Surprisingly enough. Yang had been incredibly helpful when it came to helping you start to plan and make important decisions regarding this completely under wraps hypothetical and unplanned proposal.

Considering how much stress this study has put you under, you're going to be surprised if you make it out alive and well enough to ask Weiss to marry you.

But eventually, after months of countless late nights at your desk, weekends crunching numbers on the couch of your apartment and days of review and grammatical correcting, your study is complete and you have submitted your final report to Ironwood.

Now all you wanted to do was sleep. Unfortunately for your brain, it was time for the rest of you to get to work on your next project. Which Yang has decided to call Operation Snowflake.

And the first mission, should you choose to accept it, was with a jeweler tomorrow morning. Yang had been making calls and looking online at places all over Vale for you. She had narrowed it down to a few places, and your next stop would be tomorrow morning.

"First you gotta get a ring. And then we can plan out the rest of it. I have assembled a list. And ring is #1."

As crazy as it makes you feel to say so, Yang's thought process had been solid on almost everything so far. The most difficult thing was going to be keeping Weiss unaware of your efforts.

—

Luckily for you, Weiss was working today. So it would be easy for you to go see this jeweler dude Yang had found and see if he can help you find a ring. The first few places you had gone were just… not memorable. It had been clear that the salesperson was commission based and just wanted you to buy something.

You were taking this very seriously. This ring had to be exactly perfect. It had nothing to do with the money. You had saved for a while. And you were decent at maintaining a budget as is. So how much this was going to cost wasn't even on your list of concerns.

You wanted something simple yet elegant. The ring had to match Weiss. Pristine. And you felt like you've looked at countless rings the past few weeks and none of them met the brief.

When you arrive, the place literally looks like anything other than a jewelry store.

"This place looks like they sell Mistrali noodles, not jewelry." You mumble to yourself as you walk across the parking lot towards the door.

"Oh, I assure you, we sell plenty of jewelry here. You will be hard pressed to find a single noodle." An older looking gentleman with a cane steps up along side you and unlocks the door, holding it open so that you may pass through into the store. "I'm guessing you are Blake Belladonna?"

"Yes sir and I apologize for my previous assumptions." You are completely embarrassed. This is why you should keep your thoughts to yourself.

"Oh no, that will not be necessary. I purposely made the store look inconspicuous. No one would suspect anything of value would be inside of a place that looks, as you said, like it sells noodles, right?"

"I guess so." He sticks his hand out and you take it, shaking it politely.

"My name is Ozpin, but you may call me Oz if you would like. Now, I heard you are in the market for an engagement ring."

"Yes sir, that's accurate."

You look down in front of you. Tens of glass cabinets filled with countless settings, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, basically everything you could think would exist. You don't know how you're ever going to find what you think you're looking for. This is crazy.

"Right. So I've been doing this for quite some time. And I pride myself on the process as much as the actual piece." He snaps his fingers, and it shakes you from the overwhelming stupor you had fallen into. "Keep your eyes from the glass cases for now. It's understandably catchy."

"Yeah. You're right. So much to look at."

"Now, tell me about this lucky lady that this ring is for."

"I mean, I feel like I'm the lucky one. As cliche as that sounds, I believe it to be true." You shrug it off but continue to tell Ozpin about Weiss. "She's the most radiant person I've ever met. Everything about her is just so captivating. From the piercing blue of her eyes to her appreciation for life and learning. It's like she fills in all the spaces in my life that weren't necessarily empty, just not full."

Ozpin runs his thumb along his chin and nods slowly. "Uh huh. Continue, please."

"I love to send her flowers, because they always have some kind of meaning to them. And I feel like every time I sent her flowers it was a reflection of just another way I was falling more and more in love with her, even if I wasn't able to realize it at the time. I've spent my entire life wondering why. Studying why things are the way that they are. But with Weiss, I've never wondered. I love her in a way that I may never be able to fully describe, but I know that it will last no less than forever."

"Stay right here. Don't move and don't steal anything." He turns and walks off into a room at the back wall.

"Wait, what?"

"I'll be back in just a moment." He yells from behind the wall.

Left behind in deafening silence, you pull your phone from your pocket and send Yang a message.

~ Where exactly did you find this dude? He's weird as hell. He legit just left me by myself in the store and went into the back room. And told me not to steal anything.

