In front of Topaz's very eyes, he sees Neo's outfit begin to change. Going from her right hand to the rest of her, her outfit begins changing from its usual white and pink to match Topaz's Beacon uniform. But that wasn't the change that surprised Topaz, no the change that surprised him the most was that her hair changed to black and her pupils turned green. Suddenly the image of her shatters into glass. After the glass dissipates, Neo is standing a few feet away looking how she normally does.
Topaz: "Your semblance is amazing Neo."
Neo smiles before taking out her scroll once again.
{Thank you, but I also think you're right about Roman using me. It hurts more than anything I've felt before, but also gives me the determination to help you.}
Topaz: "Just please promise to take care of yourself and be careful."
Neo nods her head before silently going back into the alley, and making her way over to where Roman appears to have escaped. Topaz can see that whatever fighting happened was wrapped up, and the police have arrived. Seeing team RWBY reunited, Topaz smiles and walks over to them.
Topaz: "Everyone ok?"
Ruby: "Topaz, what are you doing here?"
Blake: "So you were around after all. You just don't listen do you."
Topaz: "Oh I listen, it's the doing what I'm told that I don't always do. And Ruby, I found Blake earlier and she told me her plan. And before you start yelling, I didn't tell you because you would try to stop her or try and help her."
Ruby and the rest of team RWBY could only stare at Topaz.
Ruby: "You're so mean Topaz."
Topaz: "Yep, I'm the meanest."
Ruby: "By the way Topaz, have you seen Penny?"
Topaz: "Who is Penny?"
Ruby: "Oh right, you didn't meet her. Penny is a girl with bright orange hair, wearing a tan dress with green decals."
Topaz: "You mean the one who fought the airships?"
Ruby: "Yeah her! Where is she?"
Topaz: "I'm pretty sure I saw her get into a car right as the police were getting here."
Ruby: "She didn't even say goodbye. But at least she's ok."
Topaz gives his sister a quick hug to comfort her before separating. Turning to look off to the city skyline, he quietly hopes that Neo will be safe.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It has been a little while since that night. Topaz is sitting in the cafeteria with his team watching Ruby pull out giant binder and slamming on the table in front of her team. Topaz chuckles before turning to his team. Nova and Scarlett are arguing about who knows what... again. And Ariel seems to be lost in her own world.
Topaz: "You ok Ariel?"
Ariel: "Huh? O-oh yeah I'm ok, just thinking."
Topaz: "What about, if you don't mind me asking."
Ariel: "I-I don't mind. I'm just thinking about the upcoming tournament."
Topaz: "You worried?"
Ariel: "Yeah, I don't know why but I'm worried. I don't worry about how we will do, I do worry about the other teams from the other academies though."
Topaz: "No matter what happens we just need to work together and we will get through it."
Topaz senses something coming at him so he leans to the side, and notices an apple flying by his head. Looking where it came from, he sees Yang with her eyes wide shouting sorry. He then sees her beginning to throw more food at Nora and the rest of team. Topaz grabs Ariel's hand and drags her out of the cafeteria before the mess starts. As soon as they close the doors behind them something splats all over the window next to them, causing Ariel to jump.
Topaz: "You ok Ariel?"
Ariel: "Y-Yes I am, thanks to you."
Topaz notices that she is blushing and wonders why, then notices that he is still holding her hand. Slightly blushing himself and letting go of her hand he quickly apologizes.
Topaz: "I'm sorry."
Ariel: "It's ok. It was kind of nice."
Topaz: "We should do it again sometime."
Ariel: "O-Ok."
Seeing Sun walking with someone with blue hair that he doesn't recognize, Topaz stops teasing Ariel and turns to face them. The two stop in front of Topaz and Ariel and greet them.
Sun: "Topaz, I'd like to introduce you to someone. This right here is my teammate Neptune."
Topaz: "Please to meet you Neptune, my name is Topaz and I'd like to introduce both of you to Ariel."
Neptune: "Why hello there beautiful. What's an attractive lady such as yourself doing in a place like this, without the proper kind of company?"
Topaz grows at his advances but before he can say anything, Ariel puts a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. She then takes a step forward and gives a smile that could stop a heart. Well at least Topaz's.
Ariel: "Oh, no reason really. I'm just training to become a huntress so I can take care of pretty boys who can do nothing better than flirt at every opportunity they get. Like you."
Sun: "OH SHIT! SHE BURNED YOU BAD!"
