I turned 24 on the 24th!


"How are we supposed to find the most notorious pirate Remnant has ever seen?"

For a moment, the group was silent. It was a good question, considering even the military had trouble tracking down Sienna Kahn.

"We can start by asking around," Ruby suggested as her boots met the gravel. "At least Ironwood helped us out a bit."

Blake rolled her eyes, thinking the general wasn't that helpful. "All he said was that the Khan's hideout is nearby. The rest is up to us. Although, I should've known their hideout was somewhere in Vacuo. A place more tolerant of faunus is ideal."

"The Khans change their location often," Winter chimed in a knowing tone. "It's how they've evaded capture for so long."

Occasionally, Winter searched on her own for the Khans. That is, if she had time. The wretched crew made her job difficult. It was hard to lead her units when trouble found them with the Khans.

Unfortunately, the military as a whole didn't aid her in the hunt since they are measly pirates, and that other duties are more worth their time. Winter found that irritating since the military would benefit greatly if the Khans were taken out.

The Khans had lasted so long because they're tricky enemies. Especially against the military. They constantly moved and obtained new recruits. Manpower was never low. Especially where discrimination thrived.

"At least we have a lead now," Weiss commented, trying to lift their spirits.

"Precisely," Winter agreed,

Only for today, Winter was going to help the Thorns search for Sienna. She had other duties to tend to tomorrow, but for now she wanted to spend some time with her sister. This mission was a good excuse for her to be with her.

Never in a million years did Winter think she'd be walking side-by-side with Weiss in Vacuo. From the thought, Winter almost smiled as she gazed down at her sister. Instead of a white waterfall, she was met with a blazing red hood.

"By the way," Winter said, staring at her sister. "That's not your cape, is it?"

"It's mine," Ruby answered and tugged on the hood to hide her girlfriend's white hair. "She wears it wherever we dock to be safe."

Weiss sent her girlfriend a smile. "I would've been captured by now if this dunce didn't let me wear it."

All Ruby did was send her the widest grin. It reminded her of an eager puppy that'd just been praised.

"I see," Winter said, in deep thought. "Thank you for allowing her to wear it, Ruby."

"That's what girlfriends are for!" Ruby beamed. "I want her to be safe. And if my cape can do that, then she can wear it all she wants."

From the comment, Weiss blushed. Ruby said that so genuinely and easily. From the way Ruby talked about her, Winter's eyebrows raised. This was news to her.

Playfully, Winter elbowed her sister in the side. "You didn't tell me you have a girlfriend."

"I didn't have time to until now," Weiss defended.

Yang smirked and cut in. "You tried to hide my Rubes? What kind of a monster would do that?"

Jokingly, Weiss lifted her and Ruby's hands since they were still entwined. "Yes, I'm going out of my way to hide her, as you can see."

Ruby adorned her own smug grin as she stared at her sister. "I could also say you're trying to hide Blake."

"I'd looooove to hold her hand, but she's busy," the blonde pointed behind her.

Sure enough, Blake was conversing with a few of the locals. Half of them were faunus, which sent her heart soaring. She'd never seen so many free faunus in one place. It was so liberating that she shed her black bow.

From the sight, Yang calmly sighed. "I wish I could see her cat ears more often. She's way too cute."

Unfortunately, the locals gave Blake multiple head shakes. Yang loved to see her happy, but that response made her girlfriend frown. The locals probably told her they don't know much about the Khans.

At least they had a helpful crow searching the skies for a Khan symbol. If this place was Khan territory, there was bound to be members somewhere. The trick was finding the evasive emblem.

"She's trying to do what we came here to do," Weiss observed, appreciating that Blake was on her toes. "Let's stop dilly-dallying."

When Blake joined them again, she sighed from the bad news. "No luck. For the Khans being so abundant, no one likes to talk about them. Then again, there might be consequences if they do."

"No doubt," Yang agreed and pointed to the side. "Hey, wanna get the catfish? There's some right over there."

Instead of replying, Blake bolted to the vendor selling fish. They could've sworn they saw drool already dribbling out of her mouth. While Blake handled what was clearly the most important priority, Ruby, Weiss, Yang, and Winter were left to watch.

"I've been wanting to ask," Ruby chirped as she stared at the taller woman. "Why do you and Qrow hate each other so much?"

That earned a heavy sigh. The mere mention of him caused Winter's blood to boil.

"Win?" Weiss asked, expectant. She'd clearly been interested as well.

The nickname caused Yang to coo from how adorable she found it. "Aw, the ice queen calls you that?"

"Quiet, you," Weiss scowled and looked to her sister for an answer.

"The man is insufferable," Winter began with grit teeth and began counting with her fingers. "He's arrogant, an alcoholic, a teaser, cynical, rude, sometimes crass…"

All Yang did was nod. "Yep, that's him."

