Ruby was joined by Topaz and Mithril after breakfast the following morning. Something about a playdate for their children. Qrow and Oz were having some after breakfast fun and as much as she wanted to join Euclase was a little fussy from being kept in a lot. So when the invitation arrived she happily accepted but now as she followed the two women down the hall, she wasn't too sure what to expect. Ruby had Euclase sat on her hip and wondered if the royal children were treated different here. According to Yang, Hawk had said that children were one of the few things bandits treasured as they would be the next line of fighters, warriors and craftsmen to the tribe. It made sense, not everyone was immortal like Oz so children eventually had to carry their tribes torch.

Xiao-Roi also seemed to follow that sentiment, having five wives currently and twice as many children with more on the way. So it only took her surprise a little when the trio were stopped by two heavily armed guards in front of a pair of double doors.

One guard was male while the other was a woman. Both worn fairly casual armour with the tribes family crest over the breastplate and both were armed. The man held his hands out for Topaz's son. "Sorry M'lady, you know the drill."

With a sigh the blonde allowed her son to rest against the guards chest while his female companion stepped forward and to Ruby's shock frisk searched her! It was very thorough and intrusive as well, not an inch of her body was left untouched. When it was determined to be done Mithril took her place and the guard again searched her whole body.

Seeing Ruby's expression Topaz's features softened. "My apologies Ruby, This is just standard. Xaio's method of protecting his children and those of his close allies. Even we his wives must undergo regular searches for poisons, blades and bombs. The safety of our children is paramount. You understand?"

By now the male guard had returned the infant to her and was now holding his hands out for Euclase. Ruby stiffened, drawing her child closer to her. Euclase seemed to sense her mother's apprehension and grabbed a lock of red hair, tugging it sharply with a sniffle. Snapping out of it the Silver eyes hesitantly held out her baby for the guard to take. Once out of her arms the other guard approached and began to search her body.

It was terribly uncomfortable, Ruby's displeasure and anxiety over being touched by a random stranger rose. She tried to remain still while nimble and fast hands ran over her breasts, her inner thighs and bottom. When her hands got to her panties Ruby froze, fingers checking her vaginal canal.

"Ruby? What happened? I can feel your distress, where are you?"

Oz. Her husband, her love. Thinking of him made the intrusive search bearable. Inhaling sharply, the scent of pine trees and chocolate soothed her nerves. " I'm alright. Just a frisk search. It's okay."

There was a pause, during which Ruby's search had finished and Euclase was returned to her. "Very well. Please call for me should you need me."

"Always ." Breathing a sigh of relief the two guards offered a bow of apology before opening the door.

Like most of this new city, the nursery was in surprisingly pristine condition. The main room split off into three different rooms, through one Ruby could see several couches, a TV and some children that must have been at least ten or older. The far door was shut but someone had placed a few Z's and clouds over the front suggesting a nap room of some sort. The final doorway was where Mithril and Topaz led Ruby.

The room was decorated in soft pastel colours and was everything one would expect of a nursery. Except for the figure stood by the far wall watching over the occupants. Another guard. This was was also male and he had a scar running down one cheek. He was leaning against the wall but straightened when he saw his King's wives enter.

The rest of the room was littered with toys suitable for all ages and a couple of erected play pens. There were three other children there, twin boys that appeared to be five or six and an older girl closer to ten. The twins rushed to them, almost barreling Mithril over with their energy. "Hello Mother!"

"Hello my children, I see Ember is taking great care of you." The second wife smiled though Ember the young girl didn't return it, simply going back to reading the book she had in her hands.

Euclase choose that moment to decide she needed to be at the center of attention and cooed loudly. "GAH!" Stumpy little hands waved towards the boys whose eyes widened.

Chuckling the dark haired woman turned to Ruby. "Ruby these are my sons, Flare and Blaze and the sullen 'CHILD' sat in the corner is my daughter Ember."

At her name and the emphasis on her status the young girl jumped up and stomped out. "You suck mom!"

Mithril only chuckled as she heard the door to the sitting room slam shut. "Shes eleven and thinks the world will end if she is asked to do anything."

"She'll come around. You just need to show her you love her, Mitty." Topaz teased.

Ruby tilted her head. "Mitty?"

The older woman sighed. "Pay her no mind Ruby. Her nicknames are bad but not as bad as Opals."

