A/N: A pretty lighthearted chapter because I want it to be. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying your day. Enjoy the chapter, Rhino out.
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Topaz smiles at the girls and begins leading them towards the shack where his friends are waiting. Walking up to the front of the shack, he knocks firmly onto the door, and then opens the door.
Topaz: "Hey guys- What are you doing here?"
With the door wide open, Topaz looks around at his friends, and the new addition he didn't expect to see.
Mike: "Well then, it's nice to see you too Topaz."
Chuckling nervously, Topaz steps towards Mike and gives him a firm handshake.
Topaz: "I'm sorry, I just wasn't expecting to see you here."
Mike: "All good kid, I was just messing with you. It's good to see you again."
Topaz: "It's good to see you again as well, but what are you doing here?"
Mike: "We saw the girls message."
Topaz: "What?"
Mike: "My wife and I were watching tv when that girl, Ruby I think is her name, popped up and told us about this Salem chick. And knowing you were heading to Atlas the last time we spoke it didn't sit well with us not to help."
Topaz: "Your wife is here too?"
Mike: "Thankfully no. Found out a few months ago we are expecting, so she's safely staying with her parents."
Topaz: "Oh?! Congratulations!"
Mikes: "Thanks Topaz."
Rose: "T-Topaz, you know this guy?"
Topaz: "Yes, I do Rose. He and I have an… interesting history."
Ruby and Rose cautiously walk into the building, both hiding behind Topaz and peeking out to see everyone inside. Mike sees the two and his eyes go wide, and he then rubs them before looking again. Tears begin to form in the corners of his eyes, and he smiles gently.
Mike: "Topaz, where did you find those two?!"
Topaz: "They were stuck in a building in Mantle, why?"
Mike: *sighs* "Those two used to be in Jacques' possession, or I should more accurately say she used to be."
Topaz: "What do you mean?"
Mike: "Those two used to be one person Topaz. I don't know the full story, but from what I overheard, and was able to read when no one else was looking, their semblance allows them to split their mind into clones of themselves. All the stress they endured from the bastard caused their aura to unlock, and that's how they found that out. I want to say I'm surprised they trust you, but at the same time I almost expected it."
Ruby: "Ruby and Rose used to be together?"
Rose: "She is me, and we are us?"
Topaz: "Ugh… I think so? But how did they escape?"
Mike: "I let them go. Do you girls remember me?"
Ruby: "No."
Rose: "Nope."
Mike: "I kind of figured. It's good to see the two of you alive and well."
Topaz: "How did you let them go?"
Mike: "When Jacques learned that they had their aura unlocked and the semblance they have, he wanted them essentially brainwashed into being spies for him. I merely tipped of some huntsman friends outside about their route."
Topaz: "But then how did they end up in Mantle, wouldn't it be better if they were brought away from this area?"
Mike: "I don't know kid. I heard the convoy taking the girls was attacked by my friends, or bandits as everyone else thought, but after that nothing. My friends were reported KIA a few weeks later from a grimm attack, so I thought the worst."
Topaz: "I'm sorry to hear about your friends Mike."
Mike: "Don't worry about it Topaz, that was many years ago and I've had my time to grieve. I do appreciate the sentiment though."
Turning away from Mike, Topaz leads the two girls to introduce them to the rest of his friends, he makes eye contact with Neo and Ariel and motions for them to wait for a moment. Walking up to Scarlett and Nova, Topaz greets them with a nod.
Topaz: "Hey guys."
Nova: "Sup."
Scarlett: "Welcome back Topaz, who are those two?"
As Scarlett motions towards the two, Ruby and Rose hide behind Topaz once more, cautiously peering between his torso and arms at the two strangers in front of Topaz.
Topaz: "These two are Ruby and Rose. Joanna and I helped them and a mother, daughter duo while patrolling Mantle. Give them a little space, they've had some traumatic experiences in their past regarding humans."
Scarlett: "Ah you poor girls. You're in good hands with Topaz, he's probably the coolest cat around. I'm Scarlett, Topaz's teammate."
Giving the two a wink and giggling at her own joke, Scarlett turns towards Nova and motions for him to speak.
Nova: "Uh… hi. My name is Nova, another one of Topaz's teammates."
Rose: "H-Hello."
Ruby: "N-Nice to m-meet you"
Scarlett: "So Ruby and Rose. Very similar to a friend of ours."
