"It's morning! It's morning! It's morning!" Blake felt her ears curl under her bow as Nora sang while walking into the common area for breakfast. How does JNPR manage to deal with that every day?
"Good morning, Blake." Pyrrha waved as she followed her roommate to the buffet line. Blake gave a small wave back and returned to her toast and jelly. Weiss sat next to her at the table with a small omelet and fresh fruit. Ruby sat across from her with cereal and scrambled eggs. Next to Ruby, and across from Blake, was Yang with a healthy portion of cooked pork and a bagel.
As team JNPR filed in next to team RWBY, Nora had her signature plate of pancakes, now topped with macadamia nuts and bananas. Pyrrha had a few hard-boiled eggs and yogurt and Ren had a plate of fruit and oatmeal.
"Where's Jaune?" Ruby inquired, noticing that he was missing.
"He chose to sleep in this morning. I plan on bringing him some fresh fruit and tea to supplement a good breakfast for him." Ren explained, taking a sip of his own hot drink.
"What flavor did you get today, Ren?" Nora inquired, trying to look at the label on the tea wrapper.
"I would do the name no justice if I attempted to pronounce it but it appears to be a mixture of local fruits. It makes a very refreshing combination."
"The food here is so good! Nothing like the stuff that Beacon serves." Yang commented, stabbing her sliced pork.
"Well, I like the stuff at Beacon!" Nora commented through a full mouth of macadamia pancakes.
"So what did everyone do yesterday?" Ruby asked after taking a sip of milk left over from her cereal. She wasn't used to everyone doing their own thing so much, since at Beacon they were always together.
"Well, Nora and I took a walk around the town and had lunch in the park with Ren and Jaune." Pyrrha answered taking a sip of juice.
"There even were some street performers that started doing acts in like a courtyard area. It was so cool!" Nora added.
"Weiss and I took a walk around too!" Ruby said, excited.
"Yes," Weiss agreed, "Ruby told me that Zwei had never seen the ocean before so I thought now was the perfect time." Blake silently thanked herself that she had decided to decline Weiss' offer yesterday.
"I hit the beach again." Yang said with a cheeky smile. "Unfortunately there weren't any life guards on duty but a great idea came to mind."
"What did you think of?" Pyrrha asked.
"Oh no, it needs to settle and ferment a little before I can announce it. I think it'll be ready by lunch though." Yang said, confidently.
"Blake, what did you do yesterday?" Ruby asked.
"Well, Sun and I took a walk as well and ended up at an art fair." Blake answered.
"Oh, that must have been cool. What did you see?"
"A lot of great pieces actually. There was a nice variety including sculptures, paintings, jewelry." Blake explained. "One of the painters had some really beautiful images of flowers. She said that most of the flowers she painted could be seen a local garden nearby."
"A garden?" Yang intrigued.
"Yes." Weiss answered. "The garden is, in my opinion, one of the least appreciated spots here. It has flowers and plant species that grow all over this island as well as the cutest little café."
"That sounds pretty cool." Yang commented, putting her finger to her chin. "Blake, wanna check it out with me?"
"Sure."
"Does that mean you're leaving?" Nora asked with big eyes.
"Well, we've finished breakfast. Not like there's much else to do here. This isn't Beacon after all." Yang answered with a wink.
"Please don't do anything like at Beacon." Weiss commanded rather than requested as she stood up to leave as well.
"I suppose this is so long for now." Ren said, taking out a bag from his sleeve and placing the remaining pieces of fruit on his plate in it.
"Need help delivering the food, Ren?" Nora asked as she stacked her plate on Ren's.
"I think I'm capable of it, thank you Nora."
"But what if you trip and hurt your ankle? Or that you forgot your key in the room and Jaune isn't able to open the door? Or…" Ren held up his hand to stop her from continuing into a longer tangent
"You know that I rarely trip and if that occurred the staff would gladly assist me. Also my card key is right here so there is no worry of not being able to get in." He finished placing his key back in his pocket. "However, if you would like to join me you may."
