58

Chapter 58: Introductions

Roman's Safehouse

Bag: check. Dust case: check. Extra Dust Case: check.

Neo nodded to herself as she looked over her possessions, organized carefully on the kitchen counter.

Ammo clips: check. Emergency ammo box: check. Roman's emergency ammo box: check.

She snorted lightly at that last one. She always carried a few extra sets of Roman's special ammo with her, ever since she realized that the conman always, without fail, would miscount how much ammo he had on him. The look on his face when he pulled the trigger on his empty cane would forever be hilarious… so long as it never happened when he really, really needed the damn thing to fire.

She double-checked that nothing she needed was missing, then started packing everything away in her bag.

Looks like that's everything, she thought, snapping her bag shut. All I need now is-

"Raven, will you knock it off with the pacing? You're giving me a headache!"

-Roman. Neo let out a silent sigh, her eyes turning up towards the ceiling. She'd been trying to ignore the other occupants of the apartment all morning, but they both started to get on each other's nerves in the last fifteen minutes… along with her own. Reluctantly, she put her now filled bag up on the counter, propping her chin up on her hands as she focused on the two "adults" in the room.

Raven's head snapped towards Roman, sending him a heated glare as she did indeed stop pacing… though Neo thought it was too little, too late, given the visible path she'd worn in the vintage shag carpeting.

For a moment, Raven looked like she was about to lay into Roman. Instead, she just clicked her tongue and resumed pacing. "Shut it, Roman," she growled under her breath.

Roman chuckled from where he was laid out on the couch. "Yeesh. Don't think I've ever seen your feathers ruffled this much, Brainy Bird, even back in the day." His laughter cut off as he winced, rubbing at his eyes.

Raven rolled her eyes in exasperation, resuming her pacing. "Just go back to sleep, Roman."

"Can't," Roman said with a grunt as he pushed himself up into a more comfortable position. "Birdbrain and Musclehead will be back anytime, and like hell I'm getting caught sleeping with those two around. Last time I did I woke up on the fourth-year dorm roof. I've learned my lesson!"

Raven scoffed at him, even as the corners of her lips tugged upwards. Her brief humor was wiped away when she felt her scroll start to vibrate.

Hearing the quiet buzzing, Roman sank back into the couch, putting a hand over his face. "Speak of the devils…"

Raven ignored him, pulling open her scroll. She read the brief message flickering on the screen, before biting her lip, snapping it shut. She let out a deep breath, then waved her arm in a wide arc.

The air in the apartment seemed to charge with electricity, Neo feeling her hair stand on end as swirling red storm clouds covered the east wall of the room.

Only seconds after the portal's creation, Qrow came walking through, a cardboard box in his arms. Raven raised a questioning brow as he walked past her. "Tai?"

Qrow bobbed his head back towards the portal as he set the box down on the coffee table. "Grabbing the last box. Give him a second." Without even looking back at the portal, he made his way to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of whiskey off the counter and pulling out his empty flask.

Sure enough, a new figure came through the portal seconds later, holding an even larger box. Neo straightened up as she took in the last mystery member of Roman's group of "friends," the one he had dubbed Musclehead.

First and foremost, she noted that the nickname was not inaccurate. The man, Taiyang, stood a good few inches taller than Roman or Qrow, and his bare arms clearly showed off his defined muscles. He wasn't beefy like she'd expected, more athletic. But that just seemed to make his muscles stand out even more.

Once he was through, Raven waved her arm downwards, her portal snapping shut behind him. "Taiyang," she greeted, giving the man a nod.

To Neo's surprise, Taiyang barely glanced her way, walking past her like she wasn't there. Raven blinked at the clear dismissal, her blank facade softening in confusion. "Tai?"

Taiyang ignored her, moving to the center of the room and placing the box next to the one Qrow had brought. From the couch, Roman watched the odd reunion, raising a brow in interest, while Qrow just continued to shuffle around the kitchen.

His arms now empty, Taiyang turned to face Raven, walking right up to her. Raven stared up at him, her confusion now tinged with worry.

