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exploresecure · 5 years ago

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Is Safe For Solo Female Travelers?

Why are females more likely to be a victim of Criminal Attention?

The majority of criminals will try and focus on perceived ‘easy’ targets. It is generally assumed that women will not try and fight back and/or will be less able to defend themselves. Females are targeted more frequently because a majority of women carry purses or handbags which are much more accessible to criminals. In certain cultures, women are perceived as lower class citizens and therefore treated with less respect.

Why are females more likely being the victim of violence (to include sexual attack)?

A majority of violent attacks by men against women are often sexual in nature. Some motivations for these attacks stem from personal grievances, issues of control, and social disorders. Unfortunately motivations can also be purely opportunistic and deviant in nature. Therefore it is vital for one’s safety to eliminate these perceived ‘opportunities’ for criminals.

There are always going to be exceptions to the rules, but now that I have identified two main topics that put female travelers at higher risk let us now focus our efforts on eliminating these increased threats:

How can female travelers reduce the risk of being targeted by criminals and sexual predators?

Female travelers can adapt and minimize the chances of encountering threats. This is the underlying principal of travel safety. Identify the threat or danger early and prepare accordingly so as to minimize the risk. The trick is not to avoid travel, but simply to prepare and adapt to traveling as a female to maximize safety.

Female Travel Safety Advice

Certain risks hold true for both male and female travelers alike.

Vehicular incident

Criminal

Violent attack

Health issues and Disease

Beach related incidents e.g. rip currents

Fire – accommodations/nightclubs etc.

So what risks is Female Travel Safety more vulnerable to? I believe two risks that female travelers have an increased chance of falling victim to verses male counterparts are;

Criminal

Violence (to include sexual attack)

youtube

Know before you go

Research destinations and ask yourself the following question:

What are the main dangers of the country or cities that I will be visiting?

Crime, natural disasters, health issues and political instability are all things to consider. Though further research can provide more specific and current issues such as date rape drugs being utilized or a spate of recent muggings in certain locations. Study www.fco.gov.uk or www.smarttraveller.gov.au both great resources for travelers.

Time spent planning and preparing is never wasted. Don’t just look at the country but specifically at where you will be region, city and town. With knowledge comes power.

Know a bit more before you go

We cannot over emphasize the importance of knowledge. Research your destinations using commercial websites; interact on chat forums, advice pages and blogs. The websites www.lonelyplanet and www.bootsnall.com are great sources of information. Learn from others mistakes and experiences. If you have the time and inclination go onto travel forums and ask other travelers about what they experienced in the locations that you will visit.

Plan accordingly and commensurate with risk

List the main dangers you have found from your research in points 1 and 2 and then ask yourself one further question:

How can I minimize these risks?

It is not just identification of risks that’s important. Learning how to react accordingly is vital. Professionals in all industries train constantly for what may happen; it should be the same for emergency preparedness when traveling. Consider taking travel safety training. Click here to see our web-based travel safety e-learning briefing specifically designed for travelers and full of useful information about how to identify threats early to avoid danger.

Think Situational Awareness

We should never walk around with our head in the clouds. It is vital to be aware of our surroundings at all times, to scan for danger and analyze risks constantly. Often those injured or killed in active shooter, terrorist and other incidents or accidents are those slowest to react. Situational awareness and threat detection provide valuable seconds to react, therefore increasing the chances of survival.

Never switch off

At no times switch off situational awareness. Always look for escape routes; always look at who is watching you. Our Female Travel Safety briefings teach how to learn and practice situational awareness and provide tricks of the trade to help keep you switched on.

Always wear a seatbelt

The biggest risks to travelers in foreign countries are vehicular accident. Even when on a bus, wear a seatbelt. There are many other risks related with transportation. Buses, trains, boats, rickshaws, mopeds all have a huge list of inherent risks associated to their use. Research and prepare, but whatever you do always wear that seatbelt. Never take chances with overland travel – it is the threat most likely to kill you!!

Be patient

If one is patient, polite and affable then life just goes so much smoother. With patience, comes the ability to put up with perceived rudeness, inefficiency, delays, corruption and a whole variety of things that as travelers we may not be accustomed too. With patience comes the ability to avoid conflict.

Smile

Just as the above point in number 7. If you are kind to people then 90% of the time they will reciprocate. You smile they will smile back, if you are nice, they will also be nice. This opens so many doors to a traveler, meeting people, learning about secret local spots off the beaten track, meals with kind strangers and a host of other great experiences that come from interacting and being nice. It also avoids conflict.

Check insurance

Insurance may cost money that you don’t think you can afford, but believe me – when you need it you will be glad you opted for it. Hospital bills and medical evacuation costs especially in more remote environments that you may find yourself in can easily reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. It may be as minimal as a twisted ankle on a Glacier trip, or appendicitis in Africa. Either of those could cost you thousands of dollars if you don’t have coverage. Check the small print over and over again of any insurance coverage. The insurance companies will not be flexible or heartfelt when it comes to paying out.

