"Welcome to the finale of the Vytal Festival and it sure has been an exciting one, but let's get the obvious details out of the way, shall we?" Oobleck's voice thundered through the arena over the PA. "The heart, soul, and pride of Beacon and all of Vale, Neela Xiao Long, has made it to the finals which really isn't that much of a surprise after looking at the track record that this girl has, but her no-name competitor may put a quick end to her winning streak. Let's hear a warm welcome and round of applause for Ebony who hails from Mistral." Neela heart stopped as her opponent faced the arena and she looked around at the crowd, all of their faces dark as they were silenced.
"You?" Neela stuttered, stumbling over the words.
"This time I'll finish you!" Ebony declared.
"Help me!" Neela called to her teammates, but it seemed as though none of them heard her. "Help!"
"What's wrong? Not strong enough?" Ebony asked. She charged at Neela and attacked, as her dagger glanced off of Neela's sword there was a burst of light and Orion replaced her.
"You're not strong enough to take me on? Have you been sleeping through Beacon? Too worried about that cute friend of yours?" Orion asked. They exchanged blows and Orion laughed. "How about another scar for that beautiful face, huh?" Another transformation and she was standing across from Sirius.
"You play hero but you're just a child!" He declared.
"She thinks she's better than us because of her name!" Tawney yelled from the stands. The arena faded and Neela was falling endlessly into an abyss.
"She thinks she's untouchable!" Lykos called.
"Notice me Eliana-tan!" Bái howled.
"She doesn't care about our problems!" Cobalt yelled.
"If I was in charge, we would have defeated the Stardust Gang," Titus exclaimed.
"So worried about her scar instead of preventing more!" Ilia pointed out. Neela finally hit the bottom and scrambled to her feet, surrounded by nothingness.
"You love me?" Eliana's voice called out from the darkness. Neela trembled, waiting for the next words out of her mouth. They never came. Instead, the nothingness became a small, burning, collapsing shack and Neela could see her mothers on the other end.
"You'll be safe with us Neela!" Blake called out. Neela ran for them, but as she did the room stretched, she never seemed to get any closer and as she did, Wilt cut them both down. The room crumbled around her and Athena loomed behind her, laughing unpleasantly.
"Once you're part of the Fang, Neela, you can never get away!" Athena shouted as she cut Neela down. Neela woke up in a frenzy, her body kicking about as she came back to reality, but she was already shouting and flailing which woke Eliana who took the initiative to check on her. She ran from the other side of the room and held Neela's head to her chest.
"Neela. It was just a dream, calm down. What happened, what was it?" Eliana asked. Neela's eyes still searched the room frantically, but the warmth of Eliana's bosom on the side her face calmed her and she slowed her breathing, allowing it to steady. Her mind continued its work, coming to the realization that her ear was very warm, and that Eliana had stripped down to only her bra at the very least. They were soft and full…. And warm and… Neela pulled away and blushed hard, looking away and out the window beside the bed. "Are you okay?" Neela nodded frantically.
"Yeah. Like you said, it was just a dream," Neela replied.
"Want to talk about it?" Eliana asked sitting down on the bed beside her.
"No. I'm fine, really. You can head back to bed," Neela reassured her as she laid down, still facing the wall. She managed to get comfortable and as she was about to drift off she felt Eliana's arms wrap around her and she froze. Am I being spooned?! Oh my Oum, I am! Eliana… Why do you do this to me?! "Eliana?"
"Shhhh." Eliana hushed her. "This always helped us when we were younger." Neela tried to pry Eliana off, but the girl squeezed harder.
"We were younger Elli! Don't you think this is a bit risqué?" Neela asked. Eliana peeked over Neela's shoulder.
"What's risqué about it?" Eliana asked. "You've got boobs. I've got boobs. Just girly things, am I right?" Neela tried to shrug her off again. "Would you rather be the big spoon?" Neela looked back at her. "I knew that was the problem."
"Elli, I don't think…" Eliana had already released Neela and rolled over before any protests could be made, rubbing her ass against Neela's.
"Come on," Eliana told her. "I'm not moving, so you'd better get to spoonin'." Neela rolled over, staring at Eliana's bareback, with the exception of her bra strap and steadied her breathing. She was getting so worked up over something silly, right? She slipped her arm under Eliana's neck and draped her left arm over Eliana's side, it rested on her stomach. She could feel Eliana's happiness as the girl squirmed to get comfortable. "See, just like old times."