Topaz let out a loud bark of laughter as she placed her four month old in one of the pens, where he immediately grabbed one of the wooden toys and shoved it in his mouth. "I remember she once called me Taz! Hahaha the moment Onyx told her what that meant and she realized how she was calling me a raging rodent that spat when it spoke was hilarious!"

"Opal was mortified." Mithril laughed. "But not as much as Phox. I swear that woman is as uptight as a nun in a brothel."

They settled into a comfortable conversation, Ruby finally putting Eulcase down on one of the play mats Topaz recommended. It was mostly green, the fuzzy material soft and had a bar running from one end to the other with a multitude of noisy toys attached to it. Euclase immediately reached for the silver moon, it crinkled in her tight grasp and her baby giggled.

While the other two women chatted Ruby took that time to really look at the room. All of the toys were well maintained and colourful but taking a second more studious look she noticed how they all offered some form of stimulation for the child using it. Whether it be colours, pictures or numbers, everything had a second objective besides play and it suddenly dawned on her how little of these things Euclase actually had.

Sure she had the odd stuffed Ursa that Nora and Ren had gifted her and a ring of rubber keys. Maybe one or two rattles but that was it. Most of what they bought was clothes and blankets and diapers since they were what they went through the most. What toys Euclase 'did' have she didn't play with much.

Her daughter seemed to prefer spending time with her parents, listening to Oz's singing, playing with Yang and the group. Even walking around with Qrow as they cuddled, she seemed content and happy, always cooing and babbling like any other baby.

A wash of something cold and unpleasant ran down her back. What if she wasn't providing her baby with the right stimulants? Would it stunt her growth? Her capabilities?

Ruby suddenly found it more difficult to breathe as the thought of whether she was being a good mother filled her head. Scenarios played out behind her eyes of Euclase, her unhappy face, tears rolling down her cheeks as she struggled over and over to understand and grow. Would she be taken from her if Ruby was a bad mother?

Ruby's vision blurred with the sheen of tears. Faintly she could hear both Oz and Qrow calling her name but she couldn't find the breath in her to answer. She hiccuped once then again and the next one turned into a sob and then another.

She was a bad mother! Why did she think she could do this! What did she know about mothering, about raising a baby? Euclase would be better off with someone else, anyone else but her-

"Ruby?"

Shooting up the redhead realized she had attracted the attention of both Topaz and Mithril. They stood a little a little behind her with questioning looks on their face. Ruby wiped at her eyes, already feeling them swell a little. They would be red and puffy later she just knew it.

"I'm sorry, guess I just got a little emotional." Ruby looked back at the play mat, Euclase was no longer playing with the little crescent moon, instead she was staring up at her mother with big silver eyes. "It's just she looked so happy and it made me realize that we don't have any of these kinds of toys. Not that we can't afford them." She amended quickly. "I just didn't think of them. I know they are good for stimulation and helping with growth, so why haven't I got her any of them yet. D-does that make me a bad m-mother?" Her voice broke at the end into another sob and her knees gave out dropping her to the floor.

Unsure whether Ruby would accept or even like a hug the other two women simply knelt beside her, their voices soft. " Of course you're a good mother Ruby. You're just having a little case of doubt. Every mother goes through this, thinking you should be doing more, better and always be right but it doesn't always work like that."

Topaz nodded. "She's right. It's a learning experience, just like everything else in this world. Also not every baby is the same, some might require special care while others grow without a care in the world. We learn what our child needs as they grow and we work with that as we have more."

"B-but what if I'm d-doing the wrong things?" Ruby was mortified. Not only was she having these doubts but she was blubbering about it in front of people who were essentially strangers. Just how low would she sink?

A hand, somewhat clumsy but warm tapped at her knee and Ruby's eyes shot open. There was Euclase, still lay on her back but had somehow managed to wiggle off the mat and close enough to touch her. Those big silver eyes, so identical to her own peered back at her. She gave Ruby a few more pats on the knee and then giggled, her smile wide enough that her eyes scrunched with happiness.

Ruby's hand shook as she reached for her, lifting the infant up and into her arms. Euclase's squeals only got louder and possibly even happier. All the while that bond that connected their souls hummed with a bright warm light that Euclase poured her love for Ruby through. Ruby could almost hear her daughters voice, sweet and high like a bell call out to her, laughing and happy.

Suddenly all the tension and pain was washed away and she sighed. That's right, her daughter was happy. Lydia had once told her that all that mattered was that a child is fed clean and happy. It was during one of her more hormonal days, when she was gaining more weight and her belly was rounding. She'd been scared and unsure about what to do when the baby arrived and Lydia, bless her had sat them down with a cup of milk tea and cookies. She told Ruby how she wished one of the blessings granted to her had been a child but it was not meant to be. That was until she met Ozpin.

