Chapter 31

"All I'm saying is she has to be a witch or something, because she's in her forties and looks almost as young as Winter." Weiss continued, leaning forward toward Blake, who sat across from the table from her.

"All I'm saying is you're so dazzled by her beauty that you're blind to her age." Blake countered. The cafe was mostly empty, as it was a time during which many students had class.

"I am not dazzled by Summer, Blake Belladonna." Weiss protested. "Yes, she's certainly beautiful, but it wouldn't be proper."

"Because Winter's banging her?" Blake smirked.

"Blake, that's beside the point." Weiss scoffed. "I'm young enough to be her daughter."

"So?" Blake asked. "I'd go there."

"Blake Belladonna, that is your girlfriend's mother!" Weiss admonished.

"And your best friend's mother." Blake noted. "I saw some blush when she hugged you."

Weiss threw her wadded up napkin, hitting Blake right in her smug face. "Summer was very sweet, and I look forward to spending time with her when next we visit."

"Maybe you and Winter can team up." Blake suggested. Weiss pressed her lips into a line, glaring at Blake and raising her fist in threat. Blake's ears, exposed, twitched as she scoffed, and she glanced to her left, laughing. "Look at them, you'd think she was still a kid."

Weiss followed Blake's gaze to see Ruby, riding Qrow piggyback, the pair making their way towards the cafe. "She is a child at heart."

"Cupcakes ahoy!" Ruby cheered.

"No wonder you're so heavy." Qrow teased.

"I am a perfectly healthy weight, thank you very much." Ruby protested. "Blakey says so."

"Oh, and I'm sure she's unbiased and has no posterior motive." Qrow rolled his eyes.

"Ulterior motive." Weiss corrected.

"I know what I said." Qrow smirked.

"Uncle Qrow, I'm your niece." Ruby whined. "You're supposed to be supportive of my body image."

Qrow tapped Ruby's thigh and she slipped from his back. "You're your mother's daughter alright." Qrow pulled the flask from his pocket, unscrewing the cap.

"Would you like to join us, Mister Branwen?" Weiss offered.

Qrow took a sip before capping and stowing his flask. "Nah, you're just bein' kind, 'sides, gotta' get movin'. Got a few things to do in town. It was nice meeting you two. Take care of Ruby. Break her heart and I'll break your neck, yadayadayada." He pulled Ruby into a hug. "You be good, stay safe, I love you."

"I love you too Uncle Qrow." Ruby responded. "Drive safe."

"You know I will." Qrow smiled.

"Knock 'em dead!" Ruby encouraged. Qrow ruffled her hair, waved to Weiss and Blake, then left, striding away with his head held high. "I really miss him. I know he comes off kinda' rough, but he's just...good ol' Uncle Qrow."

"I greatly respect him for his sobriety, and if he makes you this happy, I can tolerate his roughness." Weiss allowed.

"He seems like a good guy." Blake observed. "Tired though."

Ruby pulled a chair over to sit beside Blake, hugging her arm and snuggling close, pecking her cheek. "He works really hard, and suffers from insomnia." Ruby explained. "I think it's getting worse. Maybe if he gets this Ironworks job they'll give him better hours."

"Ironworks?" Weiss asked.

"Yeah, some military cybernetics place." Ruby confirmed. "He's got an interview in a few days. He's a really good engineer. We used to take stuff apart and put it back together when I was young. Well, I would take it apart, and he tried to explain everything. It was fun."

"Ironworks is a very prestigious company Ruby." Weiss noted. "Is Qrow qualified?"

"Yeah, he has his degree, and he's really smart." Ruby nodded. "He could build Yang a kickass arm if he had the materials and facilities."

"I guess I could envision him with a soldering iron." Weiss shrugged.

"He does have a grease monkey look about him." Blake agreed.

"And if he gets the job, he can move here, and he can visit more often, and we can go out and be a family again." Ruby declared. "We all can." Her voice wavered, her eyes watered, and she squeezed Blake's arm more tightly. Ruby tried to blink away the tears a Blake tried to soothe her. Weiss pulled a handkerchief from her purse and held it out to Ruby, who smiled, taking it to dab her eyes. "Sorry, I'm just really excited, you know? I really miss him, dad too, but dad's finally found a good job in Vacuo, so he can't come, but we might be able to spend Solstice together. We're gonna' try and get everyone to Patch for a big family gathering."

"How are you going to accomplish that?" Weiss asked.

