"So, when are you leaving?" Raven asked Shine bluntly while they were running her errands around the marketplace.

"Oh... that came out of nowhere," Shine winced.

"I like to be prepared," Raven said.

"I'm not sure yet... Soon, I suppose," Shine said vaguely.

"Is that it?" Raven seemed unusually subdued. "Forever?"

"Oh, no." Shine waved her hand. "I've visited my friends before.. .usually at big events, so it's not so apparent that a stranger shows up. People might talk, you know... unless I can get away with it. I'm sure Wally will agree with me that we'd have to check in. But it...well, it won't be the same."

"How often do you go?" Raven said.

"For me? It can be months or years," Shine said. "But for them, it's usually much longer. I find DJ portals tend to work like an expanding cone. You enter and exit from a narrower point of time in your own world than you come into the other in. Meaning that your time will move faster than ours. It's to prevent the strain on us of aging so many years for the job. It's been... probably at least 10 years for my first mission friends' world since I left them the first time... but that's not so bad, really. The time skips can be thousands of years, as you saw with Alicia, but for her it was... I think she told Oscar 5."

"Won't it be weird for you to see us get older like that then?" Raven said.

"I'm pretty used to it," Shine said. "But it is a little weird. But I wouldn't want to just not see you either. I'll miss you guys." She paused and mused. "I know we haven't been so easy to get along with. I am amazed how much time we spent arguing and in peril. Usually I have a bit more breathing room on missions... but even so, I loved every day of it. I enjoy doing this, even on the bad days. I hope you won't take that as flippant. I don't mean I enjoyed your problems, but... being a part of it... well, there's nothing like it. It's immersive. Wally felt it too. We just knew we were meant to do this. But you won't need us anymore now."

"I'm not one for sentimental speeches," Raven said, "but I would think that most of them would say that they still do need you. What are we supposed to do now? The world won't share our new beliefs or even our knowledge of the gods and their deception. We could end up right where we started... Even the gods said--"

"The gods were right," Shine said. "In one way."

Raven paused. "What do you mean?"

"It is true that other false gods will try to rise," Shine said. "Other movements of man too. Empires rise and fall, as the saying goes. It's how the world is. 'You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but the end is not yet.' It's the same where I live. History swings one way and the other. I find it fascinating to be caught up in it, but I can't change that. We must do what we can where we are. The gods were trying to get us to despair by pointing out the inevitable decline of mankind to evil again. But it's only half the truth. Mankind will always slide back into the light also. It is our job to keep it alive in the dark times so that there is a light for them to come back to. And to keep the flame alive while they are looking for it. Otherwise, we have truly failed. You see, the task of mankind is to keep the flame alive on this earth, not to keep the whole world in check. We can't. But there must be a map to follow. There must be someone to look to for answers." She glanced at her. "That is what we'll leave you with, our tools and gifts. You must use them the way you will. We can't tell you that part. We don't know it. All of this was just putting it in your hands. I've told you how little time we have."

"It's not hard on you to be that limited?" Raven asked.

"Was it hard on you?" Shine said. "You've been in our shoes."

"It drove me crazy," Raven said. "I had to run because I couldn't deal with it anymore. I hid from fear and from the fact that I couldn't get anyone to listen. Both."

"I have a bit more hope than that," Shine said. "But it will be difficult for you. You know life won't be easy just because of what we accomplished here. I've always told you that we weren't going to fix all your problems. But, Raven, we don't need to. All problems don't need to be fixed anyway in this world. What matters to me is that you all have your best lives, and whatever that means for you, I won't know, but I can't wait to watch."

"You sound like a parent," Raven said.