"You can read every book in the world, travel and converse with every mother and receive every word of advice there is to be had but in the end there are only a few things that truly matter. That your child is well fed, that they are clean and the most important one, that they are happy. Everything else will just fall into place."

With that Ruby was reminded of one more small detail, her bond to her daughter. Euclase didn't need toys to stimulate her mind and body, she had walking, talking examples around her every single day, all the time. She learned through Ruby, Oz and Qrow and to a lesser extent Lydia as well.

Her daughter had everything she needed and Ruby finally felt her heart settle again as she breathed in the smell of her daughter. Baby powder; vanilla, cookies and apple.

Yup, everything was going to be alright.

Qrow was used to the fortress of the Mabino by now and he hated it. He disliked being here, going back and forth these last months from Mistral and back again only cemented that. Currently he was returning to the room he shared with Ozpin and Ruby. Thankfully they hadn't been called for breakfast but instead had been informed they had been invited to join Xaio for lunch. As he turned the corner to the royal wing Phox was just stepping out from her suite, presumably. They both halted almost jerking with the sudden loss of movement as their eyes met.

Silence followed and the red eyed man swallowed thickly, then bowed his head. He heard the swish of her long dress and then the flash of steel, caused him straighten up and back away on reflex. Phox held a thin combat knife to his throat. "You murdered my children."

"I did as I was ordered. You know how it is. Kill or be killed, if I hadn't they would have killed me." Qrow met her eyes, those green eyes like emerald. "I can't say that makes it any better, but I don't enjoy killing. Your sons were people to me. I remember all of them. Every life I've taken, they all stay with me."

Phox stared into his eyes, then the knife was pulled away from his skin. It slipped into a discrete scabbard on her forearm, the sleeve of her dress hiding it completely. "You and I will never be allies Branwen. However… I think I can forgive you. I do know how it can be for you Huntsmen in the field, I am glad you remember them, their faces should be burned into your mind as they are in mine. I miss them, every day." She looked away and sighed. "I was just about to collect the three of you for lunch, lets go."

Qrow followed her back to Ozpin and Ruby. They were having a quiet break after the play date between the children. Oz had removed his layers and Euclase was sleeping on his bare chest. He held her with his good arm while the burned one was exposed to the air, resting on the arm of the chair. Qrow saw the disgust in Phox as she viewed the arm, the tightness around her face twisting with disdain. Ozpin himself was dozing with Euclase and didn't stir as the door opened. Ruby looked up from her book and smiled at Qrow.

"Lunch time?" Ruby asked as she got up.

"Yup." Qrow walked over and gently took Euclase from Oz. He stirred mostly asleep reaching out for his daughter. He blinked a few times focusing on Qrow. "Oh sorry." Oz reached up and rubbed the inner corners of his eyes. "Must have dozed off."

"You needed it." Qrow carried Euclase off to dress her for going outside.

Ruby walked over to him and looked burned the arm over. "I think you should bind it again." She gently touched it and helped him raise it.

Oz pursed his lips as he worked to straighten the limb, his fingertips twitching. That horrible feeling of something grating against his bones and the pain made him bite his tongue. "Probably a good idea."

Ruby set the limb down and went to grab the ever present medical kit. Ozpin stood up and stretch his good side. As he turned Phox saw his back, she couldn't think of anything more hideous. Yet it seemed that Ruby and Qrow barely noticed, or just simply didn't care. Ruby returned and helped Ozpin wrap up the limb again. It took two sections of bandages. One from his shoulder to his wrist and other for his hand.

Ozpin dressed in a forest green dress shirt and they were ready to go. By now Phox was by the door again ready to lead them out of the keep and into the inner courtyard. Ozpin as usual was courteous, giving the Queen a faint bow in greeting while Ruby offered a smile still holding the gurgling baby.

Qrow trailed behind them, hands in pockets but straightened when they approached the area set up for lunch. Xaio Roi was already there, lounging on one of the padded seats, the picture of relaxation and luxury but Qrow could see the bandit behind the King. He spotted two knives mostly hidden beneath a pair of dress slacks in royal purple. The faintest bulge under his shirt suggested a gun of some sort and there in plain sight, struck into the ground a large curved blade.

