I think the whole pandemic situation has finally gotten to me. Had a pretty lousy "brain week" this past week and as of writing this blurb Sunday morning my mood could be summarized as a resounding "meh".

Take care of yourselves, guys! Mental health is important.

Now excuse me while I continue to torment the characters.

"It would behoove you to not scowl so much, you know." Yang's scowl deepened and Cinder rolled her remaining eye. "Your face is lovely; it would be a shame to ruin it like this."

"How about I behoove my foot up your ass?"

"Hey, watch your mouth!" Emerald snapped. Quickly, like a yippy little mutt keen on protecting it's table scraps.

"That doesn't even make sense," Mercury mumbled.

Yang met the green-haired girl's eyes and smirked. "Or what? You gonna do something about it?"

"Cinder is in charge; you'd do well to remember that."

"Technically she's in charge when we're on the ship," Mercury chimed in. The smaller craft they'd come ashore on bobbed beneath them. "And we're not on the ship anymore."

Not the Maiden anyways. Since coming into harbor with a ship like the Maiden would be glaring they'd switched it out. For good measure too any colors had been stripped away and it resembled more of a fishing craft than one belonging to privateers. Pirates, Yang mused. They could call themselves whatever they liked but that's what they were, killers and thieves.

No wonder her mother… No wonder Raven counted them as allies. Peas in a pod.

One of the crew barked orders from above and the sails shifted, causing the ship to lurch sideways and sway in the wind. Yang grabbed the mast and planted her feet, wiping billowing hair from her face and grinning at a scowling Emerald.

"Careful, your face is gonna get stuck like that."

"Shut it, blondie."

Ruby tugged on her sleeve and her sister pouted. "Yang, stop antagonizing them."

It was fun though! It helped ease her anxiousness too. The dull thrum in her chest had turned into a panicked whirlwind when they'd spotted the shore. Then it became a hurricane as they approached the docks, blinking against the glowering sunlight until it disappeared behind the gates.

Although "gates" really did it a disservice. Two statues so incredibly large stood as unflinching sentinels, swords raised, and arms outstretched to create an arch hundreds of feet above their heads. The armor they wore resembled the same Pyrrha had always worn; thin but durable plate melded with flowing cloth. With walls of lichen-streaked stone flanking both statues one had to pass between the two imposing figures to enter the city. And though they were stone, and their ship a speck in comparison, Yang swore she felt the pair watching as they entered.

Silently, they drifted towards the shoreline. Past fishing trawlers and smaller, personal crafts. Sunlight kissed the water and turned it a peculiar emerald green. Sand white as Valean snow sparkled ahead of them, docks reaching out into the lapping waves, fingers outstretched to welcome them in.

Pradalia. Cinder had named the city for them and the name had meant nothing.

Seeing it? Now that had an effect on Yang.

Vale's buildings were all the same design; brick or stone, with wood or thatch mixed in depending on your wealth. Sharp angles and an overabundance of stained glass, especially in the city.

Here Yang could not discern the rich from the poor. Buildings hewn of white marble stretched from the shoreline to the top of the hill and likely beyond. Roofs of red tile burned brilliantly. An occasional outcropping of trees added some color to the otherwise bleached landscape. Even if the trees were gone Yang would have considered it a beautiful sight, so unusual and unlike anything Vale offered. Domed roofs, tall arches, pillars holding rooftops aloft and lining the streets. Water trickled down long, narrow aqueducts from the top of the hills to the city beneath, splitting off like a tree's limbs and delivering fresh water to the residents.

She figured Pradalia would be different enough from the statues that guarded it but this was something wholly unexpected. New. Hearing Ruby's gasp beside her she glanced over and grinned, slinging an arm around her sister and pulling her in tight.

"Pretty cool, huh?"

"It's so big! And red!" Ruby smiled, then clung to Yang when the boat lurched again. Her cheeks bloomed pink and she cleared her throat. "It's really cool."

"Sure is," Yang agreed, grinning.

"Shame the Schnee couldn't come to see it," Emerald drawled. Both sisters glared her way and she smiled. "What? It is. If she wasn't going insane she could have come along."

"Weiss isn't insane, she's…" Ruby bit her lip. Emerald snorted and Mercury let out a curt laugh.

"Cram it, you two," Yang snapped.

Mercury grinned and curled a finger at her. "Or what? You'll attack us? Your group seems great at that."

