Of Life and Love: Part 4

Yang was eager to get to the package. She hurried along, pushing Autumn's pram, with Summer giggling and running just beside, as Pyrrha took her time and fell behind. By the time Pyrrha reached the front of the manor, Yang was paying the caravaners, the large crate already sitting on the cobblestone path at the foot of the steps.

"You guys have a crowbar or something so I can crack it open?" Yang asked. One of the delivery men handed her a metal bar. As Yang approached the crate it shook, a scratching sound coming from inside. "Hmm...someone's eager to get out."

Pyrrha was almost afraid to ask. "Yang, what exactly did you get?" She finally forced herself. "Nothing dangerous I hope. Nothing illegal for that matter"

"Pyrrha, I promise everything is 100% on the level." Yang waved her off, sliding the metal bar into place. "I wanted to get Summer a Pegasus, you know, like yours, but they're really hard to find in Valm. So I got the next best thing."

"Next best thing?" Pyrrha asked. Summer stood beside her, eagerly bouncing back and forth on her feet.

With one swift motion Yang wrenched the crate open, one side falling flat to the ground. "Ta-da!" Yang cheered. With a grating, high-pitched screech, a small reptilian creature with wings crawled from the crate. It sniffed the air and cried again. It sounded almost...happy. "You're very own baby Wyvern!"

"By the gods!" Pyrrha gasped. "Isn't it dangerous?"

"Draggy!" Summer squealed. She rushed forward before Pyrrha could stop her and ran right up to the lizard. She got down on all fours, just a little smaller than the Wyvern, and looked it in the eyes. It screeched inquisitively, tilting its head and looking Summer over. Summer took a deep breath and did her best to imitate it's vocalization. It was not quite right, but the Wyvern screeched approvingly. Summer crawled forward, rearing up on her knees, and wrapped her arms around the creature, giving it a hug. It flapped its wings furiously and cried out, but soon relaxed and let out a yelp.

"Looks like they're getting along." Yang laughed.

"What if it bites her?" Pyrrha asked.

"Its teeth are tiny." Yang shrugged. "A dog would be more dangerous."

"What about when it gets bigger?" Pyrrha pressed. "When its teeth are the size of my hand."

"By then they'll be such good friends it won't even think of biting her." Yang replied. "Just think of how intimidating she'll be, riding into battle on a freakin' dragon!"

"Battle…" Pyrrha sighed. Though she did not like to think about it, Summer would one day be the duchess. As such she would be responsible for leading Rosanne's troops. There was simply no way around it.

"What is that?!" Ruby exclaimed, sent rushing to the scene by the Wyvern's screeching. "Summer!" Ruby started to rush forward as Summer kissed the Wyvern on the top of the head. Ruby stopped in her tracks as the creature pulled its head back, and started licking Summer's cheek. Summer giggled and started licking it back. "Huh…"

"I guess they are getting along." Pyrrha admitted.

"This is your gift?!" Ruby gasped. "When you told me you got Summer a present I thought it was a stuffed bear or something! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry sis." Yang laughed. "But it looks like it worked out."

"What does it eat?" Pyrrha asked.

"Meat." Yang replied. "I'm told they're not picky." She peeked into the crate. "Looks like he already ate everything they put in here for him."

"Well, if he's anything like the Pegasus, he's going to eat a lot." Ruby noted. "I guess I should put an order in."

"We're really keeping it?" Pyrrha asked.

"Yep." Ruby nodded. She looked back to Summer and the Wyvern, still playing with one another. "I don't think I could separate them if I tried anyway."

"It just needs a name then." Pyrrha suggested. "I wonder…"

"Waffle!" Summer cheered.

"What?" Ruby asked.

"Waffle!" Summer exclaimed again.

"Are you hungry?" Pyrrha asked.

Summer shook her head. She pointed to the Wyvern. "Waffle!" She repeated.

"I don't think he eats waffles." Ruby noted.

"No!" Summer cried. The look on her face said she was thinking hard. "Summer!" She pointed to herself. "Yaya!" She pointed to Yang. "Waffle!" She pointed to the Wyvern.

"You want to name him Waffle?" Pyrrha asked. Summer nodded excitedly. "That's a strange name for a Wyvern."

"I mean, not really." Yang observed. "His scales do kind of look like a waffle."

Ruby tilted her head. "Huh, they kind of do." She agreed.

"Waffle it is then." Pyrrha shrugged.

"Yay!" Summer cheered, returning to hugging her new friend. "Waffle!"

Yang relaxed on the couch in the lounge, chatting with Pyrrha about this and that. Ruby entered, an amused smile on her face. "Summer and Waffle are already inseparable." Ruby noted. "I tried to take him down to the stables for a medical check, and Summer wouldn't let me. Waffle started screeching too. I had to wait for Summer to fall asleep. Then even Waffle didn't put up a fight."

