I want to point out that I hold myself to make sure I’m mature and kind when I’m in school and out with others. I smile at all I have done as an adult woman.

But all that can jump out of the window as today is my birthday and I can be as childish as I want! I woke up bright and early in the morning of my birthday, got some sugary cereal and orange juice and turned on the TV for cartoons. Yes, I can do that every saturday morning but hey, my birthday. Tak woke up to this and, even though he can’t see, he gave me an odd look.

“Morning Tak, it’s my birthday today!” I said happily. Tak rubbed his eyes, clearly still tired but he gave me a thumbs up as soon as he stopped. He reached over for his walking cane and quickly found it where he left it last night. I had to get up and help make his breakfast, a simple bowl of cereal.

“So… happy birthday.” Tak said to me, still a little groggy.

“Thank you.” I said happily as I poured him some cereal and handed it to him with a spoon in the bowl before we went to my couch and sat down. We both ate quietly, I was watching T.V. while Tak was listening to it. While we were both halfway through our breakfast, I noticed Tak with a troubled expression. “Tak? What’s wrong?” I asked him.

“It's nothing, you'd probably think it's stupid.” He said to me dismissively before taking another spoonful of cereal into his mouth. I arched a brow at this before I spoke.

“Try me.” I said to him. He glanced at me before finally saying.

“I don't… I don't exactly know what a birthday is. I only know that it marks the day you were born but that's about all I know.” He said to me, revealing what was troubling him. I blinked at it.

“Oh… huh.” I said, scratching my head a bit. It kinda made sense since he had a hard life so he wouldn’t have had a birthday.

“Like I said, stupid.” He told me with a chuckle just before he finished his cereal and stood up. I arched a brow at him as he headed into the kitchen and placed his bowl inside the sink. I returned to my own breakfast and was soon finished with it as well. After washing the bowls and cups, we both brushed our teeth and changed into some appropriate clothes. I basically skipped out of the bathroom humming to myself happily which got an odd look from Tak, who was blind by the way, when a knock came from the door. I went to open it and got a blast of confetti. I blinked a few times and saw Yang, Ruby, and Mavis there.

“Happy Birthday!” Both Yang and Ruby said happily. I smiled at the two and gave them a hug.

“Thanks you two.” I said to them before letting the three of them in. Upon entering, Mavis gave me a hug before she said.

“Happy birthday, Viri.” She said to me with a bright smile. She pulled away from the hug and revealed a small box in her hand. “Here, this is from my sister. She wishes you a happy birthday.” Mavis said to me, her voice was low enough so Ruby didn't hear. I took it and open to see a computer chip. I smiled as I took it out.

“Thank you.” I said before pulling my scroll out and putting the chip in. A red light came on which meant it was updating. I put it back in my pocket and looked at Mavis. She had another small gift wrapped box as well a large bag. She gave them both to me and I was quick to open the gift, seeing the necklace tucked within but the centrepiece is what left me breathless, it was a small clear crystal ball but within it was a miniature sun. “Woah…” I said in awe at this. I looked into the large bag and saw a red and orange dress. I stared at this before looking at Mavis who was smiling at me.

“Do you like it?” She asked me with her smile never wavering. Soon after she said this, Yang came up from behind her before wrapping her arms around Mavis and resting her chin on Mavis’s shoulder.

“I love them.” I said before putting the necklace around my neck. When I got it on I looked down at it and back at the two. “Does it look good?”

“It looks lovely, Viri. Don't you think, Yang?” Mavis asked her blonde girlfriend with a smile.

“Yeah.” Yang said with a smile before giving Mavis a nuzzle. Mavis smiled at this before Ruby came over and behind me to take a look.

“Ooo, that’s cool.” She said, pointing at the necklace. “It looks so real that it’s hard to tell it’s a hologram.” I was about to point that it wasn't but shut my mouth as soon as I remembered that Ruby was the only one in this room that didn't know about Mavis being an immortal goddess.

“Yeah, it’s really realistic.” I said with a smile that looked a little fake. Ruby smiled before realizing something.