"Sometimes I feel like one," Shine said seriously. "But it's true. I'm happy with it though. It hurts at times to be out of the picture, but I remember that there's always a new picture I'm going to be in. That's the exciting thing about learning to live by love. I can always add more of it. You can always fit more people into your heart. It's like having an ever growing family. But because of that, I wouldn't play favorites. I care about you guys, but I've got other people to teach, to help, to be with. In my world too. One day we'll all have an eternity to talk, but you know that in our mortal lives, time is precious. I think that's the price of being mortal. You only get so much time with people. That's why you need to make it count as much as possible. I tried to use every day we had here to do something meaningful, no matter how small... If that meant I ran too fast at times, it's because I knew our time was short. Wally and I both wondered about that."

Raven folded her arms. "I understand that," she said. "There are some things you've told us I'm not sure I understand yet, but I see why you felt rushed. I think that's why it would be nice to have more time... but... you have your own lives... It's just how it is."

"Perhaps you'd feel a little less apprehensive about it if you had other people you know  to be around," Shine said a little slyly. "I don't want anyone to be alone. I think most of the others know who they'll be working with. Have you decided?"

"I never fit in so well with the cute, little family dynamic," Ravan said. "And I don't think I can now. Yang is grown up. Tai has moved on and so have I. Qrow will be with his girlfriend and no doubt starting a family soon enough. I don't have a place in that circle."

"Raven, I think you have a place as long as you want one," Shine said. "They would be benefited by more of your help. Who cares about the truth more than you?"

"That's sweet and all," Raven said dryly, "but it's not that appreciated. And I'm... difficult to get along with."

"Not so much now."

"I see what you're trying to do, but I just think some things aren't going to change," Raven insisted.

Shine tilted her head. "I'm running out of lessons to give you," she said more somberly. "This may be my last one... You need people, Raven. I know you by now. You have your fears about it, but you need them. It's important to you to feel like people need you. You've blossomed out much more working with this group again, even if you won't admit it. You shouldn't give that up out of fear. There's still people here who need you. Some of them more than others. Just give them half a chance. You know, they're scared too."

Raven shrugged.

"What's Hazel going to do?" Shine changed the subject abruptly. "Has he said?"

"Not to me, nor anyone else that I know of," Raven said. "I don't know. His whole life was Ozpin and Salem. Like Qrow... but Qrow has other concerns."

"Hazel has Emerald and Mercury. I hope he'll keep an eye on them. They'll need it," Shine mused. "But you seem to get on well enough also."

"Well enough," Raven said. "But not that well. Don't even suggest what you're about to suggest."

"I won't say it, but, you know, it's not like you'll know if you don't try."

"Try what?" Snippy.

"See, this is why we fight all the time," Shine complained. "Because I can't have a proper conversation with any of you without you getting all prickly about it. Now you'll get me wound up too. Today was supposed to be fun."

"Then stop talking about this," Raven said.

"Fine, for now," Shine dismissed it. "Let's go catch up with the younger girls. I think I'm about done with this."

She'd been shopping, but Raven didn't know why.

"Can you even take anything with you?" she asked.

"Not much," Shine said vaguely again. "Come on."

* * *

"Can I ask why you didn't go with Winter?" Wally asked Qrow while they were following Theo around.

 Tai had left them after getting very unsatisfactory answers about his daughters and giving up.

Hazel stayed in the background, but he hardly said anything to them.

Qrow shrugged. "I don't know if that scene is really my style. Anyway, I thought I should give her some space."

"Why? Didn't you just get together?" Wally said.

"It's not like you're with Likstar anyway," Qrow said grumpily.

"Yeah... I was actually a little surprised that she's been okay with that for so many days," Wally said. "I know she's trying to wrap things up with you guys, but I almost feel bad that she's okay with being alone... She practically encouraged me to hang out without her."

"So she's not super clingy." Theo looked back. "That's a win in a woman."

"Not everyone is like you," Wally said. 

"You two have been together almost non-stop this entire time," Qrow said. "Either she needs some breathing room, or she thinks you do. I wouldn't read into it too much. You should be enjoying the freedom."

"From what?" Wally said.

"Her bossing you around," Theo said.