Learn first aid

Off the beaten track or on the road less traveled you may find yourself in medical and first aid situations. Being able to care for you, friends and colleagues can significantly increase chances of survival in times of extremis. Learning how to identify, prevent, treat or diagnose the basics such as heat illness, traveler’s diarrhea and mosquito borne diseases are extremely important. Other life saving skills such as CPR and hemorrhage control should also be considered, especially if traveling in remote environments. Consider taking a first aid course or at a minimum learning the basics prior to travel.

Female Travel Safety Summary

This is just a basic list of tips that will help you stay safe whilst traveling abroad. Travel safety and security is a huge topic and one with many variables and standpoints. Every traveler both male and female should prepare before traveling. There are threats everywhere that could affect travelers’ – men, women, individuals or groups alike. Should these potential dangers prevent us from traveling? Absolutely not! What these potential dangers should do is motivate us as individuals responsible for our own safety, to prepare accordingly and educate ourselves before we head out on our adventures.

Our innovative, user-friendly and online travel safety briefings designed by security professional from Special Forces and Counter-terrorist backgrounds is available.

#travel safety #Female Travel Safety #Travel Safety E-learning #Online Travel Safety Training

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v-thinks-on · 5 years ago

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A Word You’ve Never Heard

Note: Another story inspired by @umisabaku‘s epic of love and super humans, Designation: Miracle, which I always highly recommend. This story in particular takes place during Don't Blink You'll Miss It (Lift Up Your Head), following up on a few scenes from the fic with Midorima and Takao, because I just can’t get enough of them in this AU. (Warning: spoilers for Don’t Blink You’ll Miss It ahead.)

Midorima and Takao leave the locker room holding hands. It is almost too much for the Miracle who is not used to physical contact of any kind, but he is unwilling to let go.

(He knows this is practically nothing for Takao, who is accustomed to so much more.)

The ride home passes in a daze of suspended disbelief. He wants Takao to stay the night again. Gold and Silver are still at large. It’s dangerous. He doesn’t know what Takao will do, what will happen to Takao if he’s left on his own. Even now, he can hardly believe this is real - them, together, holding hands, everything. If he lets Takao out of his sight, he is certain Takao will realize his mistake.

Despite Midorima’s insistence, Takao refuses - “I can’t just live at the Kishitani’s from now on, especially now that we’re dating,” he tacks on with a grin. He gives Midorima a hasty peck on the cheek before he leaves and Midorima watches Takao go until he’s out of sight.

By the next morning, Midorima is convinced that it was all a misunderstanding. He knows that Takao is unusually affectionate and that he enjoys nothing more than flustering Midorima. Furthermore, Takao said he “likes” Midorima, which isn’t necessarily an expression of romantic interest. Midorima believes that he was earnest, but it must have been an expression of friendship, nothing more. More would be… impossible. Midorima has not forgotten what he is.

When Takao picks him up for school the next day, he gives Midorima a wide grin that makes his heart skip a beat, even though he knows it spells trouble, and calls out, “How’s my boyfriend doing this morning?”

With a single word, all of Midorima’s expectations are shattered. The only explanation he can think of is Kise playing another cruel trick, or worse - Grey.

"What's your sign?" Midorima demands, already glowing, though he doesn't make the mistake of preemptively taking hold of Takao again.

"Pineapples," Takao answers, no longer chipper. "Shin-chan, did something happen?"

Midorima shakes his head. "No" - only the impossible.

He gets into the rickshaw in silence, and then Takao is too busy pedling to inquire further.

The rest of the day passes like any other. Takao is physically affectionate, but not much more so than usual.

As always, they both stay late after practice. Afterwards, in the locker room, they are alone for the first time since that morning.

"Want to join me?" Takao asks as he steps into the shower.

Midorima feels his cheeks burning with embarrassment at the thought and he can only sputter in response.

Once they are both clean and dressed, Takao faces Midorima, his hands on his hips. "Something's wrong. What is it?"

Midorima automatically adjusts his glasses. It's embarrassing no matter which way he looks at it.

"I know you don't like being touched," Takao continues. "I'm working on it."

“No!” Midorima exclaims - that is the opposite of what he wants. “I-” he stops short before he can make some dramatic declaration that he’ll inevitably regret.

He adjusts his glasses again for good measure.

When Midorima makes another attempt, he chooses his words carefully; “I know we’re not likeable.” He hesitates.

“Shin-chan,” Takao interjects, “Are you trying to tell me that after my confession yesterday, after I kissed you, you’re still not convinced that I have feelings for you?”

“I-” Midorima begins, but he doesn’t have an argument. He feels his cheeks beginning to burn.

Takao strides toward him with a surprising amount of intensity for a human of his stature. He stops just a few feet away, but Midorima can almost feel his presence - not many people get even this close to him.

“Clearly, I’m not doing a good enough job,” Takao says with a wicked grin that has implications Midorima doesn’t even want to think about yet and sends shivers down his spine.

“Wait!” Midorima panics before Takao can do anything and half curses himself for it.

Takao’s intensity fades in an instant, and all of a sudden it’s just Takao looking up at Midorima with an easy smile. For a moment, Midorima is reminded of Kise disguised as Takao and his cruel prank, but this is different somehow, more natural, impossible as it may be. Midorima was with Takao all day, there was no opportunity for him to be changed out for an impostor, and Grey is dead.

“Don’t worry, we can take it slow.” Takao says gently. “I just don’t want my boyfriend to be able to forget that I like him.”