"Yeah," Neela sighed happily. "Like old times." She let the thoughts of failure drift from her mind.
Light crept into the window in the morning, waking Neela up before Eliana and she gently squeezed her hand, feeling that it had been filled with something but she couldn't quite place the sensation in her mind. It felt familiar and she manipulated it in her hand, kneading it as Eliana chuckled and groaned lightly. She shifted but didn't immediately wake up, leaving Neela to try and peek over her body but unable to move much. Neela's mind smoked and sputtered until it fully awoke, it dawned on her that she was cusping something, a fabric in her hand.
"I never agreed to being groped," Eliana laughed groggily. Neela's mind instantly snapped and narrowed until she released Eliana's breast and slipped her arm out from under the girl's neck in perfect synchronization. "You didn't have to stop…"
"I think we should be getting up anyway!" Neela exclaimed. "Full day ahead of us and what not!" Neela climbed over Eliana off of the bed and Eliana stretched.
"What's the rush, we're on vacation," Eliana reminded her. Neela nodded and ran her hand through her hair.
"I know, just going to take a shower," Neela told her rushing out of the room with her clothes. She sprinted for the bathroom, locking the door behind her and breathing heavily. Calm down Neela. Eliana's just as clueless as ever, no need to be so worked up. Eliana's right. Your both girls with boobs… even if Elli's are amazing… Shit… She barred the door, making sure that Eliana didn't try anything crazy like joining her in the shower and stripped, stepping in and letting the water wash away her anxiety. She scrubbed her body, recalling bits of the nightmare that she had experienced but she knew better when she was awake. It was all just stress.
She knew that her friends really didn't think that of her, and she knew that in time she'd be strong enough to tackle the obstacles set before her. But one fear lingered and she couldn't completely shake it. What if the White Fang attacked before she was ready? What if they hurt the people close to her and she was powerless to do anything about it? Could she live with herself if Athena or any of her lackeys killed even one person she loved? Neela shrugged off the thought as she tended to her hair.
You love me? Why hadn't she replied to Eliana in her dream? Was it the only hope that she was clinging to amidst all of the pressure that was crushing her slowly? I do love you, Elli. I know I've shown you it all along. Have you noticed? Will you stay with me forever? Neela turned off the shower, standing in the tub for a few more minutes to allow the remaining water to drip off of her before stepping out and retrieving a towel from the linen closet, where they'd always been kept. She dried herself, slipping into her jeans and hoodie and opening the door to find Eliana waiting on the other side.
"I'm done," Neela said with a smile.
"Did you save me any warm water?" Eliana asked. Neela laughed.
"You wish," Neela told her. She moved back to the bedroom and retrieved her things, heading downstairs and sitting in the living room with Violet who offered her a cup of tea. She accepted and sipped gingerly from it as Violet glanced up the stairs. She leaned in towards Neela from her chair.
"Have you told her yet?" Violet pried. Neela laughed.
"You thought that I was going to tell her last night?" Neela asked. Violet nodded rigorously.
"Of course. Isn't this the first night the two of you have spent alone since you've left for Beacon? If nothing else is true of this trip, the two of you will have more privacy than you've had in months," Violet explained. Neela nodded taking another sip.
"I guess I'll keep that in mind," Neela told her. Eliana flew down the steps and stopped at the door, throwing it open and peering out for a few seconds before slamming it shut.
"Where's the packing snow? I need to make a snowman this week or I might die!" Eliana claimed. She stumbled to the couch and fell haphazardly into Neela's lap. "It's a rare disease and there is no cure! If I am unable to build a man of snow soon, I might succumb to a disease worse than any this world has ever seen before! If I do Neela, promise that you'll make it through the Vytal Festival without me! Everything that you do, do in remembrance of me!"
"Sure," Neela replied. Eliana moaned.
"Mother. I'm sorry to leave you so soon. Don't let Neela forget me, and don't turn my room into a workout area too soon!" Eliana gasped.
"Actually I was thinking of using it as a reading room," Violet told them. Eliana sat up instantly, pulling her right eyelid down and sticking out her tongue.
"Thanks, a lot, mom," Eliana replied. Her mother smiled, mirroring Eliana's face and they both laughed.
