After grabbing Cobalt and leaving in an embarrassed rush, Aurum took a moment to process just what had happened in the last few minutes. For all her combat prowess, her social skills… hadn't improved very much compared to when team RWBY was still together. Sure, she was confident when saving people, or when slaying hordes of grimm, but a pretty girl? Completely out of her depth.

Though, as most things did, her embarrassment passed. As she walked down the street, thinking about what she wanted to do for the day, her mind drifted to her son, who she had intended to show the place she grew up.

Suddenly, Aurum got an idea, turning to her son, who was kicking a rock along the sidewalk as they walked, Aurum spoke, "Hey kiddo, want to get some treats?"

Cobalt tilted his head in confusion, "But we just ate?"

Aurum chuckled lightly, "No silly, I mean treats! Like, ohhh, I wonder if my favorite bakery is still here! We could get cookies! Or what about that Ice cream parlor? Ohhh that sounds so good right now!"

Cobalt had gone from confused to excited, a bright smile on his face, "Cookies!? Can we mama?"

"Uh huh! Come on, I'll carry you, that way we can catch the ferry to patch."

Cobalt's smile brightened even further as Aurum scooped him up and held him to her chest as she knelt down into a runner's crouch. Aurum brought her face next to Cobalt's and said, "You ready kiddo?"

Cobalt nodded with a bright smile and a "Yeah!", and suddenly, they were gone. A cloud of blue and gold rose petals shot across Vale at high speed, petals floating in the wind as Aurum ripped through the streets at upwards of one hundred miles an hour. Then, after just two minutes. Aurum appeared just as she was before, though she and Cobalt were now at the ferry dock, just in time for the next ferry to begin boarding.

As she set him down, Cobalt was smiling wide, and as soon as his feet hit the ground he was jumping up and down while trying to hug Aurum at the same time, "Again mama, again!"

Aurum laughed at her son's antics, reminding him of the cookies that awaited them. That seemed to get him to calm down, though he still pouted a bit, in response Aurum promised him they'd do the same to get back to the hotel that night.

That seemed to satisfy the toddler, and Aurum walked over to the ticket booth and bought a two way ticket to patch before walking over to the ferry and taking a seat aboard.

It was then that she let the events of the morning play through her mind, a light blush coming to her face as she recounted the compliments of the woman that had asked her on a date. Her mind also drifted to how that would affect her plans thus far.

She had planned to work at Shade and keep on the down low from Ozpin, stopping the events of her timeline from the shadows and training up before taking the fight to Salem personally. But if she started dating someone in Vale and they got anywhere near serious… Long distance relationships were hard, she knew that much.

Then her thoughts drifted again to Cobalt, and how she would deal with going on a date when she had him… She would have to get a daycare, so it would have to be a lunch date… Aurum blushed harder, thinking about the logistics of it.

It was then that Aurum made a decision, pulling out her scroll and putting in the number, she shot off a text, just a simple wave emote. After a minute of staring at a blank scroll, she saw the read receipt, then dots appearing, then the response.

Aurum: ?
Nevica: Hi there Cutie!

Aurum immediately flushed to a full burning blush, typing back quickly 'Hi' before thinking back and erasing it, instead sending a stuttered version.

Aurum: H-hi!
Nevica: Awwh, Cute in person and in text too!

Aurum's blush continued to burn, but she pushed on.

Aurum:U-uhm, you said you uh, wanted to talk somewhere private right?

Aurum pressed send, then instantly realized her mistake. But it was too late.

Nevica: Private huh? I just wanted a date, but if you're asking for something else you'll have to at least buy me dinner first. ¬‿¬

Aurum reeled back, blushing more than she ever had before, "I-i Ah!"

Cobalt looked at her curiously, "You okay mama?"

Aurum nodded, schooling herself, "Yeah kiddo, I'm fine."

Cobalt squinted at her suspiciously, then turned back to watch the waves as the ferry plodded on.

