Chapter 72

Before heading inside, Ruby insisted on taking her scooter for a spin. Summer retrieved her helmet, and after Yang and Raven rolled the scooter off the trailer, Ruby rumbled off down the driveway. While she was gone, Yang and Raven turned to Pyrrha's motorcycle. They unloaded it and covered it. Along with the scooter, it would eventually join Yang's motorcycle in the garage. At the moment it was too cluttered with boxes and old furniture, but a little cleaning - and the removal of Pyrrha's old scooter - would make room for the growing collection of vehicles. Ruby returned from her ride around the block, pulling to a stop with an ear-to-ear smile. She stepped off and helped Yang cover the scooter.

With the scooting complete, everyone headed inside for another round of gift giving. "Yang, I know you're always looking for unconventional applications for your prosthetic." Winter stated. She handed a plain cardboard box to Yang.

Yang opened the box, revealing a strange contraption. She recognized the wrist joint of her prosthetic, but instead of a hand, it was attached to a wisk. Yang laughed.

"You love to cook, I thought it might come in handy." Winter chuckled.

"Oh, I can bake a mean cake with this bad boy." Yang smirked. It was a joke gift, but an inspired one. "Thanks Win."

"I was thinking along the same lines." Raven piped up. "And Winter helped me get in touch with the techs back in Atlas. We came up with something we know you'll enjoy…" She handed Yang a box identical to the one Winter had given her.

Yang lifted the lid and nearly died laughing. She reached in, pulling out another modified hand, this one replaced by a large, floppy yellow dildo. "Oh God mom, this is too much!"

"Just think about it, even if you don't enjoy it, I'm sure Pyrrha will." Raven grinned.

"Raven." Pyrrha admonished, turning beet red.

"So, any other arm attachments?" Yang asked. "No one? Really? Ruby? No? Huh, I thought you'd make some kind of hand-gun."

"Eh, I should've got you a joke book." Raven rolled her eyes. "Then maybe you'd cut it with the terrible puns."

"As if." Yang scoffed. "Nothing will stop the punning."

Weiss finished dressing. Though Blake and Ruby seemed content to wear their pajamas all day, Weiss desired something warmer than her nightgown, and donned some jeans and a sweater. She wrapped the scarf Yang had gifted her around her neck, soft and warm, almost too large, but somehow perfect in spite of it. The shade of blue, the snowflakes, the way she could huddle down and hide in its warmth. Simple as it may be, Yang really could not have done much better in Weiss' eyes. The mug was just a cherry on top. Despite being a jab at her morning demeanor, Weiss barely resisted laughing out loud when she saw her trademark scowl on the porcelain. It was charming, and so much better than breast implants.

A light tapping drew Weiss' attention to the door. "Hey Weiss, are you decent?" Yang asked.

"As I'll ever be." Weiss replied. "Come in."

The door opened and Yang stepped in, letting it shut behind her. "Hey, you're wearing it." Yang observed, approaching as Weiss ran a brush through what length was left of her hair.

"Of course I am." Weiss stated, smirking. "It's a good scarf."

"I know it wasn't much, I kinda' went nuts with everyone's presents because I've never been able to do it before." Yang said as she took a seat on Ruby's bed.

"The doll was an interesting choice." Weiss admired. "And I applaud your decision to clothe it."

"Honestly, I bought that half outta' morbid curiosity." Yang admitted. "I mean seriously, you saw it, it's so weird, and that's awesome!"

"It was certainly a surprise." Weiss agreed, setting down the brush and joining Yang on the bed.

"But yeah, the scarf was kinda'...well, I just wasn't really sure what to get you." Yang noted. "I knew everyone but you, Winter and Blakey well. Pandora told me about the studs. Winter didn't want anything, she just liked helping set everything up. But you...well, I couldn't come up with anything."

"It's okay Yang, I love it." Weiss took Yang's hand in her own, receiving a squeeze and a smile in return.

"I'm glad, 'cuz I really wanted to give you something special, because you are special." Yang declared.

Weiss blushed at that, smiling bashfully and looking away. "You flirt."