Neo swallowed discreetly at the apparent confrontation, if for nothing else than just seeing how Taiyang towered over Raven, despite the older woman being a few inches taller than herself.

Frowning, Raven narrowed her eyes. "Tai, what-gah!"

Without warning, Taiyang lunged forward, faster than anyone his size should.

Neo, thinking a fight was about to break out, reached for the parasol strapped to her back. She froze, however, when Taiyang let out a deep, booming laugh.

"Raven!" He shouted as he wrapped his arms around the surprised woman, pulling her into a bear hug so strong, it lifted her off her feet. He barked out another laugh, the largest grin Neo had ever seen splitting his face. "It's been too long!"

Raven let out a surprised yelp as her feet left the ground, then grunted as the air was squeezed from her lungs. "Tai…" she rasped. "It's good to… see you too, but… could you-urk!" She gasped as Taiyang only seemed to squeeze tighter. She wheezed, her voice just shy of a whine as she went cross-eyed. "Please, stop…"

Completely confused, Neo looked back and forth between the other two people in the room. Qrow was leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed, watching the two with a small smirk, while Roman just started snickering to himself.

Before she could attempt to question either of them, Taiyang finally set Raven back down with one last chuckle. The older woman sucked in a grateful breath, blushing in embarrassment. She then gave Tai a glare that would strike utter fear into lesser men. The blonde man just smiled down at her, not fazed in the slightest.

"...that was payback for something," she asked after a moment. "Wasn't it?"

Taiyang just smirked slyly. "Four years without saying 'hi'? Damn right, that was payback."

Raven scowled at him, before launching a punch at his shoulder. There was a dull thud as it connected, making Neo think it had hit with far more force than a joking punch, but Taiyang just kept grinning, as if he didn't even feel it. Raven grunted at his lack of reaction, then turned back towards the coffee table. She eyed the boxes warily. "Is that everything?"

Taiyang's humorous grin faded away, letting out a sigh as he followed her gaze. "I emptied the attic and every bit of storage we had. I found all of it and then some."

Raven gave a sharp nod, walking over to the boxes. She grasped the edges of the largest one, hesitating for a moment, before opening it. She stared down into it, tensing at whatever she saw. She reached in, pulling out a large yellow envelope. Neo could see words written on its front in black marker, though she couldn't see what they said from the kitchen.

Raven flipped the envelope's opening, letting a few aged papers slide out into her hand. Her eyes darted across their contents, before she let out a shaky breath, sliding them back in. "Good… good." She quickly put the envelope back in the box, shutting it. She then looked up at Tai, seeing him staring at the boxes with a resigned look on his face. "Tai? You okay?"

Taiyang sucked in a sharp breath, as if just realizing he needed to breathe. "Yeah," He said, meeting her eyes. "I'm good. I'm just…". He gave a helpless shrug. "Dealing."

Raven's face softened a little, giving Taiyang a small nod of acknowledgment. Looking at the group as a whole, she asked. "Then… we're ready?"

Qrow nodded to her, pushing off from the counter. "Looks like." He glanced down at his wrist, checking his watch. "And the girls will be waiting for us in about half an hour, so we should probably get going."

"And that's my cue to leave," Roman said as he hauled himself off the couch, grabbing his bowler hat off the coffee table. He glanced towards the kitchen, then motioned to the door. "C'mon, Neo. Time to get our last payday."

Neo nodded in agreement, snatching her bag off the counter and hanging it off her shoulder.

Qrow frowned as Roman slipped on his white jacket and picked up his cane. "You sure this is a good idea?"

Roman snorted. "As good as can be in this whole mess." At Qrow's unsure look, he rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Birdbrain, I spent all night getting the damn guns just so I could get this crap out of the way. I hand over the guns, chat up the lieutenant and whoever else is milling around, and we find out when and where Taurus is going to be." He then smirked at him. "I'll handle the easy job of locating the murderous, psychopathic horn-head. You three focus on tackling the oh-so-terrifying teenage girls."