"Guilt tripping, if I have to." Ruby admitted. "Apparently my puppy dog eyes are to die for." Ruby pouted, and Weiss closed her eyes and turned away.

"Stop that." Weiss demanded.

"Will you buy me a cupcake?" Ruby begged.

"I'll buy you the whole store if you put those away." Weiss grumbled.

"Ruby, stop flashing Weiss." Blake joked.

"Blake, we're in public." Ruby gasped.

Weiss glared through her eyelids. "I hate you both."

After politely asking Ruby for - and receiving - some privacy, Weiss dialed Winter's number. The scroll barely rang twice before it was answered. "Weiss, how are you faring?" Winter asked.

"Well enough Winter." Weiss replied. "How goes business?"

"Rather dull." Winter complained. "Gold dropped in price however, I may invest."

"Potentially lucrative." Weiss agreed. "Any word from Summer?"

"She misses me." Winter answered.

"Of course she does." Weiss noted.

"How could she not?" Winter chuckled. "I am perfect after all."

"I knew this would go to your head." Weiss sighed.

"Not the only thing to go to my head." Winter joked.

"That barely makes sense Winter." Weiss scoffed. "Have you been watching stand-up again?"

"Actually, I'm high." Winter deadpanned.

"I hate you." Weiss grumbled.

"I love you too, little sister." Winter cheered.

"Anyway, we had a rather interesting surprise visitor yesterday." Weiss changed the subject.

"Oh?" Winter asked.

"Qrow Branwen, Ruby's uncle." Weiss replied. "I found him lost and seemingly drunk near the administration building."

"Seemingly drunk?" Winter pressed.

"Yes, seemingly." Weiss confirmed. "He was perfectly sober, just...fucking with me."

"Oh my, enough to make you swear." Winter teased. "What did he do?"

"He impressed me." Weiss answered.

"How...terrible?" Winter was thoroughly confused.

"Qrow is a recovered alcoholic, working long hours as an engineer despite suffering from chronic insomnia, and yet has traveled to this lovely city to interview at Ironworks Ltd in the hopes of moving here, just to be closer to Ruby." Weiss explained. "She's been bouncing off the walls ever since…"

"Well...that's...interesting information." Winter noted.

"It was certainly an entertaining meeting." Weiss declared.

"Ironworks you say?" Winter asked.

"Hmm, do you think you might be able to help?" Weiss requested. "I understand you're quite friendly with the man in charge, in addition to being a major investor."

"It's not really our place Weiss." Winter advised.

"I know, but if Qrow gets the job, it could mean a lot for the future." Weiss persisted. "It would mean a lot to Ruby."

"I'll...see what I can do." Winter sighed.

"Thank you, it's just...Ruby was just so happy around him." Weiss continued. "She got pretty emotional after he left too. She misses her family, she's tired of being apart from him and her father."

"What of her father?" Winter asked.

"He...apparently will not be coming." Weiss replied. "He's recently found good work in Vacuo."

"I find it difficult to keep a fair view of this situation." Winter said. Weiss could practically see her disapproving frown.

"Has Summer spoken about it?" Weiss asked.

"Very little, and I will not pry." Winter answered.

"I suppose that's fair." Weiss allowed.

"Hmm, is there anything else on your mind?" Winter asked.

"No." Weiss lied. "Thank you Winter. I'll let you get back to work."

"Take care Weiss, I love you." Winter declared.

"I love you too." Weiss responded. She hung up and lay back on her bed, holding her scroll out before her. The contacts list showed Winter, then Blake, then Ruby...then Neon. Seeing it still sent a pang of guilt through her heart. For what felt like the hundredth time, her finger hovered over the call button, and for the hundredth time, she shut her scroll.

Pyrrha tied her shoes, then stood, heading for the door. Summer was taking a call in the kitchen and Yang was in the midst of her morning routine. Pyrrha had to go to work. Glynda had given her a week off following Yang's overdose, but the gym was in desperate need of her services. Out of the four personal trainers on staff a few months earlier, only she and Ren remained. Yang showed no signs of returning after her accident, and Nora's pregnancy had progressed to the point that she could not fulfill her duties. Glynda was willing to give Pyrrha a little more time off, but Pyrrha knew how difficult the situation already was, and saw no sense in prolonging her sabbatical. She was also a bit relieved to have a break from Yang's supercharged libido.

"Hold up Pyr." Yang called from the hallway as Pyrrha reached the door.

