Disclaimer: I like penguins.

The sun hung high in the sky by the time Ruby and Blake left the tailor shop, both of them in good spirits. Ruby, now sporting her resized Atlas outfit, looked as pleased as she could be, practically bouncing on her heels.

"This feels awesome!" Ruby beamed, twirling in place to show off her newly fitted gear. "I missed this outfit so much. It's like it was made for me—well, I guess it was, but still!"

Blake chuckled, watching her partner spin around like a kid with a new toy. "At least you won't have to complain about your clothes feeling too small now."

"Oh, you better believe it," Ruby grinned, adjusting her cape with exaggerated flair. "I'm ready to take on the world!"

Blake's smirk remained as she tucked her hands into her pockets. "Maybe start with taking on lunch. You've been hungry since we left the tailor."

Ruby stopped her spinning, eyes widening. "Oh, yeah! I completely forgot about food. Pancakes were great and all, but it's way past time for something else. Come on, Blake, let's find something awesome!"

Without waiting for a response, Ruby dashed ahead, already scoping out the nearby food stalls. Blake followed at her own pace, watching her partner buzz around excitedly. It was nice, she thought, to see Ruby so carefree for once.

The marketplace was alive with energy, the smell of freshly baked bread, sizzling meats, and sweet fruits filling the air. Ruby's eyes darted from one food stand to another, barely able to contain her excitement. There was just too much to choose from.

"Oh man, look at all this stuff!" Ruby bounced on her toes, looking between a kebab stand and a noodle cart. "I want to try everything!"

Blake stood next to her, arms crossed as she raised an eyebrow. "Everything? You sure about that? You're not exactly the best with pacing yourself."

Ruby puffed her cheeks. "Hey! I can totally pace myself."

Blake didn't say a word, but the slight quirk of her eyebrow said plenty.

Ruby threw her hands in the air. "Okay, maybe I tend to go overboard, but can you blame me? This all looks amazing!" She paused, eyes locking onto a stand selling gigantic sandwiches stuffed with various meats. "Okay, that's it. I'm getting that."

She darted toward the stand, waving at the vendor. "Hey, can I get the biggest one you've got?"

The vendor, a burly man with a mustache, chuckled at Ruby's enthusiasm. "You sure, little lady? These sandwiches aren't for the faint of heart."

Ruby's eyes gleamed. "The bigger, the better! Trust me, I can handle it."

Blake watched from a short distance, shaking her head in amusement. "She's going to regret that later," she muttered to herself.

A few minutes later, Ruby emerged from the stand with a sandwich that was almost comically large. She held it in both hands like a prized trophy, her eyes wide with anticipation.

"Blake, look at this!" Ruby said, her voice muffled slightly by the sheer size of the sandwich. "This is gonna be legendary!"

Blake smirked, watching Ruby try to figure out how to take the first bite. "I'm sure it will be."

Ruby hesitated for a moment, analyzing the best angle of attack, before opening her mouth wide and taking a massive bite. Her eyes practically rolled back in satisfaction as she chewed.

"Mhmm!" Ruby nodded vigorously. "So. Good."

Blake couldn't help but smile as she watched Ruby enjoy herself. It was moments like these, the small, everyday joys, that made all the loops worthwhile. They had been through so much, and yet, these simple moments were still enough to keep them grounded.

"You look like you're going to fall over," Blake teased as Ruby tried to balance the towering sandwich.

Ruby swallowed her bite and grinned. "Never! This sandwich doesn't stand a chance."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "I don't know if it's the sandwich you should be worrying about."

Ruby waved her off. "I've got this."

But, as expected, halfway through the sandwich, Ruby started to slow down. Her confident grin faded as she struggled to finish what was left.

"I, uh… may have underestimated this thing," Ruby admitted, staring down at the half-eaten sandwich like it was an opponent in a battle.

Blake crossed her arms, the corner of her mouth twitching with amusement. "Told you."

Ruby groaned, setting the sandwich down on a nearby bench and throwing her arms up in defeat. "Okay, fine. You win this round, Blake."

Blake walked over, sitting down beside her. "I always do."

They both sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the sounds of the bustling marketplace filling the air around them. Ruby leaned back against the bench, letting out a contented sigh as she rubbed her stomach.

