of a bullhead grew outside and was accompanied by gunfire, through the high windows they could see muzzle flashes and occasionally a part of Tanith's bullhead, Elster letting out a relieved sigh as Hazel turned his head slightly and growled.
"That's their problem now" he grunted before advancing toward them. They turned their attention back to Cinder.
"This was all just a trap?"
"It appears so..."
Qrow looked at Raven betrayed "Raven, tell me... how long have you been with them?"
Cinder smirked "Aww, don't take it personally, little bird. Your sister was a recent addition. The lion on the other hand... Entrance into the Vytal Festival was a real treat, Leonardo's been sending Salem all sorts of information for a very, very long time. Isn't that right, professor?"
Lionheart at least had the decency to look ashamed "Stop it..."
"It was you..." Qrow Said in realisation "you sit on the Mistral Council. You had information on every Huntsman and Huntress in the Kingdom, and you gave it all to her?"
Lionheart looked down "I-"
"I couldn't find any of them, because you let her kill them!"
"Aw now, don't beat yourself up about it, Lionheart" mocked Cinder "I'm sure Tyrian and Hazel would've found them on their own eventually"
"What is wrong with you?" Shouted Jaune suddenly "How can you be so broken inside... to take so many lives, and then come here and rub it in our faces like it's something to be proud of?!"
"Jaune..." Said Nora sounding uneasy.
"All with that damn smile on your face!" Tears began to fall from his eyes.
The rest of the group drew their weapons, Elster copying them as she kept her gaze shifting from the large man to Raven and Cinder then up to Leo.
"Everybody, stay calm!" Qrow tried
"I'm gonna make you pay for what you did! Do you hear me?!" Cried Jaune.
"Kid!"
"Well?! SAY SOMETHING!" Demanded Jaune
Cinder looked at him in boredom "Who are you again?"
Jaune's eyes widened in shock before he gave a war cry and turned his sword into a two handler form, advancing toward Cinder who smirked and summoned a flaming sword from thin air, blocking his attack.
"Jaune!" Ruby yelled worriedly, moving forward the help before a chain wrapped around her and then pulled her to the ground. Elster followed the chain and spotted Emerald wielding it.
"You're not getting near her" said Emerald confidently.
Yang ran forward to help her sister but then Mercury landed in front of her and kicked her back with a smirk "Hey there, Blondie. I'm thinking you owe me an apology for my leg, don't ya think?"
Yang growled and launched herself forward.
Raven said something to the girl next to her before suddenly bringing her blade up to block Qrow's attack.
"Running away was one thing, but this... you've crossed the line!" He growled.
"Sorry, brother. Sometimes family disappoints you like that"
"We're not family anymore"
Raven tilted her head "Were we ever?"
"I thought so, but I guess I was wrong" Said Qrow regretfully
The siblings then began to bounce all over the place trading attack after attack.
Elster spotted the woman Raven had talked to was now engaged with Weiss in combat, a similar situation with the large man fighting Ren and Nora. Elster wasn't sure who to help until Lionheart's voice caught her attention.
"Young man, I don't know who you are or what you think you're doing, but for your sake, I suggest you leave. Now" he warned and Elster turned and then gasped to see Oscar just calmly walking toward Leo as if the man wasn't dangerous. She huffed in frustration as Oscar then took a step toward Lionheart.
"I'm warning you!" Shouted Lionhearted as he held out his wrist mounted weapon.
Oscar turned his head to draw Ozpin's cane and Leo frantically called out "That's enough!"
Lionheart rotated his weapon then grunted as Elster kicked him, having used her axes to launch herself at the man. She landed on her feet and looked at Oscar who stared at her in shock "we're in combat, draw your weapon" she said before grunting as a flaming rock impacted her and caused her to hit the banister, her aura protecting and flashing up.
Elster recovered and then began to spin her axes, forming a protective barrier against a second flaming rock that tired to hit Oscar who Leo was now staring wide eyed at.
"Ozpin?" He hissed as he stared at between the cane and Oscar.
"Not quite" Said Oscar before dashing forward, Elster sighing and quickly backing him up as he forced lionheart back further. Elster sliced at Leo's weapon, hoping to maybe knock it off but grunted as her axe was counterattacked by the man's armoured gauntlet. She then dodged a punch and used Leo's fist to fling him over herself and onto his back
"He's a long range fighter, terrible close range" Elster said to Oscar who nodded.
"This can't be..." Leo mumbled to himself as he climbed to his feet and stared at Oscar "I knew you would be back, but... you made it here! You found Qrow! How?" Then his expression changed to one of realisation and hope "Wait. You can't have had this form for long. You're... not really Ozpin right now. Boy. Child. If I deliver you to Salem, she'll have to be pleased with me, and I can finally get out of all of this! I can finally be free!"
Leo began to prep his weapon only to take steps backward as Elster launched several slashing attacks that forced him back and made him unable to fiddle with his weapon.
"Not on my watch" growled Elster.
"Young lady!" Cried out Leo "why are you doing this? Do you know anything that is going on here?"
"I do, I know you're a traitor" growled Elster as she spun and kicked him in the chest, he flew and landed on the break in the stairs, just avoiding falling down the second set.
"You know Salem? You know she can't be beaten?"
"I do know Salem" said Elster as she loaded a shot "she's the bitch that murdered my teammates"
Leo tightened his left fist and a glyph similar to before formed on top his weapon. A powerful gust of wind picked up and Elster was blasted into the air. She grunted as she hit the wall and then fell to the floor but quickly jumped up and looked around. She had been knocked off the platform to the left side.
She ran out and surveyed the battlefield only to hear a sudden cry from Ruby of "No!" Followed by a blinding flash that momentarily blinded her emerging from Ruby. Then it stopped suddenly and she saw Ruby knocked to the floor unconscious by Emerald.
Elster stared in shock and was about to go help when Weiss landed a few meters away, she struggled to climb to her feet and Elster began to run forward.
There was a cry from her left and then she stopped in horror.
A flaming javelin pierced through Weiss, blood already pouring from the wound as Weiss made several gasping sounds and looked down at herself in horror. Then the the spear disintegrate and she collapsed.
Elster was about to run over when she stopped as she heard something.
~§~
A few minutes earlier
~§~
Tanith reached toward the radio as she flew in a circle around the school, keeping the bullhead pointed toward the courtyard where she rained bullets upon the white fang grunts shooting up at her.
"Control, this is bullhead Romeo Oscar Charlie, I need immediate police assistance, White fang are attacking Haven academy, over"
There was silence from the other end for a few moments "repeat that last bullhead, over?" Said a confused voice.
"White fang are attacking Haven academy!" She shouted as her bullet stream forced the white fang grunts to cover and stopped them placing charges "they are panting bombs and I'm doing my best to distract them, I need police assistance over!"
