"Neo if you pull on my hair one more time I will restrict the amount of ice cream I buy for two whole weeks!" Roman growled out at the woman behind him who was busy blotting his ginger roots with black hair dye to keep his cover from being blown. The fact that her only response was a tongue poking out between her lips and another tug at his hair just added fuel to his growing frustrations. Not that it was actually Neo's fault, Roman had attempted that afternoon to contact Ozpin. However his maid, a young woman by the voice of the other end of the line just informed him that Ozpin was out with General Ironwoods and Miss Rose for the afternoon and was unsure when he would be returning. Now he was behind on his plans for the billionaire, not to mention that the thought of being uninvited to their little lunch date had struck a nerve somewhere in his chest. Not that he would admit it under any form of torture.

Which brought him back to another of his growing frustrations, all these new feelings and sensations were confusing him to no end. Ever since he had found his Soulmates something deep inside of him had opened up, like some foreign entity was trying to bloom inside of him. Roman however was trying desperately to stomp it out. He didn't need these weak minded feelings nor did he want them. All he desired was wringing Ozpin dry, maybe if he were able to gain access to his computer files he could sell whatever he found to the highest bidder. It was of no surprise to him when he had been researching that Ozpin had his finger in just about every pie except Dust. Which the thief had thought odd but it was of little consequence.

Another sharp tug pulled him out of his stupor as he glared at Neo. The little minx just grinned and smacked the back of his head before removing the plastic gloves that were stained with black dye.

Roman stood from the chair and posed for his companion. "Well how do I look?"

Neo signed back to him. "Like a homeless person, definitely not yourself."

"Come now no need to be so insulting." Roman took hold of Neo's wrist and looked down at himself. "Though you do have a point, these clothes are so not me. Urgh, so hideous!" Grinning he pulled a black coat on, the blue accents melded nicely with the navy shirt and black jeans. With the black boots he looked too casual but it was the look he needed if he planned on getting under Ozpin's guard.

The plan hinged on him wedging himself into their little group. Since he couldn't chance the General finding out who he was he decided to go straight to Ozpin, not to mention the Atlasin man seemed to not be interested in people of the same sex as him. He could have picked Ruby to start with and use her to gain access to Ozpin but since her relationship with the billionaire was as new as his own it was unnecessary. Still, he hoped that perhaps he might find time to tap her ass at least once. Her breasts and figure was enough to make any man look twice but it was not part of the plan.

Instead Roman intended on letting Ozpin believe Romulus was only interested in him and not the others. It wouldn't take long he imagined. The ashen haired man seemed to be in an almost desperate need for affection and who knows maybe Roman wouldn't have to fake pleasuring the older man. He might even go back for seconds, he was pansexual and open to a whole range of pleasures, so long as he got what he wanted in the end. He would just use what he knew to make Ozpin fall for him. Then once he had the information he needed Neo would sneak in and take everything of value while he kept the older man preoccupied.

Roman looked up to see his friend and companion typing something out on her scroll and took a peek. " This is going to be a big job, even with its risks are you sure you want to go through with it?"

"Why Neo I didn't know you cared so much about my safety." The little ice cream lover puffed out her cheeks and started lightly hitting at his chest. The fact that she could just barely reach his shoulders and looked more like a child having a tantrum was amusing and not lost on him.

"Hahaha, okay okay I give Neo. Though seriously what's with the concern, it's not like we haven't ever pulled this kind of con before?"

"That is because those people meant nothing to either of us. Your target is your own Soulmate, does that not have you worried at all?" She signed.

Roman pursed his lips, his head tilted upwards. "Nope, not really and you have to remember something Neo. Nobody means anything to me." There was a hint of something like shock in his partners eyes before they hardened again in indifference. "There are only two kinds of people in the world to me, those I use and those I work for. Soulmates or not and Ozpin, Ruby and James fall in the former not the latter."