“I didn’t forget,” Midorima attempts to protest.

But Takao catches on quickly. “You just didn’t believe me in the first place?”

“I-” Midorima hesitates. “I had concluded it was impossible.”

“I know,” Takao says, and he almost sounds sad. After a moment’s consideration he remarks, “I didn’t think it was possible either- that you could be interested in me, I mean.”

It stings more than Midorima expected to hear Takao say it, but he shouldn't be surprised. He adjusts his glasses. "I didn't think I was capable of love because of how I was… raised until Kise-" he stops short, unwilling to explain Kise's prank that no longer seems quite so cruel.

"That's not what I meant," Takao insists, kindly ignoring the mention of Kise. "Well, I did assume you weren't interested in romance, but I meant that if you were, I didn't think you'd want a human like me."

“Don’t be a fool,” Midorima says, but it lacks its usual edge, “of course I want you.” He readjusts his glasses for good measure.

Takao grins as though there was nothing he wanted to hear more than Midorima’s clumsy confession. “And you should know by now that I like you.” He reaches out as though to touch Midorima, but stops short.

His concern is at once incredibly kind and immensely frustrating. Midorima takes Takao’s hand in his own to prove a point. The contact startles him, even though he initiated it, but he doesn’t let go.

“You know,” Takao remarks, some of his mischief returned, “now that we’re dating, you can call me Kazunari. What do you think, Shintarou?” Takao practically purrs Midorima’s name with a suggestive weight that he will never be able to unhear.

Midorima nearly drops Takao’s hand. He can feel the heat returning to his face, but he cannot bring himself to protest. He is struck with an unshakable feeling that this is why he escaped. This is everything that Teiko was not.

Again, they walk back to Takao’s bike hand in hand. If this is a new routine, Midorima thinks he might be able to get used to it.

He takes his usual place in the rickshaw, but somehow, something clicks and he realizes that maybe there’s something wrong with making his boyfriend cart him around like this. He doesn’t offer to bike, though maybe he should. Instead, he glows green and uses his power to make it a little easier on Takao.

Over the next few days, they figure things out. Takao is a little more affectionate and Midorima tries to be nicer. Sometimes they hold hands at school and once, in private, Takao steals another kiss.

And when Midorima is lost in his own world, clearly overthinking something, Takao leans over and murmurs, “Hey Shintarou, everything alright?”

Takao is completely on board with Himuro's suggestion of having cake to celebrate their spectacular victory over Gold and Silver - if he can say so himself.

Midorima is not.

“You could have gotten yourself killed - again,” Midorima exclaims.

“And what were you about to do?” Takao retorts. In the thrill of victory, he had forgotten to be angry, but now it all came rushing back. “You were going to throw away everything you’ve fought for!” Even if Gold and Silver didn’t kill the Miracles, Midorima would have given up any chance at having a normal life, playing basketball, being with Takao.

“Don’t you see?” Midorima demands. “We didn’t have a choice. They were trying to get rid of us, it was only a matter of time before they realized-” he stops as though choked by the words he’s trying to say.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the only thing that would frighten all of them enough to try something so desperate. At one point, Takao wouldn’t have understood, but he’s learned a lot about Midorima and by extension the other Miracles since then.

He wants to reach out and hold Midorima, but he knows it wouldn’t be comforting, not when he’s so tense. Instead Takao says, “Shin-chan. I’m sorry, we should have told you the plan. Next time we can work together.” Or better yet, let there not be a “next time” and instead give the Miracles the peace they deserve, but Takao knows better than to expect life with Midorima to be so simple.

Midorima nods, but he still looks far from relaxed.

Now, Takao decides, is the right time to throw an arm around Midorima’s shoulders and bring him back down to Earth.

“Oi!” Midorima exclaims in shock, but he doesn’t protest or push Takao away, even as his face turns red.

“But first, we should celebrate our victory!” Takao proclaims.

Finally, he relinquishes his hold on Midorima, his job done. Midorima takes a moment to recompose himself.

“Very well,” Midorima says as he adjusts his glasses.

He gives Takao a weighty look of relief and maybe even some admiration that reminds Takao just how much the Miracle, for all his super human abilities, relies on him.

So quiet Takao almost doesn’t catch it, Midorima adds, “Thank you, Kazunari.”

After the Special Diet, everyone is exhausted. The party afterward is fueled entirely by leftover adrenaline and the thrill of victory. This lasts some longer than others.

The party ends up going well into the evening and Takao would probably have been happy to stay that long, celebrating with the basketball and volleyball players, and a few assorted JSDF officers. It feels unfair to drag him away, but Midorima is done.

With his Hawk Eye, it doesn’t take Takao long to notice Midorima standing on the sidelines. He waves goodbye to everyone else playing volley-basketball and makes his way over to Midorima as the game resumes.

“Ready to go?” Takao asks.

Midorima nods and grabs Takao’s hand - he’s already so overwhelmed, he doesn’t have the energy to be bothered by the contact. Right now, Takao’s hand in his is a warm, comforting reminder of how far he’s come amidst the onslaught of memories brought on by the Diet and Orange’s return.