Qrow was under no illusion, he doubted those were the only weapons the man had, he counted on there being several, better hidden ones. Plus the courtyard was dotted with guards, all people of Xaio's choosing, each no doubt competent with their chosen weaponry and all ready to attack on command.

In a way he respected the work Xaio has done. The man's family had almost single handily built an entire city. Though most if not all of its establishments were built on with the currency of stolen goods and bloodied coin, it remained as strong and prosperous, possibly more so then many cities around the globe. The Huntsman's many visits had also shown that the city of Mabin was happy and growing. It's people were rough around the edges but discrimination and social standing appeared none existent. It was much like Vacuo in that respect. If you could survive here then you were welcomed company.

That's not to say he condoned the action, Qrow's stance on bandits remained the same as it had all his life. They were thieves, killers and outlaws, praying on the weak to add to their coffers. Many might see the lush green gardens and well built castle as something to be envied but all Qrow saw was the blood it took to build, staining each and every brick, hand and flower.

Xaio stood from his spot, dusting his clothes. "Ah I'm glad you accepted my invitation to lunch. Come sit, I've had the chefs prepare a more Valean spread."

Ozpin's mouth watered at the scent of a golden brown round bread and the sweet smell of roasted venison. A thick creaming pasta dish with so much cheese seeing the noodle was almost impossible. A stew filled with root vegetables around a huge piece of beef, one that Oz could tell was so tender it would just melt in the mouth. "Oooo, I think I'm in love~."

Ruby couldn't help it she sniffed the air. "Is… is that halibut stew?"

Xaio gestured to the heavily laden table. "Yes, as well as squired shrimp, beef, venison. A baked cheese with seven different types of cheese as well as wedges of brie. The best ale you will ever have. The bread is even still steaming."

Oz swallowed the drool building in his mouth. Ruby was already ahead of him and was sitting down around the large round table and settling Euclase into a high chair that had been brought out ahead of their arrival. Once settled she sat the care bag that was always stocked with baby essentials on the ground behind it. Even Qrow was tempted by the spread and quickly settle on his daughter's free side. Ruby licked her lips as she started to fill a plate and bowl. Ozpin took up on her side and said as he did the same. "You spoil us." He paused as he scooped up a large spoonful of the cheese dish, it oozed in long strands from the spoon. He inhaled the scent of crispy cheese deeply. "Oh wow."

Xaio and Phox smiled at the honest reactions. When in doubt, pull out the comfort food. "It is nice to see you all so relaxed, I wasn't sure how to bridge the gap after last night's meal. I'm glad my idea has been so well received." They both smiled at the shift in edict as plates were piled high.

Ruby bit into the stew meat so perfectly cooked, it dripped down her chin a little and she blushed cleaning it with a napkin. "Soo good."

Phox picked up a large urn behind on a side table and poured a thick white liquid into a wooden tankard. They had them made for other Valean guests. "Try this Qrow."

Qrow took it had a little sip… then a longer one as his eyes went wide. "Is this…?!" He had an even longer drink not carrying the slightest about his growing milk mustache. It was very thick and smooth. "Oz you gotta try this!"

Ozpin paused and took the tankard had a sip. The sudden widening of his eyes made the King and Queen grin. Hints of cream, mixed in with goat milk and cow. He could almost taste the pounded curds mixed throughout. He lowered it and went. "Ohh, how did you two get this?"

"You are not our first Valean guests. We had a couple who brought the recipe over after the fall." Phox said pouring two more tankards, giving another to Qrow and one to Ruby.

Ruby had a sip and her eyes popped out. "Vale milk!? I didn't think I'd ever get to have it again!" She quickly dipped her finger into it and offered it to Euclase brushing her finger over her lips. Euclase quickly sucked on it then her eyes were glued to the tankard in Ruby's hands. Ruby giggled. "I think we have a winner."

"Don't let her have too much." Phox cautioned as she and her husband sat down and helped herself.

Ozpin had a big bite of the cheese dish. "Ohh so good, parmesan, brie, cheddar." He was sure there was others. "I haven't had anything like this since I lost my flat." He moaned as he chewed.

Silence rained save the happy sounds coming from the three as comfort foods were enjoyed. Ruby ate till she was stuffed, the occasional wind was brisk so the hot stews could be enjoyed without getting too hot. Ozpin and Qrow did the most damage, the cheese dish was destroyed, the stew decimated. They were now steadily working their way through the kebabs. Ruby had a big piece of chewy and crisp bread that was smothered in a triple cream brie. Euclase whined in her seat, clearly she could understand that the food was very good. Ruby giggled and opened a few buttons of her red blouse then picked up Euclase.

