"Of course I'm excited that Neela got the job! Why wouldn't that excite me?! She needed the money so that she could have a normal winter break this year instead of heading up to Atlas! It's awesome news, the best! Great! Really!" Eliana exclaimed as she sat on her bunk with her textbook, Titus glancing back at her from his desk and then looking over at Ilia.

"She's been going off like that for nearly thirty minutes now," Titus groaned. Ilia shook her head and rested her chin on her fist.

"Eliana, at this point I think the only person you're trying to convince is yourself," Ilia told her.

"Don't be ridiculous! That's crazy talk! I just wanted the two of you to know that it's fantastic! Fewer distractions while I'm working on my readings for classes and whatnot, right? Right! I'm going to get more work done than ever before! I'm going to have grades so good it'll knock Neela's socks off, they'll surpass even Cobalt's!" Eliana exclaimed. Titus sighed again and rested his forehead on his desk.

"Eliana, we get it. You think maybe you can go study in the library?" Titus requested.

"Guys, I'm fine!" Eliana exclaimed. Titus let out a pseudo-growl and looked at Ilia mouthing for her to do something.

"No one is saying that you aren't Eliana, but we're trying to study and you keep going on and on about Neela," Ilia told her.

"You got a thing for her?" Titus asked, becoming motionless as the words left his mouth and turning slowly to face Ilia. There was a crazed look on her face and fire in her eyes, keeping Titus from even flinching. Her eye twitched.

"You mean, am I attracted to Neela?" Eliana asked. Ilia crossed her neck with her finger, the corner of Titus's lip twitching. "She's got a great ass and she's super cute. I love those three braids she has, they're so her. But I mean, who wouldn't be attracted to Neela." Titus looked as though he was ready to explode, but he knew the moment he opened his mouth Ilia would tackle him and possibly disembowel him. At that moment the door crashed in vertically, Cobalt and Tawney lying on top of it, both dazed with nosebleeds.

"Did you hear that Tawney?" Cobalt asked.

"I did Cobalt," Tawney replied. "Eliana said-" A gust of chilled air rushed into the room that froze Cobalt and Tawney, Lykos poking his head in and waving at Eliana. Eliana was confused but waved at Lykos to be polite as he picked up Cobalt and Bái dragged Tawney out.

"How did the door even collapse like that?" Titus asked. Ilia shrugged.

"Is that what you meant Titus?" She asked. He froze again and looked at Ilia for help before standing and putting the door back into place.

"Have I shown you pictures of Vic yet?" Ilia asked. Eliana shook her head and Ilia slid across the room, leaping onto the bunk. "So this is him with his mom and dad. Here he is this morning at his beach house. Here's a picture of him with his teammates."

"Who's the chick with the wings, she's cute!" Eliana exclaimed. Titus facepalmed.

"Eliana, don't you have homework that you need to finish?" Titus asked. Eliana leapt down with her textbook.

"Right! Can't have Ilia distracting me! I'm off!" She announced taking off. She slammed the door behind her and it fell to the floor again.

"Kind of flighty, isn't she?" Ilia asked. Titus scratched his head.

"I'm still trying to figure out this door," he replied.

"You're going down!" Eliana shouted as she raised her fist to the air. Eliana dove back to her left, grabbing a snowball and throwing it across the lawn over the top of her fort at Lykos. She reached out for another, Bái forming it quickly and feeding them to her. A barrage came in from Neo who had joined Lykos, and Eliana let them pelt off of her forcefield, opening it only far enough to occasionally fire. Bái turned quickly, whisking snow up around her and a mass of separate snowballs floated around her gently.

"Cover me!" Bái yelled. Eliana charged out, forcefield ahead of them as they pushed past the fort and in. When they reached their target Neo and Lykos were nowhere to be found…

"Where?" Eliana was cut off by three snowballs rained down from above, pelting Eliana and throwing her onto her chest, Neo landing on her and holding her parasol behind her to block Bái's attack. She smiled and placed her blade to Eliana's back.

"Eliana!" Bái called out as she blocked Lykos' snow projectiles with an ice shield.

