"A message."
Lilianna sneaked a peek at the scroll, then turned her look away. Absently, she gazed through the open window in her room, playing with her fingers to simply occupy herself whatever manner she could. 'It was pretty cool actually. Definitely enjoyed it.' She couldn't push it away from her mind and her eyes seemingly gained a separate consciousness just from remembering, going back to what they did for past 2 hours or so-gazing at the scroll, her red almost visibly reflecting the text she wanted to read again. I already did it twice…..today. Not counting all the times she did yesterday. Forcing her urge somewhere else, Lilianna looked through the window again, her fingers playing more actively. Thanks. Older woman's features showed wrinkles, feeling embarrassed how easily the simple word bypassed her mental barriers. Just one more glance wouldn't hurt. She caught herself thinking, though immediately crossed her arms in front. Instead of helping her inner turmoil however, the physical barrier she put backfired to her, the mind of hers now visualizing text in plain sight, almost taunting her it seemed. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind.
Honestly, this was so incredibly annoying. To think that she, a world class huntress, noble warrior who had survived-quite a few times dominated-numerous battles with literal beasts and humans who could be categorized so too, a woman in her late 30's-God damnit she wanted to read it again! Sigh….Lilianna's head hanged lower. She was defeated. Not even her almost 40 years of battle experience and mental fortitude could overcome the simple urge of going through the messages her son had sent her. But, as much as it seemed that she despised the fact, which she probably did if admitting honestly, older woman would not even for a faint moment erase this feeling. It was all too worth it, considering the blessing which lingered just above her defeat.
With an uncharacteristic hurry in her movements, Lilianna almost jumped on her bed, her hand reaching for the scroll from the table. With mere, few taps, older woman found what she wanted, her usually neutral grimace slightly brightening as she did so. 'How was your week?' However,her stomach twisted and face visibly cringed from her own message she had sent him first. No 'Hi' or any sort of greeting to start off nicely, nor did she end her writing with any wishes for better luck to her child in the future. Just plain, almost cold, maybe even apathetic row of text. Lilianna's entire frame shivered from the discomfort. She would work on it, certainly. With that in mind, Arc woman swiped her text away and reached for her son's one. 'It was pretty cool actually. Definitely enjoyed it.' She read it through twice and shortly stopped.
He didn't answer to her for 2 days she counted. Lilianna had already thought that Jaune wouldn't text her back at all. Something she could understand and wouldn't hold a grudge against. However, one corner of her lip curved a bit upwards. The proof in the device she held showed otherwise.
Lilianna was resting in her bed, the clock on the wall showing that it would soon be 11th hour past pm. Despite that, even the shadows blanketing her face couldn't hide her heavy disappointment as she looked at her inbox. No new messages it showed from him, only new job offers in her line of work. 'If he doesn't want to, then it's all there is to it.' Her eyes narrowed as she was ready to accept this sullen defeat.
*Beep!*
Her scroll suddenly ringed following with consecutive vibrations. A tiny hope lit in her heart as her gaze hovered over the glowing number on the display.
1 new message received. From Jaune.
Almost frantically, she tapped the glowing number and didn't even register that her heart skipped a couple of beats.
'It was pretty cool actually. Definitely enjoyed it.' Her eyes firstly blazed through the letters, only second time reading with understanding. Taking a little bit more time to cherish the moment, she then proceeded to think of what to write back. Since her son's message was not a lengthy one, the options seemed to be rather sparse. Or maybe they weren't, her parental awkwardness simply kicked in. Either ways, whatever the case may have been, Lilianna felt a need to write something back-anything would do. Her thumbs pacing up and down, few sentences ran through her head in endless circle and she randomly picked one.
'I'm glad. Hope the next week will be just as great.' She typed it down and send the text before a change of mind could have its chance at her. Holding the scroll right over her face, now all she could do was patiently wait for an answer.
If there even would be one.
Maybe she exaggerated, but no new message appeared for solid 5 minutes. But then again, judging by the previous length of wait time, this was far from bad in comparison. The tiny glimmer in her eyes showing that it was well worth it too.
'Thanks…Hope you're doing good as well.'
She read it through with a faint smile decorating her lips. In actuality, there was no ellipse in between the sentences, but a gut feeling she…just maybe would dare to call a mother's instinct and some bare bones understanding about Jaune as a person, made her think that there was one. No-she knew that there was one. Not that it could strip away the content she was feeling right now anyway. Sure, the texts which were exchanged were not lengthy ones, and perhaps more feelings could have been put while writing them down, but the ever so slight widening of her smile showed that this was good enough for now. That Lilianna was both satisfied and happy about this new development in their bond.
She read through the text once more, placing the scroll back on the table afterwards. Maybe messages like this were not a huge step as a whole, but they meant a lot to her. Start with something small and minuscule, then move to actions grander and wider in scale. That was her plan of action. Getting up from the bed, Lilianna moved herself to the open window. Leaning her weight on the arms, she faintly peered her blonde head through the opening. First, there was nothing but serene, self-contained gazing as her red showed contrast emotions to the color. As the moments passed by though, her inner world got embodied into a sound. Starting off as an absently done hum, but turning into a divine string of notes followed with a light sway of her head. Just like before, Lilianna didn't sing loud, only so much that the wind could easily muffle the sound and carry it away to ungraspable reach.
"It's close to middle of night
I was far from fine
As there's nothing sent back to me
But then I saw a glimpse of light, seeking my face
Is this really meant for me…
I read what you say
Then there's tiniest hope
I'll brace myself to change
For your sake
I'll search for that door
So we can walk from the past
I was a pain in your tears
So now I'll make you smile
You'll be fine
And I'll hold you tight under bad weather
If you'll still feel sad
I'll hold even tender
So give me your hand
Please one last chance
And I will follow the light
I was far from fine
As there's nothing sent back to me
But then I saw a glimpse of light, seeking my face
Is this really meant for me…
I read what you say
Then there's tiniest hope
I'll brace myself to change
For your sake
I'll search for that door
So we can walk from the past
I was a pain in your tears
So now I'll make you smile
You'll be fine
And I'll hold you tight under bad weather
If you'll still feel sad
I'll hold even tender
So give me your hand
Please one last chance."
