"Say 'aaaahhhh'."

Neo grimaced before complying, tilting her head back slightly and opening her mouth wide. The doctor raised her implements of choice, a small flashlight and mirror that wouldn't have looked out of place in a dentist's office. Both were gently used to get a look down the back of Neo's throat, the doctor inspecting her vocal cords for the fourth time that year.

Nicholas stood nearby, his worried frown illuminated by the bright fluorescent lights above.

Neo had been getting these regular check ups every two months for the last few years now. She still wasn't used to having someone else's hands so close to her mouth, nor the occasional brush of a metal instrument tickling the back of her throat. It had to be done though. Reminding herself of that was the only thing getting her through each session.

Her doctor, Mrs. Dahlia, made the same quiet 'hmm' as always. The minutes she spent carefully inspecting the hidden recesses of Neo's throat felt like an eternity to the small girl. All she could do was avoid eye contact, staring off towards a nondescript wall and cabinets that hid further medical equipment inside. Her jaw was beginning to ache, another common occurrence during these little visits.

Eventually, the implements were finally extracted. The doctor set her tools back down on the side table and rolled it away, a sigh escaping her lips. She crossed her arms and squinted, looking at Neo as if she were a puzzle to be solved.

"By all accounts, your vocal cords should be healed. The connective membranes are intact, even if they do partially consist of scar tissue." Dahlia stated plainly, a hint of the confusion she felt in her tone of voice. She made another small 'hmm', spending a few moments in silent thought before turning to acknowledge Nicholas as well. "We may need to consider the possibility that Neo's mutism is Selective, not purely physical."

Neo shook her head in disagreement, catching the attention of both adults. 'It still hurts when I try to speak… Why would that happen if my throat was healed?'

"Selective Mutism is psychological in nature. There can be many causes. One of the most common is social anxiety, bordering on a phobia or worse that can keep children from speaking. In your case… the trauma of your injury and what you went through is likely the root cause of the issue. Your vocal cords aren't 'damaged'. Your brain is telling you that you're still too injured to speak, when really it's the only thing holding you back."

Neo slumped, putting her head in her hands and rubbing her forehead tiredly. She raised her eyes, beginning to sign again. 'What should I do?'

"I'm not a trained psychologist, unfortunately," Dahlia shrugged apologetically, "My advice, though? Keep using sign language for the time being, but try to speak whenever you do. Get into the habit of trying to talk. Who knows? You might get through eventually."

Nicholas coughed to clear his throat, "Do you have anyone in mind that we might go to?"

Dahlia nodded, wheeling herself across the room to snag a pen and a notepad from the counter. She quickly jotted down a name and number, rolling back past Nicholas to hand it to him along the way. "That's a child psychologist. He's a friend of mine that I took sign language classes with. He's probably your best bet unless you want to be there to translate everything Neo says. On that note…"

Neo was in the midst of staring dejectedly into her own lap when Dahlia's hands moved into her field of vision, wrapping around her own in a comforting embrace. Neo looked up to see the sad smile on her doctor's face, "There's nothing more I can do for you. I still recommend coming in for yearly check ups, of course, but… I'm not the one you need to fix this. I'm sorry."

Neo struggled to suppress her self pity long enough to smile back, a mere twinge of her lips that didn't last as long as she would have hoped. She held Dahlia's hands in return, thankful at least that the doctor had spent so long trying to help her and had always been patient with her and her disability.

'Thank you,' Neo pulled a hand free to make the gesture, a simple touch of fingers to her lips before motioning towards the older woman.

Dahlia nodded, "For what it's worth, you're welcome." She laughed the next moment and raised a hand, tapping a finger suddenly against Neo's nose. "That being said, I am still your doctor. And as your doctor, I also recommend you lay off the sweets. Aura might be amazing, but it can't do everything."

Noe blushed and pulled away, crossing her arms momentarily before signing, 'I work out enough to burn it all off!'

Dahlia smirked, "Still, too much sugar is bad for you~"

Neo pouted, pretending to be offended by her doctor's antics. She knew Dahlia was really only trying to cheer her up, and in that regard, she'd succeeded.

Nicholas's scroll buzzed in his pocket. He withdrew it to check the messages then put a hand to the back of his head, raking it back and forth through his thick blond hair. "Well, if we're done here, Saph just messaged me. She and Terra finished shopping and are back at the car. Is there anything else we need to wrap up?"

