King: I agonized over whether I wanted to do this. No, really about if I should. That was actually the block I was talking about last time. But, this chapter, I decided to fall back to an old piece of writing advice.

Knox: Take frequent breaks and remember to eat?

King: Write what you enjoy. Create something you want to read. It's why I say 'I hope you enjoy' before every chapter, because I likely will. This time, I decided to go all out and just said 'fuck it' and wrote it. I'm not going to hide what it is, either. I decided to give you guys what harem anime teases but never go in on (at least I don't know of one that actually does).

Knox: Oh shit! We're going full trash~?!

King: Not full trash.

Knox: Aw...

King: I had the idea of the Laws in Arcadia that let them get away with this for a few chapters now. So, I decided to make it real in their version of the world. Also, again, these aren't the Prime (Canon) versions, so there are difference between them.

Knox: You know you don't have to justify it, right? That's the point of the advice.

King: I know. But I wanted to give a warning for anyone that would become concerned as a result of this. The reactions won't change too much. I also added some backstory for a few characters this chapter. Just something to look for I guess.

Knox: So... 'Hope you enjoy'?

King: I do. I hope you all enjoy the chapter. And thank you all for brining us this far. I'll pre-emptively call this the 10 million views special.

Knox: HOW MANY?!

King: Thank you all.

Inspiration: N/A

/\

Knox and King spoke through telepathy.

"Hey King, want to take it easy this time? Just a fun little play?"

"That sounds like a plan, actually. What were you thinking?"

"Well…"

The screen popped showing the usual Intermission sign. Everyone was free to head out and do whatever they wanted for a while. However, before they could leave, another message appeared showing a beach scene with an umbrella, lettering saying, [Gold Cove is now open for visits!].

"Gold Cove?"

Knox grinned, "We opened a beach here in the theater!"

Nora gasped quite loudly, "A beach?! Really?!"

"Yep~ You can all go enjoy the beach! A real beach with magic to really bring everything together. Down the hall, it's the blue door with the yellow sun in the upper left."

Nora squealed a bit, bouncing on her feet, "Let's go!" She immediately turned and ran off toward the beach. Everyone else just shrugged and followed after her.

As they ran off, Ren moved up through the group and pulled Nora back to the back of the group and gained some distance. "Nora, I need to ask you something."

"Sure Ren. What did you need?" Her need to hurry instantly forgotten.

Ren glanced toward the group as they allowed for the distance to increase. He then turned back to Nora, "And I need you to be honest with me, alright?"

"Of course~"

Ren spoke low, making sure the rest of the group, including Blake and Velvet, couldn't hear him, "Do you like Jaune?" It was obvious what kind of 'like' he was referring to.

That was not the kind of question Nora was expecting. She and Ren had decided to remain as they were. They'd known each other for so long and been alone for long enough that if it didn't happen, it likely wouldn't. But this seemed out of left field. "What makes you say that?" She kept her voice low to match his.

"For one thing, despite the fact that we've met people similar to Cardin, you never offered to outright assault the bully."

"Okay, but…"

"Then there's how protective you've been acting toward him, even the ones on the screen. Your outburst against the Love Commandment alone was a bit over the top. You rarely get angry like that."

Nora knew that was true. She was energetic, but her temper was rarely flared. "Well he's…"

"I also caught you with his hoodie the week before we arrived here." Time may not be moving back home, but it was a little weird to call it 'last week,' no matter how technically accurate.

"You were there! I knew it!" She was aware enough to keep her outburst low, but she still released what she said a bit after she had. "It was cold?"

"Nora. I know you're being subtle," something he knew she could do. "You divert conversations and tend to go overly eccentric, hiding behind your 'quirkiness.' Now, answer the question, and be honest."

Nora glanced back to the group to ensure they hadn't heard anything. She sighed, continuing to speak low, "I… yeah, kind of." She hung her head a bit as they walked.

"And you never said anything?"

"Well no…"

Ren didn't need to see where she was glancing to know why she hadn't. "You don't want to step on Pyrrha's toes."

"She's liked him pretty much from the start. I just started to like him a bit ago. It wouldn't feel right…"

"Nora…" Ren sighed. I swear no one that likes him can ever say it! As they approached the door he tapped Nora's shoulder, pointed to Velvet and Pyrrha, and then pointed back behind him. It was basically asking her to bring them back to talk.