It would be so easy, all he needed to do was make sure Ruby and James didn't catch wind of his intentions. He knew they suspected something of him but his plan hinged on making only Ozpin believe his feelings were true. Who knew maybe he could cause discord between the three of them, get them to reject one another and keep Ozpin to himself. He certainly was good looking enough. He could even be Roman's golden goose. No, that would mean keeping the pretense up even longer. So long as he got what he wanted he could then break them apart from the inside before leaving. Let them all see they had been had and escape to Vacou, maybe retire. . . Nah Roman scoffed, retirement was far too boring and if there was one thing he hated it was being bored.

"Come on Neo, we're losing daylight here and there is much to do." Roman held out his arm for his partner, watching as the concerned look she gave him earlier smoothed into one he was more accustomed to seeing as she took his arm in silence.

He had a plan, he had a disguise and he had the skills in which to pull it all off. Soulmates be damned.

Upon the end of their date Qrow appeared and collected Ruby. He stared the two men down but didn't make conversation as he offered Ruby her helmet. Ruby took it and turned to her two Soulmates, she wasn't really sure what to do, so she grabbed one of the little white cards she kept in her pocket and passed it over to James. It was a plain white with black border and a trail of rose petals that went under her name and number. "Uh, thank you for the wonderful day. Here's my number, if you want to come visit me on Patch just call ahead of time."

Ozpin noted down the number so James could pocket the card and said. "I will be in the city for several months yet, I think I will take you up on that."

"I look forward to it." Ruby pulled on her helmet, then she and Qrow mounted his bike and road off, leaving the two other men behind.

Qrow drove in silence for several minutes, Ruby holding his waist with the ease of someone who rode a great deal. "So, do you like them?"

The petite woman thought for a minute. "I think so. James is… very Atlesain but I think Ozpin and I will work on that. Ozpin, I like him. He's actually a lot like you, though I get the feeling something is bothering him."

"I've worked with James in the past. He's a bit of a stick in the mud." Qrow said as they made their way through Vale towards the docks.

"He got all flushed when Ozpin and I flirted with him. I've a feeling that it's just his upbringing though." Ruby said.

"Well you'd be a better judge than me. So Ozpin?" The bike slowed to a crawl as they boarded the little boat that would take them back to Patch, Qrow turning off the engine so he could move around to face Ruby.

"Quiet, but a nice kind of quiet. I think I like him best so far, he strikes me as the type to enjoy reading by the fire."

"So you're kind of guy." Qrow said with a slight smile before going silent.

The boat ride to Patch wasn't a long run, they watched the waves together. Ruby snuggled up to his chest, his hand on her hip.

Taiyang was watering his sunflowers when he heard the rumble of a bike coming down his driveway. He could tell instantly it wasn't Yang, the sound of this bike belonged to a much larger model. He stood and stretched his bones creaking, he hated feeling old. Qrow blamed it on his retirement, Tai blamed it on the younger man having way too much energy then was fair. Still Qrow was several years younger then him and aging with far more grace. He set his hands on his hips as the bike rolled up and parked beside the house.

Ruby pulled off her helmet and bounced over to her dad, leaving it with Qrow. "Hi!" She threw her arms around him in a hug that he readily returned.

Tai squeezed his little girl tight. "How was the Gala? Sorry I couldn't pick you up. Qrow seemed determined to thrash me."

"Pretty normal, but… I met my Soulmates." Ruby drew back and and hugged herself.

"Cue tea, cause tea makes everything better." Qrow said walking past them into the house.

"That sounds like a excellent plan." Tai said and they headed in.

After tea was made and being sipped upon they collected in the living room. Ruby curled up in one end of the sofa, Qrow sitting in a chair close by while Tai was on the other end of the sofa. "So who are they?"

"Ozpin Wōđanaz, James Ironwood and another man named Romulus but I didn't catch his last name."

Tai's jaw dropped to the floor, thankfully his hand remained steady less he drop his tea as well. "Well… wow. Didn't aim low did you? Aren't they all on the older side?"

Ruby shrugged. "Not enough so to bother me. I just had a lunch with Ozpin and James and I like them. Ozpin and I already get on well and James is very Atlesian but I think getting to know him better will help."

