Bullheaded

by Backseat reader

Tanith is a new pilot for Beacon academy, she was expecting a pretty quiet job, the occasional Grimm here or explosion there. What she wasn't counting on was to slowly get wrapped up in the students almost movie adventures of destroying a terrorist group or to fall for Castle, the woman who's guiding her and other pilots through the battleground of Huntsmen in training.

44. One week to prepare for a train

Hey there readers, it's me, ya boi.

If you've forgotten what happened last time I don't blame ya. I hope that I can clear that confusion up in this chapter with characters talking about recent events that'll jog your memory, if that don't work though I've got a quick summary at the bottom.

~§~

"Atlas?" Asked Tanith aghast.

"That was my reaction" Said Weiss flatly, having just stopped at the bottom the stairs to stare at them aghast.

"We nearly died trying to smuggle her out without them noticing! Atlas is a military state! I'll never be able to smuggle us in!"

"Told you she'd react like that" Said Elster as she finished with the bandages.

"Qrow said not to worry about that!" Assured Ruby quickly "he says he's got a plan"

"Ozpin says you should just relax" supplied Oscar.

"No offence but Ozpin is an immortal ancient wizard currently inhabiting a fourteen year old and death is no consequence to him" Tanith muttered just out of Chi's hearing range

"Why Atlas?" Asked Weiss stepping into the room.

"Atlas would be the safest place for it" Said Oscar.

"God am I looking forward to tonight" grumbled Tanith before smiling at Chi as he placed down a cup for her "Thank you Chi, this will help calm my nerves while my family murder me for almost dying"

"I don't think they'll murder you"

"Thank you Elster" sighed Tanith standing with the cup in hand "At least I have my tea, I'll be nice and relaxed as I'm killed. I'll be in our room talking to my parents" she walked back to the stairs "thanks for the tea Chi!" She chuckled as she heard him sigh in exasperation.

~§~

Tanith listened to the tone repeat once, twice, then the call was picked up.

"Hiiiii mom" she said, hoping to try and dispel any anger or tension.

"Tanith Mort!"

"Ah rolling out the full name, this isn't going to go well"

"What did you think you were doing! You attacked the white fang! You crashed into Haven academy! You got seriously hurt!"

"Okay, should I just-"

"-And!-"

"-Oh your still going-"

"What were you even doing there? Why were you in Mistral? Why-"

"Mom, mom, mom, please. Let me explain" Said Tanith holding up a hand even though her mother couldn't see it "me and Elster had to fly south for the delivery job, it was a favour for a friend who's airship had broken down. On the way back we made a pit stop in Mistral, while there…" she trailed off, thinking up a quick alibi "we flew over Haven and noticed all the white fang, one thing lead to another"

There was silence on the other end and she winced, hoping that they believed her very weak cover story.

"It was all complete coincidence" she added.

"Okay, I suppose… but you were still reckless"

"Ah c'mon, I was in the military, I just followed my training"

Her mother hummed "how are you? Are you feeling well, we saw a glimpse of you on the news and-"

"Yeah, the crash is what did most of that, Elster kept me safe. Right now I'm covered in bandages and staying with some friends we ran into"

"Well as long as your safe and heal I suppose I'll stop worrying" sighed her mother "but I'm becoming greyer by the day dear, try not to do these things to much okay? And come home soon?"

"I think we're gonna hang around here for a while, I'll call ahead okay?"

"Okay honey"

"I love you mom"

"Love you too sweetie, I'll call later, probably when dad gets home"

"Sounds good, we can talk later, I can give you the whole story then"

"Bye bye!" Said her mother and then the call was dropped and Tanith let out a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding. She was simply glad that it had gone so well, she opened her scroll and went to her messages.

Bird wannabe: didn't go as bad as I thought it would

Professional birb: you worry too much

Professional birb: think you're up for some activities?

Tanith sighed.

Bird wannabe: I don't think I'll be up to much, arms ache just from holding my scroll to my ear

Professional birb: why didn't u just turn on speaker?

Tanith blinked before blushing.

Bird wannabe: didn't think of that

Professional birb: friends are offering to meet back up, was wondering if u wanted to come, I can hold you up and get you places

Tanith scrunched her mouth to the side before sighing.

Bird wannabe: if you insist

Professional birb: we won't do too much, just get to the garden outback

Bird wannabe: are you tempting me to sneak out Miss Castle?

Professional birb: I'm still downstairs, we'll head to the back garden then sneak out from their so Chi doesn't know

Birb wannabe: I'm coming

Tanith smiled and stood, grunting as she felt the ache in her legs. She scavenged around and after a moment of deliberation shrugged on a T-shirt and her bomber jacket over it, satisfied that the worst of the bandages were covered. Though a quick look in the mirror and she hurriedly searched around, finding an old green beanie- that she didn't quite remember where or when she got- to shove on her head to cover the head bandages.

She walked to the door and the had just opened it when Elster appeared at the end of the hall, grinning as she carried two crutches under her arm, Chi rounding the corner beside her.

"Yeah, so turns out Chi was reading my messages over my shoulder"

"You hunters are all the same" he said looking at Elster sternly before looking witheringly at Tanith "and even though I'm no longer a real doctor and thus can't force you to stay inside to rest, you should really stay inside"

Tanith smiled at him "look Chi, it's just today, afterwards I'm going to be stuck to that bed like a magnet"

"I'll make sure of it" agreed Elster "but some friends of mine are around and to be honest, I have no clue when I'm gonna see them again"

Chi sighed "just don't… do stuff, don't be active. Go to a café or something. If you start feeling bad you head right back here okay?" He grabbed her hand and placed two tablets in it "and take these" he pointed a warning finger "and no coffee, the caffeine will cause a bad reaction"

"Hey, if the military taught me anything its to know not to argue with medical professionals" Said Tanith with a shrug before chucking the pills in her mouth and grimacing as she forced them down.

Chi simply grunted "these crutches are temporary, please return them by the end of the day"

Tanith mock saluted and then accepted the crutches from Elster. Chi nodded and turned, walking back the way he had come "you better come back the way I left you, now I'm going to check on your other injured friends"

They watched him disappear before Tanith quietly whispered "do you think he's always been like that as a doctor or…?"

Elster shrugged and then placed her hands on her shoulders "you don't have to do this, you can stay here- hell, I'll stay here with you as well if your not feeling up for it"

Tanith flashed a smile "c'mon Elster, I'm made of tough stuff" Elster raised an eyebrow and looked her up and down and Tanith shrugged "tough-ish stuff"

~§~

"Ah ha! She returns to us, but what's that I see beside her?" Asked Sehko rhetorically "is that a mummy?"

"Is that a politician going through an identity crisis and trying to relive their punk youth?" Shot back Tanith with a smile and Sehko laughed.

"C'mon, give her a break" Said Kolf to Sehko even though he was also smiling, he looked at Tanith "how you doing?"

"Well, I didn't break anything- well, I didn't break my bones, I broke a lot of things, but not my bones" clarified Tanith "but otherwise scrapes and bruises with some minor head trauma"

"You sure you should be outside?" Asked Nyoka, surprising her.

"Eh, I'll live, plus it can only do me good right?" She said with a smile even if the pills Chi had given her made her feel slow and light headed.

"Famous last words" Elster looked at them "alright if we just do something simple like a café?"

"Sure, sounds nice" smiled Kolf

"Legs were hurting anyway" shrugged Nyoka

"Café it is" said Elster brightly before looking at Tanith "do you know one nearby?"

Tanith looked around "yyyyyyyeeeeeeeeah?" She said slightly uncertain.

Sehko tilted her head "Ringing endorsement"

"Yes" said Tanith more confidently and pointed with her crutch "down this street and to the left there's this Faunus friendly place that have a wide variety"

"Lead the way"

"Mistral is such a change from Menagerie" said Kolf as they made their way down the street.

"Lot more hills" grunted Kolf.

"Lot more racism" Nyoka growled, glaring at a man glaring at them.

"Interesting markets" said Sehko with a mischievous grin.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that" said Elster.

"Cause you'd have to arrest me?"

"No, but I'd have to not vote for you"

Sehko put a hand to her chest "how could you?" She asked affronted before turning to Kolf "you'd still vote for me my sweet darling babycakes?" She asked with a pout and puppy dog eyes.

Kolf hummed before tilting his head "what's ya policies?"

"Good stuff" Kolf made an exaggerated show of thinking about it, rubbing his chin with his hand "and also sex for you"

"Well when you say it like that" he said nodding "you've gotta way with words Miss Mercia"

"Thank you kindly"

"You should pursue a career in politics" suggested Nyoka and they shared a laugh. Tanith smiled and stopped, looking up at the large establishment.

"This is the place" she shrugged "they do… things"

Elster patted her shoulder before turning and whispering to her friends "she's a bit out of it right now"

"I heard that you little shit"

"See, she thinks she's taller then me, totally loopy"

Tanith snorted (definitely not in amusement) "when your done making fun of the injured person can we stop standing so I can chill out in a chair"

Elster smiled and they headed inside, the place not too full as they found a corner booth with comfortable leather seats that Tanith happily flopped into, making space so that Elster could fit in next to her.

Tanith's hand inevitably trailed over to Elster closest hand- her prosthetic- and wrapped around it, seeing Elster glance down at it underneath the table before smiling and giving a light squeeze as the rubber forming the hand's under side pressed into Tanith's skin.

She ended up losing herself in just running her fingers along the rubber, how the metal fingers brushed along her skin. She finally came back from being lost on the sensation when Elster gently nudged her shoulder, Tanith blinked and saw Nyoka stood, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Do you want anything?" Asked Elster

Tanith frowned in thought then shook her head "no thanks"

Sehko smirked while Nyoka nodded awkwardly and then walked away.

