Happy go lucky! Always! I'm always in the best mood! Life is the best! Everything is fine! Always smiling!
YOU RUINED EVERYTHING.
Life is great! My friends here are the best! This team is my family! Nothing can bother me!
NEELA HATES YOU. YOU KNOW THAT, RIGHT?
Things… I'm daydreaming again! Typical me. I need to get to class! First one of the day, Advanced Grimm Studies, one of my favorites! It might actually be my favorite!
RAVEN DIED BECAUSE OF YOUR MISTAKES! NEELA WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU.
It's… it's time for second period… things are great!... right?
WHAT IF YOU DO IT AGAIN? CAN ANYONE TRUST YOU?
Third period starts in a few minutes… I'm not okay… I've ruined everything, haven't I?
"Eliana," called a voice that caught her attention. She turned suddenly, snapped out of her thoughts as she was greeted by Arslan who smiled as she met the girl. Eliana reflected the emotion, but there was no heart to put into it. "Is everything okay?"
"Of course," Eliana replied, shaking the grief from her body. She gave the best smile that she could and closed her eyes. "This change of pace is just what I needed."
"Good," Arslan replied as she brushed a stray hair from Eliana's face. "I wouldn't want you here simply because you're running from something in the past. I wanted you here because Glynda and I honestly believed that you'd better achieve the goal you were seeking here in Mistral. The past isn't something that we can run from, it catches us eventually. You have to confront it and own up to those mistakes. Forgiveness is hard to receive if you can't first forgive yourself, right?" Arslan winked at her before walking away without another word, leaving Eliana alone in the middle of the busy hallway which seemed busier without the headmistress there.
Was this the best time? Should she send the apology now?
NEELA DOESN'T CARE IF YOU APOLOGIZE.
"Hey, you good?" A girl with dark green hair and dark blue eyes as she met Eliana who still stood motionless in front of her locker. She wore her school uniform which was black and bland, including the plaid skirt, Mistral was more strict than Beacon when it came to allowing the students to wear their street clothes during school.
"Yeah!" Eliana exclaimed. Desirae Ardan was easily the most friendly member of her new team, Team FADE, but at times she could be a bit dense. "I have a question for you."
"Ask away!" Desirae declared before grabbing Eliana and dragging her down the hall. "But ask while we walk or we'll be late to Dust studies."
"Right," Eliana agreed quietly. "Anyway… if you betrayed someone, do you think that they'd want an apology or to be left alone?" Desirae stopped for a moment, staring at Eliana hard before laughing and shoving her into the classroom and laughing.
"Man, you ask some of the strangest questions! Don't you agree, Asher?" Desirae asked. The only boy on their team, Asher Bailey, had his bangs long enough that his face could never be seen, the roots of his hair black before slowly fading to white at the tips. He furiously drew something on a piece of paper that was also concealed by his hair as he was draped over his desk, not even looking up to acknowledge them.
"Bells about to ring, better take your seats," He warned.
"Didn't answer my question," Desirae pouted.
"Sure, whatever," Asher mumbled as he tossed his head as though fixing his bangs so that he could see, but they returned to their original location. Desirae and Eliana sat beside each other next to the boy.
"Is this a hypothetical question?" Desirae prodded with a smirk. "Are you planning on betraying us?"
JUST LIKE YOU DID TO NEELA.
"No, I would never do that," Eliana explained frantically. "Of course it's hypothetical."
"Didn't sound very convincing," Asher noted, still refusing to look at them.
"It is!" She defended. "Like Desirae said, I ask some really weird questions, right?" The bell rang and students that were loitering in the lower levels took their seats, despite the fact that the teacher was nowhere to be found.
"Alright, calm down," Asher replied. "Yeesh, just messing with you."
"Is that what it was?" Eliana asked.
"Was that speaking I heard?" Inquired a voice in Eliana's ear as a hand was placed gently on her shoulder. "Should I remind you how I feel about speaking out of turn during class?"
"And you're not?" Eliana questioned. The hand gripped tightly.