Yang sorely wanted to. She would have loved nothing more than to pull Mercury off his feet and hurl him into the ocean. He'd be fine, probably. You didn't live on a ship part of your life and not be able to swim. Yang kept her arm around Ruby instead though and smiled back, then sneered when Mercury's shadow began to shimmer behind him.

"What? No more witty comebacks?" Emerald said.

A hand settled on Emerald's shoulder, then Mercury's. Yang couldn't deny the thrill of pleasure she felt watching the pair go rigid, eyes wide and faces losing color in an instant. Ruby whined in protest beside her and Cinder, rather than look alarmed for her companions, merely chuckled to herself.

"That's a fancy trick, Belladonna."

Shadowy smoke spilled from the deck as Blake materialized, darkness peeling away to reveal her. Amber eyes peeked over the brim of her scarf and she eased her hands off their shoulders. Her ears twitched and the corners of her eyes crinkled slightly. She enjoyed that, Yang realized, flashing her friend a not-so-discreet thumbs up. Freaky if Blake did it to her. Hilarious when done to someone else.

"You two should be more careful." Blake pat their backs and stepped through them as they parted, gawking at her. She retook her spot beside Ruby and lowered her scarf.

"I can see why shadow mages could be so useful." Cinder hummed to herself and looked Blake over, drumming a finger on her folded arm.

"Thanks." Blake's flat tone screamed she couldn't care less what Cinder thought. "I have a few knives up my sleeves."

Emerald had managed to compose herself enough to cough and stare at Blake warily. "Don't you mean tricks?"

"No, she doesn't," Yang chuckled.

Blake smirked and flicked her wrists. A dagger slid from her sleeve into each hand and she twirled them once, winking at Emerald and Mercury. "I do not."

Yang had to bite down on her lip to keep from howling; the dynamic duo looked ready to soil themselves. Her snickering tapered off when Ruby elbowed her in the side but she stuck her tongue out for good measure. Not exactly a coup de grâce but it would do.

Thank fuck she's on our side. Yang winked at Blake and laughed when the Faunus returned it.

"If you're finished terrifying my crew -"

"We weren't terrified, ma'am!" Emerald whined.

"You almost shit yourself, Em."

"No I didn't! And you pissed your pants, Mercury!"

Cinder watched the pair for a moment before letting out a sigh. "Are you ready to go ashore?" she asked over bickering. "You remember where we told you to go, yes?"

Yang glanced back at the city now standing before them. Their ship gently bounced against the dock now and the small crew with them went about mooring it in place. To her relief no one seemed bothered by their arrival. Nothing besides cursory glances came their way even as Cinder climbed to the dock, lifting her ashen grey hood over her head. Mercury and Emerald did the same. Without cloaks of their own Yang and the others joined them and immediately Yang felt her legs wobble beneath her, grimacing and grabbing onto Blake's shoulder for support.

She had not gotten seasick, but she'd still taken to the ocean like a fish to a forest.

Blake saved her from having to answer, and just as well. Yang felt her stomach pull flips inside of her and she clamped her mouth shut, inching closer to the edge of the dock just in case.

"To the eastern edge of the city by the pavilion." The Faunus took one look at the city and frowned at Cinder. "Which now that I'm seeing Pradalia that doesn't help much."

Cinder pointed down one of the brick streets, past an amphitheater with a rainbow of streamers and flags dancing in the wind. "Follow the road here to our left until you reach the plaza with a statue of a spearman, then take the road that cuts east. You'll pass by a grove of firs and a pavilion that doubles as a bathhouse. From there, the apothecary's home is just up the hill, second house on the left." Her lips drew into a slight smile and Cinder tilted her head. "Is that specific enough or shall I hold your hand and lead you?"

"We can find our way, thank you."

Cinder smiled at Ruby. "Excellent. Should you wish to return to the main host simply come here and someone will ferry you back. You've been given enough Lien for lodging." She gestured for Emerald and Mercury. "Should you need us, come to the central plaza and wait."

"And why, exactly, aren't you coming with us?" Blake asked. "Not that I mind. Some of you don't seem to know when to stop talking."

"Oh, she thinks she's bad because she surprised us," Mercury scoffed. "Don't get too full of yourself, whiskers. That trick won't work twice."

"Don't you have some heels to lap after?"

"Don't you have some fish to go drool over, fleabag?"

Blake's hands twitched but Yang spoke before she could try anything. "Man, with how smooth a talker you are its any wonder you're still a virgin!" She grinned toothily. "And whiskers? Seriously? That's all you've got, Minion Number Two?"