"I wouldn't worry about it too much Elli, I'm sure it'll snow at least once this week," Neela reassured her.
"I hope so…" Eliana exclaimed flopping into her lap again. "This disease is very deadly."
"Blakey, are you going to be okay?" Yang asked as she watched her wife and three clones run in circles around the house to get in clean in time for Eliana and Neela's arrival. "I can help out if you want me to."
"It's fine, it'll be easier if I do the cleaning on my own," Blake told her. One of her clones glanced around the room before looking at Yang.
"Where's Shadow?" It asked. Yang glanced around the room and shrugged sheepishly, leaving in a hurry and finding Shadow sitting quietly on the couch, coloring in a Grimm from one of her coloring books. She glanced up at Yang and smiled as she showed her mom the rainbow-colored Nevermore. Yang rubbed the top of her head and Shadow laughed.
"That's not what they look like," Yang told her. Shadow shrugged and continued coloring.
"Maybe if they did look like that, people wouldn't be so scared of them," Shadow offered. Yang smirked thoughtfully and patted the girl on the head again.
"Maybe you're right," Yang agreed. She glanced through the girl's pile of pictures and spotted one that appeared to be of the family, but with an extra member that had longer and unruly black hair. "Blake!"
"I'm busy at the moment," Blake told her. Yang took the picture and smiled at Shadow.
"Can I borrow this hun?" Yang asked. Shadow nodded and Yang walked into the kitchen with it. "Blake. Tell me what you see wrong with this picture?"
"Yang…" Blake rebutted but was cut off.
"Now do you understand why I didn't want her getting cozy with Raven?!" Yang asked as she slammed the paper onto the counter. "She drew her as part of the family, Oum forbid she start looking up to the woman! She's an awful person who has killed more than I dare to imagine in cold blood, but for some reason, you think it's okay to welcome her into our home and tell Shadow 'This is Grandma Raven. She's hurt. She's the victim. She needs love and affection, and all sorts of other sappy bullshit!'"
"Swear jar mommy!" Shadow called out. Yang lowered her voice.
"I don't want us to bring up Raven ever again. I don't want to let Raven come into our house ever again. Hell, I'd be happier if Raven never entered the same kingdom as us, ever again," Yang explained. Blake's clones disappeared leaving only the original and the pulled Yang aside out the back door.
"If I would have let her die, would that have made us any better than her?" Blake asked. Yang turned away and entered the house.
"It would have made things easier," Yang muttered. There was a knock on the front door but before Yang could respond Eliana threw the door open.
"You knock at your own house? We're here!" Eliana announced.
"Hi girls!" Blake called re-entering the kitchen and making her way to the living room. Shadow and Yang raced to the door and hugged Neela, she struggled to break free but it was no use.
"Sissy!" Shadow exclaimed. Neela rubbed the top of her head and let Yang kiss her forehead as she let them go and hugged Blake. Yang and Shadow tackled Eliana.
"How are you holding up?" Neela asked Blake. Blake nodded.
"I'm doing alright I guess. I'll be better once Atlas finally pinpoints Athena and takes her down," Blake told her.
"Yeah," Neela replied.
"So, what's on the agenda?" Eliana asked as she managed to struggle to her feet and move to Blake. She gave her a hug and Shadow ran over, tugging on Eliana's jacket.
"Snow fort!" Shadow declared. Eliana laughed and picked her up, setting Shadow on her shoulders.
"Problem with that little kitten is the fact that the snow is a little dusty out there," Eliana told Shadow. Yang looked out the window and smiled, nudging Neela.
"Maybe not for long," Yang said. Eliana glanced out the window and ran Shadow over as they watched the snow fall. Shadow nearly leapt off of Eliana's shoulders and threw on her winter clothing, sprinting out into the yard. "Shadow, wait up!"
"Finally wearing a coat for once?" Blake asked cocking her head sideways. Eliana shook her head and laughed.
"Yeah, my mom made me put one on. I'll go out with Shadow, I'm sure that you want to visit," Eliana told Neela as she closed the door behind her, steps behind Shadow. They stood there in silence for a long moment looking at each other.
"How have things been since you were attacked in Vale?" Blake asked quietly.
"It's shaken me up a bit, but it's nothing that I can't handle. After the break I'll get back to school and be good as new," Neela told them.