"Someone's got the attention span of a sparrow"

Tanith pouted "no I don't"

Sehko smirked "that's why you've been rubbing Elster's hand under the table for the last minute"

She blushed but didn't deny as Elster's hand squeezed hers. "I think it's the drugs the doctor gave me"

"Sure, not like your always like this"

"Elllllllllsssssteeeeeeeer" she whined "your friends are bullying meeeeeeeeee!"

Elster shook her head with a raised eyebrow "Oh what did the doctor give you?" She murmured "your only like this when your tired" she circled her arm round Tanith's shoulder and pulled her close, letting the hand rise up and begin to run through her hair, Tanith closing her eyes at the feeling of the fi angers running along her scalp.

"God you two are just gross, have I ever told you that?" Said Sehko, resting her chin in her hand.

"Sure Sehko. What were you and Kolf just doing in the street?" Elster shot back.

"We were being gross as well, I'm not like other hypocritical politicians. But when we do it it's not as gross" she looked over at Kolf "what are… man with the green hair and the woman with the bald head talking about?"

Kolf angled one of his ears "uuuuh, something about a cousin… I think they're talking about how loaded the cousin is"

"Ugh, I had them pegged as people doing a drug deal" huffed Sehko.

"You'll guess right one of these days" Said Kolf encouragingly.

"Don't baby me"

"Okay, That was a shit guess and I'm surprised you went with it"

"Fuck you flop ear"

Elster laughed and Kolf playfully glared at a smug looking Sehko.

"Oh my- ha ha, I remember that!" Laughed Elster.

At the confused look on Tanith's face Sehko explained "way back when we were kids there was this elephant faunus who's garden was filled with her own grown fruits and flowers, very pretty and a cool idea. However, as piece of shit kids we dared-"

Elster coughed with a raised eyebrow and a disapproving stare and Sehko rolled eyes "Okay fiiine, I dared people to go in. Poli refused and honestly I couldn't say a mean thing to her if I tried, Elster was a calm person who rarely rose to the bait I put down and Nyoka was…"

"I was?" Asked Nyoka with a raised eyebrow as he placed a tray in the table.

"You didn't really care unless Elster challenged you, though looking back you were always quick to defend Poli" Sehko teased as she grabbed the cup set down in front of her and Nyoka huffed "Yeah yeah, you're a real hard dude bro. Anyway, point is that Kolf over here, despite being brainy, was also a tad bit insecure and I, as a good friend and awesome person and beautiful and lovely and graceful future girlfriend who adores you-" she cooed at Kolf, both of them blushing slightly while Nyoka grumbled and Elster barked a laugh "-took complete advantage of that"

"Oh no" breathed Tanith with mirth in her voice.

"Oh yeah" nodded Sehko "he climbed the fence and went into her garden-"

"Oh your telling the flop ear story" said Nyoka.

Sehko nodded with a grin as Kolf sighed witheringly and stirred his coffee "but what we found out that day was two things" she said giddily "one, that the lady kept a bee hive in her garden and two, numb nuts over here is allergic to bees"

Kolf grumbled and sipped his drink as Sehko began giggling uncontrollably and Nyoka wore a smirk, Elster grinning and just nodding as Tanith listened.

"So he gets stung right on his left ear, that motherfucker swells up to form this angry red lump on his ear that was so heavy it caused his ear to flop down and hit his face!" And with that Sehko dissolve into laughing again, Nyoka actually giving a chuckle (Tanith surprised since grinning was the happiest she had ever seen him) while Kolf glowered at his drink.

Elster chuckled and gave a sigh once Sehko had calmed down "and we all still got in trouble"

"Mm, that was the part that concerned you miss aspiring huntress" teased Sehko and Elster shrugged.

"I was twelve, I didn't understand laws and thought we were all gonna be charged with entering private property"

"Miss Harrison was actually pretty chill about it, all things considered" said Kolf in thought.

"Mm, didn't tell police, did inform our parents though which I honestly think was worse" Sehko said, putting her hand to her forehead and looking at her drink with a distant look.

"I remember all the fire wood I had to chop" muttered Elster.

"Poli was very distressed" said Nyoka as he poured some tea into his cup that made Tanith do a double take to see him drinking tea "she cried so much even though she didn't do anything that her parents didn't actually punish her, she even forced us to write Miss Harrison an apology card and a gift"

"And somehow you two ended up together" Sehko said.

"Implying what?" Asked Nyoka with a growl.

"That you're a hardheaded asshole"

Nyoka glared at her before grunting with a bob of his head "Poli calls me that sometimes as well"

"If we put two of you in the same room you would attack yourself" muttered Kolf.

"I've grown up since then" argued Nyoka "I'm not that bad"

"I read that snakes have two penises" said Tanith, not realising she'd just spoken aloud. She'd been hung up on the statement of two Nyoka's and then her brain had trundled along a course to its natural conclusion. The table paused. Nyoka blinking and looking at her in surprise while Sehko and Kolf looked at her open mouthed, Elster stiffening beside her.

Then Sehko put a hand to her mouth, making the noises that usually escape someone trying very hard not to laugh. Then Kolf laughed and that caused Sehko too as well, Nyoka continued to stare before finally snorting, Tanith feeling Elster relax.

"No wonder Poli loves you!" Exclaimed Sehko around laughter "she's always satisfied!"

"I don't present my Faunus traits that way" said Nyoka with an eye roll "but I've had no complaints"

"I think it's actually because Poli doesn't know what an orgasm is and just assumes it's like that" Kolf said with a smirk and Sehko placed her head on the table, her body shuddering and face red as she continued to laugh.

Nyoka glowered "well if we're talking about our sex lives now, any secrets anyone wants to spill?"

"Elster-" before Tanith could continue her sentence Elster's hand came down and immediately stopped her from talking.

"-Is a nice person, thanks Tanith. Let's move this conversation along and make it end as quick as possible"

"That's what she said" Sehko quickly mumbled.

"Oh, that is definitely not what I say" said Tanith, temporarily breaking free of Elster's hand before it quickly covered her mouth again.

"Okay, definitely going to move this along, let's go with what I've been meaning to ask for a while. It's lovely to have you here and all so don't get me wrong, but why are you guys here? Why is a small Menagerie militia force here?" Elster asked.

Sehko put a hand to her chest with a hurt look "what? Can't accept a gift horse in the mouth?"

Tanith wasn't sure if Sehko messed that phrase up or if her brain was frazzled, but Kolf seemed kind enough to actually answer.

"Well, it al started when chief Ghira's daughter returned"

"Oh yeah, Blake's back" Tanith said in realisation, having not really processed that properly over the last couple of hours.

"Ooooh, on first name terms with the chief's daughter?" Teased Sehko.

"Basically" cut in Kolf before the conversation could continue to deviate "she was attacked by the white fang, who claimed innocence. Then… the Belladonna estate caught fire while the white fang attacked it, Blake came out and gave a speech and here we are"

Tanith nodded while Elster frowned in confusion.

"How… what?" Asked Elster.

"Blake wanted us to stop the white fang from pulling another Vale, no one was really fussed with the idea until the Belladonna estate suddenly set alight and white fang killed faunus" Said Sehko.

"Okay" Elster nodded as she took it in before turning to Nyoka "and where were you in all this?"

He shrugged "thinking and considering stuff, Poli helped me and talked with me about… stuff… I came to the conclusion that while yes, I wanted to make sure the faunus had a voice I didn't want to hurt innocent people" he didn't elaborate further and simply sipped his drink, a distant look in his eyes. Elster was content with the answer and sipped her own drink.

Before Elster could follow up Nyoka suddenly looked looked up and changed the conversation with a tilt of his head "what were you guys doing there?"

Tanith looked at Elster "didn't you guys… talk about it at all?"

Kolf looked at Elster "we did sort of ignore this subject while we were hanging out earlier-"

"But now we're on it let's talk about how you blew up a guys arm!" Said Sehko excitedly leaning forward.

Elster rose her eyebrow and then pointedly looked around them at how several of the patrons around them had gone quiet and were now looking at them. Sehko winced and leaned back into her seat, coughing which seemed to allow the patrons to continue regular conversation.

"Let's maybe discuss that in a less loud volume" said Kolf rubbing one of his ears and twitching the other one.

"Sorry" said Sehko squeezing Kolf's arm and once again Elster was left surprise at how her previously cliché punk teenage rebellion friend who would never apologise to anyone about anything had just apologised. Sehko looked back at Elster "point still stands though, you blew a man's arm off"

"Okay, let's clear things up, I didn't blow his arm off" corrected Elster before grimacing and bobbing her head "I just blew… a lot of it off"

"And he didn't even care" said Kolf.

"Semblance" shrugged Elster "stopped him feeling pain, that's why he shoved dust crystals in his arms"

"I saw, isn't that like… really bad for you?"

Elster winced and nodded "Yeah, really bad. It's doable of course with small doses even with a normal person- Taniths tattoo for instance glows due to a very small dust infusion- in larger doses- like the dudes arm- it's painful enough to drive people crazy I heard" she shook her head "it's an old and mostly forgotten form of combat with dust, like weaving it into clothes"

"But why were you there? What were you doing there?"

"We were originally doing a favour for a friend to deliver stuff, while there we encountered another friend who needed to come here. Then of course we met even more of our old friends and they were hanging around and we were visiting Haven at the wrong time" Said Elster.

