Spoilers? Well, RT knocked it out of the park with their lore and murdered mine in the process but hey, you'll have that.
Neela and Eliana stepped off of the airship at Signal and made their way home through the lightly dusted path across the snowy, rolling plains of Patch that divided the forest evenly down the middle, homes and cabins scattered along the dirt road that led to their childhoods. Eliana's purple hair and top contrasted against the white landscape, even in the dead of winter the girl couldn't be bothered with wearing a coat. She kicked at the snow, bending over and attempting to form a snowball but it fell apart, too much fluff and not nearly compact enough to hold together. Eliana wiped her hand through it and stood back up, glancing back at Neela and smiling.
"Isn't it great!? It never snowed like this in Mistral, I still get super excited about it!" Eliana declared.
"You're too genuine Elli," Neela beamed at her. Eliana returned the smile and dropped her bag, running out into the field and flopping onto her back. "Elli! Come on, you've got to be freezing!"
"So what if I am!? Come make a snow angel with me Neela, just like when we were kids!" Eliana called out. Neela laughed.
"We're seventeen Elli, we aren't little kids anymore!" Neela called out. Eliana sat straight up and gave Neela the smile that always broke her walls down and roped her in. She couldn't say no, she never had a reason to. Neela dropped her bag and trudged out through the snow, throwing herself onto the ground beside Eliana and spreading her arms and legs to form her angel. It was ridiculous, but as long as it made Eliana happy, Neela would do it. Nothing made Neela happier. They both leapt up and stepped gingerly away.
"You call that an angel?" Eliana asked. "Mine looks better."
"Yeah, cause you're not wearing a coat. Cold yet?" Neela asked as she brushed the snow off of Eliana's sides. Eliana shuddered and shivered, shaking her head.
"No," Eliana said flatly. "We're huntresses, a little cold never killed anyone!"
"You never looked at it that way for the first couple of years that you lived here," Neela reminded Eliana. Eliana picked her and Neela's bags back up. She handed her best friend her pack back and Neela nodded, thanking her as they continued down the path.
"I have a bone to pick with you," Eliana told her.
"Oh?" Neela asked.
"The Vytal fest is coming up next year, we're already three-eighths of the way through year one and neither of us has begun training. As a matter of fact, I'm guessing that you haven't even come up with a name yet for my guns," Eliana pried. Neela cast her a side glance and shrugged her off.
"Do you have a name for my bow?" Neela asked. Eliana laughed.
"Of course I do," Eliana answered.
"Well, what is it then?" Neela questioned. She had Eliana on the ropes, or at least she thought.
"How about you tell me what you got me for Winter Festival, and I'll tell you what I named your bow," Eliana replied.
"You're clever," Neela told her with a smirk. "But like I said at the beginning of the school year, we really don't need to start worrying about that until next year."
"We don't get better by sitting around and doing nothing," Eliana reminded her. Neela gave her a shove. "Hey!"
"Elli, we've been training like crazy so far this year. Just because we aren't specifically training for the tournament doesn't mean that we aren't getting better and ready for it. Just think about the kids from the other schools, I'm sure that none of them have hands-on experience like we did against the Stardust Gang. Not to mention we have another team that comes close to equaling us and pushes us further," Neela informed Eliana. "As long as we stick with it and do our best, we'll be fine."
"You're probably right," Eliana agreed. "I can't wait to see my mom, I've only seen her once since we got to the school. I have so much that I want to tell her but first I want to show her these guns that you helped Atlas make. They're so amazing! She'll be just as impressed at how much they look like dad's. Really the greatest thing I've ever gotten!"
"I'm flattered Elli, but I'm sure you've gotten better gifts from your mother or father before," Neela told her. Eliana shook her head.
"We were poor, I usually got socks," Eliana laughed and Neela joined her. A welcomed silence as they took in the serenity and crossed over the crest of the final hill, Violet's home visible from the top, the woman standing on the porch wrapped in multiple blankets, teacup in hand and waving gently as she spotted her daughter. Neela smiled as she spotted Violet and waved as well, a warm feeling coming over her. This was it. They were coming home after months of training for a break and it was the best feeling that Neela had known. Not to mention she got to spend it "alone" with Eliana which made it even better, and possibly the best opportunity she'd had since the beginning of the year to discuss her feelings with her. She was still nervous about what Eliana might say and how she might react, but it was less terrifying than the idea of losing her to Tawney or Ivory.
"Hi, mom!" Eliana shouted out and it echoed out across the bare, quiet island. Neela knew that Violet was probably laughing, and she pushed Eliana forward, the girl breaking out into a sprint to her home. Neela smiled. Eliana and Violet had always been affectionate towards each other, they had helped each other through her father's death after all. They hugged, Eliana sweeping her mom off of her feet and spinning her around before setting her back down and kissing the woman's forehead. Neela slowly made her way to the house, Eliana trying to rush her from the porch. "Hurry up Neela! At this rate, our winter break will be over before you even get here!"
