Leaving the Hospital, Noon
"Finally!" Ruby exclaimed, bouncing on her heels. "We were starting to think you'd never get out of there!"
"Welcome back to the land of the living," Jaune added with a grin.
Weiss crossed her arms, giving him a once-over. "Are you absolutely sure you're feeling better?"
Before Rinko could answer, Yang draped an arm around his shoulders, grinning. "Oh, come on, Weiss! Look at him—he's good as new! Right, Rinko?"
Rinko smirked, adjusting his gloves. "Wouldn't say I'm 'good as new,' but I'd rather be out here than stuck in that room another day."
Two days had passed since the last chapter. Weiss had managed to sort through her feelings—at least, enough to keep moving forward. Deep thoughts and the distractions from her team helped, but the ache still lingered.
She hadn't moved on.
Not yet.
"Then what are we waiting for?!" Nora beamed. "We need to celebrate! Food, training, something—anything that doesn't involve a hospital bed!"
Blake chuckled, crossing her arms. "Maybe we should start by getting him up to speed. A lot's happened while you were resting."
Rinko raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"
Ruby perked up. "For starters, we met Jaune's sister and her wife. We're staying at their house for now."
Rinko blinked in mild surprise. "Jaune has a sister?" Hearing it now was unexpected.
Jaune rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah... Her name's Saphron and her wife's name is Terra. They live here in Argus. We've been staying at their house while you were recovering."
Rinko hummed in thought. "And they're okay with all of us suddenly crashing at their place?"
"Oh, Saphron was thrilled," Pyrrha assured him. "She was more than happy to have us over. Terra too. And Adrian—"
"That kid loves us!" Nora cut in with a grin. "He's the cutest little guy, and he totally thinks we're the coolest people ever!"
Ren nodded. "He seems especially attached to Yang, Weiss & Jaune."
Ruby chuckled, rubbing the back of her head. "I mean... he does call Jaune 'Uncle Vomit,' so..."
Jaune groaned. "It was one time!" The group chuckled.
Rinko smirked at the exchange before turning to Weiss. He could see she was smiling, but he knew the pain underneath that smile.
There was a stiffness in her posture, a hollowness in her expression that only he seemed to notice. He wanted to say something. Wanted to ask if she was really okay—even though it's painfully obvious that she wasn't.
But not here.
Not now.
"Speaking of getting you up to speed," Oscar said, finally joining the conversation. "There's something you should know about our situation with Cordovin."
That caught Rinko's attention. His expression turned thoughtful. "Cordovin?"
"The lead commander of the Atlas base here," Yang supplied, jerking a thumb toward the unmistakable structure near the sea.
Rinko hummed, crossing his arms. "And how did that go?"
Weiss exhaled slowly, the weight of her words palpable. "Well... we ended up giving the relic up—temporarily!" She added hastily, "And now we're bound to work as Atlas soldiers in exchange for passage to Atlas."
Rinko's steps halted abruptly, his eyes widening. "What...? You serious?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and concern as Team JNPR, Oscar, and the rest of Team RWBY turned their attention toward him..
"Yeah... Something wrong?" Ruby asked.
Rinko sighed, then allowed a tiny chuckle to escape as a brief, reflective silence settled over the group. His gaze shifted to the small scroll in his hand, and with a casual tap, he broke the silence.
"You do know that I've already contacted Winter about transportation, right?" he said, tapping the screen.
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted—the group collectively froze. Then, as if struck by lightning, realization flashed across their faces.
Weiss' eyes widened.
"Wait... Hold on—!" Ruby's eyes widened in shock.
"How could we forget?!" Yang suddenly grabbed Rinko's shoulder, shaking him slightly. "You told us Winter was coming! Y'know, back at the train station in Mistral?"
Rinko blinked as a single bead of sweat ran down his temple. "Y-yeah... You all forgot?"
Dead silence.
Members of the group—Team RWBY, Team JNPR, and Oscar—fixed their gaze on him. Shock, mild embarrassment, and incredulity mingled in their expressions.
After everything they had been through—Adam, the Apathy, the Chimermage, the Nightmare Grimm, and the endless exhaustion—it seemed almost too easy to forget such a crucial detail.
Blake let out a quiet groan, pinching the bridge of her nose. "That... would have been really useful to remember earlier," she observed.
Jaune rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Uh, yeah... guess we got a little too caught up in everything else."
"Just a little?" Weiss deadpanned, shooting them all a pointed glare.