Sehko narrowed her eyes slightly, as if able to tell that they weren't telling the whole truth. But she didn't comment on the fact, she just gave Elster a stare as if to remind her she could tell not everything was being said.

Tanith adjusted herself and sighed "my bullhead's wrecked" she moaned.

"I know" patted Elster.

"Gross" Said Sehko with an eyeroll.

"I think that the first time I've seen you in action" said Kolf in thought as he looked at Elster.

Elster rose an eyebrow as Sehko nodded her head "yeah, you were so cool! All those fancy ass moves you've got. You'd beat Nyoka even quicker then before"

Nyoka rolled his eyes while Kolf grunted "surprised you didn't do that before hand"

Elster shook her head "I don't like fighting people, I'm a Grimm exterminator primarily. Plus I can't go beating up random civilians I disagree with"

"Except Terry" pointed out Tanith, at this point less trying to be tactful and more just trying to stay involved.

Elster shook her head "well he attacked me first, so it was hardly unjust and he was barely a fight"

"Who's Terry?" Asked Sehko with a head tilt.

"Just a racist we encountered in Vale" at her friends curious stares she sighed and sipped her drink "basically Terry and his friends thought I was harassing little miss over here-"

"I'm not little" pouted Tanith, flopping her head against Elster's arm.

Elster rolled her eyes and patted her head "sure. Anyway, they thought I was harassing her because I was stopping her from angrily marching over to an anti Faunus rally. They pull Tanith away for her 'protection' and Terry's getting all up in my face. A crowd forms, Tanith gets back over to me and Terry begins hurling abuse at her. Bystanders get involved, Terry punches me, I kick his ass and one of his friends asses. Police arrived, several hours of paper work and eyewitness accounts later and Terry does a month for racially aggravated assault"

"Good" grunted Nyoka.

"Somehow I suspected you'd say that" Said Elster dryly, a smirk on her lips as she sipped her drink.

Nyoka just bobbed his head.

The conversation continued but Tanith only really caught parts of it, her mind wandering back to the rubber of Elster's prosthetic. She ran her thumb over the patterns intended for extra grip and lost herself in the sensations as her mind grew slower and slower.

Something in the conversation changed, Elster nudging her as the others stood up. She clumsily grabbed the crutches with Elster's help and hobbled out. After a moment Elster's right arm wrapped around her waist as they walked down the street, Elster continuing to chat with her friends.

She remembered when they went their separate ways and Elster stopped her from walking any further, making her climb onto the huntress's back while Elster folded up the crutches and hung them from her belt.

Tanith happily wrapped her arms around Elster's neck as she buried her head into Elster's left shoulder, closing her eyes and simply enjoying the sensations of Elster. The smell of her hair and skin, the sound of the pulse on her neck and her breathing, not even appearing troubled at having to carry Tanith on her back.

She remembered them suddenly making it to the door of the house and walking through the deserted living area. Elster stopped her walking at spotting Chi still in the kitchen, texting on a scroll.

"Hey Chi"

The man looked up.

"This is normal right?"

"The pills I gave her do cause… that" he said, amusement in his eyes as he smiled "I did not realise she was so… susceptible to it, probably a weakened body and mind"

Elster nodded as she felt Tanith shift her head, then shivered as she felt kisses along her neck "well, I'll be… going" she finished lamely as Tanith continued to lavish kisses on her neck. Chi just nodding in more amusement as Elster walked up the stairs and down the hallway, entering their room and closing the door. Tanith had stopped her peppered kisses to simply leave her lips pressed onto the side of Elster neck, too tired to move much more.

When Elster tried to remove her she simply tightened her grip like an urchin. Elster sighed "Tanith, you'll be more comfortable in bed"

"Not letting go"

Elster huffed and after a moment of consideration climbed into bed, lying in her right side as Tanith adjusted herself. The left arm remained loosely hung over her neck, the right one extended out onto the bed spread. Tanith's legs spread out to tangle with her own while Tanith's lips stayed on her neck and her breath washed over her skin.

"I like this" she mumbled.

"I thought you would, rest love" said Elster quietly as she brought out her scroll, pausing for a second to snap a selfie before moving to a different activity as something to do while Tanith fell asleep on her shoulder.

~§~

The knock at the door roused her from sleep, hearing the door open and feeling Elster's chest move below her head, words being spoken that she didn't really care about. The door closed and the hand on her shoulder moved to gently rub her arm.

"I know your awake. They're serving up dinner downstairs" Said Elster.

Tanith grumbled but had to admit she was pretty hungry as she regretfully pulled herself away from Elster's side and sat up, rubbing her eyes. Elster was soon to follow, sitting up and slipping an arm around her waist.

Tanith giggled as kisses peppered her neck and her hair tickled her skin.

"Y'know, your silly on pills" Said Elster, Tanith able to hear and feel the smile on her lips.

"Shut up" She said, feeling the blush on her face.

"C'mon, let's go down to the party downstairs"

It wasn't a party downstairs, it was a very tense, anxious and quiet affair. Eating taking place mostly in silence with everyone trying and failing not to think about the coming conversation and how it would be affecting their futures. Eventually it got to a point where Qrow just sighed as he took a swig from his flask.

"Alright, we've kept you in the dark long enough" he grunted as he sat up in his corner armchair.

Oscar glowed and Ozpin took over and nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, and while at the moment we don't have a detailed plan, we do at least have something" Said Ozpin.

Tanith almost felt like she was back in the military with how hard those two were trying to raise their morale.

"Basically, we're going to try and get the relic to Atlas, the safest place for it"

"Your gonna try and get to Atlas?" Asked Tanith with a raised eyebrow.

"That's the plan, get up there and get to Ironwood"

"How are you going to get into Atlas? They closed the border and barred anyone from entering or leaving"

Qrow sighed "we're… still figuring that out"

"I'm sure Ironwood will be very understanding once we get there" Said Ozpin "but until then all we can do is train and prepare ourselves for the coming challenges" he stood and began pacing with his cane in hand "I know we're still recovering, but we need to continue trying to keep our minds and bodies sharp, Oscar still needs training. Qrow will be gathering information for this period until we can come up with a solid plan to get to Atlas"

Ozpin turned to looked at Tanith and Elster "given how involved you currently are I'm assuming you'll be staying for the next few weeks"

They looked at each other before Elster nodded "sure"

He nodded with a smile "I'm grateful, Elster as a fully qualified huntress I'm sure you'd be happy to help teams RWBY, JNPR and Oscar train"

Elster blinked as eyes fell upon her before shrugging with a nod "That's a lot of helping but yeah, of course, I'll try my best"

"I've come to know nothing less from you" nodded Ozpin with a smile before looking over at Blake "Miss Belladonna, given that the new faunus militant group are going back to Menagerie, will you be staying or-"

"Staying" Said Blake quickly, Tanith just catching the way her eyes darted at Yang before back at Ozpin and how Yang's did the exact same a moment later even as she tried to play it off like she didn't care.

Ozpin nodded "good, it's lovely seeing my students back together after so long" he trailed off, looking off in thought with a smile before shaking his head with a chuckle "it feel like just weeks ago that you had caused a food fight in the cafeteria"

Ruby grinned sheepishly as the rest of WBY and JNR looked around with sheepish smiles "yeah well… we're mature now"

Ozpin chuckled "I'm glad to hear it, though with the events you've gone through I'd imagine it would be impossible not to"

That sobered everyone up from the moment quickly, afterward it was people excusing themselves to go do their own things. Though Tanith was surprised when Ruby rushed up and asked if she would be interested in playing video games with her for a bit. Tanith agreed as Elster was heading out to say bye to her friends before they headed back to menagerie and she felt like it was a personal thing she should let Elster have alone (also there was some embarrassment with how she had last interacted with them).

It was an enjoyable end to an otherwise sober evening with Tanith eventually heading off to her and Elster's room to chill with some alone time. With Elster's job being the way it was she was used to having alone time to herself, for the most part she just relaxed with video games and some reading. Before she did that though she hit up Lin, had a conversation about recent events both in her life and regarding her corruption, then apologised as she would be having to cancel her appointments for the foreseeable future.

"Oh, is something wrong with them? Are they too invasive or-"

"No no no" assured Tanith quickly "it's just… something's come up that will be stopping me from going to them for a while, I'll contact you if that changes though okay?"

"Okay, at least Lucia will be happy" signed Lin.

"If it's okay, can you also not mention this to Lucia until… two-ish weeks from now. It's private and I want to keep it that way and y'know what family is like"

"Don't remind me" shuddered Lin, Tanith wincing as she remarried listening to the aftermath of Lucia talking to Lin after Tanith had accidentally let slip that she was having these sessions.

With that wrapped up she had relaxed with some reading in her pj's, Elster had come in and they'd eventually gone to bed together. Everything was normal.

~§~

Her hands were claws, she felt the negative emotions that called out for hers the emotions she yearned for, the emotions that would feed her energy. She walked forward, hearing the clacking of talons on concrete. The city streets were burning and littered with debris and corpses, but that wasn't what drew her attention.

She wanted the source of the emotions.

Her soulless red eyes focused in on the slumped form of Elster, leaning against a wall as she breathed heavily and bled from wounds. She was auraless, powerless. Tanith let out a malicious laugh, finding perverse joy at the state Elster was in.

Elster snapped around, her grip on her axes weak as she looked for the danger. Then Elster's eyes widened in horror, her axes dropping from her grip as she stared at her. Tanith shivered at the feelings of sadness, fear and loss that were coursing through Elster's body.

"T-Tanith, gods… baby what has she done to you" Elster whispered, her eyes looking her up and down.