“Ah! I'll be right back!” She said before she bolted out of the room, leaving behind her trademark rose petals. I blinked at this confusedly before realizing I needed to sweep the petals up later.

“Viri, you were about to correct her weren't you.” Mavis said to me with an arched brow. I looked at Mavis for a moment.

“Uhh, a little.” I said with a nervous chuckle. She gave me deadpanned look before she shook her head and said.

“You need to remember that what I am must be kept secret.” Mavis said to me, once again telling the number one rule, one that Yang has yet to come close to breaking while this was second time.

“Sorry…” I said, hanging my head in shame. She put a hand on my cheek before raising my head up.

“I will let you off the hook this time because it's your birthday, next time we'll go back to the valley and train.” She said to me and I nearly paled at the punishment if I were to screw up again. While I was pale-faced, Yang was a little confused by what Mavis said, not exactly understanding how training can be a form of punishment… if only she knew.

“Right, got it…” I said right before Ruby came back, panting and holding up a large box.

“Got it!” She said before walking over to us and looking around. “What’s with the tensed mood?” she asked us.

“It's nothing, Ruby. There's no need to worry.” Mavis said to the happy go lucky scythe wielder. Ruby blinked at this before shrugging and walked up to me and handed me the large box.

“Here you go! It took me forever to make.” Ruby said with a smile. I looked at the box before putting it down and opened it. Inside was a weapon, a weapon kinda like Ruby’s but smaller and shorter. The red and black colours of the weapon shined with polish as I picked it up. Almost instantly it shot forward into a sword like weapon.

“Woah… Ruby, you made this?” I asked before seeing Ruby smiled at me.

“That’s my little sis, the weaponsmith.” Yang said, ruffling her little sister's hair. Mavis held back a laugh when Ruby tried but failed to stop her sister. It was then that Tak walked, having just finished tidying his bed. He faced towards our direction and merely shook his head without wanting to question it. For the next half hour or so we planned on what to do and where to go today, with it being early in the morning we had plenty of time to decide. We all sat by the couch or rather me, Ruby and Tak did while Mavis sat on Yang's lap with the latter sitting comfortably on the floor. The conversation continued on with no signs of it ending but that was quickly changed when another knock on my door was heard. I got up and answered it, seeing that it was Weiss and Blake.

“Happy birthday.” Blake said with a smile as she and Weiss came in.

“Thanks you two.” I said as I closed the door. Weiss was quick to spot Tak just as he stood up from the couch, her smile brightened and was quick to catch up with him and this gained curious glances from me, Blake and even Yang.

“So have you got any plans to spend the day?” Blake soon asked me, bringing me out of my thoughts while Yang was busy teasing Weiss again.

“Hmmm, not really. Other than hanging out and enjoy the day before heading out see my mama.” I explained to her. Blake nodded at this before walking into the living room, greeting Mavis as she did. It was then Mavis looked up at me and said.

“Why not have a picnic to celebrate your birthday?” Mavis suggested but before I could think on it she added. “I know of a beautiful spot we can have it in.” She said to me.

“Ohh, that sounds fun!” Ruby said with a smile. I chuckled at this before nodding.

“Alright.” I said to Mavis. This got a smile from her before she nodded and getting up much to Yang's sadness, she went into the kitchen and soon asked what everyone would like for the picnic. Of course, they asked for different food, some similar while others entirely different but Mavis made it so with her godlike culinary skills. She even made a classic looking basket big enough to fit the food and drinks along with the blanket that we'll be sitting on. When she was just about done, my mind soon went towards mama and Mavis noticed this before patting my shoulder and saying.

“Your mother will be notified and invited, so don't worry.” She said to me with a quiet tone. I smiled up at her, silently thanking her for this. No matter what form she takes, she'll always be the caring grandmother I grew up with. Everyone was soon ready to go and I made sure to grab my new weapon, wanting to show it to mama when she shows up. When I was ready all of us followed Mavis out to the spot.