Aurum's attention turned back to her scroll, "hmmmmm"

Aurum: How about lunch? Tomorrow at three?
Nevica: Sounds like a date! Where at?
Aurum: You pick, I've been out of town for a long time, I don't know any good spots.
Nevica: Sure thing cutie, how about The Home Plate It's here _

Nevica sent the address alongside the text, and Aurum let out a sigh of relief.

The rest of the ferry ride was uneventful, and soon the duo were on patch island. Aurum began walking to their destination, making it about halfway before Cobalt complained, "Mama my feet hurt, are we close?"

Aurum cooed and stopped, leaning down, "We're about halfway there kiddo, you want a piggyback ride?"

Cobalt's face lifted and he nodded excitedly, so Aurum turned her back to him and he hopped on, wrapping his arms around Aurum's neck and Aurum grabbing hold of his legs.

"Alright kiddo, you got a good hold?" Aurum asked, receiving a nod from Cobalt, they continued on their way, eventually making it to the bakery Aurum remembered from her childhood.

The bakery was a small hole in the wall on the outskirts of the island, owned by a nice older lady who baked the best cookies Aurum ever had, barring her mother's. As she walked in, memories flooded back, the smell filling her nose reminding her of her time as a little kid kindly asking the lady who ran the place for a sample, even though the lady knew well that she already knew what the cookie tasted like.

A bump on her shoulder brought her back to reality. Quietly, she spoke, "Thanks kiddo, got caught in the nostalgia for a minute."

Her son replied from her shoulder with a smile, "You welcome mama."

Turning her attention to the store around her, it looked… newer, than she remembered, and she supposed it was, she was in the past after all.

After setting Cobalt down, she walked up to the counter and rang the small bell on the countertop. Almost immediately, the voice of a woman called from the back of the store. "Coming!"

After a few seconds, a short middle aged woman with some gray streaks in her black hair, wearing a pleated green dress with a white apron covered in what appeared to be flour and dough walked out with a smile on her face, "Hellooo, and welcome to Mama Liz's! I'm Liz, what can I get you today?"

Aurum was stunned in silence. This is Mama Liz? She looks 40 years younger!

After a moment, she snapped out of her funk, a blush coming to her face in embarrassment, "U-uhm, yes, hi… Can I get a baker's dozen of your chocolate chip cookies please?"

Liz smiled and replied quickly, "Yep! That'll be 12 Lien."

Aurum smiled softly and handed over the Lien, chuckling at how Cobalt practically vibrated in anticipation next to her. Liz quickly went to work pulling cookies out of the oven.

Soon after, Aurum and Cobalt left the store, a box of fresh cookies in hand. As they walked, Cobalt was munching down on a cookie, Aurum hadn't even had the box in her hands for ten seconds before he had asked for one.

As Cobalt savored his cookie, Aurum herself grabbed one and took a bite, relishing in the nostalgic taste.

Aurum and Cobalt spent the rest of that day exploring Patch, Aurum pointing out places from her childhood, and taking Cobalt to see what would normally be the cliff upon which Summer Rose's grave rested. Though of course she was still alive and well at the moment.

After a long day, and with the sun long since set, Aurum and Cobalt retreated to the hotel, Aurum putting Cobalt to bed, then taking a shower and getting to bed herself.

After a peaceful sleep, Aurum woke up 'bright and early' (nearly eleven o'clock), her heart fluttering when she remembered her plans for the day. After getting ready for the day, she donned her casual outfit. On went her usual black spandex undershirt with the designs for Blake and Yang on her sleeves, Over that went a golden yellow pullover hoodie with the word 'SHADE' in brown capital letters over the chest. To go with that, she put on a matching pair of gray sweatpants that had the word 'ACADEMY' running down the outside of both legs. Next she donned her cloak, even after all these years she felt naked without one.

Finally, she called out, "Rose!"