Tanith licked her wide maw, her forked tongue dropping saliva onto the tarmac "mistress completed me, made me whole, made me better. Mistress made me ascended to my true purpose"

Elster shook her head, taking fearful step backs as Tanith continued to advance, relishing the feelings of fear.

"No, no no no, this isn't real, this isn't real" Elster said desperately.

"What's the matter Elster, can't stand looking at me?" Tanith sneered "you'll be joining your friends soon enough"

Elster's back hit a wall and Tanith closed in, in one swift movement wrapping her massive hand around Elster's throat and actually lifting her up the wall as Elster began to choke.

"That's right my dear, I'm going to take care of you" she grinned as Elster looked at her with tear filled pleading eyes.

"Tani…th…p-please… st-st…op"

Tanith licked her lips and leaned in, bathing in the fear and denial and horror that was just oozing off Elster. Then she smirked "no" the emotions spiked and she grinned "mistress wants you dead… I do too"

This went on for several minutes, Tanith just watching Elster choke, her face slowly turn blue as she begged and pleaded. Then it began to come to an end, the light in Elster's eyes fading and her limbs falling limp.

Tanith scowled. There was no surge of greater negative emotions, in fact just before Elster finally died they all faded, the huntress apparently accepting her fate right at the end just to spite her. She let the body fall to the ground, crumpling like a sack of potatoes.

Tanith licked her maw and then opened wide. No point wasting good food.

~§~

Tanith snapped awake in a cold sweat, a scowl on her features and her hands curling around a sleeping Elster's neck.

Then she froze as she realised that this wasn't a dream, that her hands were actually wrapped around Elster's neck. She wasn't pressing, Elster wasn't choking. But the fact that her hands were wrapped around Elster's neck, the fact that she was so full of anger and hate and other emotions.

She pulled back, not just her arms but her whole body, shrinking back from the sleeping Elster. She couldn't go back to sleep in the same bed as Elster, not after what had almost just happened.

She shakily climbed out of the bed, looking at her trembling hands. The black claws were burned into her head and she could almost see them in the dark, covering her hands.

She went over to the bed on the opposite side of the room, climbed into it shakily, looked over at Elster who now had a frown on her sleepy face but otherwise was undisturbed. Tanith curled in on herself as she felt the anger and hatred still coursing through her. She just hoped that they would go away.

~§~

Elster frowned when she realised she was alone in the bed. Cracking open her eyes confirmed her suspicions that there was no girlfriend present, even though it was early morning not even Tanith woke up this early, even back in her military days. She listened for a moment and realised she could hear the woman breathing, her aura enhanced ears picking the sound up from the other side of the room.

She turned over and spotted Tanith immediately, the covers pulled over a lump on the other bed. She frowned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes and unable to help the yawn that came out. Then she climbed out of the bed and gently plodded over to the other side of the room.

She sat on the side of the bed, knowing that Tanith would know it was her when the bed dipped, but Tanith didn't turn to acknowledge her, simply curled into herself further.

Elster frowned and began to grow worried, had something happened in the night that she and missed?

She reached over and found the purple hair sticking out of the top of the blanket, gently rubbing her fingers through it.

"Tanith… what's wrong?" She asked quietly.

No answer.

She gently used the hand to grab the edge of the blanket and slowly pull it down to reveal the woman's face. Heavy bags under red eyes, a scowl on her features. Elster frowned and tilted her head, letting her hand continue to idly stroke Tanith's hair.

Tanith's eyes glanced over at her her before then back at the bed, unfurling and sighing "I just feel… so fucking angry"

Elster hummed "what about?"

Tanith growled, her fists curling "that's the thing, I don't fucking know… I just feel so angry"

Elster tilted her head in confusion and glanced over at their bed before back at Tanith "why are you over here?"

Tanith shrank in on herself, drawing her limbs into herself as she looked down, a fearful and guilty look in her eyes "I-I had this dream… nightmare… I was… I was a Grimm… and I killed you by strangling you… it felt so real"

Elster frowned "but… it wasn't, I'm still here, you didn't do anyth-"

"But I almost did!" Objected Tanith, suddenly sitting up and Elster able to see the tears in her eyes "I woke up, and I had my hands around your neck, and for a moment I actually wanted to strangle you!"

Elster blinked as Tanith looked away, running a shaking hand through her hair. Tanith had actually tried to strangle her? She hadn't felt anything in the night, she'd slept peacefully. Would Tanith try to do it again? Was this something new they were going to have to contend with? Her thoughts were interrupted by Tanith letting out a shaky breath.

"I think it's best if we just… don't sleep together… for a while" she said quietly.

Elster sighed before reaching forward, gently placing her hand on Tanith's cheek and turning her face toward her own so they could stare into each other's eyes. "Okay, if that makes you comfortable then okay. Until you feel comfortable just know that I'll wait, whenever your ready"

Tanith swallowed and let out a small smile, a tear running down her cheek that she swiped away with her thumb.

"Thanks" she croaked.

"It's what I'm here for"

Tanith stared at her before then shooting forward and hugging her, burying her head in Elster's neck. Elster hugger her back, running her hand up and down her back. She pulled Tanith away however upon realising that Tanith wasn't going to move, her eyes still open but clearly not all there.

"Did you sleep at all last night?" She asked looking at Tanith blood shot eyes.

Tanith looked down and then mutely shook her head.

Elster tilted her head "would you like me to stay here for a while or do you want me to leave"

Tanith bit her lip as she looked down at her lap, playing with her fingers before finally shrugging and sheepishly looking back up at her "stay"

Elster nodded "okay".

Some manoeuvring later and she was resting her back against the headboard, Tanith resting her head on her lap with her body under the covers as Elster idly stroked her hair. Tanith was looking up at her, that guilty look back in her eye that Elster hated seeing.

Then Tanith looked away and curled closer into Elster's side. "I'm sorry you have to put up with me and have to deal with all my shit"

Elster shook her head "don't say that, you feel however you feel and I'll stay here, I'm here for you" Elster gently patted her "what you should do right now is sleep, regain your strength. Your body is weak, as a result your mind is weak. Rest'll help"

"I can't sleep" muttered Tanith.

Elster didn't respond for a moment, quickly thinking of what to do before deciding on a distraction as she hummed "'know what I never understood about detective stories?"

Tanith blinked at the random subject change and frowned up at Elster who was staring unseeing at the ceiling "what?"

"Detective novels, want to know what baffled me about them?"

"Apart from the fact that you couldn't understand them?"

"Ha Ha, I came from a third world country" Elster replied sarcastically before nudging Tanith's leg with her foot "don't be racist"

"I was talking more about your intelligence but whatever-" Tanith then shook her head "-wait wait wait, why are we even talking about this?"

"I never understood" continued Elster like Tanith hadn't interrupted "why bother?"

Despite Tanith's confusion she had a vague guess at what Elster was trying to do and allowed herself to lull into the conversation "Well, to entertain yourself and-"

"But how is it entertaining?" Asked Elster before shrugging "Y'know they're gonna solve the crime and catch the person who did it, what's the point when you know the inevitable outcome. Just skip to the end"

Tanith blinked "okay, first off suspension of disbelief can allow you as a reader to believe that they might not solve the case, second off skipping to the end defeats the purpose of reading which is to pass the time"

"Detective novels aren't entertaining though, they're all the same" Elster then smirked "in fact I'd say that if you've read one of the Sherlock Holmes novels you've read the entire genre"

"No, Sherlock Holmes is just a famous series of books within the genre that inspired others, it's not the same as all the others"

"But the detectives always solve the cases very similar to Sherlock and it's just very cookie cutter"

"No no no! Each one is unique to the author!" Argued Tanith "each author pours their heart and soul into their characters, spend months plotting an intriguing story. The entertainment comes from reading the characters piecing the mystery together, reading the interactions and how they can tell you a characters background and personality, the potential romantic spins and scandals that come from characters relationships with each other"

"That's the same for most books" pointed out Elster "But most other genres usually have other plots going on, in Detective novels though that's all there is to them"

"Oh my god, I can't believe this" Tanith yawned and pouted "I'm too tired to argue about this properly with you! But… let me tell you that when I wake up there will be… hell to pay!" She exclaimed, her sentence being interrupted by more yawning and rubbing her eyes as she rested her head on Elster's arm.

"Yes, I'm sure there will be" Said Elster, amusement in her voice as she closed her eyes and settled her head back on the backboard, satisfied that she'd completed her mission.

~§~

The next week and a bit were filled with training.

Tanith had suggested that Elster do some more sparring and training with her simply because she'd felt quite useless at Haven without her bullhead. Elster had agreed- though she assured Tanith that she was capable enough with just a gun. They'd gone out and under Tanith's suggestion (she wanted to throw knives) and then Elster's supervision (making sure she didn't throw knives at herself) bought a set of simple but sturdy throwing knives.

"What's good is they can be shrunken down" Said Elster as she demonstrated in the shop "this means you could have 'em hidden on your body, places like your shoes or up a sleeve like my axes"

"Why would having a throwing knife in my shoe be useful?"

"You'd be surprised by the amount of people who don't expect-"

"Ah yes, in the middle of a confrontation I bend down and take my show off, shaking out a throwing knife my foots been pressing on for four hours. I then replace my shoe and stand only to be shot"

Elster had given her a flat look as Tanith grinned.

It all culminated to them now in the basement training area, the door to the back yard open and casting the afternoon sun on them as Elster finished setting up the dummy and walked behind Tanith.

"Okay, like we did back in Vacuo-"

"And never followed up on" mumbled Tanith.