"Yay! Field trip to Jaune's room!" Nora squealed as the trio headed back out of the restaurant.
"See ya around!" Ruby called as she and Weiss left as well.
"So, you ready to go?" Yang asked as she turned to Blake. However, Blake wasn't there. "Blake?" The golden blonde looked around and spotted Blake by the yogurt station, spooning dried fruits and nuts into a bag. Does everyone just carrying around bags besides me?
"Just something for the road." Blake explained once she returned to their table.
"Well, you certainly have it in the bag." Yang cracked, snapping her fingers and making finger guns at Blake. How can her jokes be so terrible, yet funny? Blake thought as she humored Yang with a small smile.
"Hey, Blake!" The two ladies turned around to Sun and Neptune arriving unfashionable late to breakfast. Sun was waving excitedly in their direction and Neptune yawned. "Wanna head out again?" The monkey asked once they reached the table.
"Sorry, Sun," Yang objected before Blake could respond, "I'm stealing Blake for the morning and probably afternoon too." She then linked arms with Blake, taking her away before Sun could respond.
"You seem to be in a hurry." Blake commented as the two quickly walked past the information desk and out the front door.
"Nah, I just didn't want them tagging along. They'd cramp our style." Yang joked with a wink. "So which way to the art gallery?"
"It wasn't an art gallery, it was an art fair." Blake corrected as she took the lead of their walking.
"Like a carnival?" Yang asked.
"No. It's where artists can all go to sell their works. Like a farmer's market but for art." Blake explained. Yang looked at her confused. "Like a pop-up shop for the artist." Blake finished.
"Oh, that sounds cool." Yang said. The two continued walking in comfortable silence, the only sound being Blake's heels and the swishing of Yang's tail material.
"Do you hear that?" Blake suddenly asked, pausing as they walked.
"Hear what?" Yang returned confused, all she heard was maybe a bird singing. She looked over at Blake, stealing a quick glance at her bow to see if she could notice any movement. However, any movement that occurred could have just as easily been the wind or a trick of her eye.
"It sounds like…music." Blake finally said, quickening her pace in the apparent direction of the sound. After turning a few corners, Yang caught up, or rather, ran into Blake as she stood in front of a gated entryway with a large banner draped across the arch.
Limasa Music Festival
"Does this place just have everything go on within the same week?" Yang joked.
"Don't know." Blake responded back, looking around to see if there was any other information besides the banner.
"Could it be as a result of the visiting local royalty?"
"Royalty?" Blake asked but was answered by a familiar tune floating through the air. "That's Weiss' song." She stated.
"Yup." Yang answered her.
"Never thought I'd hear it played with such an upbeat tempo." Blake commented.
"Nope. Well, wanna go in? This just gave me an idea." Yang smiled confidently.
"Another one? Or is this connected to your first?" Blake asked as they stepped into the garden. Information booths and small band groups were scattered around them, though a few looked like they were still setting up.
"Connected." Yang replied, taking a brochure of the event from a volunteer. Blake looked over her shoulder as they both looked over the event.
Apparently this event had quite the reputation, having been a part of the island for centuries. It started as only a traditional music celebration but eventually opened up to include a variety of bands and music styles. Rising talent and local favorites came to the garden to share their art, message, and – more recently – be discovered by wandering scouts.
"But we have to find the right band for it to work." Yang finished as she closed the brochure and began heading off in one direction of the garden.
"Right band? Yang, what exactly is this idea?" Blake questioned, taking Yang's arm.
"Well, I suppose if you're gonna help me plan it, it cannot be a surprise." Yang partially sighed. "That might lead to a cat-astrophy." She smirked, looking back at Blake. Blake's ears twitched slightly under the bow, though she wasn't sure if it was about the surprise, the pun, or the way that Yang was looking at her.
"Planning? Planning what?" She asked cautiously.
"A beach party!" Yang replied enthusiastically. "While I was trying to find a good place to tan on the beach, I found the perfect little hide away that was secluded from the main beach but had a nice expansive sand area big enough for a rockin' party. After I asked around, some of the locals even said it was the best place to watch the sunset."