Aurum smiled as Crescent Rose began spewing blue smoke from its resting spot near her bed. Rose appeared quickly, a curious and slightly suspicious look on her face, with a hint of something in her eyes. "What's up?"

Aurum hesitated for a second before asking, "U-uhm, you know how the relic was just a pair of earrings before I called you?"

Rose's face grew more curious yet, the suspicion fading slightly as she caught on to what Aurum was about to ask. "Yes?"

Aurum blushed slightly, her fingers coming up and tapping against one another, "Can you turn it back for me? Or give me the power to do it myself? To like, u-uhm… hide it! It's really recognizable as a relic like it is right now…"

Rose gave her an unimpressed look. "To hide it… riiight… Well, it can sense your intentions, so, just will it to conceal itself like it did before, and it'll do so. If you end up needing it as a weapon while it's like that, it'll know and you'll find it in its holster like it was never gone."

Aurum smiled brilliantly in response, and walked up to Rose, giving her a hug while thanking her. Rose blushed in response, disappearing with a shy, "You're welcome"

Aurum smirked slightly, not expecting such a response, and silently celebrating the fact that she was able to elicit that from anyone… even if the person she got the reaction from was technically herself…

Shaking off that thought, Aurum walked over to Crescent Rose, picking it up and holding it out before her, she closed her eyes, and thought of the form of her weapon being hidden, lying dormant.

Sure enough, when she opened her eyes, a pair of earrings were in her right hand. Picking one up with her other hand to inspect them closer, she noted they were slightly different to how they had been before. The earrings were an offset diamond shape, like an angular teardrop. The 'gem' was large, but surprisingly light, as was the frame. The earrings had a small chain attached to them that connected to a small turquoise rose, made of the same glowing substance that made up the 'Gem'. On the back of the small rose was a small pin, clearly where one was meant to attach the earring to their ears.

Aurum put the earrings on and looked in the mirror, marveling at how good they looked. Soon after, she put her contacts in and was shaking Cobalt awake. Cobalt whining slightly as she did so, "whatime's it mama?"

Aurum smiled softly, "It's almost noon sweetie…"

Cobalt whined a bit more, but cooperatively got out of bed. As he yawned and Aurum handed him his shirt and pants, he mumbled sleepily, "whawedointudaymama?"

Aurum chuckled, "Well, mama's got some plans alone for today kiddo, so I'm gonna drop you off at a daycare for this afternoon, but don't worry, you'll only be there a few hours. Besides, you're a big boy, I'm sure you're fine for a while away from mama, aren't you kiddo?"

Cobalt had woken up a bit more as she spoke, and though he got a bit nervous at her words, he put a brave face on when his mother called him a 'Big Boy' determined to make her proud.

Aurum had scouted daycares the day prior, and had come across one that was familiar; she remembered being taken there herself on several occasions, and thought it was the perfect spot. So soon they were back on the ferry to patch, and Cobalt was dropped off at the daycare. Aurum smiled as Cobalt began walking up to the other kids and mingling, waving goodbye to her as he did.

Next, Aurum was on her way back to Vale proper, ready… or as ready as she could be, for her date.

Now, truth be told, Aurum was terrified. See, the last time she had any sort of romantic relationship, was seeking comfort in the arms of her childhood crush after literally dying. And if she was being honest, other than the comfort and longing, there wasn't much romance, mostly just carnal desire. And well… she did end up pregnant.

The point being, Aurum was very inexperienced here, and thus was not prepared to walk into the restaurant, and spot Nevica looking like she did. Where before she was in what were clearly work clothes, now she was… frankly stunning to Aurum's eyes.

Nevica had on a clean black turtleneck, a black skirt that fell to just above her knees, and ice blue leggings that went up past her skirt. She was wearing some simple black boots with some white fur poking out of them. Along with all that, her hair was parted to the side, her fluffy bangs pulled to the side and tucked under a hair clip that blended into her hair, though the clip was donned with a light blue snowflake that sat in the middle of her part. She was also wearing a gold chain necklace that had a cerulean blue gem with a golden heart casing hanging from it.