Nora didn't know why, but she wasn't about to distrust Ren. She grabbed both of their shoulders and held them back as the others entered the door. She spun around with them both following her to face Ren.

Ren nodded, "Thank you Nora."

"Um… what's going on?" Velvet asked, confused.

"I had you gathered here to discuss something pertaining to Jaune." Ren pointed to each of them as he went on, "You three share a mutual interest in Jaune and it's time to do something about it."

"Wait," Pyrrha caught that a bit faster than Nora would have liked. "Three?"

The other two turned to her and Nora wanted nothing more than to disappear right then and there. She did not want to have this conversation. She deliberately avoided it for so long.

"When did that happen?"

"Um… a couple weeks ago? I mean, this place is kind of weird about time, so who really…" She was cut off by Ren before she could ramble and make them forget what they were discussing. "So… about then."

"Then why didn't you say anything?"

"Pot, meet kettle," Ren chimed in with a grin.

Pyrrha turned a bit red but relented.

Velvet joined the conversation again, "So, why are we here then?"

"This." Ren reached into his coat and pulled out a small booklet, it fit in his hand and was no more than twenty pages at most. Across the cover read, [Arcadian Law and Court Decisions: Non-Traditional Marriages and Relationships].

"Non-Traditional Relationships?" Nora's head tilted as she read it out loud.

"According to this, Traditional Relationships are two people with an age gap of three years or less."

Wheels started to turn in their heads, only to all hit the endpoint at once. "WHAT?!"

Velvet's face was a bright pink as she took a more challenging stance, "Are you suggesting we all…! All…" But she couldn't finish that sentiment. It was true that relationships like that exist. Given that Remnant was such a dangerous place, it wasn't unheard of.

Ren, however, was ready to answer this, "I'm simply offering this alternative. It's not like any of you are making headway otherwise."

They all turned away, slightly embarrassed.

"So, I'm giving you all an easy out."

"But…" Velvet looked at the other two, "would we really take that?"

After a moment, they heard, "I would." Eyes turned to Nora, two sets looking very surprised. "I mean…" Her head hung a little lower, "I never knew my family. So I always wanted one…"

That hit hard for all of them. They knew Nora and Ren were both orphans, but not knowing that Nora lost her parents so early.

"Ren was the closest I had for so long. Then I met all of you and I had a real home. But then I started to like Jaune, and didn't want to lose the family I had now." Her head returned to the normal position and looked straight toward the other two, "And if we do this… then it'll just be like a bigger family right?"

Ren pointed out something else as well, "Plus, if you attempt this, you can pool your confidence and actually make progress." Let it be known that when Ren speaks, he doesn't beat around the bush.

Velvet knew he was right, though. She had confidence issues as it was, but competing with, now, two beautiful women that Jaune is in constant contact with wouldn't help. Pyrrha was okay confidence wise, but had problems when it came to speaking up about her feelings for Jaune. Nora just didn't want to hurt anyone, so kept quiet. But if they worked together…

Pyrrha took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. "Well, I guess I'm willing to try."

Velvet nodded in agreement.

Nora smiled and grabbed the two in a hug, "Yea! Everyone's happy~!"

"I'm still a little surprised." Velvet spoke up, "I thought you and Ren were together."

"Together, but not together-together."

Ren nodded, "Besides, I'm not entirely sure what I like. Muted emotions make it hard to tell sometimes."

"Oh…"

"But enough about that." Ren turned them all around and gave them a pat on the shoulders toward the door. He tossed the booklet to Velvet and waved them forward, "Go get him."

\/

Inside was a very real, very beautiful beach scene. Beautiful sands and pristine water that shimmered on an actual sunny day inside! There was no sign of walls or anything in any direction but the way they came in. Of course, there was a hut with a fence that stopped them from entering right away. A sign read, [No entry without proper swimwear. We will not be held responsible for ruining your only attire in the theater otherwise]. Said hut was a sort of swimsuit store that allowed them to get whatever they wanted, custom made, and actually be able to take back with them when they leave.

And since it's a beach day, you know what that means. Swimsuit description time!

Ruby had decided to go with a single piece suit that resembled a uniform for a swim team. It was primarily black with bright red streaks on her side. Pretty standard overall.

Weiss was similar with the single piece. Hers was white with light blue over her sides and her symbol over her right shoulder.

Blake chose a two piece in black. Nothing else to say there. It was utterly standard and unassuming. And Blake preferred it that way. It was just like something anyone would wear, which would help her blend in. Meanwhile, her ears had finally been freed for the first time since they arrived.

