Cualli leaned against the wall, rolling his shoulders as he observed the sleek, sterile lab.

He hated the place—it reeked of control and calculation, the kind of environment that drained

people like him.

The door hissed open, and a figure stepped in. Dark wings folded neatly behind her back as she

carried herself with a commanding presence. Her broad shoulders and muscular forearms stood

out, her short hair styled in a sharp high fade. She wore a long-sleeve tunic in shades of blue

with subtle silver accents, paired with light, streamlined shoulder guards and bracers. The

metallic finish of her armor glinted under the fluorescent lights, and intricate silver patterns

resembling clouds added a touch of elegance. Her breastplate, engraved with tiny wing motifs,

complemented combat pants reinforced for durability. She carried herself like someone who

belonged in battle, not a lab.

"Nana," Cualli said, his voice a mix of surprise and recognition. "Didn't expect to see you

here."

She stopped mid-step, her spear strapped to her back, glinting as she crossed her arms.

Her posture was rigid, defensive. "And yet here I am. The better question is, what are you doing

here, Cualli?"

"The usual," he said, his smirk laced with bitterness. "Helping the mighty kingdoms with

their 'research.' They need all the help they can get, after all." His sarcasm hung heavy in the

air, slightly narrowing her eyes.

Nana stepped closer, her wings giving a subtle flutter. "So it's true," she said quietly, her

voice edged with disappointment. "They dragged you into this mess."

"Dragged?" Cualli pushed off the wall, "No one drags me anywhere, Nana. I chose this.

What about you? Still taking orders like a good little bird?"

Her jaw tightened. She held his gaze, her expression unreadable. "I'm here because

Mistral demands it," she said. You wouldn't understand, leaving something so close."

"Wouldn't I?" his tone sharp. "You don't have to be their puppet anymore. You can walk

away."

"And end up like you?" she retorted, her voice rising. "Wandering from one fight to the

next, no home, no loyalty? That's not freedom, Cualli. That's just running."

The words struck a nerve, but Cualli masked the sting with a cold smile. "Better to run

than to live shackled by someone else's expectations."

Nana sighed, her wings drooping slightly as the fight drained from her posture. "I didn't

come here to argue," she said, her voice softening. Nana said before sitting on the chair nearby,

"You know what to do," Cualli sighed, pulling a chair, holding her hands, and through Nana's

hands, a mix of bright red and orange aura flowed through her palms and into Cuallis." and I

came to warn you."

"Warn me?" Cualli raised an eyebrow," about what?"

"They don't care about you, Cualli. They'll use you up and discard you the second you're

no longer useful." Her eyes softened, a rare flicker of vulnerability breaking through. "I don't

want to see that happen to you."

"You think I don't know? His voice was cold," You think I haven't learned from what I've

seen back in Vacuo? Why did you think I left that shithole a long time ago," he said, his voice

sharp, and saw Nana starting to woozy before he quickly looked at his hands and saw the aura

rushing to him before he promptly forced them to slow," sorry."

"It's fine," she said before leaning back in the chair," I always wonder what you will have

when your crusade is over. What then? What happens when this mission destroys you, Cualli?

When there's nothing left of who you used to be?"

"I will find a way; the sun will always come up and fall. Nobody stops for nobody."

"That's not your concern, Cualli?"

"Maybe it should be. But it is not right now," Cualli said before gently sizing her hands,"

You know you're doing much better than last time. What was it? A minute last time?

"Just about. If I am right, we should be over the minute and thirty mark?"

"Yeah, just about," Cualli said," so how have been treating you? I heard you need to

make your weapon even to apply?"

"My clan pulled some strings, and my weapon is considered modern enough to pass the

bar." Nana said with a deep breath," What about Vale? How have they been treating you?"

"Everyone is… interesting, to say the least."

"'Interesting' how?"

"Think of it like this: most people here believe they are important or as main characters

even though we both know full damn well that kind of people will be killed or burned out the

fastest."