Dahlia pushed her seat back as she stood, letting it roll off behind her to gently smack against the cabinets across the room. "Nope, all good! Make sure you come back in for regular check ups each year. Otherwise, I hope I don't see you. After all, that would mean something bad happened~"

Neo and Nicholas shared in their goodbyes before leaving, heading out of the office clinic and along the brightly lit, carpeted hall. Neo waved to Dahlia's assistant while Nicholas opened the door for her, both stepping out into the chill autumn air.

"Hey Neo! How'd it go!?" Saphron called out to them as they approached, raising a hand laden with bags. Terra waved kindly as well, only one of her hands similarly filled with recently purchased goods.

Neo pretended to huff, arms drooping loosely down at her sides. She stood up straighter as they approached, a frown still decorating her features. 'Not good. Apparently it's all in my head.' Remembering Dahlia's suggestion, Neo tried to speak as she was signing but could only produce a dry exhale. It quickly turned into a pained cough that she was forced to smother with her forearm.

Saphron and Terra's eyebrows drew together in worry. Saphron opened her mouth to speak, but it was Terra that interjected, "Are you okay?"

Neo felt her cheeks warm, embarrassed by the concern Terra was showing for her. The girl had gone out of her way to learn how to read sign language like the rest of her family, something that Neo was exceptionally appreciative of.

'My doctor told me to try speaking whenever I sign, but… I'm going to take it slow for now.'

Terra nodded, "You should definitely take it easy if it hurts that much. Maybe only on occasion, and only with your family? It might get out of hand if you try it with your friends at school."

'Good idea,' Neo smiled, thankful to be off the hook for the time being. The mere thought of trying to speak had already reduced her breathing to a dry rasp, along with an itch just beneath the skin that she couldn't quite scratch.

Neo tightened her scarf and hopped into the front seat as Nicholas unlocked the car. Saphron and Terra climbed into the back, noisily dispersing their paper bags across the seat between them and the floor. They laughed at a quiet joke kept between themselves, Saphron taking the time to close one of the bags more firmly than the others with her foot.

Curious, Neo glanced back as Nicholas started the car, beginning to drive them home. She caught Saphron's attention before signing, 'What did you buy?'

Saphron shrugged, sharing another coy grin with Terra before answering. "Just clothes, mostly. I needed some new coats and Terra wanted to try out some lotion we came across. We mostly replaced some of the stuff I've grown out of, though." She grinned, "Guess you don't have to worry too much about that, huh?"

Neo narrowed her eyes in a pretend scowl, 'I grew two inches this year!'

"Yep, you've gone from adorably tiny to adorably small. I'd call that progress."

'I'm only an inch shorter than Opal!'

"She's also two years younger than you~"

Terra smiled along with them, but backhanded Saphron's shoulder playfully. "Hey, plenty of people like short girls. I think it's cute."

Neo felt her stomach lurch and turned around, suddenly queasy. Terra seemed to be having that sort of effect on her as of late. Neo couldn't quite explain it, and was far too embarrassed to ask anyone else what it might mean.

"Did you pack for the trip?" Nicholas asked out loud, directing his question towards Saphron in the back seat.

"Mostly. I think I still need my toothbrush and a few other things." Saphron's voice suddenly rose in pitch, very near to a pleading tone, "Are you sure Terra can't come? I wanted to walk around Vale with her."

"It wasn't up to me. You know how her parents are."

Saphron sighed in vexation, "I do…"

The conversation ebbed away into awkward silence, only a few vague sounds of agreement shared between the occupants. Neo slumped, feeling uneasy for her own reasons. She stared out the window, into the trees flying by. Every now and then a streetlight would flicker past, illuminating her in the darkness and letting her glimpse the thick scarf tied around her neck.

Nicholas and Aurora had planned for the entire family to go to Vale on vacation. They'd be leaving after dinner and spending the night in a motel, allowing them an entire day to roam the city streets and enjoy their time amongst the bustling crowds. More than a few years after becoming disfigured, Neo still hated being around so many people, so many strangers. The thought of others seeing her scars was a constant worry. Only the Arcs and Terra had ever overcome it.

Neo raised her hands nervously, glancing at Nicholas and waiting for a moment when he could take his eyes off the road before signing. 'Do… Do I have to go? Can I just stay home?'

Given years to get used to it, Neo knew that Nicholas would be able to feel her unease through their connection. The force that bound them together had also created a minor empathic bond of sorts, one that helped them understand each other on a level deeper than mere words or expressions could convey.

Nicholas spoke softly, a worried dip to the corner of his lips. "You'll need to get used to being around people some day, Neo. Besides… you're only thirteen. It's a little too early to be leaving you home alone."