"It's true...you and Blake, and Winter, you're family." Yang insisted. "Winter's a fourth mother to me, which I know sounds crazy, but everything about this family is crazy and it's never gonna' get less crazy at this rate." Weiss snorted, Yang chuckling along with her.

"Thank you Yang, I don't think I ever thanked you for last time either." Weiss tensed. "You paid attention, and you listened, and you made me feel better about myself when I had so much on my mind, a-and I...also should apologize."

"About Pyrrha?" Yang arched her brow.

Weiss, somehow, paled. "I am so sorry Yang. There is no excuse for what I did."

"You were drunk, you were in pain, and Pyrrha did what a good friend does, what I would have done, and I don't blame either of you for it, okay?" Yang offered a reassuring smile, and Weiss visibly relaxed.

"You are very lucky to have her." Weiss declared.

"And you're lucky to have Ruby." Yang responded.

"I know...and...I am…" Weiss bit her lip. "Aware, of certain...details, of your relationship."

Yang's brow furrowed, before her expression went blank. "Oh."

"Yang, you can trust me, and Blake." Weiss insisted.

Yang looked downright scared. "Blake too?" Her grip tightened.

"Yang, ow." Weiss complained.

Yang glanced down and let go quickly, cursing under her breath. "Sorry, sorry."

"Yang, after we decided on our relationship, we had certain things on our minds, things we wanted to get off our chests, very private, very deeply painful things." Weiss explained. "So we talked. I talked first, then Blake, and then Ruby. That's when I found out."

"Of course she told Blake first." Yang sighed.

"Now I will admit, I was taken incredibly off guard, and my first reaction was...not overtly negative, but certainly not positive." Weiss continued. "I have since come to understand it."

Yang nodded, looking slightly less perturbed. "And Blake?"

"Found it hot." Weiss rolled her eyes.

Yang snickered. "Ruby picked a winner."

"Hey!" Weiss pouted.

"Oh, you're a winner too Weissy." Yang ruffled Weiss' hair, much to the shorter girl's chagrin.

"Ugh, come on, I only have so much to work with not." Weiss grumbled.

"And that's why you're also a winner." Yang smirked.

"Hmph...anyway, what I wanted to say was that we know, and we accept it, even if personally I find it a trite more strange than Blake." Weiss said. "I won't judge you, or Ruby, if at times you wish to express some form of...affection, that would otherwise be frowned upon."

"Weiss, are you seriously giving me permission to smooch my sister?" Yang asked, pretending to be scandalized.

"W-well you don't need to put it so bluntly you brute." Weiss hugged. "I merely wish to say I would not judge you for simply expressing your love should the desire arise. I don't mean to-mngfh!" Weiss was cut off by Yang pulling her into a rough hug.

"Naaaw Weissy, you wanna' see some hot sis on sis action." Yang teased as Weiss struggled in vain to free herself from being smothered in Yang's pajama clad chest.

"Ynng!" Weiss' muffled whine prompted Yang to release the girl, who glared at her. "You, are, terrible."

"And you're adorable when you're mad, come here." Yang pulled Weiss back into a gentler embrace, which Weiss promptly returned. "Thank you Weiss, this means a lot to me."

"You mean a lot to me...I-I mean-" Weiss struggled.

"I know what you mean." Yang cut in. "We're sisters Weiss, that's a special bond. I'll always be there for you, okay?"

Weiss nodded. "Yeah, okay."

A knock rung on the door, and everyone glanced toward the hallway. "I'll get it!" Yang piped up, jumping over Ruby and Weiss and thudding through the house.

"Were we expecting someone?" Glynda half-slurred to Raven, who shook her head, looking to Summer, who shook hers in turn.

After some murmuring, two sets of feet thumped through the kitchen. Some fumbling and crinkling followed, and Yang popped her head around the doorway. "Guess who made it!" She grinned to Ruby, just before Qrow appeared from behind.

"Hey folks." Qrow greeted with a tired smile.

"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby squealed, jumping to her feet and throwing herself into his arms.

"Hey squirt, missed you." Qrow smiled.

"Hey Qrow!" Nora waved. "Long time no see."

"Hey Nora, how's the beach ball comin'?" Qrow asked.

"Getting ready to pop!" Nora cheered.