Nana let out a soft chuckle, sounding much better than what had happened to me. Don't

get me wrong, I always wanted quiet and to be left alone, but it's sort of the same thing in

heaven, and ever since Phyrra turned down Haven, everyone has been chasing the same skill

as Phyrra." Nana said before slumping back, and Cualli quickly pushed her aura back to her.

"Wow, three minutes. Congrats, most adults I tried this with pass out at the minute mark,"

Cualli said before giving her a granola bar.

"Thanks, but I was saying that that everyone is trying to become her. Honestly, they are

a bigger foul than you if that is their goal," Nana said with a weak grin, and Cualli's eyes

hardened. Come on, you can take a joke, and besides, not everyone is blinded by the sun. My

team has been interesting."

"Interesting?" Cualli asked, smirking. "That's vague, even for you."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the slight curve of her lips. "Alright, fine. There's

Nicole—she's our tank. Calm, observant, doesn't say much, but it's like watching a storm when

she moves. Fast, precise, and her semblance? She turns into ash and dashes around the

battlefield. It's... effective."

"Sounds useful," Cualli said, his tone teasing. "And let me guess—she's one of those

'strong, silent types'?"

"Something like that," Nana admitted, her wings giving a slight flutter. "Then there's

Cody. He's... relaxed, almost too relaxed. He makes a joke out of everything, but he's sharp

when it counts. His semblance is wild, though—it flips everything on its head. Literally.

Movement, perception, and even how you hear things. It's disorienting, but it works."

Cualli let out a low whistle. "Sounds like a nightmare to fight against."

Nana nodded, her expression thoughtful. "And then there's Yaretzi. She's quiet—shy,

even—but she becomes someone else when she gets into her semblance. She can create

illusions from her sketches and the detail she puts into them... it's impressive. Fragile, though. If

they're hit, they shatter." Nana said before leaning forward," what about your team?"

"Well, you know Aja, but she is the group's mom, forcing everyone to attend events. But

through her, I got to see a lot of my classmates; then there is Isaac, who is massive and tall and

was able to cave a Grimm skull in during the entrance exam; even though I gave him an aura

boost, it was still all on him and his whole thing is matching his aura to whoever he goes against

and for what I could guess match them blow by blow, but his aura drains fast."

"Sound like a glass canon."

"He is, but even without it, he is strong enough that I could bet he could match another

huntsman." Cualli said before sighing, "And then there is Akari. She is interesting, to say the

least, and I think she holds a grudge against me because I am a leader, and she isn't. Even

though I admit she is more controlled than I am, I still wonder why Opzin chose me rather than

her, besides the team name rolling off the tongue. But her semblance is passive, and it allows

her to see the vibrations through the ground."

"Like toph form avatar."

"She said n,o, but still, it is really useful either way. Having an eye in your blind spot is

useful in either human or Grimm fights," Cualli said until Nana's scroll went off," Mitral is calling

you back already. I thought you would be here for a few days?"

As Nana checked her scroll, she sighed and typed through it before putting it away."

They want me back but told me the return airship won't come until the end of the day."

"So you want to join me for the day? It's the weekend, so if you want, we could grab

something to bite and go from there?"

"I am okay with it, not like we got anything better to do."

Cualli led Nana out of the lab into the crisp evening air. The skies above Vale were painted in

hues of orange and purple, and the sun was dipping low on the horizon. They walked in

companionable silence, the tension of the lab fading with every step.

The bustling streets offered a stark contrast to the sterile confines of the lab. Streetlights

flickered on as shopkeepers began closing up for the night, their cheerful chatter blending with

the hum of distant airships. Cualli stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets, glancing at Nana.

Her wings, now relaxed, caught the faint glow of the streetlights, giving her a serene aura that

seemed at odds with her usual sharp demeanor.

"So," Nana broke the silence, her tone lighter. "What's this place you're taking me to?"

"You'll see," Cualli said with a faint grin. "It's a little hole-in-the-wall spot, nothing fancy, but trust

me—it's worth it."