Neo began to slump before Saphron chipped in from the back seat, "I could look after her."

Nicholas frowned, turning back momentarily to cast an eye on his daughter. She was nearly seventeen, more than three years older than Neo. "Didn't you want to go to Vale with us?"

Saphron shrugged, "It's not nearly as exciting if Terra doesn't get to come with. And if it really bothers Neo that much… I'd rather make sure it's a vacation that everyone can enjoy, ya know?"

Nicholas sat quietly in thought, considering the proposition. He sighed after a few seconds, "I'll have to make sure it's alright with your mother. We'll be able to save a few lien on rooms, at least."

"As long as you guys bring me back some souvenirs!" Saphron spoke cheerily. She turned and bumped a shoulder into Terra, the two sharing in a brief smile before going back to the conversation.

"Any movies you've been wanting to watch, Neo? We could marathon something tonight and head into town for a bit tomorrow!"

Neo put a hand to her chin, then swiveled back around with a shy smile. 'Anything but romance. Sorry.'

Saphron laughed, "A genre with a different kind of action then. I'm sure we'll find something we can all enjoy."

Plans now changed, Neo was feeling much better about how she would be spending her vacation. Hanging out with Saphron and Terra sounded wonderful, and she already had a few ideas on what movies they could binge.

The drive home eventually came to an end, Nicholas pulling the car into the garage. Neo offered to help carry some of her sister's bags but was rejected, a slight dusting of pink decorating Saphron's cheeks before she hurriedly took the paper-bagged items inside.

Neo thought little of it and went to her own room, unpacking the clothing she would have taken with her to Vale. Suitcase emptied, she pushed it back into the closet and looked around the room.

In the years since she'd lived there, the bedroom had transformed into one that was more distinctly her's. Ariel had continued going to combat school and was now attending Beacon, the leader of a team of her own in their second year. With Ariel absent from their home the majority of the time, she'd been more than happy to yield the room's ownership to Neo. Even so, Neo had made sure to keep a section devoted to her eldest sister. Ariel was always welcome back, and Neo would never want to take that away from her.

"Neo! They're leaving! Come say goodbye!" Saphron's muffled voice called out from the bottom of the steps.

Neo hurried out of her room and down the stairs, finding the rest of her family packed and ready to go. They were all excitedly gathered near the door, exchanging words and farewells with Saphron and Terra. Neo joined them readily, doling out a few hugs of her own and promising to be on her best behavior.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Edna teased, a meaningless gesture from the girl that took the concept of 'rules' as a personal challenge.

"Mom left spaghetti in the fridge…" Iris chipped in. Still the baby of the family despite being nearly nine, her arms cradled a thick teddy ursa against her chest.

Neo patted her on the head, earning herself a bright grin from the younger girl. 'Thanks, Iris. I'll keep that in mind.'

Aurora stepped forward afterwards, sparing Neo, Saphron, and Terra a cautionary gaze. "Don't stay up too late. There's money on the kitchen table if you want to order out, but no Menagerie pad thai. You know how sick it made Neo last time."

Saphron's eyes brightened, her hand flying above her golden locks in an exaggerated salute. "Yes, Ma'am! I was feeling more like pizza anyway."

Aurora nodded acceptance and walked out, already calling out orders to her children as they began organizing their luggage in the car.

"See ya in a couple days, sis," Jaune raised his hands to bump fists. "Anything you wanted from Vale? I'll make sure mom remembers."

Neo shook her head, 'Just have fun.'

Jaune chuckled, "It'll be harder without you there, but I'll try. Stay safe."

'You too.'

"Oh my gosh would you leave already? Get outta here, bro! This is our house now!" Saphron teased, moving closer to start pushing Jaune out the door. He fought her every step of the way, if only to go along with the joke. Saphron proved stronger, finally able to shove him out the final few inches before slamming the door shut. She locked it with an exaggerated twist, twirling in the same motion and dropping her hands to her hips.

"Alright, let's get this party started! What kind of pizza do you girls want?"

Their night of freedom began, starting off with a few board games to ease themselves into it. They played some of Neo's favorites, winding down the time until the pizza inevitably arrived. Saphron hefted three full boxes inside and kicked the door shut with her heel. Stacked on top were a few soda bottles and some sides, all of which she set down on the coffee table in front of the tv.

"Dinner and a show~?" Saphron proposed with a raised eyebrow.