"And taken, right?" Yang asked. Neela gave a smile that faded instantly. "You haven't told her yet? I guess that's not a big deal, Blake and I didn't realize it until after our time at Beacon. You can't imagine how awkward it was, three other people in the room and you had to wait until they went to sleep so that you could…"
"Yang!" Blake cut her off. Yang cheesed a smile and turned back to Neela.
"You certainly seem less distracted by her recently," Yang admitted.
"I've been focusing hard on the Fang and getting better. It's nice to have Eliana around, but without time to actively pursue her, I've had to push that to the back of my mind," Neela told them. Yang raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?" Yang asked. Neela nodded, slightly confused. "Want to talk about Ivory?" Neela's face contorted and she looked away. She crossed her arms and Blake stifled back laughter as she began making lunch.
"What about her?" Neela asked.
"She's a cute bird Faunus, leads a second-year team, is into girls…" Yang droned on. "You're not worried?"
"Why should I be?!" Neela replied. She looked at Yang who pursed her lips, waiting for the rest of her thought. "I mean…" Neela stared out at Eliana and Shadow playing in the snow. "I am? Why wouldn't I be? But as long as Elli is happy, that's what matters." Neela stared longingly as Yang left the room.
"Just as long as you're not lying to yourself and you realize that if you don't make a move first someone else might, then you're fine. I don't want you to have your heart broken," Yang told her. Neela nodded, never once taking her eyes off of Eliana.
"I know," Neela mouthed.
"Neela, you were over at Violet's for two days?" Blake called out. Neela looked back.
"Yeah. She is doing well!" Neela responded. The door was thrown open and Shadow and Eliana tumbled in, landing in a giggling pile at Neela's feet. Neela smiled at them.
"That's good. I think that the ball is today in Atlas. Do you mind turning it on?" Blake called out. "I wanted to watch some of it once I finish getting lunch ready."
"Sure!" Neela answered. She sat on the couch, Eliana leaping over the back of it and landing next to her, listening as Shadow grunted behind them.
"Help!" Shadow called out. Eliana reached back and pulled her over, setting the girl in her lap and handing her the coloring materials. Neela turned on the television, the volume had been turned down for some reason and on the screen were images of the Atlas Ball, but something was off. Neela scanned the screen, watching as people ran in terror while a man with a sniper rifle shouted out, but the mute setting on the device only gave his shouts as silence. Neela glanced at Eliana and leapt to her feet, running out the door.
"Where was Neela going so fast?" Blake asked glancing away from the sink.
"I left my guns out in the snow accidentally, I think she went to retrieve them," Eliana told her. Blake nodded.
"Did you guys find the channel?" Blake asked.
"Uhh, still looking!" Eliana replied.
"Do you know what number it is?" Blake questioned once again, drying her hands and preparing to assist the girls.
"It's fine Blake, I think I got it!" Eliana shouted sliding Shadow off of her lap and running to the kitchen doorway, blocking her exit. "Titus and Ilia look adorable, but I think we should work on the food. Want my help?" Blake smiled and removed Eliana's arm, stepping into the living room.
"In a moment, I want to see them all dressed up," Blake told her. Yang shot a funny look at Eliana who waved frantically for help with her arms. As Blake crossed the threshold the house's power went out and they were left in dull lighting as Blake glanced back at Yang and Eliana who had stopped flailing. "That's strange, what happened to the power?" Neela re-entered the house, huffing her lungs out as she closed the door behind her.
"Sorry Neela, I didn't realize I had my guns on me all along," Eliana said with a wink that was less than subtle. Neela gave her a thumb up and moved to the kitchen.
"What happened to the power?" Neela asked.
"I'm not sure," Blake replied. Neela grabbed Yang by the shoulder.
"Let's go check the fuse box," Neela offered, dragging Yang out the back door. As they rounded the corner, Neela released her mother and shot a text to Titus.
"What's going on Neela?" Yang asked.
"When we turned on the news coverage of the ball, there was a White Fang attack that was happening," Neela explained. "Mom doesn't need any more stress." Yang nodded.
"I agree," Yang said as they moved to the fuse box.
"I overloaded the main breaker. All we have to do is switch it back on, but let's take a few minutes and hopefully she'll become preoccupied and the ball will slip her mind," Neela suggested. Yang wrapped her arm around her daughter and shook her, kissing her on the head.