They turned a corner, leaving the busier streets behind. The cozy neighborhood had a

warmth that the larger city lacked. Lanterns lined the cobblestone path, filling the air with the

faint aroma of spices and roasted meat. Cualli stopped in front of a small restaurant with a worn

wooden sign that read La Mesita Dorada. The faint hum of acoustic guitar music spilled out onto

the street.

"This is it," Cualli said, holding the door open for Nana. "Best empanadas you'll ever

have."

She raised an eyebrow but stepped inside, greeted by the comforting scent of baked

dough and sizzling spices. The interior was simple yet inviting, with wooden tables, mismatched

chairs, and walls adorned with hand-painted murals of golden fields and sunlit skies. A

chalkboard menu listed dishes in elegant, looping handwriting.

A middle-aged woman in an apron approached, her warm smile deepening the crow's

feet at the corners of her eyes. "Cualli! It's been too long, mijo," she said, clasping his hand.

"And you've brought a friend!"

"Good to see you, Señora Marisol," Cualli replied. "We'll take a corner table if that's

alright."

"Of course! Sit, sit—your usual?" she asked, already heading toward the counter.

"And add an extra plate," Cualli called after her before turning to Nana. "Trust me on this

one."

Nana sat across from him, her posture easing as she embraced the cozy atmosphere.

"Alright," she said, leaning her elbows on the table. "I'll bite. Why do you know this place so

well?"

Cualli chuckled. "This was my go-to spot when I first got here. It is affordable and quiet,

and the food is great. Marisol practically adopted me while I was still figuring things out."

The woman returned moments later with two steaming plates of empanadas, a bowl of vibrant

salsa, and a pitcher of iced hibiscus tea. "Enjoy, niños," she said, patting Cualli's shoulder

before retreating to the counter.

Nana picked up an empanada, inspecting it curiously before taking a cautious bite. Her

eyes widened, and she nodded in approval. "Okay, you weren't kidding. These are incredible."

"Told you," Cualli said, already reaching for his second. "Now, let's talk. What's going on

in Mistral that's got you so tense?"

Nana sighed. " In addition to the new environment, roomers were going around before I

left home, and Midas was on the move again."

"Figured," Cualli said before taking a bite," sometimes I wish that the leader before him

could have killed him and would have saved the world a lot of issues, but here I am, a student

and is considered a high profile in the headmaster's eyes."

"Yeah, I feel you… but look at the bright side; it means that people like you and I have

free transportation no matter what."

"You right about that? Save us much time if everyone else fights for their place in the

airship." Cualli chuckled before taking another bite," So, how has the clan been going?

Whatever they said to you before the semester started has stressed you."

Nana eats her empanada," Well, about that… you know about the Cycle of Dusk and

Dawn and how that story goes?"

"Yeah, what about—" Cualli's eyes widened," wait, they chose you as the next holder of

the sentinel?" Nana gave a slight nod," that is amazing! You know what this means, how much

good you can do and—"

"And what about the bad, huh? You saw the power and only saw that?" Nana said

sharply, wings spread wide before closing, and her face softened," Sorry, but you know how

dangerous power is. How fast could it turn into someone they aren't?"

"Yeah, you're right. Sorry about that, so what could I do since we are the few people who

know what this means?"

Nana sighs before drinking her iced hibiscus tea," Nothing right now. I just need to vent

to someone who knows about it and not shout about how 'I need to be reasonable for the

Anemoi clan image.' like bitch I am eighteen years old I've been told what to do until now."

"So does this mean you're going to be the leader of your clan," Cualli asked before

taking a sip of his drink.

"No, my father, who is still acting leader, just the sentinel time is coming to their end, and

from what I heard, they are on life support," Nana said before rubbing her temples.

"Fuck, man, I honestly don't know what to say? What could I say?"

"Like I said nothing," Nana said before the counter of her eye. She saw Weiss, her hand

closed into a fist and her wings open. A profound blue aura coded her wings until it ignited a

deep blue fire.