"Roger bullhead, police are en route, over"
"Thank fuck for that" she grunted as she dropped the radio and pushed the bullhead lower and closer, hoping to try and force the fang from their hiding spot as she laid down suppressing fire on their position, the bullhead's armaments slowly eating through the wood cover.
Then there was a flash of silver light from the windows of the building next to her and she cried out as she felt pain run through her system, a hand reflexively covering her scars as she was momentarily blinded.
The pain passed as soon as it came and when she brought her hand away she saw Adam running forward. Before she could aim the bullhead's weapons at him however he jumped onto a statue and then up into the air.
She stared wide eyed as Adam jumped up and his sword flashed red. Then the left wing separated from the bullhead, sparks and fuel flying through the air as the cabin lit up with warnings and the bullhead began to spiral.
~§~
"Look!" Shouted Sun, Blake following his finger and gasping as she saw Adam severe the wing of the bullhead, causing it to spiral, the Faunus army gasping or crying out as it crashed into the school.
"Come on everyone! Hurry!" Called Ghira, the army picking up its pace as it advanced upon the academy, Blake, Sun and Ilia running ahead.
"Isn't that-?"
"No time to question it!" Sehko interrupted Kolf's thought as she ran forward with the rest of the army.
~§~
"Warning. Warning. Left wing severed, extreme altitude loss" came the automatic voice.
"Thank you" growled Tanith through gritted teeth as she fought the joystick to angle the remaining thruster "I hadn't noticed"
Her eyes glanced at the view screen and widened as she saw she was about to go through the roof of a building, she gave up her grip of the joystick and placed her arms over her head. The bullhead shuddered and there was a cracking of wood, glass and concrete as she felt various things bumping her body.
Then she felt heat as she heard a loud bang, the bullhead hitting something solid and her head shot forward, smashing into the dashboard.
~§~
The fighting in the room paused for a moment as they all heard the high pitch whine and various sounds coming from above. Then the roof caved in as the bullhead crashed through it, the remaining thruster being torn off in the roof and after a brief second of flight exploding, setting fire to the roof and walls. Yang fired her gauntlets and flung herself out of its path of destruction as it impacted the floor and carved a groove.
"Tanith!" Shouted Elster, turning to run to the wreckage that had come to a stop after breaking through the wall and revealing the outside where she saw white fang members walking around and setting up explosives.
Then a hand grabbed her shoulder and she was thrown back, she grunted and adjusted herself in midair and slid on her feet to a stop, facing her attacker only to pause as she took in the large man. His frame and size was so similar to Ulrich.
"I usually like to know the name of the person I'm fighting" she said, hopping for anything to further this man from her old friend.
"Hazel" he said as he advanced "I'm afraid I can't let you-"
Elster didn't bother listening to his monologue as she fired her axes and launched herself up, bringing the blades down on Hazel who blocked with a forearm, his aura flickering but he didn't flinch in pain. She was flung back again but found herself coming to a stop between Ren and Nora.
"He doesn't show any signs of damage no matter what we do" said Nora frustrated.
Elster's brow furrowed before she heard something behind her and saw that the statute with the platform was descending into the ground, Leo watching before defending against Oscar as Cinder, Raven and the woman Weiss had been fighting all descended with it.
"Should we-" Elster was cut off as the three had to suddenly jump backwards to avoid the large man's fists impacting the ground where they had been.
"We need to get to Weiss" said Nora and Elster nodded.
"Okay" she cloned herself twice more "go" she then ran forward, her two clones following in a V formation, her clones then split off to the left and right while Elster jumped up.
Hazel growled and looked between the clones and decided to back off, unsure what Elster's clones were capable of.
Elster smirked as she landed where Hazel had been and ran forward. She jumped again, her axes above her. Hazel's eyes snapped to her and he smirked as he shot his arm out and grabbed her.
Elster smirked back and then dissolved, Hazel blinking in confusion. He had kept his eyes on her and knew that was the original.
He turned as the Elster to the left of him sliced his side, he turned and punched the clone, as soon a his fist impacted her face the clone dissolved as well and he gave a cry of rage as he turned toward the right clone. Then he grunted as a boot impacted his cheek and he was thrown several meters back.
He climbed to his feet and growled, going for a pocket in his jacket until Leo suddenly ran by Hazel, accidentally bumping his arm causing Hazel to grab him by the shoulder.
"Where are you going?" Asked Hazel in his smooth voice.
"T-the boy! Ozpin's in the boy!" Cried Leo, Hazel letting go of him and he ran off, rushing into his study for what he hoped would be safety.
Hazel turned, now completely ignoring Elster who was tensed for more fighting, to Oscar.
"Ozpin?" He growled, his breathing becoming harsher and harsher as his fists curled and his eyebrow drew closer and closer together "Ozpin… OZPIN!" He roared, Oscar turning to stare wide eyed.
"You thought you could hide from me!" He called as he advanced. Elster ran up behind him and jumped, preparing to plant her axes in his back. Then he whipped round and Elster's eyes went wide before his hand grabbed her by the face-
"This is for killing me bitch!"
- she screamed, her axes falling from her grip as she clawed at the hand, desperate to get it off as she breathed rapidly.
Then she was thrown away, her face freed from his grip. She grunted a she impacted a pillar, falling to the floor. She then cried out as a the pillar collapsed, the roof above her falling and trapping her, her aura protecting her from being crushed or breaking bones, but it still hurt. She noted hers hands were still shaking and shook her head, she couldn't dwell on it, Tanith needed her, her friends needed her.
For now all she could do was try and figure out an escape and watch as her friends fought.
~§~
Tanith groaned, she felt pain. She wondered if she should be used to waking up to pain by this point, opening her eyes to find herself in a bullhead wreck for the third time in her life. "What was that about being a good pilot?" She asked before laughing to herself, then descending into coughing.
It was uncomfortably hot, she looked around. The view screen glass was smashed and covered by the wooden roof of the building, she could see the glow of fire from the others side of it and quickly concluded where the heat was coming from.
She looked to the copilot's seat and saw that not only was the entire bullhead tilted to the left but also one of the bullhead's miniguns had been shoved through the floor and had ripped the pilots seat. She was glad no one had been sitting there. She was also glad that she could use her limbs, even is it hurt to move them with all the lacerations and bleeding.
She climbed onto shaky feet and used the wall for support as she stared into the back of the bullhead. It was a complete wreck, everything thrown about with the seats having come loose from their bolted down positions, she saw fuel was shooting up like a fountain from a busted pipe and that there was a small puddle of fuel.
What drew her attention was the wall where the door had been that had been torn and mangled, giving her a view of the ceiling and a bit of the hole the bullhead had created. She raised her arms and placed them on the lip of the bullhead before lifting herself, grunting but baring through the pain and looking around the building. She could see Oscar fighting the massive man that had let her go earlier and she saw that JNR were crouched around Weiss.
But most importantly she saw Elster lying under debris, struggling to get out. She wanted to run to her, to help her. But she knew that would likely get her killed.