"I'm coming!" Neela called back picking up the pace slightly. She reached the top of the steps and gave Violet a long and welcoming hug.
"Hello Neela," Violet spoke with a smile that rivaled Eliana's. Neela mirrored it and opened the door.
"Hi Violet," she replied as she ushered the two in past her. Neela was the last to enter, closing the door behind her gently and setting her bags down momentarily. She stretched.
"Look at the two of you," Violet said. She shuffled into the kitchen, shedding the blankets on the sofa on her way through. "I can't believe how much the two of you have grown."
"It can't be that much mom, we're pretty much done growing," Eliana said. Violet laughed as she opened the cabinet, tracking down the hot cocoa and struggling to reach it. Neela spotted her from the entryway and moved to help her, Eliana had already flopped down and sprawled out on the couch. Neela retrieved it for her and was thanked with a nod as the woman returned to her work in a frantic tizzy, moving quickly to prepare the drinks. Neela did her best to keep up, but the woman was determined and practically pushed her out of the way.
"I didn't mean physically dear," Violet replied. "When I saw the two of you at the top of the hill, I still saw my daughter and her best friend, but I also saw more, something else, something deeper. I saw a girl who was slowly coming into her own and was living up to the benchmark she'd set for herself to make her father proud. And I saw a girl who I might dare say is now a woman, experienced and confident in herself in all matters." She winked at Neela and glanced back at Eliana, moving close to Neela and whispering. "Well, most matters."
"Did my moms tell you?" Neela asked. Violet shook her head laughing as she set the water to boil on the stove.
"Honey, I've known for longer than even you or your mothers. I saw the same look in your eyes that Alexander gave me the first couple of times we met, and it just keeps getting stronger each time I see the two of you together," Violet explained.
"That bad huh?" Neela asked.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of Neela. When you're ready to tell her, it'll just come out. You won't know where the words came from, and you won't be able to stop them," Violet answered as she measured out the powder.
"What are you two being sneaky about in there?" Eliana asked.
"I'm telling her your darkest secrets," Violet said with a wink. Eliana leapt up.
"You leave Mr. Snuggles out of this!" Eliana shouted running into the kitchen.
"Mr. Snuggles?" Neela asked with an evil grin. Eliana grabbed her mom by the shoulders and pushed her away.
"No!" Eliana shouted.
"Elli had a stuffed Ursa that she slept with every night until she was about seven," Violet explained.
"Mom!" Eliana yelled blushing.
"Why didn't I hear about this before Elli?" Neela asked. Eliana became even redder and walked out the back door.
"I'll be out here shooting things! Follow at your own risk!" She called back. Neela and Violet laughed as Violet continued her work and Neela stood beside her, watching Elli out the window.
"She's something else," Neela said with a gleam in her eyes. Violet glanced at Neela and laughed softly.
"She's so much like her father Neela. To retain such innocence, but have such passion for fighting injustice and being fully aware of the cruelties of life. Alexander was the same way. I think he's guiding her. I think he's been with her every day, every step of the way since he left us he's watched her. I can feel his warmth when she smiles. I can feel his embrace when she laughs. I can feel his love when she hugs me. I'm sure you can see it too," Violet said. Neela watched as Eliana shot at some of her old targets in the woods, a specter that appeared to wear a uniform gently held her elbow up and spoke to her, smiling. Neela nodded as her imagining of him disappeared.
"I just wish she knew how I feel," Neela told Violet. Violet poured the water and tsk'd.
"Now that is something that you'll have to tackle on your own," Violet told her. "But you have my blessing Neela. I cannot imagine anyone better for my daughter to love and spend the rest of her life with. The two of you were so close to each other, you still are. You've taken on each other's pain time and time again. She loves you more than you know and I think it's only a matter of time before your hearts become one. I know you'll keep her safe. I know that you'll love her forever." Neela looked at Violet, holding back the emotions that overtook her with the woman's confession and noting the tears in Violet's eyes.
"I will love her forever," Neela repeated back. Violet laughed despite the tears.
"I know! I want nothing more than for the two of you to be happy Neela," Violet replied. She sniffed hard and wiped her eyes. "Look at me getting all sappy for no reason. The hot chocolate is done, you want to call her in?" Neela nodded and opened the door, stepping out into the backyard, watching as a shadow of her younger self sprinted by with Eliana.
"Wait!" Eliana called out. "You're faster than me!" Neela turned around and watched as her friend caught her breath.
"Come on, Elli! We're never going to be as strong as our parents if you keep stopping!" Neela called back. Eliana groaned and fell dramatically to her knees.
"But I'm dying!" Eliana moaned. Neela shook her head, walking to Eliana and extending a hand.
"I'd never let you die Elli, and I'd never leave you behind. I like you too much!" Neela declared. She laughed as she pulled Eliana to her feet. Eliana smiled.
"I like you too!" Eliana told her. "Do you think we'll be friends forever Neela?" Neela's face contorted.