~ Ha! How metal. The reviews online were all really solid. They say his methods weren't exactly average, or orthodox, but he always found people what they didn't even know they were looking for.

~ Good to know. I'll let you know how it turns out.

~Cool. He did seem a little odd on the phone, so don't let him drug you and steal your organs or something.

~ Thanks for the tip.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Had to search way back in the vault for this one." There's a vault back there? Now it's really all you can think of. "This one is from a vintage collection that I acquired during my travels during my younger days. Take a look."

He sets down a little box on the glass top counter in front of you. The outside is a light grey color. In your hands it feels slightly heavier than it appears. Pulling the lid back with your right hand, it creaks until the hinge stops.

"Wow."

It's the only word that you can form and get out of your mouth. The ring is flawless. The stone in the center is round and breathtakingly clear. Along the sides of the band, which is a silver color most likely platinum, there are multiple smaller diamonds that carefully flare out from the center. Their cut and placement give the illusion of leaves, and meet along the edge of the larger center stone. Making the ring look like a flower.

"I have a few other options as well. If this one isn't what you had in mind. There is this one, the band is made from-"

"I'll take this one." A smile forms on his lips.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to see anything else? There are other more cost effective options. More modern settings."

"This one is it. I don't care if it costs more than the others. This is the one."

"Alright then. That was easy."

As he fills out all the paperwork and you pay for the ring and verify you get it sized correctly, you can't help but wonder how he did it.

"Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Not at all." He hands you the bag with the ring and associated paperwork inside.

"How did you know what ring to choose?"

"The best way to describe it to you is this, the way you are doubtless in your love of Weiss is the same way I feel about finding someone a ring that makes their commitment as timeless as their feelings."

"Well, it still seems a little bit like magic to me, but either way I am eternally grateful. Thank you again, sir."

"Don't forget, if we need to resize the ring at any time, just bring it back and I will take care of it for you. And good luck to you."

You give him a final wave as you open the shop door and make your way to your car, and eventually back home.

—

"I'm not saying that you have to say yes right now. I just want you to think about it."

"Okay."

"And obviously talk to Weiss about it, and see if she is interested before you tell me either way." That's the political mom answer, whenever they are trying to persuade you into doing something you really don't want to do.

"I'll talk to her about coming to visit as soon as I get an opportunity. I've been super busy with work lately and I've just had a lot on my mind."

"Don't play coy with your mother, Yang told me you bought the ring." There's a sing song tone in her voice.

Is there no such thing as a secret these days?

"So glad my best friend is helping me keep everything a complete secret." You slap your ID badge a little too aggressively against the reader, unlocking the door and allowing your exit from the office building. "Is there anything else you would like to let me know she's told you?"

"Not that I can think of, no. But you need to send me a photo as soon as possible. She really just wanted to make sure she was steering you in the right direction with things. As flippant and whimsical as she likes to be, she truly wants what's best for you. And if Yang thinks you are making a good decision, your father and I will also support you however you need."

"Alright. I will talk to Weiss tonight and let you know if she can come with me to Dad's whatever celebration. What is it for again? He told me, but I forgot."

"It's his 30th anniversary with the firm. They are throwing him a party. And he hasn't told anyone, but he's going to announce his retirement."

"So you want me to subject Weiss to a party full of lawyers and my parents all in one weekend as her official welcome to Menagerie?"

"That is exactly what I'm asking."

"Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page."

"You also need that mother seal of approval on this elusive girlfriend of yours. It's been over a year since you've moved to Vale and I have yet to see either of you in person."

"Fine. I get it. I'm in front of the bookstore now, I'll talk to her as soon as I walk in. And I'll text you what my decision is. I love you and I will talk to you later." The bell rings over your head as soon as you step into the warming ambiance of Beacon Books.

"I love you too dear. See you soon and tell Weiss I say hello." Rolling your eyes, you give Weiss a small wave.

"Love you too, bye."

"You say that to all the girls?" Weiss has her hip against the end of the checkout counter with her arms crossed. An unamused look on her face.

"Only you and my mother, who says hi by the way."

"How is your mom?" She immediately straightens up, uncrossing her arms and turning to go back to what she was doing before you arrived.