Elster shot her a flat look and held up her prosthetic "look what happened last time"

Tanith blinked "but- that's, I didn't… you-"

Elster laughed and leaned in, kissing her cheek affectionately "I tease, I tease, there's no evidence of any mistakes made by throwing knives on my body" Elster paused then corrected "by you throwing knives on my body"

Tanith snorted "I remember the posture"

"Good"

Tanith placed her right foot forward, placing her left foot back as she held the handle of the blade in her right hand.

"Okay, you don't want to throw it too hard, hold it blade up first"

Tanith did so.

"Now bring your arm back"

Tanith brought her arm up until her hand passed by her head.

"Now throw like you would a ball"

Tanith breathed in, then uncurled her arm, letting go of the knife and letting it soar through the air and fly across the space between her and the target. It then skittered across the ground and its handle gently bumped the mannequin.

"Okay, not enough power. Easy fix" assured Elster as Tanith prepared her next one.

It took several throws and one or two long pauses of collecting scattered knives to finally make one stick on the target, it was below and to the left of the stomach in a non vital spot, but Tanith was simply pretty excited that she'd managed to hit it. Her celebration was quickly reaffirmed by her next knife hitting the target closer to the actual painted target, soon she might be able to hit bullseye.

They went at this for an hour until Elster finally called a stop to it and walked over to her bag she'd placed at the side of the room.

"Okay, so you can throw proper throwing knives decently, but I think it would be good if you not only had a proper knife on you but also knew how to use it" she said bringing out a box from the bag and placing it in her hand.

Tanith raised her eyebrows and opened the box, looking inside to see a hunting knife with a green handle. She pulled it out and Elster demonstrated how the blade could be extended to its full length by simply pressing down on the guard by the blade.

"That's a knife" Said Tanith as she looked it over.

"Mm, hopefully you won't need it, but I feel better knowing you have it" explained Elster as she took the box and set it aside before turning "now, attack me"

"Should I be worried about… hurting you?"

"Nah, I'll be fine with my aura"

Tanith looked at her skeptically for a moment, then passed the knife from hand to hand seeing which one she preferred. The left felt more natural, with that decided she then advanced toward Elster who was calmly standing and watching her. After a moment of consideration she went for a swipe, a wide slash with the knife shooting toward Elster's chest. Elster calmly leaned back from the attack and walked backwards as Tanith again swiped up, going for Elster's shoulder.

Again Elster leaned her shoulder away and walked backwards, her eyes looking all over Tanith's form and movements as she analysed strengths and weaknesses.

It was when Tanith kicked her knee followed by a motion as if to stab her in the shoulder that she finally called a stop for the moment.

"Okay, you were alright, there are things you need to improve upon but there were also things you were pretty good at. Though bearing in mind that I was a stationary target that wasn't fighting back"

"Gee, thanks for the confidence booster" muttered Tanith.

Elster cupped her chin and pecked her on the lips "your great at a lot of things Tanith, your allowed to not be immediately amazing at others"

Tanith rolled her eyes with a playful smile "but I am amazing at like, everything"

"Sure" indulged Elster with a head pat.

Tanith growled and swiped with the knife, catching Elster off guard momentarily as she stared at the knife pressing against her wrist and a victorious Tanith.

"Very good, all's fair in combat"

"I thought you were an honourable huntress"

Elster shook her head with a smile "back in Beacon I was known as the 'cheating whore'"

Tanith blinked before tilting her head "should I be worried

"No no, this is my first real relationship ever"

"So who called you that then… and why?"

"People who I beat, but I mean, all's fair in combat y'know? Though at Beacon there were rules you did have to follow otherwise you got in trouble but, do what it takes to win" Elster smirked "combat classes were fun"

"Yeah, I can ima-" Tanith suddenly swiped. Elster brought her arm up and blocked it. Tanith then kicked her in the left knee and Elster (to actually give Tanith training and an actual chance of beating her) reacted as if she didn't have an aura and stumbled, Tanith quickly following with a jab aimed at her gut that she side stepped.

Elster grabbed the arm and twisted it, Tanith gasping and dropping the knife from her grip due to the pain.

"Want to give u-" Elster was cut off by Tanith bucking her head into her chin, Elster acting again as if she didn't have a protective aura and stumbling away. Tanith whipping around quickly and then punching her in the face.

Elster saw stars for a moment and when her vision cleared Tanith was bringing her arm up in a blur, a flash of light reflecting off something all the warning Elster had before a throwing knife pressed against her throat. She stopped the rest of her movements as she held her hands up and open.

Tanith then grinned and threw her arms up in celebration, knife still in hand as she cheered "I did it! I beat you!"

Elster smirked as she watched the celebrations before then seeing the opportunity. Tanith was still caught up in celebrating, jumping in circles when suddenly hands connected with her wrists and pinned her to the wall, leaving her staring wide eyed at the smirk plastered on Elster's face as the knife fell from her hand.

"You let your guard down" whispered Elster huskily, moving closer so their noses were almost touching "that's a dangerous thing to do"

"O-oh" Tanith stuttered as a blush dusted her cheeks "y-yeah?"

"Mmhmm" hummed Elster, her breath washing over Tanith's face as her eyes stared intensely into her own "you also punched me in the face, that hurt"

Tanith tried to regain some control of the situation by smirking as she said "then I guess you'll have to punish me"

Elster just continued to smirk back "I'll bend you over my knee later"

That made Tanith do an impression of a tomato, temporarily zoning out as she got the image in her head, then Elster's lips connected with hers and all thought left as she returned it happily. Her right leg lifted and tried to wrap around Elster's waist but kept slipping, then Elster's hand slipped form her wrist and down to hold her thigh and keep her leg wrapped around her, the other hand falling to land on her back while Tanith tangled both free hands in Elster's hair.

Time lost all meaning in the intimate embrace, both of them just enjoying the feel of the other until they had to separate for air.

They grinned at each other, Tanith chuckling as Elster rested her forehead against hers and they stayed in a comfortable moment of silence just holding the other.

Then Elster sighed and pulled away with a raised eyebrow "as much as I hate to be the one to say it, you do realise that we only did like, one fight that I wasn't even trying in and so far this has been the only training session we've done. There's still loads more work we have to do and-"

"Whew boy, you sure do know how to heat up a moment don't you?" Remarked Tanith dryly.

They stared at each other for a moment before Elster snorted, then they were both laughing, Elster letting her forehead again press against Tanith's as they just laughed, enjoying each other's company for the moment.

"You know me Tanith, I'm pretty stupid"

"Hmm, you are pretty" hummed Tanith running a hand along Elster's jaw "but you are also stupid" she pecked Elster's pouting lips, letting her hand run through Elster's hair "But your my dumb bird"

Elster smiled contentedly and nuzzled her head into Tanith's, letting her lips trail up Tanith's cheek "yours"

"Mine" agreed Tanith.

~§~

Training herself went along with training Tanith, but she also had the task Ozpin had set her.

Each member of team RWBY and JNR presented their challenges.

Ruby liked keeping a distance but relied too much on her weapon, Weiss controlled the battlefield with glyphs but sometimes focused too much on her semblance then actually fighting, Blake could disappear and reappear at will but ran away after each blow with little follow up, Yang got up close and personal with her fists but could be predictable.

Jaune used his shield as an effective defence making him hard to land a hit on but his sword skills were severely lacking, Nora wielded a heavy weapon at close ranges that packed a punch but often left her open to attack and Ren was a quick precision striker but wasn't so good at maintaining weapon to weapon combat.

She'd never properly sparred with them and her opinions were more from her own observations, but when Ruby eagerly asked if they could spar she agreed because it was a good learning opportunity for all involved.

Elster was happy to spar with them, Qrow often doing… what Qrow did and Ozpin being stuck in the body of a fourteen year old learning to fight meant that Elster was the most experienced hunter on hand to help them, in her opinion they were basically huntress's and huntsmen already with both their skill levels and what they'd done, but practice never hurt.

"Okay Ruby" She said, holding her axes in her hands as Ruby held a folded up Crescent Rose "whenever your ready we'll begin"

"When do we stop again?" Asked Ruby.

"We'll go for five minutes" Said Elster, side eyeing the rest of the group watching them from the sides. Qrow was nowhere to be seen and Tanith was setting up targets and chatting with Oscar out of the way, she tried not to let her eyes linger on the tank top Tanith was wearing (it was hers and looking at Tanith wearing it made her feel things, especially with how one of the straps wasn't over her shoulder but instead had fallen down her arm).

Ruby nodded and got into a ready position "I'm ready"

Elster nodded and looked over "can one of you give us a count down?"

Ren cleared his throat "3…"

Elster adjusted the grip on her axes.

"2"

She adjusted her feet.

"1!"

Ruby moved first, bringing crescent up and firing a shot at her. Elster dodged to her right and saw Ruby also shoot backwards, unfolding Crescent Rose into its huge scythe form and using it to stop her backward momentum.

Ruby then began hammering shots at her and Elster began to spin her axes, deflecting each bullet as she slowly walked forward. When she realised she wasn't going to make much progress she rapidly cloned, several being taken down as soon as they spawned.

Elster didn't let this discourage her as they all charged forward, Ruby taking out as many as she could before pulling Crescent Rose from the ground and giving a wide swing, taking out several clones in one attack. Elster then jumped, at the same time firing her right axe and watching as rock formed around Ruby's feet. Ruby stumbled, then Elster landed on Crescent and the added weight caused her to fall to the floor.

Elster kicked the weapon away and then aimed the barrel of her axe squarely at Ruby's head. They stared at each other.

"I guess you got me" Said Ruby in defeat, though her eyes gave her away, glancing at where her weapon had landed.

