Winter caught up with Yang and Qrow while they were halted at a crosswalk while Ruby was on the other side of the street bouncing up and down on her heels, looking back at them every few moments waiting for the light to turn.
"She knows she can't run too far ahead or we get to eat her ice cream. Or at least we can try to" Qrow explained, noticing Winters watchful eyes on Ruby. Qrow was casually leaning against the crosswalk pole, his eyes watching the people in their cars as they passed by. Yang looked about as concerned as Qrow that Ruby was so far away, but at least she spared her sister a glance now and then.
"What do you mean, try to?" Winter asked the two, only receiving a laugh in return, causing the few other people standing with them at the crosswalk to lazily look at them.
"Don't worry, you'll see" Yang assured her as the light changed and the crowd started to walk across the street. Winter expected Ruby to bolt the second they started to move, but she stayed put. Well, as stayed put as Ruby could be, that is.
When they reached her she kept bounced up and down, but that was it. When the sidewalk ahead of them was clear, Qrow lifted his arm and Ruby started bouncing even faster. "Three, two, one… Go!" Qrow slowly said, drawing out the words, before lightly tapping her head when he said go. She was halfway down the street in the blink of an eye.
"Wow, she's really fast" Winter gaped, Qrow and Yang were laughing at her shock.
"Yeah, she's impatient and hates waiting for us" Yang chuckled, watching Ruby turn a corner and disappear. Winter felt her heart skip a beat when Ruby left her field of view but kept her mouth glued shut.
"We keep telling her she should do track, but she says it's too boring" Qrow explained, his hand gliding back through his black hair, trying and to get it out of his face. Qrow caught her eye for a split millisecond, causing Winters' eyes to rocket away as fast as they could, hoping he didn't notice.
They turned a corner and Winter found herself in a part of the city she didn't even know existed. They were near the center of downtown, near a small open park that was mostly just grass and benches. The grassy fields were filled to the brim with families walking around eating ice cream, the sound of happy conversations and laughter filled her ears and brought a smile to Winters face.
"Oh good, she got us a place in line. Ruby, guard our spots with your life!" Yang called out, rushing over to join her sister and leaving Qrow and Winter in her dust.
Ruby was standing near the end of a long line that was sticking out of a small building just across the street from the park. It was a smile one-story building painted a crisp white, over the door were the words Vale Sweets, in bright red cursive that looked so vibrant Winter thought it could have been painted earlier that day.
"That was pretty smart, what you told them" Qrow smiled, his eyes watching Yang as she caught up to Ruby. "I didn't think they'd still be pissed, it's been over a year since they went to that moron of a doctor" his bitter tone made her feel uneasy, Qrow didn't seem like the type to get mad over nothing.
"What's that about, anyway?" Winter asked gently, trying her best not to sound pushy or forceful. Winter could see him clench his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to, I get it" Winter rushed, trying to calm him down.
Qrow took a deep breath and let out a long sigh before he talked, "No, if you're gonna be working with them, you should know why they don't like therapists, psychiatrists, or really anyone that gets paid to talk to someone" Winter turned and faced him, their eyes were locked onto one another.
"A while ago, they were-" Qrow started, but then a red ball of energy shot into his stomach, knocking him hard on his back. Qrow gasped for air on the ground, and Winter could only guess how much pain he was in. On top of him was Ruby, a big grin plastered on her face while her uncle looked like he had just been hit by a car. Winter couldn't help but notice how proud Ruby looked as she looked down at Qrow.
"Come on you two, we're about to get in the door!" Then, she was suddenly back up and running to her sister's side, getting a huge high five while Yang gave a deep belly laugh and pointed at her uncle.
Winter held out her hand and Qrow took it and started to pull himself up. His hands were rough and warm, she got the impression he spent a lot of time working with his hands. She couldn't help but smile to herself "Why me…" Qrow groaned in agony, slowly standing up with Winter's help. "I swear, that kid's gonna kill me one of these days" Qrow grumbled, limping over to the line. "I'll tell you later when we're alone"
Winter felt a bubbly feeling in her chest and wasn't sure if it was nerves for what she was gonna be told, or something else. "Come on, before she attacks you too" He smiled at her, waving her over.