She growled and dropped back into the bullhead, looking around before her eyes focused on the minigun wrenched through the floor. A grin slowly grew on her face as an idea formed in her mind, it would only take a few minutes to set up.
~§~
Elster was glad she had recently- at Tanith's suggestion- added safety straps to her axes, the straps were at the bottom of her axes and went around her wrists. They were able to extend slightly so she could grip the axes at different places.
This was useful because she realised she hadn't dropped her axes, they were still attached to her wrist. She looked at the debris closely, it was most wood with some ceramic tiles, above her the night sky.
What was pinning her was a wooden beam with the weight of a part of ceramic roofing. It was heavier then weights she was used to lifting and she could only raise it a few inches before her arms burned in pain. She contemplated her position and how high she could get the debris with one hand then looked at her axes.
That could work.
While she began to enact her plan, there was a disturbance from the bullhead behind her.
~§~
Oscar lay on the floor and slowly began to get up while Hazel walked towards him menacingly, the others only able to watch in horror, Jaune, and the others concerned with healing Weiss. Ruby and Yang fighting Mercury and Emerald. Elster was in the back trying to figure out how to dislodge herself from the debris she was trapped under.
"HEY ASSHOLES!"
Every single head turned to the source of the cry to see Tanith, breathing heavily and blood running from her head, her jumpsuit torn and showing cuts and bruises. She also held one of the Bullhead's miniguns in her hands.
"I'd say something cliché" she said as the gun began spinning "but I can't think of anything clever right now" and the weapon roared to life, the initial recoil only catching Hazels arm as it arc'd up to the ceiling before Tanith got it under control and began chasing him with the stream of bullets as he ran to avoid, eventually hiding behind a pillar.
Tanith focused her sights upon Emerald and Mercury who also began running for cover. She gave a manic laugh, this was a bit of a power trip and she was also being useful as she saw Ruby rush over to Oscar and help him up.
She saw that Elster had propped the debris up with her axes and was slowly working her way out of the the debris, things were now turning in their favour.
The doors to the headmasters office were flung open and out floated a Grimm, tentacles below it and the top half was a crystal ball surrounded by teeth and red clouds swirling within. Tanith glanced over and suddenly became entranced, the gun dropping from her grasp as she began shaking, frozen.
What's this?
Someone being corrupted…
No… someone who fights the corruption
They do not posses the silver eyes…
You are nothing…
You are not important…
Yet you have been gifted…
Tanith fell to her knees as she watched numbly as the Grimm approached. All she was able to do was gasp and try to breath as she focused on the voice in her mind.
What shall I do with you…
My queen would enjoy some entertainment.
Were there people calling her name? She couldn't tell. She watched with wide twitching eyes as the Grimm raised one of its tentacles to stroke her head.
How does it feel…
The creature seemed to draw itself closer and she could see her reflection in its globe. Her face had tears running down and mixing with the blood while the veins around her scars glowed a bright crimson.
Suddenly she felt a pain like that of her insides suddenly lighting on fire and she cried out as the pain engulfed her. Along with the pain she felt a surge of emotions, of fear swarming her body.
To feel fear burning your soul
She gasped shakily as pained raced through her body.
Who was that calling her name?
To feel my brethren calling for you…
She felt her knees give out and she collapsed onto the ground staring blankly ahead but not really seeing what was happening in front of her.
She blinked as she was suddenly standing on the precipice to a black pool below, bubbling and Grimm crawling all around.
To feel her majesty coursing through your veins
She saw a woman, her skin like snow as black veins rimmed her red eyes that seemed to burn into her
To feel her acknowledging a mere nothing like yourself
It must be…
Gloriuosssss…
She felt something clawing at her mind and she cried out at the pain as it clawed through her brain.
The time you first flew through the sky cannot compare to the wondrous image of her…
Tanith stared entranced out the window as she watched mountains and forests pass by below. Her five year old face pressed up against the window. She watched entranced as a group of birds flew by.
Behind her her parents watched in amusement and her mother opened her mouth to say-
The memory was torn away, literally. She felt the claws raking her mind sending pin splitting through her skull.
She had now simply fallen to whimpering as it continued to claw.
She must make you forget the pain caused by your peers…
-Tanith sat alone at the table, slowly scraping a fork around her food tray endlessly as she listened to the voices around her. The mutters as people talked about her, laughed at her.
She sighed and stood, taking her tray and depositing it with the other dirties and walked away from the muttering. In the corridors though they continued until she got to her room where the sliding door blocked the muttering and sealed her in her own little world.
She let her back hit the door before letting out all the sadness and pain as she slid down the door crying long into the night-
She sobbed as the combination of all those memories emotions hit her at once.
Your love for the Faunus girl is insignificant to the admiration you will feel for her…
She let out a weak whimper of protest as it accessed more of her memory-
She giggled as Elster hoisted her up, Tanith wrapping her legs around Elster's chest as the faunus's hands held her up. Tanith's face above Elster's who looked up at her with a smirk.
"Wanna say that to my face?" She asked.
"I think you heard what I said" teased Tanith as she wrapped her arms around Elster's neck "maybe you're a little hard of hearing"
"Your so mean to me" pouted Elster.
Tanith leaned down "its cause I love you" she whispered before they kissed, a kiss that lasted so long that afterward they were both breathing hard with flushed faces.
Elster smiled as Tanith rested her forehead on Elster's and they stared into each others eyes "I love yo-"
-The memory disappeared and a series of flashing images flashed through her mind, red eyes, a bone white face, black veins and white hair.
the pleasure given to you by her…
A memory of Elster laughing filled her mind. She was wearing Tanith's jumpsuit which was too small for her and accentuated her body.
"I don't think you can wear my clothes" echoed Taniths voice as she chuckled.
"Oh well" chuckled Elster as she reached for the zipper "guess I'll… take it off"
She pulled the zipper down revealing more of her naked-
-only for it to be ripped away and she whimpered pathetically as she tried to remember what she had just seen.
Cannot compare to the ecstasy of her majesties gaze upon you…
Again a red gaze entered her vision surrounded by black veins.
Submit to her and all the pain
A stab of pain shot through her and she cried out. She heard people shouting.
All your troubles
Various faces shot through her mind, mostly of displeasure or anger directed at her.
All your worries
A vision of Elster laying on the ground, a pool of blood around her and her eyes staring ahead without seeing.
Will disappear
Tanith was weak, tired and in a lot of pain. But through all that she found the energy to shake her head.
"No" she said hoarsely
Submit
The pain increased and she whimpered
Submit!
The pain now felt like she was slowly being pierced by knives all over her body, her nervous system lighting on fire with pain. She cried out, but through the pain she shook her head weakly.
SUBMIT!
She screamed as her vision turned white from the pain and her back arched while her body spasmed.
"TANITH!"
