[X] Ruby and Penny were apparently working on weapons together, and Ruby wanted Yang to help with some testing.

Standing out under the morning sun, Yang looked forward.

So it turns out that the Schnee had an airship dock on the roof of their mansion. Which was really convenient, come to think of it, considering they were also rich enough to get airships which were mostly silent on takeoff.

"Are you sure you don't wanna come?" Two asked, standing out under the light of the sun. It was kinda cold out, despite it technically being summer in Atlas. It was far enough north for that after all, though it was still warmer than Vale in winter. Still, it was cold enough that Yang was wearing a jacket, and was rather confused as to how Two was able to be fine with her usual revealing outfit this early, especially with this wind.

It wasn't a bad look on her, sure, given how the outfit revealed Two's defined abs and that Yang was very much aware of her tastes in that regards. But this wasn't the time for that, and when Yang noticed, out of the corner of her eye, how Cent was following her gaze and nodding approvingly, she forced her eyes upwards.

"Sorry." Yang replied apologetically. "I think I've had enough of seeing what you and your sisters are capable of for this year. I'm sure you'll do great, though."

"Of course she is." Cent spoke up. "After all, the word 'Great' originates from the word 'Eat,' and the original usage was used to describe an increase in quality and ability that comes alongside eating a lot. Two eats a lot to keep all those muscles of hers working, so she's the pinnacle of greatness."

"Cent!" Two cried, turning a bit red. "I don't eat that much."

"I'm not judging." Cent replied defensively, putting his hands up ."You're cute when you eat and you make excellent food."

"Not in front of a friend..." Two muttered under her breath, embarrassed. Yang decided it was time to end Cent's fun and spoke up again.

"You'll be safe, right?" Yang asked. "Everything will go right?"

"Yup!" Two replied, slapping a bit of a blush out of her cheek in the process. "One's been planning this out for a long, long time. Like, she hasn't told everything to the general public, you know. She's been cleaning out some Grimm around the mountains so they can't be reinforcements, she's been studying what she can, she's been having sneaky people map out the area to make sure we know the chokepoints and any Grimm that aren't completely sealed away, all sorts of stuff."

"What is the plan, anyway?" Yang asked. "I don't think it was very clear, beyond go in and shoot things up."

"One wants to keep most of it as a surprise." Two noted. "But right now, the plan is to get the whole army there, fight the Grimm until the really ancient ones start getting involved, then we start revealing our secret weapons. Like, maybe we call in my Angel or Three's or whatever we need. Maybe even more than once depending on how bad it goes, but One also has her secret thing which she doesn't want me to say so we probably won't have to."

"...You're keeping me in suspense, aren't you?" Yang asked, with a bit of a smile.

"A little bit." Two admitted, before taking a moment to look behind Yang.

"Where is she?" Two asked herself. "Four was supposed to be here by now..."

"Is Four coming here?" Yang asked. "I hadn't seen her in a while. And she has her own airship, and this is kind of out of the way of the rest of the fleet, so I'm surprised she's coming here instead of meeting you there."

Two shrugged. "I don't think Four likes the airship she was using very much. She kept a bunch of prisoners around in it I hear, and she gets a bit weird about her justice at some times so she doesn't wanna travel around in it until it gets cleaned out or something. Also, One wanted Four to confirm that she brought back... Something I shouldn't talk about..."

More of the secrecy. Because there wasn't enough secrecy going on here. Two meant well, and was keeping One's secret, but One kept too many secrets as it was, and the one that Yang wanted to know wasn't one that One was willing to give.

But that wasn't Two's fault, and Yang shouldn't hold that against her. One might have been a fan of cryptic nonsense, but Two just cared too much to reveal one of her sisters secrets. Which Five should pay attention to next time she tried to claim anything about other people.

Nope, that train of thought wasn't going anywhere fun, time to change things up a bit.

"So you got Winter to look after the kids while you were gone?" Yang asked.

Two nodded. "Yeah. I told the Undine and Nightingale what was happening and explained it to them and... Well, Nightingale didn't really say anything, but I pointed out to the Undine that it stalemated Winter at best while in a favourable environment so I don't think it's keen on getting into a fight, so I think it should work out? I mean, I'm not sure if the Undine sleeps, but Nightingale has to and Winter is used to long nights apparently so she'll last longer awake."

"Are you absolutely sure everything will be fine?" Yang asked.

