A/N: Chapter 50... I don't know what to say other than thank you guys. Your support has been incredible with this story and it means the world to me. The next couple chapters will be a little slower action wise. A lot of reunions and the like, with some light sparring here and there, but worry not, I have some action planned further on. Thank you all again for the support, I hope you enjoy.
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Topaz: "Hey guys."
Jaune: "Topaz, it's so good to see you again."
Pyrra: "Hi Topaz, I'm glad to see that you are doing well."
Topaz: "It's good to see you guys too. I hope you've been well since that night."
Pyrra: "We've been doing well since we last met. I never got to thank you for saving my life that night."
Jaune: "That's right! You tried to be a hero after Topaz said not to."
Pyrra: "Are you still upset about that?"
Jaune: "Upset… no. I'm hurt that you would tell me how you felt by kissing me and then shoving me into a locker so I couldn't help."
Pyrra: "I'm sorry."
Topaz: "Glad to see you two are doing well. And Pyrra, I told you he felt the same."
Pyrra: "Yeah, you were right."
Jaune: "Wait, you knew Topaz, why didn't you say anything?"
Topaz: "Jaune, it wasn't my secret to tell. And if I'm being honest here, she wasn't exactly hiding it."
Jaune: "Wait really?"
Everyone else: "…"
The large group make their way into the dining area of the home. The food is brought in, and the group begins eating and laughing about the past. Topaz feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to a happy looking Neo.
Topaz: "What's up Neo?"
{Look at your scroll.}
Topaz: "Ok, I'm looking."
(Now check your contacts}
Topaz: "Ok, what abou-… Oh my Ohm! Ariel is close. Excuse us everyone, we have a girlfriend to find. See you later."
Topaz drags Neo out of the room before anyone else could reply. The two make their way through town checking for anyone that looks familiar. Looking around the come across a simple flower shop that catches Topaz's eye.
Topaz: "Tumaki Flowers. Let's stop in here Neo. What are the odds someone else has the same last name as Ariel?"
Walking into the shop, a small bell dings and immediately Topaz smells the many different types of flowers. Neo makes her way over to some beautiful yellow tulips and gives them a quick smell. She smiles at their almost sweet scent and turns towards Topaz, giving him a small smile.
????: "Welcome to our humble flower store. How can I help you today?"
A woman with light pink hair walks in from a doorway, Topaz turns to her and gives her a kind smile.
Topaz: "Hello ma'am. My name is Topaz and this is Neo. Would a girl named Ariel happen to be here?"
????: "Ara~ So you are the Topaz my little Ariel has told me about. And the lovely miss Neo is here as well. My name is Cynthia, Ariel's mother. Before I answer about my Ariel's whereabouts, I have a question for you."
Topaz: "What is your question Mrs. Tumaki?"
Cynthia: "How many kids are you planning to have?"
Topaz chokes on nothing at the sudden question, and he and Neo begin to blush.
Topaz: "I-I haven't thought that far."
Cynthia: "hahahahahah, I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. Ariel has told me all about you. She has wanted to make sure you were ok since we brought her here after the whole Beacon incident. But with the lack of communication, her father and I have requested she stays here until she could find a group willing to travel there."
Topaz can hear a bell chime signaling the door to the store has opened.
????: "Honey, we are back."
Cynthia: "I'm in the back dear. We have company so behave yourself."
????: "Ariel may have found a group to go and visit that boy she always talks about."
Cynthia: "Ah, there might not be a need for that."
Ariel: "Mom, you promised that you would allow me to go if…. Topaz?"
Ariel walks into the room followed by a large man with black hair. When Ariel sees Topaz, she begins to tear up and rushes into Topaz's open arms.
Ariel: "What are you doing here?!"
Topaz: "I came to see you, obviously. I missed you."
Neo walks over and gives Ariel a hug as well. Topaz shifts one of his arms to bring Neo further into the hug.
????: "Hey Cynthia, who is that?"
Cynthia: "Stan, I love you and all, but you are still as dense as ever."
Stan: "Hey!"
Cynthia: "That boy is Topaz, the very boy Ariel has been trying so hard to get to these past months."