"Yeah, seems s-"

Ruby activated her semblance and burst from the rock, shooting into the air and immediately toward her weapon. However Elster had been expecting such a move, she aimed at Crescent and fired with her left axe. The weapon was fixed to the ground by a thick block of ice around its shaft, however Ruby didn't care as she landed next to Crescent and bent down, pulling the trigger and the recoil destroying the ice block into little blue shards.

Ruby levelled Crescent and then charge forward, Elster bringing her axes up in an X shape just in time to catch the scythe blade. The red metal was only a few centimetres from her face and she was looking squarely down the barrel as Ruby smirked in victory.

Elster smirked back and cloned, the clone slipping under the weapon, grabbing it and tugging. The sudden jerk threw Ruby off as she tried to back away, but the clone held firm as Elster came up and then kicked Ruby in the face, throwing her to the ground and leaving Crescent in her grip as the clone dissolved.

Ruby turned and looked at Elster holding her weapon.

"I know I said we'd go five minutes" Said Elster before then gesturing to Crescent "But I don't think you'd be able to get this back from me"

Ruby scowled and then shot forward with her semblance, Elster ducked and took Crescent with her. She wasn't an expert with pole weapons, especially scythes where the weight was in one end. But she had a little practice from Khara. She span Crescent in a move she'd seen both Ruby and Khara do and then cursed as it slipped from her grip and fell to the floor. Ruby again dove forward with her semblance and grabbed her weapon.

She gave a cheer, holding her weapon above her head in celebration. Then stopped when Elster pressed her left axe to the back of Ruby's head.

"I think we'll call it there" Elster said as she lowered her axe.

Ruby slumped but nodded as their audience clapped,

Elster walked forward and placed her hand on her shoulder "you were good, what you need to really focus on is-"

"Learning to fight without my weapon" finished Ruby with half lidded eyes.

Elster cocked her head with an amused smile "guessing you've already been told that"

"By like, everyone I know"

"Look, your weapon is great for combat with Grimm and I'll acknowledge that going into a hand to hand fight with a Beowulf isn't the funnest experience in the world. However, we know now that our aren't just Grimm now, there are people involved in the equation"

Ruby huffed and looked down, running a and along Crescent Rose "I know". There was silence for a moment then perked up "How do you reload?" She asked eagerly "I see you do that spinny axe thingie and pass it by your thigh but not how you reload it"

"Ah, well the pouches on my belt are special, as they can actually dispense the shells" Elster demonstrated and a shell dropped out of the pouch, Elster catching it.

"From there it's a little semblance trick" Elster paused and then Ruby gasped as a hand ghosted out of Elster's thigh "y'see, I can make a copy of me come out of anywhere, so when I reload I have an extra set of hands. It took me a long time to learn the coordination for it but it's just like breathing now"

She demonstrated how the bottom of her axes opened up, then did a slow motion demonstration of her reloading her axes.

"Wow, can your axes do anything other then turn to sticks?" Ruby asked as she yanked Elster's arm up, looking over the white axe with analytical and gleeful eyes.

Elster shook her head with an awkward chuckle "I'm not the most creative person I'll admit, and I'm not quite that skilled at weapon craft"

Ruby gasped "Oh my god! We need to go to a weaponsmith like, right now! I know how we could improve these axes for better aerodynamic's and add more fire power, we could get more damage out of them by-"

"Hey Rubes" interrupted Yang, Ruby being shook from her eager plan making to look at the group watching in mild amusement "some of us still want to spar with Elster here"

Ruby deflated "oh yeah, sorry guys, just got a little carried away…"

As the group discussed who would go next Elster glanced back over to where Tanith was, watching as she finished placing the paper over the target, having to go onto tip toes to place the last tac and the top riding up, it's size meant that it revealed the woman's belly and Elster appreciated her girlfriend's form. Oscar was also watching her, more in a 'student observing teacher' way then anything else.

That didn't stop Elster from teasing when Oscar glanced over to her, Elster putting two fingers to her own eyes and then pointing at him. He paled slightly and she snorted before turning back to the teens, watching as an intense game of Rock Paper Scissors decided who would spar her next. Ruby was still next to her, kicking the ground with her boot.

Elster put a hand on her shoulder "I like the ideas you had, we should talk about it later"

Ruby gasped "really?"

Elster chuckled and nodded "really, but for now, I need to beat up the rest of your friends"

"Cocky words" Said Yang, marching so she was standing where Ruby had been standing at the start of their fight.

"They are" agreed Elster as she span her axes, Ruby rushing off to the side to watch "you gonna try and make me eat them?"

Yang smashed her fists together with a grin of her own "not try"

~§~

"I believe she was simply teasing Oscar" assured Ozpin.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Elster has never attacked a student at my school while she was there unless in a controlled environment"

"Controlled environment?" Oscar squawked under his breath.

"… sparring with her classmates" Ozpin clarified.

"Oh"

"But now that I think about it, there was one incident involving one of her old teammates and name calling that resulted in Elster attacking him"

"What!"

Tanith was unaware of the internal debate within Oscar's head as she walked back to the table they'd set up, taking her pistol from her belt.

"You ever shot a gun before Oscar?" She asked as she placed her pistol down on the fold out table next to her assault rifle and shotgun.

Oscar looked at the weapons with wide eyes "uh… my aunt had this old rifle back on the farm, let me shoot it once or twice but otherwise never really…" he trailed off.

"Okay, pick the pistol up and try to turn the safety off" instructed Tanith, crossing her arms and watching patiently as Oscar picked the weapon up. He brought it close to his face and inspected it all over, he made a noise of success upon finding the small red switch just above where the top of the magazine would be inside the pistol.

"Good" Tanith held her hand out and Oscar handed her the pistol, she quickly unloaded the clip, not letting him see how she did it and then handed the empty gun and magazine to him "now, load the ammunition"

He blinked at the easy task and quickly slotted the magazine into the pistol.

"Cock it to load a round"

He frowned and looked the gun over before placing his hand on the barrel and pulling back, the gun clicking as a round was loaded "that's how they do it in the movies right?" He asked as he turned the gun over "there should be a-" he looked down the barrel "-bullet in th-"

He jumped as Tanith and Ozpin both made incomprehensible noises at the same time, Tanith pulling the gun away from him.

"Jesus Christ" muttered Tanith as she held the gun away.

"Ow" mumbled Oscar rubbing his head.

"I'd appreciate if you didn't shoot yourself in the head" Ozpin said witheringly.

"Okay, didn't think I'd have to tell you to never point a gun at yourself" said Tanith rubbing the bridge of her nose "but it's okay, you have an aura, you would've been fine, just an ugly bruise" she handed the gun back "now that your not trying to blow your own head off, shoot at the target" she pointed to the board with a target tacked onto it.

"Tanith is incorrect there, your u have not quite learned the control to cloak yourself with your aura, as such the bullet would have perished and-"

"Please stop" muttered Oscar. He looked at her uncertainly and she gave an encouraging smile and nod, he took a breath and raised the gun, after a moment of consideration as he aimed down the sights he pulled the trigger. He jumped at how loud the noise was and the recoil in his hands nearly making him drop the gun.

Tanith meanwhile was looking down range at where he had hit "good, the bullet actually hit the target" she praised.

"I did it?" He asked in surprise.

"I mean, the guys gonna be walking away with a hole in his left arm, but you were accurate" she grabbed his shoulder and gave him a shake "good job kid, now let's practice some more. You'll shoot a gun yet"

~§~

A day later, when Ruby and Elster had come back from the weapon smith with Ruby vibrating with excitement and Elster looking both surprised and very happy. They were all once again gathered downstairs in a rather somber mood.

"So we need to take the Relic to Atlas?" Asked Ruby finally, breaking the stretching quiet.

Qrow nodded "That's what Oz said"

Everybody looked at Weiss or Tanith.

"Like I've been saying for the past week and a half. You've got to be joking..." said Weiss.

"I mean, bright side, we finally get out of this house!" Said Nora excitedly.

"We've literally been able to do that the entire time" pointed out Tanith.

"Yeah, but it would be nice for a change in scenery!"

Weiss sighed in annoyance, frustration oozing off her.

"Trust me" Qrow grunted "I'm not crazy about it either. And without the Spring Maiden here to seal the Relic back in its Vault, it's our best option"

"Atlas may be the safest kingdom we have at the moment" agreed Ren "but their borders are closed. General Ironwood called everyone back"

"Yeah, and even if I had a Bullhead I don't think I could pull the stunt I pulled for Weiss to get everyone in" Said Tanith.

"Hopefully you won't have to" Qrow activated his scroll and showed them a highlighted and awfully familiar place to Tanith "The city of Argus is a ways north of us and it's the primary trading port between Anima and Solitas. They've got the largest Atlas military base outside the kingdom. There's no way they'd leave it abandoned, and if we play our cards right, I think there's a good chance we could convince them to escort us straight to Ironwood"

"Argus?" Repeated Tanith "The Atlas base in Argus?"

"Well yeah-"

"Yeah that's not gonna happen" Everyone looked at her confused and she elaborated "look, I was stationed there for six months before the commander got me reassigned somewhere else for, and I quote 'unacceptable behaviour'" she did air quotes "if she's still there there's no chance"

Qrow looked to the side before huffing "all the same it's our best shot"

Blake pointed at Weiss with a slightly teasing smile "I mean, we do have the missing Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company"

"Ex-Heiress, actually" snapped Weiss.