"That's why you're the leader!" Yang hollered.
"I can't believe that it's already the end of the week, I feel like it just began," Eliana groaned. "Neela, I don't want to go back to school yet." Neela sighed as she helped Shadow roll the ball for the head of a snowman and placed in on the body.
"Yeah, I know what you mean, but at least we aren't Ilia and Titus. They're already back at school working on projects that are due Monday," Neela told Eliana.
"Yikes," Eliana replied.
"We need to make another one next to this one sissy!" Shadow pled. Neela laughed and playfully nudged Shadow further out in the yard.
"Okay, you start," Neela told her. Shadow began rolling the ball and Eliana came over to assist them. "Plus when we get back tonight, that'll give us the weekend to begin training for Vytal." Eliana's eyes lit up.
"For real?!" Neela nodded. "Aww yeah! We'll be so ready for it, they won't know what hit them. Neeliana is going to kick some major ass!" Shadow glared at Eliana wide-eyed.
"Swear jar!" Shadow exclaimed. Neela smirked at Eliana who grumbled and headed into the house. A blackbird raced out of the woods, landing on Neela's shoulder and staring at her. It cocked its head, the two of them examining each other before it glided to Shadow and landed on her head. "A bird sissy!"
"Strange, normally they all go south for the winter," Neela told Shadow. The bird bedded down and sang, bringing much joy to Shadow. Neela's mind recalled Raven's battle with Yang and she examined the bird once more.
"I'm going to go show mommy!" Shadow declared.
"I don't think mommy will want that bird in the house," she replied, directing the comment at Raven. "How about the bird helps you find some sticks for the snowmen and we keep this a secret?" The bird leapt up and took off, landing on the edge of the woods and hopping up and down, looking back at Shadow chirping. Eliana raced back out to join Neela as Shadow took off after the raven, Eliana watching Shadow for a moment.
"That bird must be completely lost. Also, what kind of monsters are you people? I had to give up a whole lien for swearing? Why not like a nickel, or a quarter?" Eliana asked.
"That's my grandmother," Neela told Eliana pointing out at Shadow with the bird.
"How do you know it isn't Qrow?" Eliana asked.
"Qrow doesn't just show up as a bird, and she seemed very reluctant towards me telling mom that she's here," Neela replied.
"What do you think she wants?" Eliana inquired. Neela shrugged as Shadow came running back with Raven fluttering above her. She laughed as she handed the sticks to Neela.
"Elli and I will finish the other snowman and you put the arms on," Shadow instructed. Neela nodded and did as she was told as Shadow took a step back watching Neela. She shook her head and ran over. "No! You're doing it wrong, they need to hold hands!" Shadow wrenched the sticks out and fixed them, satisfied with her handiwork as the bird landed on Neela's shoulder again.
"Cute!" Eliana exclaimed. "Is it your mommies?" Shadow shook her head.
"It's you and sissy!" Shadow exclaimed. Raven cackled in laughter and Neela shooed her off, stepping away from them and into the woods. "Sissy?"
"Great work Shadow. I'm going to make sure this bird gets home, you and Elli should put some finishing touches on the snow people," Neela called back. Shadow nodded at Eliana in agreement as Neela disappeared from sight and the bird landed behind her, transforming into her human form. "Raven, right?"
"Will you ask Yang to come hear me out?" Raven asked.
"No, I won't. Not today. It's the end of Winter Festival, imagine that you were having a good day and out of the blue you have an unwelcome and unexpected visitor who had treated you like garbage and didn't acknowledge your existence the first half of your life," Neela told her. Raven gently palmed her sword and Neela reached back for her bow. "I might not be able to take you, but I'm sure I can reach the house before you can cut me down." Raven released the sword and thought over Neela's words. It was the exact way that her father had treated her when she'd left the clan. "I recommend you go back to Grandpa Tai's for now."
"You fought Ebony the other day," Raven said slowly as she finally recognized the girl. Qrow had spoken highly of the girl and the fact that she held her own against Raven's protégé spoke volumes. Raven had truly been impressed as she held Neela in her arms. It only now just dawned on her again. "You are as incredible as Qrow made you out to be."
"How did you know that I fought Ebony?" Neela asked.
"It doesn't matter," Raven dismissed her. "What matters is that Yang let me join your family so that I may protect them…" Raven mused over her words. "Protect our family."
