Disclaimer: I like penguins.

The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time Ruby and Blake finally settled back at the Rose Mansion. The air was cool, and the distant sounds of the forest created a relaxing backdrop as they lounged in the living room. Blake had found a comfortable spot on the couch, a book in hand, while Ruby sprawled out on the floor, staring at the ceiling.

"You know, Blake," Ruby began, her voice thoughtful, "today was pretty awesome. Vale, the docks, the cake—definitely one of our better days."

Blake hummed in agreement, though her eyes never left the pages of her book. "I'll admit, it's been nice. Quiet, too."

Ruby let out a contented sigh, her arms stretched out on either side of her. "Yep, just the two of us. No missions, no interruptions..."

Suddenly, the door to the mansion flew open with a loud bang, cutting Ruby off mid-sentence. She sat up quickly, her eyes wide as Yang and Weiss stormed in, looking far less relaxed than their teammates.

"RUBY ROSE!" Weiss's voice was sharp, her irritation clear. "What on Remnant do you think you're doing?!"

Ruby blinked, frozen in place as Weiss marched toward her, hands on her hips and an unmistakable glare in her icy blue eyes. Yang was right behind her, arms crossed, though her expression was more amused than angry.

Blake glanced up from her book, one eyebrow raised but otherwise calm. "Well, there goes the quiet."

Ruby shot Blake a sheepish look before turning her attention back to Weiss. "Uh… hey, Weiss! Yang! What brings you guys here?"

Weiss's glare intensified. "What brings us here? You and Blake disappear without a word, and now we find you—here? In some random mansion?"

Ruby scratched the back of her head, glancing at Blake, who simply shrugged. "It's a nice mansion?"

Yang smirked but kept her arms crossed. "Sis, you've been gone for a few days. Weiss thought you were in danger, so we've been running around Vale trying to find you."

Ruby stood up quickly, waving her hands defensively. "Whoa, whoa, nothing dangerous happened! We're fine, promise!"

Weiss wasn't having it. "You're fine? You disappear without telling anyone, and we're supposed to believe everything is just fine? You didn't even leave a note!"

Ruby glanced at Blake, who didn't seem fazed. "I mean… we just thought we'd take a little break? Nothing serious."

Weiss threw her hands up in exasperation. "A break?! You left without informing your team! You could've at least had the decency to let us know where you were going!"

Yang chuckled, her frustration easing as she looked at Ruby. "Next time, give us a heads-up, alright? Weiss nearly had a meltdown."

Weiss shot Yang a glare but didn't deny it. "This is serious, Yang! They can't just disappear whenever they feel like it."

Blake, calm as ever, closed her book and finally spoke. "We didn't mean to worry you. It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision to relax for a bit."

Ruby quickly nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we just thought, y'know, after everything that's been happening, a little R wouldn't hurt."

Weiss, still glaring, crossed her arms. "Relaxation is fine, but communication is important! You're part of a team, Ruby."

Ruby shuffled her feet awkwardly. "I know, I know. I'm sorry, Weiss. We didn't mean to make you worry."

Yang stepped forward, ruffling Ruby's hair in that big sister way she always did. "Hey, don't be too hard on her, Weiss. Ruby's just being Ruby. Besides, if nothing happened, no harm done, right?"

Weiss sighed, clearly not ready to let go of her frustration but softening slightly. "I suppose... just, next time, don't make us think you've gone off on some dangerous mission without us."

Ruby beamed, relieved the tension was easing. "Got it! No more disappearing acts. Pinky promise."

Yang grinned, flopping down on the couch next to Blake. "So, what have you two been up to, anyway? Anything fun?"

Ruby perked up immediately, her earlier energy returning full force. "Oh, we've been having so much fun! We went to the docks, had some awesome food, and checked out all these cool shops!"

Blake raised an eyebrow at Ruby's enthusiastic recounting but didn't deny it. "It was... relaxing."

Yang snorted. "Let me guess—Ruby dragged you into some kind of food-eating contest?"

Ruby gasped dramatically. "How did you know?!"

Yang laughed, her frustration completely gone now. "You're so predictable, sis."

Weiss, still not entirely convinced but no longer fuming, sat down in one of the armchairs with a sigh. "Well, since we're all together now, I suppose we could all take a break. It's not like there's anything pressing happening right now."

Ruby's eyes lit up like stars. "Yes! Team RWBY vacation, officially starting now!"

Yang raised an eyebrow. "Vacation? I thought you said you were 'scouting the area.'"