"Min… I have a name, blondie! It's -"

"Mercury, Emerald, that's enough." Cinder leveled a glare and stared until they both took a step back and bowed their heads. Letting out a sigh, she swept her hair back and smiled. "This is why we're not traveling together. That, and we have our own business to conduct. Speaking of which we should be getting on with it. Do you have any more questions before we part ways?" A silent exchange of looks and Yang, Blake, and Ruby shook their heads. "Wonderful. Good luck in finding a cure then, Ruby. Keep us apprised of your situation."

Keep them apprised? Was Cinder in charge of them now? Yang pulled down her lower eyelid and stuck out her tongue; it didn't get the stir she'd hoped for but it made her feel a little better. Even if Blake looked at her like an infant. Or maybe a dumb puppy.

Come to think of it, did Blake like dogs, or did her Faunus heritage run that deep? She thought to ask but bit on her tongue to keep the words from coming out. Probably offensive, and at the very least idiotic. Yang smiled at Blake and waggled her eyebrows when given a questioning look, making a small yipping sound.

No reaction there either beyond a snort. Maybe she was losing her touch.

They watched Cinder and her cronies depart and Yang felt instantly grateful for their absence. No more smug, leery woman looking down at them or two morons butting heads with her. Just her, Ruby, and their friends.

One of their friends.

Ruby nursed her still tender shoulder and Yang caught her hand with her own. "Hey, how's it feeling? Healer do enough for ya?"

"It's tender, but it's better. Won't even leave a scar." Her sister's smile failed to reach her eyes. "Lucky me I guess, huh?"

"Yeah, that's great! Weiss will be happy to hear it too!"

And like that she watched Ruby's smile disappear, snuffed out with a somber sigh. How brilliant of her to bring up Weiss. Yang smacked her forehead, then grabbed Ruby by the arms and grinned. "Hey, how about we try out some food? It'll be nice to have something other than fish!"

"I guess so, yeah."

"Although I bet Blake will still want it," Yang added with a wink.

"Believe it or not I do eat things besides fish."

"Oh yeah? I've never seen it!"

Ruby mustered a faint giggle. "Yang, she's eaten stew with us."

"Okay, sure, but that was one time. Two tops! She's a total sucker for fish!"

She would die on this hill. Especially as she watched Ruby's smile begin to warm her cherubic face again. Looking like a fool meant nothing to her so long as she cheered her sister up. Yang puckered her lips and put her hands to her face, flapping them like fins. Aha, and that got a snort and giggle. "I bet Blake's going to eat me now!" she cried. "Oh no, please don't eat me Blake!"

Blake responded by wrinkling her nose, one ear twitching irritably. Hearing Ruby giggle made her relax though. "I guess I do eat a lot of fish. Why pass up good food when offered it?" She shrugged, then took Ruby by the hand and eased her along the dock. "When I eat different things it's a rare occasion," she admitted, stealing a smile at Yang. "Like when you tell a good joke."

"What? My jokes are always awesome!" Yang hurried after the pair and cut them off, walking backwards ahead of them. "And hey, that means you just admitted I tell good jokes! Which ones are good? Lemme know so I can play to my audience."

Blake hummed noncommittal, tilting her head and putting a finger to her chin. Her knowing smile and the finger to the lips made Yang groan, both internally and outwardly, holding her hands out.

"Come on, Blake, throw me a bone here!"

"Oh? Are you a dog now?"

"She did bark earlier," Ruby tittered. "Oh, do you think she knows tricks?"

Yang might have been upset to have her sister turn on her. Heartbroken even! But Blake laughed, which in turn got Ruby laughing louder. Before she knew it she joined in too. Her foot caught a step and she yelped, toppling backwards and into a stack of crates. Half buried, completely embarrassed, Yang groaned and peered through the cracks to find Ruby holding her stomach and doubling over with laughter. Blake hid her mouth behind her hand but shook, every bit as amused.

With a grunt she pried herself out and dusted herself off. "Yeah, yeah, real funny." Besides the merchant whose stock she'd just toppled everyone else seemed to think so. Her cheeks warmed and she fixed her hair, blowing a stray bang out of view before smirking. "What a crate way to start our trip here. Eh? Eh?"

They were laughing with her, not at her. That's what Yang went with as Ruby jogged up and plucked a straw of wheat from her hair, tittering when Yang stuck it between her teeth.