"My father is a teacher here, it will look far worse for this team if you speak without permission than if I do it," the girl explained. Fade Genevieve was ranked as the top in the entire school and couldn't contrast Eliana any more if she tried. Eliana was happy go lucky, with the exception of not being so as of late, and Fade played everything by her own book, which at times irritated Eliana in ways that she couldn't express in words. Or at least, not in words that wouldn't place her in detention.
"It's fine, Fade, the teacher isn't even here yet!" Desirae noted.
"Fortunately, for Eliana," Fade spat as she took her seat on the other side of Desirae.
"Eliana had a question for us," Desirae exclaimed.
"Actually it was just more for you," Eliana grumbled.
"What was the question?" Fade pried.
"She wants to know if you betray someone, how long should you wait to apologize, or if you should at all," Desirae repeated.
"Who was it?" Fade got right to the point.
"Just hypothetical," Eliana chuckled, shrinking in her chair.
"Unlikely," Fade stated. The girl's red eyes glared at Eliana, her long white hair beginning to float.
"Calm down," Asher instructed Fade. "We all know what happened the last time you lost your cool."
"Of course," Fade agreed with a smirk before folding her arms and looking away. "I just don't think it's wise for a team to have secrets, not even the new girl."
THEY DON'T TRUST YOU, BUT WHY SHOULD THEY?
"Forget I asked," Eliana sighed.
"I guess it depends on what the person means to you," Desirae offered her.
"Why would you betray someone close to you?" Fade argued.
"If you were having your arm twisted… If someone had a gun to your head?!" Desirae shouted.
"Ahem!" Asher announced sitting up abruptly. His hair tossed back enough for Eliana to see his iris-less white eyes with goat pupils twitch. "Far-right door." Eliana turned to look at the shorter and older scholar, fumbling with closing the door behind him as he nearly spilled his papers everywhere.
"We can talk later if you'd like, I'm always here to listen," Desirae whispered before Fade jabbed her hard in the ribs with her elbow. Neela's face transposed over Desirae's.
I'm always here to listen, Eliana.
I HEARD YOUR BETRAYAL THE LOUDEST.
You shouldn't forgive me, Neela. I don't deserve it.
WORTHLESS.
"Neela," Yang began sternly before softening up. "Are you sure that you don't want to talk about it?"
"What's there to talk about?!" Neela exclaimed as she shoved past Yang towards the back bedroom in the apartment, frantically searching for her school uniform. "I don't need another lecture from the two of you about how she's not coming back! I understand that, okay? I'm not stupid! She just left, she's not coming back, I should get over it. Same song and dance. I'm over it, let's move on!"
"It doesn't sound like you're over it," Yang told her. "You're not sleeping, Jaune and Ren confirmed that during your last sleep study, your brain is acting the same as when you're awake, semblance and all, trying to find Eliana no matter what the cost." Neela stormed back down the hall, shoving through Yang again towards the laundry basket in the living room.
"Have either of you seen my uniform?" Neela huffed. "I washed it here last week because I didn't want to use the laundromat!"
"We never said that she wouldn't come back, Neela," Blake corrected, standing next to Yang with her arms folded. "We only said that it might be a while and that you should try and take your mind off of it."
"Yeah, whatever," Neela spat as she dumped out the basket and searched mindlessly through the pile.
"Well whenever you decide that you want to talk, we're here for you," Yang insisted. Neela pulled at her hair and felt rage wash over her face as she glared at the two of them.
"If you really want to help just shut up and help me look for…" Neela managed before Blake had cleared the kitchen and slapped her across the face. Neela remained motionless for a few seconds, the sting shocking her back to reality. She looked up at Blake, tears in her eyes as she noted the ones that her mother shared.
"Stop this now," Blake demanded. Neela's mouth opened to reply, but she didn't know what to say. Shame washed over her that rendered her speechless and she could only stare at Blake as the tears streamed down the cat Faunus's face. "Neela, we love you. We don't want to see you like this." Neela dove forward, clinging tightly to her mother as she sobbed.
"I just want her to come back, I'm sorry," Neela explained, burying her face as much as she could. Yang approached them, joining the two of them and holding them close as Neela let it out. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."