"Ren, Jauney boy, how're you holding up?" Qrow asked.

"We're surviving." Jaune sighed.

"Quite well, thank you." Ren replied.

"Pyrrha, Yang tired you out yet?" Qrow smirked.

"I'm handling myself well enough." Pyrrha answered.

"Qrow." Summer spoke in a clipped tone. "I wasn't expecting you."

"Surprise visit." Qrow explained. "I come bearing gifts."

"What, you nicked the hotel snacks?" Raven sneered.

Qrow chuckled. "Nope, I put some thought into some of these." He picked up one of the plastic bags beside him, and pulled out a wooden box. "Glyn, heard you might like something like this. He handed the box to Pyrrha, who passed it to Glynda.

Glynda opened the box to find a bottle of liquor inside, passing her glass to Raven so she could inspect the label. "Oh my...Qrow, where did you get this?"

"Friend of mine in Atlas." Qrow replied.

"Drinking buddy?" Raven accused.

"I am sober, been sober for years, but yeah, we've had a drink or two." Qrow answered. "But anyway-"

"This is rare Qrow, this must have cost a fortune." Glynda noted as she lifted the dark wine bottle.

"Nope, I got a great deal on it, figured you'd enjoy it." Qrow corrected.

"I will...thank you Qrow." Glynda closed the box and hugged it, taking her glass back and raising it. "Cheers."

"Now some of this was spur of the moment, but I know you'll get use out of 'em." Qrow shifted focus. Grabbing another bag, Qrow pulled free a neck pillow, tossing it to Nora.

"Oooh, I've always wanted one of these!" Nora cheered.

"Really?" Jaune asked.

"Yeah, I always forgot when I was out shopping." Nora grinned, wrapping the cushion around her neck.

"Ren." Qrow tossed him a box of flavored condoms.

"Thank you." Ren caught it.

"And Jauney." Qrow tossed the bag itself, which Jaune easily caught.

Jaune pulled the object from the bag to reveal… "Oh Goddamn it!" A blow-up doll.

"Aw, now I've been double replaced." Nora sulked.

Yang gestured to the trunk to the side of the room. "Beat ya' to it Qrow."

"Wlel, at least she won't be lonely." Jaune sighed.

"That's an odd shade." Ren observed.

"Green?" Jaune asked.

"Apparently they were so popular this was all they had left." Qrow explained.

"Well thank you Qrow, it's just what I've always wanted." Jaune joked.

"You're welcome sport." Qrow smirked. "Anyway, Yang, I brought some new parts for your arm. We can install those later, and you…" Qrow ruffled Ruby's hair. "...your present isn't from me."

"It isn't?" Ruby asked, confused.

"Go sit down, make some room, I'll grab it." Qrow instructed, ducking back into the kitchen. Yang followed. Ruby sat back down, clearing any stray wrapping paper away and facing the kitchen door with Weiss and Blake flaking her as she bounced excitedly in anticipation. Slowly, Qrow walked back in, a cardboard box in his arms, several holes punched in it. Ruby's eyes grew wide. "I guess this is sorta' from me, because it got it here, but it was really Tai." Qrow gently set the box down in front of Ruby, and took a seat on the floor, Yang kneeling beside him with a barely suppressed grin on her face. "He said sorry for not coming, and happy Solstice."

Ruby grasped the top of the box with shaking hands, slowly pulled up, and dropped it to the side. She could barely croak a response at the sight before her. Weiss audibly gasped, and Blake shrunk back, for blinking in the light, a beautiful puppy corgi lay, fuzzy fur black but for his stomach and face. Ruby covered her mouth, eyes tearful. The puppy yawned and sat up.

"His name's Zwei." Qrow noted.

Ruby sobbed a laugh, shakily reaching out toward the puppy, gently picking him up and placing him on the ground, where he first looked around the room, then placed a paw on Ruby's leg, and clumsily climbed into her lap. Ruby wrapped him in a gentle hug, sniffling. "Dad did this?"

"Yeah, yeah he did." Qrow smiled tightly.

"He remembered...he remembered all this time." Ruby sobbed. "I'd almost forgotten, but he remembered…" Ruby dissolved entirely into tears, Weiss and Blake moved to comfort her, and Qrow rose to his feet.

