Life goes on in Vacuo. While Team RWBY and company did need to prepare for the next assault by Salem's forces, Grimm attacks were still something that needed to be dealt with. But not all Grimm are created equal.

Sulfur Fish, for example, were fairly common in the desert outskirts. Annoying in large groups, but manageable in most cases. And for Ruby and Penny, who had long since been through the emotional wringer, they were happy to welcome some stress relief.

Unfortunately, Ruby was still having trouble adjusting to her newfound environment. The desert sands were not particularly conducive to her acrobatic combat style, nor were these particular vermin easily dealt with using a larger weapon like Crescent Rose. Sniping was the name of the game here.

Penny, on the other hand was doing quite well. Conjuring weapons with her Maiden powers was becoming second nature to her, and she was very much beginning to favor quick bolts of lightning to replace her lasers.

Penny was downright gleeful, blasting away as green flames licked her eyelids. "I'm at 38 now, Ruby!"

"Man," Ruby complained, though clearly happy for Penny. "I'm still at 26. And I think we're running out."

"Which means I pick the movie?" Penny confirmed.

"Yeah," Ruby grumbled. Dog Rain 3: The Reckoning would have to wait until next week.

However, beneath the shifting sands, a large figure began to rise up. Penny had been too slow to notice that behind her, now up came a Ziraph. A mighty, three-headed girrafe-esque Grimm. Considered to be one of the more fearsome creatures Vacuo could offer.

Ruby, on the other hand, was at a perfect angle to notice this. A quick gasp was soon followed by a glowing light overtaking her vision, and in a literal flash, the creature crumbled to dust behind Penny, who had turned around just in time to notice.

"Goodness," she noted. "Thank you for getting that."

"Anytime," Ruby remarked with a smirk.

"I think you got the rest of them as well," Penny observed. "Or at the very least scared them off."

"Silver Eyes. Finally doing me some good," the reaper joked.

As Penny moved closer, she allowed curiosity to take over. "What is that like, by the way?"

"Huh?"

"I'm attempting to gain a better grasp of magic. From what little I have gathered from Ozpin, and what you have told me about Jinn's vision, traditional magic originates from the Brother of Darkness. Whereas Silver Eyes trace back to the Brother of Light. I am curious how they differ," Penny explained.

"Well..." Ruby paused as she pondered out her answer. "Maria told me that it's about protecting people. The people you love. Joy, compassion, empathy, all rolled up into a big, bright light to shoo away the bad stuff. First time it went off, I was trying to stop Cinder from hurting anyone after Pyrrha..."

Silence took hold. Pyrrha's death was a scar that would not soon fade from anyone who had ever known her.

"But even after I figured it out," Ruby resumed, "I still had trouble doing it right. I wasn't able to trigger it whenever I wanted. Until..."

"Until what?"

Ruby smiled. She smiled and said nothing until Penny finally put two and two together.

She blushed. "Oh, Ruby."

"I lost you once already, Penny," Ruby said, with a minor hitch in her voice. "I won't let it happen again."

Penny wrapped her in a warm hug. "And I will keep you safe as well. No matter what happens."

As Ruby returned the hug, she remembered something Yang had told her about reconciling with Blake. A phrase that held so much meaning between the two of them. One that, hopefully, Yang would forgive her for borrowing.

"We'll protect each other," Ruby whispered.

Penny smiled. "And I will pick the movie."

"What?!" Ruby exclaimed. "I vaporized a Ziraph for you!"

Penny smirked. "That only counts as one."