Together, they walk over to the picnic benches, where Midorima’s guardian and Takao’s mother are sitting with the other JSDF soldiers and doctors who came to support the Miracles. Midorima belatedly lets Takao’s hand go as they approach - this really isn’t a conversation he wants to have with his guardian right now. He doesn’t miss how Dr. Kishitani hastily removes his arm from around Takao Nobuko’s shoulders as he notices Midorima and Takao, clearly thinking along the same lines.

“Takao is going to stay the night,” Midorima declares, and he sounds so exhausted that no one argues.

“Of course,” Dr. Kishitani says with a glance over at Takao to confirm that he is in fact okay with this decision.

Takao nods and his mother looks absolutely thrilled and more than a little smug about it. Takao shoots her a glare, but Midorima can only feel grateful for all of their support - or maybe just relieved; he’s spent the whole day being grateful and he’s not sure how much gratitude he has left.

The trip home passes in silence. Even Takao spends most of the time just watching the scenery. Eventually, Midorima’s hand sneaks back into Takao’s.

When they get home, Midorima leads Takao straight upstairs, into his room. He sits down, cross legged, on the bed and lets his eyes fall shut. He can feel the bed shifting as Takao sits down across from him.

Maybe later, another day, Midorima will realize just how great their victory - Orange’s victory - was, but right now this is all he needs. The soft pressure of Takao’s hand in his is enough to keep him grounded in the present. This is more than enough, more than he could have possibly hoped for.

When he opens his eyes, Takao is smiling at him. His smile is wide as ever, even though he’s looking at Midorima with a gentle, almost concerned expression. Maybe it’s something about the evening light, but he seems to glow. Unlike the Miracles when they use their abilities, it illuminates rather than consumes him. Midorima can only stare and Takao is content to let him.

Eventually they turn in - it’s early, but Midorima is exhausted. He lies in his own bed. He was almost tempted to ask Takao to join him, but that would still be too much, so Takao sleeps on the spare futon on the floor. Midorima’s arm dangles down from his bed to hold Takao’s hand as they sleep.

#v writes #Kuroko no Basket #Designation: Miracle #AU #MidoTaka

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ruffsficstuffplace · 7 years ago

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And The AWRD Goes To... (Part 41)

Note: Man, sorry, Taiyang and Snowie are just a giant wealth of meaningful and silly interactions. AWRD next chapter, definitely.

Thump!

Snowie put down her fifth Mantle Steinbier of the night, frost still pouring out the first four and the unopened sixth nearby.

“Better?” Taiyang asked as he sat on the stool next to her, his one bottle of San Lorenzo still unfinished.

Snowie sighed heavily, and nodded her head. “Yeah… whole lot better… sorry you had to see that earlier, I just get… super emotional over my kids.”

“Hey, it’s no trouble at all, I get the same way with mine.”

“So you also break down in public, burst into tears from over-emotion, and drown your brain in alcohol till you can handle your emotions again…?” Snowie asked, a small smile on her face.

“… Okay, maybe not that kind of response, but I was the one the suddenly pulled all that ‘how do I deal with the fact that my daughters are probably going to die out there’ business on you earlier.”

“I don’t mind, Tai,” Snowie said. “Okay, maybe I do mind, but it’s a conversation everyone has to have with someone sometime! Preferably long before they need to do it for real, and they haven’t alienated them from smothering them so much. We don’t talk about it enough period, anyway!”

Boo-boop-bee-doop!

Snowie blinked, as did some of the other patrons in the Hestia-themed bar/restaurant they were in. “The hell…?” she muttered.

“That was mine, excuse me a moment,” Taiyang said, pulling his scroll out from his pocket and checking his messages.

Snowie blinked, before her eyes widened in realization. “… Wait, shit: we were supposed to show up at that dinner party with your landlady… fuck, it’s over, isn’t it?”

“Yeeep,” Taiyang said. “You mind taking a selfie with me, photographic proof there was an emotional crisis I had to attend to, and thus a good reason to miss it?”

“Oh, sure, go right on ahead,” Snowie said. “Don’t even need time to put a sad face on, the aura of despair and regret I’m giving off ought to be evidence enough already.”

Taiyang nodded as he flipped to the camera. “Don’t smile now!” said as he held out his scroll.

Click.

“How’s this look?” Taiyang asked, showing off the picture.

Snowie put down her beer bottle. “Let’s see… slumped over a bar, four empty bottles of MSB, eyes red from crying, a fifth already in my mouth… yep, this is about as unflattering and depressing as it gets, send it.”

“You sure about that?”

“You want me to make up another long-ass, rambling oath while we’re at it?” Snowie said, trying to put her free hand over her chest, and missing.

“Nah, I’m convinced,” Taiyang replied, adding an explanation to it before he sent it off. He and Snowie waited a short while for the reply. “Mrs. Ang sends her regards, says you ought not to drink too much, and you can stay over at her place if you need to.”

“Should I?”

“Practically speaking, yes, her place is as good as anyone else’s for shelter, but since I like you, it might be best if I just hire one of those rickshaws outside and get you back to Haven. Or you could just stay at my place, if you’d like! Not the first time I’ve ever had someone completely wasted sleeping on my couch for the night.”