We all soon arrived at the spot; a large tree in the middle of the park with a small pond nearby with ducks in it. Mavis began to set up our spot with the help of Ruby and me but at the corner of my eyes, I spotted Weiss looking off into the pond in deep thought. I haven't really seen her like that before, was something up that I didn't know about?

After I finished up helping Mavis and Ruby I walked over to Weiss. “Hey, something wrong?” I asked her.

Weiss looked at me for a moment before back at the pond. She didn't say anything for a long minute before she did. “You know that feeling when you look at someone and your heart beats faster?” She asked me. I blinked at her before saying.

“Kinda, why?” I asked her which she turned her head and stared.

“I… may have feelings for someone…” She muttered. I arched a brow at her before thinking about it for a bit. With a smirk, I looked back and said.

“Is it… Tak?” I guessed, my brow arched and my smirk visible. Weiss blushed at this. It wasn't hard to deduce that my guess was correct.

“Is it that obvious?” Weiss asked.

“I don’t know, a complete guess.” I told her, earning another odd look from Weiss. “What’s the big deal? If you have feelings for Tak then that's great.”

“No, not great.” Weiss said before sighing. “I… I was raised by a father that doesn’t like Faunus at all, sure some work at my family plant but…” she didn’t continue for a few moments, looking like it was hard for her to say. “Point is I shouldn’t be having these feelings but… I do.” She was really conflicted with the ideals she was raised with and the feelings she has towards Tak. I put my hand on her shoulder which got her attention.

“How about you think about it, not with what you’ve been raised with, just what you think.” I said with a smile. It wasn’t really the greatest speeches I done but it’s something. She gave me a small smile before she headed back to the others with me behind her. It was really saddening have seen her like that, all because she's conflicted with her own emotions and the way she was raised. Soon however the picnic went into full swing without a hitch, friendly banter and joyful laughter was all anyone could hear from us. While Tak would've been happy to stay with the group, he had to move away as the many noises we made had given him a bit of a headache. Weiss seemed to notice this before going over to see what’s wrong.

It was a few minutes later before I saw mama walking over to us with a smile. She came over to me and kissed my head.

“Happy birthday sweetie.” She whispered to me, making me smile.

“Thanks mama.” I said before seeing everyone staring at me, and mama. “Umm, something wrong.”

“Uhh… it’s just…” Blake started to say but was cut off by Ruby.

“You look like an older Viri!” Ruby yelled. This got a chuckle from Mavis before Ruby added. “And Mavis if you had blonde hair.” Mavis arched a brow at the scythe-wielder but merely chuckled when mama saw her, it must've been the first time she has seen her in normal clothes judging by her expression.

“Yes… we uh… very close looks.” Mama said as she arches a brow at Mavis. “Mind if I speak with the two of you alone for a minute?” Mama asked me and Mavis. With a shrug from Mavis, she stood up and helped me up soon after before we went some ways away from the others.

“Is something the matter, dear?” Mavis asked mama with a curious tone.

“I just realized how much I’ve been left out.” Mama said before adding. “I mean, I don’t really know what’s going on. For one… did you make yourself look like an older Viri or did you really look like that when you were younger?” Mavis chuckled at this, no doubt understanding the reason for the question.

“This may come to you as a shocker but this is how I look if I were younger. Have you not seen my old wedding pictures?” Mavis said to mama, jokingly asking her if she had seen Grandma’s old wedding photos. Mavis then snapped her fingers and made a few of them appear in her hand before Mama took them and looked at them. Mama looked at them for a few moments.

“Ah… well that explains that.” Mama said with a little chuckle.

“Should I mention that some people think you’re my older sister due to how much we look alike.” I said to Mavis, though I believe she already knew that since the rumour went around school. Mama looked at the two of us confusedly before Mavis said.

“Yes because of how identical we look, people have begun thinking of me as Viri's sister. I keep up the charade, publicly acting as an older sibling to Viri here.” Mavis said this before putting an arm around my shoulders, similar to what Yang does with Ruby. I smiled at this.