"Why do I always do this to myself?" Ruby muttered.

Blake glanced over, her smirk still in place. "Because you never learn."

"Hey, I learn… eventually." Ruby shot her a playful look.

They sat there for a while longer, simply watching the people go about their day. It was peaceful in its own way, a quiet moment in the middle of an otherwise busy city. Ruby glanced over at Blake, noticing the small smile tugging at her partner's lips.

"Hey, Blake," Ruby said softly. "Thanks."

Blake looked at her, one eyebrow raised. "For what?"

"For sticking around," Ruby shrugged, her voice casual but genuine. "Y'know, through all the loops and everything. I know it hasn't always been easy."

Blake's expression softened, though her response was as straightforward as ever. "Someone has to make sure you don't eat yourself into a food coma every loop."

Ruby laughed, the sound light and infectious. "Yeah, I guess that's true."

They sat in silence for a bit longer before Blake finally stood up. "Come on, we've still got some time to enjoy the rest of Vale. Let's see if we can find something less likely to give you indigestion."

Ruby groaned but stood up, stretching her arms. "I'm not making any promises."

With that, the two of them wandered off into the market once more, the weight of the loops forgotten for now, replaced by the simple pleasures of a day spent in Vale.

As Ruby and Blake wandered deeper into the marketplace, they passed various stalls selling all sorts of trinkets and oddities. Ruby, still recovering from her epic sandwich showdown, pointed out random items with the kind of wide-eyed curiosity that Blake had long since grown used to.

"Oooh, look at this!" Ruby darted over to a stand that displayed a collection of ornate masks. Some were simple, while others were elaborate, painted with intricate designs. Ruby picked one up, holding it to her face. "How do I look?"

Blake glanced over, raising an eyebrow. The mask was shaped like a fox's face, complete with a sharp grin and piercing eyes. "Fitting."

Ruby laughed, putting the mask down and picking up another one, this time resembling a lion. "What about this one?"

"Menacing," Blake replied dryly, though the corner of her mouth lifted in amusement.

Ruby pouted playfully, her voice taking on an exaggerated tone. "Blake, you're supposed to say I look cool and intimidating. I could strike fear into the hearts of my enemies with these masks!"

Blake gave her a side-eye, unimpressed. "The only thing you'd intimidate is someone who's afraid of bad fashion choices."

Ruby gasped, clutching the mask to her chest in mock offense. "I am hurt! Deeply wounded!"

Blake's smirk didn't fade. "You'll live."

They continued their leisurely stroll through the market, stopping now and then to check out a few stalls. Ruby got distracted by a toy stand selling spinning tops and wind-up toys, while Blake browsed a nearby book stall, her attention focused on an old novel she'd spotted. The world around them felt calm and carefree, far removed from the stresses of the loops or any grand mission.

"Hey, B," Ruby called, holding up a strange-looking spinning top. "Think I could weaponize this?"

Blake didn't look up from her book. "Knowing you, probably."

Ruby nodded, inspecting the spinning top more closely. "Hmm. A few mods, maybe some dust, and—bam! Instant chaos."

Blake sighed, though she couldn't suppress the small smile forming on her lips. "Please don't blow up Vale."

"No promises," Ruby teased, before setting the toy back down and wandering over to where Blake was standing.

Blake closed the book she'd been skimming and glanced at Ruby. "Find anything interesting?"

"Just some future plans for world domination via spinning tops," Ruby replied with a wink. "You know, the usual."

Blake shook her head, amused. "Of course."

They continued their walk, eventually finding themselves in front of a small café tucked away between two larger buildings. The smell of fresh coffee and baked goods drifted out from the open door, and Ruby's eyes lit up once again.

"Ooh, coffee!" Ruby exclaimed, practically dragging Blake toward the café. "I need something to go with that sandwich. Let's get some snacks!"

Blake followed willingly enough, the idea of sitting down for a moment appealing to her. The café itself was cozy, with small round tables and large windows that let in the afternoon sunlight. A few patrons sat quietly sipping their drinks, and the atmosphere felt relaxed and warm.