As Aurum took in the sight of her, Nevica noticed her across the room, walking over to greet her. She waved as she approached, an easy smile on her face as she said, "Hey! You look amazing."

Aurum blushed, shyly responding, "Y-you too…"

Nevica giggled lightly, "So cute… I already got us a table, I'll go and let the hostess know you're here."

Aurum nodded and followed Nevica to the host stand where they were greeted and subsequently sat. To both Nevica and Aurum's delight, they were sat in a secluded two person booth near the back of the restaurant. Soon after, the hostess left, and Nevica and Aurum were essentially alone.

Awkward silence set in for a while, and soon their server appeared, taking drink orders and leaving them to browse the menu. It was then that Nevica broke the ice, "So… I know I've called you cutie and sweetie and all that… but I never actually got your name funny enough…"

Aurum blushed furiously, embarrassment coursing through her. 'How could I have forgotten to tell her my name?!'

Speaking aloud, Aurum stuttered, "O-oh my gods! Uhm… M-my name's Aurum Lazuli… My son is Cobalt Lazuli. I'm so sorry, It completely blanked my mind to introduce myself, you were just so stunning my brain just short circuited andIforgottosayitandI'msuchanidiotandI'msorrryan-"

Aurum's rambling was stopped by Nevica's index finger pressing against her lips, "Shh, It's fine, I never properly introduced myself either, I'm Nevica Cadere… Aurum huh? Like Gold? It suits you, you're precious."

If Aurum's face hadn't been ignited by the simple act of Nevica shushing her, it surely would have been with that compliment. Aurum couldn't remember the last time she had flushed this bad. In response, she stuttered like crazy, "I-i… uh.. You? Uhm, uhhh…"

Nevica laughed, and the sound was like music to Aurum's ears, the soft lilting of her voice making Aurum freeze, her blush somehow increasing in magnitude. Nevica then spoke, her laughter trailing into chuckles, "Okay okay, I'll stop, don't want to break you on the first date now, then I'd lose the opportunity to learn more about you!"

Aurum fought to control her blush, stuttering intensely, "Th-thanks… uhm… So I k-know you work at that cafe… uh, I'm a Huntress… I teach at Shade Academy, I'm here on vacation actually…"

Nevica looked intrigued, "Oh? I'd thought about being a huntress, back when I was a kid. I trained a bit? But I never had my Aura unlocked or anything, all I ended up learning was some very basic self defense. So, Vacuo huh? How's life there?"

Aurum opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by their server coming back with their drinks and asking if they were ready to order. Aurum blushed and responded, "No sorry, we've been caught up in conversation, can you give us some more time?"

The server nodded and let them be, with Aurum picking up and browsing the menu while she spoke, "Life in Vacuo is… well, it's not the greatest, certainly doesn't beat Vale… but there are upsides… I've got somewhat… of a reputation over there, so the usual criminal aspect of living there doesn't really apply to me…"

Nevica's face lit up with interest, "A reputation? You said you teach at Shade right?" Aurum nodded and Nevica continued, "Do you have a nickname? Like how Glynda Goodwitch has the moniker 'The Good Witch'?"

Aurum blushed slightly, responding in a very quiet shy voice, "Y-yeah… they call me 'Golden Death' Cause… well my name, and my weapon…"

Nevica's eyes lit up with stars, "That's such a cool name! I wish I had a nickname like that!"

Aurum's blush worsened and she pulled her menu up slightly to hide behind it, "It's not that cool…"

Nevica giggled in response, "Sure it is, I can't imagine being so well known that people start calling me by a nickname like I'm some kind of myth or legend!"

Aurum was once again flushed, but as the conversation had continued, she had grown slightly more comfortable, instead of shyly retreating, she instead stuttered out, "W-well you sh-should be, looking like that! You're p-practically a model!"

