The drops of amber liquid in the glass swished as Jaune idly rotated the cup.
He glanced at the old clock on the wall and nodded to himself as he got up, grimacing as his body stiffly did what he wanted it to, he really needed to make sure that he didn't mope all day like that. He shrugged on his coat and wrapped a scarf securely around his neck before heading out the door. He shuffled out onto the driveway of his house and gingerly stepped into his car. A flick of the wrist and a twist of the key later, he was cruising slowly down the road.
There was never any traffic on these days and today was a heavy snow day, so not many people were about. He cranked up the heater as his breath hovered in the air as a cloud of vapor and he tried to curl into his coat a bit more. He finally, finally managed to get to the place and parked in the nearby lot. He sighed for a moment.
"Well... I did promise, and an Arc never does go back on his word." He muttered.
He gently got out of the car before opening the trunk and pulling out a bouquet of flowers. He ambled over to the gate and with more force than he would have thought to expend, he shoved the creaking gate open. A sad smile quirked his lips as he approached the rows of rock. A familiar red-cloaked figure turned to face him and she smiled at him. Another woman in a thick white coat was standing next to her, rolling her eyes.
"Hey, sorry it took so long. You know how it is." He said.
"Yep, it never gets any easier." She replied, smiling softly.
"You could try to hurry though, it's freezing." The other one replied.
Jaune gently pulled apart the wrappings of the flowers and placed a flower that matched the color of the those that rested, "Never thought I'd hear those coming out of your mouth, Snow Angel."
He laughed as she conjured a small snowball to hit his head as he straightened.
Ruby put a gentle hand on his shoulder, "I was almost worried you weren't going to come."
He chuckled, "Well Rubes, I did argue about whether or not I should go, but I don't think I could ever not come. I'll miss her every year."
Weiss shook her head, but smiled nonetheless, "I know this must be hard for you."
He shrugged, "It was always going to be, but I came to terms with it. I just hope she hasn't been disappointed in how long it took me to get out of the funk. James and Alexandria will be here soon. Any word on Xin, Erin, and Cole?"
"They'll be here momentarily." Weiss replied.
Jaune nodded and straightened.
On the rock were the words engraved,
Pyrrha Arc
Loving Wife and Mother
Lie Ren
Devoted and Caring Husband and Father
Nora Valkyrie-Lie
Loving Mother and Wife
Blake Wukong
Respected Mother and Wife
Yang Xiao Long
Loving Sister
"Hey Dad! There you are!" A voice called.
Jaune face brightened as he turned to see a young man with yellow hair and emerald eyes, trailing behind him was a woman with short shoulder-length crimson hair and deep blue eyes.
"Hey Champ." Jaune greeted.
"Dad!" James whined, "I am not a kid anymore!"
"You'll always be my kiddo." Jaune said, patting his son on the shoulder.
James' bright smile dimmed as he glanced at the headstone, "You alright dad?"
Jaune sighed and nodded only to almost fall back as Alexandria rushed him with a hug, "You're not, but we're here for you. Okay dad?"
He smiled gently and encircled the back of his daughter's head with his arms, "I know sweetheart."
James turned to the other two people behind his father, "Hi Aunt Ruby, Aunt Weiss." He greeted.
Ruby hugged him and Weiss gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"It's great to see you!" Ruby gushed.
"You've been well I suppose?" Weiss inquired.