Ruby bounded up to the counter, scanning the menu with wide eyes. "Blake, what should I get? Everything looks so good!"

Blake, more reserved as usual, studied the menu thoughtfully. "Maybe something light. You don't want to overdo it."

Ruby waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, come on! It's not overdoing it if you enjoy it, right?"

Blake raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. She knew Ruby's enthusiasm for food was unmatched, and it was hard to argue with her logic—flawed though it may be.

After a few moments of indecision, Ruby finally settled on a large slice of chocolate cake and a steaming cup of hot cocoa, much to Blake's amusement. Blake herself opted for a simple black coffee and a small croissant.

They found a table by the window, settling into the soft chairs as Ruby eagerly dug into her cake. Blake sipped her coffee, content to enjoy the quiet moment.

"You know," Ruby said between bites of cake, "it's kinda nice doing nothing for once."

Blake looked at her curiously. "You're usually not one for doing nothing."

"True." Ruby nodded, swallowing her mouthful of cake. "But every now and then, it's good to just... chill. No missions, no fighting, no plans. Just us, some cake, and coffee." She paused, then added with a grin, "And maybe some spinning tops of doom later."

Blake chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I'll admit, it's been nice. Even if you insist on overloading on sugar."

Ruby shot her a playful look. "You're just jealous because you drink plain, boring coffee."

"I drink what I like," Blake replied calmly, taking another sip of her coffee.

Ruby hummed thoughtfully. "Fair enough. But you should try the cake at least. It's amazing."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to finish it?"

"I will! Just, y'know, sharing is caring." Ruby slid the plate over toward Blake with a mischievous smile. "Besides, I bet you'll love it."

Blake eyed the cake warily for a moment before finally giving in. She took a small bite, savoring the rich chocolate flavor.

Ruby's eyes lit up. "See? It's good, right?"

Blake nodded, though she tried to keep her expression neutral. "It's not bad."

Ruby pumped her fist in victory. "Yes! Another one converted to the joys of cake!"

Blake let out a soft sigh, though the smile on her face betrayed her amusement. "You're impossible."

"I try," Ruby said, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied grin.

The two of them sat in companionable silence after that, enjoying the quiet hum of the café. Outside, the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting warm orange hues across the streets of Vale. The world felt peaceful, and for the first time in a long while, there was no rush, no sense of urgency.

Blake glanced out the window, watching the people pass by as they went about their day. "What do you want to do next?" she asked, her tone casual.

Ruby thought for a moment, her face scrunching up in concentration. "Hmm... Maybe we should hit up the docks later and see if any cool ships have come in? We could pretend to be pirates or something."

Blake gave her a sideways glance. "You mean the same docks where you almost got us arrested for climbing aboard that airship?"

Ruby waved her hand dismissively. "That was, like, five iterations ago. Besides, we totally got away with it."

Blake sighed, her tone half exasperated, half amused. "Fine. But no pirate hats this time."

Ruby gasped dramatically. "Blake! How can you say that? Pirate hats are essential!"

Blake leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "If you wear a pirate hat, I'm not bailing you out of jail again."

Ruby grinned, unphased. "Deal!"

After finishing their snacks and playful banter in the cozy café, Ruby and Blake stepped back out into the busy streets of Vale. The sun was setting, casting the city in shades of orange and gold. Ruby stretched her arms high above her head, looking refreshed and energized despite her earlier food coma.

"Alright!" Ruby said with renewed enthusiasm. "Let's head to the docks! I wanna see some airships!"

Blake, hands in her pockets, shot her a knowing look. "We're just looking this time, right? No 'accidental' stowaways or pirate shenanigans?"

Ruby grinned mischievously, pretending to think it over. "Well… we'll see where the wind takes us."

Blake sighed but couldn't suppress the small smile creeping onto her face. "Just don't get us kicked out of Vale."

The walk to the docks wasn't far, and the energy of the city was starting to mellow out as the day wound down. People were heading home, closing up shops, and the air was filled with the smell of the sea as they got closer to the water. Ruby's excitement seemed to grow with every step, while Blake kept her usual calm, collected demeanor.