"Right, coming" Winter called as she raced after him. What's going on with me today? Winter thought to herself as she slid into line behind Qrow, trying her best to ignore the disapproving noises coming from the customers behind her.
Even for a late summer day, there were more people in line for ice cream than Winter would have thought and she couldn't help but wonder why.
Right outside the door was a small blackboard that had a list of flavors. After a moment she noticed that the flavors were a bit more exotic than she would have thought. There was Chunky Chocolate from Vacuo, Minstral Mango, and even a few flavors from Atlas! One, in particular, caught her eye and made her stomach growl in anticipation.
The inside of the store was simple, just a long stretch of ice cream flavors on display with a few wooden tables that were filled with people enjoying all kinds of sugary treats. The whole store smelled like sugar cones and chocolate syrup, and the air tasted so sweet it made her teeth ached ever so slightly. Under all of the talking and chaos from the customers and employees both, there was a constant hum coming from the freezers that was oddly comforting.
A few girls were moving frantically all over the store taking orders, wiping down tables, and doing everything you could think of. All of them were dressed in a white and red striped shirt with a red hat. The girls looked overwhelmed by just how many people were in the store, the only one that looked totally in control was a tall blonde woman with sharp glasses and a stern gaze behind the ice cream counter scooping treats at the speed of light. When their group walked up, her face broke into a warm smile.
"Ruby, Yang, back for more so soon? I could have sworn you just walked out my door" She chuckled already scooping out ice cream for them.
"We don't come here that much " Ruby laughed, but didn't look convinced. "Anyways, we made a new friend, so we're celebrating!" Ruby gushed, her face pressed tightly to the glass for a better look. For the first time, the women looked at Winter. It looked like this Goodwitch woman was scanning her from head to toe.
"Let me guess, finally settling down Qrow? About time" She said in a deadpan tone and looking at Qrow with the faintest hint of a smile.
Qrow burst out laughing, and Winter felt a small twitch in her stomach, "Me? Settle down with anyone other than you? That's ridiculous. Who else is gonna keep the red monsters sweet tooth satisfied?" Qrow questioned as he leaned on the case next to Yang, his hand landing on the girl's head. Yang tried to push his hand off, but he was too strong.
"Ruby, help! He's doing it again!" Ruby cried, trying to pull Qrows hand.
"I'm only eleven, what am I gonna do?" Ruby whined at her sister.
"Almost twelve! You gotta learn to fight him sooner or later!" Yang insisted, her sister leaving her to struggle.
"I could never marry you Qrow, first of all," Then she held up her left hand revealing a shimmering gold ring, "Second, Ruby would eat me out of a business if she got free ice cream" Then she heaved up a monstrosity of sugar in a bowl onto the counter. It was a mountain of ice cream of all different kinds of flavors overflowing with gummy worms, cookie chunks, chocolate, and caramel syrups, and probably every other topping you could legally put on ice cream. And on top, a single cherry.
"Oh my God" Winter gaped, mouth hanging open like a broken door.
"One Ruby special," Goodwitch said proudly handing the bowl down to Ruby. Winter watched the girl grab a spoon and dig into with more passion and speed than Winter had ever put into anything in her entire life. "So, is anyone gonna introduce me or not?" She asked to anyone in particular.
"That's Winter, our new friend" Yang said simply, grabbing a yellow cone from Goodwitch.
"They helped me out a few days ago and fixed my car, and somehow we ended up here" Winter smiled, "My name's Winter"
"Schnee?" Goodwitches eyes snapped up to her, her hands frozen for the first time since they arrived.
"Yes," Winter hesitated out. If they were gonna find out who she was, then it was best to just get it over with. Goodwitch looked at her for a second in silence, scanning her again, before her eyes left her and looked at Qrow, Yang, and Ruby, none of them even looking at the two women talking.
"Sounds familiar. I'm Glynda Goodwitch, owner of Vale Sweets. If you are gonna be their friend, you better treat them right. Girls that sweet deserve the best" Glynda had a deadly serious edge to her voice that made Winter gulp.
"I couldn't agree more," Winter said her eyes moving to watch Ruby try and lick her uncle's hand while Yang tried to yank off the hand, Qrow was laughing and switching hands. Winter felt a calm role over her looking over them, a smile blooming on her lips.
"Glad to hear it" Glynda gave her a small smile that spoke volumes, "Now what can I get you?"