Yang nodded "True, true. But if there's a chance of reward money, I say we go for it"

Tanith sighed. She was going to have to go back to Argus? Would she be able to do it? Would she have to actually meet Cordovin face to face after nearly two years? Elster shifted beside her, Tanith noting that Oscar had entered acting like Ozpin. She'd have Elster, that thought made her relax slightly.

She changed her attention back to the conversation as Jaune asked the question she herself had been wondering for a while "Speaking of, what does it do exactly? Qrow never really told us"

Eyes turned to Ozpin, curiosity a universal feeling among everyone.

"Of course" nodded Ozpin, detaching the relic from his hip "the Relic of Knowledge has a wonderful, and incredibly dangerous ability" Tanith's eyes widened in surprise as the relic inflated in size, returning to the size it had been upon its first recovery "Its user can ask any question, and the lamp will provide an answer"

Tanith rose an eyebrow as she looked at the floating lamp. She was skeptical of such a thing existing. It felt too convenient, all your unanswered questions just being able to be answered.

"Intriguing"

"That's incredible..."

Ozpin nodded to the exclamations "Indeed. However, it's not without drawbacks. The lamp cannot tell of events that have yet to happen, and it will only ever answer three questions every one hundred years"

"Well, I guess that's not so bad. Adds a lot of pressure though" Said Yang.

"Then let's put it to a vote!" Nora suddenly exclaimed, zooming over to the relic "What should we ask first? Oh! Can we ask for more questions? CAN WE ASK FOR MORE QUESTIONS?!"

Ren sighed and rubbed his face "They're not wishes"

Ozpin just chuckled "I'm afraid you won't be able to ask it anything at the moment. The questions were used before I sealed it away"

"Well, at least now we know what it is. And we'll be sure to keep it safe!" Ruby said with a smile.

"Yeah, they'll have to get through us" said Yang.

"Perfect, that leaves us with you two" Ozpin turned to look at Elster and Tanith "Elster, you have been invaluable, both with helping the students train but also at Haven. And Tanith, your help with Oscar and training him to handle weapons was much appreciated" he splayed his hands "whether you come with us or stay, that is up to you. No shame in not wanting to be involved, but we could always use the extra help"

Elster smiled, leaning forward slightly "come on Oz, I graduated beacon, of course we're gonna help"

Ozpin's smile widened slightly "I'm glad to hear it, an extra huntress always helps. And Tanith your past with the Atlas military along with your piloting and engineering skills make valuable… those and your other… skills"

Tanith looked down but didn't deny.

"Tanith, your condition. I'm going to ask something that may be a bit personal, but I need to know… has anything changed in your condition… since Beacon?"

Tanith looked back up at him and took a breath before nodding "Yeah, the day after… I… I could… can feel negative emotions" she felt Elster wrap an arm around her shoulder, the others all looking at her in concern "like… before it was only if I didn't take the pills for too long but now it's just all the time"

Ozpin hummed as he looked at her before extending an arm forward "if I may?"

"Oz, you sure?" Asked Qrow in concern.

"This is just a quick check, to see what's going on, with your permission of course"

Tanith looked at the hand for a moment, looked Ozpin in the eye before extending her hand forward. Ozpin smiled and then she felt… something going through her, searching through her blood vessels and pooling in her nerves. It was slightly uncomfortable, but then it receded and Oscar gasped, the glow dying off him as he shook his head.

"Oz?" Asked Qrow.

"Oscar, you okay?" Asked Elster.

"Yeah yeah, I'm fine just… woah" said Oscar before then frowning and looking at Tanith "he says that he wasn't quite as strong as he thought he was, but he figured out why your feeling emotions"

Tanith leaned forward "Why?"

"He says that… Salem seems to be using you and presumably other corruption afflicted people as conduits to collect negative emotions. To give her power"

Tanith closed her eyes and took a deep breath, nodding slowly as Elster squeezed her shoulder.

"Okay… thank you, at least, for telling me what's been going on"

Oscar awkwardly smiled, a blush in his face "your uh, welcome?"

Tanith smiled at the boy, her eyes flicking down and her smile turning mischievous "you can let my hand go now"

Oscar blinked then yelped , tugging his hand from hers with a blush as Tanith chuckled, the somber mood being broken as everyone else joined in.

"S-Sorry"

"Hey don't apologize" Tanith softly chastised.

"Yeah, but" Elster leaned forward, Tanith seeing the mischievousness in her eyes "you better watch it, farmboy" she faux threatened.

Tanith chuckled again as Oscar's eyes widened. Then his shoulders slumped and he rolled his eyes "har har, very funny"

Elster smiled and leaned back, her arm still around Tanith's shoulder "it wasn't meant to be"

That got another chorus of laughs at Oscar's terrified expression. From there the evening dissolved into a lighter affair with all the matters discussed. It would still be another few days before they boarded the train to Argus, so more training and relaxing was in order.

While watching Weiss and Ruby debate about what they'd ask the lamp, Elster leaned over and murmured in her ear. "I've been thinking, I want to go out, with you"

Tanith made an amused noise in her throat, letting herself relax into Elster as Nora joined the debate "I'd hope so"

Elster chuckled in her ear, a breathy sound "yes well, after looking over my long list. You're the most qualified"

Tanith smiled and nodded her head into Elster's shoulder "I like the sound of that"

"Then tomorrow we should go on a date, a small restaurant. Get away from all of this for a few hours"

Tanith nodded again "yes, for the love of god yes"

Elster kisses her temple "Well that's a plan"

"Obviously you would ask the ultimate cookie recipe!" Exclaimed Ruby

"Pancakes!"

"Your both idiots!"

"I'd go with the cookies" mumbled Tanith. Elster chuckled beside her.

~§~

They entered the restaurant, their 'fancy' clothes not actually fancy. They did stand out (Elster more so), but neither cared considering how long it took to find a faunus accepting restaurant. Well more Tanith gave off the appearance of not caring and Elster actually didn't care, noting her partners slight uncomfortableness underneath the attitude of not caring as they were lead and seated at a quiet corner table.

"You okay?" Asked Elster.

Tanith looked at her and nodded too quickly and energetically "Yeah, yeah I'm fine"

Elster rose an eyebrow,

"Yeah I wasn't fooling myself either" sighed Tanith rubbing her face.

Elster reached forward and grabbed her hands, bringing them back down to the tables surface. She sent a comforting smile as she looked at Tanith's face "you look beautiful"

Tanith flushed and removed her hands from Elster's to cover her face, groaning in embarrassment as Elster smirked "nnnnooooo, Don't make me blush!" She whined.

Elster chuckled with a tilt of her head "Hey". Tanith opened her fingers and her electric blue eyes peaked from between them "the last week and a bit has been… weird" Elster finally decided upon "and tonight is something for us to have before we go off to do… what we're going to do. So tonight, let's forget that, don't mention it, don't think about it" she held her hand palm side up and open "just us"

Tanith pulled her right hand away from her still flushed face and placed it in Elster's "just us" she repeated "I like that idea"

"Good, now what drink are you going to order?"

Tanith picked up the menu and scanned through the various drinks "Hmm, think I'll go with a Screwdriver, what about you?"

"I'm thinking a cool refreshing lemonade"

Tanith leaned forward with a smile, resting her chin in her hands and waggling her eyebrows "ooh, adventurous"

"That's how many people have described me" Elster tapped her fingers on the table before a half smile formed on her face and she leaned forward "Where should we go on our next vacation?"

"Well where would you want to go?" Replied Tanith.

Elster smiled wider "but where would you like to go?"

Tanith smiled and shook her head "your such a big dumb"

"A big dumb?" Elster rose her eyebrows.

Tanith nodded "big dumb"

Elster rose an eyebrow "are you seven?"

Tanith laughed and Elster listened to the noise, happy to hear it after so long of being cooped inside that house in a tense waiting game for what was coming next. A waiter came over and they ordered their drinks and what they would like to eat before leaving them alone again.

"But seriously"

Tanith rolled her eyes "welllll" she hummed "if we were to go on another holiday… maybe somewhere hot, maybe by a beach" she smirked "maybe see you in a swimsuit a whole lot"

"You realize this interest in seeing someone in a revealing swimsuit goes both ways"

"Yeah, but it's less creepy when I'm doing it to you cause like, your hot"

Elster's lips quirked up in slight amusement "Uh huh, y'know I think your just, fucking gorgeous right?"

Tanith blushed and looked down, a small smile on her face "Yeah"

Elster tilted her head "so a beach huh? Hot sand and palm trees. Coconut cocktails with little umbrellas and hot babes and hot dudes?"

"Hmm, Well now the idea is very intriguing" Said Tanith perking up with a sly smirk.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, hot babes and hot dudes? Sign me up"

"Of course"

"Hey, I'd be going with the hottest babe. What's wrong with admiring other hot people and going 'wow, I scored the jackpot'"

Elster raised her eyebrows "mhm"

Tanith looked at her, wondering if she'd potentially taken her playful talking a bit too far "I mean, knowing you I'd have a good reminder about who I'm dating on my neck"

"More places then just your neck" murmured Elster, her eyes straying down to Tanith's neck.

Tanith blushed but smiled "I wouldn't object"

"Even if you were wearing a swimsuit more like mine?"

Tanith paused and titled her head from side to side "depends how well you convinced me"

"I can be pretty convincing" Elster leaned back as their drinks arrived, taking a sip before then leaning forward again "so, you think you can control yourself around hot semi naked people"

"I'm no longer a teenager" Tanith said rolling her eyes and then sipping her drink.

"Oh?"

"Relax, I just did a lot of exploring as a teenager" Tanith winked "I'll let you fill in the blanks"

Elster looked at her with half lidded eyes "filling in the blanks makes me want to make sure everyone knows your taken now"

Tanith smirked wider "I'm glad to hear it. What about you? What were you like as a teenager running around Menagerie?"

