When you're friends with someone long enough, you start to notice how they walk or act before entering a room. For example, Nora was the easiest to hear coming. It hadn't taken long to know that the air became electrically charged when she was excited. That was usually most of the time.
Ruby was a bit of a wildcard. With her speed, by the time you hear her coming, it's usually too late. She's right next to you and just scared the daylights out of you. Or, if you're lucky, she'll speed right past you.
When trying to help move someone out, neither were preferable. Thanks to Raven's portals, moving Ruby back into her parents' house was easy. A jump from Ruby's apartment in Vale to their house in Patch was nothing. What made the move difficult was Ruby's constant moving in and out of the portal.
Oscar held a heavy box in his arms. "Fragile" was scribbled all over the box in Ruby's messy handwriting. He carried it through Raven's portal and to the Xiao-Long house. As he approached the door, a whirlwind of rose petals nearly knocked him over.
"Ruby!" Oscar shouted at her. Ruby skidded to a halt. An excited smile was plastered all over her face. "Be careful!"
"Sorry Oscar~!" Ruby called back. "I'm really excited!"
Ruby disappeared into rose petals again and went inside. Oscar sighed and continued his little hike to the house. Tai greeted him at the door.
"Sorry about this, Oscar," Tai apologized for the umpteenth time that day. Raven was on the other side of the portal, keeping it open and linked to Tai. It would make things much more difficult if everybody was moving back and forth between the portals.
"It's no problem, seriously. I'm happy to help"
"Aw, it's like you're a part of the family." A hand came from behind him and ruffled his hair. Oscar flinched at the action. Yang walked past him and into the house. She carried a large box into the house with complete ease.
Yang had come to Patch to help with the move. Oscar was happy to see her again. But even with his growth spurt during his teenage years, she was still taller than him. Her hair was in a high ponytail and sunglasses sat on her head. For the move, she wore casual clothes of a tank top and jeans. It showed off the tattoo of a yellow, serpentine dragon circling her right arm, just above her prosthetic.
"Hey Ruby! Where do you want this!?" Yang called.
"Just anywhere! I'll sort through it later!" Ruby called from upstairs.
Yang dropped the box off in the living room. Oscar did the same and followed Yang back outside and into the portal. They entered Ruby's nearly empty apartment.
"So, you don't have anymore magic?" Yang asked, continuing their conversation from before.
"Yeah. At least not that I know of." Oscar estimated the weights of boxes and picked one up that he thought wouldn't be too heavy.
"Bummer. It would've been cool to like, I don't know, have some awesome powers," Yang called from the other side of the room.
"What power would you want? To turn into a bird like Raven?"
"Not sure. Maybe a dragon? Dragons are cool."
Ruby entered from the portal.
"I don't know if I would be able to do that," Oscar laughed. "I'd probably mess up and you'd end up with the ability to turn into a lizard or frog."
"That'd be awful. But don't doubt yourself. Even if you couldn't manage a dragon, you were still pretty capable with magic," Yang shrugged. She picked up a few boxes and entered back through the portal.
"Talking about magic?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah. I think if I had enough magic left, I would have to give Yang the ability to turn into a dragon," Oscar joked.
"I'd want to be a wolf!" Ruby smiled.
"So you want to be a werewolf?" Ruby thought a moment.
"Actually, I just want to see some magic in general. It's so cool!"
"Yeah, cool," Raven sarcastically called from across the room. She was quietly sitting in a chair and sharpening her sword.
"It's really cool when you and Uncle Qrow turn into birds!"
"Well thanks," Raven replied in a monotone voice.
"I had nothing to do with it!" Oscar called before leaving through the portal. He only half expected the portal to close behind him.
Yang waited for him at the door. They continued their talk of catching up. Ruby didn't come out of the portal to drop off anymore boxes. Oscar and Yang went back to see if she needed help. When they got back, Ruby was talking on her scroll. She said goodbye and hung up when she saw them come in.
"That was Nora," Ruby put her scroll back in her pocket. "She wanted to know how the move was going."
"You're still in contact with Nora?" Yang asked.
"Yeah. She and Ren live in Vale. We hang out sometimes when we're not working." Ruby leaned against the wall. "She said she had something to show me. I wonder if it's a moving present."
"Maybe Ren made pancakes?" Oscar suggested.
"Nora would've eaten them before he even had the chance to consider bringing some over," Yang pointed out.
"That's true."
"Well I think now would be a good time for you three to take a break," Raven suddenly stated. "I'm heading back to Patch. I'll be back in an hour."
"Bye, Mom. Thanks for your help," Yang called after Raven.
"Bye Raven!" Ruby chirped and waved. Oscar also said his goodbyes and Raven left.
"Have we moved the fridge yet?" Ruby asked. "I think I still have some snacks in there."
Ruby rushed to the kitchen. Oscar tailed behind her. The fridge was still there, unplugged and waiting to be moved. Ruby pulled out some waters. She tossed one to Yang when she entered. Ruby's kitchen was a small kitchenette and an adjacent counter right by her front door. Yang hopped up to sit on the counter.
"Want one?" Ruby asked him, holding out a water.
"Sure." Oscar reached out to grab it from her. A loud shocking noise sparked between their fingers. Both retreated their hands at the shock. They stared at each other before laughing and trying for a second attempt.
"That was weird," Ruby laughed.
"Yeah." Oscar leaned against the counter.
"Is it just me or is the entire just all of a suddenly really electrically charged?" Yang asked. She was using her hand to push down strands of hair that floated into the air.
"Now that you mention it…" A loud banging noise from the door made all of them jump in their place.
"I guess that's Nora." Ruby recognized the electricity. She went to the door and opened it.
"RUBY! RUBY! RUBY!" Nora screamed in Ruby's face. Nora looked close to hyperventilating as she jumped on her toes.
To Oscar's surprise, Nora hadn't changed much. Same hairstyle just a few inches longer. A pink skirt and white top that displayed a heart on the chest. She even seemed to have kept her energetic personality completely intact.
"Nora calm down," Ruby tried calming Nora, knowing that it probably wouldn't be much help. "Yang and Oscar are here too."
Nora stopped bouncing. She peered beyond Ruby and saw the two in the kitchen.
"Yang! Oscar!" Nora pushed past Ruby. She gave both of them huge hugs.
"It's so good to see you again, Nora," Oscar smiled.
"Right?! You've grown a lot! We should talk more often."
"Well I've been a bit busy as a Signal teacher."
"You're a teacher?! Wait! No! This isn't the time!" Nora spun on her heels to face the entire group. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have a fantastic announcement!"
"This oughtta be good." Yang leaned in.
"In a few months I am ditching my name as Nora Valkyrie! I will become Nora Ren!" Nora grinned. "That's right! Ren and I are getting married."
Nora showed off the sparkling ring on her finger. Ruby squealed. Yang looked shocked, but a huge smile spread on her face. Oscar didn't know how to react. He felt like he heard some unbelievable news.
"I can't believe it!" Ruby hugged Nora.
"I'm so happy for you!" Yang came in with a stronger hug.
"Thanks," Nora giggled uncontrollably.
"Wow. I can't believe it," Oscar finally managed some words. "Congratulations. I hope you two are happy."
"Aw~ thanks Oscar~!" Nora called from the middle of the hug. "Now come in here for this reunion hug."
Oscar laughed as he got pulled into the middle of the hug. He couldn't believe that his friends were already getting married. The hug pulled apart.
"So where is the lucky guy?" Yang asked.
"Ren's at home," Nora replied. "We're going to go out to dinner with Jaune tonight. I was going to invite Ruby and announce the news, but I didn't want to miss her."
"Wow~! You two are getting married! I call maid of honor!" Ruby called.
"Hey! I was going to say that!" Yang snapped back.
"We haven't figured anything out yet, but you're both part of the wedding party for sure!" Nora announced. "Oscar you too."
"Me? I don't want to intrude…"
"Oh, come on! You're a good friend! There's no way we're doing this without you! Alright?!" Nora crossed her arms.
"Yeah!" Ruby bounced. She took both of Oscar's hands in her own. "Wouldn't it be exciting?! A wedding! Have you ever been to one?!"
"I haven't," Oscar admitted.
"That settles it! You are a groomsman!" Nora demanded. "I'm sure Ren would be happy to have you too."
"I'm honored." Oscar smiled.
"Yay!" Ruby bounced. "Nora I'm so so happy for you!"
"Aw~ thanks guys."
Ruby started hounding Nora on the details. Oscar sat back as he watched the girls chat about their plans. Their hour break was mostly Nora filling them in on exaggerated details of the proposal and the wedding. Oscar really doubted any venue would allow Nora to jump in from the sky and strike the ground with Magnhild for her grand entrance. However, the imagery was enough to have the entire group gripping their sides with laughter.
Raven reappeared through her portal. Nora jumped when Raven appeared.
"Ah, you were at Haven, weren't you?" Raven asked as she stared Nora down.
"Yup. I guess you're Yang's mom?"
"That's right. I'm going back to my chair. If you three want to wrap up moving soon, that would be great." Raven left the kitchen.
"I guess that's my cue to leave," Nora laughed. "It was sooo good to see you again!"
"Yeah, keep in touch Nora," Yang smiled.
"Bye Nora! I wish you could stay longer," Oscar said.
"Be good to Ren!" Ruby gave Nora a hug.
"Aren't I always," Nora grinned. "If you want, why don't you all join us for dinner tonight?"
The group looked between each other.
"I have no plans," Oscar said first. Yang and Ruby agreed as well. Nora broke into a bigger grin.
"Great! See you tonight~!" Nora gave them the address before leaving the apartment.
####
The air was becoming chillier. After finishing the move, Oscar went home to change clothes for dinner with Nora and the others. He wrapped a red scarf around his neck and nuzzled his face into its soft warmth. When he arrived at the Xiao-Long household, Yang and Raven greeted him. Raven made a portal to Ruby at her now empty apartment.
They walked through Vale to the restaurant Nora told them to go to. Vale was bustling with life as they walked. Oscar hadn't realized he missed the bustling city. The kingdom that his predecessor ruled and loved. The newly constructed Beacon tower was just barely visible from where they were. Oscar stared up at it, almost expecting to see Ozpin staring back at him from the window.
"It's coooold," Ruby complained. She shuffled closer to Yang. She shivered at meeting Yang's cold, metal arm. She decided against the metal and moved closer to Oscar's warm body. Yang walked on without caring. Instead, she smiled at the two.
"Well you two have certainly gotten closer," Yang remarked.
"Oscar's my only friend left in Patch, so we've been hanging out a lot," Ruby shrugged.
"We have a movie night every weekend. It goes on until Tai kicks me out," Oscar added.
"Why? Doing something you shouldn't?" Yang smirked.
"No!" they both shouted at her.
"The first movie night we had, we watched movies for two straight days. Tai got mad and I was exhausted at work the next day."
"Wow. I feel like I should have expected something like that," Yang chuckled. "But I'm glad I don't have to beat you into the ground, Oscar."
"Thanks?"
"We should have a movie night when we get back!" Ruby gasped. "Yang you get to choose the movie!"
"Oh? I'm in the mood for some action movie!"
"Yeah! That sounds awesome!" Ruby cheered.
"Hey you guys!" they heard Nora call to them. Up ahead Nora, Ren, and Jaune stood out on the sidewalk. Nora was waving to them.
"Nora! Ren! Jaune!" Ruby waved back and quickened her pace. Oscar followed close behind her, excited to see his old friends again.
"Wow! I had no idea you three were coming!" Jaune grinned when Ruby pulled him into a hug. He fist bumped Oscar before pulling him into a side hug.
"It's so good to see you again, Jaune," Oscar smiled.
"Well same old, same old," he shrugged. Jaune still wore a black hoodie, jeans, and a red cloth around his waist and had become a bit more muscular since their first meeting. He had changed the most in a different sense than the others. Jaune held himself higher and with more confidence.
"Hey, good to see you again. How's keeping Nora in check?" Yang slapped Ren on the back.
"She's a handful as usual," Ren laughed. Ren's hair was as long as ever, but was now kept in a long, singe braid. For the occasion, he wore black pants and a green dress shirt peeked out from under his pink "King of the Castle" sweater that was obviously picked by Nora.
"Hey! I'm not that bad!" Nora put her hands on her hips and stuck her tongue out at him.
"It's good too see that you two haven't changed," Oscar smiled. Ren smiled and awkwardly placed his hand on his neck.
"Are we going to stay out here all night or can we go in and get some food? I'm hungry!" Nora complained.
The group laughed and started entering the building. Ruby lingered outside for a little longer, watching the others enter the restaurant. Oscar noticed her and stopped. He watched her face for a moment. It was filled with that expression of sadness and nostalgia he'd been seeing from her.
"Are you coming?" he called to her. Ruby snapped out of it and smiled at him. She nodded and joined him inside.