Rinko sighed, shaking his head. "Well, it's a good thing someone remembered, huh?" He tapped on his scroll, looking through his messages. "I'll check her status."
Before the conversation could continue, Nora suddenly raised a hand. "Okay, but—" she held up a finger dramatically, "—can we please go eat first? I'm starving!"
The tension instantly melted as laughter erupted from the group.
"That's fair," Ren admitted, shaking his head with a small smile.
"Food sounds like a great idea," Pyrrha agreed, her tone light but relieved. "We can talk more about this while we eat, shall we?"
Everyone nodded in agreement, the mood-lifting as they headed toward a nearby restaurant, leaving the stress of the last few moments behind for now.
Restaurant
The streets of Argus bustled with life as Team RWBY, JNPR, Rinko, and Oscar made their way through the cold noon air. The chill nipped at their skin, but after all they had been through, a little cold was nothing compared to Grimm-infested forests and near-death experiences.
The scent of freshly grilled meats and spices filled the air as they approached a lively corner restaurant—a warm, welcoming contrast to the frosty outdoors: "The Hearth & Ember".
"This place looks promising," Yang said, inhaling deeply. "I can smell the good food from here!"
"Then let's not waste any more time standing outside," Blake said, rubbing her arms for warmth.
They pushed open the heavy wooden doors, stepping into the restaurant's cozy interior. The warmth immediately wrapped around them like a thick blanket, melting away the lingering chill from outside. The scent of sizzling meat, fresh-baked bread, and a hint of spiced broth filled the air, making even those who weren't particularly hungry feel their stomachs stir in anticipation.
The restaurant had a rustic charm—wooden beams stretched across the ceiling, lanterns cast a golden glow over sturdy tables, and the faint hum of conversation created a lively yet peaceful atmosphere.
Near the counter, a few locals sat nursing warm drinks, their laughter mixing with the gentle clatter of dishes.
A small stage in the corner hinted that live performances were a common occurrence, though it was empty for now.
As the group stepped further inside, Nora inhaled deeply, her eyes practically sparkling.
"Okay, we're eating everything," she declared, already marching toward an empty table near the fireplace.
Ren sighed, following after her. "You do realize there's a limit to how much lien we have, right?"
"Shh, let me dream," Nora shot back, sliding into her seat with dramatic flair.
The others took their places as well, some stretching out after the long walk through Argus. The warmth of the fire beside them flickered across their tired faces, casting soft shadows as they settled in. Rinko leaned back slightly, resting an arm on the back of his chair, while Yang casually slung her jacket over the seat before plopping down beside him.
A waitress soon approached. She was an older woman with a kind smile and a notepad in hand. Her sharp eyes flicked over the group, noting their travel-worn appearances.
"You kids look like you've been through a rough few days," she commented, tapping her pen against the notepad.
"You have no idea," Jaune muttered, slumping against the chair.
The waitress chuckled. "Then how about I get you all something warm to start with? House special stew, fresh bread, and a pot of herbal tea to shake off the cold?"
"Yes, please," Ruby nodded eagerly, already rubbing her hands together in excitement.
"That sounds amazing," Oscar added, his stomach growling in agreement.
The woman jotted down the order. "I'll bring it right out. If you want to add anything else, just holler." With that, she turned and made her way back to the kitchen.
Blake turned her attention toward the window. Outside, Argus was alive with activity—citizens moving about their day, storefronts bustling with customers, and children laughing as they ran through the snow-dusted streets. It was peaceful in a way that felt almost foreign after everything they had endured.
Before anyone could speak further, the waitress returned, balancing a large tray laden with steaming bowls of thick stew, a basket of warm, crusty bread, and a tall pot of tea accompanied by small ceramic cups.
The aroma alone was enough to make their mouths water.
"Woah, that was quick!" Nora spoke, eyes sparkling as she smelled the food.
"There you go, dears," she said, setting everything down. "Take your time and enjoy."
Nora wasted no time, grabbing a bowl and inhaling the scent deeply before taking a large spoonful. Her eyes practically rolled back in delight.
"This. Is. Amazing," she declared between bites.
Ren, already used to her antics, took a more measured approach, though even he looked impressed as he sampled the stew. "It's well-seasoned. The broth is rich."
"Mm," Pyrrha hummed in agreement, savoring the warmth that spread through her as she took a slow sip of tea. The gentle aroma of herbs filled the air, blending seamlessly with the faint scent of fresh bread.