"I know," Yang assured her, pulling her away and grabbing her by the shoulders. "I know better than anyone else. I also know better than anyone else that it won't be easy, but you have to move past this. I know that Eliana was a major part of your life, maybe even the biggest part which wouldn't hurt the two of us in the slightest, but seeing you like this does." Yang wrapped her arms around Neela, letting the girl weep in her embrace for a long moment.
"It hurts. And I'm afraid that she'll never come back," Neela managed.
"I know," was the best that Yang could offer her at that moment. "I know sweetie."
"Neela, we're going to be late if..." Titus started as he opened the door of the apartment to find the three of them. "Is this a bad time?"
"Do you have to even ask that?" Ilia mumbled in his ear.
"I'm sorry, I should have knocked…" Titus began before Neela made her way across the room and wrapped her arms around the two of them. Titus looked at Ilia before drawing Neela closer to them.
"I'm sorry!" Neela exhaled trying her best to maintain her grip.
"You have nothing to be sorry about, Neela," Titus informed her. "We'll help you get through this."
"You just have to move on for now," Ilia said, crying herself which shocked Titus. "Not forever." Titus released the girls, walking to the couch and holding up Neela's uniform which was draped over the back.
"Hey…" Titus attempted but Yang cut him off, wiping her tears away.
"Just give them a moment," she told him. "The comedic timing will be much better afterward."
Neela took a deep breath as she closed the door behind her, nodding at her teammates in the hallway as she offered them a smirk and she left with them.
I forgive you, Eliana, but I have to move on… just for now…
Neela's heart caught in her chest. It wasn't going to be that simple, was it?
"Chin up," Titus instructed as they reached the doors exiting the complex. "We're being recognized as heroes today."
"Isn't that going a bit far?" Ilia asked him. "Heroes? We just did what we were expected to do." Neela stifled a chuckle. "What?"
"Technically we were expected to leave at my mom's instruction," Neela pointed out. Ilia laughed.
"Yeah I guess that's true," Ilia agreed.
"I don't think it's enough if we're being honest," Cobalt added as CBLT joined them on their walk to the amphitheater.
"Oh yeah?" Tawney asked. "You expecting a movie?"
"The first fall had one!" Cobalt noted.
"It was a documentary," Lykos included.
"Still better than nothing!" Cobalt shouted at them. "But I was thinking small scale, maybe like a parade."
"We should appreciate the fact that we're being acknowledged at all," Titus corrected. "They didn't even have to do this. They chose to do so."
"It's good publicity," Neela said.
"Hey, Neela," Bái called out. Lykos touched her shoulder and put a finger to his lips.
"What's up?" Neela asked looking back at them.
"Your braids look nice today!" Bái recovered quickly. Neela smiled.
"Thanks!" Neela replied. She looked ahead again and shook her head to clear it. Eliana always used to tell her that…
"Again, chin up," Titus advised with a smile. Neela nodded and reciprocated his expression. He opened the doors and they were met with unexpected applause from the staff, media, and others that were already there. Neela felt a wave of regret sweep over her. Raven deserved to be here too.
"You did everything that you could, you have nothing to be ashamed of," Ruby told her as she approached her from the side with a wink. "Come on, let's get you kids up there."
"Your aunt really is the coolest," Cobalt whispered.
"I know…" Eliana reassured her. "But still, your aunt is Ruby Rose… Ah! I can't get over that!" Neela chuckled, shaking her head again.
"It's pretty cool I guess," Neela agreed.
"You guess?!" Eliana scoffed.
"Ahem," Titus cleared his throat, motioning for Neela to take the lead. She gave a nod, slowly making her way down the aisle as the audio system blared to life.
"We would like to welcome the second years that partook in the second battle of Beacon to the stage now! Neela Xiao Long of Vale, Ilia Cherny of Vacuo, and Titus Prasinos of Atlas are the members of Team NITE in attendance today. Unable to make an appearance is Eliana Latherus of Mistral. We also welcome to the stage Cobalt Thénard of Vale, Bái Lung of Mistral, Lykos Asimi of Vale, and Tawney Lupara of Mistral who make up Team CBLT. Please give them a big round of applause as we acknowledge their bravery and skill in the face of an uncompromising evil," the voice said, it wasn't one that any of them recognized.
"Why does my tie feel so tight?" Cobalt asked as they closed in on the stage.
