Waking up the next morning, Topaz does his daily training routine, then goes back inside to prepare for the day. Changing into the Signal Academy uniform, he makes his way into the dining room for some breakfast. Walking into the room, Topaz sees Ruby and Yang mowing through their breakfast. Summer is trying to get them to slow down, and Tai is just shaking his head at the sink.
Topaz: "Good morning everyone."
Tai and Summer: "Good morning Topaz."
Ruby: "Topaz! Good morning."
Yang: "Morning Topaz. You ready to make our weapons today?"
Topaz: "Oh yeah, I am more than ready."
Sitting down at the table Topaz eats the breakfast given to him by Summer. Finishing his breakfast, Topaz brings his plate to the sink and hands it to Tai. Yang then grabs his arm and drags him to the door.
Yang: "We are heading to Signal, see you all later. Bye!"
Topaz: "I guess we are leaving, see you guys."
Summer: "Bye you two, have fun today."
Ruby: "Bye-bye"
Tai: "Hey, you two. Wait for me to finish these first. Don't you ignore me, stop walking, aaand they're gone."
The walk to Signal was uneventful. Yang would make a pun and Topaz would then make his own off of hers. Walking up to Signal's gate Topaz stops and looks around, Yang turns around to look at him.
Yang: "I never did apologize for that day, did I."
Topaz: "There never was a need to apologize."
Yang: "Of course there was a reason, if they didn't catch me and use me against you, you never would have had to go through that."
Topaz walks up to Yang and gives her a reassuring hug.
Topaz: "Yang, with how they were going at it, it was only a matter of time before they would have gotten me. You are family to me, and making sure you are safe and happy will always be my top priorities. It's the same with Ruby, Tai and Summer. Heck, I even consider Qrow family. As soon as they said they had you, I was ready to give myself up. Even if it was just a farce on their part, it would be worth the risk."
Yang starts crying at Topaz's comments and leans into his hug. After a few minutes, the crying stops and Topaz leads Yang to the restroom so she can take care of her puffy eyes. While waiting outside the restroom, Topaz notices the many gazes that look towards him. All of them show their surprise. Topaz notices a pink haired girl continuously looking his direction, before finally making her way over to him. He remembers her name as Ariel Tumaki, and she was from his and Yang's sparring class.
Ariel: "Topaz, is that you?"
Topaz: "It is Ariel, it's good to see you."
Ariel: "Yes, it's good to see you too. When did you get rescued?"
Topaz: "I was rescued a few weeks ago, but finally made it back here on Patch two days ago."
Ariel: "What were you doing all that time from when you were rescued to getting back? It seems like a very long time to travel."
Topaz: "Qrow, the man who rescued me, said it would be safer if we traveled by foot. While traveling he helped to train me and taught me some very important lessons for a huntsman."
Ariel: "That's so cool! You had a professional huntsman train you?!"
Topaz: "Yeah, it is pretty cool. The old man was fun to be around."
*Smack*
Qrow: "I thought I told you that I am not old kid."
Topaz: "What are you doing here Qrow?"
Qrow: "As of today, you are looking at the new teacher for the sparring classes."
Topaz: "You. A teacher. Pfffffft hahahahaha."
Qrow: "What's so funny kid."
Topaz: "You may be a professional hunter, but you are so irresponsible."
Qrow: "Who was the one who saved your ass?"
Topaz: "Who was the one who got lucky and found me?"
Ariel: "Um, excuse me. Who is this Topaz?"
Qrow: "Who's your little girlfriend Topaz?"
Topaz: "Ah, im sorry Ariel. This is Qrow Branwen, the huntsman who rescued me, and apparently the new sparring teacher. And Qrow, she isn't my girlfriend. She's in Yang and my sparring class."
Ariel: "Pleased to meet you Mr. Branwen."
Qrow: "The pleasure is all mine, but please, call me Qrow. Mr. Branwen makes me sound so old."
Topaz: "*cough* it's fitting *cough*"
Qrow: "What was that you little shit."
Topaz: "Nothing at all."
Ariel giggles at their interaction. It sounds like they are only degrading each other but she can tell that they are close.
Ariel: "You two must have bonded quite a bit on the journey back here."
Topaz: "I guess, he is a good teacher and I guess he is technically my uncle all things considered."
At this moment Yang walks out of the restroom and sees Qrow and Topaz behaving like they normally do.
Yang: "Qrow, what are you doing here?"
Qrow: "Hey firecracker, you are looking at the new teacher for the sparring classes."
Yang: "You, a teacher? Really?"
Topaz: "That's what I said!"
Qrow: "What am I going to do with you two?"
Yang: "Oh, and good morning Ariel."
Ariel: "Good morning Yang. I'm glad to see your family is complete again."
Yang:" Oh, I'm sure you are."
Seeing the two girls quietly interacting out of the corner of his eye Topaz turns to face them, only to see Ariel turn red and then quickly turn and walk away. Looking towards Yang with his eyebrow raised, but she merely shrugs her shoulders with a knowing smirk.
Qrow: "Alright kiddos, time for you to get to class. Sounds like you will have a busy day today."
Yang and Topaz: "Sure thing."
Making their way into Tai's classroom, Yang and Topaz joke about Qrow becoming a teacher. When they get into the classroom, the entire class goes silent and all eyes are on them. Tai looks up from his desk when the class suddenly went silent and smiles when he sees Yang and Topaz. Tai motions for Topaz to come to the front of the room, and Yang takes her seat.
Tai: "Alright class. I'm sure you have all noticed but Topaz has made his way home. He will be rejoining our class from today onwards. Treat him well."
Topaz: "Hey everyone, it's good to see you again. I hope we can all get along."
Topaz began to make his way to his seat when he heard a question shouted out from somewhere at the back of the class.
????: "Did the kidnappers let you go when they realized they couldn't control you animal?"
Topaz looks to where the voice came from and recognizes the bully he had put in his place back before the kidnapping.
Topaz: "Did you grow a pair while I was away? Last I remember you couldn't even look me in the eye without remembering the embarrassment you were put through."
Bully: "Shut up."
Tai: "Enough, both of you. Chad, stop attempting to bully Topaz. And Topaz, stop antagonizing him."
Topaz sits down next to Yang with a smirk and hears Chad whining at the back of the class. Yang gives him a fist bump for the burn before turning back to the front of the class.
Tai: "Alright class, today you will be constructing your own weapons. I know most of you have been planning for this since classes first started this year, but remember, that weapon will more than likely be with you your entire career as huntsman and huntresses. So, make sure it is practical, but can also be upgraded if need be. Now follow me to the workshop, and we will get started."
Topaz and the rest of the class all stood up and followed after Tai. Topaz and Yang were discussing their plans for their weapons when Ariel walked up next to them.
Ariel: "W-Would it be ok with I worked by you guys in the workshop."
Yang: "Sure you can Ariel."
Topaz: "We'd love to have your company Ariel."
Ariel looked down at his comment and quietly followed Yang and Topaz. After a couple of minutes, the class arrived at the workshop. Tai stood at the door, and with one motion opened the workshop to the class. Topaz, Yang and Ariel walked into the workshop, their excitement tangible.