Elster snorted "Oh me and my friends… we got into lots of trouble- and then apologized for lots of trouble"

"Poli?"

"Poli" confirmed Elster.

"Tell me a story of a rambunctious young Elster"

Elster snorted but obliged "Well… Sehko got a bit involved with drugs, which lead to this time where she was very very off her tits and we needed to get her home. Picking her up she immediately wanted to go get some ice cream but it's like, midnight and I'd snuck out- so had Kolf- and we had to get her through the dark Menagerie streets"

Tanith just sat and listened, enraptured as Elster told the story. Elster before reconnecting with her parents had always avoided the subject of her life growing up if it contained anyone else. But since going back to Menagerie and seeing family and friends again she'd begun to open up about childhood stories, when she'd made mistakes, had accidents or success she was proud of.

"So I have Sehko on my back, sorta trying to strangle me because her trip was making her afraid of heights and a second clone with Kolf on its back"

"Wait, how old were you?"

"Oh, about fifteen"

"And you had an unlocked aura?"

Elster nodded "well yeah" as if it was obvious before raising her eyebrows, her eyes widening "Have I never told you how I got my aura?" She asked in shock.

Tanith paused to think before shaking her head "no you haven't"

Elster shook her head with a huff "well honestly Elster, remember how I told you about killing my first Grimm, that baby death stalker?" Tanith nodded "as heroic as I may have sounded in the story, I didn't get away completely free. It managed to sting me on my right hand" Elster held the hand up and squinted at it before smiling and showing Tanith the smallest pale pinprick on her dark skin "it didn't really matter that the poison was weak cause it was a baby because I was ten. But I was a strong ten year old cause I helped my dad chop firewood" Elster shook her head, knocking herself out of her side tracked story "anyway, I was lying in bed after the doctor had looked me over. They were outside my room and though I think they were trying to be quiet I still heard the doctor tell my parents I wasn't going to make it…" Elster trailed off before smiling "I didn't want to die, you can imagine how traumatic it was hearing that. It triggered my aura to activate"

"Wait, you got your aura when you were ten?" Asked Tanith in surprise.

Elster nodded "Yeah, I was surprisingly young" she chuckled at a memory "I still remember my parents faces when I walked downstairs completely fine, doctor insisted I was rushed to a hospital so they could quickly check that my aura was okay and that my semblance wasn't killing me or causing any adverse effects accidentally"

Elster shook her head "rumors had been flying at school, mostly that I was dead, my parents refused to let me see my friends for a few days or go to school, they wanted to keep an eye on me for a bit" she smiled "this old huntsman came to the house, he was an old hare faunus, right arm was a prosthetic. He was happy to train my aura for me for free"

"For free?"

"Well, he was old and retired and he once told me that he was really bored and that training me gave him something to do" Elster sighed wistfully, looking off to the side "his name was Demsa… he passed a week before I went to Beacon… he was so proud of me, told me I was going to make a real difference one day"

"And he was right" Said Tanith

Elster looked up at her before shrugging "I suppose"

"He was right" Tanith firmly repeated.

Elster rolled her eyes "always being so supportive" she muttered sarcastically.

"It's what you agreed to when we started dating" Tanith quipped back.

"Was that in the fine print?"

"No, the bold letters"

"Huh, how'd I miss that"

Tanith leaned forward and batted her eyelashes "too busy looking at me?"

Elster hummed with a head tilt, looking at Tanith "huh, guess so"

Just then their meals arrived, the waiter serving them before hurrying off to the next table. They ate in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. Tanith looking up at the clinking of bracelets, watching as Elster's arm raised and lowered between her mouth and the plate. The metal reflected the light and the constant movement made that familiarly white noise that Tanith hadn't even realised was familiar at this point.

Between he brackets she saw a scar, it was the one on Elster's forearm that was only about two inches long. She knew every scar in the woman's body. The scars came from when the woman's aura ran out or it was focusing in more important injuries, allowing the scars to imprint onto the skin. Thinking about what Elster wore when she was fighting Grimm made Tanith realize something.

"You don't really wear armour do you?"

Elster frowned and looked up "Yeah I do"

"When your fighting Grimm your always wear specific clothes, like you have outfits specifically just for fighting Grimm but they aren't armour"

Elster shook her head as she chewed, swallowing to say "I have a naturally high aura reserve and my 'fighting' clothes are all Kevlar weaved"

Tanith frowned at the information before her eyes widened "oh my god… I thought I was just weak as shit"

Elster tilted her head in confusion and Tanith ducked her head in embarrassment "basically whenever I had to wash our clothes I always thought that some loads were heavier then others, but this explains so much!"

"You do know that Kevlar clothes for hunters is like, a standardized thing right? You do know that's a standard thing?" Asked Elster in amusement.

"No? Was I supposed to? I thought Ruby and Ren were just trying to express themselves despite being more exposed"

Elster shook her head with a chuckle "nah, it's all Kevlar weaved" she tilted her head "and our aura's naturally make everything we wear tougher anyway so like, I'm plenty protected" Elster chuckled "Ruby even showed me how her combat skirt was supported by metal beams to keep its form while also allowing her to sit"

"Talking about Ruby, you spent the whole day with her yesterday"

"You jelly?"

"Super jelly"

"Well don't be, she talked my ear off about weapons and mechanics and complicated stuff that's too much for my bird brain to understand"

"How did she react to finding out you hadn't named your weapons?"

"Well, now that you say that. Ruby along with adding and helping me improve my weapons was… to put it lightly, horrified that I hadn't given them a name and so made me name them" Elster smiled "so, they're called Blue's Revenge"

Tanith tilted her head in thought before nodding "I like it, what can they do now?"

Elster smiled wider "well, me and Ruby talked a bit on the way over, she asked me to tell her about my friend's weapons. I told her about the guys. Brian with Desert Burn, it was two pistols with blades in them, he could actually shoot quite far with them. Lelouch had Loyal Death, it was these two swords that could join together to become this double ended staff thing- worked better then I'm making it sound- he could electrify the blades. Then Ulrich with World Shaker, his two gauntlets that stored any damage and energy inflicted upon him and could unleash it"

"So what did she do to your axes?"

"A lot, but I want to leave it a surprise"

"I hate surprises" Tanith pouted

"You do? Because too many situations come to mind where-"

"Silence"

Elster snorted "She wanted to do even more but I told her that I wasn't going to be able to manage anything else added. She showed me how to do maintenance on them, how to fix various faults. Now I've got about a week to try and practice with all these new modifications, there's an added weight due to all the metal and mechanisms but I think I'll be able to adjust pretty quick"

Tanith smirked "Teach an old dog new tricks"

"I'm thirty!" Retorted Elster

"Exactly, old" Tanith then wiggled her eyebrows "never dated someone with such an age difference for so long"

Elster looked at her with a flat look "it's a six year difference"

"It's actually a five year difference" said Tanith.

Elster blinked and frowned, pausing in thought before tilting her head "but… aren't you twenty four?"

Tanith shook her head "nah, I'm twenty five now"

Elster's frown deepened and then her eyes widened "I don't even know when your birthday is!" She said in shock "oh my god I'm such a terrible girlfr-"

Tanith waved her hand with a comforting smile "woah woah woah, relax. I don't really care about my birthday, my family doesn't make much of a deal out of it. Sure I get small things from my parents but it was never like, a big occasion".

Elster gaped at her "how can you not… celebrate your birthday… and we celebrated my birthday!"

Tanith swallowed the food in her mouth and smirked "yeah we did, I remember you very much liked your present"

It was for once Elster's turn to blush and duck her head, Tanith cherishing the few moments she could actually make the Faunus blush.

"Still, I want to know when your birthday is" said Elster aiming a fork.

"I might tell you one day" Said Tanith with a playful smile before biting more of her food. There was a comfortable pause where they both ate in silence for a bit before Tanith looked up with a cocked head "so what age were you when you went to Beacon?"

"Can't do some simple math's?" Asked Elster with a teasing smile.

"Says misses 'two thirty'"

"That's an English problem, not a math one" Elster smiled "I was twenty and as such have been over exposed to old jokes"

"Could say they're getting old" Tanith mumbled just loud enough that Elster shot her a flat glare.

"Did you… did you just pun at me, Mort?"

"Maybe I did, Castle"

Elster shrugged "guess no cuddles before bed then"

Tanith mocked gasped and put a hand to her chest "you wouldn't dare!"

Elster smirked as she swallowed "try me"

Tanith narrowed her eyes before then also smirking "you sound just like my parents" her smirk grew "old"

Elster put a hand to her chest now, gasping as if she'd been shot "you wound me Tanith, does my pain bring you joy?"

"No, I just enjoy teasing you. Can I please get cuddles before bed?"

Elster hummed "since you asked nicely"

Tanith fist pumped "fuck yes"

Elster snorted at her antics and they continued to eat and chat, the trials that lay ahead forgotten for the moment that they were intent on making last as long as possible.

~§~

The whole thing about Elster's clothes being Kevlar weaved comes from my idea that given how much of a daily threat Grimm are, military equipment such as light weight Kevlar would exists and having it weaved into clothes would be easy.

Secondly I have a head cannon that Remnants gravity is actually less then the earths which is why it doesn't weigh Elster down as much.

So, in summary of the last few chapters. Tanith and Elster were brought into the ozluminati along with everyone else. They went to Haven where the big fight went down, Tanith crashing her Bullhead through Haven and Elster blew up some of the crystals in Hazel's arm.