For the first time since meeting her, Nevica blushed, a rosy pink coming to her cheeks, "I-I'm not that attractive… besides, of the two of us, you're much easier on the eyes, believe me."

Sensing an opening, Aurum pressed on, even as embarrassed as she was, making such a beautiful girl blush made her feel wonderful, and she was keen to do it again. "H-Have you l-looked in a mirror recently? I have and I'm sure what I saw this morning has nothing on the girl in front of me. Honestly the coordination in your outfit is stunning all by itself! Combined with your figure, you're a knockout. It's really no wonder I was such a mess when you started complimenting me yesterday."

Nevica's face was fully red now, though she maintained most of her cool, "...Really? I wanted to make a good impression… I rarely see someone like you in the wild…"

Aurum raised an eyebrow at that, "Someone like me? What's that supposed to mean?"

Nevica shrunk a bit, not sitting quite so tall under Aurum's scrutiny, "Well… my, uhm… type…"

Aurum squinted, "Go on."

Shrinking a bit more, Nevica shyly squeaked out, "ILikestrongwomenokay…"

Aurum snorted, trying not to laugh, but soon after she failed, and she burst out laughing, talking through her mirth, "That's so cuuute! So the reason you were all confident and flirty was because you thought I'd be confident? Cause I'm physically fit right?"

Nevica's face morphed into a pout, "I mean… kinda yeah…"

Aurum smiled brightly, "That's adorable Nevica! I mean, yeah I'm fit, I'd have to be to have the track record I do. But no, I'm an absolute mess."

Nevica's response was cut off by the server returning and asking if they were ready to order, which they both were. They ordered their food and the server left, leaving them to their conversation.

Free to return to the conversation, it seemed Nevica had regained her composure. She smiled more confidently and said, "I think it works out great for me, anyway. I like strong women, but that doesn't mean they have to be strong socially, you being so awkward is the most precious thing I've ever seen. I just hope I can see more of it."

Aurum once again shrunk in response, her blush returning full force, "Well maybe you can…"

She received a giggle in response, Nevica chuckling lightly at Aurum's bashfulness.

Soon after, they reached a lull in their conversation, neither woman knowing just what to say. After a moment or two, Aurum looked at Nevica's collar, spotting the amulet that rested there. Seeing an opportunity to continue the conversation, she spoke, "So Nevica, what's the deal with your necklace?"

Nevica hummed questioningly in response, "Hmm? Oh this? It's a family heirloom, my great grandpa fought in the great war, he was a high ranking royal knight, very close to the king of Vale. After the war ended, he was promoted to watch over the King's Consort. But one day, both the Consort and the King vanished. The King was believed to have been slain, assassinated. But the Consort was never found. All that my great grandpa could find was this amulet left resting on their bed. He kept it, gave it to his wife, then she gave it to their daughter, then my mom gave it to me."

Aurum looked at the amulet with newfound interest, squinting at it, something about it felt… familiar, but she couldn't place it. Nevica continued, "We've never been able to figure out what exactly it's made of, every jeweler we've taken it to has no idea what metal this is, or what the gemstone is… It must be rare."

Aurum filed that away for later, smiling, "Interesting… maybe one day you'll figure it out… hmm so, why the snowflake?"

Nevica smiled, "My name, Nevica Cadere, it means 'It's Snowing' in some old regional language."

"Oh? Where from?" Aurum replied curiously.

Nevica thought for a moment before shrugging, "No clue, I know my mother is from Vale, and her dad is too, but I don't really know much else about where my family is from. My little sister's name means 'Peaceful Falls' in the same dead language. I think our last name in general means 'Fall'."

Their conversation continued, soon drifting towards Nevica's work, with her telling a few work stories about crazy customers or insane orders, from there it moved to where Aurum lived, what life was like working at Shade.