"For sure," Ruby agreed.

"He was also once my boss," Winter revealed hesitantly.

If Ruby, Weiss, and Yang had been drinking water, they would've done a spit take. Even Blake's cat ears flicked wildly as she paid for the fish and rushed over.

"What?!" they yelped in unison.

Winter only nodded, cursing internally. How could someone so negligent once be her boss? She still couldn't believe it.

Ruby and Yang were aware that Qrow was once in the military back before Taiyang, Raven, and Summer died. They never guessed he rose quickly up the ranks. Enough to be Winter's boss.

They had an inkling that Qrow quit the military to watch out for them after their parents died. But to find out he was once Winter's boss…

"That's wild," Yang commented. "Do you think he liked his job?"

Qrow never spoke about his time in the military. It's like that part of his life never existed. Whenever Ruby or Yang mentioned it, he'd wave them off.

"He enjoyed making my life miserable if that's what you mean," Winter said.

Weiss shook her head. "It couldn't have been that bad."

After all, Qrow was the first older male figure in Weiss' life to genuinely care for her. She found it hard to believe the man would intentionally make Winter's life harder.

"You weren't there, my dear sister," Winter said jokingly, taking a more lighthearted tone.

Yang adorned a smug smirk, anticipating her reaction. "He totally liked you."

"Pardon?" Winter asked like she was hearing things.

"They say boys tease the girls they like," Yang replied knowingly.

"Boys," Winter repeated sternly. "Not grown, middle-aged men."

To tease her more, Yang said. "I still bet he likes you."

"I bet you're full of it," Winter cleverly replied.

From that, Yang stifled a giggle. It was fun to slightly fluster the older version of Weiss.

"Enough teasing my poor sister," Weiss intervened. "Let's go inside that store and ask around."

"Buzzkill..." Yang mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!"

They had walked past several stores by this point. The main reason they were even roaming around was to gather intel. So far that'd been for naught.

"I got this one," Ruby said confidently.

Casually, the captain walked up to the counter. Behind it stood a rhino faunus. He had a horn over his nose that was pointed.

"What can I help ya with, young lady?" the cashier asked.

Discreetly, Ruby glanced around and asked. "Have you seen anything suspicious lately?"

Sarcastically, the rhino faunus said. "Besides a strange girl whispering if there's anything suspicious?"

Touche.

"Eheheh, yeah," the captain replied nervously. "Have you seen any faunus come in here with a tattoo?"

The cashier crossed his arms, displaying his tattoo sleeves. "Lots of faunus 'round here have tats."

This is not how Ruby imagined this conversation would go. At all. Since he might need some convincing, Ruby slid over a gold coin and cleared her throat.

"I'm talking about the Khan's brand," she whispered.

The rhino faunus glared at the coin and shoved it back to her. His broad ears flicked as he placed both his hands on the counter.

"Get out."

From his sudden vehemence, Ruby was taken aback. Despite that, she had to press. There was no way they were going to fail their mission. Weiss being taken back to Atlas wasn't an option.

"A tiny detail, anything?" Ruby pleaded. "No one will ever know you told me. I promise."

"I said get out!"

Hastily, Ruby backed away.

"Hey!" Yang shouted as she rapidly approached him. "Back off!"

Ruby grabbed her sister's arm. "Yang, it's okay. Let's go."

Before leaving, Yang gave him a harsh glare. In defeat, the Thorns left the store.

"Man," Yang seethed. "It's like even the name is taboo around here."

"I'm sorry, guys," Ruby apologized. "I even tried to bribe him. I've never done that before."

Reassuringly, Weiss placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault. Let's try somewhere else."

Before the crew could decide where to go next, they noticed a crow encircle them in the sky. Now that they were reminded, the sun was dipping. Night was only a few minutes away. The locals were starting to head inside, so questioning anyone would be more difficult if they continued.

"Time to go," Blake noted as the bird squawked.

Yang nodded in agreement. "We'll find somethin' tomorrow."

"Right!" Ruby eagerly agreed.

As the crew began to walk back to the Howling Thorn, Weiss wondered where Winter would go. Her inner conflict must've shown on her face since Ruby chirped.

"Winter, you should join us for dinner tonight."

Briefly, Winter was taken aback by the offer. She planned to go back to the Manowar, but spending more quality time with her sister was much more preferable. However…

"Will he be there?"

"Of course he will be, silly," Ruby said. "I'll make sure he doesn't give you too much crap."

"Come on, Win," Weiss said happily.

Unintentionally, Winter scowled when she thought of him. She would join for her sister. And she wouldn't give Qrow the time of day. That should work.

Right? Right.


Stay dandy,

~Toto