“I always did want an older sister.” I said with a giggle. This leads to a laugh for the three of us before heading back to the others. I noticed mama pocketed the photos of grandma’s wedding. Somehow she pulled out a cake out of nowhere and we all had some cake while Ruby was going over how my weapon works. It seems that it has four modes; a short sword form, a claymore form, a rifle form, and a shotgun form. I blinked at how much when into this as mama chuckled at this.

“I don’t know if you can read minds Ruby but Viri’s father’s weapon of choice was a Claymore.” Mama informed her, earning a surprised look from both of us.

“Really?” Ruby asked before smiling. “I guess I’m lucky!” Mavis chuckled and so did Yang, for a different reason no doubt. Blake was eating her own slice of cake, staring out into the pond in thought while absentmindedly eating. Weiss was somewhat the same only she would occasionally glance at the meditating bat faunus, still internally debating.

Before long mama had another surprised as she pulled out a brown package and handed it to me. From looking at it I thought back to the time we lived out on the streets, her giving me gifts in the same brown wrapping, only this time it was clean. I thanked her and opened it, revealing that it was a dark red book with the title, ‘The Summer's Stranger’.

“It took me some time, less so since your aunt helped me getting an editor but this is the first book of my series.” Mama said, making my eyes widen at this. I got a book Mama wrote! I went and gave her a hug.

“Thanks mama.” I said to her. Mama immediately hugged me back.

“Anything for my little girl.” Mama whispered back. Everyone awed at the sight, which only made me blush from suddenly being the center of attention. Of course, this got a laugh out of mama as she soon got her own slice of cake and sat down by Mavis. At the same time, Weiss stood up and walked over towards Tak's direction.

I watched this happen as she sat down beside him as he was meditating. She didn’t say anything but crossed her legs like Tak, almost falling over at this.

I sat beside Ruby as I flipped pages of the new book, earning an interested look from Blake.

“Umm, Miss Warren-”

“Please, Sarah is fine.” Mama said to Blake.

“Uhh, Sarah, do you have any more books like that?” Blake asked. Mama smiled at this, seemed to get giddy.

“I have lots! The people who made the copies made a lot of them.” Mama said happily. This seemed to have gotten Blake excited at this as well before she was handed a book of her own. Blake took it before moving towards the tree with the book in hand.

Overall it was a fun time with everyone. We all stayed around, either talking to one another or eating more cake. Mavis was again sitting in Yang’s lap which the later had her arms around her. Soon though it was getting dark, the sun was beginning to set over the horizon and we began to pack everything back up.

Soon Mama went off back home and team RWBY, Mavis, Tak, and I were walking down the street. Before we turned the corner and saw Indigo hobbling towards us. I tilted my head at this before noticing that he had his hand pressed on his side… and it was bleeding. I stopped at this as well as the others when Indigo saw us. I was about to ask if he was okay but before I could even open my mouth he fell onto the floor, unconscious and heavily bleeding which was odd since his aura should've patched the wound up by now, yet it didn't and showed no signs in doing so.

Blake was the first to move first as she ran over to him. Soon we all quickly helped Indigo up with me and Yang holding him up.

“He’s bleeding a lot, his aura… it’s not working!” Weiss yelled in a panic I looked at the others as Tak hobble over and started to ‘See’ Indigo as he was feeling him a bit, gently so he didn’t bring the pain. He found the source of the bleeding and to our shock, it was a bullet wound.

“We need to get him to a hospital.” Mavis said with urgency in her tone. Yang nodded and pulled her scroll out to call an ambulance while Mavis took Tak's side to put pressure on the wound to keep the blood in. Blake was horrified during all this and understandably so.

Soon the ambulance came and we got Indigo into it before we all rode it to the hospital. Blake was holding Indigo’s hand as we rode the ambulance. Tak was mostly focused on Indigo until he finally felt like Indigo was going to be fine… then realized what's he in.

We soon got to the hospital and some nurses pulled Indigo to surgery and we were left waiting. Blake looked like she was going to break down from the waiting. I was worried for Indigo as I sat down near Weiss and Tak, the latter was a bit nervous about being in a new place.