And suddenly there was a sound like ice cracking and the pain stopped along with the clawing sensation in her mind. She stayed collapsed on the ground but opened her eyes, the Grimm was on the ground, it's body dissolving and the red gas leaking out of a crack in the glass of its globe.
It was kicked aside- it's head cracking further- and she felt arms wrapping round her before she was being picked up in someone's arms. She slowly looked up and saw the concerned face of Elster looking back down at her as she ran away from the fight.
Tanith managed a small smile, exhausted but slowly coming back as adrenaline began to enter her system "why is it you always seem to carry me?" She asked jokingly.
Elster let out a small relieved smile before sliding down the angled floor of the bullhead and rested her back on it "Glad to see your focusing on the important issues" she said exasperated before looking around "this thing got messed up"
"Yeah" said Tanith quietly "I don't think it'll fly again"
"I'm sorry"
Tanith sighed "it is what it is" she patted Elster's back "put me down, I can stand"
"Okay" Elster placed her down and she tested her feet before nodding, then grimacing as she felt the near crippling headache she had "You okay?
"My head feels like a Grimm literally clawed it" grunted Tanith as she stumbled toward the gun locker and sighed as she saw the sniper rifle's barrel was bent. She pulled out the shotgun and assault rifle and looked between them before placing the shotgun on her back.
She grabbed a couple of ammo clips and slammed one into the assault rifle before turning back to Elster "I don't think we should hang around here" Said Tanith, looking at the still rising fuel level.
"Good call" nodded Elster before holding her hand out "c'mon"
Tanith took it and Elster helped her out of the bullhead's door. When they were outside Tanith immediately spotted the still dissolving Grimm corpse and in a moment of extreme anger stamped on it several times, the corpse dissolving quicker and quicker.
She eventually stopped when Elster pulled her back and finally looked around the room only to both star in shock as Hazel flew through the air and broke through the wall near the door.
"What should we do?" Asked Tanith.
"We should regroup" said Elster, turning and running over to where the others had gathered in a group around Weiss who they both saw was being healed by Jaune.
"Jaune have you-"
"Yeah, I unlocked my semblance" he gave an awkward chuckle "I wish it was under better circumstances"
Suddenly a bright light shone in through the window as a repetitive binging rang out over the area.
"What's happening?" Asked Weiss as she slowly sat up.
"I called the police" shrugged Tanith.
"Well, that makes things easier" sighed Elster.
"How are you?" Jaune asked nervously.
"Better" said Weiss as she summoned a glyph in her hand "much better, keep it up" then she stood.
"So what should we do now?" Asked Tanith.
"With the police here all we need to do is keep them occupied, then we subdue them" said Ruby as she cocked Crescent Rose and faced Mercury and Emerald with Yang.
Then the sisters launched forward and engaged the two in fighting while Qrow and Oscar hobbled over to Jaune.
"We should assist the police outside" Elster said to Tanith.
"Right"
"We can handle things in here" said Weiss as she drove her sword into the ground and a large glyph appeared.
Elster nodded and Tanith followed her as they ran toward the hole in the wall and hopped through only to pause as they saw the massive Faunus army armed with weapon and shields surrounding the white fang grunts while Adam talked with Blake.
"Holy shit" Tanith said in shock "I only called the fucking police"
"Come on" Elster nudged her and pointed toward Hazel "keep your distance and stay away form him" then Elster rushed forward. Hazel growling as he turned and saw Elster.
He raised a fist and Tanith looked down the assault rifles sights, as he began to throw the punch she pulled the trigger and bullets pinged off his aura. The force however threw off his aim and he missed his right hook giving Elster the opportunity to slash at the dust crystals embedded in his skin.
She caught the fire dust crystals and they exploded, Hazel grunting as a chunk of his right arm was torn off with a display of blood and gore, Tanith frowned at the lack of pain response but didn't dwell upon it. Before he could turn to face Elster though Tanith focused another burst, this time on the wound area only to frown when the man showed no obvious pain response as he roared and charged toward her.
Tanith knew when she was outmatched and began to run, feeling a burning pain in her legs as the man gain upon her until suddenly the pounding footsteps stopped and she turned to see Hazel speared by a white pointed tip attached to a white string that then pulled Hazel away and back into the building.
She let out a relieved breath as Elster sprinted over to her "are you okay?" She asked desperately.
"I'm fine" panted Tanith before putting a hand to her head "I just hurt… a lot… and I feel sick"
"That tends to happen in my line of work" smiled Elster.
"Elster?" Asked a voice and Elster paused before turning only to stare in surprise at Sehko, Kolf and most surprisingly Nyoka.
"Guys?" She asked in surprise "what… what are you doing here?"
"We came to help out Mistral" Said Kolf.
"Yeah, the White fang burned down Ghira's house and we're here to stop them destroying Haven" Said Sehko, excitement in her voice "did you just blowup part of a dudes arm?"
Elster blinked before wincing "oh… you saw that?"
"Of course! We all saw you! You were a total badass!" Said Sehko excitedly clutching the sword in her hand tightly.
Elster chuckled awkwardly "thanks" she said before an explosion sounded from inside. They all looked to the building before Elster looked at Tanith who had collapsed against a statue, her scars, veins and capillaries all now glowing red "take a pill and stay here" she said.
Tanith looked at her and nodded "Okay" she breathed as she loosened the grip on her assault rifle and began to dig through her pockets then looked up sharply "the bullhead! It's fuel!"
"I'll deal with it" assured Elster before looking over at her friends "you guys make sure everyone stays out here, it's very dangerous inside" she didn't wait for a response as she ran back inside of the building.
When Elster got back inside she paused for a moment as the ground itself shook like an earthquake, she looked around, watching as more debris fell onto the bullhead and ground form the roof above.
She saw that Hazel, despite having a massive wound on his arm was still fighting along with Mercury and Emerald. She grit her teeth and ran toward Oscar and Qrow.
"We just have to bring him to his limit!" Shouted Oscar.
"Guys! That bullhead isn't safe to be around!" She called as she stopped beside them only to then duck behind a pillar as several shots impacted around them.
"How so?" Asked Qrow.
"It's on fire and it's full of fuel!"
"Ah shit" cursed Qrow.
Elster then watched as Hazel landed a shot and the summon dissolved. Elster's eyes trailed to the bullhead.
"I'm gonna try and get to the bullhead and see if I can do something" Elster said before then leaving cover and running into the open, when the other three noticed her she fired at the ground and flew through the air. When she landed she looked behind her to see that Blake had arrived at some point and now Hazel, Mercury and Emerald were squaring off against Ruby, Weiss and Blake.
She skidded to a stop just at the lip of the fall into the bullhead and looked inside. The fuel level was now much higher and she saw it was nearing one of the seats that was on fire. She heard footsteps and looked up to see JNR had joined her.
"Is something wrong?" Asked Jaune.
"Yeah, bullhead's leaking fuel and it's about to be ignited" she pointed to the on fire seat.