"We can protect ourselves, I feel like you're the one that's unsure here," Neela told Raven. "If you really do feel guilty about abandoning mom as a baby, you need to make it up to her." Raven turned away. That's the same thing that Tai told me. "You don't seem like the kind to feel guilt."
"That's not true," Raven told her.
"No?" Neela asked. "I've heard stories from Uncle Qrow. You felt no guilt leaving Yang. Killing your father. Letting your clan die…"
"All necessities!" Raven exclaimed. Neela shook her head as she loosened her grip on the weapon on her back.
"I don't know who betrayed you during your childhood or failed to love you properly, but there isn't enough lien in all of Remnant that could ever make me turn my back on those closest to me. I'd sooner let Eliana get me killed than to let her die or kill her myself. Maybe your father deserved it, I can't claim to know that, but the clan was your family, weren't they? And mom, mom had only just been born when you up and disappeared," Neela told Raven. "You have to understand that her pain is justified. I think that despite killing your father you were still desperate for his approval, and he didn't approve of you having a child one bit, did he?"
Raven stared hard at Neela and wondered just how old this girl truly was. Was she older than they had thought her to be, or had her pain just made her wise beyond her years?
"Nothing gets past you Neela," Raven told her.
"I was born into hatred, but despite the fact, my parents were only doing what they thought was best. Did I hate my birth parents after I discovered what the Fang really was? No. They didn't know better, they were only loving me and protecting me in the way they thought would be the safest. Uncle Qrow says that Oriole didn't approve of Yang and so you mirrored what you'd learned from your father's treatment of Qrow. Mom doesn't see that. She only sees that you left her and that she refuses to end up like you. If anything I should thank you for making my mother who she is today," Neela explained.
Raven thought it over. It was how she was raised, it was the only way that she'd ever known to survive. Do as the clan leader says. Do everything for the strength of the clan. Your brother is a failure, we no longer need him. That daughter of yours will only put us in danger and prevent you from becoming my successor. But the clan was dead now. She wasn't bound by their rules. And Yang was anything but weak. Raven nodded to Neela.
"Thank you Neela," Raven said. "I will return to Tai's for now." Raven took on her aviary form and flew away, Neela watching her disappear through the trees.
"Thank you." Neela returned silently. She headed back to the house and found Eliana and Shadow inside, Shadow telling Blake about the bird.
"It was black with red eyes mommy! It was my friend!" Shadow exclaimed. Blake glanced at Neela who smiled and knelt beside Shadow. "Sissy, did the bird go home?" Neela nodded.
"Yes, she did, Shadow. Just like us, she has a place where she belongs," Neela told her. "Her nest was kind of messy though. I don't know if she knows just where she belongs yet."
"She can stay with us," Shadow shouted. Neela rubbed her head and smirked.
"We'll see," Neela replied. Blake watched Neela as she stood and they left the room with Eliana, Shadow running back outside to work on the snowmen, carrots in hand. "Guess who?"
"Didn't really need to guess with the glances that Eliana kept throwing at me," Blake told Neela. "What did she want?"
"To talk to Yang," Neela answered.
"What did you tell her?" Blake asked.
"Come back some other time. I told her mom was enjoying the holiday and that we didn't need any unnecessary drama heaped onto the stress that we're already under," Neela explained. Blake nodded.
"Good," Blake responded. "I'm hoping that I can have a few words with both Yang and Raven before the next time they end of in the same vicinity as one another." Blake looked them both over and smiled, hugging Neela. "You girls have done great so far. I can't wait to see how you two do the rest of the year."
"It's not just us Mrs. Bellabooty-" Eliana froze as she glanced at the two of them. "Dammit, I did it again." Blake facepalmed and shook her head. "Everyone is doing an amazing job this year. The teachers. Team CBLT. Titus and Ilia. We all keep pushing each other to strive for greatness that we would have never thought we'd achieve. We all want to be the best and with that, we challenge ourselves to stay on top. I'd say Cobalt and his crew have made sure we stay on our toes. Cobalt's already talking about Semblance Training."
"Word of advice," Yang said entering the room at the end of the conversation. "That can really strain your body. I don't want anyone in NITE trying that this year, it could really hurt one of you. Cobalt's kind of headstrong for thinking he's ready for that, but you watch. His performance will start to slip and Pyrrha will yell at him for it along with the rest of us." Neela's eyes glossed over as she thought to her fight with Ebony and overdoing it then. "I mean it, Neela Xiao Long. You'll see the full power of my semblance if you don't listen."