“Oh, no, I couldn’t possibly!” Snowie cried. “You already bought me a six-case of beer, plus dinner/comfort food, you’ve already spent way too much on me. The elevators are a real walk from here, yeah, but as soon as we get back to it it’s just not falling off the side as it goes all the way up to the top.

“I’m like Qrow—even while drunk, I always find some way to get where I’m going to, eventually!” she said, proudly raising her beer up into the air before she took another swig out of it.

Taiyang winced. “Yeah, no, we’re definitely taking a ride out of here and to my place now. Trust me, I've learned that whenever whenever you have a really drunk person to deal with, no matter how close your destination is, it's always better to just get a vehicle of any sort, ideally motorized.”

“But didn’t you and Qrow go around a lot on foot? He’s really drunk all the time, right?”

Taiyang put his drink down and shot her a look. “How else do you think I learned?”

Snowie paused. “Fair point,” she said, gesturing the mouth of her bottle towards Taiyang. “Just let me finish the rest of this beer, and number six, too, and we can go.”

“Couldn’t you just get it to go, and work on it tomorrow?” Taiyang asked.

“Nah, I like following an old Mantle tradition: never take a beer bottle with you when you order it at a bar, ‘cause the bottles used to be pretty expensive to make and designed to be reused for years, but now it’s just respectful for the bartender and the brewers,” Snowie said, before she drained the last of MSB #5, set it with the other four.

“What about drinking #6?” Taiyang asked. “Seems like you could just leave this for someone else; no reason they wouldn’t take a free, unopened beer, or the bar could just sell it again.”

Snowie smiled as she pulled up #6, put the cap on the edge of the stone counter, then slammed her palm down on it, popping it open. “Other Mantle tradition: always try to drink all that you order, someone worked HARD to get it to you in the first place,” she said, before she brought it to her lips.

“Sounds like a good excuse to enable alcoholism,” Taiyang said, amused.

Snowie sighed happily as she set it back down. “You’d be surprised at how many treasured traditions and beliefs Mantle has that do just that.”

Taiyang nodded. “So, anything else you’d like to talk about?” he asked. “More small talk? More deep, intimate conversations that branch off from that small talk soon as either of us find a decent jump off point? Or is that enough potentially heartwrenching conversation for tonight?”

Snowie put her bottle down, hesitated for a moment, before she asked, “You mind if we talk about our kids?”

“Sure!” Taiyang said, beaming. “Bragging about how great they are, or asking each other specific questions?”

“Asking,” Snowie replied. “We’ll probably be here all night gushing and crying about them if we got free reign. And with that out of the way… I hear both of your girls are in Huntsman Academy at the same time, one of them two years early—you must be super proud of them.”

Taiyang smiled and nodded. “Always have been, but yeah, it’s hard no to be a little extra proud of Ruby right now.”

Snowie shot him a knowing look, before she chuckled. “How’d you take the news?”

“Shocked, but not really, you know?” Taiyang replied. “Ruby was always been a step above everyone else, in case you didn’t already figure that out from seeing her in combat—she designed and built Crescent Rose herself, too.”

“I’ve seen and I’ve heard!” Snowie chirped. “The tech has really advanced since the last time I’ve seen one of those things,” before she took another drink.

“She’ll let you take a look at it if you let her take a look at yours, just saying,” Taiyang said.

Snowie sighed. “Yeah, I’ve thought about that, but my current trio doesn’t feel like a worthy exchange; maybe if I still had Gaudium, I wouldn’t feel too bad...” she said, staring into her beer bottle.

“Weapons are still weapons to Ruby—whatever the tech level, era, or complexity, she’ll be happy all the same,” Taiyang said. “Anyway, this might just turn into all about her, and you’ve only got so much beer left—how do you feel about Weiss getting into Haven?”

Snowie sucked in a breath, and let it go slowly. “Terrified, mostly. Excited, and happy for her, too. Sad that she won’t be coming home after school any more, like she did back at Sanctum.

“More than a little worried about what life may be throwing at her in the immediate future; her academy life is starting to feel just like the first years of my parents’ expeditions, except the weird, ancient crap attracting trouble like a super-powered magnet/beacon came much earlier,” she said, before she took a swig of her drink, now half-empty.

“I’m sure she’ll make a full recovery,” Taiyang said.

“And I know she will!” Snowie replied. “We always do—durable and determined, that’s what the Schnees are.” She turned back to Taiyang. “How do you feel about their new teams?”

“Well, kind of happy but also kind of unhappy they ended up separated; on the one hand, it gives Ruby a chance to start making new friends and connecting with people that weren’t from the Bunker or our little ragtag community outside the school, without relying too much on her sister.

“On the other hand, she was always a moderating presence for Yang, and it seems like JAYS are set to become the new problem team this batch like STRQ was, if all the police reports are anything to go by.”

“Sure AWRD won’t take that title instead?” Snowie asked, smiling.

“Eh, maybe, maybe not—seems like trouble is more keen on finding them, than the other way around, and that’s a very important distinction,” Taiyang replied. “How do you feel about Weiss and Akko being with Ruby and Diana?”

“Eh, much the same as you, except I’m a lot less unhappy about her ending up with her best friend already on the same team with her,” Snowie replied. “Their teachers always said Akko would have flunked out of Sanctum without Weiss, but honestly, it was more the other way around, it just wasn’t as obvious looking at their transcripts and their grades.”