Before he and Neo could exit the room, however, Taiyang spoke up. "Speaking of which… Roman."

Romans stopped in the door frame, his shoulders hunching as he ducked his head. Neo heard him mutter a small curse, before glancing back.

Taiyang crossed his arms, his height intimidating even from across the room. He had an easy-going smile on his lips, but a sharpness in his eyes. "I got an interesting phone call from Ozpin last week. Anything you want to tell me?"

The look of exaggerated fright on Roman's face almost startled a chuckle out of Neo. "Uh… well, good to see you again Tai, we gotta catch up later, gotta go, c'mon Neo!"

Neo squeaked as her arm was nearly pulled from its socket, Roman grabbing her by the wrist and practically running out the door. Just before the door slammed behind them, she heard Qrow bark out a laugh, and Raven give a light snort.

RWBY Dorm

To the untrained eye, the RWBY dorm appeared fairly typical for a Sunday morning. Weiss was shuffling through their closet, searching for an acceptable outfit. Blake was running a brush through her black locks, carefully grazing her cat-ears in the process. Ruby was finishing up some last-minute tune-ups on Crescent Rose, folding her up and slinging the precious scythe across her back. All-in-all, everything appeared normal, as if the girls were gearing up to venture into Vale for the day.

Bar one exception.

Glancing up at the clock, Ruby let out a nervous sigh. She looked around the room, meeting Weiss and Blake's eyes, the concern in them matching her own. Swallowing down her nerves, she looked to the last member of her team. Ruby eyed her big sister nervously as she looked down at her.

"Yang? Are you ready?"

Since waking up that morning, Yang had done little more than sit on the edge of Blake's bed and stare down at Harbinger as she held it in her hands, just… thinking. No playful banter with Weiss, no complaining about getting up before ten. She just sat there, Zwei at her feet, staring up at her with his ears pinned back in worry. She barely reacted when one of them would say something to her, quickly slipping back into silence after giving a neutral answer to their questions. Not helped by the emotions rolling off her.

Nervousness. Frustration. Hope. Fear.

It was enough to start Ruby worrying. She'd gone to bed thinking Yang was fine, fully prepared for whatever would be thrown at them. They'd stayed up late, all four of them, brainstorming ideas and planning out what Yang wanted to ask Raven. Yang had looked, Felt, confident when she'd fallen asleep, holding Weiss against her chest like a blushing stuffed animal. They'd all thought she was okay.

Then they'd woken up, and Yang's confidence was gone, feeling fittingly like a dream.

Yang's head jerked up slightly, Ruby's soft voice breaking her from her daze. "I… I'm sorry, Ruby. What did you say?"

Ruby frowned, feeling a twinge in her heart. "I asked if you were ready. It's already eleven-thirty."

Yang blinked. "Oh… y-yeah, I'm ready."

A weight settled next to her on the bed, and she soon found Blake's arm wrapped around her shoulders. "Yang…" she said softly, her amber eyes filled with warmth. "Don't lie to us."

Yang slumped her shoulders, her composure breaking the instant she felt the Worry and Care around her. "Fine…" She breathed out shakily, leaning into Blake's touch. "I-I'm freaking out. What the heck do I say to her? What's she gonna say to me? I-"

"Yang!" Weiss' sharp voice cut off the blondes' building freakout. She cupped her hand around Yang's chin, gently turning her head so that their eyes met. "Calm down."

In an instant, Yang bristled. "Don't tell me to-"

Weiss's gaze turned thunderous.

Calm.

Yang stiffened, her shoulders tensing. She shook it off quickly, but Weiss kept up her stare. After another tense moment, Yang huffed, crossing her arms. "Fine…" she muttered, though her voice was rough.

Weiss's eyes softened instantly, as she slid to Yang's other side, putting a hand on her thigh. "Don't get yourself all worked up. Just say what you want to say to her, and listen to what she says. We'll just have to figure out what to do next as it happens."

Yang let out a shaky breath, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah… yeah, you're right." She then looked nervously between Blake and Weiss. "You two sure you want to be here for this? It's… probably gonna be a mess, honestly."