"A beach party?" Blake paused. Yang smiled back. "That actually might be fun. On one condition," Blake said looking at Yang seriously, "you make sure Sun doesn't drag me into the water again."
"That's all? I thought you were gonna ask to get Sun back for dragging you into the water. I had a whole pranked planned out with Nora and everything." Yang laughed. "But no problem. What are friends for?" She finished with a smile.
"Thanks, Yang." Blake then realized that she was still holding onto Yang's arm, or more, her hand. She slowly let go and cleared her throat. "So where do you wanna look first for the band?"
"Well, it doesn't look like the bands are separated at all by style." Yang answered looking again at the information. "However it does say that local favorites are in this section while up and coming bands are over here. All the way in the back." Yang finished drily. "That doesn't seem very fair to them. If no one knows who they are no one's gonna want to walk all that way to hear them."
"Probably the festival's idea of ranking." Blake commented. "Have to pay their dues before they get the easy walk and easy crowds."
"Well, that's just not fair." Yang said as she began walking. "If that's how these people think then those bottom rung bands are the first I wanna see."
"It was just a theory Yang." Blake commented, a little worried about what her partner might do. However, after a few minutes, Yang seemed to calm down and looked absent minded at the flowers budding by the pathway.
Blake also began looking around at the flora that surrounded them. A few flowers she thought she recognized from the art festival, but a majority she had never seen before. Even with living on Menagerie and traveling with the White Fang she was captivated by the variety of delicately beautiful flowers and trees around them. There were even pairs of butterflies and birds that flew past the two Huntresses.
Soon they came upon a clearing that housed several small stands where bands could be housed. Though it seemed like all had a reserved sign across the entrance, only a few spots were taken. This seemed to reflect what the girls had seen at the front of the garden. Yang looked around and noticed one band though seemed to be all set up.
"Hey," Yang cheerily called over to the members, "where is everyone?"
"Oh, well usually the music festival doesn't start until an hour before lunch." One of the band members responded. She looked about the same age as Yang and Blake with brilliant orange red hair and a dark complexion. Wrapped in some of the strands were sleek black feathers that matched those on her forearm. She wore a black strapless dress with a bold pattern surrounding the base of the skirt.
"So why are you here so early?" Yang asked the girl.
"My group and I like to be early."
"Yeah, early bird gets the worm, eh, Flicka?" Another member called out. Flicka just rolled her eyes. "Don't you just love friends who make jokes like that?"
"I wouldn't know since I'm the one always making them." Yang smiled back.
"So what are you doing so early at the festival?" Flicka asked.
"We actually came to see the garden." Blake answered. "We're visiting and hadn't heard about the music festival or when it started."
"Oh, well, since you're here wanna hear some music?" Flicka offered, putting a guitar strap over her shoulder. "We even have a song inspired by the garden."
"Sure!" Yang said excited. She and Blake took a seat on a bench, as Flicka and her group got ready.
"1, 2, 3. There's a garden where I go. If you meet me there, no one will know…"
"That was great, guys!" Yang said as the group finished their song. "I think we've found our band. Don't you think Blake?" She asked turning to her partner. Blake gave a small nod in agreement. "So, would you guys be interested in playing at a beach party sometime this week?"
"Really? You want to book us for your party?" The drummer asked, almost in disbelief.
"But you've only heard on song." Flicka said, confused.
"This isn't just so you can get a cheap rate is it?" The keyboardist asked suspiciously.
"Not at all." Yang replied. "You have some serious skill. Plus I never ask for cheap dates." She finished with a wink.
"Is there a way we can keep in contact?" Blake said getting down to business. "This party is still in the works so details are fuzzy."
"Of course." Flicka, Yang, and Blake all exchanged scroll numbers. "So do you think you'll stick around? A lot more artists will be coming and the café will open soon."
"Naw, I think we have to get going. Need to invite our guests. We'll see you around!" Yang waved as she and Blake headed in the direction out of the garden.