She took another swig, then continued. “They’re getting along super well with Ruby and Diana, though—whoever decided to put them together either got really lucky, or just knew they’d fit perfectly together, in spite of how different they are.

“Like… tabasco sauce and blue flavour in a single snowball.”

“Blue flavour…?” Taiyang asked.

“Call me a culinary heathen for not being able to tell the difference between them, but blue flavour is always fucking delicious.” Snowie said as she emptied her bottle, then put it down with the rest.

“Hey, I’m not judging!” Taiyang said. He put some money down on a nearby tray, the bartender came to collect it. “You ready to go?” he asked.

“Yep!” Snowie said, slamming both her hands on the bar before she pushed herself up, and off her stool.

Taiyang grabbed her and held her steady as she began to sway to one side. “You still sure you’re ready to go...?”

“Yes.” Snowie said, grabbing onto his arm with both hands. “As soon as the room stops spinning.”

“Do you need a cab?” the bartender asked as she returned with Taiyang’s change.

“We’re taking a rickshaw, thanks,” Taiyang said.

The bartender nodded, took away Snowie’s empty bottles and Taiyang’s unfinished beer as the two of them made their way out the small, Hestia-themed restaurant they were in.

“Hey, Tai? “Did we discuss where I’d be staying the night?” Snowie asked as they made it out to the sidewalk, headed for the line of parked rickshaws and their waiting drivers nearby.

“Yeah, but we didn’t really make a decision,” Taiyang replied as he steadied Snowie.

“Which place is closer?” she asked as she grabbed the side of a rickshaw.

“My apartment,” Taiyang said as he helped her into the back. “It’s cramped, but it should be reasonably big enough for the two of us, now that Yang and Ruby moved out, and it’ll just be us and my dog.”

Snowie’s eyes widened. “You have a dog? That’s great!” Her face fell in horror. “Oh, shit, how late is it right now? Poor thing must be starving right now!”

“Relax!” Taiyang said as he climbed in himself. “I always make sure to keep plenty of cans of dog food within easy access for Zwei, with a can opener!”

Snowie looked at him gravely. “Manual or electric?”

“Manual,” Taiyang replied calmly.

Snowie sighed. “Phew, I was worried for a moment there!”

“So, my place it is?” Taiyang asked as the driver started the engine.

“To your place!” Snowie said, her hand shooting up and thumping against the canvas roof. “I want to see your dog...” she mumbled as she awkwardly took it back. “What kind of dog is Zwei? One of the pure breeds, or one of those dogs where you really can’t tell just what the hell it is they were descended from?”

Taiyang told the driver his address, turned back to Snowie, and said, “Pretty sure he’s a Giovanna Valen Corgi.”

Snowie squealed. “Oh my gosh—those are one of those little tiny horizontal dogs, right?!”

Taiyang sniggered. “’Little tiny horizontal dogs…?’”

“Fuck you, I’ve got six steinbiers in me, words are hard!” Snowie said just as cheerfully as earlier.

Taiyang nodded. “Yes, he’s a little tiny horizontal dog,” he said as the rickshaw started moving. “Super friendly, super smart, super talented; got him during a real rough spot in my life, and he’s just been my furry best friend since.”

“Do you think he’ll like me?” Snowie asked.

“Oh, definitely!” Taiyang replied. “Why do you ask? Bad history with dogs?”

“Well, not with dogs, exactly, and not me specifically, but my mommy was always terrified of animals in general. Probably because she was tiny. I mean, she still is tiny. Like really, super fucking tiny... if she wasn’t like a trained huntress, a really big dog could take her out pretty easily just by running into her really hard.

“So yeah, that’s why we don’t have pets, and it’s why Winter has so many plushies—it was the closest she could get. Well, you know, that and aside from the fact that…” Snowie trailed off. “… You know what, nevermind, it’s not the good kind of story.”

“I won’t mind if you want to tell it,” Taiyang asked.

“Well, I don’t, so don’t pry...” Snowie snapped.

“I won’t!” Taiyang said, holding up his hands.

It was silent for a while as the rickshaw navigated Mistral’s winding streets, the tunnels, and the uphill and downhill climbs, with poor roads, transitions from pavement to dirt then back again, and potholes hounding them the whole way.

“Hey...” Snowie muttered. “Sorry getting snippy just now, it’s just…” she sighed “… that part of my life is something I really don’t like revisiting if I can help it, especially since it worsens my… emotional issues.”

“Don’t worry, it’s totally cool,” Taiyang said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “We’ve all got parts of our pasts we’re not proud of, that we don’t feel like sharing, or that we’ve already buried and are uninterested in unearthing—everyone has them, me included.”

“In case you couldn’t tell from the ‘Qrow in a skirt’ story, and all the other fun tales he’s probably shared with you, I was a real shithead back in my Beacon days.”

Snowie chuckled. “Yeah, I got that much, though I’d call you more an ‘asshat.’”

“Huh. Haven’t heard that before. What’s it mean?”