Ruby waved her hand dismissively. "Minor details. What matters is that we're all here, and we should do something fun!"

Weiss's skeptical look returned. "Fun, according to Ruby, usually involves some sort of chaos."

Ruby grinned mischievously. "Only the best kind of chaos!"

Blake, always the calm voice of reason, spoke up. "How about something that doesn't involve chaos this time?"

Yang chuckled, leaning forward. "Alright, alright. How about we start with something we can all enjoy? No life-or-death missions, no high-speed chases, just... something simple."

Ruby tilted her head, her grin never fading. "Like what?"

Yang shrugged. "I dunno. How about a little friendly competition? We're in Vale, after all."

Weiss's eyes narrowed. "What kind of competition?"

Yang smirked. "How about a scavenger hunt? We split into teams, and the first team to find everything on the list wins."

Ruby's excitement was instant. "Yes! That sounds awesome!"

Weiss, on the other hand, looked suspicious. "A scavenger hunt? What kind of things are we looking for?"

Yang pulled out her scroll, pulling up a list. "Oh, I've got plenty of ideas. Let's make it interesting."

Ruby's competitive spirit was clearly fired up, and she turned to Blake with a determined look. "Blake, you're with me! We're gonna win this thing."

Blake sighed, though her small smile betrayed her amusement. "Sure, Ruby."

Yang grinned. "Guess that leaves you and me, Weiss. Ready to crush them?"

Weiss rolled her eyes but nodded. "I suppose if we're going to do this, I'll make sure we do it right."

Yang laughed. "Alright! Let's do this!"

The teams were set, and the scavenger hunt had officially begun. Ruby was practically bouncing with excitement as she stood beside Blake, clutching the list Yang had sent to her scroll. Yang and Weiss, standing across from them, were a bit more composed—Weiss was trying to project an air of calm control, while Yang looked like she was just waiting for the competition to heat up.

"So," Ruby said, her eyes scanning the list, "first item: a blue feather."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "A blue feather? That's... oddly specific."

"Yang made this list," Ruby replied, shrugging. "Nothing on here's going to be easy."

Blake shot a glance at Yang, who was busy smirking like she had the upper hand already. "I see."

Weiss, ever the planner, was reviewing the list on her own scroll, her eyes narrowed in concentration. "This list makes no sense. Why would we need to find a muffin from the best bakery in town? Who decides that, anyway?"

Yang grinned. "Simple, Weiss. The best bakery is whichever one we like the most. Consider it part of the challenge."

Weiss groaned. "Of course."

Yang clapped her hands together, her excitement evident. "Alright, first one back with everything on the list wins. And no cheating, Ruby."

Ruby gasped dramatically, feigning offense. "What? Me? Cheat? I would never!"

Blake, standing beside her, crossed her arms and gave Ruby a side-eye. "You've definitely bent the rules before."

Yang chuckled, throwing an arm around Weiss's shoulders. "Alright, Weiss, let's go find that blue feather first. There's gotta be some bird enthusiast shop or something around here."

Weiss sighed but nodded, glancing over at Ruby and Blake. "Good luck. You're going to need it."

Ruby waved them off with a wide grin. "Luck? Pfft! We don't need luck. We've got skills!"

Yang and Weiss took off toward the busier part of Vale, leaving Ruby and Blake standing on the quieter side of town near the marketplace.

Ruby stared down at the list again, her excitement bubbling over. "Okay, Blake, let's do this! We'll start with the blue feather, just like them. Only we'll find it first."

Blake nodded, though she was far more collected. "Do you even know where to look for a blue feather?"

Ruby blinked, her expression briefly turning to confusion. "Uh… well… no, but that's what makes it fun, right? The hunt part of scavenger hunt!"

Blake sighed, though a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're hopeless."

Undeterred, Ruby grabbed Blake's hand and tugged her toward the marketplace. "Come on! There's gotta be a place here that sells feathers or... I don't know, something close to it."

They weaved their way through the crowd, with Ruby leading the charge, her silver eyes scanning every stall and vendor for any sign of something resembling a blue feather. Blake, more observant, calmly walked beside her, taking mental notes of the various shops they passed.

After a few minutes of wandering, they stopped in front of a small trinket shop. It was filled with all sorts of oddities—tiny figurines, glass animals, and strange, colorful baubles hung from the ceiling. Ruby's eyes widened as she spotted something in the back.

"Blake! Look!" Ruby pointed excitedly. "Feathers!"