Yang, however, decided to go all out. Hers was technically a one piece, but it showed off more skin than Blake's two piece. It started behind her neck, crossed at her sternum, over her breasts, crossing at her lower back, before landing back at what would be bikini bottoms in any other context. All in a bright, eye catching orange. And she'd be damned if she didn't think she pulled it off.

Coco had decided to go with a fashionable two piece that matched her hair, down to the gradient from brown to cream to the lower right side. She, naturally, kept her sunglasses and hat.

The guys were more uniform.

Neptune and Sun had gone with basic trunks in their own colors; black for Sun and Blue for Neptune. Though, Neptune had chosen to put on a green t-shirt with a blue trident head symbol.

Jaune, meanwhile, had gone with more professional looking gear that covered from waist to ankle. It was mostly a dark blue with yellow stripes up both sides with his family symbol on the outside of either thigh.

They didn't notice that the other four took a little longer to appear, but they arrived soon enough that they didn't really think about it.

Ren had gone with simple green trunks. But he did add a white t-shirt though.

Pyrrha had gone with a single piece suit in a bronze color. She also added a semi-transparent cloth tied on one hip that hung down over to the other side and over her leg. The style gave off the notion of showing off her upper thigh, despite being visible at all times anyway.

Velvet had a strapless one piece suit. (Yes, we all knew it would come to this and you know exactly what it looks like.) It was a chocolate brown with darker stitch-like designs decorating the entire form.

Nora, meanwhile, went with a pseudo two piece connected from the center of her bust to the lower half. The entire thing was an electric blue. She also chose to add a light jacket which was pink, of course.

Nora ran toward the water and swung her arms wide to really feel everything. "This is awesome!" It was finally beach day! Something she wanted for so long.

Jaune walked over, because of course he noticed what some of them didn't, "So, what did Ren need you guys for?"

Nora jumped a bit, surprised he figured that out so fast. "Oh! Just spitballing an idea. Speaking of…" She glanced over to Pyrrha ad Velvet, who nodded. "I'm going to need you to come this way real quick." She grabbed his arm and started pulling, soon followed by the other two.

"Where are they going?" Ruby asked.

"If I had to guess, Nora's finally intervening on their behalf." Coco walked over to a spot with beach chairs and smirked. "Think this sun can give us an actual tan?"

As they debated whether it was possible to tan here, Nora stopped just out of earshot of the main group, releasing Jaune soon after. As the other two joined them, it just left Jaune more confused.

He looked between the three, "So… what's going on?"

Pyrrha took a deep breath to steel her nerves. "Jaune… we have… That is to say…" She started to trip on her words.

But that's what Nora was for. "We wanted to talk about something." She took the small booklet out from her jacket.

Jaune raised an eyebrow at first before his eyes shot open like dinner plates.

Velvet saw this and leaned in a bit, "Wait, do you know what this is?"

"I-I mean…" Now it was Jaune's turn to trip over himself, "Yeah. My mom told me about it, but I never figured anyone else would hear about it. It never seemed like the kind of thing that would ever come up."

"Well, it has." Pyrrha was starting to gain back her confidence for a moment. "And… we…" She groaned and scrambled ehr hands through her hair, chastising herself, "Come on!" She took another breath and looked him in the eye. "We like you. A lot. And we think… we're willing to try one of these." She took the book in hand to silently say what she meant.

Jaune stood there like a deer in the headlights for a moment before passing out and falling toward the sand. This got all three of them to scramble in shock.

\/

While the harem anime was playing out in the distance, Neptune chuckled as he saw them moving around. He had taken a seat in the sand and saw it all happen, even if he didn't know what was happening specifically. But he knew it was a temporary distraction. A wave ran up the sand and pulled his attention back to the source of both fear and comfort. He tensed up, unable to move.

"Neptune?" Weiss had placed a hand on his tense shoulder, concern painted her face. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. I mean… no, but kind of." He groaned as he had to discuss one of two subjects he really didn't want to. (The other is dancing by the way.)

She looked out over the waves before sitting next to him. "Are you afraid of the ocean?"

Neptune was silent for a moment before sighing with a nod. "Kind of. I have been since I was a kid." He found the words fall without a thought. "I almost drowned when I was about 6 or 7. I don't remember the specifics. All I remember… was the water."

