Snowbird Week 2025

Winter sat in their bedroom at the edge of their bed, looking down at the little bundle of joy in her lap. Qrow was going to be so surprised but sohappy when she came down in a few hours. Elgan was down for a nap at this point and she was free until he woke up from his nap. It was a sleepy Friday morning, but she’d had to get up bright and early in order to go get the little bundle of joy in her lap. Qrow wouldn’t be home until he got off from Beacon, which meant she had a few hours to get to know the little eyass in her lap. The little baby had hatched just a couple of days ago. As the ever-busy CEO of the SDC, it was hard for her to get time off and there was no guarantee of when the babies would have hatched. She had gotten the call a few days ago about the hatching and had arranged things with Weiss and Coco so they could handle her duties. She still didn’t trust the board after so long, but with Weiss and Coco helming things, she had no qualms about taking a day off. She knew animals shouldn’t be given as gifts, but this was the one exception she’d make. Qrow’s last hunting falcon had died in the clutches of a golden eagle a few years ago and he’d been deeply depressed over that. He’d hand reared that falcon from the day it had hatched. He knew the procedure to follow to get an excellent hunting gyrfalcon from the way the Branwen tribe raised their birds. It had definitely been a highly sociable girl and she could see just how sweet they could be. She hadn’t spent extended time around Weiss’ falconry birds, so she had no idea they could be thatkind and sweet. Qrow had really bonded with her and named her Chup which meant ‘luminary,’ ‘sun,’ or ‘moon’ in Branwae. Of course, those sorts of things could happen in falconry, but she hadn’t expected it to happen to a brand new passage bird he’d raised. The little falcon let out a scratchy noise, pointing its face at her to beg for food. “I know; I know I’ll get you some food soon, little one.” “Who are you talking to?” Qrow’s voice turned her blood to ice. A lump formed in her throat and she remained stationary for a good two minutes. “Winter?” She slowly turned around and saw him standing there. He looked bedraggled even for him.“W-What are you doing home so soon?” “I think I caught something from one of the students… I feel terrible.Ivory let me off early because she didn’t want me passing it to the lot of ‘em.” He shook his head. “But that’s not important right now… Who are you talking to?” She sighed and looked down at the little fluffy bird in its makeshift nest. Talk about walking in at the wrong time. She lifted the basket out of her lap and turned around fully. She could see him stiffen and she was pretty sure he was swallowing hard.“Winter…w-what?” “You lost Chup prematurely. I-I know animals shouldn’t be given as gifts but after losing Chup like that… I thought…I would surprise you when you came home from work but…” She closed her eyes. She felt arms wrap around her and she opened her eyes. He had his face buried in her back and she saw his body heave and heard him let out a soft sob. He was crying. She put the basket down and ran her fingers through his hair. “Qrow… Is this good crying or bad crying?” “Good. I just… I kind of never wanted another bird… I know the risks but…it was so hard to see Chup get carried away like that… But…I missed falconry so much….” She started to gently massage his scalp with her fingers. “I’m glad that you’re happy… I know you’re take good care of her.” She knew he would. He treated his birds with such kindness and respect. He had taught Weiss a tonafter she’d gotten back from the tribe… There was nobody else she’d rather trust with her heart, her life, and her children than him. Nothing could shake her faith in him.