"wait, Nana! Weiss—"

"WHAT YOU ABOUT ABOUT HOW I SHOULD LET THIS GO AND—"

"You think I don't know rage, anger… hatred; you know my situation with Midas. You

know why I even agreed to be seen as a tool to the headmasters," Cualli continued, rising," I ran

away from my home, my clan. I left everything behind because of what my father did. You don't

think I know what it feels like to be pissed off at someone? To carry that anger with you every

single day?"

Nana stared at him, her usual sharpness dulled by his words. "It's not the same—"

"Of course, it's not the same," Cualli cut her off again. "But here's the thing, Nana: Weiss

isn't your enemy. She's not the one who made those decisions. She's trying to fix things, and

you're too busy being angry to see it."

"And how do you know that?"

"To be honest, I don't know her personally, but from what I heard from her teammates,

Weiss is trying to do right," Cualli said before gently holding Nana's hands.

Nana looked away, her jaw tight. "Her family ruined lives, Cualli. My people's lives. And

she gets to sit there like nothing ever happened."

"I know, but I think you should talk to her even if it just a word in, and you always go on

about the relationships between the families, and if we like it or not, the Schnee's are connected

to us and if things go well maybe the Schnee's could get there head off their ass and do

something for the community."

Nana looked at Weiss talking to her teammates before sighing," Fine, but if things go

south, I want you to stop me."

"Yeah, I got it, but what about you? Can you stop yourself?"

Nana said nothing and looked away, and Cualli sighed before waving to team RWBY,"

Hey guys, are you hungry? Do you want to join us?"

"Oh hey Cualli, how is it going," Ruby asked as the others sat down until she saw Nana's

arm corseted," oh, who might you be? Are you from Beacon because I don't recognize you?"

Ruby asked Nana.

"I am from Haven Academy. I am only visiting for a few hours," she said to Ruby before

looking at Weiss nana, whose eyes narrowed. Schnee, I didn't think I would see you here."

"Could say the same thing about you, Anemoi," Weiss said back with a cold tone string

at Nana. Both eyes harden.

Ruby, noticing the tension, tilted her head. "What's going on?" she asked, her cheerful

tone faltering. She glanced at Weiss, whose face remained composed.

"It's… complicated," Cualli replied, glancing at Nana, whose expression only hardened

further.

"Complicated?" Ruby repeated, her brow furrowing. "It looks like she's about to punch

Weiss. Why?"

"It's not like that, Ruby," Cualli sighed. He hesitated before continuing, "Nana's

people—the Anemoi—were driven out of Atlas because of… policies tied to the Schnee Dust

Company."

Weiss froze, her eyes widening slightly. "Excuse me?"

Yang sat up straighter, her eyes darting between Weiss and Nana. "Hold on. What exactly does

that mean?"

"It means," Nana said sharply, "that the Schnee family profited from stealing land and

resources from people like mine. Entire villages were forced to move because they weren't

considered 'valuable.' Families torn apart, all for the Dust mines."

Ruby looked between Weiss and Nana, her silver eyes confused. "So… you're all one

big family, then?"

Cualli chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "Sort of, but not really. Technically, yes, we're

connected by the whole sentinel power thing. But we're so different from each other—our

values, ways of life, everything—that it's impossible to call each other family. The clans… well,

let's just say we're more like long-distance relatives who don't get along."

Nana shot Weiss a final glare before turning to Cualli. "Relatives or not, some wounds

don't heal just because time passes."

"I understand that my family hasn't always acted honorably. But I've spent my life trying

to fix the damage they've done. Blaming me won't undo the past." Weiss said calmly

"You're right," Nana said icily. "It won't. But it's not just the past. Your company is still

profiting while others are struggling to survive. It's easy to say you're trying when sitting at the

top."

Ruby looked between them again, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Okay, this has to stop.

Nana, Weiss is not her family's mistake, and Weiss, maybe it's time to hear her out."

Cualli gave Ruby a small, appreciative smile. "Well said. We can't change what

happened, but if we're stuck in the same place, we can at least start by understanding each

other."

Nana didn't look convinced, but she sighed, letting her shoulders relax slightly." fine."

Yang leaned over to Blake, muttering, "Family drama is always messy, huh?"

