Chapter 2: Where Do We Go From Here
Do you know? Do you now that dizzy sunset?
是非とももう一度見たい 君を
By any means, I want to see you again
無くされてもだんだん沈んだ日をまだ感じてる
Even though it was lost, I still feel that sunken day
Ruby removed her headphones as Dizzy Sunset, her most favorite song by her most favorite band, The Cushions, resolved. That moment of solitude brought a small smile to her face and, with the pleasant weather that graced the ferry ride to mainland Vale from Patch, calmed her mind. As lost in her moment as she was, she didn't notice that Yang had walked up to stand beside her, though Yang, being the perceptive older sister that she was, curbed her overt excitement when she decided to approach her. Despite the 'big day' she noticed that Ruby's quietude during the entire morning was a bit peculiar. It wasn't that she was uncommunicative or hadn't talked, or even didn't initiate conversation, it was just that she was a little quiet given what today was and her more or less natural disposition. For no reason other than the nature that comes from being an older sister, she smiled down lovingly at her sister.
"Hey Rubes. It was a really great idea to take the ferry over to Vale instead of going over the bridge. I'm glad you suggested it."
Ruby chuckled. "Of course. This time of year always has perfect ferry weather."
"You excited?" Yang asked. "Classes don't start until the day after tomorrow. Once we get settled into our dorms, we can explore campus and the city. You can take some pictures of me with your shiny new camera so I can have some hot, new Face Space pics for me to start the year off with." She finished her suggestion off by wiggling her eyebrows and grinning at her sister. Ruby rolled her eyes and started to perk up a bit as she began to talk animatedly with her sister. Yang perked up as well seeing that engaging her sister in conversation was able to take her mind of whatever was withdrawing her.
"Yaang. I mean if you insist, I'd be happy to oblige. I can't wait to try out Crescent Rose. I was reading reviews and articles about it while you were showering for eighty years."
This time Yang rolled her eyes. "I wasn't in there that long. Plus I needed to give my hair the full treatment." She said as she ran her fingers through her long, golden hair that Ruby silently had to admit did look quite nice. "Besides, I don't know how often I'll be able to do so depending on how this whole roommate/teammate thing is gonna work out. I don't need three people complaining about the mysterious lack of hot water." She feigned innocently.
"Mysterious? It's no mystery that it takes two gallons of water to wash those jugs."
"Whaaaaaat?" Yang said, feigning offense this time as she covered her chest and swatted at Ruby's poking fingers, both laughing.
"Girls!" They heard Raven call, stopping they're horseplay. They turned to see their mothers walking toward them, Raven waving them down through the crowd. Yang saw them being all lovey-dovey after she walked off to seek out Ruby. It was endearing to see how they were still very much in love after all these years even though she internally bleckk'd. "We're about five minutes from the dock and then it's a ten minute drive to campus. Let's head to the car before the crowd starts to wise up." Raven continued after they made it over.
"Bet." Yang said as she started to talk animatedly with Raven as they started toward the lower level. Summer hung slightly behind and fell in step with Ruby.
"How are you feeling Rubbles? Excited?" She smiled down at her youngest.
"Excited.. and better. Thanks mom." She said intertwining her arm with her mother's as she reverted back to the quietude that was characteristic of her this morning, though her smile was brighter than before.
"I'm glad to hear that, my little rose." She said as she planted a kiss on the top of her daughter's head and rubbed her arm with her free hand. "I wanted to tell you," Ruby listened intently, "while this is a big step for you in life and I want you to experience independence and learn to rely on yourself, I also want you to keep in mind that your sister is there for you and that your mother and I are only a phone call and a short while away. And your father and uncle are only a stone's throw away. I want you to remember that if ever anything gets too hard, okay?"
Ruby hugged her mother's arm and laid her head against it. "I know mom, and I will. Last night was just, I dunno, it had been a while since I looked at that photo, or any photo. And then a lot of memories started to flood my head. It was just a little too much." She could feel her mother's concern emanating from her. Ruby met her mother's kindred eyes and gave her a reassuring and genuine smile. "But I'm excited. Excited about this, about the future. And I think," Ruby broke eye contact and rested her head against her mother's arm again, "I guess this is for both our dreams, y'know?"
Summer smiled at her youngest. "Indeed."
"Whoa."
Ruby and Yang marveled with their mouths agape as they drove through Beacon's campus. It seemed even more astounding than when they visited earlier in the year. Most of the buildings were at least five floors and all of them were made of a light gray, almost ivory stone. The most eye-catching part of campus was undoubtedly Beacon Tower and the surrounding Beacon Park. Beacon Tower itself was twenty seven stories tall and the park was a lush green filled with trees and benches. Ruby and Yang eyed the structure excitedly as they approached and drove around the right of it, watching it come and then go in way.