Blake followed her gaze to a small section of the shop where an assortment of feathers was on display. But her excitement quickly dimmed as she noticed none of them were blue.

"Close, but no blue ones," Blake pointed out.

Ruby pouted, her shoulders sagging. "Ugh, seriously? Who makes a scavenger hunt and asks for a blue feather? That's, like, the rarest kind!"

Blake gave her a sympathetic look. "We'll find one. Let's just keep looking."

As they left the shop, Ruby perked up again, her competitive spirit still fully intact. "Alright! On to the next place. We're not giving up that easily!"

Blake couldn't help but chuckle at Ruby's endless enthusiasm. Despite the odds, Ruby always seemed to have an unshakeable determination, even when the task seemed nearly impossible. It was one of the things Blake admired most about her.

As they continued their search, Ruby's scroll buzzed with a message. She glanced down at it and immediately groaned.

"What is it?" Blake asked, noticing the look of frustration on Ruby's face.

"It's Yang," Ruby muttered, showing Blake the message. It read: 'Already found the feather. Good luck catching up, sis ;)'

Blake raised an eyebrow. "That was fast."

Ruby huffed. "She's just trying to psych us out. We're still in this!"

Blake smirked, clearly entertained by Ruby's competitive streak. "Well, let's pick up the pace then."

The two of them continued their search, moving from stall to stall, but no luck on the elusive blue feather. By the time they reached the far end of the marketplace, the sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting warm orange hues over the city.

Ruby flopped onto a nearby bench, throwing her arms out dramatically. "This is impossible! It's like they don't want us to find a blue feather."

Blake sat beside her, more composed but clearly thinking. "Maybe we're looking in the wrong place. Feathers like that are usually sold at specialty shops—places that deal with fabrics or exotic materials. We should try the tailor district."

Ruby sat up immediately, her eyes wide. "Blake, you're a genius!"

Blake smiled slightly, standing up from the bench. "Let's go. Before Yang and Weiss get too far ahead."

With a newfound determination, the two headed toward the tailor district, where Blake's hunch paid off. Tucked away in the corner of a shop known for exotic fabrics and accessories, they found a small display of vibrant feathers—blue among them.

Ruby snatched up the feather triumphantly, holding it above her head like a prize. "Yes! We did it! Take that, Yang!"

Blake chuckled, paying the shopkeeper for the feather. "One down, a few more to go."

Ruby pocketed the feather carefully and looked down at their list. "Okay, next up... a Vale souvenir. Easy peasy!"

Blake nodded, glancing at the time. "We might still be able to catch up."

Ruby pumped her fist into the air. "Let's do this! We're so going to win."

As they took off toward their next destination, Ruby couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. Sure, the scavenger hunt was silly, but it was fun. And in moments like these, with the sun setting over Vale and her friends by her side, it felt like they had all the time in the world.

With the blue feather tucked safely in Ruby's pocket, she and Blake hurried down the streets of Vale, their next target in sight: a souvenir shop. The setting sun cast long shadows across the marketplace, but Ruby was undeterred, her competitive spirit burning bright.

"Alright, Blake!" Ruby said, eyes scanning the various shops they passed. "We need a souvenir, and we need it fast."

Blake, ever the calm one, kept pace beside Ruby with a relaxed stride. "We still have time. If we rush, we'll miss something. We need to find something that'll stand out as a real souvenir of Vale, not just any trinket."

Ruby nodded, trying to calm her bouncing energy, though her excitement was still palpable. "Right. Something special... but also fast."

Blake gave a small smirk. "Special, but fast. Got it."

As they moved deeper into the marketplace, Ruby's scroll buzzed again. She pulled it out and groaned dramatically.

"Yang again?" Blake asked, already anticipating the answer.

Ruby held out the scroll so Blake could see the message: 'Just got our souvenir. Maybe take a break, Rubes? ;)'

Blake chuckled. "She's really enjoying this."

Ruby pouted. "She's trying to get in my head! But we're not going to let her win."

Blake glanced around at the nearby shops and gestured toward one that caught her eye. "There. That shop looks promising."

Ruby followed Blake's gaze to a small, quaint store that seemed to specialize in unique trinkets and mementos from different parts of Remnant. The sign above the door read, Vale Treasures.

"Perfect!" Ruby said, darting toward the shop. Blake followed at a more reasonable pace, her eyes scanning the items on display in the shop's windows.

Once inside, they were greeted by shelves lined with all sorts of souvenirs—small wooden carvings, colorful postcards, handcrafted jewelry, and other keepsakes. Ruby immediately began inspecting everything with wide eyes.

