So it is done

Unfinished work

For Cinder's birthday, Neo hadn't brought her a gift. By a pre-arranged non-verbal arrangement, and with Neo it wouldn't have worked otherwise, the two children had told each other that they won't be giving each other gifts. So instead of a gift, Neo simply patted Cinder on the shoulder, sending her well-wishes that way. A simple gesture, but very sincere in its intent.

Yes, by translating her facial expressions, movements and attitude, Cinder could tell Neo was saying something like 'good luck out there and stuff'. It was nothing much, but it was a sincere gesture, and that was the most important thing!

Well, that's what Jonathan said... or something like that. Anyway, not the point.

What was more significant to talk about was that this Monday had been one of the most enjoyable Mondays of the past year. Because, two days after the relatively unfortunate short visit to Kuroyuri, an event happened that was far more far-reaching and critical for Neo.

No, not Cinder's birthday, although the event did involve Cinder's birthday in a way.

Neo was allowed to skip school! By Jonathan! Officially!

Or more accurately, Neo and Cinder were excused from school for one day to celebrate their birthday. Which, in Neo's mind, was less critical than the free school day.

Instead of sitting in school, although judging by the clock that Neo swiped her gaze at, she should have already gone home, she was sitting in a fancy restaurant! Eating as much ice cream as she wanted and no one could judge her for it! After all, it was a celebration!

'Oh, how much ice cream have I missed out on in my life,' Neo sighed blissfully, scooping up another bite of ice cream with her spoon.

Though, of course, Neo preferred to think of her past life, before Jonathan had adopted her, precisely as her 'past' life. A thing that definitely happened, but something which Neo herself was no longer connected to.

Her clothes were different, her appearance had changed, and the ice cream she was eating was more delicious. She was even sitting in a rich restaurant surrounded by powerful and influential people... That just happens to be their friends and acquaintances.

I mean, not to discount Cinder's influence or anything, she's very influential for her age, and was absolutely an important person. Just look at the people seated at the same table as her! Aisa, Jonathan, even the Belladonna family couple were all influential. It just happens that they're all family friends.

Anyway, they all served, in a way, to starkly distinguish Neo's current life from her past life.

And Neo liked that. The fact that she was living a new life.

And so, the fact that something, a very subtle thing, reminded her of that past life, irked her.

Nora Valkyrie.

Sitting in the furthest corner of the table, almost as if she was hiding herself, Nora looked and felt distinctly out of place sitting around powerful and influential people. Even if she put on a pretty pink dress and washed the grime off her body, with her whole appearance and demeanor she showed how much she was not suited to the place.

Nora, who coincidentally was the same age as Blake, the small daughter of the Belladonna couple, was being bombarded with questions by the young Faunus. Blake, either by instinct or something else, didn't miss the fact that Nora was uncomfortable for some reason and so tried to make small talk with her. To which Nora, unused to many things, from the expensive furnishings around her to the faunus, answered in rather terse one-word answers.