"Shut up," Tawney growled. They walked up the steps and took their places in a line as Glynda took the microphone and the cheering began to die down, despite the occasional whoop or catcall.
"Much like I stated before during the graduation ceremony, I believe that every one of the students that are attending this school today to make the world a better place are capable of great change. We owe that to the strength they found by setting aside their differences and working together. They have their faults and weaknesses, but they are all unique. It's my understanding that they were given a first-hand taste of this working in tandem when Athena and the Fang attacked the school. And thanks to the actions of both the Atlas and Mistral Militaries and Raven Branwen, we're proud to say that the White Fang have once again been eradicated," Glynda told them to another wave of thunderous cheers. Neela smirked.
"Told you," she whispered to Titus who chuckled.
"I now invite the members of the Remnant Peace Council up to the stage to congratulate these students first hand on their accolades. We would like to invite Ruby Rose, Head of both the Council and Vale, to the stage along with her advisor and stand-in, Qrow Branwen!" Glynda introduced them. The mass clapped again, Ruby showing off down the middle of the amphitheater by using her semblance, sending petals everywhere as she cycloned at the front of the podium before revealing herself. Qrow walked down the aisle, pointing and waving before meeting eyes with an impatient Glynda. Coco entered the stage from the side, presenting the medals to Ruby who then handed them out.
"Great job, hun," she told Neela, giving her a quick hug.
"Thanks, Aunt Ruby," Neela replied.
"Good work, Titus," Ruby informed him. He stood at attention and saluted.
"Anytime ma'am," he barked back autonomously.
"Thanks for staying and fighting, Ilia," Ruby said to the girl.
"It was the only choice," Ilia shrugged.
"It seems we misplaced your medal," Ruby noted as she thumbed through the ones in the box. Cobalt peered over the top and viewed the three that remained. He cleared his throat and nodded.
"It's alright, they deserve it more," Cobalt offered. Ruby chuckled as Qrow removed one from his jacket and tossed it to Cobalt.
"Don't sell it," Qrow instructed. Cobalt stared at it with wide eyes.
"Sure, yeah…" He stammered. Ruby bent her knees slightly to meet Bái's height.
"Keep up the good work, you've got a lot of potential," Ruby noted presenting her and Lykos with their medals.
"We will," Lykos replied for both of them.
"Tawney," Ruby began.
"Fight you for it!" Tawney exclaimed.
"No," Ruby said, handing it over.
"Afraid you'll lose?" Tawney asked as Ruby left the stage.
"It's bad for your image if you wipe the floor with a Huntress in training," Qrow chuckled.
"I'll remember that!" Tawney shouted. Lykos hushed her.
"Next we invite Olesia Lychnítis, the head of Vacuo, and her assistant and stand-in, Dorian Bradbury!" Glynda declared. Cobalt squealed and his teammates glared at him.
"No, you guys don't understand!" He exclaimed.
"I'm sure we don't," Tawney sighed, "But you're going to tell us anyway."
"She's a genius, and beautiful, and a technopath!" Cobalt declared. "What I wouldn't give to talk shop with her…"
"Thank you for fighting against the White Fang, Cobalt," Olesia greeted him. He took her hand and shook it repeatedly, his mind gone.
"Yeah, not a problem… I uh… yeah…" Cobalt stammered. She moved on and he looked at his hand. He'd touched her hand! Olesia Lychnítis's hand! A second later Dorian applied hand sanitizer to Cobalt's outstretched hand. "Why?!"
"You looked unnerved," Dorian offered with a shrug. Cobalt trembled.
"She.. and then he…" He stuttered.
"It's now time to welcome General Winter Branwen to the stage, the head of Atlas is accompanied today by her assistant and stand-in, Kitsune Aka!" Glynda told everyone. Winter made it a point to stop a bit longer to talk to Titus.
"Lieutenant General Prasinos," Winter said, acknowledging him. He saluted to her as he'd done the other. "I see you've finally settled into your role here at Beacon." He nodded at her.
"I have, General Branwen," he replied. She smiled and hugged him, seizing his body for a moment as his mind blanked. He smiled and hugged her back. "Thank you."