"Why do you need to check him out?" Yang asked. "He was checked out in the capital before I had him shipped."

"Just wanted to be sure he didn't suffer any injuries in transit." Ruby replied. "Besides, better to get him used to the stable workers when he's young, not when he's big enough to eat them."

"Good point." Yang laughed. "Rubes, take a seat." Ruby sat down in a chair across from Yang and Pyrrha. "I got a letter from the capital too." Yang reached into her pocket and pulled out a scroll. "Wanted to wait for you to be here before reading it."

"Well, I'm here, go ahead." Ruby encouraged. "I wonder what wacky shenanigans they've gotten up to in your absence."

"More like how close they are to dying from boredom." Yang joked. She unsealed the scroll and started to read. "Oh, that's interesting…"

Weiss sat on her throne, her anger slowly building. The Duke of Novis was ranting about this and that, hollow grievances Weiss figured were meant only to annoy her. If Blake were present things might have gotten violent, but she was playing with Grace. "Furthermore, that 'tavern' has been attracting all sorts of trouble!" The Duke complained. "Not to mention that harlot of a hostess…"

"Let me stop you right there." Weiss cut in. She was willing to take a lot of abuse for the sake of keeping the peace, but personal insults of her friends were a step too far. In this case, as was becoming increasingly common, they were directed at Yang. She was technically a Countess, but had no land to go with the title, and so was derided as the Countess of Cleavage, or the Countess of Whiskey, or of Puns. And those were just the least insulting. There were also whispers about her connection to the royal couple, only intensified by the birth of her child.

"I beg your pardon…" The Duke started.

"Silence." Weiss commanded. "It seems you are poorly educated, as well as foolish, so allow me to rectify this injustice. Yang Xiao-Long entered my service when we were but children. Since that day, she has stood by my side through thick and thin. She has fought for me, killed for me, and bled for me. And not just for me, but for the Empire. I owe her my life many times over. Through all this she was a sister, a mother, a friend and a beloved companion to many. She is the captain of my guard, the caretaker of my children, and the proprietor of a safe haven for weary travelers and adventurers alike, the likes of which I shared the company of during the war. In addition to this, she is a Countess, one of your peers. She, like all nobles, will be shown the utmost respect in my presence, no matter their reputation, no matter your or my personal thoughts on the matter. Any insult paid to her, or any of them, is an insult paid to me, and I will not abide by insults in my court. You do not want to make an enemy of me. Do I make myself clear Wattz?"

"I...I…" The Duke gasped. Weiss' sudden angry tone, combined with her addressing him without his title, took him off guard. "Y-yes Your Grace."

"Good." Weiss said. "Now, do you have anything further to say?"

"N-no." The Duke stammered. "If it pleases You I shall take my leave."

"It does." Weiss confirmed. The Duke bowed and departed. Weiss gestured to Fox, who stood waiting near the entrance to the hall. He dutifully approached, bowing before her. "Rise. Where are your associates?"

"Yatsuhashi is keeping an eye on Princess Winter." Fox replied. "Velvet is performing an experiment, and Coco is waiting in your wardrobe."

"Excellent." Weiss smiled. "I think it's time I called it a day."

"After dealing with that asshole, I don't blame you." Fox noted.

"What did I say about insulting nobles?" Weiss warned.

"I'm blind and I could see how much you hate that prick." Fox noted.

"You're not blind, not with you magic eyes." Weiss laughed. "And besides, you'd have to be deaf too to fail to notice. Still, I prefer to keep things civil."

"And I prefer to call 'em like I see 'em." Fox smirked.

Weiss chuckled. "No wonder Yang likes you guys."

Weiss shoved open the doors to her wardrobe and flopped down in the nearest armchair in a fashion very much unbefitting of royalty. To hell with all that. In public she would maintain the image of a strong and worthy ruler, but in private she would be the stressed woman she really was. Sighing, she rubbed her eyes, opening them to meet the gaze of her new bodyguards' leader, Coco Adel. Her relationship with Coco was different than those of the other mercenaries in the small band.

Yatsuhashi took Yang's place in court when desired, standing tall, bulky and silent through most proceedings, barely moving a muscle except when directly prompted. His towering, statuesque appearance made him ideal for intimidation. He addressed Weiss formally and softly when spoken to, but otherwise remained silent. He also filled Yang's position when it came to caring for the children. He was shockingly gentle and patient, as well as attentive. Velvet often secluded herself in her quarters, performing various experiments and studies for the betterment of herself and others. Yet she also found a way to be present when needed. Blake had taken a liking to her, especially after discovering her tea brewing skills. Fox was snarky and crude, but loyal. Blind from birth, a pair of enchanted crystals created by Velvet allowed him to see. Though his vision in normal situations was not as good as natural sight, it could be better in low visibility settings. They also made it difficult to tell where he was looking at any point.

