It has been about a week since Neo arrived at Beacon. Since she joined, she has disguised herself just in case someone from her past life somehow happened to visit Beacon. She wears her hair black and has turned her eyes to look emerald green. Topaz misses seeing her normal appearance but understands her worry. Team SATN has been training at every opportunity to make themselves stronger to win the upcoming tournament.
Scarlett: "Alright everyone, we are three days away from the start of the tournament. We don't know what the teams from the other schools will have in store for us, but I think we are ready for anything."
Team SATN makes their way back to their dorms, then shower and change and prepare for their day. Topaz makes his way back to the room and finds Neo and Ariel quietly communicating in the corner of the room. When the two notice Topaz has entered the room, they go quiet and stand up to greet him.
Ariel: "Hey Topaz. Neo and I have been talking, well I have been talking and she has been typing, but you know what I mean. Anyways, we have been talking and the two of us think that you need to start taking us out for dates as soon as the tournament is done."
Topaz: "I would be more than happy to do that."
Ariel leans forward and gives Topaz a quick kiss on the cheek before pushing Neo into him. Neo glances up at him before pulling his head down and giving him a kiss on the cheek as well. Topaz smiles and gives both girls a kiss of his own.
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Three days have come and gone, Topaz is currently sitting in Amity Colosseum watching a fight between team ABRN and team RWBY. Topaz watches as team RWBY finishes the fight with a great bit of teamwork, launching Yang into the last three members of team ABRN, sending them out of the arena. Topaz hears light clapping next to him and turns to see Neo giving team RWBY a cheerful applause. The rest of his team are cheering for their classmates as well. As they are cheering, Topaz notices Neo go stiff, so he turns to her to find out why. He sees fear in her eyes and begins to worry.
Topaz: "Neo, what's wrong?"
{Do you see those three across the way? The girl with the black hair, the girl with the mint green hair, and the guy with the gray hair? The girl with the black hair was the one giving Roman orders, the other two are working under her.}
Topaz: "What are they doing here? Neo, let's get you out of here before they notice you. Scarlett, Nova, Ariel, I'm going to take Neo out of here, she's pointed out people she used to know."
His team tells him to take care of her, and wishes her well. Topaz leads Neo out of the colosseum and takes her to an airship to take her back to Beacon. After they landed, Topaz leads Neo to their dorm room. Once they arrive, Neo sinks to her knees and begins crying. Topaz kneels down next to her and gives her a warm hug.
Topaz: "Shhh, it'll be ok Neo. There's no need to be scared, I'm here for you."
Neo continues to cry for a while, before drifting off to sleep in Topaz's arms. Hearing her breathing slow down and become more rhythmic, Topaz gently picks her up and brings her over to her bed. Laying her down, Topaz brushes her hair out of her face and gives her a kiss on her forehead. He sits next to her and watches over her as she sleeps, brushing her hair to help calm her as she sleeps. Seeing how scared she was seeing people connected to her old life hurt his heart. Eventually the rest of his team returns back to the room. They see Neo asleep on the bed with Topaz there comforting her. Ariel makes her way over and lays next to Neo wrapping her in a hug.
Scarlett: "Those two got really close in such a short time. It's almost like they are actual sisters."
Nova: "To be honest, I was expecting a lot of cat fights after you explained to them each other's place in your heart. You're a lucky guy Topaz."
Topaz: "Oh I know that."
Topaz looks over to the other side of the room and sees Ariel brushing Neo's hair out of her face, then sees her stand up and make her way over.
Topaz: "She doing ok?"
Ariel: "She's sleeping soundly now. We have to do something to help her out."
Topaz: "I know, I don't want to see her like that ever again."
Topaz notices his scroll going off on the table. Seeing it's Ruby, he answers his scroll.
Topaz: "What's up Ruby? By the way, good win today."
Ruby: "Thanks! Dad called and said he and mom will be visiting in a little bit, so head to the courtyard if you want to see them."
Topaz: "Sounds good, I have to ask them something while they are here."
Ruby: "What?"
Topaz: "Don't worry about it Ruby, I'll see you soon."
Ruby: "See ya Topaz."
Putting his scroll in his pocket and turns to Ariel.
Topaz: "I might have a solution to help her. I don't know if she will like it or not, but it'll keep her safe."
Ariel: "What is it?"
Topaz: "Ruby said that Tai and Summer will be visiting in a little bit. I'm going to ask them if they'll be ok with Neo going back to Patch with them. That way she will be safe and out of the way."
Ariel: "I think that's a good idea."
Topaz hears Neo shifting on the bed on the other side of the room. Making his way over he sits on the edge of the bed and gives the sleepy Neo a kind smile.
Topaz: "Hey Neo, you doing ok?"
Neo gives a small nod, then brings out her scroll.
{Hey Topaz, I'm doing a little better. I'm sorry for making you worry.}
Topaz: "Neo, you never have to apologize for something like that. I care about you and will worry about you no matter what."
Ariel: "He isn't kidding Neo. When it comes to the people he cares about, he always worries."
Topaz: "Neo, my adoptive parents will be visiting in a little bit. I'm going to ask them if you can go back to their home in Patch so you can life a safe and happy life. Before you overthink it, no I am not trying to get rid of you. Seeing you break down back there broke my heart, Ariel and I don't want to see you like that again."
Ariel: "He's right Neo. And don't forget, even while you are at Patch, you can still message us and watch the tournament on tv."
Neo looks between Topaz and Ariel, thinking on if she should go or stay with them. She takes a deep breath and pulls out her scroll.
{Ok, if they are ok with someone like me living with them, I will go along with them. But, you two have to be careful here. Please.}
Ariel: "We promise Neo. As soon as things quiet down around here, you can move right on back."
Topaz: "Don't worry Neo. We will be just fine. And knowing you are safe will make it so much easier."
Neo walks towards Ariel and Topaz and gives them each a kiss on the cheek.
Topaz: "Alright, let's go to the courtyard and meet up with team RWBY."
Scarlett: "You three go on ahead. Nova and I will stay back here and relax. We have our first match tomorrow, and there's still some ideas I want to run by Nova first."
Topaz: "Sounds good Scarlett. You two have fun."
Topaz, Ariel and Neo walk out of the dorm room and make their way out into the courtyard. Topaz sees Ruby bouncing around in place while waving her hands as she speaks to two familiar figures. Making his way over to the group with the girls following he waves once he's noticed.
Ruby: "Topaz!"
Topaz: "Hey Ruby. Tai, Summer, it's good to see you two."
Summer: "Oooh Topaz, it's good to see you again."
Tai: "Hey Kiddo. Hope you've been doing well."
Topaz: "Yeah I've been doing well. By the way, you both remember Ariel from Signal, and this is Neo."
Tai: "Ariel, it's great to see you. I hope your father is doing well. Pleased to meet you Neo."
Ariel: "He's much better, thank you for asking."
Summer: "Oh my, you both are so cute. Topaz had better be treating you well."
Ariel: "Yes he does."
Topaz: "I have a favor to ask of you guys."
Tai: "What is it kiddo?"
Topaz: "Neo has been through a lot in life, and earlier today she saw some bad people from her old life that caused her to go into a panic attack. Would you two be willing to let her go back to Patch with you and stay there until things go back to being quiet around here."
Tai: "Topaz, what do you mean bad people?"
Topaz looks over to Neo and makes eye contact with her. Neo nods and gives him a smile, showing her trust in him.
Topaz: *Sigh* "Ok, it all started from this..."