Disclaimer, I do not own RWBY

AN/ Welcome back everyone! New chapter for you, as well as an update, I have one week left of class as of writing this first note, I will also be switching to full time at work and taking a semester off from college. I will still be writing, I promise I won't just fall off the face of the Earth, but money has been far too tight for me to keep on going like I have been, so I had to make choices. Anyways, enough about my depressing state of affairs, on to the chapter!

Ruby was content with her current setup. She had a fresh book in her hands, great company, and a desire to cuddle into the girl she was currently sat next to. Arslan was feeling everything the young reaper was as well. When Ruby shifted closer, Arslan found that she had no argument to stop her from doing so.

"So, the sea is a big part of Mistrali culture?" Ruby suddenly asked.

"For the most part, yes. In the early days of the kingdom, most people found protection or their lives out on the waves. Almost every major housing district has a view of the ocean, and the nicest districts are usually built into the cliffside. The port is also the largest in the world, though I'm not sure how much that would interest you." Arslan explained.

"It sounds beautiful." Ruby responded quietly.

"It is, though I find that the view here in Vale is better in some respects. Tell me about Patch?" Arslan asked.

"We're a small island covered mostly in forest, though there is a single large hill. We have a number of traditions, though some of them have bled into Vale proper, one you already know of." Ruby explained.

"I certainly do, what other traditions bled through?" Arslan continued.

"Mostly smaller traditions. Have you ever been to one of the bakeries in Vale? They have flowers lined up in a certain order to tell what kind of bread has been made, or if there was an issue in baking that day. In the markets, it's common to see vendors making trades based on what they could have an easier time selling." Ruby explained further.

"So, Patch has always been about helping each other then. It makes sense, for such a small island." Arslan added.

"Yeah, though it sounds like the council might be pushing to release Patch from Vale, a small chain of islands nearby has recently been cleared, and with their proximity to Patch, the available land would put us above Menagerie, if only slightly. We would be the sixth kingdom, though I think Menagerie should hold that title instead." Ruby explained.

"Hold on, they would release Patch? Any other kingdom would kill to increase their available land." Arslan asked, confused.

"That is true, though the islands are too close to Vale for Vacuo to try to claim, and if Atlas tried, it would be a blatant insult to Vale. And Patch wasn't exactly, peacefully, absorbed into Vale. There weren't any rebellions, but the Patch natives certainly weren't happy and made it known. Besides, Mistral has shown exactly why a massive kingdom doesn't work as well as everyone thinks it would. It would be an interesting sight though, because I know that the faunus would almost immediately push to be seen as a direct equal to the other kingdoms. Then maybe more huntsmen academies would be founded." Ruby reasoned.

"You're probably right if I'm being honest. Though I've never heard about Patch being hostile towards Vale. What can you tell me about that?" Arslan asked, intrigued about the peaceful islanders.

"Well, like I said, we were a small island, and we didn't have much in terms of resources. Our ancestors were largely Valeans and Vacuans who fled their respective kingdoms during an old war, and they lived in isolation for close to five hundred years, living off of everything the island provided. But then Vale began looking off the coast for more land and resources, and that's when they found us." Ruby started.

"Now how long ago was this?"

"Getting close to two hundred years. A lot of the island's history is told orally, but we've been pushing to write it all down before it's lost. When Vale landed, they were met with an inhabited island full of people who wanted nothing to do with them. They saw it as an insult, and formally claimed us and our land as their own without our input. To say we fought over it would be an exaggeration, but we did put Vale's economy on the brink of collapse." Ruby explained, teeming with pride over her ancestors.

"Remind me never to piss you off, you'll ruin me, and I'll be the one feeling guilty over it." With a light chuckle from the two girls, a comfortable silence settled around them as they continued to read. As She read her book, Arslan could feel Ruby slowly lean over as she began to sleep. Taking the book from her lap, Arslan allowed Ruby to relax against herself. With the reaper now snuggled into her side, Arslan continued her book, looking over occasionally to make sure the younger girl was still comfortable.

AN/ Stupid short chapter today. Just trying to show I'm not dead and to get the ball rolling again. This took about a month to write, between the two times I opened Word on my laptop, and things are slowly looking better for me. I start full time soon and some of my payments are ending as well, so, yeah, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a great 2020, until next time, have a great day!