"Go on without me!" Eliana called out. Neo threw her head back in silent laughter and pointed at Bái, winking at her. Neo disappeared, appearing behind Bái and swinging at the girl who managed to block it without seeing it, which shocked Neo, but gave Lykos apt time to land the three snowballs he needed to win. Eliana leapt to her feet and shook off the snow. "Awww, how did we lose six in a row, you have snow and ice powers built in!" Bái laughed nervously as Lykos cleaned the snow off of her.

"Cobalt made me something so that my powers aren't so crazy," she told Eliana. "I'm trying to get used to having to control it. Before I had the bracelet, it kind of controlled itself."

"Do you remember how you ended up like this?" Eliana asked. Lykos stepped forward to interject, but Bái grabbed his arm and pulled him back slightly.

"I don't remember much, and when I try and remember, my powers usually get out of hand," she explained. "There was fire. And someone named Merlot was being yelled at. And I remember crying. But that's it. Nothing before that really and I was so badly injured I don't remember much after."

"Maybe your mind wants you to forget because it's easier," Eliana suggested. "It's different than my situation, I'd like to leave the pain behind, but I never want to forget what happened. It's one of my reasons for fighting."

"Speaking of reasons for fighting, isn't Neela off of work soon?" Lykos asked. Eliana's face quickly twisted into a smile and she lit up, running down the sidewalk and nearly slipped as she passed the man salting the pavement.

"Not yet, but by the time I get to Vale she will be!" Eliana called back. "Had fun! See ya!" Neo waved and looked back at Lykos, cocking her hip as she pointed her thumb back towards Eliana.

"They're just really good friends," Lykos told her. Neo shook her head and left the two of them. Meanwhile, Eliana quickly boarded the airship with some of the other students and sat on one of the benches, waiting impatiently to reach the city. You got a thing for her? Eliana laughed at herself. She knew what that meant and she meant everything in her reply. Wouldn't it be taboo? Neela had always been like a sister, even if Eliana did feel that way, it was entirely inappropriate. What could she call this feeling then? She cared for Neela more than she did her other friends, but maybe that's just what it would feel like to have a sister… A sister with a really, really nice ass.

Eliana spirited off of the ship, running as quickly as she could up the hill that was the main street, reading the address of the bookstore over and over until it was simply another piece of information that she had always known, like her name or address. She turned the corner, sprinting past the police station and saluting quickly, she wouldn't have the time right now to pay proper respect, but she'd be sure to do so on the way back. A couple of minutes. Maybe she could surprise her, come up to the desk and mask her voice while Neela was turned around. She did need the latest volume of Ninjas of Love… though maybe she should get that while she's by herself.

Eliana opened the door. Or she could get it now and embarrass the hell out of Neela. Eliana rubbed her hands together as she made sure the door to Foxes Fables didn't make any noise as it shut and she quickly moved into one of the rows. Were they in alphabetical by title or author?

"Excuse me? Can I help you find something?" A voice asked to her right. Oh crap, what do I say? Yes, I'm looking for an erotic novel, perhaps you can direct me to it. I could lie. That doesn't help me though, then I"ll be in here even longer. No choice, I'll just have to be blunt with the poor guy. She turned and looked at him. Her heart stopped and her ruse was over as she squealed like a fangirl and began leaping up and down.

"Fox Alistair!? Now the store name makes sense! Oh my Oum! I can't even right now! Can I get an autograph… No! Can I take a picture with you?! You were there at the Fall of Beacon, on Team CFVY! I think I'm going to cry!" Eliana screeched.

"Uh, sure," he replied.

"Really?!" Eliana exclaimed. Neela poked her head out past the edge of the shelves, spotting the two of them and joining them.

"Hey Elli," Neela said. Eliana's smile skewed and she stamped her foot. "What's up?"

"I was going to surprise you, but I couldn't contain my excitement!" Eliana said. "How was work?"

"My shift is over in five minutes," Neela told her. Eliana took a few steps back.

"Right. Sorry," Eliana apologized. She looked at Fox as Neela walked away.

"Are you really blind?" She asked. Fox nodded, leaning against the shelf.

"Yep," he answered.

"And you run a bookstore?" She questioned.

"I realize the irony," he replied.

"So wait, if you're blind, how are you able to fight?" She inquired.

