A/N: Before you read this, I want to warn you that the contents of this chapter are rather depressing and dark. So proceed with caution. This chapter took me way to long to write admittedly. I much prefer writing the lighthearted stuff and not the depressing stuff. But even then I hope you all enjoy the chapter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the stay in Argus, Topaz finds himself sitting in his room with both Neo and Ariel. The three were enjoying their time as Ariel spoke of her and Topaz's time in Signal academy. At some point Ariel spoke of her childhood with her parents, and her father's injury. With tears in her eyes Neo looked towards Ariel and Topaz and took a deep breath.
Neo: "I think it's time I tell you both about my past. I will warn you both now, it's not good."
Topaz: "You know you don't have to tell us if you don't want to Neo."
Ariel: "Yes, we will love you the same no matter what your past holds."
Neo: "Thank you both, but it's something I need to tell you both. I think telling you both will help make things a little easier for me personally."
Topaz: "Ok then. Please tell us, but at a pace you are comfortable with."
Neo: "Here goes… I was born into a family that honestly shouldn't have had and kids. My father was a drunk who thought of my mother and his kids as nothing more than his property, and my mother herself gambled every last lien our family could ever pull in away. I had three older brothers who were no better than them, and an older sister. My parents hated me from the day I was born, always saying that my eyes were hideous, and when my hair started coming in the same way, they would start to beat me at any excuse. My brothers were no better than them though and would join in whenever they could. The oldest one violated me when I was four, I screamed and screamed for someone to help me but no one came. My brother laughed at the screams saying they were music to his ears, until he grew sick of them. He then choked me until I lost consciousness. When I woke up, my vocal cords were so damaged that any time I would try to speak, or even make a sound I would feel the choking all over again. When I tried telling my parents about it they laughed themselves and beat me again. The only one who tried to help me in any way was my older sister, but that changed the day my parents sold her to a sex ring. I ran away from home shortly after that."
Neo is fighting back tears as she tries to tell her story. Topaz and Neo wrap her in a hug until she is able to compose herself again.
Neo: "I spent months going town to town trying to find something I could do to survive, with really no luck. In one of the towns I ended up finding my sister, and I was so happy. I thought that maybe I could have a chance to be happy with her, that was until she looked at me and I saw her eyes. She was nothing more than a husk of a person after everything she was put through. I tried to pull her away but she collapsed then and there, and died in my arms. The only person in my life who showed me any kindness died because my parents sold her away for being nice to me. The person who bought her found me with her in my arms dead and he blamed me. Accused me of murdering her. He beat me and chased me out of town. I ran, and ran, until I eventually found myself in Vale. Once in the city I hid in an alleyway and found a boy a little older than me counting a large sum of money. When he looked at me he pulled a knife and threatened to kill me. I panicked and then the next thing I knew he was looking at me with wide eyes. He introduced himself as Roman and took me under his wing. He taught me how to steal and fight for myself. At one point I kind of realized that he was only using me, but even knowing that I still couldn't leave him, not after everything he'd done for me. Years went by and my life finally started to look up. I got good at stealing and using my semblance to get away from the authorities. One day someone very powerful came looking for Roman, and offered him a deal that he couldn't refuse. She all but forced him to steal dust for her, and sent us into the more dangerous areas of Vale to do so. One night I was sneaking through the alleys looking for a back way into one of the stores when three huntsmen came out of nowhere and got the jump on me. They broke my Hush and shoved me against the wall. The memory of what my brother did to me resurfaced and I froze. But before anything actually happened someone walked into the alley and fought against the three, saving me in the process. After the childhood I had, I always dreamed of having a knight in shining armor save me and take me away to a better life. And that night my knight showed up in the form of Topaz. Sadly, I couldn't go with him that night, or the encounter after that. He eventually rescued me from Roman, and gave me a better life. I fell in love with him and also met you Ariel. Because of Topaz I found not only a group of friends to enjoy each other's company, but also a loving boyfriend and girlfriend that I will cherish my entire life. So for that I can say from the bottom of my heart, I love both of you."
Topaz: "I love you too Neo."
Ariel: "I love you Neo, thank you for sharing your past with us."