Bend. Heave. Stagger. Drop.

If she had to do it one more time, Ruby swore she was going to go insane. Farmer Hayward's cart had been stacked with crates, eight long in either direction and three high, vegetables overflowing from their wooden confines. Surely, this was excessive. The entirety of Beacon couldn't have eaten so much in a single night. Though, never having been to a party outside the Academy's end-of-semester dance, and given the habits of those she had surrounded herself with, it perhaps wasn't as big of a stretch as she liked to think.

Mercifully, the elder Hobbit wiped his brow and called, "That's the last of 'em!" Ruby laced her fingers together and stretched until her shoulders cracked, releasing the built up tension. She lowered her arms with a satisfied groan before raising a hand to shield her face from the waning sunlight. Farmer Hayward smiled down at her from atop the wagon, "Thank you kindly, Miss Rose. Would've taken all afternoon had Willow not sought after you."

"Any time," Ruby beamed cheerfully, despite the residual ache in her muscles. It had, in fact, taken most of the afternoon to unload the cart, seeing as she had been called on to aid with several other tasks as well. Not that she particularly minded - it was nice to help, to feel useful, to do something. It had successfully kept her mind off worrying over her teammates, which she was grateful for.

A warm gust of wind swept across the Party Field, blowing her hair into her field of vision. Brushing it from her eyes and lips with an irritated huff, she peered around the area. Vibrant strips of flag banners had been drawn between every pole, whipping about in the summer breeze; worn fabric stretched to create tents which housed all sorts of wonderful things to be shared that evening. Dozens of casks of ale were being rolled across the grass, and delicious smells wafted from the other side of the sun-strewn plain where members of several different households were busy preparing a feast.

Ruby started back toward the road, waving to Farmer Hayward as she left. While she didn't have much in the way of clothing, she figured wearing something a bit fancier for the celebrations would be appreciated. In which case, quickly returning to Bag End would be in order. The thought inexplicably made her giggle. At Beacon, she wouldn't have bothered to look nice at a social gathering. It had taken Yang's constant poking for her to even wear a dress at the dance, and yet, here she was - deciding to do so on her own.

A saddened frown tugged her lips downward. She lowered her gaze to the emerald grass below her shuffling feet, skirts swishing with her paces. She missed her big sister dearly. She longed for Yang to sweep her up in a crushing hug and tell her everything was going to be fine. She felt, with every passing moment, the absence. The sense that she was no longer whole. The worst thing for her to think about was that, perhaps, her teammates hadn't even wound up in Middle-earth. That she was truly, absolutely, inescapably alone. It twisted a knot into her stomach like the agonizing jerk of a knife, and made her knees weak.

Feeling something warm trickle down her cheek, Ruby stopped. With a frustrated noise of exasperation, she pressed her palm to the wetness and wiped it aside. Why was she crying? Why wasn't she doing something - anything - to find them, instead of sulking?

Because you're useless without them, a whisper of malignance echoed from the recesses of her mind. It was forceful; sudden, and taunting. Where had she gotten that idea from?

Giving herself a shake, she dabbed her eyes on her sleeve and took a deep breath. Thinking like that wouldn't do her any good. She just had to press on, and hold to her belief that she would find them, or them her. They were here somewhere; it was indescribable, but she knew it. She would get an opportunity to go looking eventually. For now, she could stay positive; not let her doubts, which she carefully pushed back into the corner of her mind wherein they belonged, dampen her optimism, and enjoy the night ahead.

Worries abated for the time being, Ruby straightened and began to hum merrily to herself; a soft, contented tune that had naught to do with anything. Gentle greenery melted away to compact, dusty dirt, and she crossed Hill Lane. Spinning on her heel with a grin, the sun's golden rays warming the cotton of the blouse on her back, she gazed fondly at the field. From her slightly elevated position, she could see everything. Farmer Hayward maneuvering his cart into a less bothersome place. Willow gesturing angrily at two men hoisting a pole upright. A group of children playing hide-and-seek around the Party Tree. It all seemed so perfect. There was no danger, no threat, no tension.

Ruby found herself, not for the first time, envious. In Remnant, it was a stroke of pure luck if you could wander the Forest of Forever Fall for a day without seeing signs of Grimm. Even then, you had to be constantly on guard, weapon at hand. Ready to fight for your life at a moment's notice. It wasn't like that here. She wondered; was it selfish of her to want to stay? Surely not…

Bunching her skirts in hand, she settled down on the incline behind her. Laying amid the cool blades of grass, an arm beneath her head, she watched the serene white puffs of fluff float across the azure skies. Already, they were being painted soft pinks and oranges, as though some invisible artist were taking his paintbrush to the heavens. The tranquility was absolute, and for once, it remained as such.

"Nights like these..." she muttered softly on an exhale. Extending her free hand upward, Ruby lazily traced the contours of the passing clouds, fingertips curving delicately. A genuine smile lightened her expression as the lengthening shadows played across her features.

This would certainly be a night to remember.