"But I don't want you getting too soft on me," Winter instructed. She moved to his ear and lowered her voice. "Contact me in a few weeks, I may have your first mission prepared as early as this winter." She released him and they gave each other a knowing look as she moved along. Kitsune stopped in front of him next.
"Good work, Titus," she informed him. "If you ever need someone to talk to about anything… I'm just a call away. Or text. Whatever you prefer." Titus chuckled.
"Sure," he replied, making her blush. She waved at him awkwardly before rushing to catch Winter.
"Lastly, introducing the head of Mistral along with his assistant and stand-in, Sterling Stratford and Siobhan Silver!" Glynda announced. The man walked down the aisle briskly with Siobhan right behind, all eyes in the room watched the man in awe as his aura itself seemed to be captivating every last one of them. He reached the stage and bowed, the simple act drawing even more approval than the beginning of the ceremony or Ruby's entrance. He glanced at the savior of Remnant who folded her arms and stuck her tongue out at him. He chuckled, saying something to Siobhan that caused her to laugh as well.
"You must be Neela Xiao Long," Sterling noted as he approached her and shook her hand firmly.
"You've heard of me?" Neela inquired. He laughed and nodded.
"Of course!" He exclaimed. "And not just from your aunt. Sounds like I should either be nervous of you or enlist you in the Mistral Military once you graduate. There's a lot of buzz around you. Not only did I hear that you went toe to toe with that maniac Athena, but I also hear that you're a bit of a strategist. I'm willing to bet Coco is the only rung separating the two of us."
"I don't know if I'd go that far," Neela brushed him off sheepishly.
"Give yourself the credit you're due," Sterling said with a wink and she blushed. How did he do that? Neela knew full and well that she was a lesbian, but the way that he made her feel… was it his semblance?
"Thank you," she replied.
"We'll be keeping an eye on you," he chuckled moving down the line. She took a deep breath and cleared her head. That was bizarre.
"Thank you for your bravery," he told Lykos and Bái before approaching Tawney.
"And you must be the Maniac," he said with a grin.
"I uh… I'm not sure… What to say. I'm sorry?" Tawney managed.
"I was well aware of the fighting rings that existed in the lower levels, though I never thought I'd get to meet the legendary Maniac of Mistral," he replied laughing. She chuckled nervously and sighed in relief.
"Really?" She asked.
"The fighter that never lost once? Truly an amazing feat," he noted. "How many fights was it?"
"Twenty-seven," Siobhan interjected. Sterling looked at her.
"Looks like you have a few fans left," Sterling said. "I had no intention of shutting down those fights, they were too valuable to the economy for those of you in the slums."
"Sounds bad when you put it that way," Tawney noted. He stood up straight.
"No!" He corrected. "Don't get me wrong! I know that it's a problem! We've been working on a restoration project for years, we're just not ready to implement it yet."
"Well I look forward to when you do," Tawney said. Sterling smiled thoughtfully.
"And I hope to see the return of the Maniac someday," Sterling replied as he left the stage and ushered Siobhan off. Twenty-seven… Why was that woman's voice so familiar? She didn't recognize her… she was sure she'd just heard her on the radio during the news block… worst hour of Vale's radio station every night.
"Once again, a big round of applause for these Huntsmen and Huntresses for risking it all to protect this school and the people around them!" Came the voice of the first announcer. They received a standing ovation and thanked everyone, waving out to them as the crowd was dismissed.
"That was short," Titus noted.
"Really?" Cobalt asked.
"In Atlas, that much would have lasted for hours," Titus explained.
"If I've said it once, I've said it one hundred times," Neela repeated. "Publicity stunt."
"Team NITE," Glynda said, turning around to address them. "I'd like for the three of you to remain here once the building clears out."
"Is this about pairing up with the third years?" Lykos inquired.
"That won't be for another week or so yet," Glynda explained. "I need to talk to NITE alone."
"Damn Team NITE," Tawney muttered, leaping off of the stage. The rest of her team followed after her, and Glynda waited a few minutes for the room to empty itself. She looked at them for a long moment before she turned back to the lectern and removed a manilla file folder and presented it to Ilia who was standing in the middle.