"What do we do?" Asked Nora.
Elster thought for a moment before digging into on of her pouches "I'll shoot it with ice dust, freeze it, then I can put out the fire" she looked at the three students "you guys go help them" she pointed at the fight going on a few meters away "they'll need it"
"Are you sure that will work?" Asked Ren.
"Only one way to find out" she said as she loaded the blue shot but paused before aiming "actually let's be safer"
She put her axe away and cloned, she then passed the axe with the ice shot in it to the clone before running away. When she saw JNR were still with her she shouted and pointed over to Ruby, Weiss and Blake "go!"
Jaune looked at her before nodding and turning to his teammates "come on guys!" They nodded and ran away, Elster looking over at her clone who aimed the axe with the ice shot inside. Then the clone aimed and fired.
The bullhead didn't explode and the fuel froze solid with a layer of blue ice over the magenta liquid. Elster let out a breath of relief as the ran out from cover and took her axe back, the clone dissolving. She saw fires still inside but decided they were secondary to the fight still happening a way away that she could assist with. She turned and ran toward them, axes in hand.
She saw Emerald turn to her and she cloned as Emerald concentrated. Then something interesting happened, original Elster saw several Emerald's suddenly appear while the clone just saw one singular Emerald getting ready to attack.
She switched places with the clone and saw that she still saw multiple Emerald's while the clone only saw one.
She didn't contemplate it as Emerald launched forward to strike- what she thought was the original but was the clone- and Elster countered by bringing up her axes, Emerald staring at her wide eyed as the clone smirked back before dissolving.
Emerald grunted as Elster sliced her back before then kicking her, then Elster grunted as she felt something kick her back before a shotgun shell was fired point blank. It definitely hurt even with a large chunk of her aura helping to keep her spine intact as she tumbled but landed on her feet.
She turned to see Mercury suddenly fend off Ruby and Weiss who were tag teaming him back, Jaune, Ren and Nora focusing Hazel while Blake was now engaged with Emerald.
The three then ran and regrouped, the two groups facing each other but clearly exhausted as Mercury fell to his knees and everyone breathed heavily, at their limits.
"That's enough! Just give up" called out Ruby.
Mercury snarled and let out a cry of frustration, slamming his fist into the ground.
"It's not over! Cinder will come back, she'll have the Relic, and she'll stop all of you!" Cried Emerald and Elster couldn't help but compare her to a child boasting "She won't let us down"
Suddenly they all heard the sound of machinery, then yellow appeared from the elevator shaft and they all looked over to see Yang rising up, what they could only assume was the relic in her fist and Elster couldn't help but smile in relief.
"Yang..." Ruby said softly.
Elster saw the look exchange between Yang and Blake, she also saw how Hazel's lips peeled back and he bared his teeth while clenching his fists (also internally wincing at the gaping wound on his arm that had caused his right fist to be covered in blood).
Then Emerald collapsed to the floor, her weapons dropping from her grip as she sobbed. Mercury and Hazel began to back away cautiously.
"Emerald, get up, we need to go" Said Mercury urgently
Emerald shook her head and remained where she was.
"Emerald!" Snapped Mercury.
Emerald looked around as her breathing picked up, then she threw her head back, her hands going to either side of it as she screamed. Elster blinked as the room suddenly went dark, black smoke rising from the ground. Then rose a large figure in a black cloak. It had skin that was white like porcelain and arms that bent at odd angles, it's fingers thin and far too long for Elster's liking.
Then there was the face as it finally snapped one eighty degrees, its eyes were closed as black veins surrounded them. Then they snapped open to reveal they were like Sehko's eyes, except these weren't a natural faunus trait, they didn't have compassion or empathy, they were red and filled with hate and anger.
The figure then opened its mouth and let out an ear piercing scream before swooping down and coming straight toward her and Elster froze like a deer in headlights.
Then as soon as the thing had appeared it vanished, Elster blinking as she realised she was shaking. She twitchily looked around to see that Mercury, Emerald and Hazel had disappeared.
"Wha- what was that?" Asked Blake and Elster whole heartedly agreed with her, however a part of her suspected the answer.
Oscar came forward, Ozpin presumably in control "An illusion. But an accurate one. That... was Salem"
Elster looked at where the illusion had been and shivered. True it was just an illusion, but Emerald's illusions of herself and others were usually pretty accurate. As loathed as she was to admit, that thing scared her.
Then there was a grunting behind and she turned to see Tanith hobbling through the whole, the adrenaline in her system having left her as she looked around and clutched her side. Elster was relieved however to see that her scars were no longer glowing.
"Heard the fighting stopped" she said "where are they?"
Ruby looked around before growling "they got away"
Tanith sighed but shrugged "eh, we got the… the thing we wanted" she said as she looked at Yang who was talking to Qrow.
Ruby nodded before then running over to her sister and uncle, Weiss trailing behind as JNR stayed in their own group talking. Meanwhile Elster walked up to Tanith.
"You look like shit" said Elster, a smile on her lips.
Tanith barked a laugh before wincing and clutching her side again "I was about to say that"
Elster smirked and wrapped her arm around Tanith, bringing them closer together as they kissed, a soft and gentle one that lasted even after they pulled away "guess you're rubbing off on me"
"Bow chicka bow wow" mumbled Tanith, letting her head collapse onto Elster's chest.
"Come on, you should be sitting" admonished Elster as she lead Tanith into the room and finally rested her against the right rear fin of the bullhead, it's angle providing something that Tanith could put her weight on as Elster crouched down and began looking over her wounds.
"Where are my friends?" Asked Elster.
"They were right behind me… I swear" mumbled Tanith, her head lolling from side to side.
"We got a bit side tracked" Said Sehko's voice and Elster turned, smiling at her friends as they walked over.
"No Poli?"
"She thought this was gonna be a bit too violent for someone like herself, plus it was a school night" shrugged Sehko with a smirk.
Elster smiled and turned back to Tanith "Yeah, probably for the best she isn't here to see all this blood"
"So, this is your bullhead?" Asked Kolf.
"Was" replied Tanith tiredly "this thing ain't be flying again"
"You should rest love" Said Elster gently.
"But… things" protested Tanith.
"Tomorrow" assured Elster, pecking her forehead before standing and facing her friends "I'm glad you guys came to help, this could've turned nasty"
"Could've?" Questioned Kolf as he looked around.
"Eh, just doing what was right" shrugged Sehko before then looking at her "like what you do"
"Yeah, you're usually correct when it comes to the right thing!" Said Kolf loudly and pointedly looking at Nyoka who was scowling at the faunus couple before huffing.
"Jesus Christ guys I get it" he grunted before stepping forward and looking at a surprised Elster "Elster, I'm sorry for what I said. You were right about the white fang and myself, in the end while I want to help faunus… killing isn't the way to go about it" he said, Elster guessing he had clearly thought over this apology for a while now.