The little girl pulled her shirt open more and latched onto a nipple. Ruby giggled as Euclase sucked very hard. "Well someone is hungry." She held the baby's head.

"Well smelling all this I don't blame her." Qrow leaned back in the comfy chair, he was tempted to undo his belt and undo the top button of his trousers.

Ozpin was still eating cheese and bread like Ruby. "This was magnificent. Mistral just doesn't have the same things and as much as I like Mistral fair. It's all so light sometimes I just miss the heavy creams and meats of Vale." He ripped a bite out of the bread.

"I do agree that Vale's foods have a certain something to them that Mistral and Vacou lack." Xaio took a small bite off a piece of venison.

"Fat and substance to get you through the cold?" Qrow said lounging back. He felt so good and stuffed. "It's like Beacon was during Midwinter."

"Only we don't have to share with a whole school." Ozpin purred his response, finishing his bread and picking up a thin wedge cheddar.

Ruby giggled watching her husbands, melt into purring puddles of goo. Xaio really did understand them enough to know the way to become their friends was to feed them. Euclase was happily filling herself up, her belly had been getting steadily bigger after all.

"Hmm, so do you three have any plans?" Xaio asked.

"No, not really. Just enjoying some time away from the city." Ruby said.

"Then once your meal has settled how about a friendly sparring match? Not me of course, that would be very unwise but the Mountain would love some fresh meat to practice against." Xaio sipped his ale.

Both Ozpin and Qrow sagged a little. "Maybe when we've digested. Though to be honest we've both been helping the combat professors out. It would be nice to just relax for a bit. Maybe it's just the food talking." Ozpin said.

"I don't know, I think I could stand to burn off some of these calories." Qrow said though he too wanted to food coma.

Ruby smiled at Qrow. "Burning calories is the last thing you need to worry about."

"Oh no you don't. Beckett said I've gained weight, I don't need to gain more." Qrow stood up and away from the table and stretched the breeze ruffling his hair.

"You're still scrawny Qrow." Ozpin said and glanced up at Qrow's hair. "And you need a haircut."

Qrow pushed his feathery hair back out of his face. "I do not! I just cut it last week?"

"Yourself?" Ozpin raised a brow.

"Yeah, I always do."

Oz rolled his eyes. "Right we are fixing that. I can't have you look scruffy out of neglect."

"So looking scruffy for other reasons is fine?" Qrow asked his eyes twinkling.

Ozpin's smirk told him all he needed to know. Blush tinted Qrow's cheeks and he moved over to hug Ruby and help her support Euclase. The infant let Ruby's breast go and put her cheek against it and fell asleep. Qrow reached down and pet the little bow of her lips. His smile small but warm. Maybe, just maybe this was turning out to be a good idea.

Meanwhile in the library, a boy was dusting the books. When his hand skimmed the book Ozpin had touched the day before a morbid curiosity inspired him to pick it up. He pulled the leather bound book from the shelf and walked over to the table and opened it. The glyphs were black upon the page and as he touched the strange writing they glowed gold. The boy didn't have an active Aura, he didn't feel his body start to ache. Didn't feel the labour of his heart. He didn't feel it when his skin sagged, he didn't feel it when he died.

A scream startled Ozpin, Qrow, Ruby, Phox and Xaio as they headed back into the castle. All of them raced after the sound and came upon a young woman hyperventilating in the hall. Xaio went to her. "What is wrong? Speak woman!"

She just quivered and pointed into the library. They looked and saw a body. It was of an ancient man, his body was desiccated and even his clothes were turning to dust. Ozpin held his good hand out to stop Ruby as he moved forward. He walked cautiously towards the table. The book was still open but the glyphs had returned to black. Carefully he took the book out from under knobby fingers and closed it. However unlike before a leather latch had been added and as Ozpin closed it the SNAP resonated through the room. Ozpin had a feeling it would be difficult to open the book again as the clasp had a hole for a key but looking around revealed no key.

Xaio had followed Ozpin and was glaring at the book. Really what he found interesting was the barely visible gold glow in the shape of a key on the back of Oz's left hand though it seemed the man in question didn't notice the new addition to his limb. "I think you should take that book. Clearly it's not for the likes of my people."

"I think that would be wise." Ozpin said and picked it up, he tucked it under his left arm.