Across from her, Rinko took a bite of his meal, tearing off a piece of crusty bread with ease. The exterior crackled under his fingers, but the inside remained soft and warm, practically melting on his tongue. He chewed thoughtfully, his blue eyes flickering over the rest of the group.
Team RWBY & Oscar was enjoying the feast as well.
But as much as he wanted to savor this peace, reality had other plans.
After the meal, Rinko set his plate aside and pulled out his scroll. He scrolled through his contacts, found Winter's number, and pressed the call button.
It rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
"Rinko."
Winter's voice was crisp and professional, as always, but there was a slight tension, something just beneath the surface. Rinko set the scroll to speaker mode.
"Good day, Winter," Rinko greeted. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," she replied. "I was just about to call you."
Rinko raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's up?"
There was a slight pause on the other end, and then Winter exhaled softly.
"Rinko... I won't be able to get you out of there right now."
Something in her tone made his stomach drop. He sat up a little straighter. "Why not?"
"I've done everything I can, but General Ironwood has ordered all military transports grounded unless explicitly authorized. The kingdom is on high alert. No one gets in or out without direct approval, and I don't have the clearance to override that order."
Rinko frowned, his fingers tightening slightly around his scroll. "I see..."
Winter wasn't the type to be easily stonewalled. If she said she couldn't do something, then the situation had to be serious.
"But I can still get you a ship," she continued. "Just... not as soon as possible. It may take months. Maybe even a year."
"Months?" Yang's voice cut in from the side, eyes widening. The others were listening in now, their relaxed atmosphere dissipating.
Winter pressed on. "My suggestion? Go to the commanding officer of the Atlas base in Argus—Commander Caroline Cordovin. If you can convince her, she can authorize a transport for you."
Rinko's brow furrowed. "Wait, aren't you higher-ranked than a base commander? Why not just order her to get us on a ship?"
Winter exhaled a tired sigh. "Under normal circumstances, yes—I would have that authority. But General Ironwood granted Commander Cordovin full jurisdiction over Argus Base. Even if I wanted to override her orders, doing so would spark internal disputes and upend the established chain of command."
She pauses before continuing to explain, "Cordovin must approve any departures herself; Ironwood's directive to pull back forces has left her with absolute control over all movements from Argus. I simply don't have the clearance to bypass her decision without causing serious trouble within the military."
Rinko leaned back, thinking it over. "So Ironwood put her in charge of the entire base... and gave her full authority on movement from Argus to Atlas. That's... concerning."
"It gets worse," Winter admitted.
Rinko blinked. "How?"
"I don't have a direct line to Cordovin, and Ironwood doesn't either—not without going through a bureaucratic nightmare. Every military order has to be processed through Argus Base's command, and Cordovin won't take orders unless they come through the proper channels."
"Let me guess," Rinko sighed, rubbing his temple. "Cordovin is stubborn, by-the-book, and doesn't like listening to people she doesn't personally respect?"
"You'd be guessing correctly," Winter confirmed.
"Ah.. I see." Rinko said as he lazily looked up, staring at the ceiling aimlessly.
Suddenly, Weiss snatched the scroll from Rinko's hands "Winter!" she announced sharply, her voice echoing off the polished walls of the restaurant.
On the other end, Winter's voice came through, "Weiss, what's the matter?"
Weiss stuttered for a moment before composing herself, "Well, it's been a while since we talked.. I just wanted to know how's everything in Atlas?"
On the other end of the scroll, Winter was silent for a moment before responding, her tone softening just slightly.
"I'm fine, Weiss," she reassured. "Busy, as always, but I'm managing."
Weiss hesitated for a second, gripping the scroll tighter. "And Atlas? How are things over there?"
Winter exhaled lightly. "The situation is... tense. Security is tighter than ever, and there's a lot happening behind the scenes. But I don't want you worrying about that right now."
Weiss bit her lip. That wasn't exactly the comforting answer she was hoping for, but it was about what she expected.
"Right..." she murmured before glancing at Rinko, then the rest of the group. There was no point in stalling. "Winter, I need to tell you something important."
"Go on," Winter prompted.
Weiss took a steadying breath, gripping the scroll a little tighter. "We, uh... we already secured transport to Atlas."
A pause.
"Really?" Winter's voice came through, a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"Commander Cordovin agreed to let us board a ship in exchange for something," Weiss clarified, her tone firm but measured.
Rinko leaned forward, resting an elbow on the table. "Maa, you could say it was a trade," he added casually, swirling his cup of tea.