"I… That's terrible."

"Worse than you think. See, my family are all seaside types. We'd go to the beach everyday if we could. So, I would swim, and I'd come close to the worst before, but this was different. My semblance flared up for the first time during the experience."

"What… what is your semblance, anyway?"

Neptune stood and walked off to grab a full water bottle from a nearby crate with a cartoony King saying [Stay hydrated] on a sign. He opened it and poured the water onto his hand. However, unlike what it should do like this, it began to pool into a ball in his palm. "I can control water as long as some of it connects back to my body somehow."

"That's incredible!" It was hard to deny something that strong in a world with civilizations gathered around water sources.

"Not so incredible when you're a drowning 7 year old." He tossed the ball onto the ground and it reacted like water is supposed to. "My ability agitated the water around me, making me more scared and agitating it further. An endless loop that caused my own personal stormfront. My dad had to pull me out of the water and nearly drowned himself."

"Oh…" Weiss was in shock hearing that. "That's…"

"Yet, through it all, it still reminds me of home. I'm scared of it, but it reminds me of better times." He had a forlorn smile as a small tear fell, only to be wiped away quickly. "Go spend time with the others. I just… want to watch it for a while."

But Weiss didn't get up. "I think I'll watch it with you for a while."

\/

Jaune shifted and opened his eyes to the sky above, "What happened?"

The face of Nora was suddenly very in his vision, "You passed out when we told you we liked you and that we knew about the Non-Traditional option."

"Oh. Sounds about right." Jaune thought that was a dream or heat induced hallucination, but here he was. He sat up, a glance back revealing Velvet's lap had served as his pillow while he was out, something that only painted his cheeks a light pink. "

"So, what do you think?" Pyrrha shuffled in place, obviously nervous of what he said next.

"I… I mean…" He didn't have much for answers at the moment. "Are you really okay with this?"

Velvet had a determined, but still very cute, look on her face, "We're willing to try."

Jaune felt his heart melt just looking in those eyes. Then he looked at the others and that liquid heart started to evaporate. He felt his face burning up again, but he was able to stay conscious this time. "O-okay. Let's give it a try." He was then immediately tackle-hugged by an excited Nora.

It was a lovely scene that helps us transition away for a while.

\/

As that played out, some of the adults gathered in the lounge to enjoy some drinks and magically created music. They told stories around a table, laughing as they had their fun.

All but Sienna. She had just finished talks about the future of the Fang with Adam and Ironwood. They eventually reached an agreement that a new group would be best to create now that the Fang is so synonymous with terror. It was alright to defend themselves, but actively attacking someone shouldn't happen. But now, she just wanted a drink. She had to find a seat, though, to order one, and there's one issue. Most of the tables had people in pre-sorted groups. She would feel weird just randomly sitting down next to them. The only exception seemed to have Taiyang sitting alone. She had no ill will toward him and decided she could just get a drink and leave, and he wouldn't say anything.

As she got closer, however, her eyes darted to the side. At a table nearby was Gira, Kali, Glynda, and Ozpin. The two teachers were telling a story about the ways team RWBY constantly found ways to get into trouble. It all got Kali to giggle and Gira to smile, knowing that Blake had made good friends. But Sienna felt an all too familiar sting; one she'd hoped would have passed over these years. She sat at the table and used the magical menus to order her drink. She hoped to find a way to make this pass without further action.

"Um…" Tai, of course, had to open his mouth, "Are you okay?"

"Do you care?" As her drink appeared, she quickly brought it to her lips and downed half of it in one go.

"You obviously do."

That actually caught her off guard. She expected a yes or no, or some variation thereof. Not that. "What's your point?"

"I've been around enough moody teens to know you have something on your mind that you can't get rid of on your own. I also happened to catch that side glance to the table over there. Why not talk about it?"

"With who? You?"

"Why not? I'm professionally bound not to tell anyone what you say."

"Professionally? I wasn't aware huntsmen had a rule like that." This time when she brought her drink to her lips, she drank it slower than she had.

"They don't. But I'm also a teacher and part-time councilor for Signal Academy," he said with no shortage of pride of that fact.

Sienna never considered that option. She'd tried distractions, outlets, outright denial. But never confronting it. She took a breath and sighed and she leaned over her glass. "It's just… kind of personal. And not something I really want to talk about."

"If I had a nickel," Tai chuckled, but he returned to a more serious state soon after. "You don't have to tell me, but I get the feeling it might help you."

