#thnocturne

Aurelia let out a huff as she crossed her arms across her chest matching the position of her legs, the top one bouncing hastily in irritation. What poor choices had she made in her life that led her to being thrown into an Atlesian prison cell to rot next to her ex-boyfriend and the worst father of the year? Was this the fate Fortuna was referencing all those months ago? Were the spinners of the thread of her life laughing at her for trying to change it?

"So that's it then? Nothing else to say?"

Her eyes flick around at her surroundings, looking for some way, any way to get out of her predicament when the flash of a metal reflection catches her eye. Clover's lucky charm. Observing Qrow's face as he fiddles with the object, her heart softens ever so slightly. He looked different. Even more tired than usual; defeated. While she still harbored some anger and resentment for him, deep down, she wanted him to be okay.

"I'm sorry about your friend, starl--Qrow."

It had been a mess, so while Qrow was out doing who knows what, Weiss had spent a good majority of the morning cleaning up the mess he had left behind. Her tendencies to clean when she was stressed or bored often getting the best of her, not being able to concentrate in such a state. But that all ended when she heard a strange sound coming from the kitchen. She placed the cleaning supplies down and went to investigate, before realizing that the noise was coming from the sink. what in the world?

Several texts went unanswered but read, and in that time Water was beginning to spontaneously squirt out.

" i think the line between that blurred a long time ago, and we're just starting to notice. "

Aurelia giggled as she held her scroll up, the device wobbling dangerously above her face as she squinted at the screen, trying—and failing—to focus on the little glowing letters. She was sprawled out on one of Ruby’s bean bag chairs, limbs loose and boneless, her hair spilling over the sides like liquid gold. Beside her sat a tipped-over bag of chips, their contents scattered on the carpet. She’d tried to pick them up at some point but had gotten distracted by how loud the bag sounded. It was definitely the bag’s fault. Not hers. It was clear that Ruby's special cookie recipe had thoroughly kicked in by now.

Even with the lights turned down, Aurelia can still feel the pounding in her head, blood rushing in and out; pressing against her temples. Her biceps and quadriceps are crying in ache against her skin, the unrelenting pacing and haphazard packing she indulged in just a few minutes ago dishing out their consequences. Even with her face resting against her knees and eyes closed, back pressed against the cool, wooden footboard, the sensations are overwhelming. Coupled with her still racing thoughts? Giving way to engulf her in a cloud of negativity.

The few bits of clothes she brought along with her to Argus are strewn across the queen sized bed and half stuffed into a leather backpack and her short sword is somewhere on the floor amongst the mess. Weiss had already come and gone, spoken to Aurelia in an attempt to bring her down from her rush of panic and while it was helpful in the moment, now that she is alone again, she can feel her heartrate threatening to rise once again. They had simply been visiting a coffee shop, a quick excursion to pick up some local coffee beans as a gift to Jaune's sister for hosting the slew of people now staying in her home when she saw him. Or at least, she was sure it was him. Now? She wasn't all too confident anymore.

Holding the coffee beans in her hands, she was positive she saw him sitting at the table in the back corner; was certain that it was his lavender eyes staring her down. She could never forget those eyes leering at her. It was as if Aurelia was no longer in control of her body when the sack of coffee beans fell from her grip to the floor and spread across the ground. Silently pushing past the kids who tagged along and Qrow, she sprinted through the door and back to the Arc home. It wasn't until the door slammed closed that the tears began to fall and whimpering sobs escaped her mouth as she began collecting her items.

It's only the soft squeak of the door opening once again and the deceptive click of shoes on the hardwood that bring Aurelia back to reality.

"Weiss, please, just leave me alone. Tell everyone, tell Qrow, I'm sorry but I have to leave."

"Alright."

Aurelia's gaze shifts down to the ground as he dodges her statement and walks past her into their new residence. Every time lately that she has tried to reach out, to reconnect, he had snubbed her, dodged her questions and changed the subject. In the end, it was fair. How many times had she denied him entry into the vulnerable places of her heart? Had said she loved him and then pushed him away when he tried to get close? Just because she was ready to reconcile didn't mean that he was ready, but she would keep trying.

With the fall of Atlas, there wasn't much they had to settle in with; their weapons, her small leather backpack and some of Weiss' things that Aurelia had been able to quickly stuff into said backpack. Thankfully the Vacuoan home was furnished just enough with the basic essentials for them to get by for the time being. With the amount of Atlesian refugees that had poured into the city, anything beyond what was provided, they would need to obtain themselves.

Stepping into the kitchen, she places her bag onto the table and sighs.

"I have some things I'd like to talk with you about later...once you're...settled."

A Family Selfie for Argentum ad Aurum: a verse including @meloraan’s Aurelia Menenius, @twilighthavens’ Qrow Branwen/Ruby Rose, and @wintereign’s Weiss Schnee