"Okay, okay," Ruby muttered to herself. "What's the most Vale-ish thing we can find?"

Blake, much more methodical in her approach, wandered over to a section that displayed small glass figurines shaped like different landmarks. "These could work. They're not too flashy, but they definitely say 'Vale.'"

Ruby joined her, picking up a small glass sculpture of Vale's famous Beacon Tower. "Ooooh, this one's nice! It's even got little sparkles in it!"

Blake examined it closely and nodded. "It's simple, but it stands out. This could be our souvenir."

Ruby grinned, clutching the small figurine in her hands. "Yep! This is it! Let's grab it and go."

Blake approached the counter, paying for the item as Ruby glanced out the window, keeping an eye on the busy street. She couldn't help but wonder where Yang and Weiss were, but she knew they couldn't be that far ahead. After all, she and Blake were a well-oiled team, even if Yang was trying to psych them out.

As they left the shop with their souvenir secured, Ruby checked the list again. "Okay, next on the list... a muffin from the best bakery in Vale. That's easy!"

Blake raised an eyebrow. "You say that, but we still need to figure out which bakery is the best."

Ruby waved her hand dismissively. "Pfft, that's easy. I've got a nose for pastries, Blake. Follow me!"

Blake followed with a smirk. "Lead the way, pastry expert."

With a newfound burst of energy, Ruby led them down the street, her silver eyes darting from one bakery to the next as they passed several bustling storefronts. The smell of freshly baked bread, pastries, and other treats wafted through the air, making Ruby's mouth water.

After a few minutes of wandering, Ruby came to an abrupt stop in front of a charming little bakery nestled between two larger shops. The sign read, The Golden Crust.

"This is it," Ruby declared confidently.

Blake raised an eyebrow. "You're sure?"

Ruby nodded, her face serious. "I can feel it. This place has the best muffins in Vale. I just know it."

Blake chuckled softly, amused by Ruby's certainty. "Alright, then. Let's see if you're right."

They entered the bakery, and Ruby's senses were immediately assaulted by the heavenly smell of fresh pastries. Rows of muffins, croissants, and cakes lined the counter, and the warm, cozy atmosphere of the shop made it feel like they had stepped into a pastry paradise.

Ruby made a beeline for the counter, her eyes locked on the display of muffins. "One muffin, please!" she said to the shopkeeper, practically vibrating with excitement.

Blake, standing beside her, glanced over the selection with a more discerning eye. "What kind of muffin do you think we should get?"

Ruby didn't hesitate. "Blueberry. It's a classic. You can never go wrong with blueberry."

Blake nodded, and soon the shopkeeper handed them a perfectly golden muffin, the sweet aroma filling the air.

Ruby carefully took the muffin, holding it up like a prized trophy. "We've got this in the bag! Yang and Weiss don't stand a chance."

Blake smirked. "Let's not get too cocky. We still have to finish the list."

Ruby nodded, carefully placing the muffin in a small bag to keep it safe. "Right! What's next?"

Blake checked the list on her scroll. "The last item is... something red."

Ruby blinked. "Something red? That's kind of vague."

Blake tilted her head in thought. "Yang probably added it in to make us search for something specific but gave us no direction."

Ruby narrowed her eyes. "It's a trick. She's trying to slow us down."

Blake smiled. "Which means we'll just have to outsmart her."

Ruby's grin returned full force. "Let's find something super red. Something that'll knock their socks off!"

The two of them took off again, their competitive spirits fully ignited. As they made their way through Vale, the streets were starting to quiet down, with shopkeepers closing up for the evening. The sky above had deepened into a soft twilight, casting a peaceful glow over the city.

After a few minutes of searching, they spotted a small stall selling bright red scarves, their vibrant color standing out against the fading light.

Ruby's eyes lit up. "This is it! A red scarf! It's perfect!"

Blake nodded, agreeing with Ruby's choice. "It's simple, but it'll do."

Ruby quickly paid for the scarf, wrapping it around her neck with a triumphant grin. "We've got everything! We're totally going to win!"

Blake chuckled, though she didn't seem as caught up in the competition. "We'll see. Let's head back and find out."

With their items in hand, Ruby and Blake made their way back toward the Rose Mansion, the glow of victory already in Ruby's eyes. As they walked through the now-quiet streets, Ruby couldn't help but feel proud of their teamwork. Sure, Yang and Weiss were tough competitors, but with Blake by her side, she was confident they'd pull off the win.