#goldipunch

     So, the holes have once again torn the ground apart... All leading to the highly sought after cables that run under the city. To cut them all down is, allegedly, a necessary task given by “the Stars” in order to turn the tables against these invaders. But not only was the trek down here already treacherous... this ward had the added trouble of  gravity itself becoming unreliable. At times, one would feel as if they were being crushed under their own weight-- at other times, nothing could keep one firmly planted on the ground. For now, it seems the gravity has calmed down, if only momentarily...

     Before Adam, one of the sets of massive cables that needed to be disposed of... Yet he made no motion to slice them apart. One stroke was all he needed to give... But instead, the Faunus stands there, pondering over what must be done. The silence had gone unbroken for quite some time... That is, until the sound of approaching footsteps finally ended that. A hurried rush of stomping boots, slowing down to a careful walk once the new arrival spots him. He doesn’t even need to offer a glance back to see who it was...

          “-- I knew I’d run into you eventually!“ Just as Neptune was starting to wonder how he’d deal with the sudden heard of rolling Boarbatusks, he finally managed to get some back up! Tri-Hard was effective at stunning Grimm, but Boarbatusks are a particularly tricky problem... Their constant rolling meant their protective plating covered just about every exposed part of their body. His long ranged shots of electricity weren’t nearly as effective unless it was landing past those plates... But now, maybe he can formulate a better plan with Ruby’s sister here.

     ... Or maybe she’ll just throw caution into the wind and jump right into the rolling herd. ... Maybe he should go ahead and put a pin in that plan--

unprompted // always accepting

          “-- What, this?” The teen held up a box of what looked like a limited edition brand of chocolate-- Ofiuco-shaped Chocolates, each piece having a unique flavor to reflect Ofiuco’s own rich and multi-faceted personality! ... At least, that’s what the box claims-- but it doesn’t really work when the girl’s face looks to be pretty blank for every available flavor... Ichigo doesn’t even know who this girl is suppose to be-- some sort of mascot on the island? But the important thing is that his sweet tooth cravings have shot up through the roof for the past few days, yet nothing seems to be good enough... So logically, his best bet is to grab an assortment of flavors to find the perfect one he never knew he wanted!

     ... That was the plan at least-- but now it seems like this blonde chick isn’t happy with the fact that he may be walking away with the last box in stock.

                     ❛   Hey, uh... You can have the next one on me !   ❜

            SHE   rests her arms on the tabletop, as if she totally isn’t unnerved by this girl’s mere presence. Lucy has no idea who she is or why she’s so worked up, but she’s about ninety percent sure she’ll deck that guy if he keeps it up --- and while she’s... Y’know, pretty used to property damage by now... It would really damper her day. She’s practically got a tab here thanks to all this Hearts Wake stuff, these chocolates are the best !

            ... Also, she’s not sure if these drinks are alcoholic or not --- and at this point it’d be way too embarrassing to ask. Might as well pay it forward !

                     ❛   People say the strawberry one’s the best --- it’s got a splash of chocolate at the bottom, I’ve heard.   ❜

            SHE   doesn’t waste any time, doesn’t even say a word at first. After all these years, what really needs to be said ?  Ruby doesn’t activate her semblance, but she does take a running start; she crashes into Yang with all the force of the world’s tiniest freight train, a noise caught between a grunt and a whimper as she clings tightly to her. 

           There’s so much she wants to say --- thank goodness you’re safe, for one. I don’t want to think about mom anymore, for another, but I know you wanna ask. What are we gonna do next, perhaps, or Do you think Oscar’s okay ?  But all of those questions could wait. Right now, all she really cared about was curling her legs up and inward, enacting that protective little ball she always finds herself making whenever Yang’s near and trouble furrows Ruby’s brow. 

                ❛   Yang, I’m ---- back there, with Salem... I’m just so glad you’re here, I dunno what I’d...   ❜

@goldipunch​  SAID   :

it isn’t her intention to possibly scare ruby– not by a long shot. normally, she would have fling herself at the other at high speeds but given what Yang last remembers….and now suddenly being in this place…there’s relief and worry at seeing the familiar red cape. but instead of flinging, she settles for a hug, almost like the one given when they reunited in Mistral. both circumstances might be different but aren’t too far off. one thing is for sure, the relief felt at seeing her little sister okay was just the same, if not more. and as she squeezes the awestruck girl,  ever so softly does she whisper against dark hair– “ Hey, Rubes. ”

(  SHE’S HERE. . . ...,.... .,.. .,,  )  // 

              ❛   Y------ang... ?   ❜

         IT’S   all she can manage at first, spoken with the sort of softness that immediately takes her back --- back to many a morning where she’d poke her little head in, torn between excitedly rousing her big sister from sleep and letting her get some rest so she wouldn’t get too grumpy. There were plenty of mornings after Beacon, too, where she’d call her in much the same way --- but she never really responded, so she doesn’t consider them in the moment. No, for the moment all that matters is that Yang hears her and responds --- a familiar grin that could power a whole kingdom for a year if need be. 

         Ruby’s barely budged by the time she’s wrapped in her sister’s warmth, but the familiar squeeze is what finally snaps her out of her shock. How many months had it been ?  How deep did her chest ache for every moment she turned to share something with Yang, only to remember for the eight thousandth time that she wasn’t there ?  

“hey, rubes.” 

              ❛   Nn----   ❜   That was all it took. She clutched tightly at her back, as if she couldn’t possibly cling tight enough --- as if it might stop the tears that were already spilling over if she could just convince her mind and body that Yang was really, really here. Of course, that did nothing to stop her cheeks from getting all sticky and stained. If anything, it just made it worse. Her sharp inhale is only further punctuated by an odd noise --- caught between a whimper and a hiccup, a noise Yang is no doubt familiar with by now --- as she jumps upward, crashing into her as she wraps her arms tightly around her neck. Her feet are dangling off the ground a bit, but who cares ?