Here we are at Chapter 21. The party will begin soon. I do not own RWBY or Genshin Impact. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 21. Enjoy.
Chapter 21: Wisdom
A few days have passed since Ei's encounter with Signora. At this time, Ozpin and his people have yet to locate her or the Gnoses she stole. At least one piece of good news is that thanks to Ei and her friends, they've managed to apprehend a number of White Fang extremists and put a huge dent in their operations in Vale. Because of this, White Fang activity in the city has dropped. Of course, that's not much of a comfort to Ei. The kind of damage a small group of extremists can do pales in comparison to the full power of an archon. As long as Signora remains active, everyone is in danger. However, Ei can't waste time running around blindly. Besides, right now, she has a more immediate issue.
"Miss Ei, will you kindly go to the dance with me?" one male student asks her.
The boy walked up to Ei and asked to speak with her after class and she agreed. They ended up meeting out in the courtyard, only for said boy to ask her such a question. Ei had seen recently how boys and girls were asking each other to go together to the upcoming school dance. Candace explained how that's completely normal for humans. Ei is familiar with humans forming romantic relationships with each other and eventually start families, but this was something a little different for her. Her friends warned her that this might happen. Blake told her that apparently, Ei has a few admirers that wish to be her escort to the dance. As for one such admirer who is standing in front of her now, Ei has never really spoken to the boy before. There doesn't appear to be anything bad about him. She doesn't really have a reason to decline his offer, and yet...
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I must decline your invitation. I do hope you'll be able to find someone that will go with you to the dance though. I must be going now. Take care," Ei shoots him down, leaving the shocked boy practically heartbroken.
While Ei no reason to decline his offer, for some reason, accepting it felt... wrong to her. Like there was a nagging feeling in the back of her head that told her he wasn't the one to go to the dance with her. Deciding not to think about it too much, Ei returns to her room, only to see a random boy student go flying down the hall.
"And next time I won't be so merciful!" she hears a female voice yell and looks to find Yang as the culprit.
"Yang, what happened? Did that boy do something to you?" Ei asks, glancing over at the down boy who's now out cold.
"Huh? Oh, hey Ei. Nah, he didn't do anything to me. What happened was I overheard the little pervert talking about asking Ruby out to the dance, so I slugged him for it. While I do want Ruby to make plenty of friends and branch out more, not just anyone can have the reward of asking my little sister to the school dance. She may never get another dance like this. As such, if she's going to have a partner, it has to be the right one. It's basic math," Yang explains.
"Um, I don't believe you used any mathematical equations in your explanation at all. Where does math get involved in this?" Ei doesn't get it.
Yang sighs, "Never mind,"
"So, if that boy wasn't worthy of going with your sister to the dance, then does that mean you have an idea of who is?" Ei asks.
Yang smirks, "Oh, you bet I do," she leans into Ei's ear. "It's Weiss,"
"Weiss? May I ask how you came to that conclusion? I know she and Ruby have gotten along much better since the start of school, but would that constitute them going together?" Ei remains confused.
"Well, I've been keeping a close eye on them and I can see how Weiss is always different whenever Ruby is around. Plus, she's no match for Ruby's puppy-dog eyes or her cookies. Also, I think they would just look adorable together," Yang coos.
"I see. But, what if they don't go together to the dance?" Ei asks.
"Trust me, they WILL go to the dance together. I'll make sure of that. Well, I'll see you later, Ei. I've got some cupid plans to prepare," the blonde gives her a wink before leaving to go her own way.
"Hmm, this dance thing is far more important and more complicated than I realized," Ei mutters while rubbing her chin.
She returns to her dorm room and meets with her teammates.
"So, how did it go?" Dehya asks with a smirk.
"The boy wanted to ask me to the dance, but I declined his offer. On my way back, I met up with Yang after she punched a boy who wanted to ask Ruby to the dance," Ei explains.
Dehya clicks her tongue, "Damn it,"
Candace smirks, "Now, now, time to pay up, Dehya," she waves her hand.
Dehya groans, but hands her twenty lien.
"What's this about?" Ei cocks her head.