Rose: "You two know Ruby Rose too!?"
Scarlett: "We sure do. She was a classmate of ours at Beacon, and a trusted friend."
Ruby: "She's the coolest!"
Nova looks towards Topaz and gives him a questioning look.
Nova: "Is that their real names?"
Topaz: "Due to the circumstances of their childhood, they were never named. They saw Ruby's broadcast and are quite excitable by her, so I gave them those names when they asked me to name them."
Scarlett: "So are they your kids now?"
Topaz: "Uhh…."
Rose: "Topaz is our papa now?"
Topaz: "I'm not-"
Ruby: "Papa Topaz, yay!"
Topaz: "…"
Scarlett: "I'm sorry?"
Nova: "Bro, you're a dad now, what do Neo and Ariel think of that?"
Neo: "Think of what?"
Ariel: "Who are these two cuties Topaz?"
Topaz: "Um, well… these two are Ruby and Rose."
Neo: "It's nice to meet you girls, my name is Neo."
Ariel: "I'm Ariel, you two are so precious."
Ruby: "Papa, are they your teammates too?"
Neo: "Papa?"
Topaz: "Ruby, Neo and Ariel are my teammates yes, but they are also my girlfriends."
Rose: "Papa's girlfriends?"
Ariel: "Okay Topaz, why are they both calling you papa…?"
Topaz: "I guess I'm a dad now?"
Neo squats down in front of the two, looking them in the eyes. Giving them a gentle smile, she slowly reaches out towards Rose.
Neo: "I love your hair, it's really cute. Perfect for a cute girl."
Rose: "T-Thank you. I l-like your hair t-too."
Neo: "Thank you. Can I hug you?"
Rose's eyes go wide and she looks up towards Topaz, curiosity and timidness apparent in her gaze. Topaz gives her a gentle smile and nods his head. Ruby has a jealous glint in her eyes when Neo wraps Rose in a gentle hug, which wasn't missed by Ariel or Topaz. Ariel makes her way in front of Ruby and opens her arms.
Ariel: "Would you like a hug too cutie?"
Ruby: "Y-Yes…"
Ruby jumps into Ariel's arms and smiles when Ariel hugs her gently. Topaz could only smile seeing his girlfriends caring for the two girls, and chuckled when he heard the two girls begin purring. After a few calm moments, Ruby and Rose backed away with small smiles on their faces. Topaz opened his mouth to speak when the door is suddenly thrown open and the girls jumped and hid behind Neo and Ariel.
Joanna: "Topaz!"
Topaz: "What's wrong Joanna?"
Joanna: "It's Atlas, that massive grimm has landed on it."
Topaz: "Guess it's starting."
Turning to his friends, Topaz sighs and shakes his head.
Topaz: "I'm going to get a head start and fly up there, and I want you guys helping out around here."
Neo: "Topaz, no!"
Topaz: "Neo, there isn't any time for arguments. The civilians here will panic seeing Atlas being attacked, and that is only going to draw in more grimm. You guys can help keep everyone calm and protect them if they need it."
Ariel: "But-"
Topaz: "No buts Ariel. I'll be fine, and besides. Ruby and Rose like you two, so who better to keep watch over them until I get back."
Neo: "Fine, but you better no to anything too dumb."
Ariel: "Yeah, you better be careful."
Topaz: "I will you two. Ruby, Rose. I have to go help the people of Atlas. I want you two to stay here with Neo and Ariel while I'm away. Can you two do that for me?"
Ruby: "But papa!"
Topaz: "No buts young lady. You'll be safe here, and I know Neo and Ariel have plenty of hugs to give, and maybe some stories~"
Rose: "I want hugs, and stories!"
Topaz: "Then can you two stay here with them for me?"
Rose: "Yes papa."
Ruby: "We will papa."
Topaz: "Good girls, I'll see you when I get back."
Turning to head towards the door, Topaz stops by Mike.
Topaz: "Keep an eye on them for me, will you?"
Mike: "I got it. Don't do anything too stupid, will you?"
Topaz: "No promises."
Walking away from Mike, Topaz hears him chuckling behind him and heads out the door. Joanna waits for him outside with an anxious look on her face.
Topaz: "I'm heading up to Atlas, my team will stay back here to help keep the peace."
Joanna: "How are you going to get up there? There aren't any airships available?"
Topaz gives her a wink and transforms himself into a hawk and takes to the skies.
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