"She doesn't boss me around," Wally said.

"Well, wait till you're married or long term," Theo said.

"She does like to be taking charge," Qrow said.

"She's good at it," Wally said. "I don't really mind that, you know? I just like to have someone to have fun with and relax and talk about stuff, especially the stuff that other people think is stupid. Isn't that what's great about having someone?"

Qrow shrugged.

"Don't you miss Winter, then?" Wally said.

"I'm not gonna stand here and talk about it. That's wussy," Qrow said.

"It's not wussy to like someone," Wally said. "You guys have your issues. You remind me of--"

"Don't say it," Qrow said.

"Actually I was more thinking of the guys my age who are always on about being macho," Wally said. "I don't mind having some space like you're saying, but I just don't get the point of pretending not to want to be around someone if you're dating them... Isn't that the whole point of dating them?"

[Excellent point. What is with that stereotype?]

"So I'm not ashamed to admit I'd like to hang with my girlfriend more," Wally said.

"Just not to her," Theo noted.

"I didn't want to sound whiny," Wally shrugged.

"She might like it, you know," Theo said. "Depends on the girl... Vara, on the other hand--"

"I really don't want to hear about your weird relationship, dude," Wally winced. "Please."

"I was just going to say she doesn't like to feel smothered," Theo said. "But I put that down to being cooped up so much. That would drive anyone crazy. She'll be after me now."

"Right." Qrow didn't buy it. "I can't see Winter ever chasing anyone."

"I think she's put in a lot of work to get you to be okay with being with her," Wally said to him a bit severely.

He kind of had feelings about this, since some of his female friends at home had done the same and not gotten the most gracious reception. Which clearly hurt their feelings a lot.

"I don't know if she's going to feel that way once she sees how different we are in the real world," Qrow said.

"Saving the world isn't the real world?" Wally said.

"Yeah, but there were different dangers out there," Qrow said. "But now that we're here, I'm remembering why I never asked her out before--other than she hated me--it's that Atlas Elites and I are pretty different."

"Winter isn't a snob," Wally insisted. "She's really cool. And she doesn't care about your Semblance."

"I know... but..." Qrow sighed. "I've never been the kind of guy women see as a commitment guy. Always just the fling thing. Which was just as well, I thought, but that's not Winter."

"Yeah, it's really not," Wally agreed. "Isn't that a good thing for you? I mean, don't take this the wrong way, but you're going to be a little old to still be that fling guy pretty soon. And you have, like, nieces who look up to you... I wouldn't want to encourage the kids I know to think that way... Wow, when did I get so serious? But, then again, this is serious. People need each other."

"You know, Qrow, maybe you're just afraid to commit," Theo said. "And that's why you're hoping it's her who's going to be out. Admit it, you're just spooked that you'll screw it up. I know you--you've never gone after a woman seriously. I was surprised that you were even thinking of it."

"Coming from you?" Qrow said.

"Ey, you may think we're insane, but I'm serious about Vara," Theo said with warmth. "Sometimes you just know someone's the one for you. I knew from when she used a cyclone to knock me into a tree. And if you know it and you're too scared to act on it, then you don't deserve it anyway. Take a chance, man... How could your odds be worse than mine?"

"He's got a point," Wally said. "You can't get weirder than that, but somehow they made it."

Qrow looked down.

"I just... I don't want to hurt her. If I messed it up... She doesn't need more regrets."

"I'm pretty sure it'll hurt her if you quit also," Wally said. "For real, man, if you don't talk to her later, I'm going to be disappointed in you... and I'm really hard to disappoint. But that's just wrong. She was really happy when you finally got together, everyone could tell. If you kill that just because you're a little scared of what people are going to say and of trying to fit in with Atlas, then... that's just pathetic."

"Yeah, you know, I'm with him for once," Theo said. "Not cool. And I hope she beats you up if you do it. Heck, I'd kick your a-- myself."