Neo glanced back to the game that she and Terra had been sorely losing. 'We can count that as a forfeit,' she signed to Terra with a playful smirk.

Terra smiled back, "A win is a win in my book. Let's eat."

Together they headed over to the couch. Neo plopped down in the center with Saphron on her left and Terra on her right. She opened up an app on her scroll and connected it to the tv, sorting through until she found the trilogy of movies she'd been looking for. The first and second had been out for a couple years, but the newest release was fresh out of production. Though the first two were her favorites and she remembered every line, punch, and kick, Neo still wanted a refresher before getting into the final installment.

"Figures~" Saphron grinned, sitting back with a large slice of pizza. She wrapped an arm around the back of the couch and got comfortable, scooting further down into the cushions.

'You don't mind, do you? I could pick something else,' Neo asked hesitantly. Tonight was their night just as much as it was her's. She didn't want to ruin it for either of them.

"I've been wanting to see the newest one too, actually," Terra chipped in, grabbing her own slice and sitting back as well. Her arm wrapped around the back of the couch in kind, both older girls content with whatever Neo chose. "It's been a while since I saw the others, so it'll be good to get a reminder."

Saphron merely nodded her consent happily, letting out a sigh a few moments later after finishing a bite of her pizza.

Taking it as a done deal, Neo started the first movie. Soon enough, she was once more entranced by the choreography and pure acrobatics put on display. Over the last few years she'd learned to replicate many of the moves and more, now capable of doing just about anything she put her mind to.

Neo was proud of the progress she'd made. Failing to land any of her flips or tumbles was a thing of the past. Nicholas had even offered to pay for a tutor, though the woman had kindly turned Neo down as a student during their first lesson. She was already beyond the scope of those without aura, a fact that only made her push herself all the harder. Neo wanted to be peerless. A master of her own body, capable of executing feats no one else had ever dreamed of.

The first movie finished with a climactic final battle, leaving Neo on the edge of her seat. She put the next movie in and sat back down, only then remembering she'd only had a single slice earlier. Neo grabbed another piece and settled back into the cushions, quickly losing herself again to the skills she'd once been so desperate to perfect.

Saphron and Terra chatted quietly behind her back, letting Neo enjoy the movie she loved so dearly. Neo wasn't offended. She knew the genre they enjoyed didn't exactly mesh with her own. Even so, they fell silent during the most jaw dropping moments and tense situations, which was more than good enough for her.

Neo was giddy as the movie finished and it came time to watch the final one. She started it up reverently, forgetting all about the food in front of her or the other occupants in the room. Neo momentarily felt Saphron and Terra getting up but thought nothing of it, figuring they would be back soon. The movie drew her in, every flip branded into her mind, every stunt something new for her to perfect.

"You see, Mr. Anderson. There's a secret to this place, one that no one has ever told you. We are not the enemy. We are the cure."

Neo's eyes went wide, sitting forward until she was nearly off the couch completely, her hands gripping the coffee table in front of her in a white knuckled grip. 'What? What is it!?'

"If you aren't the enemy then who is?" Anderson asked angrily. "The only enemy I can see here is you."

Neo's butt lifted off the couch completely, her heart gripped by the movie's suspense.

"Then you aren't looking hard enough."

Neo jumped back as the man waved his hand through the air, seeming to cut a hole in the fabric of reality itself. The black furred snout of a Beowolf snapped out, fang-filled maw gnashing towards Anderson and shocking Neo to her core. She fell back against the couch, her knees buckling beneath her and her hands raising in fear as if to protect herself from the hellish beast.

Eyes averted but still hearing the animalistic snarls, Neo's hands frantically searched for her scroll. Her fingers found it tucked between the couch cushions, quickly pulling it free in order to reopen the app and pause the movie. Neo breathed a sigh of relief once the sounds had stopped, laying back against the couch while she waited to catch her breath.

Neo looked back at the screen. They had definitely used a real grimm on their movie set, not a prop or special effects. She could normally handle the latter these days, but seeing the real deal so suddenly had caught her completely off guard. Given a minute to calm herself down, Neo was ready to continue the movie before realizing that Saphron and Terra had never come back.

'What are they doing?'

Neo frowned and got up, taking a quick peek around the bottom floor of the house. They hadn't gone to the bathroom and she could see the kitchen from the living room. They had to have gone upstairs.

'I thought they wanted to watch the movie?'