"You don't know where that's been," Blake chided, stealing it back and throwing it away.

"Wheat are you talking about? It was in that crate!" Yang beamed proudly at the groan Blake gave her. "What, was that one the last straw? Fine, fine, I'll cut the chaff."

"Oh my gods, please stop."

Maybe, if Ruby wasn't still giggling and Blake not smiling despite herself. Proud, Yang grabbed their hands and pulled them up the stairs behind her, releasing them to throw her arms wide.

"Enough fooling around girls." She announced. Shouted. She'd already made an ass of herself so what was a little more spectacle? "No more fun and games, Pradalia awaits!"

/+/+/+/+/+/

Firs, poplars, and cypress. Bedstraw, flowers.

The trees in Pradalia, what few they were, looked nothing like those found in Vale. The oaks and birches that formed sweeping forests were nowhere to be seen. Instead of towering spruces and pines there were bushes, leaves pale green and yellow, darker, almost blue. Ruby didn't know the names of any of them but that did not keep her from appreciating how nice they looked. How the boughs swayed in the wind. The way branches stretched out halfheartedly over cobbled roads to provide a modicum of shade for passersby.

Idyllic, in a way. From Liar's Bay and Galloway to Pradalia the difference in atmosphere was night and day. Literally, if Ruby had to guess. Different sides of Remnant and all that.

If Grimm bothered the people of this city then no indication of it existed. People strolled by at leisure, their clothing flowing around them like water. Chitons of a variety of colors, himations for the men. Some wore more Valean clothing like tunics, but they appeared to be the minority. Ruby flushed at the way some people watched them. Inspected them. It must be abundantly clear that they were foreigners.

Or maybe the way they kept gawking at every new thing gave it away.

A towering mausoleum with wrought iron gates had stopped them first. Pale ivy with flowers of pure blue caught Ruby's eye at first. The intricate carvings among the pillars and the marbled steps, coupled with the fact the building was round, not squared, made it all the more interesting.

Then they found out the building served as nothing more than a jail. A very nice, very ornate jail, but a jail nonetheless.

Higher up the hill they passed a winery whose doors stood wide open and a trail of residents stretching down the road stood in wait. Several open-air eateries with foods that left their mouths watering and reminded them of how little they ate aboard Cinder's ship. They paused briefly at an outdoor pit - Ruby didn't know what else to call it - to watch two men spar with wooden spears for a crowd. Watching the show might have been fun, and they might have stayed to see the climax, but the second Yang began trying to make a bet with someone they dragged her away.

"We could use the Lien!" Yang argued, pouting with her arms crossed.

"We could, but there's a chance you could lose the bet too, then we'd have nothing." Blake reached over and flicked Yang's nose, smirking when she sputtered. "No brooding. That's my job."

Wherever they went they were followed by the incessant trickle of running water. Aqueducts lined almost every street, spilling out occasionally into wells for residents to gather fresh water. Children played in one of the nearby wells, their laughter shrill and pure, and Ruby lingered just for a moment to appreciate it. The sheer, unbridled happiness of children who didn't know pain, or suffering, or how lousy the world could be sometimes.

Her shoulder throbbed. Resisting the urge to rub it and agitate her wound she marched on.

At the plaza they found the statue Cinder had mentioned. A lone figure perched atop a Beowolf, spear held aloft and forward in a show of triumph. Ruby marveled at the funny hat they wore, likening it to someone taking a broom head and affixing it to a helmet. Silliness aside, she appreciated just how lovely the sculpture was; every fold in their chlamys visible, the muscles beneath the man's toned and firm. He looked handsome, she supposed, with a squared jaw, sharp nose, and curling hair cut close to his scalp. Ruby might have gone closer to look if a crowd weren't milling about it.

No way in hells would she shove her way through that! Too many people to stare at her or get angry.

"No thank you," she drawled, shaking her head.

Through stalls and tables set for dining and relaxation they wove across the plaza, the humid air cooling slightly in the shadow of the statue. A horn sounded and Ruby's first thought had been a hunt had begun. Then it occurred to her they were inside a city and any game would be nowhere near them. Her cheeks heated when a harp began to play seconds later, catching a small glimpse of a band performing on a small stage before they departed.

To the east. Up yet another hill - the entire city seemed to be hills - and away from the hustle and bustle. Here the roads changed from cut cobble to dirt, albeit nicely kept dirt. Could dirt be well kept? Ruby ran a hand along a pole fence and shrugged to herself.