"Like you could," Qrow couldn't help saying.

"I've got a lot of weapons," Theo said.

"I'm not sure the guy who carries bombs is a good mix with a guy who has probability manipulation against your favor," Wally cautioned. "Don't start."

"So that's why we never fight," Theo noted.

Qrow shook his head at them.

Maybe they had a point though... He was really going to have to stop second guessing himself. Especially now...

What was wrong with him anyway? Maybe it was that it had been going too well--it freaked him out. Things didn't go that well for him.

Qrow, in fact, was going to have to get used to not thinking of everything as always going wrong for him.

[Speaking as someone with trauma similar to this, it is hard to kick. But it does get better.]

https://youtu.be/ULAM5MNpIEo

[Sanctus Real--"Something Heavenly"]

A little later than that, they were pausing for a quick lunch, and Theo spread out a map.

"The entire city will be celebrating in different ways," he said. "But the main guest party will be in the center where the posh neighborhood is. About the only place they'd set foot in. The real fun will be with the civilians though. You both might want to ditch the upper class Vale and Mistral snobs and swing by this little joint."

"Is that a bar?" Wally asked.

"Well, it has a bar but it's also a hotel, with a party room," Theo said. "One of the biggest hotels in Vacuo, in fact... small compared to what you're used to in the other kingdoms, but for us, it's upscale. Anyway, you should hit it up."

"Why?" Qrow said in a bored tone.

"It's where Var and I are having the reception," Theo said, taking a sip of his drink--which was alcoholic, unlike theirs.

"Oh, okay--" Wally picked up his fork and then stopped. "Wait, what reception?"

"The one before we leave for our honeymoon," Theo said quite casually.

"Oh, that--" Qrow frowned at him. "Did you just say honeymoon and not vacation?"

"Yeah." Theo swallowed. "So?"

"Don't you have to be married to take a honeymoon?" Wally said.

"Yeah," Theo said.

Qrow frowned. "Are you getting married at the party?"

"No, Qrow, don't be ridiculous," Theo said. "That would totally steal the spotlight from everyone. And that wouldn't look good to the outside dignitaries, would it? We got married yesterday before that whole thing with Salem and Ozma happened. Feels like a week ago already."

"What?!!!" both other men said.

Hazel, who was standing by the wall, even looked surprised.

"Are you freaking kidding?" Wally was excited.

"You cannot be serious." Qrow was mad.

"Yeah, perfectly," Theo said. "What's with that look, Qrow? You think I can't make an honest woman out of Vara? Or vice versa, really."

"Somehow I never pictured you as the marrying kind." Qrow began to recover. "But why didn't you tell us you were going?"

"We went to city hall. Not our fault you didn't ask why," Theo said. "You were too busy making eyes at your new girlfriend who you're currently ignoring. I didn't want to interfere with that. We just decided to get it done and out of the way. We're going to be slammed for weeks with school stuff, but I figure we can ride this party momentum for at least a week off before they start hounding us again, so it was a brilliant plan, really. Vara was all for it."

"Well, I'm happy for you." Wally recovered. "I just wonder why you didn't invite any of us to tag along. I wouldn't have minded seeing a happy event."

"Neither of us ever cared for the idea of a big wedding with a lot of people there," Theo shrugged. "I feel like it's advertising too much. And it's too expensive. And all the venues are booked for the big holiday anyway. But I pulled a few strings to get the hotel to let us double it as a reception. But having an actual wedding there would have been out of the question without being tacky and rushed. This suits us. Can you really see us doing the flower and bouquet thing?"

"Not really," Wally admitted. "But you've been acting so normal."