She looked into what remained of her drink before throwing her head back and finishing it all with one last swig. As her glass returned to the table, she returned to her hunched over position. "Maybe…" After a moment to reflect and consider, she relented. "Have you ever found yourself pining for someone you shouldn't?"

He raised an eyebrow hearing that, "In what regard?"

"See," she glanced toward the table, eyes focused on Gira, "when I first met him, I was head over heels. I'll admit that." Once Tai followed her line of sight, he knew who she was talking about. "He was strong, wise, reliable, everything we could ever need in a leader. And I wanted to be the woman at his side. But there already was one. The two were dating when I met them. When we met again they were married. Once more and they had a child on the way. I've ignored it for so long, but it's hard to move past it."

"You still like him?"

"I don't know. If I'm honest, I don't think I do anymore, but it still hurts." She ordered a refill, happy they didn't need to pay for anything here, "But I guess not as much as it did a moment ago."

"If I've learned one thing, it's that talking it out can sometimes help. Even if only a little."

"What else can help then?"

"My usual answer to that is catharsis."

"I admit, I'm not familiar with that term."

"It means emotional release, usually through art. Sometimes painting can help you sort through emotions."

"So you want me to paint something? You actually think that would help?" Sienna was skeptical to say the least.

"Not necessarily. You can do whatever you want to for catharsis. I usually go a round or two on a punching bag."

Sienna nodded before taking another sip from her new drink. "That sounds nice right now, actually. Though I doubt I have as much time as I'd like."

"How about this? Next intermission, we can get another sparring match in. That should help."

Sienna thought for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. I like that plan. I could use a rematch." She smirked toward him, a clear challenge.

"See? It's working already."

\/

Outside the arena, people were growing closer as new avenues opened up for all. In the arena, the five fighters were getting closer alright. With the ground. It was quickly becoming a very intimate relationship. Let's back up a bit.

The Ace Ops, hoping to use the arena for training, chose to face a Raid Boss enemy. Selecting Level 5, they had every reason to believe that being as coordinated as they were as a team, they could handle anything. That coupled with Marrow's, frankly broken, semblance, they had no reason to fear. Turns out Clover wasn't lucky enough for all five of them.

Their opponent was a massive man in red and gold armor. Easily 6 foot 7 inches tall, 300 pounds of muscle, 100 pounds of armor, and a pair of white tiger ears atop his head. A man whose loyalty could fill Amity Coliseum three times over, in his own estimates. Such is the man that was the most loyal retainer of House Arc, his words.

Cassius currently had his hand wrapped over Marrow's head, holding him up like a trophy before the others. As it turned out, Marrow's Semblance had one major weakness. Cassius Kahn's Semblance is known as Stalwart. It makes it impossible for the Semblances of others to affect him. As such, Marrow's commands couldn't stop him. "Is this all you have to throw at me?!" He punctuated this by actually throwing him into Elm.

Harriet groaned as she tried to remain standing, "What's this guy made of?"

Cassius huffed, "I am made of loyalty and honor!" He charged forward and broke through Vine's aura arms and grabbed him by the neck, only to slam him into the ground and drag the monk along the floor thanks to the force the largest Kahn exerted.

Clover was the only one with some level of stamina left. "I have to admit, I never expected someone like this existed."

Cassius laughed and turned toward the leader of the Ace Ops. "I exist to serve House Arc. I am their shield and a blade to be wielded as they command."

"Arc?" Elm was back on her feet, using her weapon to balance herself, "The blond guy?"

Vine groaned out, "Jaune Arc."

Cassius leaned slightly forward, "So you know of the young heir?"

Now it was Harriet's turn to be confused, "Heir? What the heck does he mean?"

Cassius scoffed hearing that, "Ridiculous! To not know the glorious lineage of House Arc, Grand Princes of Arcadia!"

Clover used this to snap his weapon/fishing pole forward and hooking onto Cassius's armor. With another snap of his wrist, the plate was pulled off and rattled against the ground.

Cassius grinned, "You're a lucky one." He laughed and clenched his hand in anticipation. "But you shouldn't rely on that." His missing armor piece suddenly shot back into his hand, allowing him to return it to its original position.

Clover growled. He recognized a gravity Dust system, but had never seen it so focused. What is this guy?

