"A great magician never reveals his secrets, Ruby!"
He winks at her, feeling the pumpkin-laden basket dig into his arms, but secretly grateful she’d grabbed the extra one from the top. That little favor made his load lighter and more importantly, let him peek over the edge and actually see where he was going.
Six pumpkins in total, he counts, careful not to wobble the pile. One for each member of the side-by-side cabins and an extra one for Yang, if she decided to swing by. But really, it wasn’t the pumpkins he was excited about—it was watching Ruby’s face light up when she saw them. It made the hours he’d spent yesterday helping out one of the local farmers with their harvest feel completely worth it. Every aching muscle, every scrape and sunburned shoulder—it all faded away when he saw Ruby’s grin and knew these pumpkins would bring a little extra joy to everyone.
“I thought we could have everybody over to carve some pumpkins!” he announces, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet as he sets the basket down on the table. His grin stretches ear to ear. “You know, make a little chaos, a little fun… maybe even a contest! Who can make the silliest face, huh?”
He glances at Ruby, blue eyes sparkling. “And don’t worry—I’ve already scoped out the best pumpkin for you. Yep, that’s right, I’m giving you an advantage. But only ’cause I like you.”
"You're right, it won't change anything." Weiss said in agreement. Ruby was right to some extent, nothing they said would change the fact that Qrow had taken her in. But regardless, Weiss wanted to talk about it. It was clearly affecting Ruby, and Yang and Blake were noticing the tension between the two, it didn't matter that they tried to hide it. They were teammates, they were bound to notice the tension that was beginning to rise.
"But, you're clearly still upset and your directing your anger at me, instead of at the source: your uncle." She winced. "Sorry, dad. Why don't you go talk to him? If not for me, then for yourself." She paused, her gaze shifting from watching Ruby work on her weapon, to the forest that surrounded their home. "Look, I know it won't mean much to you but Qrow saved my life. I'm not ready to talk about everything now, maybe ever? But if it weren't for him, I'd still be back home in an environment that wasn't safe for my wellbeing."
Aurelia leaned against the kitchen counter, eyes flickering between Ruby and the cookies in the oven. The smell was familiar, comforting...but something felt off, something she couldn't quite place. While the smell of vanilla and chocolate filled the air, there was another scent lingering underneath it all; something earthy and pungent. Was it a different recipe than the one her mother left behind? Perhaps some kind of ube or ginger added?
"I know I may not be someone you particularly wish to be forthcoming with anymore and while I understand why, I just want to remind you that I am here for you."
Her fingers fidgeted with the edges of her skirt as she spoke to her niece. While Ruby had forgiven her, their relationship still felt soured, cracked by Aurelia's and Qrow's deception over he true parentage. While it seemed the right decision at the time, it quickly had become one she greatly regretted. Ruby was different now and while she expected changes as she grew up, experienced the Ever After and learned the truth about Qrow, her behavior just didn't quite add up. Distancing herself even more from her family and quick to irritation at random times.
"You're growing up so fast and I want to help you, honeybee, if you'll let me."
Sun’s brows furrowed in concern, his easy grin faltering as he caught the door before it could fully close. One foot slid into the gap between the door and the jamb, careful—not forcing it, just enough to keep it there. He leaned in a little, head tilting as his sharp eyes flicked over Ruby's face before she turned, reading the tension in her shoulders like it was written in neon.
“Hey,” he said softly, concern threading through his usual sunny joy. “I can tell you’re not okay. Like…really not okay.” His tail flicked once behind him, betraying the worry he was trying not to pile on. He lifted the small paper bag in his hand, giving it a hopeful shake. “C’mon, let me in. We can talk—or not talk, if that’s easier. I brought treats from that little stand we went to last week, remember? The ones you said were ‘dangerously good.’”
A crooked smile tugged at his mouth, gentle instead of teasing. “No pressure. I just…don’t wanna leave you like this.”
Aurelia sped down the dirt path, her chest heaving and trying to ignore the spreading pain in her sides. She was trailing a few minutes behind Qrow, but had to get to her destination as quickly as possible. They had been watching Ruby and her group of friends for a few days now, keeping their distance at the request of Qrow, and ensuring their safety by keeping any roaming Grimm at bay and away from the children.
At least, that was their plan.
It got derailed as they were observing from above, the deserted village of Oniyuri having many cliffs surrounding it, allowing for an easy view. Even before the young group of Huntsman noticed the strange man following them, Qrow and Aurelia had already burst into action. Qrow, being able to fly faster to intervene, taking his bird form to reach them as swiftly as possible. Even with pushing her limits and running as fast as she could, there was no possible way Aurelia could match the pace of Qrow's flight speed.
Which led to her to where she was now, her legs reaching their maximum stride before reaching the village, weapon already drawn in anticipation of the likely fight. Golden eyes rapidly bounce between each member present, her mind calculating battle strategy, her focus wavering only for a moment when she sees Qrow land a punch square in the Faunus' nose. As he casually walked to take his weapon out of the wall of the building across from them, Aurelia stepped towards the other three, standing in front of them, readying her own short sword for the next unavoidable portion.
"Stay away from the fight."
She strictly instructed, acknowledging Ruby's position on the roof above.
"You too, little rose."
Discerning from watching his face, Aurelia sprints towards Qrow when he begins to turn his back from the other, her short sword blocking his attack. Firing a round from his scythe, the pair use the recoil to jump onto the roof, continuing the fight through being pulled into the building below and pushed through the wall. While Qrow lands gracefully atop the handle of his weapon, Aurelia uses the blade of her sword to stop her tumbling, digging in into the ground and landing in a crouching position, a shimmer of gold flicking across her body; indicating a damaged aura.
She hardly has time to catch her breath before Ruby charges in to enter the fight.
"Ruby, stop!"
She calls out, using her body to block Ruby from joining in. She already knew Qrow would be devastated if she joined and managed to get hurt from his semblance gone wrong. Trying to explain to Ruby why she needs to stay put, the young huntress slips around her, moving to attack but the other is able to send her flying backward with a two-footed kick. Rushing forward to bring Ruby away from the fight again, she grabs her shoulders and pulls her away as Qrow moves forward, slicing the falling beam in half to land on either side of them.
The couple share a glance with a chuckling smile before she hears him crying out in pain, watching as the man's stinger swipes across his abdomen, causing Qrow to fall to his knees. Without hesitation, Aurelia takes her hands off of Ruby's shoulders and runs to Qrow's side, falling to her knees and pressing her hand on top of his against the wound, as Ruby hooks her scythe around the man's tail and fires off her rifle, using the recoil to give the blade the strength to sever the stinger.
Hot, angry tears fall against Aurelia's cheeks as she picks up her sword, rising to her feet, turning her body and using the pommel to strike the faunus square in the chest, pushing him backwards and following with a kicking strike in the same spot. Watching him lose his balance and fall to the ground, she points the tip of her sword towards him.
"Get out of here before I spear you like the bug you are, crawling in the dirt."
She growls, spitting in his direction as he clamors to his feet and runs off, disappearing in the woods. As soon as she sees him vanish amongst the trees, Aurelia immediately returns to Qrow's side, wrapping her arm gently around his waist and using her shoulder to help hold him up.
"Ruby, we need to get him out of here. Somewhere safe."
A Family Selfie for Argentum ad Aurum: a verse including @meloraan’s Aurelia Menenius, @twilighthavens’ Qrow Branwen/Ruby Rose, and @wintereign’s Weiss Schnee
artwork by the immensely talented: @mythunderlegion
Saffron kept a still gaze, steady and unwavering, tilting his head slightly as he observed...his...niece, he supposed, speaking. Letting loose wasn't really his style, or at least, hadn't been for a long time. He left the absurdity for Vermillion and Aurelia, which was the sole reason he was here with Ruby, rather than in his forge. In typical fashion, his sister had shown up out the blue, and brought along some random child with her.
"...fun? I don't see how foolishness is fun. It simply seems a waste of time that could be used for productivity."