“Tak, you okay?” Weiss asked him.

“I'm not good in new environments.” Tak said, surprisingly without stuttering in his words. Weiss didn't say anything at first for a few moments before saying.

“Anything… I can do to help you?” She asked, blushing a little. Tak was quiet for a minute or so before finally answering.

“Just… just being here with me is helpful enough.” He said with small blush forming on his cheeks as he smiled at Weiss. Weiss smiled at this.

“Alright… I'll be right here.” She said to this. To her surprise, Tak moved his hand on top of hers. She blushed at this but smiled as the two sat there.

Before long a doctor came out and said that Indigo will be fine. They removed the bullet and somehow his wounds started to heal. He said that he was tired but we can see him, as he said that Blake rushed in to see him. As Mavis and Yang followed her, Ruby, Weiss, and Tak headed off as they were getting tired. I said goodbye to them and went to see Indigo.

Sure enough, he was awake and bandaged and grumpy. Blake was by him, looking at him worried. The doctors removed his upper clothing for the surgery and wrapped his abdomen in some bandages. He was laying down so he didn't see us come in.

“Hey.” I greeted him as the four of us walked in. This got his attention but he still didn't sit up, merely cast his gaze down towards us.

“Hey.” He said with a nonchalant wave of his hand.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. He only grunted as first before he grabbed the remote for his bed, making the front of his bed rise up enough for him to be sat up. Once he did, he turned his gaze back towards me and said.

“Just peachy.” He said to me. Afterwards, he laid his head back on the pillow with a sigh. “This is not how planned for my day to go out.” He said. Blake didn't say anything at this, simply looked worried at him.

“What happened?” Yang asked Indigo.

“Unfinished business with the White Fang. By all accounts I should've been taken care of years ago by…” He stopped and sighed before shaking his head. It didn't take a genius to know who was referring to. “Taurus wants me dead, so he sent some of his lackies after me. It's not the first time it happened but this certainly the first in which they almost succeeded.” Indigo explained and surprised Blake that this wasn't the first time he was attacked by the White Fang. “They're using special bullets now, it negated my aura completely.” He soon added.

This made Blake gasp at this and Yang frown. I knew little of the White Fang while being in Beacon. They were some radical group that are trying to bring Faunus equal rights by force. Talking to Yang and Ruby about it some more I learned that Blake was an Ex member of the group. Mavis looked beside the bed and saw the bullet in question, of course, it was practically a pellet now with the way it was bent. With a wave of her finger, it floated over towards her palm. Luckily neither Blake nor Indigo saw this happen, even when Mavis willed the bullet to reform into its old self. Upon doing so, I noticed how the tip looked to have been laced with something.

Blake was damn well near the brink of tears, having nearly seen Indigo die right in front of her and she couldn't do anything about it. When she saw him fall, she was horrified and stuck in a state of shock, she really couldn't move. It wasn't long until the damn broke and she clung onto Indigo for dear life, surprising everyone in the room including Indigo.

She sobbed as she held Indigo close, the latter looked around in surprise as this was happening. It wasn't until Mavis said we should let the two be for now and we did, saying our goodbyes and promising to visit tomorrow, Mavis, Yang and I headed back to Beacon. The cheery mood we all had during the picnic was now gone, solemn looks donned all our expression. After a quick teleport back home in a hidden away alley, Mavis turned to look at me and Yang.

“I will make sure of it that he fully recovers. Viri, perhaps you should talk to my sister about this.” Upon saying this, she handed me the bullet. “There is a chance that she may know what this is.” Mavis told me. I gave her a nod as I took the bullet. She then looked over to Yang. “I will be back soon, love.” She said before giving the blonde a loving kiss. Upon parting, Yang looked as if she didn't want her to go but didn't stop her from doing so. Mavis’s body flashed and when the light dimmed, she took the form of someone else entirely with the attire of a doctor. With a nod she vanished with another flash of light, leaving both me and Yang alone in the hallway.

Author's Note

It's Viri's Birthday!... and Indigo is in the Hospital... oh boy.