Cassius grinned and charged forward using a booster set on his back. Clover jumped back, his line and hook flying around Kahn's side. Only for Cassius to grab the hook out of the air, "I said you shouldn't rely on luck." Cassius's hand wrapped over Clover's face before lifting him off the ground. "Because it runs out." The gravity Dust on the back of his hand started to glow.

That doesn't bode well…

Clover was instantly shot forward and into his team, knocking them all into the wall behind them from the force. With his win, the arena had Cassius disappear.

In the pile, Marrow growned, "I can't feel my face…"

"Well can you feel your asses?" The five jumped as Winter stepped into the arena, and because of what she just said, "Because they just got handed to you."

Elm pushed herself out of the pile, "When did you start saying ass?"

"We're in the military, Elm."

"Fair enough."

"More importantly, now we have data on an Arcadian guard. I'd call this a victory in a way."

"Arcadian?" Harriet dusted off her shoulder, "The hell is that?"

"I forgot you arrived fairly recently. The Principality of Arcadia is a settlement approximately the size of a kingdom on eastern Anima. It is also the home of Mr. Arc, where his family sits as royalty."

"WHAT?!" Harriet was once again shocked that the 'background blond' had so much going on.

"Quite. It was rather surprising, but it seems to be true."

"My head hurts even more now." Harriet grabbed her head and groaned.

\/

Meanwhile, back on the beach, the main gang found themselves sitting at a quaint beach hut labeled, [Golden Grill Hut and Beachside Bar]. They all got to enjoy a bit of food and non-alcoholic drinks. As they enjoyed the moment, Jaune, Velvet, Nora, and Pyrrha were racking their brains about how to bring up their new situation with everyone. How would they even go about explaining that?

"Salutations!"

Only to end up jumping a bit higher than everyone else since they were distracted until then. As Neptune started to choke, Sun scrambled to administer the Heimlich Maneuver before anything else. With that dealt with, the group as a whole spun around to see Penny, as well as two others. And, as is the rule of the beach, they were dressed for the area.

Penny wore a one piece with frills around her shoulders and at her hips. It was primarily a bright green with small bits of orange at the ends of the frilly sections. "Hello friends!"

The other two were a little more surprising.

One was Ilia, wearing a one piece that resembled a more colorful version of her usual stealth suit. It was a dark green color with a texture somewhat resembling scales. "Um… hi?"

The last one was Emerald, in a two piece that, honestly, covered about the same amount of skin as her normal outfit. Hers was a bright emerald green (yes, really). She seemed to be avoiding eye contact at the moment, though.

Blake stood and turned toward then, eyes locked on Ilia, "What's going on?"

However, Penny was the one to answer, "I am glad you asked! After looking up the concept of a Beach Day in the library, I attempted to gather those among us within a similar age group to have us all enjoy it together. I attempted to invite Mercury Black as well, but he stated he had no intention of doing so."

"Thank goodness…" Emerald whispered, annoyed to hear his name at this point.

"I was able to acquire Ilia Amatola and Emerald Sustrai before arriving! Though, Emerald seemed to have been outside the door, hesitating on opening it."

Emerald groaned, really not caring for the robotic girl's lack of tact.

Everyone was a little weary. After figuring out Cinder was not a good person, putting it nicely, they were concerned when it came to Mercury and Emerald. Blake knew that Ilia was one of the violent types within the Fang before she left. But now, they both looked so… vulnerable. Penny just smiled while Ilia's face made it clear she was dragged here, though not under duress.

Emerald's situation was a little different and decided to dive in head first. "I actually thought about coming here after you did…" She started to tell them her story. From growing up on the street to Cinder's arrival. From Cinder's plans to her betrayal and telling the Beacon Headmaster. She bowed slightly, as though to leave herself to their mercy, "And I just want somewhere to belong! And I thought… maybe… That could be here."

They were all silent for a bit before Ruby stood and walked over toward the other girl with a gem-based namesake. She raised a hand toward her with a smile, "If you really mean it, then we'll be happy to give you a chance."

Emerald took Ruby's hand and shook, "Thanks. That means a lot." It really did. Emerald was earnest here. No tricks or plans. So now, she found somewhere to belong with people that can actually care. "But, you should probably know something…" She blushed a bit, embarrassed.

"Um… what's that?"

Emerald took a breath and turned back to the group as a whole, "I have a… very dependant personality."

"At least you're self aware." Blake joked/snarked. It was very Blake to say that.