Coco seemed to have taken it upon herself to fill the social void left by Yang. She naturally fit into Weiss' private life, offering company and conversation whenever it was desired, and at times when it was not. Coco paid no heed to her status as Emperor, unless in a formal setting, addressing Weiss by name and treating her the same as anyone else. Weiss found it refreshing, and greatly appreciated the company. She loved Blake, but Blake was not one for frequent conversation, and Weiss had grown accustomed to Yang's constant presence, however overbearing. But whereas Yang had common tastes, Coco had been raised as the heiress of a wealthy Baron. It was an upbringing she had rejected some time ago, choosing instead to wander the land in search of adventure. Coco was someone Weiss could engage on subjects she could not with Blake or Yang, such as arts, courtly gossip, and somewhat shamefully, fashion.

"You look like hell." Coco observed.

"I try my utmost." Weiss groaned.

"You should ask Velvs to cook up a calming concoction." Coco suggested.

"Yes, just what I need, more potions." Weiss grumbled. "I'm already on tonics for my anxiety, circulation, immune system and migraines. What's another for the pile?"

"They have you on a separate tonic for each?" Coco gasped. "Who are you employing here? Amateurs?"

"The best money can employ." Weiss replied.

"And they play it safe, following all the recipes their mentors taught them, never taking risks or stepping out of their comfort zones." Coco rolled her eyes. "Trust me, Velvet can make one potion for everything, and it won't taste like a dog's rear."

"Ugh, please, I'll drink anything she gives me if it will cleanse that image from my mind." Weiss said. Coco chuckled before returning to sorting through Weiss' closets. She picked out the various dresses, tossing them onto one of two piles, one large, one small. Weiss gestured to the smaller one. "So this is the waste pile?"

"That's the salvage pile." Coco corrected. She gestured to the other. "That's the waste pile. They're good for charity, and even then I'd feel bad."

"Is it really that bad?" Weiss asked.

"It's worse than I hoped." Coco sighed. "I'm honestly baffled Weiss. Who taught you to dress?"

"The maids." Weiss replied. "Most of my time was spent being tutored and trained. I didn't have much time to develop a fashion sense. I tried to keep things simple, and Yang would occasionally make suggestions."

"No wonder the salvage pile is as big as it is." Coco laughed. "It's like a good wardrobe and a bland wardrobe are waging war in here, eugh. You need diversity...hello."

Coco stepped out holding a sky blue cloak with white fur lining. Weiss found herself smiling at the sight of it. "A gift from Ruby." Weiss explained. "She considers me family, so she had one made for me."

"Ah yes, Yang showed me her own." Coco nodded. "I assume Blake has one?"

Weiss froze, then sighed, shaking her head. "How much has she told you?" She asked.

"Nothing private." Coco replied. "She trusts us not to go blabbing, but she's obviously treading lightly."

"I wish we didn't have to...but at the time we had to do what was best for the Empire." Weiss sighed.

"Yeah, yeah, royal blood only, no commoners allowed." Coco chuckled. "I understand, 'cept I could afford to tell everyone to fuck off, didn't have the world resting on my shoulders. Just a choice, my lovers or my fortune and title, no tears shed there. The looks on my parents' faces were hilarious."

"Lovers?" Weiss gasped.

"Fox and Yatsu don't show it in public as much, but in private they're real softies." Coco giggled.

"...the three of them?" Weiss asked.

"Yeah." Coco confirmed. "Velvs was the daughter of the local alchemist, Yatsu was raised by a single mother and Fox just kinda' showed up one day. We drifted together...and then we slept together."

"Story of my life." Weiss laughed.

"You ever thought about what if?" Coco asked.

"About what?" Weiss asked.

"If you chose different, ran off with Blake and Yang, told the world to fuck off and lived on your own terms." Coco clarified.

"Sometimes...sometimes on the rare occasion that Yang falls asleep before I do...it's unfair to her that Blake and I can share our love with the world, but Yang must remain, at best, a scandal waiting to happen." Weiss frowned. "I wish we could wear two rings instead of one."

"You know, nothin's stopping that." Coco suggested. "Rings are rings, they're symbolic. We were never formally married, but Velvet cast us some all the same. At worst, someone mentions it offhand, 'oh, is that a new ring Your Grace?' 'Yes it represents the struggles we've suffered through.' Then they smile and nod because they're just trying to suck up to you, but you know the ring represents something wonderful, something hiding in plain sight, something you're rubbing in their smug faces while their none the wiser."

Weiss was silent for a time, looking thoughtful. A grin slowly spread across her face. "That's not a bad idea." She nodded. "How good is Velvet at casting?"

"Just another one of her endless talents." Coco answered. "She also made my earrings." Coco flicked the scaled tear drops hanging from her ears, amber gems glittering in the light.