Ahead of them they spotted the firs Cinder had mentioned. Trimmed so not a single leaf stood out of place and pointed, almost like a spearhead, they formed tidy columns that stretched for yards beyond the road. Up the hill further still stood a retaining wall formed of stones so large that Ruby couldn't begin to guess how they had been moved. The massive, domed building behind the wall wasn't difficult to figure out either as half-naked residents came and went. Steam rose through gaps between the walls.

"A public bathhouse?" Blake tilted her head. One ear flicked and she frowned, pulling at her scarf idly. "No thanks."

"What? Don't want strangers seeing you naked?"

Blake gave Yang a look that sent her smile withering. "Do you?" she asked dryly.

"Uh, probably not the best idea?" Yang waved her bandaged arm and smiled impishly. "Although I bet we'd get a whole room to ourselves. What do you think, Ruby? Want to take a bath?"

In public? With complete strangers? Ruby grabbed the hood of her cloak and drew it over her head. "No thank you," she mumbled.

"Yeah, didn't think so. Probably a lot of perverts inside there."

"I'm sure it's split by gender, Yang."

Yang raised her eyebrow, turning to Blake and setting a hand on her hip. "What, women can't perv on other women? Or guys on guys?"

Sighing, Blake grabbed Yang's elbow and pulled her along. "That's not what I was implying, and you know it."

If Ruby had it her way no one would be looking at her in any state of undress. Not someone she did not know! Stealing a glance as they passed the building, she balked at just how many people there were; how could they be so comfortable with that? If someone took a bath in a river back in Vale, especially in the open, the guards would haul them away and lock them up!

No one came charging in to arrest the scantily clad residents. Ruby gripped her cloak tighter around herself and deigned to exercise modesty instead.

Past the bathhouse they approached more residential buildings. Ruby felt pretty sure that's what they were; buildings here were nothing like in Vale! Homes shared the same whitewashed, carved stone look that the grander structures had, and all of them sported the red tiled roofs as opposed to wood or thatch. Only the fact they looked smaller gave it away.

In front of one a pair of Faunus worked at hanging linens from a laundry line. Off to their right another Faunus worked away laboriously, chopping wood and stacking it. Not five feet away from her a family of four sat together beneath a shady awning, laughing and enjoying a meal.

One glance at Blake told her all she needed to know about her friend's opinion of the place. Gingerly, Ruby grasped Blake's forearm and offered a small smile. Pittance but better than nothing. Yang grabbed Blake's hand for good measure and gave a more blinding grin. Neither drew the smile they hoped for but at least Blake turned her eyes away from the houses. And onto the apothecary.

Ruby stopped at the bluestone path and gawked at the building. Medicine men and women were always an eccentric bunch. Finding jars of disembodied animal parts seemed par for the course. Diagrams of anatomy, books on how to sew suit wounds, cure ailments, and even heal organs were common. She hadn't visited many in her years save for two instances.

Walking in line with Yang and Blake she gazed at the emerald green glass that sprouted from the house's windows like weeds. Her first visit had been when she'd been young and stricken by a nasty fever. One that nearly claimed her, and might have if not for Patch's resident healer, Miss Tammerack. Her second visit? When she'd unceremoniously slashed her own forearm with her scythe. An overexcited training session with Pyrrha that left her almost lopping her arm off and the redhead paler than a phantom. She had been fine! She barely even had a scar anymore!

A powerful tang hit her nostrils and Ruby grimaced, leaning back from the door and sputtering. "What the heck is that?"

"Sulfur, I think." Blake frowned. "And… Thermite?"

"Like, as in the explosive stuff?" Yang blinked. With only a taut red cloth serving as the doorway she couldn't knock, and so with a sigh she peeled it back and smiled uncertainly. "Here's hoping the guy isn't about to blow this place up."

Ruby felt no shame as she dragged her feet at the doorway. On a list of things she'd like to do, blowing up ranked near the bottom. Right next to 'eaten by a Grimm' and 'trapped in a cave'. When they all remained alive and in one piece she shuffled inside, pinching her nose as more odors hit her.

Mold. Citrus. Mint and a variety of spices. Countertops claimed most of the room and atop them beakers and vials of murky, colorful liquids gleamed in lazy sunlight. Pots over small flames whistled, and a fire in the center of the room spewed reddish-grey smoke up through a chimney.

"Well, there's the source of the smell," Ruby inched towards the fire and gagged. If her human nose thought it smelled bad…

Blake glanced at her over the brim of her scarf, only her eyes up visible.

