A/N: That Friday feeling!
The rest of the day on the town is uneventful. The group stops as a dust store where they all purchase rounds for their various weapons. Jaune stops by the blacksmith and gets a whetstone for his sword. Its peaceful and cheerful. They are stopped now and again by various folks thanking them for being hunters. RNJR explain that it's pretty common and while the girls and Oscar feel a little awkward about it Ranger doesn't seem to bat an eye. The group eventually makes their way back to the cozy little lodge. The routine of showers, dinner, training in the dojo -this time Ruby vs Oscar- and bed plays out.
The room is dark and barest of slivers of silvery moonlight filtering in the curtains gap. Ruby is wide awake, tossing and turning. She growls quietly to herself and decides to slip out of bed. Nora to her surprise gets up as well. They make their way silently out of the room. The two girls are surprised again when Ren and Jaune are halfway down the hall. They whisper-shout and get the boys attention.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Jaune asks stretching.
"Nope" Ruby answers, quietly it's not her usual chirpy voice.
"insomnia sucks." Nora whines. "Wait, is group insomnia a thing?" She wonders.
"Apparently." Ren answers, shrugging.
Morning finds the girls and Oscar looking for the missing half of their group. They check the dining hall, the welcome center and the dojo. Yang wouldn't normally be worried but it seems none of the missing teens bothered to take their scrolls. Blake suggests they ask the innkeeper. He chuckles warmly.
"Follow me." He says waving his arm. He leads the group down a little hallway stopping in front of a closed door "library" embossed on a little brass plate adorning the oak door. He places his finger on his lips and shhhhss the group. He gently and slowly opens the door. A fireplace in the room provides just enough light to make out four sleeping forms. Various books, papers, pencils and mugs of half drunk cocoa scattered around. He closes the door again and produces a "Do not disturb" sign placing it on the door handle. He ushers the group back to the welcome center.
"The night clerk told me they were in there half the night. Seems they are studying up on Argus and Atlas among other things, like basic math and of course reading up on basic grimm biology, well as much as we know anyway." His eyes twinkle, the respect he has for the four in the library evident.
"I wonder if they do that often?" Yang asks.
"If the letters from other lodge owners is anything to go by, then I'd say they do. You see, back before the CCT at Beacon was lost, us innkeepers would give each other a heads up on possible new travelers coming our way. Sometimes it was a warning about one skipping on their pay, or being rowdy with the staff. You see, we also would call ahead when we wanted to make sure a good hunter, or group got a warm reception. With the towers down we've resorted to old fashioned letters. I've gotten quite a few on those four over the months. Every letter praising their work ethic, politeness, and the most surprising thing about them. They always make it a point to study when they have the time." He places a heavy hand on Yangs shoulder.
"You see, the whole world watched the Vytal festival. whether you know it or not all of your faces were burned into the minds of nearly man, woman and child. No one wants to try and imagine what you all went through that day, but, it does this old man's heart good to see those four" he motions down the hall "still attempting to keep up with their education. I have no doubts that all of you will make great hunters and huntresses one day. I'm really honored to have gotten to meet you all. The way you've all kept moving forward is inspiring. I have no doubts that in the weeks and months to come I'll be getting letters about all of you."
"Pops, you sure are the sappy type."
"you old crow, how long have you been here?"
"long enough to hear you being sappy." He laughs.
"Yea, yea, why don't you take these kids to breakfast? When you're done you can go wake sleeping beauties down the hall." The innkeeper shoos them off chuckling to himself.
The breakfast at the lodge is as usual delicious. Qrow mulls over kicking the door of the library open in an act of good natured scaring. Yang vetoes the idea, but laughs that it'd serve them right for making them worry. In the end they make their way to the library, Yang heads her way to Ruby. She gently shakes her awake. Ruby smiles a half sleepy half apologetic smile at her sister. Ruby wakes Jaune, Jaune wakes Nora. Nora is unsuccessful in waking Ren. She pouts.
"Revenge will be mine!" Ruby shouts, practically leaping across the room.
Jaune and Nora already laughing. Four confused teens and one bemused adult watch on.
This time its Ruby leaning down in secret telling style. She whispers to Ren.
"GUUHHHH!" he shouts leaping to his feet. Ruby is howling with laughter. Ren looks embarrassed.
Ruby calms eventually and the rest of the group help them straighten the little inns library back up.
"Hey, Ruby, what did you say to Ren?" Yang asks fully expecting an answer like Ren gave her a few days ago.
"I told him Nora got into the coffee again!" She laughs to herself.
"THAT WAS ONLY ONE TIME!" Nora protests.
A/N: Short and fluffy tonight.