Weiss snorted, patting Yang's thigh. "All the more reason for us to be there if you ask me. More support if things go south. Just…" Her eyes then turned hesitant, wary. "Do you want us to be there?"

Yang went quiet as she thought. "...yeah. It, uh… would probably make me feel better." She then gave a halfhearted smirk, chuckling nervously. "Besides, you two still need to meet our dad. No time like the present, right?"

At that, Weiss groaned. "Oh, don't remind me. I don't need to be nervous too."

Blake and Ruby gave a light laugh, Ruby breathing a sigh of relief. A joking Yang is a happy Yang. Crisis averted… for the next five minutes, at least.

"It'll be okay, Yang." Blake gave Yang a squeeze, briefly pressing her forehead to Yang's temple. "Even if things get... tense… we're right here with you, and we're not going anywhere."

Yang's smile grew a little wider, her tenseness slowly bleeding out of her shoulders. "Yeah… stuck with you three for the rest of my life, aren't I?"

At that, Ruby gave a large proud smile, putting her hands on her hips triumphantly. "And don't you forget it!"

Yang chuckled again, harder and louder than before. She took a deep breath when she stopped, then stared back down at the sword in her lap. Heaving a great sigh, she nodded sharply. "Okay… I'm ready. Let's go."

"So… Why exactly are we meeting them here in the courtyard?"

At Weiss's question, Ruby couldn't help but look around. They'd carved out their own little square of the courtyard, camping out at one of the numerous picnic tables littering the grounds. It gave them all a good vantage point to look down the main path out of Beacon, where Qrow had said they'd be coming from.

Yang heaved a sigh, crossing her arms across Harbinger, the blade lying crookedly on the table's surface. "Knowing Dad and Qrow, they're probably hoping that I won't make a scene if there are people around."

At that, Blake and Weiss shared a bemused look. Blake was the one brave enough to say their shared thought, gently nudging Zwei away with her foot as the Corgi once again try to jump up in her lap. "...uh… Yang? No offense, sweetheart, but I don't think that would stop you from…"

"I know," Yang snorted, giving a weak smile. "I know, and they know." She let out a laugh that sounded suspiciously like a scoff. "They gotta at least try to act like responsible adults."

Ruby giggled lightly. Rude as it might have sounded, Yang wasn't exactly wrong. Once again, her silver eyes scanned across the courtyard. They trailed over the main path, and Ruby had to double-take. Her eyes widened. "Yang."

Her sister turned to her, but Ruby's eyes were set firmly ahead. Yang followed her gaze, Blake and Weiss quickly doing the same when they caught on.

Yang sucked in a harsh breath, her mouth going dry.

Three figures were slowly making their way towards the school, easily standing out from the surrounding students by the way they carried themselves. Each stood tall and composed, moving through the crowd with a purpose. Taiyang and Qrow were easily recognizable for the two sisters, the veteran Hunters leading the way, each one having a cardboard box slung under their arm. But for Yang, her attention was drawn solely to the woman walking between them.

She looked no different than she had in that single photo, as if not a single day had passed since it was taken. Yang had stared at that picture more times than she cared to count, memorizing every feature of her mother, from her jet-black hair to her pointed chin, to the crimson eyes that were so unnervingly familiar.

She came.

The Shock, Joy, and Dread that came rolling off of Yang drew concerned looks from Blake and Weiss. Ruby could only bite her lip, her eyes darting nervously from her sister to her approaching family.

Weiss followed her flickering eyes, quickly understanding. "So...that's her?"

It was Ruby who had to softly answer her ("Yep. That's her."), as Yang was already moving, dimly grasping Harbinger's harness as she stood up from the table and started marching up the path towards the nearing adults. The movement was so sudden, it left the other three scrambling to follow her.

The surviving members of Team STRQ instantly noticed her approach, Taiyang even giving a small wave to her in greeting. Yang barely acknowledged it, her eyes solely on her mother. As she drew closer, she could make out the look on Raven's face, a neutral expression with her lips pulled in a tight line, almost a small frown. Though she never broke eye contact with Yang, save a few brief glances over the blondes' shoulder towards the other girls approaching. All too soon, the two groups stood face to face.