"Hmm…" Weiss started.

There was a light knock at the door, and it opened to reveal Velvet, who carried a tray of tea. "Your Majesty, I brought tea." She announced.

Weiss smiled. "Just the woman I wanted to see."

After drawing up plans for rings with Velvet, Weiss settled in to chat with she and Coco. They had some interesting perspectives and it was refreshing to Weiss to hear from people who were not blatantly sycophantic. What was an enjoyable conversation was interrupted as Fox burst in. "We've got a problem." Fox announced.

"What kind of problem?" Weiss asked.

"Something weird is going on with Princess Winter." Fox replied. "She's glowing and floating around the room."

"That's absurd!" Weiss scoffed.

"Come see for yourself." Fox shrugged. "You don't have to believe me." Fox departed, heading off to get Blake.

"I guess I should have a look." Weiss sighed. "I swear, if he's messing with me…"

"He's not one to mess around about something like this." Coco noted. "If he says something weird's happening with your kid, it probably is."

Weiss led Velvet and Coco to the nursery, arriving at almost the same time as Blake and Fox. She pushed through the door to find Yatsuhashi moving around the room, a look on his face Weiss had never before seen. He looked...afraid. "Yatsuhashi, what's going on with my daughter?" Weiss demanded.

"Your Grace I...I just looked away for a second and...I can't find her anywhere." Yatsuhashi admitted. "I had just snatched her out of the air and put her back in her bassinet. I looked for something to secure her in place with, and when I returned she was gone."

"What?!" Weiss screamed. "How could you lose a baby that's too young to crawl?!"

"You see Your Majesty, she seems to be able to fly." Yatsuhashi explained.

"We have to find her!" Weiss shouted.

"I see her." Fox declared, looking straight at a wall. He pointed. "There."

"That's a wall Fox." Coco observed.

"I know that, on the other side of the wall." Fox insisted.

"You can't see through walls." Velvet noted. "I know, I made your eyes myself."

"I don't know why, but I can see a glowing baby on the other side of that wall." Fox refused to back down.

"But that's an exterior wall." Weiss declared. "We're on the third floor." She walked over to the window and poked her head out. "By the gods!" Right in front of her Winter was floating in the air, her body surrounded by an eerie blue glow, her tiny fingers grasping at a butterfly as it flitted about. "Winter!" The baby cooed and looked at Weiss with a laugh.

"Velvet, featherfall spell!" Coco commanded. "Yatsu, get down there to make a catch if you have to! Fox...don't let her out of your sight!" The trio followed their commands without hesitation.

"Winter please!" Weiss beseeched. "I can't lose you again!"

"Again?" Coco asked.

"Oh boy." Blake sighed. "I'll explain later."

"Winter, come to mommy!" Weiss called. The baby smiled at Weiss and began floating towards her, arms reaching out. "That's right, come on." Winter giggled as Weiss took hold of her, pulling her inside and cradling the baby in her arms. The glow that had surrounded Winter faded and the baby promptly fell asleep. "Oh thank Naga." Weiss fell into a chair, struggling to slow her frantic breathing.

"I told you Yang wasn't making it up." Blake laughed nervously.

"When Yang said she saw Winter floating I thought she was just losing her mind." Weiss huffed. "I never imagined…"

"Well, that was a thing." Coco shook her head.

"Yes, it certainly was." Velvet added. "It's strange. Magical abilities usually don't manifest until puberty, yet this baby, at only a few months old, has mastered levitation."

"How is that possible?" Blake asked.

"I don't know." Velvet admitted. "Weiss, was there anything strange about Winter's birth?"

"Well...I did father a child with Yang just a few months before Winter was conceived." Weiss replied.

"Perhaps your loins were still charged with magical energy." Velvet suggested. "That could explain it."

"Explaining it doesn't help us deal with it." Weiss cut in. "This is a huge problem. I can't have my baby floating around. It's too dangerous!"

"We could just tie her down." Blake noted.

"I don't want to tie up my baby." Weiss refused. "Imagine what kind of effect it would have on her!"

"Yeah, she might develop a kink or something." Coco chuckled.

"This is serious!" Weiss shouted. Winter woke up and started wailing. "Oh, I'm sorry, shh, shh…"

"I think I have a solution." Velvet declared. "Just give me some time to work on it. Until then we'll just have to keep an eye on her. And maybe close the window."

"I don't see the baby!" A deep voice boomed from outside.

Coco stuck her head out the window. "We got her Yatsu!" She called down. "Come on back in!"

The solution to the Winter problem turned out to be fairly simple. Velvet enchanted a crystal, set in a collar, that would suppress Winter's magic. Winter would wear it until she was old enough to properly control her magic. Weiss was incredibly grateful, not just to Velvet, but to the entire group.