"For a while at least." Two confirmed. "Though... Hm. Winter said that at her level of Aura control, since she's not expecting any combat, she can probably force herself to stay awake without getting too tired for about a week, but maybe I should cut it short, a bit. Rush back here as soon as One doesn't need me. Three wanted to hurry back too because she needs to replace the robot dolls loyalty chip or whatever those words were supposed to be, so I can get an airship with her if I ask One nicely."

"Or." Cent spoke up. "Bear with me for a moment, we can just ignore One, leave, and when she calls to see where you are, tell her that we asked permission before we left and she just forgot-"

"One doesn't forget things, silly." Two interrupted. "She's One."

"I mean, I'm fairly sure she's significantly older than that and one year olds usually have terrible memory."

Two laughed, and Cent stopped talking. Yang smiled a bit at all that, and then heard footsteps behind her.

"Oh good, I'm not too late." Came a voice which Yang only vaguely recalled. Turning back, Yang came face to face with two figures she hadn't seen in a while.

Coco strutted across the roof, away from the door, with the smaller teammate of hers only a step behind.

"Ah." Two opened her eyes. "Velvet. Coco. It's nice to see you. Did you want something?"

"Oh, not much." Coco replied. "I was merely just wondering. What was it that you and your sisters were planning to do in regards to our little... Musical preferences, should we say?"

Two frowned. "Musical... Are you asking if you can turn your music up louder when I'm gone? I don't mind, but I think there's other people in a room nearby-"

"She means the addiction." Velvet spoke up, sounding tired.

Two's eyes widened. "Ooh, right. Didn't you have that handled, though? One did the math, you and Torchwick and Melanie should be good to go until Three gets back in like a week-"

Melanie. That's someone that Yang hadn't thought about in a while. They hadn't met since she threw Yang out of a building, and Yang hadn't thought of the girl since her last meeting with Miltia, a while back.

Maybe Yang should try talking with her?

"On paper, perhaps." Coco replied. "But those last few days would be rather unpleasant. I was hoping for the possibility of having an extra little song sung for me now?"

Two was quiet for a moment. "I..."

"I'd appreciate it greatly." Coco replied. "So would Velvet. Say you'd appreciate it, Velvet."

"I'd... Like to..."

"No."

Yang turned to the source of yet another familiar voice, in time to watch Four walk in.

"Sis!" Two waved, seeing her sister. "Hi! You've been out for ages!"

"Duty calls, Two." Four replied. "Power is needed to keep the peace and maintain Justice, and as someone with power, it is my responsibility to do so."

"This is nice." Coco spoke up. "But-"

"No." Four continued. "One was very clear. She wants to try and break the addiction, and you can't be given too much too often or you'll undo all of her hard work. You will be sung your song when One allows you to hear it, and not a moment sooner."

Turning to face Coco, Four's facial expression was hidden from Yang as she spoke. "And you will not make more work for One."

Coco looked spooked for a moment, but tried to recover her cool as quick as she could. "...Very well then. Come on Velvet."

She clicked her fingers as she turned on her heel, and turned to leave, the rabbit Faunus right on her heels.

Four sighed. "Some people..."

Turning towards the rest of the group, Four smiled. "Ah, Two! Yang! It's nice to see you."

Two stepped forward, reaching Four in the blink of an eye and pulling her into a hug.

"Tight-" Four wheezed, and Two instantly let go, taking a step away in the process.

"Sorry!" Two immediately apologised. "I-I thought I had a handle on..."

She trailed off, then sighed. "Did I get stronger again? Oh, and now I'll only have five days to learn how to control that now..."

Cent stepped forward. "My lady, if it bothers you, I assure you, my bed is the perfect place to gain a measure of your strength-"

Four smacked Cent on the head. "Shut up, pervert! Can't you see who's here?"

Turning to Yang, Four sighed. "I'm sorry for him, Yang. Two doesn't keep him on a short enough leash, I'm afraid."

"I'm not into leashes." Cent spoke up. "If Two was interesting in trying, I'd give it a go, but it's not my preferen-"

Four turned around, grabbed Cent's shoulders, and started pushing.

"Goodbye." Four decided, pushing Cent into the airship on the roof next to them.

"Bye..."

Pushing him up the ramp, Four pushed Cent out of sight, and left him there as he walked away.

"Well, it's been nice to see you, Yang." Four greeted. "But I'm rather busy right now. Have been for a while. Had to put all those White Fang thugs into cells, had to take the persons of interest into Atlas..."

She sighed.

"It's alright." Yang assured her. "Hey, sorry I had to bail on helping you out. I just-"

"It's fine." Four replied, waving a hand. "I don't care. I don't. I... You had things to do. More important. Whatever. One gave me a job, and you didn't need to help me with it."