"Yeah," Emerald groaned a bit because of it though. "The point is I tend to latch onto people. It was why I was so loyal to Cinder until recently."

"So you want to 'latch' onto one of us?" Neptune raised an eyebrow.

"Why not Jaune then?" Sun offered. The looks he got ranged from confusion to scandal. "What? It makes sense. He's, like, the anti-Cinder. Plus, if any of us can handle this kind of thing, it would probably be him."

Blake nodded once, "He's not wrong." Blake knew most of them didn't have the most stable lives; be it mentally or physically. But Jaune seemed like the exception.

Emerald confirmed the thought with a nod, "Yeah… I admit I kind of thought that through already. Though…" She glanced over toward the four sitting along the corner. She actually heard Ren talking to them, using her Semblance to hide from their sight with a considerable strain to have it work on all of them.

Ruby's head tilted and turned toward the four. "What? Is something wrong about them?"

"No. Not wrong… just…"

The four were about to cave to avoid this and buy time to explain the situation, but Ren beat them all to the punch, "Jaune? Do you have something to tell everyone?" He might not have thrown them under the bus, but he definitely nudged them under a minivan.

Everyone was too curious now and wasn't going to let this go. Jaune knew that. And he knew that Ren was doing this to get them to just get it over with instead of worrying about it. Jaune sighed, standing, and tapped the counter twice with two fingers. A small bottle labeled Heartland Halo] appeared for them all. "So, we've got news."

"We?" Yang was instantly invested again.

"Wait." Coco saw the scene and looked between Jaune and the girls around him, "Are you saying someone finally cracked!"

Sun slammed his hands on the table before throwing them into the air, "Finally! So, which one finally got their feelings out there?"

Jaune flinched, realizing just how dense he'd been that everyone knew ahead of time but him. "That's… a little complicated. Do any of you know about Arcadia's NTMA?"

"I do!" Penny's hand shot up. "I read about it in the Library's database. Arcadia's Non-Traditional Marriage and Relationship Laws are designed to allow for relationships between figures with an age gap greater than three years and/or those arrangements that involve three or more individuals!" She didn't realize what she just said there and what it implied.

Eyes instantly realized that Pyrrha and Velvet were glancing off for a moment while Nora grinned as she often would. And, unlike the usual arrangement of seating, Nora was sitting between Jaune and Pyrrha. And with Ren at the end, they figured it was just a line up base on their team name, like what team RWBY would usually do, and are doing now. But it really tied together seeing Ren's smirk with a slight nod to confirm what they were thinking.

"Holy shit!" Neptune was smiling from ear to ear, "That's crazy! I mean, it's awesome for you guys, I guess, but that's crazy! Right?"

Ilia jumped back a bit in shock, "That's a thing?!"

"Yeah, it's a thing." Nora grinned, "We all get to be happy~!"

People weren't sure what to think, but nervous eyes turned to Weiss. They expected her to be more uptight about things. She'd proven that more than a few times. But surprises are constant today it seems.

"Well I'm happy for them." Weiss just spoke like it was just another day.

"R-really?" Yang was taken aback, the most shocked since she's the usual target for Weiss's stuffiness.

"I grew up seeing two people married who hate each other, so I don't exactly hold kind views toward it. If those four can be happy like this, then I'm happy for them. It's that simple." She took a drink from her tea before continuing, "But they should think about something fairly important. What will they do if someone else comes along and sees what they do?"

"What?" Jaune turned to the heiress, confused.

But Nora understood, "That's a good point. I mean, we're already dating Jaune at the same time. If someone else starts to feel the same way, we need to figure out what to do about it. Can we just say no? We let each other in, why just us?"

"Well, whatever you do," Blake joined the conversation again, "You should all agree on it. If even one of you refuses, it would be best to say no."

"That works." Jaune took the bottle of Halo and pulled the topper away. "For now, we need to take it as it comes to us. One step at a time."

Coco chuckled, "If that doesn't exemplify dating, I don't know what does."

Jaune held the bottle up for a toast. "So, a celebration. A toast to the future and to handle whatever comes our way." As the cheers rang out over them, Jaune divvied out some of the Halo for everyone. It was a small amount, and the alcohol content was low enough for Yang to let Ruby actually partake this once.

As Emerald sat at the counter, drink in hand, she couldn't help but smile. It really felt like she had a home now. And this time, she knew it would be real.

\/

"All viewers kindly begin making their way back to the main theater. Thank you."