"Well you see-" He was cut off by Neela from across the store.

"What book are you looking for Eliana?" Neela asked. Eliana looked at Fox and blushed as she stared at lights hanging from the ceiling.

"I… I uh… I can find it myself, thanks though!" Eliana called out. She snuck past Fox and stifled a nervous sigh. "Excuse me." Fox shrugged and went back to work as Eliana wandered to the other end of the store, finally finding it. Neela came up behind her as she grabbed it off of the shelf.

"Boo," Neela said quietly. Eliana jumped, dropping the book and swinging around, socking Neela in the arm. "Hey, it's just me. Sorry."

"Neela! You almost gave me a heart attack!" Eliana shouted at her quietly. Neela laughed and picked the book up.

"Ninjas of Love? Like those harlequins my mom reads?" Neela asked. Eliana snatched it away and gave Neela the cold shoulder.

"This is a completely legitimate form of writing, I read it for the storyline," Eliana told her glancing back over her shoulder. "Though there are a few things I wouldn't mind trying out." Neela turned beet red.

"Like what?" Neela asked pushing the issue. Eliana smirked. Normally Neela backed down when Eliana asked her those sorts of things. Interesting.

"Maybe we should discuss them back at the dorm," Eliana suggested brushing Neela's braid as she passed by. Neela stood in stunned silence for a moment before biting her tongue and balling her fists. Son of a Bitch! Neela took a couple of deep breaths and returned to the counter, Fox was already checking Eliana out, the girl as red as Neela must have just been, and Neela went into the back room, clocking out.

"See you tomorrow Fox!" She called out.

"Great job Neela!" He replied in a shout as they left. Neela looked over at Eliana who smiled. There it was.

"So, what did you do today without me there?" Neela asked. Eliana threw her head back and laughed.

"I'll have you know that I had a great day!" She exclaimed thrusting her fist into the air. "I got my reading assignment done for physics, and I had a snowball fight with Báikos!"

"Báikos?" Neela asked.

"Yeah, Bái and Lykos," Eliana replied. Neela laughed and Eliana looked at her, furrowing her brow. "I stand by what I said."

"Do you remember the very first date that we had here Raven?" Taiyang asked her as they sat in a gazebo in the park in the middle of Vale. Raven looked around, her eyes frantic, as though she was anticipating another attack from the White Fang at any minute. She'd been pretty badly beaten, but she started by taking it easy, and they'd let her leave the hospital for a few hours for some fresh air before they brought her back to run a few more labs and then they would send her on her way. "It was our second year at the academy, and Qrow had more or less dared me into doing it because he thought that you were going to eat me alive, and you know how well Qrow and I get along. Yet, unlike when we were at Beacon when I got you away from the school you were at ease, relaxed."

"We came here after we decided to get take out at A Simple Wok and we spotted Qrow and Summer spying on us. You decided that we'd show your brother how wrong he was by making out right here and then. I'd never kissed a girl before but you seemed over experienced, and we winged it. I'm sure it was awful for you, but the look on Qrow's face was priceless, I thought for sure that he was going to choke on his popsicle!" Raven looked at Tai and waited for a second to make sure that he was finished speaking.

"What are you going on about?" Raven asked.

"Don't tell me you forgot our first date!" Tai exclaimed laughing.

"That's not what I meant Tai," Raven told him watching Neela and Eliana pass by, talking and laughing with each other. "Why? Why bring any of that up? That was all a long time ago and clearly, I've moved on from all of that."

"It's a nice memory despite the fact," he told her. Tai caught what Raven was watching in his gaze and he chuckled. "They're living more right now than you have in your entire life."

"How so," she asked, though her tone suggested that she didn't care.

"Life's not simply about surviving Raven," he told her, though he knew she was already well aware. "It's about the moments that you remember. My life isn't defined as it is now, a retired teacher and huntsman who runs a daycare for the teachers at Beacon. It's about my time with Team STRQ and our shenanigans. It's about being a huntsman and protecting my friends and family. It's about the two daughters that I love more than anything in this world. That's how I would define my life, and even if I died right now, I could be content with that."