The air itself seemed to thicken as mother and daughter stared each other down. The two stood dead even height-wise, their bodies tense, coiled like springs. Both were blank-faced, save only the crinkling of Yang's brow. Ruby, Weiss, and Blake each shifted uncomfortably as Yang's emotions washed over them, a swirling myriad of Anger, Frustration, and faint Joy, constantly shifting and changing by the second, as if Yang herself didn't know how to feel. For their part, Qrow and Taiyang seemed content to hang back, watching the reunion with oddly resigned looks on their faces.

"Yang," Raven said calmly, finally breaking the silence. Her lips curved up slightly into a tiny smile. It looked slightly awkward on her face, like she wasn't used to making such an expression. "It's… good to see you again."

"Raven," Yang greeted back just as collected… though those closest to her could hear the slight tremor in her voice. "Nice to finally meet you."

Raven's brow rose slightly, a look of… something flashing across her face. It was gone almost instantly as Raven let out a quick breath through her nose, giving Yang a small nod in acknowledgment.

Just behind Yang, Ruby fidgeted nervously, shifting her weight from foot to foot. Her eyes darted around to everyone, waiting for someone to say something. But everyone just stayed back, as if resigned to watching the uncomfortable staredown between the estranged mother and daughter.

Ruby glanced back to Blake and Weiss, only to find her two girlfriends shifting their gaze from Yang to the adults. Strangely, Blake seemed to be focusing on Qrow more than the others, while Weiss kept eyeing Taiyang, her shoulders tensing more by the second. Ruby tried to hone in on their emotions to try and figure out why, but with Yang's feelings in the state that they were, it was hard to focus on anything else.

Instead, she looked forward, her gaze moving towards Qrow and her father. But she found nothing better there, the two men just watching Raven, looking resigned. Taiyang did meet her eyes briefly, flashing her a quick smile, but she could see the obvious strain in his face. Even Zwei knew something was off, sitting at her heels and looking around at everyone in confusion.

Ruby grimaced, which on her face looked more like an angry pout. This… was all wrong. For the first time ever, everyone she cared about most were gathered in one place, the only exceptions being her mother (no helping that, much as it hurt), and Raven, who she hoped, by some miracle, could soon be added to the list. This should be awesome!

She looked between Yang and Raven again, the tension so thick between two she was surprised they weren't breathing it in like smoke. Each was waiting for the other to do something, though what, Ruby had no idea.

She frowned, racking her brain, trying to think of what to do to make the situation better. One idea popped into her head, but even she knew it was a dumb one. If she got between the mother and daughter, there was a real chance that everyone would get angry at her. Buuut, if it worked, and everyone stopped being so grim…

Ruby's brows knitted together in determination. She nodded to herself, then put on her most blinding smile.

Time to do something dumb!

"Hello!"

Everyone jumped as Ruby's chipper voice cut through the silence. All eyes snapped to her as she stepped between Yang and Raven, and Ruby did her best to ignore how her heart was currently trying to escape out her throat.

Giving her her best smile, Ruby held out her hand to Raven. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Raven! I'm Ruby, Yang's sis-"

Annnnnd it was right at that moment that her brain finally checked back in. Ruby froze as she realized she might have just made a very big mistake. All things considered, Yang's birth mother probably did not want to meet her daughter's half-sister, given what her very existence represented. Judging by the sudden surge of Shock and Fear, followed by fierce Protectiveness surging behind her, Yang was having similar thoughts.

"Um… I-I mean, her…" Ruby faltered, her extended hand slowly lowering limply as she struggled for anything to say. She lowered her eyes from Raven's startled face, fearing the moment that it shifted into anger or-

"Her sister."

Ruby jolted in surprise, her eyes instinctively raising. To her shock, Raven was looking down at her and… smiling?