"She's her usual self." You steal yourself for what you are about to ask of your girlfriend. "My dad is celebrating thirty years at his law firm and they're throwing him some huge party. But he's going to one up them by announcing his retirement at the party."

"Ohhh, sounds dramatic. I like it."

"Yeah. I'm sure." You distract your hands with the accessories on the stand in front of you. "My dad called me the other day to see if I could come home for it." You glance up to gauge her reaction.

"You haven't been home in a really long time. It wouldn't be so bad for you to go, you know."

"This is my home, here with you."

"Well yes, but you know what I mean." She boops your nose and turns back around and walks off towards the nonfiction section with an arm full of books.

You follow a few steps behind her and once she reaches the shelf she's searching for, you reach out and take the books to hold for her and she murmurs a quick 'thanks' quietly.

"Would you like to come with me?" She freezes, up on her tip toes with her arm outstretched.

"Are you asking me if I would like to go to Menagerie and meet your parents?"

"Technically yes. What I'm really doing is asking if you would please come with me because I would love for the most important person in my life to meet the ones that gave me life. And I've heard that's kind of a big deal, so I'm not demanding an answer from you in any way."

"When are we going?"

"You'll come?" Your grip on the books in your hands tightens.

"Of course I'm coming with you. I'd love to meet your parents. Since mine are basically just branches on a genealogical tree and nothing more." This makes any excitement you had fade as quickly as it arrived.

"Weiss, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"But I absolutely did. There's no point in dressing it up as anything other than what it is. I know I don't talk about my parents often. And it's simply because they have chosen not to have an interest in involving themselves in the life I've chosen for myself. And it took me a long time to be okay with that, but now I am."

"I know. But if my parents do anything that makes you uncomfortable or ask you anything off color, and it will definitely be my mom that does, just let me know and we can come home."

"Blake, I am perfectly capable of handling a few days with your parents."

—

"Holy God, it's hotter than absolute hell here. It's not even spring yet."

"I told you to dress for summer. That Menagerie doesn't do winter. But did you listen?" Giving her your best 'I told you so' look, you carry your bag and pull one of Weiss' suitcases behind you out the door of the Menagerie airport.

"Maybe I was a little hard of hearing at that exact moment in time." She's fanning herself with her free hand.

"And now you get to sweat your ass off all weekend."

"Is it really this hot here all the time?" She has a look of utter distress on her face.

"It's not even summer yet. It get's way hotter than this." You nudge your shoulder against hers. "We are about to find out how beautiful I think you are when you have sweat stains in your arm pits and swamp ass."

"Are you serious?!" Now she just looks downright upset.

"I'll take you shopping today. And we can get you some lighter weight clothes." You dismiss her worry like it's nothing.

"Say no more. You had me at shopping."

"Alright. Well get ready, cuz here comes my dad."

"Wait, what?"

"Oh yeah. They always pick me up at the airport." You wave your hand above your head.

The large burly looking guy at the edge of the curb waves back. The front passenger window rolls down, and your mom all but leans fully out the car yelling like a mad woman.

"Blake! We are so happy you're home!" She finally just opens the door and gets out of the car like a normal person.

"Here ladies, let me get those bags for you." Your dad gives you a small hug with one arm before he takes the rolling bag from you and turns to Weiss. "And you must be Weiss. Blake has told us a lot about you, but I'm sure we have a lot more to learn." He gives her the same hug he gave to you.

You can tell that Weiss wasn't expecting it, but she returns the hug.

"Very nice to finally meet you both. Blake has told me nothing but amazing things about the two of you."

"Now sweetheart, no child has nothing but good things to say about their parents. But thank you for the compliment. Now, come give me a hug."

Weiss shoots you a look as if to ask 'is this okay?' And you extend your arm out for her to step past you and claim her mom hug first. Your mom quickly swoops Weiss into her arms and places a kiss against her cheek.

"i'm just so excited I can't even stand it!"

"Mom, give me my hug before you scare Weiss to death." Patting her shoulder, you pull her to you and she gives you that good old fashioned mom embrace that you've been missing.

Like the true small talker extraordinaire that she is, Weiss manages to center the entire drive home around the weather. Mostly because she still couldn't wrap her mind around that it was warm outside at the very beginning of spring.

Once you get home, your dad throws all of you and Weiss' luggage onto the bed of your childhood bedroom. The four of you eat lunch. And you figure now is as good a time as any to go get Weiss some more Menagerie appropriate clothes.