"What kind of question is that? Of course we will! We'll never be apart, and if we ever were, I'd come find you!" Neela reassured her. Eliana laughed.
"Not if I found you first!" She chased Neela away and the scene faded, Eliana standing directly in front of her and gazing into her eyes.
"What is it, little hawk?" Eliana asked. Neela smiled. You. It's always you.
"The hot cocoa is ready," she told Eliana. Eliana nodded and pushed past her.
"And here I thought you were going to try and kiss me again," Eliana said with a wink. Neela's mind scrambled for a moment. Why does it have to be you!? She chased after Eliana and entered the house, taking her mug and moving into the living room with the mother and daughter. She sat on the couch beside Eliana, Violet in her rocking chair across from them. "Getting old mom?"
"No, I just prefer the rocker. I'm only twenty-four years older than you missy," Violet protested. It was met with laughter as a switch flipped in Eliana's head.
"I have to show you something!" Eliana exclaimed. She unholstered the guns and ran to her mother, kneeling in front of her and showing them off.
"These are your father's," Violet said, a slight confusion in her voice. "Where did… How did you get these?"
"Neela had her Aunt Weiss make replicas!" Eliana exclaimed. Violet smiled at Neela knowingly once more and turned her gaze back to Eliana.
"Neela's pretty amazing," Violet admitted. Eliana laughed.
"I've known that all along," she said proudly. Eliana flopped carelessly back onto the couch, slurping loudly on her drink and smelling the air. Something wafted in the air and she couldn't put her finger on it, but it smelled familiar. Eliana raised an eyebrow and looked at her mom. "That smells good, what is that?" Violet smirked as she stood, making her way into the kitchen.
"Can't you tell?" Violet asked. "Neela asked me to make it. It's the meal that we used to make when dad was still alive on Winter Festival." Eliana shook as she set her mug down on the coffee table beside her and stood, her hand covering her mouth as she shook her head. Her face was twisted in agony as the tears poured from her eyes and she stepped back towards the door. Neela stood in confusion and watched Eliana open the door.
"No…" Eliana gasped.
"Elli, wait!" Neela exclaimed as she rushed out and slammed the door. Neela glanced back at Violet who frowned but nodded at her. Neela took off after Eliana. "Elli!"
"No!" Eliana cried out as Neela gained on her, Neela had always been faster and Eliana's sobbing made her breathing erratic. Neela caught up to her, wrapping her arms around her best friend as the girl thrashed violently against her.
"Elli. Calm down." Neela spoke sternly.
"It's not right!" Eliana cried out. She pushed away from Neela. "It's not right! That was his meal! Mom made it for him!"
"She made it for both of you and I thought you'd want to remember him by having it again!" Neela yelled at her. Eliana stopped crying and became still for a long moment. "I just wanted you to be happy Eliana! This was the gift I thought up for you! I don't want you to think of your father as being gone, I've noticed it more the past few weeks. He's still with you! Look in the mirror! Look at your guns! Realize the path he put you on! Enjoy the dinner he enjoyed!" Eliana's eyes searched Neela's for a moment before throwing herself at the Faunus.
"It still hurts… it still hurts, Neela, even though he's been gone so long," Eliana whimpered.
"We will always carry the pain of loss with us," Neela explained. "But we can choose to let it control us or make us stronger. Your father is still with you Elli. I can see it as plain as your mother does. I'm sorry I hurt you, Elli."
"No!" Eliana shouted wiping her eyes and looking up at Neela. "You've never hurt me, Neela. You make me happier than you can possibly know, I'm glad you're my best friend! You're the greatest thing that happened to me since my dad died and you always look out for me and do your best to make me smile. You never leave me behind and if we ever ended up apart, you'd come find me!" Eliana smiled and Neela pulled her in as they held each other.
"Not if you found me first," Neela replied softly. Eliana pushed Neela back playfully and laughed.
"Of course I'd find you first!" Eliana hollered as she chased Neela back up to the house. They threw open the door and Violet looked up from the table in the kitchen, smiling and waving them in.
"Dinner's ready!" Violet declared. Eliana smiled as she puffed out her chest and stepped past Neela.
"Vi, we have roast nearly every night, couldn't you have gotten a turkey or something a bit more eloquent for Winter Festival?" Eliana asked. Violet teared up as she laughed, pulling out the chair for Eliana and rubbed the top of her head.
"Shut up and eat your food Alex," Violet replied. Eliana laughed and grunted as Violet pushed her seat in too far. Eliana glanced back at Neela.
"Is she like this when I'm gone, Elli?" Eliana asked. Neela laughed and took her seat and Violet followed suit.
"I hope it's okay, Neela. It's nothing special," Violet told her. Neela smiled at them. But it's special to both of you.
"I'm sure it'll be the best roast I've ever had," Neela replied. Eliana and Violet both laughed.
Finally, Eliana received her gift from Neela and it was everything she could have hoped for. Next week, Chapter 50 - The Bird.
A big thank you to Nliast, 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!