Neo took the steps one at a time, still a little breathless from her recent shock. She couldn't call out to the girls, so decided to go knock on Saphron's door instead. She assumed they must have gone there like they so often did, hanging out in private away from the rest of their siblings. The fact that they'd done it tonight of all nights though managed to hurt Neo's feelings a little. She'd thought they'd been having fun, too.

Neo could hear a rustling sound and noticed that Saphron's door had been partially left ajar. She walked closer on bare feet, inexplicably quiet without really trying to be. Another sound met her ear, one that brought heat to her cheeks and another queasy flip to her stomach.

"Ohhh, Terra. Yes."

Neo slowed, suddenly unsure of what exactly she was walking in on. Were they making out, or… was it something more? A burning heat flushed Neo's cheeks along with a smaller fire growing in her stomach. Her desire to leave and give them privacy clashed with a profound, unprecedented curiosity, urging her forward.

Almost against her conscious will, Neo crept the last few feet to peek through the crack of the open door. Her breath caught, eyes glued to the scene before her. Terra, wearing nothing but a scandalous pair of matching lingerie, in the midst of ravishing her golden haired sister.

Neo gulped, eyes transfixed. The heat was building in her body and pooling downwards, a feeling she'd never experienced before in her life. She stared as they kissed passionately, Terra's hand playing with Saphron's breast while another slipped beneath the waistline of her undergarments. Her sister moaned, arching her back into the contact and looking at Terra with the most loving smile Neo had ever seen.

'I… I shouldn't be here,' Neo thought shakily, willing herself to step away from the door. It took a lot of effort, more willpower than she would have imagined, but she eventually got herself to move.

Neo crept back down the hall, hesitant to take her eyes off the door in case the girls somehow sensed her presence and stopped their carnal activities to catch her. She could still hear them now that her ears were trained in their direction, the soft moans growing louder yet more indistinct as she put more distance between them. Still, they had lit a fire in Neo's chest.

She made her way downstairs to the couch and simply sat down, unsure of what she should do. The movie remained paused on the Grimm scene, but she hardly paid it any mind. A plethora of confusing feelings and emotions were tumbling through her mind, forcing her to ask herself questions she never had before. Questions about her sexuality, bringing forth a jumbled mess of previous interactions.

'So they aren't just friends, and… and I like Terra… I think…' Neo had to admit worriedly, shrinking in on herself and bringing a comforting hand up to her opposite forearm. 'I can't have a crush on my sister's girlfriend… That would be so wrong…'

Neo hadn't realized how long she'd been sitting on the couch in contemplation until she heard the sound of feet drumming down the wooden steps. Neo sat back quickly, trying to appear nonchalant while eyeing Terra and Saphron. Their faces were both flushed red, hair messier than it had been earlier. Even their clothes looked like they had been put back on in a rush, hardly unexpected after what Neo had witnessed.

Saphron raised an eyebrow as they came in, glancing over towards the movie. "You stopped it? What's up? I would've figured you'd watch it all the way through."

Neo glanced away, eyes darting around for an excuse before realizing she had a perfect one right on screen. 'There was a Grimm so I stopped it.' As much as she'd been looking forward to the movie, Neo found her mind suddenly preoccupied. She couldn't finish it like this, not with so much turmoil on her mind.

'I think I'll go to bed now. I'm feeling tired.'

Saphron and Terra smiled comfortingly, the flush to their cheeks slowly cooling. "We'll try and finish it tomorrow, alright? Terra and I will stay with you through all the scary scenes. That sound good?"

'Yeah, thanks.'

"It's a date, then. Have a good night, Neo. Love ya!"

Neo smiled back, 'Love you.' She passed them both on the way upstairs and went directly to her room, closing it softly before falling on to her bed. Neo rubbed a hand across her face, trying her best to still her mind of all her jumbling thoughts. She really was tired, though it was mostly recent events that had taken so much out of her.

'I just need to sleep it off… I'll be able to think straight in the morning…'

Neo wondered if she should talk to them about it.

Wondered what it must have felt like to be in Saphron's place…

Neo woke up hours later with a groggy moan, the fleeting memories of a passionate dream fading from her conscious mind. Her body felt odd, the earlier stirring in her stomach now a coiled mess. Her thighs rubbed together. Sudden panic sent her shooting awake as she felt the wetness between them. Neo grimaced in embarrassment. Had she dreamt about the Grimm because of the movie and wet herself in her sleep?

The feeling wasn't quite the same, though. Regardless, Neo felt an overbearing shame and knew something needed to be done. She slipped out of bed and headed to her door, opening it as quietly as she could to avoid waking the others across the hall.