"We're saving our enthusiasm for after we leave," Theo said. "Too much work to do. The license was just a formality anyway." He paused and sobered for a second. "The truth is, I would have married her ages ago, but the curse stressed her out too much. She couldn't stand the thought of making it legally binding to someone else, and she was sick too often from it. Anyway I didn't have to worry about other fellows hunting her down while she was in hiding. But now that she's out and about, I've also seen those creeps checking her out around town. I'm not putting up with that. And I've always had my share of lady admirers anyway, as you know, Qrow. Both of us are sick of that game. I won't say we're settling down--that really doesn't fit our picture--but at least no one can accuse us of being bad examples to our students this way. Besides, I think having a lady help run Shade will make more transfers comfortable about coming here. And without a Beacon to go to, or an Atlas, they'll have to go somewhere. Someone's gotta take over Haven now too."

"You could do it, Qrow," Wally said.

"Oh, no," Qrow said. "I'm not doing that. I've had enough. Besides, things aren't going to be the same without Ozpin. Whoever wants to figure out redefining them, I'm too old and too over the teaching thing to care."

"But you know plenty," Wally said

"I think I'd rather do something simpler," Qrow said. "Whatever I end up doing now."

"I'm sure Winter could find you something if you want to stay close to her," Wally said.

Qrow gave him a dirty look.

"Glynda will be on my case about arranging things anyway," Theo said. "She handles grief and success the exact same way. James wasn't much of a loss as a friend to me--he never liked me--but he did run the school... If Schnee wants to take over, she can't spend all her time working on Atlas. I don't think she can do both. Someone else will have to step up. A lot of ex huntsmen who could teach have been lost to the Grimm attacks or scattered. Once some of the newer ones have more experience they could step in. Nikos would be great at it."

"Maybe you shouldn't try to cage Pyrrha in," Wally said. "I think she's still thinking about going into other things."

"We still need huntsmen," Theo said. "But we can talk about all that after the party. We'd better finish up soon. We need to get ready. I can't let the students outshine me. I need to polish my boots, so to speak."

"Just tell me you won't wear plaid," Wally said.

"What's wrong with plaid?" Theo was going to wear plaid.

Wally thought it looked like being a lumberjack mixed with a boyband star, and that was a dumb look, but he didn't say so.

Qrow went back to thinking it was weird that Theo had made a huge life change so easily.

And he didn't hesitate.

Well, the guy knew what he wanted... Maybe Qrow was the one who was making things harder than they had to be.

* * *

It took the girls 3 hours easily to get ready, and the boys less than half of that, for the most part.

During that time, the girls were talking.

Weiss told her teammates about her "date" with Meridian and that she might leave the party early if it was too overwhelming.

"Can we tag along?" Yang asked. "I'm over this attention."

"You seem to be enjoying it," Blake noted.

"Well, not me," Emerald said. "It's been weird. People have walked up to me out of nowhere and said, 'Are you one of the people who helped saved the world?' Then they just look at me funny."

"I don't like having people thank me for stuff so much," Ruby agreed. "Still... I'm glad they're happy. We finally didn't leave a place in ruins, so..."

"That's not funny," Weiss said.

"You'll get used to it." Pyrrha was putting her hair up. "Does anyone have some extra pins?"

"Yeah." Weiss handed her a package. "I like your dress."

"Thanks," Pyrrha said. "I thought it might be a little too much, but it was so pretty..."

"No really, it looks good," Blake said. "I think branching out a little is okay... I hope this isn't too loud for me."

"Loud?" Yang said. "It's still black."

"I just mean the style," Blake said.

"Winter wouldn't let me see what she chose," Weiss said. "Shine, you saw?"

"I saw? I talked her into getting it," Shine said. "She wasn't going to. But it's so pretty. Just wait."

"Winter doesn't dress up a whole lot," Weiss said. "Not since my last birthday party, I think. I don't know if she actually likes it. It's kind of nice to have people to compare with now... Hmm... these shoes aren't too much, are they?"

"You fight in high heels. What's too much for you?" Yang snorted. "I just wonder about going like this. I'm all right with dressing up and all, but it's a little weird not to wear combat gear after almost a year of it."