Looking towards the airship, Four mused for a moment.

"...I really ought to talk to One." Four continued. "I hadn't been able to discuss this over the scroll communication in case people were monitoring it, but I can confirm things with her now. I'll talk to you when I get back, Yang."

"Oh!" Four realised. "Right, we go now, don't we? Unless your Disciple is still coming?"

"He's not." Four replied. "He has a different airship, like all the guests that are joining the group, over with the main fleet. He won't be bothering anyone."

"Well, have fun guys." Yang waved, as the two of them looked over at her. "I'm going to go eat some proper breakfast now. I'll see you guys in a few days."

"See ya!" Two waved. Her arm flailed through the air wildly, in comparison to Four's more restrained hand shaking back and forth.

The two of them wandered onto the airship, and the ramp moved upwards, forming into a door.

As the airship sealed up and started hovering, Yang turned around, and headed back down the door in the roof.

First, breakfast. Then, she can go see what Ruby was up to.

There was a scent of smoke on Ruby, as Yang found her.

"Hey, sis." Yang called, getting Ruby's attention. "Dust accident?"

Ruby turned to look at Yang, then looked down. "I... Might have forgotten that lightning dust and fire dust are both rather boomy, and mixing them together makes them worse."

"How did you end up mixing them together?" Yang asked. "I don't think that's normally done in making weapons."

"I'm not sure." Ruby replied. "The weapon was designed for someone who could channel Dust through their Semblance. The one Penny was trying to replicate, I mean. I... Might have cleaned out the Dust storage segment in the same spot twice."

"I don't think that's normal practice." Yang pointed out.

"It was early in the morning!" Ruby objected. "I was tired!"

Yang tilted her head. "How long have you been awake, Ruby?"

"...Atlas law says I don't have to say anything incriminating." Ruby decided.

Yang sighed dramatically, playing up the resignation. "Ruby, we need to talk."

"I don't have a problem." Ruby claimed, also playing up her defensiveness. "I can stop tinkering with weapons whenever I want!"

Ruby looked to the side with that, and Yang stopped the act for a moment to let Ruby do so.

"Hm..." Ruby mused for a moment. "Hey, Yang, how do you feel about the idea of testing out a weapon to make sure it's not going to explode?"

"I feel like I'm used to explosions." Yang replied. "Yeah, sure, I'll help."

Ruby smiled, and Yang took a moment to admire how much better it was when Ruby was happy, rather then crying. She's the sort of infectiously happy person, as Yang felt a smile creep up on her lips in the process.

"Great!" Ruby declared, grabbing Yang's hand and pulling her along. "Come on, we're at work over here."

It only took a few moments for Ruby to lead Yang to the weaponsmithing room, which was...

Woah.

This was a big room. Mostly empty, but there were a lot of shelves with a lot of sorted parts. Dust crystals over there, steel handles, blades, transforming parts...

And in the centre of the room, looking at a set of blueprints, was the Atlas student, Penny.

"I'm back!" Ruby called, suddenly appearing next to Penny. "Oh yeah, and I brought my sister. She can do the testing thing."

Penny looked at Ruby, then over at Yang.

"Salutations!" Penny declared, waving while holding some sort of ribbon in her hand. "We are still putting some parts together for the weapon, but could you help make sure we've constructed the Dust loader correctly?"

"What's this for?" Yang asked. "Channelling Dust through Semblance, right? I can't do anything like that-"

"Do not be concerned." Penny stated. "The purpose of the test would be making sure the Dust, while loaded into part of the weapon, can be used as easily as if it was being held in a hand. If you cannot use Dust with your Semblance, then the mechanism working properly would at least not spray the Dust wildly."

"In other words." Ruby continued. "The handle of the weapon is made in a specific way that allows it to transfer Dust when certain buttons are pressed. If I managed to get this working properly, the transfer should direct the Dust into your Aura, where it would linger for a moment before fading. If I have not done it correctly, there is a minor chance of backlash. Theoretically. It depends on the type of Dust used, but as far as I am aware, water does not explode."

"Actually, certain types of water Dust, when treated poorly-"

Ruby quickly shushed Penny. "I'm sure the Schnee treated all this Dust well enough to not cause that."

Shrugging, Yang walked over to grab the part they wanted her to test out.

With a testing area in the same room as the making area, Yang would be able to have a conversation while making sure the mechanisms work. What does she talk about?

[X] She asks Ruby how she and Penny have been getting along. They have been spending some time together...
[X] She questions Penny about how things are in Atlas, and her opinion on the current events going on.