Neo was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes when she noticed the bathroom light on through a crack near the floor. The sound of water ran for a moment before the door opened, Terra's silhouette illuminated within the comparative darkness.

Neo's cheeks heated as she started raising her hands to sign a greeting.

Terra was faster. She crossed the short gap in a flash, a cheshire grin spreading her lips wide. "Couldn't wait in bed for more, could you~?"

Neo didn't have time to react before Terra's lips were on hers, the older girl pushing her into the wall with enough force to send a thrill of excitement rippling through Neo's body. Neo didn't know what to do. She was practically frozen in place, a million thoughts racing through her mind, none of them managing to make sense of the situation. All she knew for sure was that it felt good.

'What the hell!?'

'Does Terra like me!?'

'Where did this even come from!?'

'Gods! What about Saph!? I can't do this to her!'

The thought of her sister brought Neo's conscious mind back into the cockpit. She brought her hands up and pushed Terra away gently, careful not to accidentally use more force than necessary.

Terra licked her lips and smirked, "You're right, you're right. Leave some for later. See you in bed~" Neo didn't even see the hand that whipped out from below to smack her on the butt. She flinched, dropping a hand low to rub it while Terra laughed quietly and walked back towards Saphron's room.

Utterly baffled, Neo stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind herself, leaning against it while catching her breath. The wet feeling between her legs had increased, along with the subconscious desire to rub her thighs together. She ignored it as best she could, focusing instead on what the hell had just happened between herself and Terra.

'I… I have to tell Saph. I don't know what's gotten into Terra, but… that wasn't okay. Even if she somehow figured out I have a crush, I could never do that to my sister…'

Neo put a hand to her heart to try and quell it's nervous beat. Was it something that should be left until morning, or should she confront them now? Either way, she needed to take care of her other problem before anything. And why couldn't her legs just keep still!?

Neo stepped further into the bathroom but immediately caught the glint of golden hair out of the corner of her eye. 'Saph!?' She spun on her heel, hands raising to sign an immediate apology.

Saphron was staring back at her in the mirror, hands raised in an identical manner.

'What the-'

"HELL!?"

Neo's thoughts were mimicked in kind by the sound of Terra's voice down the hallway. Neo panicked, turning awkwardly while her feet were resting on the floor mat. The mat twisted out from beneath her, taking her balance with it and causing Neo to fall backwards into the shower curtain. The curtain and the pole holding it in place came with her, her head smacking against the shower wall while the mess of plastic fell down on top of her.

Neo heard the sound of shattering glass, her vision lit up by a shimmering flash of pink surrounding her body. Her eyes were wide, body struggling against the curtain and the position she'd fallen into when the door to the bathroom burst open.

"Who are-!?" Saphron began, a broom handle clutched threateningly in her hands. Her eyes fell on Neo mid sentence, protective instinct rising up in a flash at the sight of her terror-stricken younger sister. Saphron dropped the broom and rushed forward, pulling the curtain off and helping Neo back to her feet. Terra stood in the hall behind her, wide eyes now darting around the house in search of the 'other' person that had been there.

"Neo! What happened?" Saphron asked quickly, glancing back over her shoulder. "Terra said someone else was here that looked like me. Did you see them!?"

Neo didn't know where to begin. She was speechless, in more ways than one. All she could do was raise a shaky finger from where she sat on the edge of the tub, pointing towards the mirror she'd seen Saphron in.

Saphron frowned, following Neo's finger to the mirror. Her eyebrows scrunched together, confusion palpable. She stood regardless and looked in the mirror, seeing only herself along with the top of Neo's head behind her. "Uh, what do you mean? That's just me, Neo."

Neo shook her head, standing shakily to look in the mirror as well. She pointed between them and back to the mirror uncertainly, 'I… I was you.'

Saphron's frown deepened. Her eyes darted over to Terra worriedly. "What does that mean? You were me? I don't get it."

Terra gasped, her eyes going wide as she stared at Neo in wonder. "Was… Could that have been your semblance? You haven't gotten one before now, have you?"

Saphron's eyes widened as well and she looked between Neo and the mirror, excitement in her voice. "Oh gods, Neo! Try it! Try to look like me again!"

Neo bit her lip nervously, turning her attention back to her reflection. 'Was that really what it was? But how do I even do it? I wasn't trying before…'

Saphron noticed her trepidation and moved behind her, both hands raising to Neo's shoulders. "Don't think too hard on it. Feel it. Let it come naturally. Just… try imagining another me, standing right where you are."