"Mom, Weiss and I are gonna go down to the seaside market and get her some better lightweight clothes for the next few days. Do you want to come with us? Or hang out here with Dad?"

"Oh I think I'll sit this one out. It's rather hot today, and I have some things around the house I need to get done before the party tomorrow."

"I thought the party was at the office?"

"It is. But you know how I am. I'll feel better about it if the house is clean."

"The house is always clean, Mom." You know you get your incessant cleaning and organizational habits from her. Without a doubt.

"I know that dear." She pats your cheek as she walks by. "I also have some stuff to take care of in the garden today. I can't have that Branwen woman down the street showing me up."

"You know, it's been like twenty years. You really don't have to keep calling Yang's mom 'that Branwen woman' anymore." The look she gives you is enough of an answer. "Alright then. If you're sure. Do you need anything while we're out?"

"No sweetheart, but if I think of something I will give you a call." She waves you off as she continues to wash the dishes in the sink.

—

The market was just as you had remembered it. Tons of shops and stands along the oceanside streets. The smell of the ocean breeze filling the air.

"You may have forgotten to mention that you grew up in actual paradise." Weiss says as she becomes distracted by anything and everything around her.

"Well if you're here long enough, it doesn't feel like paradise any more." Shrugging, you look through some of the linen shirts that are hanging up on a clothing rack in front of you.

"How bleak." She pulls a few pieces from the rack and hangs them over her arms.

"I'm sure Atlas would seem like a winter wonderland to me, but to you it probably feels more equatable to a frozen wasteland."

"Fair point." She nods in agreement. "Weather aside, I do find Menagerie to be a beautiful place."

"I know it's unfortunately hot, but I'm guessing I could easily interest you in some ice cream after this?" She immediately perks up at the suggestion.

"I'm always interested in ice cream."

"I am very well aware. Did you find anything at this shop you would like to get, or should we keep looking after ice cream?"

"I think I'm going to get these, but I want to see if I can find a pair of shoes, maybe sandals, and some shorts or a skirt."

"You got it boss."

"We are not at Beacon so I am not the boss." She pushes past you, pressing a little too hard against you when she passes.

"Uh huh. And if you think I'm going to let you pay for that stuff, you're out of your mind."

"Are we about to argue in public over who is about to pay for my clothes?"

You already have your credit card in your hand and are handing it over to the lady behind the register.

"Nope. There isn't really an argument to be had." You turn to face the nice lady and smile.

"Oh my word. Blake Belladonna. I haven't seen you in forever."

"Hi Mrs. Wukong. How have you been? How's Sun?"

"You know that boy. Went off to art school and never looked back. I think he's in Mistral working on some kind of mural or something. He's so hard to keep track of. But where are my manners, who is this lovely young lady?"

"This is my girlfriend, Weiss. She's not exactly pleased with me right now because I refused to let her buy her own clothes."

"Sweetheart, never turn down an offer from someone that loves you to buy you clothes." She waves her hand. "Or really anything else for that matter."

"I suppose I'll have to make an exception. Just this once." Weiss finally cracks a smile.

"Thank you Mrs. Wukong. Was nice to see you as always."

"Always a pleasure. Tell your mother I say hello. And that her garden was looking flawless when I drove by this morning. She's stomping that Branwen woman into the ground this year already."

As soon as you turn around and start to make your way towards the door, Weiss leans in and whispers to you.

"Who is this woman everyone keeps referring to, and what's the big deal with her and your mom?"

"The Branwen woman?"

"Yeah that lady."

"Oh. She's been our neighbor a few houses down for a long time. She moved in like twenty years ago. My mom has some ridiculous gardening and yard decor feud with her. It's rather ridiculous."

"Well. That's interesting."

"She's also Yang's mom."

"Wait, really?"

"Yeah, they've never really gotten along. I'm not exactly sure why." As the two of you leave the small shop, you hold the door open for Weiss and she breezes past you, slapping you playfully with her shopping bag.

"You are lucky that I'm deeply in love with you, or else there would've been a showdown at the register in that store."

"Oh, you have no idea how lucky I think I am."

Your mind drifts off to the small grey box that is hidden within the locked desk in your apartment in Vale.