Elster looked at him before taking a deep breath "it's okay… I also handled that situation poorly by just… shouting at you in the street. It was just hard… seeing you in the Fang given what they've put me…" Elster turned to stare at Tanith who was watching RWBY interact through half closed eyes "us both through" she concluded before turning back and offering a bright smile "we've butted heads before dude, it's all water under the bridge" She squinted "unless your still with them?"
Nyoka looked at her flatly "no, I'm still in the white fang and just stopped them from committing a terrorist attack"
Elster rolled her eyes before Sehko grabbed her attention and nodded to Tanith "what's up with her…" she made a clawing motion across the right side of her face and Elster quirked her head.
"Her glowing scars?"
"Yeah, I suppose we could talk about that" Said Sehko in a 'no shit' voice.
Elster hummed as she looked at Tanith who's eyes were now closed, noting how the blood from various wounds was slowly coagulating in her hair and down the left side of her face along with various spots on her body.
The wounds were deep but she'd escaped a concussion and broken bones, the real energy drained had been whatever that Grimm had done to her. Afterwards it had just been adrenaline keeping her moving.
"She got the scars from Beowulf's, but it gave her a condition called Corruption. That was one of it's things" Elster stretched before grunting and cursing as the dull ache in her chest and back reminded her that a roof had fallen on her and a shotgun shell had been fired point blank into her.
"Woah, are you okay?" Asked Nyoka, concern in his voice which Elster had rarely heard before. Maybe Poli was a good influence on him.
"Yeah, Yeah, fuck that's gonna bruise" she felt her back and winced when she poked a roundish circumference on her back.
"Did you get hit?" Asked Sehko.
"Couple of times" admitted Elster, groaning "got chucked about a lot actually, hit a few walls, was trapped under some debris for a bit, was shot in the back with a slug" she chuckled dryly "just another day at the office"
"Wait you were shot in the back?" Asked Kolf.
"It's okay, aura took most of the damage- but fuck" she breathed in for a moment before shaking her head "sorry, just realizing how much pain I'm in, so… how long are you guys here for?"
"We'll be heading back to menagerie in a few days" said Sehko "cause it looks like we're done for the most part round here"
"Yeah" sighed Elster before perking up again "but if your hanging round I can always show you round Mistral, I know my way round mostly"
"It's a day" Said Kolf, wrapping his arm around Sehko's shoulder.
"Don't you want to make sure that she's…" Nyoka trailed off but nodded at Tanith whose eyes were closed.
"I'll make sure she's okay, but… she'll call me silly for waiting by her bedside and wasting this opportunity" Elster smiled at the pilot before turning back to her friends "as soon as she wakes though I'm afraid I'm gonna have to immediately bail on you guys"
"Hurtful but understandable" nodded Kolf.
"Sehko!" Called a voice and they turned to see Ghira waving her over.
"Ah, best go talk to the chief. We'll text if we're able to catch up and stuff" Said Sehko before smirking "we'll leave you with sleeping beauty"
Elster grunted, a small amused smile quirking her lips as the three walked over to Ghira, she and Nyoka exchanging one last respectful nod.
Elster turned and walked over to Tanith , crouching down in front of the woman whose head was turned away from her and eyes were closed, her breathing still giving her away as being awake.
"Hey Tanith" she cooed, brushing some of the hair from Tanith's face.
Tanith stirred and turned toward her, her eyes cracking open "Hey Elster" she finally croaked tiredly.
Elster continued to stroke her cheek "how're you feeling?"
Tanith let out a weak chuckle "that specific feeling I feel every time I crash"
"It's got a technical name"
"Yeah?"
"'Like shit'"
They both chuckled before Tanith's head nuzzled into her hand "I feel tired… and my body hurts more"
Elster gave a sympathetic smile "Yeah, that's the adrenaline no longer running through your system. Doctors 'll be here soon" she assured "just rest"
"'Kay" mumbled Tanith.
Elster studied her before moving in and sitting next to her, Tanith happily resting her head on Elster's shoulder and Elster not minding as some blood was spread onto her clothes.
"You did great" Whispered Elster.
Tanith smiled but didn't respond, Elster feeling Tanith's hand searching before closing around her flesh one. Elster was content for a few minutes, simply listening to Tanith's breathing and feeling the warmth of her hand, watching as the kids and adults mingled and talked.
She then sighed before shifting, Tanith giving a groan of protest that changed to a pleased hum as Elster picked her up.
"Where we going?" Asked Tanith, her head falling against Elster's collar and resting.
"To find people with medical experience" Said Elster before tilting her head so it lightly bumped the top of Tanith's "to fix you up"
"Probably for the best" mumbled Tanith.
Elster chuckled "definitely for the best" she corrected as they walked out of the building and into the bright light of the moon and stars.
~§~
Tanith woke up, finding herself in the air b'n'b, the room she and Elster had been sleeping in. Sunlight streamed through the window and she grunted as she felt a general ache all over her body and a minor headache in her head.
She sat up and looked around. No Elster.
Her expression fell though as caught sight of herself sitting on the side of the other bed in the room.
"Sup failure" said the clone with a shit eating smirk.
Tanith groaned and let her head flop back "do I really have to deal with you right now?"
"Yup"
Tanith grunted "how long was I out?"
Her clone shrugged out of the corner of her eye "How the hell am I supposed to know?"
Tanith growled at the trap she'd just fallen into and raised her arms to see bandages were wrapped around her arms at various points. Moving her body she could feel more bandages and see various bruises.
Her gaze didn't linger as she covered her head and repeated "its not real, it's all in your head, it's not sentient, it's just a bitch but not a real bitch" she said in a mantra.
"Yeah yeah, say the words so the mean lady goes away"
Tanith ignored her and looked around the room.
The other bed showed signs of use, the covers thrown back and generally messy. She guessed so as not to interrupt her own healing during their sleep Elster had taken the separate bed, like back at Bleakburn. In the corner were her assault rifle and shotgun while on the bedside table next to her was a bottle of her pills along with some water, a little note with Elster's handwriting saying 'for when you wake up x'
Next to that was her scroll.
She grabbed the bottle and got a pill, placing the pill in her mouth and the bottle back on the bedside table. She grabbed the glass and her scroll and chugged the water to swallow the pill and for her dry mouth and throat before looking at her scroll.
11:43 am, Thursday.
A day later.
She sighed before smiling at her lock screen, a selfie of her and Elster. She unlocked her scroll and immediately went to messages.
The pilot: guess who's awake.
"That's right, bother her while she's out doing something more entertaining and worthwhile" Said her clone but she ignored it.
The response was immediate.
The passenger: !
The passenger: how do you feel? Sorry I'm not there I'm with friends out in Mistral atm
The pilot: like shit, how long have I been out?