Stan: "Really?! But he brought another girl with him. How dare he hurt my little girl."
Cynthia: "I'm guessing that is Neo. The other girl in their relationship. And just by looking at the three of them interacting, they all share a mutual love for each other."
Stan: "Yeah, as usual you are right honey. It's good to see Ariel smiling again."
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Topaz, Neo, and Ariel find themselves sitting on a couch in the middle of Ariel's living room. Her parents are giving the group space and are in the kitchen discussing their daughter and her future.
Ariel: "You walked into a bandit camp, to pretty much force its chief to get you here to Mistral… you are as reckless as always Topaz."
Topaz: "Thank you."
Ariel: "You dummy, I really missed you."
Topaz: "I missed you too Ariel. I love you."
Ariel: "I love you too Topaz."
Topaz: "Ariel, would you like to see the others from Beacon? They're staying a few minutes away from here."
Ariel: "Yes! I've missed everyone since I left. I was able to meet up with some friends I had made when dad was injured again, but it just isn't the same. Nova and Scarlett are here too, but they've shut themselves off from everyone. Nova has taken his injury rather badly."
Topaz: "I guess I know our next stop then."
Ariel: "I tried already Topaz. No one answers the door to either of their places."
Topaz: "I still have to try. It's the least I can do after not getting to Nova in time. Ow ow ow, Neo stop pinching me."
Neo looks at Topaz with puffed cheeks and just stares at him. Topaz sighs and apologizes for blaming himself again.
Ariel: "You really need to stop putting everything on your shoulders alone Topaz. Come on, I'll take you to where they are so we can try and see them."
The group make their way into the kitchen to let Ariel's parents know they are going out for a while. With the parent's acknowledgment, Ariel leads Topaz and Neo out the front door and into the bustling street. They walk through the town and Ariel points out different sights that could easily be missed if one didn't look well enough. While walking, two girls suddenly run up calling Ariel's name.
????: "Ariel, how are you doing today."
????: "Hi Ariel."
Ariel: "Tina, Mina good to see you both."
Tina: "Who are your friends Ariel?"
Ariel: "Girls, this is my boyfriend Topaz and our girlfriend Neo."
Mina: "Wait, what?!"
Tina: "So this is the boy you keep talking about."
Mina: "You never told us you had a boyfriend, and a girlfriend."
Ariel: "There was never a reason to say it."
Tina: "Topaz, if you ever hurt her we will hurt you."
Topaz: "Heh, if I ever hurt her, Neo will hurt me long before you two do. But don't worry, I have no intention of hurting her. I love her too much to even think of it."
Mina: "Awwww, that's so sweet."
Tina: "Good."
Ariel: "Okay, we have some people to meet up with, see you girls."
Tina and Mina: "Bye! Nice meeting you Topaz and Neo."
Topaz: "Likewise."
Ariel leads the two through the town once again, before eventually stopping in front of an old worn-down building. Knocking on the door, Topaz waits for a reply. After a while the door cracks open and a familiar feminine voice answers.
Scarlett: "Please go away. We don't wish for any visitors at the moment."
Topaz: "Not even from friends?"
Scarlett: "To-… I'm sorry, but no. Not even from them."
Topaz: "Scarlett, you don't have to go through this alone you know."
Scarlett: "I'm not alone, I have Nova here with me."
Topaz: "Scarlett, please. We just want to help you and Nova. We miss you."
Scarlett: "…"
Nova: "Let them in Scarlett. I know you don't want them to see us like this, but they've always been there for us when we needed them. Even now, after everything that has happened they are here trying to help."
Scarlett: "Fine, who is all with you Topaz?"
Topaz: "It is Ariel, Neo and me here Scarlett. All people you can trust."
Scarlett: "Ok, please come in. Sorry about the mess."
The door opens completely, and standing in the doorway is Scarlett. Her bright crimson hair has lost some of its sheen and she looks tired. She motions for them to follow her, and they do. Through a dark and dirty home, and into a living room where Nova sits in a wheelchair.
Nova: "Hey guys, it's been a while."