Winter's voice sharpened in an instant. "What exactly did she demand from you?"
Weiss exchanged a glance with the others before answering. "She conscripted us," she admitted. "We're officially working under her command now until the military withdrawal is complete."
Silence.
The group watched the scroll anxiously, listening for Winter's response.
Then, finally—
"I see," Winter said, her voice laced with understanding.
There was a faint rustling on her end as if she were shifting in her seat. When she spoke again, her voice was noticeably softer. "At least you're safe. That is very reassuring."
Weiss let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her grip on the scroll loosened slightly, and her shoulders sagged just a little in relief.
"It's not a bad arrangement," Blake added, arms crossed as she leaned back. "We get a guaranteed way into Atlas, and in return, we help out where we can. It could've been a lot worse."
"Yeah, and it's not like we're completely in the dark about military structure," Jaune pointed out. "Between our training at Beacon and all the battles we've been through, we can hold our own."
Winter hummed, "It's a reasonable trade. Cordovin is strict, but she values competence. If you prove yourselves useful, she may grant you more leeway."
"That's the plan," Weiss replied, straightening her posture.
Winter exhaled softly. "Then for now, do as she asks. Work diligently, stay out of trouble, and be mindful of how the Atlas military operates. Cordovin has the final say in all matters regarding Argus Base, and stepping out of line will not work in your favor."
"We understand," Weiss assured her.
"Good," Winter said. "We'll talk again soon. Be careful, always."
And with that, the call ended.
A brief silence followed before Yang let out a slow whistle. "Well, that went better than I expected."
Outside, Afternoon
The streets of Argus were lively, bustling with people going about their day. The crisp ocean breeze carried the scent of salt and fresh bread from a nearby bakery, the distant sound of seagulls mixing with the chatter of the crowd.
Rinko walked alongside the group, hands in his pockets, taking in the scenery. But something felt... off. A quick glance over his shoulder confirmed it—Weiss had fallen behind.
She wasn't dragging her feet, nor did she seem lost. But her gaze was distant, fixed on the ground as if her thoughts weighed heavier than her steps.
Ruby, Blake, and Yang noticed it too. Team JNPR and Oscar were wrapped up in their own conversations, oblivious to the shift in the group's dynamic. The three girls exchanged glances before their attention landed on Rinko.
Suddenly, Yang had an idea.
She smirked.
"Guys," she spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. "Did you know there's an amusement park having its grand opening today?"
Nora's gasp was immediate. "What?! Really?!" She spun toward Ren, eyes sparkling. "Ren, we have to go! Teddy-buddies, Ren! Teddy-buddies!"
Ren sighed but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips. "I should've known this was coming."
Jaune raised an eyebrow. "An amusement park, huh?"
Blake tilted her head, intrigued. "I didn't think Argus had one."
Pyrrha chuckled. "I remember hearing about it when we arrived. It was under construction for a while, but it looks like it's finally open."
"Oh, it's new," Yang said smugly. "And I just so happen to know where it is!" She planted her hands on her hips, giving a knowing look.
Rinko caught the briefest flicker of her gaze toward Weiss.
'Ah. That's what this was.' He smirked as he moved his head to his shoulder as his gaze landed on Weiss just behind him. 'She wasn't just making conversation—she was trying to lift Weiss' mood. And honestly? Not a bad plan.'
Ruby turned to Weiss, hopeful. "That actually sounds kinda fun, don't you think?"
Weiss blinked, her train of thought disrupted. "An amusement park?" She hesitated, then sighed. "...I suppose a distraction wouldn't be the worst idea."
Pyrrha smiled warmly. "It would be nice to spend some time together without worrying about missions or training."
Jaune nodded in agreement. "Yeah, just a day to relax for once."
Yang grinned. "Great! Let's get moving, people!"
Nora whooped in excitement, practically dragging Ren forward. "I'm gonna own whack-a-mole!"
Ren, already resigned to his fate, gave a small nod. "I believe you."
Jaune chuckled, shaking his head as he followed. "Remind me to keep my distance when she has a hammer."
Blake smirked. "Noted."
As the group started heading toward their new destination, Rinko fell in step beside Weiss.
She glanced at him, arching a delicate brow. "You're awfully quiet. No complaints about getting dragged to an amusement park?"
He smirked, adjusting his gloves. "I was planning to just walk around town, but if I get to see you scream on a roller coaster, I'd call that a win."
Weiss scoffed. "Please. I don't scream on roller coasters."
[End]