"What is it?" Pyrrha asked, turning back to face Yang. The latter emerged dressed in typical workout clothes, a duffel bag dangling over her arm.

"Could you wait a minute?" Yang requested. "I wanna' go to the gym."

"Sure." Pyrrha agreed. She leaned back against the door. "Looking to get back in fighting shape?"

"That's only part of it." Yang replied.

"Oh?" Pyrrha asked.

"I have to talk to Glynda about something." Yang explained. "I'm tired of just sitting around all day."

"You're coming back?" A smile spread across Pyrrha's face.

"Not exactly." Yang corrected. "I'll explain on the way."

"Yang, hold on a moment." Summer called from the kitchen.

"What is it mom?" Yang responded. Seeing Yang struggling, Pyrrha helped her with her shoes as she talked.

"I'm on the phone with our lawyer." Summer said. "He says the trucking company wants to settle. It sounds like a great deal. Do you mind?"

"Nah, go ahead." Yang replied. "I just want it to be over with. Do you need me to sign anything?"

"Maybe, but I can...where are you going?" Summer asked.

"The gym." Yang answered.

"I can bring you to the office when you're done working out." Summer declared.

"I'm not just going to work out." Yang noted. "Maybe I should-"

"Go, go." Summer encouraged. "If I need you to sign anything I'll bring it to you."

"Alright, see ya' later." Yang waved. Summer nodded and retreated into the kitchen, returning to the call. "It'll be nice to get some extra cash."

"They usually pay these sorts of things in tiny installments." Pyrrha warned. "You might get a few hundred bucks a month."

"Better than nothing." Yang shrugged. "Alright, I've made you late enough. Let's get in that matchbox you call a car and go."

"Don't talk about Milo like that!" Pyrrha pouted. She immediately realized her mistake.

"You named your car?" Yang asked. She burst into an uncontrollable giggle fit. "Oh, this is too good."

Upon arriving at the gym Yang had headed straight to Glynda's office. Pyrrha went to the break room to get changed for work. Her first appointment of the day was immediately thereafter. The training session that followed was vigorous, but hardly a challenge for Pyrrha. Though in this case she exercised alongside the client, having found this the best way to motivate him, what pushed him to the limit barely made Pyrrha break a sweat. Once the hour was over, she headed off in search of Yang.

Pyrrha had no trouble locating her girlfriend. Yang was seated behind the front desk, having just greeted a long-time customer. Ren was supposed to be manning the desk, with Pyrrha to take over in half an hour. "Hey Pyr." Yang called upon spotting her.

"Does Glynda have you working the front desk now?" Pyrrha asked jokingly.

"Among other things." Yang replied, not joking. Pyrrha raised a curious eyebrow. "I still don't feel like I can do my old job - don't bother trying to convince me - so I asked Glynda if she needed someone to do other stuff around the gym. I'll be working the desk, doing the scheduling and helping out with whatever comes up."

"You're alright doing this?" Pyrrha pressed. She knew Yang was easily bored and the job she was describing would not keep her interest. Yang had quit more than one job for just that reason.

"I know what you're thinking." Yang declared. "But this is only temporary, just until I figure things out. Either I'll decide to go back to personal training, or I'll work on a new career. Even with the settlement we could use the cash, and honestly, I need to do something. Sitting around watching videos on my scroll all day just isn't healthy." Yang paused. "Oh, and I still get to work out whenever I'm not needed for something else. You and Ren still have to take turns at the desk too."

"Well, as long as you're happy." Pyrrha smiled. "Hold on, how are you going to do the schedules?"

"What do you mean?" Yang asked.

"You're a righty." Pyrrha noted.

"Right...that…" Yang sighed. "I guess you'll just have to get used to my terrible off-hand penmanship."

"It's still probably better than Nora's." Pyrrha joked.

Yang smirked. "I mean, there will be actual letters and numbers, so, yeah."

It started with a sniffle.

One sniffle turned to several, followed by the coughing, gentle and meek at first, slowly turning into hacking fits that woke Weiss before her scheduled alarm. She blinked blearily in the early morning light before rubbing her eyes free of drowse. Another coughing fit drew her attention.

"Ruby?" Weiss asked. The hacking stopped and she received a pained groan in response. Weiss' brow furrowed. Throwing off the covers and stepping into some slippers, she crossed the room to Ruby's bed. The small girl had buried herself in the pillows and sheets, barely more than a mop of black and red hair peeking out, shivering. "Ruby, are you unwell?"