Authors note-Well, I'll be damned. This is easily the shortest chapter by far. I mean just over 1k words it is. Truth be told, I didn't plan it to be so short. In fact, I have enough draft ready for 2 quite lengthy chapters easily. But why did this come off so short….Well, actually, it's because of the headline. You see, I always start my chapters with one, and then move things forward. As you can see, the headline for the chap is 'Message' so, as I was writing this chapter down, it slowly started to dawn on me that…well, this could be it. Seriously, I didn't plan it to be this short, but the headline accompanied the chapter so well that I was content with it. Besides I, for whatever reason, really like how this chapter was written. I don't even know, maybe it's because-in my mind at least-my writing style has improved a bit or something else, but as short as this chapter may be, I quite like it:) Though trust me, I know that a lot of you could be disappointed by it. Not only is it really short, but the chapter also heavily focuses on my OC-Lilianna. Only subtle gestures here and there are mentioned of Jaune, but very, very little. So as a whole, this chap is quite a gamble. One which I dared to take, but may end up regretting it to a degree. But I shall see how it ends. Anyways, enough rumbling and let's answer reviews-
Jkdelta38-Thanks man. About Yang, yea she really did handle it really well didn't she? But I had reasons for it so there's that. Also, appreciate that you enjoyed the backstory of Yang's. it's always a confidence booster to know that a mix of my own original idea and a little bit of canon writing is enjoyed by you guy's. So really, thanks;)
DARKPHANTOM13-That, my dear reader will be answered to you in the very next chapter. Like literally, the chapter will start with the reveal:D So look forward to that I guess. And thanks!
H20 Ferrum Dominus-Holy crap…5 reviews right off the bat from you:D Well, that's one way to show that you care for the story I suppose:D But seriously though, it amazes me that, at least as far as I know, you read my whole writing in one sitting. Or at least in one day. I mean 90k words isn't exactly short amount of words to get through. But on the other hand, it truly is delightful and encouraging to me to know that you did. So on that note, I shall answer all 5 of your reviews.
Chapter 1-Yea, the idea maybe isn't exactly mind blowing, but it's fairly unique none the less. As for improvements, yea, I do know that my work could always use some. I mean every authors work could always be improved upon, but I guess someone like mine could especially be tweaked:D Though knowing that overall you found it unique and amazing-that's genuinely heartwarming and awesome:)
Chapter 2-Yep, I was quite a troll there wasn't I?:D I think it's safe to say that you're one of the many who felt the same way about the chapter:D
Chapter 4-Wow, thanks a bunch for that. Awesome to know that the chapter was emotionally powerful to you. And you're always welcome;)
Chapter 7-Nice to know that overall you did find the fight scene fairly enjoyable. Though it also is a bit tough to stomach that some parts of it were boring to you, so you skipped them. Though I won't hold a grudge and will understand. I mean this whole story is an amazing experience for me to be honest. All of my previous writings have been considerably shorter and much simpler. So it's almost a given that since I'm stepping into uncharted territories, my inexperience will bare its fangs into my writing. But honestly, as long as I still genuinely put in effort and try to make the work as best as I can, I think it's nothing to cry over for me. I will improve upon and learn from mistakes. Or at least will try:D On that note, the idea that I will do a rewrite is very unlikely. You see, I always like to go back to my work and reread it myself. And seeing all the mistakes still being there helps me to understand where I should put more attention to. So that's that. As for the rest of Jaune's family, they will be mentioned, for sure. I just still haven't figured when exactly. Though your curiosity will be rewarded to an extent. I'm sure.
Chapter 13-As for Jaune having more than one pairing. Very, very unlikely. In fact, I think I can just say that it won't happen. Admittedly, writing about Jaune and Yang is fun, making me realize that if I will write another rwby fic with romance, they could very well be a couple I would choose to write about. But as for this story, while they will have genuine moments and such, no romance. Just good ol' Arkos will remain to the romance aspect of my story. Also, as always, nice to know that you found this chapter amazing. As for your guess….well, wait till the next chapter is all I'm gonna say. And to wrap it up, thanks again for your amazing support. Hope your interest will remain to be right till the end of the story.
So that's the end of that.
Few more things though. Some of you are most likely wondering-So how exactly does Lilianna sound when she's singing. And if you're interested in knowing that, just go to the youtube and search for-Ao no exorcist 'Call me later' That is how she basically sounds. Perhaps a note or two higher, but it's a very close representation of her singing voice. Also, the lyrics at the end of the chapter are basically synced so that they would fit in fairly nicely with the song I mentioned. I altered the lyrics so that they would fit nicer with Lilianna's character. Also, if you want to experiment or just try out, there is an instrumental version of 'Call me later' so you can play that and read mine lyrics while imagining that Lilianna is singing them. But if you don't then by all means so be it. But at least check out the song so that you could imagine better how Lilianna sounds. Like an angel in short:D But still, try it out if you can;)
And that's the end of that. The funny and sad part however is that my author notes are basically the same length as the chapter:D So yea…that's that I guess:D
Oh, but one more thing though-
To all my readers, reviewers, people who just have a glimpse of my story, and in the end, to the rest of the world as well-Merry Christmas to all of you! Have a great time with people you love and care for, and never ever forget about them. They're big part of you, who you are as a person. So never forget that:)
And as always-
Have a nice one;)
This one especially so:)