"What's this?" Ilia inquired as she stared at it for a moment, waiting for an explanation before opening it.
"I would have liked a little longer before it came to this, but we can't wait forever, can we?" Glynda asked. Neela moved to take a step forward but Titus reached across Ilia and stopped her.
"Ma'am…" Titus began.
"I'll give the three of you two days to pick a new fourth member for Team NITE from that packet," she told them, confirming Neela's fear. Neela covered her mouth, taking a step back as Titus stepped forward.
"With all due respect, Headmistress Glynda, we would like to wait until the end of the first quarter before making such a decision," Titus pled.
"I cannot honor that request," Glynda informed him. "We can't allow ourselves to be ill-prepared for what may come simply because we assume that Eliana will be back."
"Goodwitch!" Titus shouted.
"No…" Neela interrupted, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at the two of them. "It's okay, Titus. She's right."
"No, no, no. You're just saying that!" Titus yelled at Neela.
"Two days," Glynda reminded them as she began to leave the amphitheater. "Depending on who you chose, the team name may have to change, but Neela will still be the leading member no matter what." She stopped before reaching the doors and turned back to them. "If Eliana comes back, she's welcome back to Team NITE, but in the meantime, we need to continue training at full capacity." She left them in silence and Titus looked at Neela as Ilia thumbed through the pages.
"Three candidates," she noted. Titus sighed and joined her.
"Any of them look promising?" He asked.
"Hard to say," Ilia replied. "It doesn't make any note of their personalities. Likes, dislikes, accolades, semblance, and weapons. That's all we have to go off of."
"I guess they didn't give us pictures because they didn't want us to discriminate based on appearance," Titus pointed out as he took the folder and double-checked the packet. "Neela, did you want to take a look?" He turned around to find that she'd already left the building through one of the rear exits.
"You did your best to appeal the matter," Ilia told him.
"I don't feel like it was enough," he sighed again. He stretched and looked out over the room from the stage. "So what do you have going on the rest of the day?"
"Oh, you know," she said without looking up at him from her scroll with a smirk.
"Right," he chuckled.
"What about you?" Ilia asked as she put her scroll away and made her way towards the exit with him beside her.
"Probably do some training," Titus offered. "Pour-over these documents for a few hours just to realize that I really don't want to decide on anyone to replace Elli."
"I think we're all going to have that problem," Ilia said. "If we don't pick, I'm sure Glynda will."
"It's probably just best that we leave it up to her," Titus suggested. Ilia nodded.
"Agreed," Ilia replied.
The cliffside… Neela stood on the edge, letting the breeze wash over her from the ocean as she peered out towards Patch and sighed, her body rigid as she recalled all of the moments that she'd had here. Helping Lykos save Bái, watching Raven sacrifice to herself to make sure that they were safe from Athena, and Elli…
"I'm not going anywhere Neela! You worry too much! Nothing is ever going to come between the two of us!" Eliana exclaimed. "I want our kids to play and go to Beacon together and who knows, maybe they'll even fall in love!" Neela chuckled, concealing her hurt. She desperately needed to tell Eliana, but everything the girl said suggested that she didn't even feel remotely the same. What if she risked it all and Eliana's vows to always be there for her disappeared? Was she willing to risk their friendship for something more? If it drove Eliana away, Neela would be devastated for the rest of her life. "Here!" Neela snapped out of it, looking fully at Eliana who held her pinky out towards Neela.
"What?" Neela asked her.
"Let's pinky swear!" Eliana cried out.
"Elli, we're not little kids anymore!" Neela laughed. Eliana's tone changed suddenly and Neela knew that this had deeper meaning. Eliana's eyes weren't wide and kind, they were thoughtful and severe.
"I'm serious Neela. I want us to swear that no matter what happens, that we're always going to be friends." Eliana explained. "Not even death will stop us." Neela smiled at her and nodded. She hooked her pinky and they both shook. This pleased Eliana and the joy returned to her eyes as she smiled again and hugged her friend. "Great. Now there's nothing for us to worry about." Neela slowly stood and helped Eliana to her feet, but as Neela planned on returning to the campus, Eliana took off towards the woods, in the direction of the waterfall.