“It’s from Vox, and you know the saying ‘head up your ass’? Think that, but instead of going the whole way and putting your cranium into your rectal cavity, you stop just before, and walk around with your butt right over your head, like a hat. It’s supposed to mean that you aren’t completely oblivious to the situation, you’re worse:

“You can see what’s going on and understand it, but you still act like an idiot regardless—starting with walking around bent over like that.”

“Can’t be a very comfortable position,” Taiyang said seriously.

“Nor does it seem good for the spine,” Snowie replied just as gravely.

The two of them burst out laughing, the rickshaw slowed and came to a stop before a large apartment building, clearly aged and weathered but still holding strong.

Taiyang helped Snowie out and paid the driver, she examined the area, saw the nearby patch of green grass and tall trees close littered with toys, tire swings, and outdoor training equipment; the clothes hung up to dry just outside the windows; and the warm, friendly lights pouring out.

“Geeze… what time is it already?”

“9:17!” Taiyang said as he checked his scroll.

“… Fuck, how long was I crying and drowning my sorrows at that bar?”

“Don’t really know!” Taiyang said. “I guess it didn’t help that we’ve been walking everywhere, and it took us a while to find it. Anyway--” he reached into his pocket, pulled out a series of keys held together by a little corgi keychain “--want to head inside, and meet my dog?”

“Do the Starlight Crusaders always beat the ever loving crap out of the monsters before blasting them with magic?” Snowie replied, beaming.

“I’m guessing that’s a yes,” Taiyang said, smiling as he headed through the front door, Snowie eagerly following behind.

There was already a stream of people heading out one of the apartments on the ground floor, all of them carrying serving plates and food containers, either full of leftovers, or to be washed elsewhere. One of them noticed Taiyang, and smiled. “Hey, Tai’s back!” he said. “Oh, with his friend, too!”

A different tenant sniggered. “Finally getting back in the dating game after all these years, Tai?” she said teasingly.

“We’re just friends, I swear!” Taiyang said with mock panic.

“No offense meant to Taiyang, either, but I’m a lesbian,” Snowie added.

The line started shifting and moving as a tiny old lady carefully shuffled her way out the door. “Tai!” she cried as she saw him, every wrinkle on her face shifting as she smiled.

“Evening, Mrs. Ang!” Taiyang said, waving. “Sorry Snowie and I missed dinner this Sunday, things happened.”

“Don’t worry, I saw your message and your photo,” Mrs. Ang said, nodding sympathetically before she turned to Snowie. “Are you doing okay, young lady? You didn’t drink too much earlier, did you?”

“Much better, Mrs. Ang, and, well, yes, but Tai helped me get here and is offering to let me stay the night!”

The tenants made teasing scandalized sounds, Mrs. Ang looked at them like a grandmother silently scolding her wards, before she turned back to Snowie and Taiyang, all smiles again. “Please don’t mind them; we’re all like a family here, just can’t help but butt heads and step on each others’ toes!”

Snowie laughed. “Oh, believe me, I know the feeling.”

Mrs. Ang chuckled, before she sighed. “I wish I could stay and talk more, but these old bones need their rest already...”

“It’s fine, Mrs. Ang, I’ve already got it,” Taiyang said, smiling as he lead Snowie to the stairs at the end of the hall.

Mrs. Ang smiled back.“Thank you, Tai. You two be careful at the stairs, now! Sometimes someone trips and falls, and they just sleep where they landed till morning!”

“We will, Mrs. Ang!” Taiyang said as they started going up the old, creaky stairs.

“Would that someone happen to be Qrow?” Snowie asked quietly.

“You know it,” Taiyang replied, smiling.

They climbed up to the third floor, to the only unit with a dog door. “Gotta warn you, it’s not very big,” he said as he put his key in the lock. “Space is at a real premium here compared to back at Patch, and teaching only pays so well.”

“Oh, believe me, I know cramped,” Snowie said. “My parents built our house on the side of a cliff, and every attempt to expand have been months to year long endeavours. Now come on, don’t keep me in suspense!” she said, rubbing her hands together.

Taiyang smiled as opened his door, pushed it open and gestured inside with dramatic flair. “Then welcome, Snowie, to the Xiao Long-Rose Family home!”

There were plenty of things Snowie could have noticed about the place: that the living room was actually very large, if it hadn’t been jam-packed with a huge couch and so much shelving and boxes all stacked up all the way to the ceiling; that there was a well used punching bag and a tiny exercise area in the corner; or that there was all manner of tech scattered about, half-finished projects, defunct prosthetic limbs, sometimes even weapon components.

But all she really saw was the dog bed nestled just at the side of the couch, and the dog therein.

Zwei was already up and waiting, looking curiously at the door and his master, before he locked eyes with Snowie. There was a brief moment of silence as the two of them just stared at each other, Taiyang silently observed them from the side.

“Woof!” Zwei went, panting and “smiling” as he trotted up to Snowie.

Snowie squealed as she rushed into apartment, kneeling before Zwei, before she picked him up. “OH MY GOSH, HE’S SO CUTE! I MEAN I HAD AN IDEA IN MY HEAD ABOUT WHAT HE LOOKED LIKE, BUT IT’S SO DIFFERENT IN REALITY, AND SO MUCH BETTER!”

The three of them winced as there was suddenly a loud banging coming through the floor.