"Well... the two of them made a bet about you accepting his invitation to the dance. As you can see now, Candace won," Nilou says, playing with her fingers.
Since she realized she has a crush on Ei, it's become more awkward to talk to the electro archon. However, she's secretly happy that Ei turned down the boy.
"I swear, you used your semblance, didn't you," Dehya barks back.
"One does not need to see the future to know how that conversation was going to go. Don't be a sore loser, Dehya," Candace giggles.
"I've been seeing a lot of students asking each other to the dance these days. It's a bigger deal than I first realized," Ei sits on her bed.
"Has anyone asked you guys out yet?" Nilou asks.
"A couple, but I intend to go to the dance alone. I don't need a date to enjoy the night with my friends. Besides, even if we did enter into a deeper relationship, there's no guarantee that they'd be willing to come with me to Auru Village in the desert. I do still have my duty as its guardian there. I always intended to return after I graduate from Beacon," Candace replies.
"What about you, Dehya?" Ei asks.
Dehya rubs her head, "Well, that's complicated... Can we change the subject?"
"Why the deflection? You're making me curious now," Nilou chimes in.
Candace giggles, "Hehehe, well the truth is..." and goes on to explain.
...Flashback begins...
"Miss Dehya, will you go to the dance with me?!" a bunch of girls from different academies ask Dehya together.
For some reason, Dehya finds herself surrounded by multiple girls who stare at her as if praying to their goddess. Apparently, she's made a name for herself not only for her strength and beauty, but also for how quickly she deals with idiot guys who can't take 'no' for an answer. Some guys have been trying to ask girls out to the dance, but when the girls refuse, the guys have tried to force them to go with them. Dehya just happened to be nearby and sees the acts happen. She ends up dealing with the idiot boys so they leave the poor girls alone. This has caused the girls to start idolizing the Faunus. Suffice it to say, Dehya has no idea how to deal with this situation.
"Um, well..." Dehya stutters.
...Flashback ends...
"And now there are girls fighting each other for the right to stand at her side at the dance. It's all rather adorable really," Candace says.
Dehya rests her face in her hands, "I'm not trying to be adorable or popular. Maybe I should've just stayed in the desert and gone to Shade Academy instead,"
"Even if you did, you still would've ended up here for the Vytal Festival and likely found yourself in the exact same situation. You have no one to blame but yourself for helping those poor, defenseless girls out of their predicaments," Candace notes, which only makes Dehya groan more.
"So, have you decided on which one of them you'll take with you to the dance? You could always refuse all their requests," Ei asks.
"It's not as simple as that," Dehya raises her exhausted face. "In case you forgot, I'm a lion-type Faunus. My instincts started kicking in, just like how Blake's cat instincts start up whenever fish is involved,"
"Meaning?" Nilou asks.
"Meaning like how just a normal lion will have a harem of mates in their pride, Dehya has that same instinct for the girls. She gets embarrassed about it at times. I think it's rather cute," Candace giggles again.
"I can't help it alright! Give me a break! I just don't want people to see me as some kind of womanizing pervert, that's all," Dehya yells.
"I see. Well, whatever happens, I'm sure you'll figure it out, Dehya," Ei says, but then gets a text on her scroll. "Oh, it seems our dresses are ready to be picked up and Chiori's place,"
"That's good. Wait, I have an idea. Why don't we go at different times to pick them up and make sure no one else sees them. I kind of want our dresses to be surprises for everyone... I mean, if it's alright with you guys," Nilou suggests.
"Sure, I don't mind," Candace nods.
"Same," Dehya agrees.
"And, uh... what about you, Ei?" Nilou hesitates with her secret crush.
"Sure, I don't mind at all. I'll go first then to pick up mine. I'll let you all know when I'm on my way back so you can take turns and get yours," Ei stands up and leaves the room.
As soon as she does, Nilou sighs.
"If you don't hurry up and do something soon, someone else might take her away from you," Candace says.
"Is it that obvious?" Nilou moans.
"Yeah, except for Ei. You're lucky she can't pick up on stuff like that so easily. But, if you don't make it clear soon, you may never get the chance. Ei's becoming popular too after all," Dehya adds.
Nilou can do nothing but sigh again.
...
In Vale, Ei makes her way to Chioriya's Boutique. Inside, she finds Chior waiting for her.
"Good, you arrived. Where are the others?" Chiori notices Ei came alone.
"We decided to come separately so as not to show each other our dresses before the school dance. They'll each come today, just at different times," Ei explains.
Chiori sighs, "Great, more drama to add to my schedule. Come on, we need to fit you into your dress for any final adjustments," she walks to the back.
They go through the whole fitting without much trouble and only needed to make minor adjustments which didn't take too long. Once that was done, Ei left with her dress in a large bag and informed her teammates that they could go next. However, as she walks back to the landing platforms, she bumps into a small girl wearing a white and green dress and with part of her hair up in a side ponytail.
"Oh, are you lost little... one," Ei trails off when she feels a certain energy from the girl. An energy she's quite familiar with. "So, am I correct in assuming that you're Nahida then, the Dendro Archon,"
The girl nods, "Yes. And you must be the Raiden Shogun, the Electro Archon. Zhongli told me about you. It's a pleasure to mee you, Ei. I'm Nahida," Nahida greets her.
The two end up at a cafe to talk over some tea. Ei informed her teammates that she'll return, but it'll just be a little later than they planned and to go ahead and get their dresses.
"So, am I correct in assuming Zhongli informed you about what happened to Venti?" Ei asks.
"Yes, he told me about that and said that I should be careful should I come to Vale. I plan on speaking with Professor Ozpin at Beacon and asking for his assistance. I know that out of the remaining archons in the world, I am not the strongest with it comes to combat skills," Nahida notes, drinking her cup.
"That is not your fault. You are the God of Wisdom. Your greatest strength is your mind. Even gods have their own individual talents. Besides, I can't say I'm the perfect archon when I neglected my people for so long, trying to find eternity," Ei notes somewhat bitterly.
"But, you learned from your mistakes and accepted them. That is why you are here now. There is wisdom in that," Nahida says.
"Yes... you are right. And I have made strong connections with the humans and Faunus that call this place home. I once thought little of humanity, how short their lifespans are. How weak they can be. But, in separating myself from them, I only revealed my own weakness," Ei states.
"Archons though we may be, we weren't always that. We are still people, with our own hopes and dreams. With our own strengths and weaknesses. Even gods are not perfect beings. After all, if we were, there probably wouldn't be so few of us now," Nahida notes.
"I still think about that at times. How so few of our kind remain. How did such a mighty existence fall so completely?" Ei looks up in the sky.
"Perhaps that is precisely why. Because our kind thought so highly of ourselves. But, no matter the reason, the fact remains that the gods no longer hold the power here they once did. All of this has made my consider something... About the end of the archons," Nahida says.
"Our end? What do you mean?" Ei asks, perplexed.
"Nothing lasts forever, Ei. Even the seasons come and go. Cities rise and fall. Lives are born and lost. Civilizations eventually breathe their last. I'm just wondering... what if the age of archons is coming to an end as well? There are so few of us left. Sure, we could choose heirs to our thrones and keep the cycle going, but... is there a need to do so? Our duty is to watch over and guide humanity, but humanity has lived without our guidance for so long. Now, we simply watch. You lead your people in Inazuma, but you don't necessarily need to be an archon to be their leader. While you were in isolation, you left others, and the humans, to watch over them. And they have lived and grown during that time. Have you ever wondered about what it would be like... if we sacrificed our divinity and lived out our lives as normal humans?" Nahida asks carefully.
"To no longer be archons... I never considered such an idea. I have lived as the Raiden Shogun for so long, and I always expected to continue to do so for many years to come. And now with this threat to our kin by La Signora, I am afraid to even entertain such an idea," Ei shakes her head.
"Then do not dwell upon it for now. There is still much to do. Perhaps we should finish up here and head to Beacon. I am eager to see Professor Ozpin again," Nahida says before finishing her drink.
"Perhaps we should," Ei says, her mind still on Nahida's words.
...
They return to Beacon, but on their way to Ozpin's office, they bump into Team JNPR. And as soon as the four students spot Nahida, well...
"Aw, she's so cute!" Nora coos as she picks Nahida up and spins her around.
Right. Ei hasn't told Team JNPR about her godhood, nor do they know that Nahida is a god as well. It'd be hard to accept, considering that Nahida looks like a little girl.
"Um, Nora, please calm down. You might scare the poor girl," Ren calms her down.
"Oh, right, sorry. But still, she's so cute," Nora puts Nahida down.
"It's okay. This happens from time to time," Nahida smiles.
"So Ei, what's the deal of brining a little girl to Beacon?" Pyrrha asks.
"Ah, there you are," they turn and see Professor Ozpin approaching. "I was wondering when you would show up,"
"Hello, Uncle Ozpin," Nahida waves to him.
"Uncle?!" Team JNPR are surprised by this.
Ei wasn't because Nahida informed her of this little cover on their way to the academy. With Nahida essentially looking like a little girl, there would be little reason for her to come to a school designed to train warriors. But, if she were visiting a family member who happens to run the school, well that's a different story.
"Professor Ozpin, I didn't know you had a niece," Jaune notes.
"I admit, I may not look it, but even someone like me does have family. How are your parents, Nahida? Busy as always, I suspect," Ozpin asks.
"Yep. Pretty much. That's why I'm here. I hope you don't mind me dropping in for a while," Nahida replies.
Part of her cover story is that her parents are busy often working as officials for the Kingdom of Vale. As such, they aren't home a lot. Ozpin, as her 'dotting' uncle, has offered to look after her while they're away on business.
"It is quite alright. Ei, I thank you for escorting my niece here. I can take it from here," Ozpin thanks her.
"Of course. The pleasure was all mine. Nahida, I must be going now, but I hope we can speak again sometime," Ei nods.
"Yes. I'd like that. You can introduce me to your teammates next time too," Nahida says.
"Well then, we'd best be going now. Come along, Nahida," Ozpin turns to leave, with Nahida right behind him.
"Huh, I never pictured Ozpin as having a niece, or any family for that matter," Jaune notes.
"Just when you think you know someone, I suppose," Pyrrha notes.
Maybe one day, Ei will tell them the truth. But not today. Not yet at least.
"So, I'm surprised you don't mind being called my uncle in public," Nahida notes as she and Ozpin are away from the group.
"It makes me feel younger, I suppose," Ozpin replies.
"Considering you're actually older than me, I suppose you need all the help you can get in that department," Nahida laughs.
"Please, don't remind me. I'm still waiting for the day when I can finally retire and relax for a change. As befits someone of my 'old' age," Ozpin sighs.
...
Elsewhere, in Vale, the woman whom Liney and Lynette address as 'Father' walks through the streets of the city, taking in the energetic atmosphere around her.
"The Vytal Festival will begin soon. Does she intend to make her move during that time," the woman mutters.
As she walks, a few people who notice her and spot her weirdly shaped irises step back and give her some space. Not she's bothered by that. The more that people stay out of her way, the better.
"Come on, Weiss! We're almost there," the woman glances back to see two girls, one in a white dress and the other wearing a red cloak with her hood up over her head and masking her face, run by.
"Ruby, calm down! At this rate, you'll run right past it," Weiss berates her.
"But I don't want to lose out on the Dust ammo sale at my favorite weapons shop. Besides, I aced that last test like you wanted, so this is my reward. Let's go!" Ruby cheers as they move through the crowd.
"Weiss Schnee, huh. I heard the heiress of the SDC came to Beacon instead of Atlas. That other girl must be one of her teammates. Hmm, no matter," the woman notes before continuing on her way.
Little did she know that fate had a plan for her and the girl in the red hood.
And that's the chapter. The chaos that comes with a school dance has begun. Meanwhile, Ei meets Nahida for the first time. I did that scene with all the girls and Dehya because I thought it'd be funny, and it works with her lion motif. As for what I said about Arlecchino and Ruby, you'll see soon enough. Until then, please Read and Review.