'Well, here goes nothing…' Neo stared at herself in the mirror, picturing her older sister in her mind's eye. 'I'm Saphron. I'm Saphron. I'm-'

A shimmer of pink colored glass rippled across Neo's body from head to toe. She staggered as her field of view raised a few inches, her limbs elongating with a phantom-like sensation and leaving them momentarily numb. A million invisible pinpricks ebbed across her skin for a few seconds then vanished, leaving her standing in the bathroom, a perfect replica of the older girl standing right beside her.

"That is so cool!" Saphron cried out from behind, hugging Neo excitedly while hopping up and down. Neo stared at herself silently, shocked by her own transformation.

"Ariel next, try Ariel next!"

Neo came out of her stupor with a start, then took Saphron's advice. In a few short moments, her body once again shimmered. She grew even taller, her curves becoming more pronounced, partially hidden by the illusion of Ariel's huntress outfit.

In awe of her own ability, Neo began rapidly changing into everyone she could think of. Her perspective shifted drastically, rising and falling as the height of each person she replicated changed along with her. Her sisters, other girls from school, even Jaune, though Neo quickly became flustered and changed back into herself after that.

Saphron cheered her on the entire time, throwing out suggestions as Neo got a feel for her semblance. It wasn't until Neo dropped it, turning back into herself that another idea struck.

There were her scars. She hadn't worn her scarf to bed, comfortable enough with Saphron and Terra to know it didn't bother them in the slightest. Neo's hand raised, finger slowly tracing across one of the many white strips of tissue that marred her flesh.

'Could I…?' Feeling nervous, downright terrified that she'd gotten her hopes up for nothing and it wouldn't work, Neo began to focus on her scars. She imagined her own skin as it used to be. Smooth. Unblemished. Perfect. All the things that had been stripped away from her by the unforgiving claws of a beowolf.

A light pink glow shimmered across her throat.

Tears fell from Neo's eyes. She turned and hugged Saphron fiercely, an overwhelming happiness coursing through her body. She couldn't believe it. Neo pulled away for a moment to pinch herself, hoping against hope that she wasn't still dreaming.

She wasn't.

Neo spun in place, jumping for joy in the confines of the small bathroom. Saphron cheered with her, giving voice to the excitement that Neo couldn't vocalize herself. Even Terra smiled, though a shadow still dwelled over the rest of her demeanor.

Neo suddenly remembered what had happened between them. Her body slowed to a stop, cheeks heating as she dropped her eyes to the floor. Saphron frowned as the air was suddenly thick with embarrassment, along with an undercurrent of tension that could be cut with a knife.

Terra spoke first, hands fretting with each other in front of herself. "S-So, Neo… about earlier… I didn't know, but- I'm sorry! If I'd known it was you, I never would have-"

Neo raised her eyes, shaking her head and signing fiercely, 'No, no! It's not your fault! You don't have to apologize!'

Saphron looked between them worriedly, her hand raising to rest on Neo's shoulder. "What happened?"

Neo and Terra were both silent, neither knowing how to break the news to her. It seemed she was smart enough to put two and two together though, remembering 'who' they'd been searching for in the first place. Saphron's body grew woozy, and she fell sideways to lean against the bathroom counter.

"D-Did… Did you two…?"

Terra's shoulders raised defensively, her eyes incapable of meeting Saphron's own. "I'm sorry, Saph. I came out of the bathroom and saw, well… you. Or at least I thought it was you… Neo didn't have a chance to stop me… I… I just…" She sighed heavily, voice lowering to a terrified whisper. "I kissed her…"

Saphron had been holding her head in her hands, but at the note of fear in Terra's voice, dropped them to walk closer to her. Terra flinched, but was surprised when Saphron only wrapped her in a deep hug.

"I know you didn't mean to. I'm not worried about that, not even a little. I'm just… worried about Neo," Saphron let go and turned around, eyeing her younger sister in concern. "H-How are you, Neo? It was an accident, but I know that doesn't change what happened. Are you… are you alright?"

Neo squirmed under their gaze, her eyes glued to the floor while silently debating how much she should tell them. After a few long moments spent in thought, Neo knew it would likely be best if she came clean. She didn't want her sister to worry, nor Terra. Even if it meant revealing some of her own newly discovered secrets.

'I… I'm fine,' Neo started slowly, still incapable of raising her eyes from the floor. 'I don't hate Terra or anything. I actually… actually…'

Neo's hands stilled, fear gripping her heart for what she was about to confess. She could feel tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, the stress and rollercoaster of emotions over the last few minutes now building to a boiling point that begged for release.

