I've been spoiling ya'll, with all these 2k and 3k word long chapters. back to a smol installment for this chapter, as it's kind of a bridge.

After their fight, Neo was floored, she never ever believed she'd beat her mother in a fair match. It was actually frightening how powerful she had become, and how volatile she was. Neo had though she had the downside of the relic mostly under control, but as her friends pointed out, she was riding the high of defeating her mother for hours after the fact.

Neo decided not to school herself upon hearing that, and instead stayed bright and cheerful for the rest of the week. As Classes resumed at beacon, Neo heard rumors, Her mother had stopped teaching classes, and instead had begun to mingle with the student body, mainly her own former team and JNPR, along with Neo's team.

It was at a lunch a week before the school year closed out that this conversation came up,

"So Auntie, What are gonna do now that you're back in Vale permanently?"

The entire lunch table froze, and turned to the younger Ruby, who had a curious look on her face. Aurum didn't freeze up though, instead she just sighed, "I dont even know Ruby... I... I guess I need to move forwards, It's been 3 weeks since Shade fell, and while I wish I could go help with the rebuilding efforts, all the bullheads in the kingdom that could take me there were taken home with the Atlesian troops. And Vale still isn't making commercial flights out to Vacuo.

For the time being, I'm stuck in Vale... Who knows what might happen next, I just hope that whatever happens, we'll be ready for it. I still cant believe that the moment I left, Vacuo was attacked... I should have seen it coming honestly... but it's in the past now." Aurum perked up at the end of her statement, meeting Neo's eyes. Aurum's eyes widened in sync with her daughter.

What a curious hope, That You'll be ready. Well. That depends on whether or not I tell you the odds.

Aurum's eyes narrowed, and Neo gained an annoyed air to her, which was quite visible in contrast to her recently exceedingly happy demeanor.

Rose feigned surrender in their minds and lamented, Okay, If I Didn't tell you the odds, it's a 1 in 543 chance you're properly prepared. Now that I've told you, it's a 4/5 chance.

Why would you be cheeky about that? Our odds went from one in five hundred fifty, to eighty percent. Do you think you're funny?

Neo thought in response, her air of annoyance shifting into mild anger and eliciting a shiver to crawl down her spine.

Rose chuckled lightly, finding Neo's anger amusing, Because there is no Immediate danger Neo, and I am feeling Playful. I want to have some fun every once in a while too you know. It gets kind of boring just hanging around in my Relic waiting for you two to use my power. I have no clue how my Siblings handle it.

Aurum's face had softened, and Hel had relented on Neo's anger, Understanding what Rose was getting at all too well. Aurum and Neo finally broke eye contact. The exchange lasted only a brief 15 seconds, but everyone else at the table had noticed.

"Uh... What was that?" Yang asked, curious as to what she just witnessed.

"I believe that was a silent conversation, Yang." Ren said, eyeing the two curiously.

Neo was still mildly annoyed, not noticing it due to the relic keeping her annoyed, and trying to push her further. Luckily her mind was strong enough to simply keep the relic locked in limbo, making it so her emotions didn't run away, but they never settled.

That was, until Pyrrha laid a hand on Neo's thigh. The girl had been watching Neo for the past few weeks, and was growing increasingly concerned with what the Relic was doing to her. Upon feeling Pyrrha's hand, Neo looked up and met eyes with her girlfriend. Instantly her face softened, and she had a warm feeling in her chest, followed by a hot-flash, where the feeling in her chest escalated to butterflies in her stomach. A light blush came to Neo's face as she looked into Pyrrha's kind eyes.

Neo glanced down to the relic, concerned with what it was doing to her still blossoming feelings for Pyrrha. Pyrrha then laid her other hand on Neo's shoulder and gave her a concerned look.

Neo felt the butterflies in her stomach reignite, and then compound, The blush on Neo's face intensified and she leaned into Pyrrha, closing her eyes and taking a slow and deep breath.

Inhale* My feelings are not this strong. The Relic is messing with me. *Exhale*

Unbeknownst to Neo, She was mumbling out loud, "my... not strong... Relic... messing... me.."

Pyrrha gave Neo a strange look, "What's that Neo? Something about a relic?"

Neo snapped ram rod straight, as did Aurum and Scarlet, Aurum gave Neo a glare unmatched by even the likes of Glynda Goodwitch. And Scarlet looked at Neo curiously, a question floating behind her eyes.

"uh... I Uh... Pyrrha, Come with me." Neo quickly stood up, followed tentatively by her girlfriend.

The Two walked back to Neo's dorm, and then, much to Pyrrha's surprise, The world shifted, and was tinged a light pink.

"Pyrrha... There's a lot about the world you don't know."

Pyrrha looked around in awe, "Neo... How are you doing this, What... what's going on?"

Neo had to fight against the butterflies in her chest that appeared every time she looked at Pyrrha, and instead she sat down on her bed, patting it lightly to signal to Pyrrha to sit down as well.

"Pyr... I'm going to tell you the truth because you're my girlfriend, and... because I think I love you. But... That second part might be the Relic talking... and I'm scared what will happen If you don't know why I've been acting the way I have."

Pyrrha looked confused and had a heavy blush on her face, flustered after Neo professed her love, "I-i though it was your weapon, It messes with your emotions, correct?"

Neo grimaced, "Kind of... It's a... Long story... But... We have time."

Pyrrha nodded and settled in, awaiting patiently what Neo was about to say.

"Uh... Alright then... Pyr? What's your favorite Fairy tale?"