Taiyang scrowled. "Good luck with that."

"Tai~." Qrow said slumping.

"Just because you can work with them doesn't mean I have to like it." Taiyang crossed his arms. "He better not try to get you to move to that arctic wasteland."

"I'm not moving dad, even if he asked." Ruby said sipping her tea. "This is home."

"You never know." Tai grumbled and thought on the other two mates. "Ozpin, I'll admit to not seeing that one coming."

"I like him, I think we'll get along well." Ruby said.

"I wouldn't be to sure till you have slept with him, that can make or break a bond." Taiyang visibly relaxed, he didn't mind Ozpin near so much. Sure he was older but he was a Valiate, he had a much easier time understanding Ozpin then he did James.

The Silver Eyed woman rolled her eyes. "I know dad and I am sure we'll figure that out soon. I did extend an invitation for them both to come by if they wanted too."

"I'll keep that in mind." Taiyang said and finished his tea.

Qrow set his drink aside. "Since I'm here Tai, we should spar again."

"Qrow, I'm allowed to get old! Just because you got into Beacon early sneaking in when your older sister applied. Doesn't mean I will be able to keep up with you forever." Taiyang got up and stretched.

"You've just been letting yourself go old man. No women to bang and working as a teacher have made you soft." Qrow rolled his shoulders and said. "Come on, hand to hand today I'll go easy on you."

Taiyang sighed. "You are not going to take no for an answer are you?"

"Nope!" Qrow said popping the p and turned on his heel Tai following him out.

"And you're not going to take it easy on me."

"Nope."

"Ruby can you please come save me early?" Tai asked looking at his daughter.

"Nope." Ruby said in the exact same way as Qrow.

"Gods I should have never let Qrow teach you to draw." Tai said as Qrow opened the door.

"Nope." Qrow and Ruby said together.

Ruby watched from her room as Qrow and Taiyang traded punches. Her lover was far faster then her father, she loved his lean form. It twisted and turned, she knew how those muscles worked so seamless together. The raven haired man was fast and fluid, he had been born to fight and it showed in every punch and kick.

Her father on the other hand was past his prime. Taiyang could not keep up with Qrow, though he did hit harder when he managed to make contact at all. Qrow twisted under a punch, Tai's fist sailing past his ear. Qrow clocked Tai across the jaw, her father rolled with the blow and spun kicking for Qrow's head.

Qrow dropped to the ground flat on his back then launched upward by his arms planting his feet into Tai's chest. Ruby winced seeing Tai's Aura crackle as he fell with Qrow perched on his chest. Ruby sat upon her window sill as Qrow got off her father and helped him up. She sighed, Ozpin, James, Romulus, she didn't think they'd ever be able to match Qrow. She loved him already, she didn't need a soul bond to love him.

The small woman looked down at her hand and rubbed her ring finger. Marry her, he said if her soul mates didn't work out he'd marry her. Ruby's heart warmed at the thought, it wouldn't be easy. Her father didn't even know that they were together. None of her family did, it wasn't that they were trying to keep it a secret, it just never came up. She looked up hearing her father let out an Ooff as Qrow hit him again. Maybe now it never would. Ruby took her head and got up, enough gawking she had work to do.

Ruby loved glass blowing. It was hot sweaty work that took hours upon hours of concertation and skill. A skill she was happy to have pretty much perfected as she blew into the tube again with a steady breath, her free hand slowly and evenly spinning what would be Weiss's stigma. Her hands were protected by heavy duty gloves as she pulled away from the pipe and picked up a tuning instrument, her focus on gently pulling the molting glass into fine and equal points, six of them spread evenly like arrows. She had to quick here, the glass burned in an amber colour and Ruby quickly scooped her freeist hand into a pot of blue Dust, dashing it over the desired spots before plunging the glass into a bucket a cold water that sat by her feet.