Before she could respond, Raven reached out to her (yep, definitely smiling, that same awkward one she gave Yang), and grasped her hand for a small shake. "I know who you are, Ruby. It's nice to meet you as well."

Ruby blinked blankly back at her. "...really?"

Raven let out a quick breath of air through her nose, a small huff of a laugh, and her smile looked a little more natural. "Yes, really." She turned her eyes towards Yang, looking between the two sisters with the oddest look on her face, somehow managing to look happy, resigned, and apprehensive all at once. She sucked in a deep breath, then looked Yang in her eyes. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions."

Still a little stunned by Raven's reaction to Ruby (or lack thereof), Yang blinked a few times, then frowned as Raven's words registered. She crossed her arms as she met Raven's eyes evenly. "A few," she said, her tone only slightly sarcastic.

Raven just nodded. "Well... let's see if I can give you some answers." She glanced back over her shoulder. "Qrow?"

Now that the possible crisis had been averted, Qrow just smiled lazily back at her, though his shoulders did sag a little in relief. "Oz said we could use one of the lounges if you want."

Raven huffed, rolling her eyes. "How generous of him," she drawled sarcastically.

At that, Qrow and Taiyang groaned. "Raven, we have enough to worry about today," Qrow said tiredly. "Don't start."

Raven sent him a slight glare, huffing again as she looked up towards Beacon's highest spire. "As long as he stays out of my way, I'll stay out of his." Without another word, she started moving towards the school entrance, walking forward with a purpose.

Yang and Ruby shared a confused look, then looked towards their uncle in question as they all moved to follow her.

Qrow shrugged sheepishly, following after his sister. "Story for another day." As he walked past, he snatched Harbinger out of Yang's hand, giving her a cheeky smile. "For now, let's just say Ozpin asked for me and Raven's help doing something a while back, and he left out a few key details. Raven's… less than impressed with him now."

The sisters thought that was a rather large understatement, given the loud snort Raven let out as she led the group inside.

When he drew closer to them, Taiyang gave Ruby and Yang a full smile. "Hey, girls."

Ruby wasted no time, throwing her arms around his waist in a hug as she beamed up at him. "Hi, Dad!"

Shifting the cardboard box to his other arm, Taiyang slung his arm over Ruby's tiny shoulders, returning the hug. Though, when Ruby went to pull away, he held on to her for just a few seconds longer, giving her a good squeeze. Ruby looked up at him in question, but he just smiled at her.

Through her eyes are still focused on Raven, Yang did spare her father a look and a smile. "What's up, old man?"

Tai's eyes narrowed a little, but his smile never wavered. "Not much. I'm starting to get used to the quiet around the house. Not as hard as I thought it would be, given that someone keeps showing up passed out on my couch."

"Gotta crash somewhere, Tai," Qrow responded with a smirk, not sounding remorseful in the slightest.

Taiyang rolled his eyes. Then he shot Ruby and Yang a sly look. "So, girls… anything you want to tell me?"

Ruby and Yang stiffened in an instant, glancing nervously to each other. "Uh… regarding what, Dad?" Yang asked, trying and failing to act nonchalant.

Tai raised an eyebrow at her. Rather than answer, he looked over Ruby's head, sending a long look between Blake and Weiss, who shrunk under his gaze. He then turned to Qrow with a blank look. "These them?"

All four girls flinched, both at his question and his serious-sounding tone. From the front of the group, Raven watched the whole interaction out the corner of her eye in interest.

Qrow nodded solemnly, his face carefully blank. "Yep."

Taiyang nodded back just as slowly, turning his attention back on the two girls in question. Blake's ears pinned back under his gaze, while Weiss's head seemed to shrink down into her collar.

Tai held his stare for a long moment. Then… his lips pulled back into a beaming smile.

"So you're the two lucky ladies who caught my daughters' eyes!" Weiss and Blake jerked back, both at his loud tone and the hand suddenly being thrown out their way. "Taiyang Xiao-Long. It's a pleasure, girls."

The two could only stare at him, stunned, before Blake found her bearings. With a half nervous smile, she shook his hand. "Blake Belladonna, sir. It's an honor."