Topaz and Sun lose it when Ariel roasts Neptune so badly. Neptune just sits there with his jaw on the floor. Hearing a loud rumbling from inside the cafeteria, the group of four make their way to the doors, but before they can open, Topaz holds Ariel back. As soon as the doors open a wave of colorful liquid comes flying by and coats Neptune, but somehow misses Sun. Before anyone could laugh a very angry Professor Goodwitch storms into the cafeteria and begins using her semblance to clean up the mess that had been made.
Goodwitch: "Students, please do not play with your food."
Topaz couldn't hold it in any longer and begins laughing heartily. Professor Goodwitch glares at him and everyone else stares at him with wide eyes. Ariel smacks the back of head and gets him to stop.
Topaz: "Ahem. I am sorry, I don't know what came over me."
Walking around the courtyard after the cafeteria incident, Topaz and Ariel are enjoying their time until they see a large amount of airships fly overhead. Wondering what is going on, they two begin to make their way over to the airpad. They see an older gentleman with black hair, that is beginning to gray along the sides. He's making his way towards Beacon with an escort of Atlas robots.
Ariel: "That must be General Ironwood. He's the Headmaster of Atlas Academy and is also in charge of the Atlas Military."
Topaz: "He must be here for the tournament then. I'm surprised he has time for a visit with how much he is in charge of."
Ariel: "I don't know."
Topaz: "Let's head to the dorm. The others must be waiting for us."
Ariel: "Let's go."
The two begin making their back to their dorm. Once they arrive, they see Scarlett and Nova kissing each other in the room.
Topaz: "Oh, well that is unexpected."
Scarlett: "I-It's not what it looks like."
Topaz: "There's no need to be ashamed of it. It's about time actually."
Nova: "I agree."
Scarlett: "Nova!"
Ariel giggles at the interaction and Topaz can't help but chuckle himself.
Nova: "So when are you two getting together?"
Topaz: "When we feel like it, now hush."
Topaz looks over to Ariel and sees her a blushing mess. Laughing at her reaction he puts a comforting hand on her shoulder, and gives her a warm smile.
Scarlett: "Alright everyone, let's get some training in to prepare for the tournament. We need to work on combo attacks and what everyone's roles should be when in combat."
Topaz: "Sounds good to me."
Nova: "Same here."
Ariel: "Let's do our best!"
The team begins their training for the upcoming tournament. They train every day for a week whenever they have free time. Topaz decides to train himself outside of the team training, but not for combat.
Scarlett: "Keep your back straight, light on your toes, good. See, I told you combat and dancing are similar. You're a natural."
Topaz: "Thanks Scarlett. Now for one final thing, the thing I'm most worried about."
Scarlett: "I know she'll say yes Topaz. I've seen the way you two look at each other. And if it makes you feel any better Nova still hasn't asked me."
The door is suddenly thrown open, and Nova rushes into the room holding a boquet of bright red roses.
Nova: "I did not forget to ask you. I just didn't want to do it wrong. *Sigh* Scarlett Ernst, would you be my date to the dance?"
Scarlett: "Gods yes. Finally!"
Seeing his teammates smiling and happy finally gave Topaz the courage he needed to do something long overdue. Pulling out his scroll he sends Ariel a message.
{Ariel, could you meet me in the courtyard in 10 minutes?}
Anxiously awaiting a reply. Topaz begins pacing around the room.
Scarlett: "Topaz, I understand you're nervous but would you sit still."
Nova: "Knowing her, she saw your message and is nervously pacing wondering what it's about."
At that moment, Topaz's scroll goes off.
{Sure, I'm already there right now if you want to meet earlier.}
Topaz: "She's already there! See you later guys"
Scarlett and Nova: "Bye Topaz, sweep her off her feet!"
Transforming into a falcon, he rushes off to Vale to pick up some flowers. Transforming back, he purchases a boquet of pink roses that match Ariel's hair. Rushing back to Beacon, he stops just outside the courtyard to catch his breath and think of what he wants to say. Getting his head straight, he walks into the courtyard. He sees Ariel standing in front of the statue admiring it.
Topaz: "Ariel!"
Ariel turns and smiles when she sees Topaz walking over to her. She sees his hands behind his back and wonders why. When he gets to her he holds out his hands and offers her the boquet of roses.
Topaz: *Takes a deep breathe* "Ariel, I know this is beyond late, but would you do me the honor of being my date for the dance?"
Ariel begins to cry and nods her head happily.
Ariel: "It's about time dummy. Yes, I would love to be your date to the dance."
The two give each other a hug and just stand there, not noticing the applause from the other students that heard everything. Smiling without a care in the world, Ariel and Topaz make their way back to their dorm with hands interlocked.