"Got it, mom," Neela replied. Eliana looked at her scroll and elbowed Neela in the ribs.
"We have to get going if we're going to make the last airship out today," Eliana told her. Neela nodded, giving hugs to both of her mothers.
"Mom relax," Neela told Blake. "And strong arm her if you have to." Yang smiled wildly at Neela.
"An arm pun?!" Yang exclaimed. Neela flushed and dragged Eliana out of the house. "Wait! I'm beaming! I'm so proud! I love you little bird!" Neela crashed through the door and Eliana waved back at the Xiao Longs as she struggled for a footing.
"Sissy!" Shadow yelled running out to meet them and hugging Neela as tightly as she could. "I'll miss you!"
"I'll miss you too Shadow," Neela assured her. Eliana mussed Shadow's hair.
"See you around little kitten," Eliana told her.
"Keep sissy safe Elli!" Shadow exclaimed. Eliana smiled over at Neela.
"I will." They made the airship and rode it back to Beacon with small talk, each of them reflecting on their time on vacation. They stepped off of the ship and Eliana took a deep breath in, releasing it slowly. "Beacon sweet Beacon." Eliana bounced on her feet and shoved Neela who was staring into space. "Race me to the dorms?"
"You're on!" Neela replied. Before they could take off a voice stopped them both dead in their tracks.
"Neela Xiao Long!" Tawney called out from the courtyard. "I'm fresh off of Winter Break and I'm ready to kick your ass! I am the strongest member of CBLT after all!"
"Debatable!" Cobalt yelled out. Tawney glared back at him.
"Shut up," she seethed. Neela glanced at Eliana who had her arms out.
"Give me your bags and go kick her ass again," Eliana told Neela. Neela smirked at Eliana before handing over the bags and staring down at Tawney who had drawn a crowd. "What?"
"Swear jar." Neela took off for Tawney, whipping out her bow and firing as she slid through the snow to avoid a shotgun blast from Tawney. Tawney was already moving as the arrow arrived, exploding behind her and giving her extra incentive to keep moving. Neela spun quickly, firing where Tawney would be as she rolled under another two would be hits and struck Tawney in the chest. Tawney removed the arrow, charging in and deflecting two more shots, reaching Neela more quickly than the Faunus expected, and forcing Neela to block with her sword. Neela let Tawney's force roll her back as she leapt to her feet and was met with a flurry of swings.
Neela deflected Tawney's blows, careful not to let the girl hit her and charge her semblance. Neela forced Tawney off balance, reaching into her satchel and tossing a small wooden trinket into the air that looked like an Ursa. Tawney's eyes followed it in confusion and Neela lunged in, dealing a blow to Tawney's aura before she could remove herself from the situation. The distance was an error in judgment and Neela flipped out her bow, firing two arrows at once that landed on each side of Tawney. A lightning charge formed between the two, blasting Tawney back and landing her on her ass, she joined her tonfas and fired as Neela prepared to load another arrow, giving her enough time to find her feet.
Neela dodged the Dust round from Tawney but it exploded as it passed her, freezing her right wrist and hand and preventing her from firing her bow. Tawney rushed in once more, Neela transforming the weapon to its sword form and letting Tawney land a blow, shattering the ice. Neela took another hit before she readjusted, blocking the third with her sword once more. Neela managed with one hand, using her free hand to remove another item from her pouch but Tawney ignored it this time, ready to push the attack. Neela would be on the ropes in a matter of seconds. Neela held it out, crushing it in her hand and the flashbang tip erupted, sending Tawney reeling in shock. Neela kicked her in the chest and Tawney left her feet, landing on her back as Neela stood over her with an arrow drawn.
The students around them cheered as Tawney rolled to her knees and slowly stood. She glanced at Neela who smiled at her and helped her up.
"You hit me," Neela said. Tawney smirked.
"Next time I'll hit you more," Tawney replied. Eliana joined them as they headed for the dorms.
"Alright kids, winter break is over! Let's get serious!" Eliana declared.
Winter Break is over, Team NITE gets back to the grind next week in Chapter 51 - Lessons in Many Forms!
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!