Ruby groaned once more as she nodded her head, turning to look at Weiss through barely open eyes. "Mmthroat hurts…" She complained.

Weiss knelt beside Ruby, reaching out to feel her forehead. She was running a fever. "You have a fever Ruby, we should go to the infirmary." Weiss advised. Ruby whined and buried her face in the pillow once again. "Ruby." There came another wine, cut off by muffled coughing. Weiss sighed. "Ruby, you need medicine. We can wait until later, but the sooner we get you checked out, the sooner you can start getting better."

Ruby was silent for a moment, then pushed herself up onto her side, nodding and yawning. "Mkay...I'ma' just get upnn…" Ruby groaned. She shifted, slowly slipping off the edge of the bed...and promptly fell to the floor.

Weiss rubbed the bridge of her nose as Ruby whined in pain. Weiss shook her head. "Maidens preserve me."

After prying Ruby from the floor, and stuffing her into some warm socks and a robe, Weiss half-escorted, half-carried her to the infirmary. It was located at the top of a hill, ensuring the sick and injured really had to work for it. Ruby was heavier than she looked. Weiss reminded herself to discuss Ruby's health with Blake, her puppy fat was adorable...and alluring...but her diet was potentially hazardous, though hardly the most hazardous aspect of her life. The infirmary nurse diagnosed Ruby with a throat infection, antibiotics were prescribed, medical advice was provided and they were sent on their way.

"You are confined to this bed, except for trips to the bathroom and shower." Weiss ordered once they returned to their room. "If you need anything, ask. Anything Ruby Rose. Blake is a royal pain when sick because she hates asking for help." She knelt beside the bed, tucking Ruby in firmly.

Ruby hummed her agreement. "I have a question." She noted.

"Yes?" Weiss responded.

"What's with the mask?" Ruby asked, in reference to the surgical mask Weiss had donned moments before.

"Reducing the risk of sickness." Weiss replied. "I've already been exposed, but when Blake shows up I won't risk passing it to her."

"Oh, she can't come visit me?" Ruby sighed.

"No, Ruby." Weiss answered. "Blake gets sick easier than most. You two will have to go without until you're better."

"Aw…" Ruby grumbled. "Hey Weiss, pass me the marker." Her hand poked from beneath the covers to point at a bedside table, where a pencilcase, sketchpad and several drawing implements lie, a thick marker among them. Ruby smiled faintly when Weiss raised a brow at her, but she handed the marker over regardless. Ruby stuck her arms out to gesture Weiss closer. Pulling the cap off the marker, she grasped Weiss' mask and began to draw.

"You had better not be drawing a frowny face, Ruby Rose." Weiss huffed.

Ruby giggled, shaking her head and letting go. She capped the marker, her goofy smile growing as she admired her work. "See for yourself." Ruby urged. Weiss rolled her eyes, taking the marker back and replacing it. She moved to the small mirror on her desk and froze, a hidden smile growing. Ruby had drawn a cat nose and whiskers on the mask. "Blakey and I think you'd be a cute kitty."

Weiss struggled to hold back the lump in her throat. Swallowing it, she sighed. If Ruby continued to be this cute, Weiss would probably burst into flame. "Go to sleep, Ruby."

Not half an hour later, there was a knock at the door. Glancing at Ruby to verify that she was still asleep, Weiss rose from her desk to answer it. She found Blake, a tray of coffee cups in her hands, her smile fading upon seeing Weiss. "Oh no." Blake sighed.

"Oh yes, Ruby has a throat infection." Weiss declared. "Which means you need to be as far away as possible."

"I don't care if I get sick, Weiss." Blake noted.

"Well I do, and I've already been exposed." Weiss countered. "One of us must stay healthy in case I fall sick myself."

Blake sighed, then grinned. "At least the nurse is cute."

Weiss tried to ignore the heat that bloomed in her chest at that remark. "Meow." She deadpanned.

"Don't you mean 'nya'?" Blake teased.

"I will claw you." Weiss threatened.

"Alright, alright, I'll go." Blake relented. "Give Ruby a kiss for me." Weiss closed the door, a little more firmly than she intended, and grit her teeth. Luckily Ruby was still sleeping like a stone. A light scratching came from the door. "Weiiiiissss, you forgot the coffeeeeeee..."

Weiss headbutted the door.