"I drove her away," Neela muttered as she felt the sorrow inside of her weighing heavily once more. "That was my doing, wasn't it?"
"Oh I very much doubt that," said a familiar voice as the boy took a seat along the ledge beside her and patting the spot beside him, suggesting that she do the same. She looked at Orin and offered a smile as she sat beside him. "You look far more distracted than the last time that we talked. I'm guessing this had to do with that cute girl who was always following you around, hm?"
"I confessed my feelings and she left," Neela noted staring hard at the reflections of the sun off of the waves that crashed at the cliff's base. "I shouldn't have told her."
"Would that really have been better?" Orin asked.
"What?" Neela replied in confusion. He looked at her for a long moment before chuckling and shaking his head.
"You don't actually believe that you're the reason that she left, do you?" Orin inquired. "That she left because you admitted to her your true feelings and she just didn't feel the same?" Neela nodded slowly. He rubbed his face. "It's because she felt the same that she left, Neela."
"That doesn't make any sense," Neela stated in irritation as she stood to leave.
"It doesn't?" Orin questioned standing. "I don't know what happened between the two of you, but Eliana must feel that she hurt you in some way and doesn't deserve your affection. It's the only thing that actually makes sense." Neela stared at him for a moment, biting her lip. "She may not have realized those feelings before you told her, but no one looks at another person the way she did with you without feeling the same."
"Do you think she'll come back?" Neela wondered.
"We all make our own decisions, that's not for me to say," Orin admitted as he took a step closer to her. He smiled as he bowed slightly. "However, what is for me to say is that I hope terribly that my team has the privilege of mentoring Team NITE. I've seen nothing but promise and potential from your team." Neela waved him off and smirked.
"I'm flattered," Neela said. He stood back up, offering his hand and taking hers before kissing it.
"Au revoir," Orin told her, leaving back towards the school and leaving Neela to stand there and watch him for a moment.
"I don't know if he just thinks he's all that… or he really is," Neela stated. She sighed and looked out at the water one more time.
"My mom says that dad used to take her to the ocean all the time when they first started dating," Eliana told Neela. Neela looked down at her friend for a moment, rubbing her bare arms as she felt the winds of fall sweep past them, though Eliana seemed unphased. "She said that he would always tell her that the ocean was one of the most perfect things in all of Remnant because, despite the fact that the water itself was not alive, it was more alive than most of the things in this world. Listen to the sound and note its beauty. It gives life and when it's angry, it can take life away. The motion can put someone to sleep or can wake them into a nightmare. Notice how he said that it was perfect, but not beautiful. No, the perfection of being all things absolutely, yet completely open to interpretation, was what made it beautiful."
"Elli…" Neela said, she could hear the pain in her friend's voice as she sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her. Eliana looked at her and smiled through the tears. It broke Neela's heart and she felt a sharp stabbing in her chest as Eliana continued. Eliana was pouring her heart out into Neela and in turn, into the ocean's beauty.
"Mom used to tell me that I was one of the things that dad found perfect. He said that I could be the most innocent of children, so full of naivety and wonder, but that I could also be a force to be reckoned with. That's why I'm a completely different person when I fight. I want to remain that perfection that my father had known I could be. I'm happy go lucky all of the time, but when it comes down to being a Huntress, no one will take it more seriously than I will. I just…" She stopped as she looked over at Neela, who was also staring out at the water now. "I want to remain that flawless little girl that my dad thought I was capable of being."
Eliana… you don't need to be flawless…
You just need to be you.
NITE and CBLT are considered heroes, but Eliana and Neela are still struggling to get by. Next week, Chapter 3: Emerald!
Sorry for the late upload, I work twelve-hour shifts every other weekend at my new job, so this might become frequent.
A big thank you to AG_Nonsuch, Helihi, Cadhla182, Carlomontie, Nliast, Y8ay8a, Sa-Dui, Diyaru4500, Demize00Zero, TheCipherNine, SketchHungry, Ookaminoki, Lightning-in-my-Hand, and Dishwasher1910. The artwork can be found at Deviantart, you can search Silent-Celica and under my favorites tab, I have a collection for NITE.
Until next week, stay safe, stay healthy, and stay classy!