The conversation drifted back and forth, the two of them losing track of time as they talked about each other, making one another blush (though it was mostly Aurum blushing), and finding out more about each other.

Soon though, their food arrived, and the conversation died down slightly, both of them being rather hungry, and having to weave talking to one another between bites. Still though, they carried on talking, finishing their plates and ordering desert. They talked about what Nevica planned to do in the future, how Aurum got into teaching (Aurum had to weave a few lies in), and numerous other benign topics.

But, as all things did, the date eventually grew to a close, they finished their desert and the conversation petered out. Finally, after paying the check and standing up to leave. The two said their goodbyes.

"I had a wonderful time, Nevica… I'd love to do this again sometime…" Aurum said first, as they were about to walk out the door.

Nevica had a pensive look on her face, like she was contemplating whether or not to do something. Sure enough, after a moment's thought, she leaned in.

Now, Aurum would tell you, the date certainly went well. But she was not expecting what happened next.

Aurum's mind was blank for a moment, then, suddenly, reality came crashing back to her, 'SHE'S KISSING ME, I'M KISSING HER, WE'RE KISSING!'

Aurum had been frozen, her brain processing what was happening to her, but, as soon as she began to lean into it, Nevica pulled away, "I had a great time too Aurum… I'll call you, mmkay?"

Unable to word at the moment, Aurum dumbly nodded in response, "uh-huh"

Nevica giggled, waved goodbye, and turned to walk down the street.

About 5 minutes later, Aurum had finally finished internally squealing. Thankfully, she had walked most of the way to the patch ferry on autopilot. And soon she was aboard. One uneventful ferry ride later, and Aurum was on her way to the daycare to pick up Cobalt. Upon arrival, the attendant confirmed Aurum's identity, then let her back to the play room to pick up her child.

Upon entering the play room, Aurum was greeted with the strangest mix of feelings she had ever felt before. First, was the strongest sense of Deja Vu she had ever experienced, Second, was unfathomable dread, Third, was an incredible amount of motherly love.

Cobalt was sitting in the corner with a little girl about a year his junior. The girl had a small red sweater on, along with black pants and a red miniskirt. She had black hair that faded to red at the tips, and piercing silver eyes.

Shaking off the strange feelings, she walked over to Cobalt, who noticed her approaching and called out, "Mama! I made a friend!"

Aurum put on a strained smile, "Yeah kiddo? Introduce me!"

Cobalt looked at the girl, "Ruby, this is my mama, Mama, this is my friend Ruby!"

Ruby looked shyly towards Aurum, and Aurum felt another surge of Deja vu, and from the looks of it, so did Ruby. "U-uhm H-hi miss Cobalt's mom…"

Aurum smiled comfortingly, "Hello Ruby, you can call me Aurum."

Ruby perked up slightly at her comforting face, "O-okay… Hi Miss Aurum! …wait, if your mama is here Cobalt, does that mean it's time for you to go?"

Cobalt nodded with a slightly sad look as he stood up, "Uh huh, It was nice to meet you Ruby!" He held out his hand.

Ruby stood up and shook his hand, "Nice to meet you too… you think you'll be here again?"

Cobalt looked at his mother with a questioning look, "Will I mama?"

Aurum thought about the events of the day before nodding, "Yeah, probably a few times while we're in Vale."

Cobalt cheered and hugged Ruby, stunning the girl, and filling Aurum with that sense of dread again, "Bye bye Ruby, see you again sometime!"

He then turned and walked to the door alongside Aurum, waving goodbye as they left.

Soon they were back at the hotel and getting ready for bed again, Aurum's thoughts lied on the events of the date, especially the ending, the feeling of Nevica's lips against hers at the forefront of her mind. Aurum found herself bringing her hands up to her lips and giggling. Like a schoolgirl who just got kissed by her crush.

As she drifted off to sleep that night, Aurum could only wonder what Nevica was thinking about right now.