When they reached the docks, the familiar sight of ships—both sea vessels and airships—greeted them. Large cargo ships lined the harbor, while sleek airships floated gracefully above, their massive propellers humming softly as they prepared for evening flights.

"Look at that one!" Ruby pointed excitedly at one of the larger airships, its metallic surface gleaming in the setting sun. "I bet that thing could outrun a Nevermore any day."

Blake chuckled softly. "It probably could. You've always had a thing for ships, haven't you?"

Ruby grinned, her eyes practically sparkling. "What's not to love? They're fast, they're cool, and they go to all sorts of places. Plus, I always thought it'd be fun to fly one someday."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "Fly one?"

Ruby nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Think about it—me, at the helm of a massive airship, zooming through the skies. I'd be unstoppable!"

Blake crossed her arms, amusement evident in her expression. "I'm sure Weiss would love to hear about your plans to pilot something that large without any training."

Ruby's face lit up even more at the thought. "Oh, totally! I bet she'd give me that super serious lecture about responsibility and safety. It'd be great."

Blake shook her head, her smirk growing. "You're impossible, Ruby."

They walked along the docks, watching as workers loaded and unloaded cargo, the sound of clinking metal and the distant crash of waves filling the air. It was peaceful, in a way that only the end of a long day could be. Ruby hummed to herself, her steps light as she swung her arms back and forth, while Blake remained at her side, content in the simple rhythm of their walk.

As they reached the far end of the docks, Ruby suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowing at something in the distance.

"Blake," Ruby said, her tone serious.

Blake immediately straightened, her hand instinctively going to Gambol Shroud. "What is it?"

Ruby pointed toward a small airship docked nearby, its ramp lowered but seemingly unattended. "That airship... it's unguarded."

Blake raised an eyebrow, following Ruby's gaze. "And?"

Ruby's grin returned full force. "And… it's calling to me, Blake. It wants me to take it for a spin."

Blake sighed, already knowing where this was headed. "We are not stealing an airship, Ruby."

"Borrowing!" Ruby corrected with a wink. "Just borrowing it for a little joyride. Come on, you know you want to."

Blake shook her head, trying to resist Ruby's infectious enthusiasm. "We've been over this. No pirate hats. No joyrides."

Ruby folded her arms, pouting dramatically. "Blake, you're no fun sometimes."

"Someone has to keep you out of trouble," Blake replied calmly, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.

Ruby groaned in exaggerated defeat, glancing one last time at the tempting airship before turning back to Blake. "Fine, fine. No airship joyrides... for now."

Blake smiled, satisfied with Ruby's decision to let the airship remain where it was. "Let's keep it that way."

As they turned to leave the docks, Ruby couldn't help but glance back at the ships with a wistful look. "Someday, Blake. Someday, we'll be the coolest airship pilots in all of Remnant."

Blake chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I'll hold you to that. But for now, how about we head back to the mansion before you get any more ideas?"

Ruby sighed, though her smile remained. "Fine, but next time we're totally coming back here. I've got big plans for those airships."

Blake didn't doubt it. Ruby always had big plans—whether they involved airships, sandwiches, or spinning tops of doom. It was one of the things that made her... well, Ruby. And even though Blake sometimes found herself acting as the voice of reason, she wouldn't have it any other way.

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon and the sky shifted from orange to deep purple, Ruby and Blake made their way back through the city, the cool evening breeze following them all the way to the Rose Mansion.

The day had been filled with the kind of lighthearted fun that they both needed—no grand missions, no dramatic fights, just two friends enjoying the simpler moments of life. It wasn't often they got days like this, where everything was calm and easy. And even though they both knew that the loops would continue, and that tomorrow might bring something entirely different, today had been enough.

"Hey, Blake," Ruby said as they walked, her voice softer now. "Thanks for today. It was fun."

Blake glanced at her, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly. "It's not over yet."

Ruby grinned. "True. But still, thanks for... y'know, not letting me steal an airship."

Blake's smirk grew. "You're welcome."

As they reached the mansion, the lights from inside greeted them warmly, and Ruby felt a sense of contentment wash over her. It wasn't the wildest day they'd ever had, but it was exactly what they needed—a break from the endless loops, a chance to just be themselves.

Tomorrow will be another day. But for now, they had tonight.