Weiss was right behind her, though not before her eyes flicked nervously towards Ruby and Yang. "Weiss Schnee. A pleasure."

Ruby and Yang watched the greeting with open-mouthed shock, then quickly turned each other. Their heads snapped in unison towards their uncle, their expressions shifting into outrage at the sight of his smug smirk. "You knew!" they shouted, pointing at him accusingly.

Qrow snorted, not even trying to hide his mirth. "Of course I knew. I've been all over the world, kiddos. I know a Mate's Mark when I see one."

Yang let out a groan, slapping a hand to her forehead, while Ruby just crossed her arms, pouting. Taiyang and Qrow chuckled at them, while Blake and Weiss gave each other bemused looks. At the front of the group, Raven pointedly stared straight ahead as they entered Beacon's halls, so no one would see the corners of her lips threatening to curve up.

Feeling a little awkward and lost, Weiss decided to try a bit of humor. "So… is this the part where you give us a speech to treat your daughter's right?"

Her brief bout of confidence fled when Taiyang turned all his attention towards her, raising a brow. "Is there a reason I would need to give that speech?"

Weiss's stomach sank, and Blake cringed a little at his serious tone. Weiss's face heated up as she scrambled to salvage the conversation. "No!" She flinched when she accidentally yelled the word, lamely tacking on at the end, "Sir…?"

Again, Taiyang gave her a long stare, just to chuckle again. "Good! Then it can wait for later!"

Tai then sped up a little to be closer to his daughters, effectively ending the conversation.

Weiss looked nervously towards Blake. "Later?" she mouthed silently. Blake could only shrug in response, just as confused and worried as she was.

Ruby tried not to giggle at their reactions. Years of experience had taught her when her father was being serious or just joking around. Blake and Weiss had nothing to worry about from him, but that didn't mean he would be easy on them.

That did make her wonder something, though. She debated for a moment as they walked in silence, but in the end, her curiosity won out. Looking up at her father, she asked awkwardly. "So… are you okay with us? Y'know… being Mated?"

That earned a surprised blink from all around. Tai looked to Qrow for help, who then rolled his eyes and look towards Blake. Meeting her eyes, he bobbed his head towards his nieces. "Sibling's pact?"

Blake's cheeks tinted red, but she gave a firm nod regardless. "Yes, sir. I told them and had them make one."

Qrow nodded slowly, then turned back towards Ruby. "Well, you got my vote, kids."

At that, Ruby and Yang shared another look, each feeling the other's Hope and Trepidation. "Dad?" Yang asked.

Taiyang looked between them, his lips sets into a bemused line like he didn't know whether to smile or frown. "It does seem like you're all moving a little fast…" He paused when he saw Yang tense and Ruby slump at his words. He let out a sigh, his lips settling on a tepid smile. "But… you're both adults now, far as the world's concerned. I ain't quite sure what to think, but… I'll trust you."

Ruby's shoulders slumped even further, though now in relief. She wrapped her arms around Taiyang in another quick hug, beaming. "Thanks, Dad."

Yang smiled as well, then stifled a laugh when she heard Weiss and Blake let out twin breaths of not-so-subtle relief. Her mirth faded when she felt someone's eyes on her. She looked forward, only to find Raven meeting her gaze, a sliver of red visible as she looked out the corner of her eye. They held each other's gaze for a moment, Yang mostly out of stubbornness, when Raven gave her a single slow nod, before facing forward again. Yang blinked in surprise, not quite sure how to take that.

Ruby, however, couldn't stop smiling. This was more like it! All her precious people together, getting along. Even joking with each other! All they had to do was get through this talk, hear what Raven had to say and what her excuses were. Once that was done, and Yang could process whatever it was, everything would be perfect!

The mental image of a white cloak flashed through her mind.

...well… almost perfect…

Ruby shook the thought off. There was no helping that, no point in dwelling at the moment. She just had to focus on her family, and helping Yang with Raven. Easy!

...though, she did wish she knew why Raven kept glancing back at her.