Saphron had her arms around Neo in an instant, lightly humming while rocking her from side to side. Neo couldn't stop herself and let her tears flow freely, arms raising to hug Saphron in kind, desperate for the affection that her older sister was so readily giving.

"It's okay, Neo. Sshhh. Take your time. I'm here for you, okay? I love you, and nothing's going to change that."

Neo's fingers coiled into Saphron's shirt, gripping her more tightly as her words of comfort gave her the relief she needed. Neo remained there for a few long minutes, letting herself relax in the loving arms of her big sister. When her breathing was finally back under control, she pulled away, raising an arm to wipe the tears from her eyes.

Neo sighed heavily, mentally preparing herself. Her hands hesitated for only a moment longer, urged on by the affection still clear in Saphron's eyes.

'I… I liked it… I think I'm… I think I'm gay…' Neo's hands slowed during the admission, but she pushed through regardless. 'I've been feeling… odd, around Terra recently. Different. And I…' She blushed, eyes darting down in a refusal to meet her sister's. 'I caught you guys last night. In your room. I'm sorry for peeking! It was… exciting… though. And really confusing… I didn't know how to feel about it so I just went to bed…'

Saphron and Terra both appeared dumbstruck, but the former quickly recovered to offer Neo a relaxed smile. "It's alright, Neo. I was as old as you are now when I started feeling the same, though it was for someone my own age." She looked towards Terra when she said it, the two sharing a small smile. "It's perfectly natural to feel the way you do. Trust me, I've been like this for years. You'll only hurt yourself if you try to deny it."

'So you're both gay, too?'

Terra laughed, "Mostly. Saph is the lesbian. I'm Bi.'

Neo tilted her head, unfamiliar with the term. 'What does that mean?'

Saphron began to explain, "It means that Terra likes guys and girls. Personally, I don't see what she sees in men~" She winked at the girl next to her before continuing in a more serious tone, "Everyone has their own preferences though. I'm just glad Terra chose me in the end."

Terra tapped a finger to her chin, ready to tease back. "It was between you and Skye Miller." She grinned, "He doesn't have an ass nearly as nice as yours, though."

Saphron laughed, "Sucks for him~"

Neo stared as the two kissed for a moment, feeling her face going flush. She darted her eyes away in embarrassment until they'd finished, though their embrace didn't last nearly as long as it felt.

Saphron coughed to clear her throat, "Ehem, sorry. Caught up in the moment."

Terra smiled sadly, drawing Neo's attention. "I'm glad you learned something about yourself today, Neo. On the topic of your crush, though…" She scratched a hand against the back of her head, "I'm sorry, but you're just too young for me, even if Saphron wasn't a factor. You'll need to find someone your own age. Your own Terra… not me."

Neo nodded, feeling a small pit open up in her stomach. She knew Terra was too old for her. She didn't want a silly crush to get in the way of what they had, either. Neo had loved spending time with Terra long before any of her new feelings formed. She couldn't lose that.

'I know. I still want us to be friends. I love hanging out with you and Saph. I hope this doesn't get in the way of that…'

Terra smiled, "It won't. I promise. I like hanging out with you too, kiddo." Her smile took on a coy tilt to it, "So… who else do you like?"

Neo frowned in thought. She hadn't even considered that yet.

Saphron giggled and reached out, grabbing Neo's hand to drag her out of the bathroom and towards her own bedroom. "Alright, new plan! No more sleep tonight, girls! We're talking about crushes!"

Terra let out a long "Ooooooh~" while following along, a laugh quick to leave her own lips. "Let me pull up the school's Yearbook on my scroll. We can go through everyone one at a time~"

Despite the euphoria of staying up well into the morning while discussing potential crushes with Terra and Saph, Neo didn't forget.

Never could forget.

She wouldn't have to see her scars again.

GOD it feels good to be back. I honestly should've waited a few days to release this chapter, but I just love Neo so damn much. Hopefully you feel the same.

This was actually one of the chapters I've been looking forward to the most. The days of hopeless lesbian!Neo have begun. It sucks that her first kiss had to be stolen so abruptly, but she got far more than she ever would've imagined out of the deal.

I actually planned from the beginning for her physical trauma and mutism to carry on past the point of her wounds healing. She's always had some degree of Selective Mutism. I had an idea in mind for how it would affect the story, and that's still firmly what I plan on going with. Just needs a tiny bit more setup…

Anyway, hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading,

- Sybaen