"Well, I think you look nice," Nora said. "And Neptune will too. Not that he needs help to be drooling over girls."

"Ew," Blake said.

"I just can't get this bracelet to fasten," Nora griped.

"Here, let me help." Shine walked over and held her wrist. "You look so cute. All of you."

"I'd say I look better than cute." Yang checked herself out in the mirror. "Dang."

"Stop admiring yourself," Emerald said. "Now tell me now, do I look ridiculous wearing a dress? ... I haven't worn one in my entire life except to that one dance and that was way less fancy."

"You look really good," Shine told her. "Why are you all so nervous about this? "

"I guess it's just... everyone's going to be looking at us." Ruby rubbed her arms. "At the dance it was fair game, but with the spotlight on us, I feel like if I look bad, I'm going to die of shame. Egh. I hate worrying about this kind of thing."

"Worry more about the ceremony itself." Pyrrha was pragmatic. "I hope it goes off well. So many kingdoms being here... and my parents. It's going to be hard for no fights to start, but I hope people will be too happy to get into their grudges."

"Is Cinder coming?" Emerald asked. 

"She still hasn't said," Shine said.

"Are they even going to award her?" Yang paused in putting on makeup.

"Theo said everyone who went with us," Shine said. "I assume that includes Cinder. She did perform a service to the world, like it or not."

"I just don't know if people from Vale, Mistral, or Atlas will see it that way," Weiss said. "We've become a lot more... tolerant, but will they?"

Emerald put down a comb. "You know, me and Merc aren't that different from Cinder. Does that mean our contributions don't count either?"

"I think you earned it," Pyrrha said. "You took just as many risks as we did. And... mostly Cinder did also. I know she almost ruined it, but she wasn't the only one who was blackmailed. Even Theodore was."

"Okay," Blake said. "I get it... We're moving on." She sat down and fiddled with a bracelet. "It's so much to take in. And my parents already messaged me that they're here... I know they want to know if I'll go back home with them now. And honestly, I'm not sure what I want to do."

"You could stay with Sun," Yang noted.

"Sun doesn't stay in one place too long either," Blake said. "I think he'd be fine with going with them, if they needed us. I know I've put them through so much worry, but do they really need me? I don't know if I want to go back to just slaying Grimm though. My goal as a huntress was never just about that."

"Huntsmen can do other things," Pyrrha reminded her. "There's no need to choose just one."

She applied some eye shadow thoughtfully. 

"Yeah, aren't you saying that you don't want to be a huntress anymore?" Weiss asked.

"It seems a waste not to use those skills," Pyrrha said. "I do enjoy fighting. But I also found I enjoy teaching more. And being good at one thing doesn't mean it's what you want to do all the time. I still plan to fight Grimm and train, but I want more than that now." She laughed lightly. "I've been exposed to so much else to just live the same way. And there's Jaune.... I can't imagine leaving him now. As long as he feels the same way."

"It's more of a question if he'll ever let you out of his sight again, honey." Shine helped her fasten a necklace.

Ruby wondered what Oscar would do now.

She felt a little melancholy despite being in a good mood mostly. It had dawned on her that after this ceremony they'd all be going their separate ways. 

Shine saw she looked a little blue and put hand on her shoulder.

"Some advice I heard from the wife of a mentor of mine," she said slowly. "The pain then is part of the joy now. Knowing bad things are coming doesn't have to take away enjoyment--it can heighten it. And perhaps the bad things aren't what they seem. Things have to be changed and be removed for greater good to come sometimes. I see all this as a beginning."

Ruby smiled faintly.

"I agree that we shouldn't let anything spoil tonight for us," Weiss said. "Whatever we decide, we're here together now." She put hand on Ruby's arm also.

Yang and Blake joined them.

"Aww," Pyrrha said.

"Oh, come on." Blake and Weiss held out their hands.

Pyrrha and Nora joined the group hug.

Emerald looked at them awkwardly.