"We're here." Raven stated pulling into Taijitu dorm. The trip around Beacon was a seamless one, albeit not the most direct route. The scenic one seemed more fitting. Summer and Raven (as well as Tai and Qrow) had both attended Beacon University, Summer Graduating with a Law degree and an eventual Master's in Psychology, and Raven with a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering. Now parked relatively close to the entrance of the door, everyone busied themselves with moving Ruby and Yang's belongings up to they're dorm. Between the four of them, they were able to get everything in one trip, and while Ruby and Yang didn't have very much luggage (the rooms were fully furnished so there wasn't the need to bring more than clothes and garnish), it still spread them a little thin.
"There it is." Yang huffed eyeing room 307 a mere and yet staggering five feet away as she rolled a suitcase behind her in each hand, carried a duffel bag under one arm, a box under the other, and key in finger. The others were equally as encumbered. She dropped the bag and let go of a suitcase to give her enough mobility to open the door. Ruby, tending toward clumsiness as she sometimes does, was caught slipping quite literally as her lower field of vision dwindled somewhere between the beginning and end of her mentally noting the somewhat discarded luggage. Yang had only gotten the key into the door when Ruby fell into her, which almost immediately caused Summer to crash, boxes and all, into the back of Ruby. (She herself tended towards clumsiness as well. A genetic trait?) In a similar fashion Raven followed suit and completed the somewhat comedic scene, the whole thing setting itself up as some kind of living sculpture of human dominoes stayed temporarily from gravity's wrath by a lock and a two inch piece of wood, and in two seconds and four 'Oofs!' flat.
"What the heck!?" said Yang, the littlest spoon.
"You're crushing me!" cried the youngest spoon.
"Open the door!" yelled one of the mama spoons.
Yang struggled under the pressure, but managed to twist they key and turn the knob, sending them all crashing inside.
The sight to the three alabaster haired people inside was one to behold once they climbed back in their skins. They watched as four women formed from under the collapse amidst a mixture of groans, curses, and laughs.
"Summer, really?" Raven groaned as the older red head began to calm her laughing and sat up.
"Ugh, I'm just thankful I can still use my legs. You alright Rubes?" Ruby just groaned as Yang helped her to her feet.
The first of the three prior occupants of the room to recover from their shock was the older man with white hair, though with touch of grey mixed in, sporting a black suit. "Here let us help." He said offering his hand to Summer, his gesture dispelling the remainder of his son and daughter's shocked as they moved to help clear some debris.
"Haa, thank you." Summer said dusting herself of before coming to meet the light blue eyes of the man who helped her to her feet. "Wellesly Schnee?" Summer as she recognized the face she met when she looked up.
"Summer Rose. This is a pleasant surprise. It seems as though our children are going to be attending Beacon University together." He greeted her pleasantly.
"It seems so. Ah, are my daughters Ruby, and Yang. And this is my wife, Raven."
"Pleasure to meet you all" he said shaking everyone's hand. "I'm Wellesly Schnee. And this I my son Whitley, and my daughter Weiss." Small smiles, greetings and handshakes were exchanged amongst them, Yang and Ruby's luggage having been set to each side of the room in a more orderly yet still disheveled fashion.
"Are you still practicing Law, Mrs. Rose?" Mr. Schnee inquired, making at friendly catch-up
"No, well not in the capacity that I used to. The legal advisement I did for you was one of my last ones before I shifted gears. I started a private psychiatry practice with a colleague of mine and took on the legal side of things once Raven started her doctoral program. The work was nice, but a bit of a means to an end. Allowed me to travel more, but eventually I grew to miss home more and more." She finished as she turned and smiled toward her family who were busying themselves with the luggage, the brother Whitley Schnee seemingly helping his sister with the last of her things in the room on the right where Ruby was now dragging her suitcases into.
"That's nice to hear. It seems that life and family have you well. I hate to rush this reacquainting, but I do have to go. Perhaps we can all grab dinner in Vale sometime during the semester that, well has more time in it."
"I'll have my people call your people."
He laughed at that. "Sounds good." He said before turning to his daughter who had just reentered the room with her brother. "Weiss dear, I have to be off. Enjoy your time here, work hard, and call me if there is anything you forgot or need."
"Yes father." She smiled at him before he took her hand and kissed it, holding it a little tighter.
"I believe in you." And with that he bid every one a good evening and left, Whitley following behind him after a wave goodbye.