The Cotta-Arcs

…a starter. | @ cottaarcs   “The curse of…

Terra didn’t want to make Platino feel uncomfortable, but Argus could really use the help of someone who knew their way around some serious hardware. Terra was good with circuitry and basic programming, especially in the communication’s field, but other than that her skills were more specialized. 

But, Terra wasn’t Atlas. She wouldn’t use up people then ignore them when they outlived their usefulness. If she wanted something from him, the least she could do was give him the time of day.

  He could go on a whole spiel about all the flaws with the Atlesian Knights and criticize their kingdom of origin until the heat death of the universe, but now was not the right time to rant and rave about his detestation for Atlas. After all, nobody traveled across the sea for help unless they absolutely needed it.

An audible sigh left Terra. He was right. Not only was it likely the military would misuse his tech, if it had his name on it, he would be the one to lose reputation. Not just Atlas, assuming they took a public relations hit at all for it. 

“You got me there. I’m not much of a blacksmith or anything, but I’m really good with tech. Especially in communications. CCTS circuitry, software, all of that stuff.”

This, unfortunately, was the point where she’d have to tell him that his fears were well-founded and he was right to not want his name on possible misuses of technology.

“Uh-oh. Well, I guess this is payback for Qrow passing out in front of my house.”

Terra knew she had the option of just saying to Ruby she didn’t want to talk about it, but Saphron put her in a strange position of feeling compelled to answer. Plus, when her and Saphron were Ruby’s age, they already knew what it was. 

“I’ll explain everything in a sec. I’m putting the vegetables in a separate pan because they cook faster than the meat. Or you can just do what Saph does and put it in the pan when the meat is almost done. She does this so um… she has less dishes to wash.”

The smell of the stir fry was filling the air, the spices and mixtures could make any omnivore’s mouth water. She figured while waiting on the food’s final preparations, she could explain away Saphron’s joke.

“We looked into other alternatives, but what we did was the safest. Anything involving Dust or specialists had too many possible complications. Anyway, a ‘unicorn’ in this context is… geez this is embarrassing… someone who panders to both you and your partner’s tastes sexually and does not inspire feelings of jealousy between the three of you, tending to everyone equally in bed. They’re called this because it is rumored such a situation is as rare as a unicorn.” 

“Can’t do anything in regards to that.” She chuckled, wondering when the day would come that her Uncle’s liver would give out on him. Sure, aura was useful and all that, but it was a mere crutch and tool to be used, not to be relied upon.

Looking at what the other was doing, she gave a nod, writing that down and wondering whether or not she should ask Saphron for some advice too. From what she got, Terra seemed to be the more theoretical of the two, that followed the rules of the book well. Saphron was the more practical one that applied her own logic to it.

“Ah I see; Unfortunately I’m not willing to share Weiss with anyone. I owe my life to her and she’s been changed into a Fateless person thanks to me, so we’re somewhat bound to one another.” The topic of fate and destiny was always an interesting one, but Ruby usually kept the whole Fateless stuff a secret.

“That’s partly why they’re called ‘unicorns’ right there. Not only are people who are willing to experiment with it choosy, some couples outright would never try it.”

To each their own, for sure. Terra didn’t judge as long as every adult was consenting and happy, with no one getting hurt either physically or emotionally. She laughed lightly under her breath not only at Ruby’s strange metabolism but at the fact she got so side-tracked topic-wise when it came to teaching her how to cook.

She supposed she was almost done anyway. They just had to make sure the chicken was thoroughly cooked and not too pink in the middle like she said in the beginning and let the vegetables simmer for a bit.

Saphron walked into the quaint coffee shop that her and Terra frequented on their downtime. Terra was at work, per usual, but Saphron was really interested in getting one of those macchiatos that Terra had her hooked on now. Eventually, her gaze met Glynda’s.

What the- do I know her? Dang it, is she checking me out?! Ever since I got married, it’s like every woman in Argus wants to- oh, wait, no, I think she just recognizes me from somewhere.

Keeping her inner thoughts to herself, Saphron went ahead and sat next to the Beacon Professor, ordering the caramel macchiato that her wife introduced her to then introduced herself to Glynda.

“Sorry if this is upfront but… hi! I’m Saphron Arc. Do I… know you?” 

Internally Glynda kicked herself a bit. She hadn’t meant to stare. this was going to be terribly awkward. 

As the women introduced herself, Glynda couldn’t help but be a bit surprise by the last name. So it hadn’t been her imagination after all. Then she could easily explain herself. She straightened herself up a bit before speaking.

“Awww! My little brother Jaune goes to Beacon, yes. I hope he hasn’t been too much trouble. I’m sorry in advance if he’s said something... untoward... to you.”

Not that Saphron was flirting, she very much loved Terra. It’s just she was no idiot and Jaune kind of... was. Their dad made him believe he could confidently walk up to any woman and Glynda was very pretty. Not to mention, Saphron had a chance to embarrass Jaune. Bonus points!