"Come on," Pyrrha said.

Emerald joined them uncomfortably, and they yanked her in.

"This is so sappy," Yang complained.

"Shut up, Yang," Weiss said.

Shine moved away. "I'm going to check on the older ladies."

She left the room and leaned on the door, trying not to cry.

"Happy thoughts," she said to herself. "Time to celebrate. Not think about parting ways. I am happy for them."

Actually, that was why she was upset. It was almost too much to take after so much suffering to see everyone ready to celebrate and go on with their lives.

But Shine was not really sad, just feeling the weight of the changes.

She calmed herself and went to look for the other ladies.

Raven had insisted on getting ready alone, but she was quick about it. She already was in the hallway.

"Whoa..." Shine looked her up and down. "Where did you find that dress?"

"I know places," Raven said. "I didn't spend years flying over the world for nothing. Not bad, eh?"

She sounded just like Yang.

"Yeah, you look great," Shine said.

"It shaved 10 years off you at least," Vara came down the hall in time to say.

Raven glared at her.

Vara was a picture in her outfit. Of course she was stunning anyway, but changing out of her old mission clothes had given her some extra glamour.

"All right, 'fess up." Shine pointed to her. "Show us the ring."

"Ring?" Raven said.

Vara held up her left hand. "I told Theo it wasn't necessary, but he said there was no fun getting married if you didn't have something to show for it."

"Let me see." Shine took her hand. "Hmm... I like it. Simple but elegant. Honestly better than I'd expect from that man."

"You think I let him pick it alone?" Vara said. "He'd have picked one with a weapon as a decoration on it if I let him. But I felt like there is more to life than that."

"Hold up, did you get married?" Raven said.

"Raven, didn't I tell you?" Shine said. "Must have slipped my mind. Wally only told me hours ago over the scroll. I'm pissed that you didn't invite us." She gave Vara a shove.

Vara didn't flinch the way she used to.

"Didn't seem important," she said.

"Wow," Raven said. "I'm shocked. I'm shocked that you agreed to marry him and that he even wanted to make it legal."

"Theo's a bit more proper than you might expect from his... demeanor," Vara said. "Anyway, I always wanted to be married at some point. Gotta get the men to stop chasing you somehow. At my age it's old."

Raven, being older than her, didn't find that as amusing as Shine did.

"I do have to worry about that with Wally sometimes," she admitted. "I hope I don't have to carry a big stick around tonight."

"You clean up pretty well yourself," Vara said. "I wouldn't be surprised if you have some trouble."

"Don't tempt fate," Shine said. "Where is Winter?"

"Still in her room." Raven banged on the door of it. "Come on, Schnee, it can't be that bad."

"Go away," Winter's voice answered her shortly.

"She's just shy about trying something new," Shine said. "Winter, we'll be late for our own ceremony. That would be entirely unprofessional. Come out before we come in."

A minute of silence and then Winter finally opened the door.

She was resplendent in a dark blue gown that looked incredibly good on her.

Even Raven and Vara could think of no snide remarks to make.

"Huh," was all Vara said.

"You were worried over that?" Raven said.

"I'm just not very at home doing this," Winter admitted nervously. "It's been ages since I had to. I rather prefered the simplicity of the military gatherings to this."

"I suggest you get used to it," Shine said. "Think, you can't show up to all the parties people will be having after this wearing a uniform. It would be rude. And you look fine. Better than fine, really, but I'll only embarrass you further if I go into that."

"I just feel bad for Qrow," Raven hissed. "He has enough trouble with staring at her as it is. We'll have to peel his jaw off the floor."

Vara snickered. "Well, better her than someone he shouldn't be looking at. There's going to be plenty of dressed up ladies around to distract the men."

"We should be focused more on the official business," Winter said, ignoring them.

"Oh, live a little," Raven sighed.

[Well, we're in the final 4-5 chapters. Try to contain your excitement or tears.]