The furnace roared like a humming companion and a few minutes later Ruby pulled out the finished part. It was an exact replica of her family logo but once Ruby was finished with it it would be something else, something Weiss, Yang and Blake would be happy with. It was to be a engagement present just as soon as Yang plucked up the courage to actually pop the question. Though she had already told Ruby of her plans and the younger sister had instantly set out to make something special for them.

The finished piece would be a combination of Yangs golden heart flame, entwined with Blakes shadowy flower and Weiss's Icy snowflake. It had a combination of colours yellow, black and baby blue and with a little more heat she was able to assemble the pieces in a way that no one would be able to tell where one started and the other ended. It was so like them that Ruby did a little jump for joy seeing it finished. She couldn't wait to give it to them as she set it aside on a cooling tray before it could be wrapped.

As she waited she grabbed some of the already completed works and took them over to the other side of the room where she kept the supplies for padding and packaging items. The heat in the workshop was immense but she used too much fire Dust again and it wouldn't go out for a while yet. While Dust was more dangerous to use it was relatively cheap for her to buy. She didn't need high quality Dust and sand was easy to come by since she lived on an island. Dust also gave her an edge most artist didn't have. If used correctly and safely she could blend the different types of Dust into colours, giving it desired effects. Not much just glass made with wind Dust would keep the air around it fresh, just like ice Dust kept a room cool in the summer months. It wasn't a secret she divulged to others and the effects were so millicule that most would think nothing of it.

Unfortunately that also meant it was more dangerous to use. She couldn't remember how many times she had nearly blown up the workshop or she had to start a piece from scratch because sometimes blending the Dust didn't work and she caused a fire. Not to mention using fire dust in the furnace, if the piece she was working on fell from her piping stick and had Dust on she could probably take out a good chunk of Patch. Thankfully she had enough measures in place to keep something like that from happening and all her spare dust was kept in an out of use outhouse on the other side of the garden. The only Dust she kept immediately on hand was stuff she intended to use that day.

She didn't just do glass blowing through, glass blowing was hard work that took many hours and energy to complete. She also painted, anything and everything she was inspired to. She painted her dreams, her nightmares and even when the need was there portraits though she prefered landscapes and nature. Painting was something that relaxed her, it helped her feel closer to her mother. Summer Rose had had the skill to be an artist but she had chosen another passion, namely becoming a Huntress alongside her husband and her platonic soulmate Raven.

Ruby finished wrapping the final parcel, they were commissioned pieces ready to be sent out. Normally she would take them herself but she was feeling sore and a bit lazy so tomorrow she would send them out with the delivery company she occasionally used. She just had to make the call for someone to come out and pick them up in the morning.

The redhead walked over to her scroll, looking at the time. She kept it far away from her equipment so as to not break anything. It was much later then she had planned on working till as usual. Thankfully the furnace had run nice and low, making it easy to bank the remaining fires before removing her protective layers and leaving the workshop. Unfortunately the hours of blasting heat meant walking outside was like throwing herself into an ice cold shower first thing in the morning. Her teeth chatted as she shook, her hands coming up to rub at her arms, trying to make herself as small as possible. Every slight breeze felt frozen to her as she hurried towards the house and the warmth that waited.

The way back was dark but her dad always kept the porch light on for her and when she got inside the first thing she did was turn it off. The rest of the house was dark and Ruby didn't have the energy to go looking to see who was in or not. Zwei must have been with her dad since he hadn't come out barking and running circles around her. Ruby quietly climbed the stairs up to her room and shut the door behind her. Her backpack sat on the bed, Qrow must have left it there for her before leaving. Ruby suddenly felt a bit lost without him there, as much as she wanted Qrow in her bed tonight, cuddling up to him, he always refused. He didn't want to chance Taiyang finding out that they were in an intimate relationship.

Ruby had just pulled a black lace nightgown on when her scroll flashed silently that she had messages and she opened them up. There was one from James, wishing her a goodnight sleep. One from Oz, thanking her for the lovely date and expressing how he can't wait to see her again. And then the last one, sent just as she was thinking about him was from Qrow, just three small words.

:I love you.: