Of Life and Love: Part 3
The next morning got off to an early start. One of the maids - Dew, whom Neo recognized as the one who helped her locate the latrine the prior day - gently woke them from their slumber, informing them that breakfast was being served out in the gazebo. Dew also left a tray of tea and cookies on the dresser. Neo squinted against the darkness and began the process of waking Emerald from a sleep so deep it could qualify as a coma. After "waking up" they were surprised to find their tea was still piping hot. They poured themselves cups and made their way to breakfast.
Upon reaching the gazebo, Emerald and Neo found a chirpy Ruby and a still dozing Yang, whose frazzled hair and dark circled eyes left her looking quite a mess. "Morning you two!" Ruby cheered. "Sorry if the wakeup call was a bit odd, we tend to start our days early here."
"Always been stupid…" Yang grumbled.
"Oh, you're just grumpy 'cause you stayed up late." Ruby chuckled.
"I'm nocturnal, bite me." Yang shot back.
"Pssh, you're a drama queen." Ruby teased. "Drink your milk."
Yang lazily poked her tongue out at Ruby before turning to leer at the new arrivals. "Make sure you two bathe after this." She sneered. "Even Nora puts on perfume before coming to breakfast."
Neo shrugged open one side of her yukata to sniff her armpit. Emerald sighed and blocked her from view. Ruby just rolled her eyes and chuckled before returning to her meal. "Is Miss Pyrrha okay?" Emerald asked.
"Pyrrha's fine." Ruby replied. "She gets to sleep in because of the baby. She'll probably be up soon anyway, too stubborn for her own good."
"Just like Weiss, always worrying about 'the fate of the country.'" Yang complained. "Woman, sit the fuck down! You just nearly died giving birth, the least the country could do is not destroy itself while you recover."
"Weiss nearly died?!" Ruby gasped.
"Well, sort of." Yang shrugged. "Stopped breathing for a bit but she's fine. She's okay, went right back to being a pain in the ass the next day."
"I didn't hear anything about this." Ruby noted.
"Yeah, she wanted to keep it quiet." Yang explained. "Wouldn't want to give her enemies any ammunition."
"But she's okay?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah, and Winter is adorable." Yang replied. "Looks just like her namesake. Even has the disapproving stare from the portrait. It's kinda' silly with her cute as a button nose, but she's gonna' be just like her mother someday."
"The world could always use more Weiss." Ruby laughed.
"The world can barely handle one Weiss, Rubes." Yang joked. "But anyway, I'm gonna' take a bath. You guys enjoy your breakfast." Yang grabbed two muffins from the table before getting up, hugging Emerald then Neo, and walking off.
"Come on you two!" Ruby encouraged. "Dig in! Our chef makes amazing dumplings!"
After taking thorough advantage of the baths, Neo and Emerald dressed and sought out Ruby. The head maid - Nebula - helpfully tracked them down on Ruby's behalf, and escorted them to a large room in the northern wing. The room served as an enormous wardrobe. Ruby lounged on a couch within, standing as Neo and Emerald entered. "Thanks Nebula." Ruby smiled. "There isn't much going on today, so you can have the day off if you like."
"Are you certain miss?" Nebula asked.
"Of course!" Ruby cheered. "Take Dew out on a date or something. Pyrrha and Yang can handle the babies for today."
"Thank you kindly miss." Nebula bowed graciously. "I'll do just that." She left in haste, barely stifling an excited grin.
"I thought you didn't like being called miss." Neo giggled silently.
"She's stubborn, and very loyal." Ruby explained. "A lot of people were displaced by the war. Nebula and her friends came to us for work, and I wanted people I understood as our staff. Isn't that right Gwen?"
"Please Ruby, delve deeper into our tragic backstory." Gwen laughed from behind a privacy screen.
"It was heartbreaking though." Ruby chuckled. "Dew had a sprained ankle, you hadn't had a proper bath in three days!"
"Eugh, the horror." Gwen giggled. "You could have paid my wage in bathhouse access and I would have groveled on my hands and knees in thanks."
"Don't let Yang hear you say that." Ruby warned. "She'll take it the wrong way, then take it all the way."
"Don't tempt me!" Gwen exclaimed.
"Keep it in your pants." Ruby scoffed.
"Give me a raise." Gwen countered.
"I'll have Ren reverse the spell!" Ruby threatened.
"You wouldn't dare!" Gwen gasped.
"You have no idea what I'm capable of!" Ruby laughed.
"You are a harsh mistress!" Gwen joked, inspiring Ruby to give her best evil laugh. Gwen chuckled and stepped from behind the screen, various lengths of material hanging from her arms, shoulders and neck. "Well, let's get started. Who's first?" Neo waved and grinned, stepping forward. "Well, aren't you a pink little cutie!" Neo blushed, acting coy and waving her compliment away. "And look at this goddess. You have gorgeous eyes. Red is such a rare color, and your skin is divine."
Emerald was taken aback. She blushed and swallowed. "Thank you ma'am." She managed.
"Please, ma'am is what they call me in the bedroom." Gwen smirked. "In here I'm just Gwen." Neo looked excited, Emerald amused if flustered.
"Gwen, bestie, focus!" Ruby rolled her eyes.
"Right!" Gwen gasped. "Now, first I need to take your measurements. The less clothes the better. We can go behind the privacy screen if you like...oh!"
Neo slipped out of her clothing with surprising speed and fluidity, throwing the clothes to Emerald, leaving herself completely bare. "Aaaaaand she's naked." Ruby laughed.
"Got to be thorough." Neo signed.
"You have a lovely figure." Gwen praised. "Ruby's figure!"
"Thank you!" Neo gave a thumbs up.
"Was that a handprint on your butt?" Ruby asked.
"That would be mine." Emerald giggled.
"Damn, that's some definition." Gwen observed. Neo shuddered.
Yang sat on a bench near the lake's edge, idly letting Autumn grab for her fingers as she watched a family of ducks swim lazily among the reeds, smiling vacantly. She did not get to enjoy nature very often, with most of her time spent in the capital or just outside it at her tavern. She loved those places, and really loved the company to be sure, but she rarely traveled to places so beautiful. Perhaps she should have gardens planted around the tavern. Maybe a courtyard, yes, a beautiful courtyard, with card games and courtesans. Yang was snapped from her daydreaming by the sound of little feet padding across the grass.
"Yayaaaa!" Summer exclaimed, rushing toward Yang. The little girl latched onto Yang's back.
"Hey there Sum, who let you out?" Yang chuckled.
"That would be me I'm afraid." Pyrrha replied, sidling around the bench. "Good morning Yang, would you like to accompany us on our walk?"
Yang stood, stretching before taking hold of Autumn's pram. "Sure, was just admiring nature." She answered.
"It is a beautiful view." Pyrrha confirmed. "Though I must admit, it surprises me to see you sit down long enough to properly enjoy it."
Pyrrha began walking, Yang pushing the pram beside her. "I've been feeling contemplative lately." Yang shrugged.
"Deep in thought?" Pyrrha gasped with faux surprise. "Never thought I'd see the day."
"Ouch, but true." Yang laughed. "I've always been impulsive and all that...I think motherhood is mellowing me."
"Of us all, you need some mellow the most." Pyrrha chuckled.
"I agree." Yang smiled. "Funnily enough, dying from being reckless would make a lot of people unhappy."
"Hence our retirement from the field." Pyrrha nodded. "I do miss the tournaments though."
"Ugh...if I didn't have to keep track of bets I wouldn't even watch." Yang sighed. "I miss the feel of well-smithed iron crumpling beneath my fists!"
"I miss the sound helmets make when you hit them just right." Pyrrha reminisced. "It sounds like victory."
"I miss the crowd chanting my name and waving my banners." Yang said.
"I miss the heat coursing through my veins after a well wrought victory." Pyrrha added.
"I need to get back in fighting shape." Yang declared. "Maybe when Autumn is weaning I'll get some proper time to myself."
"I must say Yang, you have recovered beautifully." Pyrrha observed. "In fact, I don't believe you've aged a day since we first met."
"You mean when you kicked my ass?" Yang laughed. "But you really think so?" Pyrrha nodded. "I don't feel it a lot of the time."
"Due to your poor sleeping habits I imagine, but yes." Pyrrha confirmed. "Now that I think of it...Yang, maybe your heritage is to blame."
"That's possible." Yang shrugged. "Now that I think of it, I should probably do some research on...well...everything. Oh, look at this!" Yang snarled and a burst of flame and smoke shot from her mouth.
"Gods!" Pyrrha yelped. "Yang, that's natural magic! T-this is amazing! We simply must experiment. I'll send a letter to Ren tonight!"
"I've been wanting to experiment with you since we met." Yang smirked.
"Shush you." Pyrrha scoffed. "Uh...where's Summer?"
"I dunno', but my backpack might have a hint though." Yang chuckled. She turned, revealing a small body and legs hanging out from beneath her mane of golden hair.
"Oh...she does love to climb…" Pyrrha noted.
"Summer, come out and play!" Yang cheered. Summer giggled and kicked her legs, burying herself further into Yang's hair.
Back in the fitting room, things had escalated. Ruby was flustered but maintained her composure, Neo was still nude - aside from the mock cloak she was modeling - with a particularly ravenous looking Gwen fawning over her, all while Emerald observed the scene with some amusement.
"Yes, cocoa brown is perfect, and I'll line it with white fur." Gwen declared. "It feels sensational on the skin." Neo admired her reflection in the full body mirror. The cloak was little more than pins and cloth at the moment, a layer of white and a layer of brown, held around Neo's neck by a white silk ribbon and yet more pins. She swished the makeshift cloak around and puffed out her chest, eyes shining. She looked to Emerald for approval, who smirked and nodded. "Ruby?"
"Could do with some more clothing." Ruby noted.
"Ooh, I do have her measurements." Gwen cheered. "I could make her a new outfit! I love your style! I can easily work with it…"
"Gwen, losing focus again!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Right!" Gwen gasped. "Let's just get this off you, and Emerald, your turn." Gwen undid some of the pins, allowing it to slip off Neo's shoulders. Neo hopped onto the couch beside Ruby, who thwapped her with a pillow before pointing to the pile of neatly folded clothes Emerald had placed on a nearby table. Neo pouted, but reached over to don her underwear. Ruby shrugged, considering it victory enough.
"Yay." Emerald deadpanned, rolling her eyes and smirking.
"Are you gonna' give us a show?" Gwen asked.
"Gwen!" Ruby admonished.
Emerald leveled a blank stare but Gwen kept smiling at her hopefully. Finally Emerald just huffed and stripped, but only down to her underwear. That was more than enough to draw two hungry pairs of eyes, and to send another rolling. "Gorgeous!" Gwen declared. "You have such an even skintone! Underwear needs some color though, more red. Those eyes are just...let me look at 'em!" Emerald found herself gazing lazily into Gwen's inquisitive eyes as she bored into her rich, red iris. Gwen was borderline euphoric. "Gods you are enchanting."
Neo giggled soundlessly. "Look, you can stare into my eyes all you want after we've got this over and done with." Emerald sighed.
"Oh, it's a date then!" Gwen cheered. "Alright, arms out, boobs up, this is gonna' get intimate!" Gwen proceeded to measure almost every inch of Emerald's body, as she had with Neo before her. She marked down the numbers in a notebook as she went. "Hmm...not far off Pyrrha, just a little shorter. I'd love to see you in this one dress I made for her. If I replace gold silk with mint green...I'll play with it later. Now, the obvious color choice would be mint green, but that's because everyone thinks hair color is king, but they're wrong! Eye color is significantly underrated, and you have such alluring examples. But just having a solid red cloak won't work either, because we don't want to overpower the look. So it should be tastefully...hmm…"
Gwen went to work, grabbing lengths of white cloth and spreading them on a table. Emerald sighed and looked to Neo. "I love this one." Neo signed. "We have to have her."
"I think she has a penis Neo." Emerald signed back.
"So?" Neo asked. "Penis is great!"
"If you say so." Emerald huffed.
"She does, and penis is fun." Ruby confirmed. "A little taxing to have one though, and the recovery sucks."
"Are you talking about me?" Gwen asked.
"Yes." Emerald admitted. Neo nodded.
"Yep." Ruby added.
"Making plans I hope!" Gwen exclaimed. Neo made a lewd motion with her hands. "Oh, please do!"
"Gwen, come on." Ruby sighed. "Work now, flirt later."
"I'm a multitasker Ruby!" Gwen protested.
"Task faster!" Ruby demanded.
"Slave driver!" Gwen joked. She finished pinning and draping the cloth over Emerald's shoulders. She fastened it in place with a red ribbon before stepping back to take it in. The makeshift ivory cloak was trimmed with red. Emerald admired herself in the mirror. "Of course the final trim will be more intricate. If you both want, I can embroider a rose dragon design on them too. Yang has one, and Ruby tells me you're like family."
Emerald and Neo smiled. "I'd very much appreciate that." Emerald nodded.
"You look regal Emmy." Ruby praised.
"Thank you Ruby, truly." Emerald blushed.
"We should finish up." Ruby suggested. "Summer probably misses you Neo." Neo silently squealed.
Eventually Summer dropped from Yang's hair to run around a bit. Yang and Pyrrha kept walking as Summer at times literally ran circles around them. Occasionally she would spear off, chasing after a bird or rushing to get a closer look at something pretty. Autumn soon fell asleep in her pram despite Summer's enthusiastic giggling. They were most of the way around the small lake...or was it a large pond? Still, they had been walking for quite a long time, particularly for someone as heavily pregnant as Pyrrha.
"I think I need a break." Pyrrha sighed. "My ankles are killing me."
"Ah, the infamous pregnancy ankles." Yang chuckled. "I know them well. Here, take a seat." Yang pushed the pram to a nearby bench and helped Pyrrha sit.
"Thank you Yang." Pyrrha smiled.
"How far have we...damnit Pyrrha." Yang grumbled, looking back at the path they had walked. "You're what, eight months pregnant?! You shouldn't be walking this much!"
"But I need to stay in shape." Pyrrha protested. "Now more than ever."
"No, you need to rest, now more than ever." Yang countered. "This isn't something to take lightly."
"I know, I know." Pyrrha nodded. "And I am. I guess we just have opposing views of how to prepare."
"Just...be sure to get some rest too, please." Yang implored.
"I will." Pyrrha promised. She paused. "Yang...do you hear that?"
"Uh...no?" Yang replied.
"Exactly." Pyrrha noted. "Why isn't Summer giggling?" Pyrrha looked around. "Crap."
"What?" Yang gasped.
"Me and my stupid ankles." Pyrrha groaned. "Of course I'd take a break here." She forced herself to her feet and struggled toward a nearby statue. "Summer!"
"Mama!" Summer exclaimed from somewhere out of view.
Pyrrha started walking around the statue, a large one depicting the goddess Naga in her dragon form. "There she is." Yang pointed. "She does love to climb."
Summer had made her way to the top of the statue's back, sitting as if she were riding the dragon. She was quite high up, beyond Pyrrha's reach. A robust stone tail dipped to the ground, and that had given her a way up. "Naga!" Summer cheered.
"This is her favorite statue...to climb and to look at." Pyrrha explained. "She always has loved dragons."
"She loves dragons does she?" Yang smirked. "Maybe I should transform for her. I bet she'd love it."
"Try to take this serious Yang!" Pyrrha shouted. "This is dangerous."
"Oh, she'll be fine." Yang waved her off. She walked up beside the statue. "Summer, come on down!" She held up her hands toward Summer as the little girl stood and walked to the edge of the statue. "Come on."
"Yang I don't think…" Pyrrha started.
"Whee!" Summer exclaimed as she leapt off the statue and into Yang's waiting arms. "Yaya!"
"See Pyr, nothing to worry about." Yang laughed. "You've got a little acrobat here."
"Yang...Summer...don't ever do that again." Pyrrha demanded, almost shaking with fear.
"Oh...sorry." Yang apologized. "Didn't mean to scare you. Say sorry Summer."
"Sowwy." Summer said.
"It's alright." Pyrrha sighed. "I'm probably just being overprotective. Apparently I was quite the little climber when I was her age."
"Ruby too." Yang chuckled. "No wonder."
The group's attention was drawn to the maid Octavia as she jogged across the grass toward them. "Is something the matter?" Pyrrha asked.
"No Miss Pyrrha." Octavia shook her head. "Miss Yang, a package has arrived for you. The caravan is waiting out front."
"Sweet, Summer's birthday present is here!" Yang cheered.
"It's not even close to her birthday." Pyrrha noted.
"Who cares?" Yang shrugged. "Come on. I can't wait to show you guys!"