Blake nodded solemnly. "Always."

"So, how did the three of you get to know each other?" Ruby asked Cualli.

"Well, thanks for identifying our families. The headmasters want the youngest

generation—us—to get along so that if something happens and we are left in a position of

power, we can work something out." Cualli told Ruby," So what are you guys doing out there?"

"Oh, we were just looking for something to eat."

"Well, the empanadas are good here, right, Nana?" Cualli said before looking up at her

only to see her string at Weiss," Right, Nana!"

"Sure, yeah," Nana said bluntly while still keeping her eyes on Weiss," You know, I joined

the Atlas military a few years back, and I find it off-putting, but I never thought you would be a

huntress. Is following in their footsteps too good for you?" Nana said in a sarcastic tone.

Weiss froze, her eyes widening slightly. "Excuse me!"

"You heard me."

Yang sat up straighter, her eyes darting between Weiss and Nana. "Hold on. What

exactly does that mean?"

"It's… complicated," Cualli replied, glancing at Nana, whose expression only hardened

further.

"Complicated?" Ruby repeated, her brow furrowing. "It looks like she's about to punch Weiss.

Why?"

"It's not like that, Ruby," Cualli sighed. He hesitated before continuing, "Nana's

people—the Anemoi—were driven out of Atlas because of… policies tied to the Schnee Dust

Company."

Weiss froze, her eyes widening slightly. "Excuse me?"

"What are you deaf," Nana said sharply to Weiss, "that the Schnee family profited off of

stealing land and resources from people like mine. Entire villages were forced to move because

they weren't considered 'valuable.' Families torn apart, all for the Dust mines."

Ruby looked between Weiss and Nana, her silver eyes confused. "So… you're all one

big family, then?"

Cualli chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "Sort of, but not really. Technically, yes, we're

connected by the whole seasonal power thing. But we're so different from each other—our

values, ways of life, everything—that it's impossible to call each other family. The clans… well,

let's just say we're more like long-distance relatives who don't get along."

Nana shot Weiss a final glare before turning to Cualli. "Relatives or not, some wounds

don't heal just because time passes."

Weiss set her teacup down, her voice calm but tinged with unease. "I understand that my

family hasn't always acted honorably. But I've spent my life trying to fix the damage they've

done. Blaming me won't undo the past."

"You're right," Nana said icily. "It won't. But it's not just the past. Your company is still

profiting while others are struggling to survive. It's easy to say you're trying when sitting at the

top."

Weiss looked at her with a carefully measured expression. "I understand your

frustrations, Nana, and I genuinely want to improve things. If there's anything I can do to prove

that, I'm willing to listen."

Nana raised an eyebrow, the tension creeping back into her posture. "Anything, huh?"

Ruby clapped her hands together. "Yes! See, we're making progress—"

Nana interrupted her tone sharper now. "So, Weiss, if this restaurant didn't agree with

what your father said, would you just buy it and force them out, too?"

Weiss's calm demeanor cracked for a moment, her jaw tightening. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Nana said, leaning forward. "It's what the Schnee Company has done

before. Drive people out, take over their land, and call it 'progress.' So, what's stopping you from

doing it here?"

Weiss stood abruptly, her expression icy. "I have never—"

"Oh, don't act so innocent," Nana snapped, standing as well, her wings flaring slightly.

"Your family's actions speak louder than your words."

Ruby jumped between them, her arms outstretched. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Let's not turn

this into a fight! Please?"

Cualli quickly got up, stepped beside Nana, and touched her arm. "Nana, calm down.

This isn't the place or the time."

Nana shrugged him off, her eyes locked on Weiss. "You think one little apology fixes

everything? My people are still suffering because of what your family did."

Weiss glared back, her voice clipped. "And I've said I'm working to fix it. But I will not

take responsibility for things I didn't personally do."

"That's convenient," Nana shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Blame your

father for everything and wipe your hands clean."

Ruby stepped closer, her silver eyes wide and pleading. "Guys, stop! Fighting like this

isn't going to fix anything!"

Cualli grabbed Nana's shoulder, pulling her back. "Nana, enough. This isn't helping."

Weiss, still fuming, took a deep breath and smoothed her uniform. "Ruby's right. This isn't worth

it."

Nana, breathing heavily, stepped back as Cualli guided her away. "Fine. But this isn't

over."

Ruby sighed in relief, looking between the two. "Okay, let's just… take a break. How

about we focus on dessert? Nana, Weiss, I bet you both like ice cream, right?"

Neither responded, but they sat back down with some distance between them. Ruby

gave Cualli a grateful look, mouthing, "Thank you." He nodded, though his eyes remained on

Nana, silently urging her to keep her temper in check.

Yang leaned over to Blake, whispering, "I give it five minutes before they're at it again."

Blake sighed, shaking her head. "You're probably right."

As they stood to leave, Cualli pulled out his wallet, handing Señora Marisol a few lien

notes. "Gracias, Señora. Everything was perfect as always."

She waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, mijo, you're too kind. Come back soon, both of

you."

As the team arrives at the ice cream shop and places their orders, Blake glances at

Nana, whose expression remains firm. " I like your wings," Blake says softly, her voice cutting

through the silence. They're beautiful."

Nana looked at her, momentarily surprised, before her expression softened. "Thank you,"

she said, her tone genuine. She spread her dark wings slightly, the feathers catching the light.

"Thankfully, I'm not ashamed of who I am."

However, as she spoke, her gaze shifted directly to Weiss, and a subtle grin formed.

Weiss lowered the cup slowly.

"What exactly are you smiling at?" Weiss asked, her tone sharp but controlled.

"Oh, nothing important," Nana said airily, her grin widening. "Certainly nothing your

money can't buy."

The table fell silent again, the tension crackling in the air like static. Yang's spoon

paused midair as she glanced between Weiss and Nana.

Weiss's eyes narrowed, her voice icy. "If you have something to say, Nana, why don't

you just say it?"

Nana tilted her head, feigning innocence. "I think I've said enough already. Haven't I,

Cualli?"

Cualli, who had been quietly eating, sighed heavily and rubbed his temples. "Nana,

please. Can we get through one meal without you trying to pick a fight?"

Ruby groaned, setting down her spoon. "Come on, guys, I thought we were making

progress!"

Nana leaned back in her chair, smirking. "We are. This is progress. I didn't stand over

her this time."

Weiss bristled, her knuckles turning white as she gripped her cup. "I don't need your

condescension, Nana. If you can't let go of whatever grudge you have, that's your problem."

Nana's grin vanished, replaced by a cold stare. "Grudge? Do you think my people losing

everything because of your family is just a 'grudge'? Must be nice to live in a world where your

money can fix everything."

Before Weiss could respond, Ruby jumped in, waving her arms. "Okay, enough! This is

supposed to be lunch, not a sparring match! Blake was trying to give a compliment, and now

we're back to fighting."

Blake sighed, pushing her plate aside. "I was hoping it would help break the tension."

Yang leaned over, muttering, "Nice try, Blake. But I don't think anything short of a miracle will fix

this."

Cualli stood, placing his hands firmly on the table. "Nana, enough. Weiss, enough.

You're not solving anything by going back and forth like this."

Both women turned their attention to Cualli, though neither looked entirely convinced.

Ruby chimed in, her voice quieter but firm. "Please, can we just try to get along? Even if it's just

for the rest of this meal?"

As they eat their ice cream, nobody says anything until Weiss puts her down to face

Nana, "Alright, I've had enough. What is your problem with me?"

Nana didn't even look up from her plate as she replied, her tone biting. "Are you deaf, or

do you just not listen? I've been pretty clear."

Weiss's eyes narrowed, her voice growing colder. "You've been clear about blaming me

for things I had no hand in. I'm trying to understand, but all you do is pick fights."

Nana dropped her fork with a loud clatter, standing abruptly. Her wings flared slightly as

she glared down at Weiss. "You don't understand because you don't want to. People like you

never do. You sit in your tower, looking down on the rest of us, thinking your money and

apologies make everything better!"

Weiss stood as well, her expression sharp as ice. "And people like you always assume

the worst. I've worked hard to change things, but you'd rather stay angry than admit that."

Ruby jumped to her feet, waving her arms frantically. "Guys, stop! This is supposed to be

a meal, not a battlefield!"

Before Ruby could intervene further, Nana stepped closer to Weiss, her aura flaring

slightly. "You think you can just change everything with a few good deeds? My people are still

suffering because of your family's greed!"

Weiss's voice rose, her usual composure cracking. "And what do you want from me,

Nana? Blood? My company? What would actually make you happy?"

"Enough!" Cualli's voice boomed as he stepped between them, his hands glowing faintly

with orange light. He placed one hand on Nana's shoulder, his expression firm but calm. "Nana,

stop. This isn't helping anyone."

Nana tried to shrug him off, her aura bristling. "Cualli, stay out of this. She needs to—"

Cualli tightened his grip slightly, his voice lowering. "No. You need to stop. Picking fights

won't fix the past."

His aura flared briefly, and Nana staggered slightly, her wings drooping as her strength

seemed to drain. "Cualli…" she muttered, her voice weakening.

Ruby's eyes widened as she noticed the glow around Cualli's hand intensify. "Cualli,

stop! You're draining too much!"

Cualli quickly released Nana, realizing his mistake, but it was too late. Her knees

buckled, and she collapsed into his arms, unconscious. The table went dead silent, all eyes on

them.

"Great," Yang muttered, breaking the silence. "Now she's out cold. That's one way to end

an argument."

Cualli carefully lowered Nana into a chair, guilt written across his face. "I didn't mean

to… I just wanted her to calm down."

Blake stood, concern flashing in her eyes. "Is she okay?"

"She'll be fine," Cualli said, his voice tight. "I took too much of her aura, but she needs

rest. I'll take her back to the dorms."

Weiss, still standing, looked down at Nana's unconscious form, her expression

unreadable. "I didn't want this," she said quietly.

Ruby sighed, her shoulders slumping. "None of us did. But maybe now we can figure out

how to discuss this without becoming another fight."

Cualli glanced at Ruby, his jaw set. "Maybe. But first, I need to make sure Nana's okay."

"Where are you going to take her? Back in my dorm, my team had a medkit there, and

even then, the worst thing she would have is that she passed out. She just needs to walk it out,"

he said before lifting Nana in his arms and heading to his dorm.

The dorm room was quiet except for the soft rustle of fabric as Cualli adjusted his grip on

Nana. His expression was a mix of frustration and concern as he carried her toward his bed.

Gently, he laid her down, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face before stepping over to

his bag. He rummaged through it momentarily and pulled out a small vial of smelling salts.

Unscrewing the cap, Cualli held the vial under Nana's nose, the sharp, acrid scent

wafting upward. Nana's eyes shot open with a startled gasp, and she bolted upright, nearly

smacking her head against his.

"What the—Cualli!" Nana sputtered, her wings fluttering as she scrambled to push the

vial away. "What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" Cualli retorted, his tone sharp as he placed the vial on the

nearby desk. "What the hell was that, Nana? Picking a fight with Weiss? Are you out of your

mind?"

Nana blinked, still groggy but quickly recovering her usual fire. "She deserved it," she

shot back, her voice tight with anger. "You wouldn't understand."

Cualli's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he crossed his arms. "Don't pull that card

with me, Nana. Do you think I don't understand anger? We just talked about how you shouldn't

fight against Weiss, yet you did."

.As he turned to leave, he paused at the doorway and glanced back. "And Nana? Don't

make me use the smelling salts again. That stuff's expensive."

Despite herself, Nana chuckled softly, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders.

"Noted."

"So when the airship came to get you, what a few hours since you texted heaven?"

Cualli asked, and Nana checked her scroll before sighing and lying on the bed.

"They said about giving or taking thirty minutes, but they told me to meet me in the

beacon landing pad, and since I am already here, I just need to walk there."