"That's not fair!"

"Aw, it's not that bad, Rubes! I smelled way worse from you growing up!" Yang cupped her hands around her mouth. "Hello?" she called, circling around the room. "Anyone home? We need to talk to you!"

A burner sent another pot whistling. Cloth flapped in the wind and Ruby enjoyed the brief spell of clean, not noxious air filling her lungs.

Yang tried to call again and huffed when no one shouted back. "Rude. We could be here to rob the place and they'd never know it!"

Not that Ruby could fathom why anyone would steal from here; everything smelled so bad! She eyed the jars along the walls, reading off the scratchy writing slapped onto them. A chicken's foot, lizard's tail, and some skin scrapings from an eel. Viper venom and a pig's eyeball. Ew!

Maybe they should go somewhere else for medicine? She had seen someone who looked vaguely like a healer back down the road. Maybe they used less gross methods.

"Hello? Can I help you?"

Ruby's breath left in a startled gasp and she jumped in place, whirling around and raising her fists. Yang mirrored her, the two sisters looking around.

"Nyah!"

Until that happened. Ruby spotted Blake pressed against one counter, a dagger in one hand and the other gripping the table. Both ears stood erect and her chest heaved, amber eyes staring down at something. She followed the stare and noticed the small man, hardly taller than three feet, staring back up at them. Staring with eyes so large behind thick spectacles that Ruby wondered if the man could see every pore on her face with those things! Going by his blue himation… She had no idea what this man did for a living.

"Blake, did you just… That?"

And Yang seemed far more interested in Blake's outburst than the medicine man. Ruby left Blake on her own to sputter and deny her reaction, instead squatting to eye level with the man and offering her best, totally not awkward or forced smile.

"Hello there! My name is Ruby Rose, and -"

"Chamomile."

Ruby blinked once. "Eh?"

"Chamomile. Matricaria recutita." When she continued to stare the tiny man sighed, ruffling his bushy mustache. "Steeped over warm water and used to alleviate stress, among other minor nuisances." He nodded meaningfully to something past Ruby. "You're standing in front of it."

"Oh. Oh!"

Ruby had the bright idea to grab the tea kettle and pour a drink for the man. That would make him like them! She grabbed the kettle by the neck and lifted it all of an inch before the heat made her yelp and draw her hand back in alarm. While shaking her aching fingers she watched the kettle wobble, tip sideways, and topple off the countertop. Ceramic shattered on the floor and boiling water hissed as it spilled out.

It smelled nice, at least. Although getting it into a cup might be a little difficult now…

"Ahem."

Still clutching her wrist Ruby slowly turned towards the man, lips quivering as she fought to keep a smile. Just keep smiling! Yang always told her people were nicer to someone who smiled. Or Maybe Tai had told her that. Mom?

The man curled a finger at her and she squatted. He motioned her closer and so she hopped awkwardly on the balls of her feet, leaning in further at his request.

And whined when a wooden spoon smacked her over the head. She fell onto her rear and clutched her skull, staving off tears and pouting.

"Ow! Why'd you hit me?"

"Ruining my tea. It takes fifteen minutes to boil enough water. Fifteen minutes." As if repeating himself made it sound worse. "Blonde woman, have your servant girl make me fresh tea. Clumsy one," he pointed at her face with his spoon. "Clean the floor."

"Servant… Oi, wait just a damned minute!" Yang loomed over Ruby and grabbed at the man. Her knuckles cracked under the wooden spoon and she yelped, clutching her hand to her chest and scowling. "You bastard!"

"My shop. My rules. Tea. Clean." He rasped the spoon across his palm and tapped one of his sandal-clad feet. "I'm waiting."

Pouting, Ruby got to her feet and began searching for a scrap of cloth to use. Maybe she should just use one of the curtains! They didn't seem to be doing much. Then again, defacing the man's store out of spite probably wouldn't endear her anymore to him, would it?

Stupid apothecary. Stupid tea.

The spoon smacked against her leg and she jumped, scowling as the man wagged it at her.

"Tea does not clean itself, girl. Despite my best efforts."

Ruby stuck her tongue out and continued looking.

Stupid little men with wooden spoons!

No Weiss in this one. Figured it's been a bit since we got Ruby and Yang's perspectives, and they seemed like a fun enough choice for introducing a new city/kingdom. Which we'll explore more of as we go, obviously. We will see Mistral, I promise :P