“Sorry, did I just piss off your neighbours?” Snowie said, now whispering. “I’m sorry, it’s just that we basically lived alone in our house, no one to really get bothered by all our shouting and swearing.”

Taiyang laughed as he closed the door behind him. “It’s fine… not the worst thing the neighbours have ever gotten angry at us for, trust me,” he said as he stepped in. “I’m just going to go get some spare blankets and pillows, and you can sleep on the couch.

“Not that my daughter’s beds aren’t free, it’s just that their room is still kind of a disaster area still, and I think it’d be a little too dangerous to let you sleep there, drunk or not.”

“Oh no, it’s fine!” Snowie said as sat down on the floor, Zwei now eagerly lapping at her face and snuggling up to her. “Thank you, you’ve already been so generous, I don’t want to intrude any more than I already have…!” she blubbered.

Taiyang frowned. “Are you okay…?”

“Just super happy I’ve gotten to play with an actual dog again,” Snowie said as she teared up once again. “Look at him!” she said as she picked Zwei up again, held him out to Taiyang. “He’s so tiny and horizontal, I love him!”

“You know, he is actually a licensed therapy dog,” Taiyang said as he headed to a closet in the corner. “I bring him to the Bunker sometimes, and he can definitely come with if you’re going.”

“Please let him come with,” Snowie said, shedding copious tears of joy. “I’ve only been with him for less than five minutes but already I don’t know what I’m going to do without him...”

“So that’s a yes to consulting for the Bunker?” Taiyang asked as he opened the closet door, reflexively pushed back some of the items threatening to spill out.

“Yes!” Snowie cried. “Just tell me when we’re going—I basically have nothing in the way of a social life outside my family and people I see everyday at Hoshiko!” She stopped, and frowned. “… And now I just made myself sad...”

Zwei noticed, and quickly doubled down on his snuggling efforts.

Taiyang smiled as he watched. “Thanks, Snowie, this means a lot to me,” he said as he carefully pulled out some spare blankets and pillows, braced the items about to fall, until they settled into a mostly stable configuration again.

“No, thank you, Taiyang,” Snowie said as she cradled Zwei in her arms. “We should do this again sometime—friend-dating.”

“Friend-dating?” Taiyang asked as he closed the door with his foot, braced his back against the door for a moment.

“There’s a word for that in Vox, but I can’t remember it at the moment ‘cause I’m drunk and your dog’s really cute!” Snowie whined. “Isn’t it fucking weird how we don’t have a single word for friend-dating in International Standard? And the ones we do have are so awful—‘hanging out,’ yuck!

“Like hanging outside is ever a good thing! Unless it’s like, swing sets, or jungle gyms… anyway, it’s weird!

“Friends are super important, there should be a way to say you’re going on friend-dates with them, just going out to dinner and having fun because you like them, not because want to smooch them, and maybe bang later if it goes well!”

“I guess it’s just one of those mysteries of life,” Taiyang said as brought the pillows and sheets back to the couch, and laid them out. “Bathroom’s down the hall near the kitchen, just look for the only other door in this place that has a doggy door. You need to use it? Because I need to get ready for bed then go to sleep for work tomorrow.”

“No, no, you go on ahead, I can hold my liquor and my bladder just fine,” Snowie replied as she grabbed Zwei, gently put him down on the floor and held him still. “Hey Tai? Can I ask you something before you go?”

“Sure, what is it?”

“Is it kinda weird that we just met earlier today, and we’re already spilling our deep, ‘stay awake at night in terror’ fears to each other, crying and hugging in public, letting ourselves stay at each other’s places, and inviting us to work with our kids? All just because they happen to be teammates, and one of us is on the same level as one of them in weapons engineering?”

Taiyang thought about it for a moment, before he shrugged. “Nah, I don’t think so; we’re both hunters, and you know what they say at the Lodge, right? Help each other out off the field--”

“--Because you never know when they’re the going to be the ones who’ll have your back on the field.” Snowie finished with him, before she smiled. “Thanks, for clearing that up… I’ve”--she looked away-- “got something of a… I guess it’s not a ‘fear,’ but I don’t really know what to call it, about people who I just seem to get along super well with straight from the get-go...”

“And you’d be right to!” Taiyang said. “But I guess this is just one of those times when you meet one of those strangers who also happen to be your new best friend, like Zwei!”

“Woof!” Zwei went, panting happily as he looked up at Snowie.

She laughed. “Yeah... I guess so. Night, Tai,” she said as she got up and climbed onto the couch.

“Night, Snowie,” Tai said, before he headed down to the bathroom. “Don’t let Zwei sleep on the couch, by the way!”

“I promise I won’t!” Snowie said as she took off her shoes. “I fall off out of bed all the time in the morning, and I don’t want to risk crushing his tiny little horizontal dog bones and organs! That’d be bad!” she turned to Zwei. “Did you get all that?” she asked.

Zwei barked, and nodded.

“Good boy!” Snowie said as she reached out and petted him.

Snowie, Zwei, and Taiyang all turned in for the night soon enough. Some time later, around 11PM, Snowie’s scroll buzzed with a message from Whitley:

“Where are you?”

#rwby #little witch academia #and the awrd goes to #dianakko #white rose

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