"I'll, uh, go grab the upgrades." Qrow said swiftly, making his way out of the room. Yang nodded and moved to Ruby too.

The rest of the room remained silent, a mixture of awe and shock on everyone's faces. Raven finally broke the silence. "Well...that happened."

Ruby was a flurry of energy and activity. She raced around the house, one moment playing with Zwei, the next stirring Qrow's chili as it cooked on the stove, the next watching intently as Qrow worked on Yang's arm. Then she was gone, back to the living room and Zwei once more. Yang, Pyrrha and Qrow sat at the kitchen. Yang's arm was detached and partially disassembled as Qrow prepared to install the upgrades he had brought from Atlas. Yang watched, marveling at the cool mechanical bits. Pyrrha watched, making sure to note the changes made in case she had to fix something later.

After cleaning the arm's internal components, Qrow removed a small motor attached to an asymmetrical piece of metal. He looked at the motor, which showed clear evidence of overheating, and chuckled. "You know, when Sylvia said you'd need a beefier vibration motor, most of the engineers laughed at her. Well, she got in a bunch of 'I told you so's when the telemetry came back. Even she was surprised by how fast you wore it out."

"Hehe, it's a fun feature." Yang blushed.

"Well, the new motor should be up to the task." Qrow slid a new part into the vacant slot, hooking up the electrical connectors. Where the old motor had plenty of room within the casing, the new one filled up almost the entire space allotted. "It doesn't spin any faster, and the weights aren't any bigger, but it's much more durable. Still, take it easy. I've never seen the boys get such a kick out of spikes on a graph."

"I'll try to cut back." Yang smirked. "But I have to keep Pyrrha happy too."

"Yang!" Pyrrha admonished, blushing furiously.

"Anyway, this next bit should prevent you having any other problems with your hair." Qrow changed the subject. He replaced some of the casing around the wrist with a new piece that featured a rubbery ring that covered the wrist joint. It did not connect to the hand, so as not to limit motion, but it would be an extra barrier. "The techs realized that if hair can get pulled in there, a lot of other shit could too. These joint mechanisms are very complex, and very sensitive. Even a bit of dust in the wrong place could damage them."

"It really sucked." Yang groaned.

"Her hair was so tangled in there." Pyrrha remembered. "It was unbelievable."

"Well, it shouldn't be a problem anymore." Qrow finished replacing the casing. Next he moved to the hand, removing the palm and the facing of the fingers. He replaced them with softer pieces that had a rippled design, almost like a hand's natural friction ridges. "This should help with your grip, so you won't need gloves as often. Some of the engineers are worried it will deaden your sense of touch, but improvements to the software should compensate." He looked over the arm, making sure everything was properly buttoned up.

"Done?" Yang asked.

"Almost." Qrow connected the arm to the diagnostic tablet, and activated a test sequence. The prosthetic came to life, performing a series of specific movements, though it looked more like a flopping fish than a piece of precision technology. When the arm fell still Qrow looked at the readout on the tablet. "All set."

"Sweet, now I can get back to playing with Zwei." Yang cheered. With help from Pyrrha and Qrow, she reattached the arm and headed out of the room. Pyrrha remained behind as Qrow cleaned up his tools.

Ruby stormed into the kitchen, vigorously stirring the chili. "Zwei is so cute! He's the best. Thanks' Uncle Qrow!" She charged out as quickly as she had come.

"How did you get Zwei?" Pyrrha asked. "You mentioned something about Ruby's father."

"I visited Tai for Mistrali Solstice." Qrow explained. "His neighbor's dog had a litter and was giving them away. We figured Ruby would want one."

"If both of you decided on it, why did you tell her it's from her father?" Pyrrha asked.

"It means more coming from him." Qrow replied. "They had a dog when Ruby was little, but he didn't live too long. Ruby wanted another, but things were a little chaotic at the time, and Tai never got around to getting her one. This is supposed to kind of make up for that."

"Well, it's very nice of you." Pyrrha declared. "Thanks for coming, and making everyone so happy."

"Not quite everyone." Qrow corrected with a wry smile. "But who knows? Maybe we can finally get things all worked out."