It's quiet as Ruby trails after Blake down the hallway towards the stairs. The only sound in the enormous house is the echo of their soft footsteps. It's weird that such a big house could end up so empty and desolate.

Ruby can't imagine growing up in such a stark environment; she's grateful that Weiss was able to make her escape from this place. Even though they've been holed up here, it'll never really feel like any kind of refuge. There's no safety or comfort to be found within these walls.

Speaking of Weiss, her partner is waiting for them in the enormous entrance hall. She looks visibly relieved to see Ruby, immediately rushing to meet her and Blake at the bottom of the stairs. "I'm so glad that you're awake!" she says quietly, a tired smile on her face. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," Ruby tells her, trying her best to return Weiss' smile. Sure, her ribs ache and she's still exhausted and her stomach is churning with apprehension, but she's awake and on her feet. That'll have to be good enough. "Really, I'm fine," she says again when Weiss doesn't look too convinced.

A soft knock at the door spares her from any further grilling from Weiss. The three of them rush over to greet their friends. Ruby does her best to shove her own nerves to the side. It's amazing that their friends all made it back to them in one piece. She shouldn't be feeling reluctant to see them just because she screwed up and everyone knows it.

Pull it together, she tells herself, as Weiss scrambles to open the door. Seeing Yang, Jaune, Ren, and Oscar standing in front of them, looking tired but overall okay, is a massive relief. It feels like a massive weight (one of many, unfortunately) has been lifted off Ruby's shoulders, and she can tell by their relieved expressions that her friends are feeling the same way.

"Hey," Jaune says, breaking the silence that had fallen over them. It's as if a spell has been broken, and the two groups rush forward to hug each other. Ruby finds herself greeting Yang last, after hugging Jaune and Oscar and gently fist bumping Ren, who's never been big on hugs. Yang hugs Weiss and spends a long moment with her forehead pressed to Blake's, gazing into her partner's eyes, before finally turning to Ruby.

For a minute the two sisters just stare at each other. Ruby feels like she's back in Haven, the last time they reunited, terrified that her sister was still angry with her. "Yang," she begins softly, trailing off uncertainly.

"Ruby," her sister says, and Ruby forces herself to meet her sister's eyes. Yang doesn't look angry, but still . . .

"I'm sorry!" she bursts out. Yang looks taken aback.

"What are you apologizing for?" her sister asks, tilting her head in confusion. "You've got nothing to be sorry for. If anything, I should be the one saying sorry. I shouldn't have said what I said back there."

"But I messed up!"

"We've all messed up with what's going on. You're not perfect, and I know that you've been trying your best to make things work. Now, do I get a hug or not."

Even with her eyes full of tears (when did she start crying?), Ruby can't keep from smiling at her sister's words. This time she doesn't hesitate to launch herself into her sister's arms, even if her ribs are still protesting any sudden movements. Yang catches her effortlessly and spins her around, just like when they were little kids.

For the first time since they split up (or really, since well before that, since Ruby had looked up at Ironwood only to realize that one of their most powerful allies had turned on them and that they would be caught between both fighting Salem and fighting Atlas) she feels like things might turn out okay. And yeah, okay, Nora is still injured and there's something horribly wrong with Penny, but all of them are together now.

Whatever comes next, they'll deal with it together.

Eventually Yang has to set Ruby down, and she ruffles her little sister's hair as Ruby wipes the rest of the tears from her face. "Sounds like a lot happened while we were split up."

"Yeah," Ruby chuckles wetly.

"That's an understatement," Weiss and Ren chime in, almost in unison, before looking at each other in surprise.

"We've got a lot to talk about," Blake agrees, a soft smile on her face. Seconds later, the moment is shattered by all their scrolls going off simultaneously. It's some kind of emergency alert?

"This is General Ironwood. I have a message for the people of Atlas and Mantle."

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