"But why?" She asked. "You can't possibly mean that. Your life would be over, it would be the end of your existence. How can you find peace with such weakness? Death is weakness."

"Raven, you think that life is nothing but a measurement of strength, but you're wrong," Taiyang tried to convince her. "Don't you remember how it felt to hold Yang in your arms? To see her smiling face and to know that the only thing that she needed at that moment was her mother? Did you forget that when you left?"

"Those memories aren't good for anything!" She seethed through her teeth as she slowly stood.

"Why?! Because you were vulnerable!?" Tai shouted at her, also standing. "Are you telling me that you don't wish that you could take it back?!"

"Would it matter?! It's in the past!" Raven shouted in his face. Tai stopped for a moment, both of them breathing heavily in the others face.

"So you do regret it," he said. She turned away and walked to the edge of the park, heading down the sidewalk back towards the hospital, Taiyang on her heels.

"I never said that," she told him.

"You're not denying it," he said coyly.

"And now I remember why I left you," she retorted. She hobbled away from him more quickly and he watched her, debating whether or not chase after her as a crow flew past him. He shook his head and turned away, heading back towards his house. The crow perched on Raven's shoulder and she growled at it, causing it to leap off and hover around her. "Qrow!"

"How'd you guess?" He asked sarcastically taking his human form.

"Shouldn't you be letting your ribs heal?" She asked.

"Didn't realize you cared so much. You know how well I listen to medical advice. Besides, I dropped by your room and saw that you were gone. Thought I'd find out what you were up to." He replied walking beside her. "Who messed you up this bad anyways?"

"Athena Taurus," she informed him. "Once I'm healed up I'll head back out there and finish the job."

"Alone? That worked out well last time." She stopped and glared at him.

"I'm sorry, were you looking for an invitation? I'm not going to ask you for help, but I won't stop you if you're feeling compelled," she replied. He chuckled.

"Isn't my fight." Qrow began walking again and she walked beside him, barely matching his pace considering the pain. "I see this problem as yours, Blake's, and Yang's."

"You don't care about Yang enough to help?" She asked. He chuckled.

"I care enough about Yang that I'm not gonna make you ask her for help. If you're stupid enough to make the same mistake twice, more power to you. At this point I almost think it would be easier for Yang if you died," he explained impassionately. She looked away from him.

"Asshole," she grumbled.

"I wasn't always this way," he reminded her. "You and I were still inseparable in high school, we both wanted nothing more than to stay far away from dad. But then he came back and got you right? Threatened us and then treated you like shit?" She shot him a shocked look as they reached the intersection and she activated the light for the crosswalk.

"You knew?" She asked.

"What else was there for me to do after you disappeared? Once Summer died, Yang was motherless again, and when I wasn't helping Tai with the girls, I was looking for you," Qrow informed her. "What I can't understand, is why you didn't return after you killed father." Raven froze as the signal changed and Qrow began across the road.

Qrow had known all this time… and yet he had never said anything. Was it due to our agreement? Even then logic dictates that he should have told Yang everything, right? He knew facts, but this chill that's come over me feels more like he can tell what I'm feeling as well.

"Qrow… You know I had to-" He looked back at her, waiting for her as cars laid on their horns. He flipped one of the drivers off, waiting patiently in the middle of the walk as Raven slowly regained her wits.

"I'm not pissed off about dad," he told her as they made it across the street. "You saved her once Raven. If you truly hated her as much as you let on, I don't think you would have done that." He shrugged. "But hell, that's mostly speculation. Do what you will." With that he transformed, flying off.

Raven watched him for a long moment. Half dazed and turning away in a slight confusion. Her father's words rang out. If it wasn't for that child you'd be able to eat with us! Understand?! Raven clenched her fists. Qrow couldn't sway her so easily, Yang was the one to blame.

So apparently Raven is no closer to actually trying to make ammends, and Eliana is stir crazy when Neela isn't around. Next week, Ebony tries to prove her loyalty by trying to kill Neela in Chapter 43 - Self Defense!

A big thank you to Y8ay8a, Sa-Dui, Diyaru4500, Demize00Zero, TheCipherNine, SketchHungry, Ookaminoki, Lightning-in-my-Hand, and Dishwasher1910. All of their 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 classy!