Darkest Nights: a RWBY Story

Chapter 33: a Day in Paradise

Talia let out a small growl of anger as the new crossbow bolt hit the target, missing the bullseye by just more than an inch.
"Remember,"
Jason said, standing behind her.
"The armor piercing bolts are heavier than the normal ones. Aim a little higher than you think you need to."
As Talia loaded another bolt and took aim, Jason stood beside her.
Placing his hands on the underside of Headhunter, he tilted the crossbow up by a few centimeters. Then he stepped back.
Talia fired again and this time the bolt found its mark, lodging itself on the dead centric the target at the other end of the range.
"Better?"
Jason asked.
Talia nodded.
"It will take some getting used to but I think I can get the hang of it."
She loaded and fired again.
The bolt sped through the air, embedding itself in the center of the target, right next to the last one.
Wiping some sweat from her brow, Talia set headhunter down on the table, leaning against it as she looked at the trees around them.
She and Jason has gotten up early and gone to the outdoor range in the forest behind the castle.
Talia had been practicing with some of the new crossbow bolts Jason had made for her.
"You're getting good with that thing."
Jason said.
He had made Headhunter for Talia as a gift for her nineteenth birthday.
"Thanks."
She said, grinning at him.
"Mind if I take a few shots?"
"Go ahead."
Picking up the crossbow from the table, Jason stepped to the firing line. Fitting the auto-loading clip on place, he fired four shots in quick succession.
Each one found its mark, striking the direct center of the target.
"Show off."
Talia said, grinning at her brother as Jason set Headhunter back on the table.
He smiled at her.
"C'mon Tal, I wouldn't design a weapon I didn't think would work, now would I?"
She chuckled.
"I guess so."
Jason jogged down to the end of the range to retrieve the bolts. What had been a new target earlier that morning was now so filled with holes it was almost unrecognizable.
When he returned to Talia smiled.
"I miss spending time with you y'know?"
Jason nodded.
"We've just been so busy with everything else that we haven't had a lot of time."
Talia checks her watch.
"C'mon. Let's go get some lunch."

Down at the docks, Blake looked out into the water.
"So,"
Yang said, sitting down across the table from her,
"This is where you grew up huh?"
Blake nodddd.
"Before I joined the White Fang, Menagerie was all I knew. It wasn't a bad place to grow up to be honest. Since the population here is 98% faunus, there isn't the constant oppression of a place like Atlas."
Yang grinned, stretching in the warm afternoon sunlight.
"I could get used to a place like this."
Blake laughed softly.
"Well if you stay with Talia you might have to."
Yang smiled back.
"Don't worry, I'm counting on it."
The two friends were silent for a moment, listening to the noise of people talking coming from the market behind them.
"How's Jason?"
Blake brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.
"He's doing well. I think it's been good for him to be home."
She sighed happily.
"I just feel so good when he's around y'know? He can be so gentle when he wants to, it's almost surprising."
Yang smirked.
"I'd say you two are perfect for each other, if what I heard the other night was any indication."
Blake blushed.
"Are you ever gonna let that go?"
Yang grinned.
"Probably not."
Then she sighed.
"I feel the same way about Talia. There's just something about her that always makes me feel alright."
Their tea arrived .
"Jason and I had tea here when he was on his way to Vacuo."
Blake said, taking a sip of her tea.
Yang nodded.
"I remember you telling me about that."
Yang took a long drink from her cup.
"It's good to see you happy Blake. Remember, I'm still your friend no matter what."
"Always my friend."
Blake said, smiling softly.
"Always the best of my friends."
The two finished their tea and stood up.
"Comeon."
Yang said, stretching a little.
"Let's head back for lunch."
Blake nodded and the two friends began the walk back to the castle.