The passenger: not too long tbh, maybe 18-24 hours? :(
The passenger: I'vemostly been showing the guys around Mistral, having fun. Figured it was better then sitting beside you and feeling scared and guilty.
The passenger: I imagine you're hungry?
The pilot: yeah
The passenger: I'll pick us up some food x
Tanith smiled before then looking around the room, despite obviously being lived in it felt cold and lonely, even with her clone looking at her with a scowl.
The pilot: want you
The passenger: okay
Tanith stared at the vague response and when nothing else followed she exited the app and let out a sigh, tried to sit up and grunted as pain flared briefly through her arms. She slowly adjusted the pillow behind her so she could sit up. Then realised she'd still have to wait to see Elster.
"Uggggggh" she groaned as she flopped back onto the pillow "whyyyyyyyy?" She waited for the witty remark from her clone before looking over, seeing it was gone "good riddance"
She waited for a couple of minutes, gently listening to the breeze outside and the occasional bird, being brought back to her childhood, listening to the familiar bird calls she'd heard throughout her life in Mistral.
Of course, she'd never been in bed wrapped up in bandages… in Mistral at least. Speaking of, she opened her eyes and looked down at her chest. It was wrapped in bandages.
She'd probably done something bad, that or the doctors had had to remove her clothes and didn't want to leave her exposed. She rubbed her eyes before then going to her whole face, feeling the bandage wrapped round her head.
Then she heard rapid footsteps, becoming louder and louder before the door opened. Tanith couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she saw Elster enter the room and close the door.
Elster looked beat up as well, but to a much lesser degree. She was wearing a grey jacket which she took off and hung onto the hook to reveal the blue vest beneath. Her arms were on full display which fully took Tanith's attention for a moment before her eyes spotted the bruise peaking out from the top of the vest.
Then Elster turned and their eyes met. Then Elster smiled, a bright smile that briefly turned Tanith's brain power to a vegetable. Before she realised it though Elster was sitting on the bed with her head tilted.
"Tanith?"
Tanith shook her head "Yeah, sorry, hi"
They took a moment to take each other in before Elster then gently climbed onto the bed and hugged her, being mindful of her injuries even though she clearly just wanted to jump on top of her.
"I'm so glad your okay" whispered Elster as she trailed kisses along Tanith's shoulder.
"I wasn't hurt that bad" Said Tanith.
"You've been out like a light for several hours, covered head to toe in bandages and bruises" Elster nestled into the crook of her neck "I'm allowed to be concerned"
"Surprised you weren't here waiting"
"I knew you'd call me silly"
It was something that differed between them, Elster was the one who would wait by a hospital bed, wanting to be there for every moment of a person's recovery whereas Tanith preferred to be out doing something. She'd come by as soon as Elster or loved one was awake but she would be doing something, not waiting by the hospital bed.
Tanith smiled as she locked her arms around Elster and then they didn't move, staying locked in this hug with Elster occasionally kissing her shoulder or neck. The birds were still outside chirping away, but that noise was muted as Tanith tuned into the sound of Elster breathing, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest.
She relished the feeling of Elster's skin, the muscles underneath moving whenever Elster moved. The feeling of her lips pressing into her, the breath from her nose washing over her shoulder. She smelled the shampoo Elster used, the deodorant now washing over her.
"Do I smell?" Asked Tanith.
Elster snorted and finally raised her head from Taniths shoulder "you do, but it's okay. Do you want to have a shower?"
Tanith smirked and lightly bopped her head against Elster "not the kind that'll get us clean quick"
Elster rolled her eyes "of course that's what your thinking about"
"Why wouldn't I when I've got a girlfriend like you" said Tanith as her hands went into Elster's hair and guided her head so their lips met in a kiss that started off slow and turned hungry over the course of a few seconds.
Then they were interrupted as Tanith's stomach decided that sexy times could wait and that it wanted food by making a gurgling noise, Elster pulling away and letting out a loud laugh as Tanith blushed furiously before finally joining in with a small chuckle.
"So… where's that food?"
Elster put on a mock hurt expression "Oh I see, I'm here proclaiming my love for you and there you are wondering about food"
Tanith cupped her face and looked into her eyes "I love you so much, words can't describe how much I appreciate everything you do for me and others. I love all of you and I never will give you up, I will be there for you, now and always"
Elster blinked in surprise before grabbing Tanith's hands and bringing them away from her face "I love you too but… where did that come from?"
Tanith shrugged "didn't feel like I say it enough" she trailed off before looking down "and with everything that's been happening recently… I just wanted to make sure you knew"
Elster stared at her, a slight pang of sorrow going through her "I always know that" she said quietly, leaning forward and kissing her forehead "I just wish I'd met you sooner"
"Same"
They stayed like that for a brief moment, staring at each other before Tanith tilted her head "sooo… given that your actually here… how are we getting food?"
"I've got a clone currently waiting in line at this little Mistralien place"
"Sounds really really nice right now" smiled Tanith before squinting "but how are you paying?"
"I gave my clone, that upon taking any damage that would break skin disperses, my wallet" Said Elster and Tanith laughed.
"It would be a shame if we lost half of that fifty million" chuckled Tanith.
Elster blinked before putting a hand to her head in shock "holy shit, I completely fucking forgot about that"
Tanith sighed and let herself fall back against the pillow "I don't blame you"
They remained in silence for a moment before Elster tilted her head "you sure your not hurting anywhere?"
Tanith scrunched her face "a general ache, there's pain in my arms when I put pressure on them"
"Silly girl" murmured Elster as her eyes glanced at the pillow Tanith was propped on "should've waited for me"
"I was, but I wanted to be sitting up"
Elster nodded before sighing "I was originally going to get food and come back but then you sent that other text… I thought you might not be feeling at your best… mentally"
Tanith shrugged "nothing out of the norm… I just wanted to touch you, hold you… romance shit"
Elster smiled "what a way with words" her eyes flicked to Tanith's head injury "that Grimm…"
"Yeah, that was the worst experience of my life" Tanith rubbed her head absently "what type of Grimm was it?"
Elster shook her head with a shrug "I dunno" she reached forward and brushed a lock of Tanith's hair, her thumb brushing along the bandage "what did it do to you? I saw it had you and was rubbing its tentacle things all over you-"
"Please don't say that"
"- and you were crying and laughing and blushing and… you were going through a lot before you started spamming and screaming"
Tanith looked down and gripped the bed sheets tightly "it was… it talked to me… showed me memories and then images of this woman" she shook her head and closed her eyes "white skin… red eyes similar to Sehko's with black veins. Rocking some wacky hair"
"Black dress?"
Tanith looked up confused "how did you-"
"When Emerald and rest fled, she conjured a nightmare hallucination of Salem. I don't think it was intentional but" Elster shrugged "know what she looks like now"
Tanith nodded slowly as she processed the information before tilting her head, her eyes flicking to Elster's chest "How are you injuries?"
"Not that bad"
"That's why you have a massive bruise on your back?"
Elster smiled "can never get anything past you" she turned and rolled up the vest, revealing the ugly bruise that was half covered by Elster's tattoo and every shade of black, blue and yellow "just a kick and a shotgun slug into my back, aura took the damage"
Tanith gingerly reached and out and touched it "sorry" she said as Elster hissed, she felt over it gently and was satisfied when she found no greater damage "what about your front? I saw you trapped under that debris"
Elster turned to reveal the bruise on her chest, it was similar to the one on her back but instead of being a large circular shape it was a line, just under her breasts and down to just above her navel.
"Poor baby" cooed Tanith as she ran her hand gently along it.
"They only hurt when pressure is put on 'em" shrugged Elster.
Given her position, Tanith couldn't do what she wanted to do so instead she took her hand away and kissed her fingers, gently applying the fingers to the bruise "is that better?"
"Immensely"
Tanith's fingers trailed down from the bruise and felt along the defined muscle, her eyes lingering on the six pack and then down to the V that went below Elster's trousers. Tanith could admit that since leaving the military and living off of Elster's cooking for a few months had caused her to lose her previously military fit figure and become slightly pudgy and 'civilian' in places, not that she heard Elster complaining, though she had never had as defined a body as the one Elster possessed. Her eyes were drawn back to the V lines, she was the only one who got to see where they lead to and the thought made her smirk befoe Elster dropped her vest and took her hand.
"As much as I love you oogling me" she said dryly with a smirk as Tanith rolled her eyes "I thought you'd like to know that food'll be here in a couple minutes"
"Is there time for a shower?"
"If you went alone" shrugged Elster before her eyes twinkled and her mouth still held in a smirk "don't think I'd be able to keep my hands off you otherwise"
"Dang it"
"Oh wait, got a better comment" Elster said excitedly "I'd end up eating you instead"
"Nice"
"I wish I'd said that the first time now"
Tanith let out a laugh through her nose "I just… fucking love you so much" she said, her voice tired but affectionate.
Elster leaned forward and kissed her nose, Tanith scrunching it in response "I love you too"
~§~
The clone was able to deliver the food with no problems, they ate and talked, Elster catching Tanith up on the last few hours events. How Hazel, Emerald, Cinder, Mercury and Adam were all wanted with posters and news reports. How there were now two faunus factions, the white fang and the new white fang which hadn't decided upon a name. Lionheart being a traitor before then being found dead in his office, likely cause was the Grimm that had attacked Tanith.
The other's aura's were not as used to taking damage as Elster's or Qrow's was meaning they were resting and healing, Tanith had been the worse injured though to her chagrin. Jaune had been wondering over his newly discovered semblance that allowed him to enhance other's aura's.
Upon finishing the food Elster assisted her to the shower, then they assisted each other in the shower in more ways then one before finally leading her to the kitchen.
"Tanith! Your up!" Said Ruby, jumping up.
"Yeah… I was the only one unconscious wasn't I?"
Oscar rubbed his head while Yang smirked "you and professor Ozpin over there"
Tanith sighed "I suppose it's actually more embarrassing cause he's old"
Oscar blinked then chuckled "he didn't appreciate that comment"
Tanith smirked but chose not to respond as she sat down on a stool, Elster sitting beside her and begging to reapply the bandages. "So, where's everyone else?"
"Qrow is planning, Blake is with her parents and friends for now, Weiss is being checked out by the doctor and JNR are resting"
Elster chuckled "Doctor has a few words for you"
Tanith rolled her eyes "let me guess 'don't do it again'? Sorry, next time I see a man with a sword I'll take a several kilometre detour" she said sarcastically.
"If I never have to look at you with open wounds again then I would prefer you do that" Snapped a familiar voice and her eyes widened before snapping over to Chi as he walked down the stairs, his eyes narrowed at her.
"Oh… Hey Chi, thought you were a retired doctor?"
"Wait What?" Asked Ruby confused.
Chi chuckled "I may be old, but it doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing. Meeting such talented aspiring huntsmen and huntresses is a bonus as well"
"Wait, go back to the part where he was retired" Said Yang.
"So I'm guessing Elster called you up?"
"No, I saw the news, saw you being lead away by a stretcher-"
"Wait, that was on the news?"
"- after the official doctors looked at you and fixed you up I tracked Elster down and volunteered my services" he looked over to Yang and Ruby "though I may of retired ten years ago, I can still perform miracles" he assured.
Meanwhile Tanith had gone pale as she opened her scroll and opened the messaging app, actually looking at the other contacts only to wince as most of her family had tried to get a hold of her.
"It's okay, I've been in contact with them" Elster chuckled and she continued with bandage applying "they weren't too happy with me at first, thought it was my fault"
"I'll call them soon" Said Tanith "first I want to hear what your doing next"
Ruby, Yang and Oscar looked at each other "we'll have a group meeting soon, now that your awake" Said Ruby
"You should relax though" pointed out Yang, giving a gesture with her arm.
Tanith sighed and let her head lull back "but then the trepidation will be killing me for like, a year"
Elster rolled her eyes "it'll only be a few hours"
Tanith brought her head back up "I was being dramatic"
"And we have no room for that here" admonished Elster, lightly tapping her nose.
Tanith looked over and saw that Chi was boiling the kettle "Hey Chi, can you boil some for me?"
"Oh, you drink tea now?" He asked, a knowing glint in his eyes and a smirk at the corner of his lips.
Tanith blinked before wincing "oof, you got me"
Chi waved his hand "young people" he muttered as he prepared another cup.
"Chamomile please" Said Tanith before turning to the others "how have you guys been then?"
Ruby shrugged "think we're just… recovering at the moment" she perked up "it's nice to have the team back together though"
"Yeah" said Yang distantly and Tanith felt doubt coming off her along with anger.
Ruby then looked down "I'm sorry about that Grimm Tanith… I wanted to try and help you but… they held us back" Tanith felt the guilt filling her.
Tanith nodded and quickly tried to change the subject "it's okay. Look, the need to know is killing me, do you have even the foggiest about where your going next?"
Ruby nodded "oh yeah!"
"Where?"
"Atlas" Said Yang, a humourless grin on her lips.
Tanith looked at them before looking over to Elster who just nodded.
"You've got to be fucking kidding"
~§~
So, that's vol 5 wrapped up, next chapter and start of vol 6 will be up this time next year when 7 has ended. Admittedly I finished this chapter with two episodes of RWBY left to go for non members. I'll stand by in case I want to edit something but otherwise I doubt groundbreaking info relevant to my characters will be revealed.
It'll be world to no longer be writing bullheaded daily, like I'll write the chapters drafts, but only when concrete information on certain things is given will I properly wrote them.
I have some projects in the works, but they are super secret, you didn't hear this from me.
And if you wanna ask me stuff you can go to my tumblr APopUpAd
So for bullheaded fans:
See ya next year!
