Heels clicked against the cold pavement as they meandered through the sparse foot traffic on the sidewalks. A cool autumn wind swirled around the young girl in a beautiful but all too short for the season white dress and the soft orange light of the setting sun painted her back with the vivid colors of dusk, the sky's many hues of pink, light blue, orange and dark indigo bathing the city in the sun's stunning farewell. It would be dark soon… but the girl just kept walking, aimlessly, her eyes aimed at the ground.
She kept her head low, one arm hanging weakly at her side while the other held her in a comforting and warm self hug. Her long, snow white hair flowed with the gentle wind, loose strands being picked up by the soft breeze strayed from her otherwise immaculate hair. She didn't dare look up, even as she saw people in her periphery slow down to gawk at her, she didn't look. At her side her hand squeezed her arm tightly, trembling over her soft muscles and delicate skin separated from her her palm by a millimeter of fine fabric on her sleeves. She was thankful for the cold, she could just pretend that she was shivering… if anyone asked.
But no one stopped to talk to her, no one asked if the lonely girl was okay. No one gave her more than curious or pitiful look. She was alone, she was cold and she was afraid. The young woman shrunk back, disregarding everything she had been taught, instead letting herself, just this once, lower her head to find some semblance of comfort. She had never felt so isolated and so out of place at once, she felt as though she might as well have been a ghost, a creature that received little more than ephemeral glances before fading out of existence once again.
That's how it felt, people walked, cars rushed by, street lights flickered on and shops began to close for the night. Through all of it, the lonely young princess with icy blue eyes and a forlorn expression was nothing more than a transient curiosity. Even so, walking helped. So she did the only thing she could do… she just kept walking.
The autumn air was crisp and filled with the scents of the season as leaves fell and decayed and the winter encroached. Trees that hadn't yet fully shed their leaves were painted beautiful and stunning colors against the darkening sky, especially as the light of the setting sun set them ablaze in a stunning spectacle she never really appreciated until then, burning like fire as they swayed in the breeze before the wind plucked them off like flying embers.
The momentary distraction faded as a dull pain radiated from her lip and a metallic taste filled her mouth. Tenderly she licked at the gash in her lip, shuddering with revulsion as the acrid taste of blood smeared across her tongue. Her teeth gritted and her nails dug painfully into her arm through the fabric of her sleeve as hot rage and freezing hopelessness swirled in her heart, creating a storm of pain and desperation as she shut her eyes tight against the unstoppable tide of feelings that strangled her heart.
She could feel her heart racing in her chest and her breathing growing steadily more and more shallow and rapid, her composure evaporating and her pain taking away her poise and control as she gave in to her emotional turmoil. She could feel her eyes chill as her pain filled tears met the cold and with each barely restrained, gasping breath her throat stung as the dry air burned its way to her lungs, but none of that, not even her still bleeding lip compared to the storm that raged in her mind, filling her veins with panic, rage, resignation and fear.
Then… it all grew too much. Through bleary eyes she ran, bolting down the sidewalk barely avoiding her fellow pedestrians as her fight or flight instinct kicked in far, far too late. She ran with no idea where she would go, the force of the wind rushing against her as she ran through it pushed aside her tears.
She stumbled, her ankle twisting as she lost her footing in her high heeled shoes which she normally had perfect poise in. She fell to the ground, the hard concrete ripping through the skin on her palms as she caught herself, shearing away the skin on her knees, sending waves of pain and nausea through her body. People stopped around her, looking to the small girl with worry and one even offering their hand in aid… but she barely noticed. Shakily she stood up, tears now rolling down her cheeks unabated and unbridled as the pain of her fall broke the last of her strength to hold herself together.
With rage burning fiercely behind her cold, shimmering eyes she gritted her teeth once again, pushing aside the pain as best she could before she ran again, shouldering the person who had tried to help her. She just ran and ran, her heart pounding and blood rushing through her ears with such intensity that she could barely hear anything else. Her vision and hearing were all but gone and the only thing screaming over and over again in her mind was the impetus, the compulsion to run… even knowing in her heart that there was nowhere she could go. There is no escape.
Her adrenaline had its limits. Soon, she wasn't sure for how long, but her legs began to feel the fatigue of her mad dash and her chest burned. Her palms and knees stung, it taking all of her meager self control left to not look at the damage, knowing it would only make the pain worse. As her leg muscles screamed for reprieve, she slowed to a jog, using the last of her strength to turn into a dark and secluded alley before her body gave out, the girl collapsing against the brick wall lining the alley.
She huffed shakily for breath, her entire body was trembling and her tears… they just wouldn't stop. She was alone, she felt alone, she didn't see anyone as she turned into the alley. Finally, feeling far enough away, feelings safe enough and isolated enough, she let her pain out. Soft pathetic sobs left her lips, her body convulsing with each labored cry, her arms crossed and raised up, cushioning her head over the brick as she cried, helplessly and weakly into the wall.
Why!? Why is it only me! It's never Whitley, even Winter… even she never… damn it… why? I- I didn't even do anything. I just- I just-
"Everything is going to be okay." Suddenly, something soft and very, very warm enveloped her, a gentle pressure wrapped itself around the her a girl's voice whispered softly and tenderly into her ear. For just a moment, she felt something in that embrace, for just a moment, she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time… she felt a piece.
"W-who are you!?" She snapped to her senses, spinning around, freeing herself from the stranger's grasp, glaring and baring her teeth defensively.
However… her anger was snuffed out as she looked at the girl that had held her. She was young, about Weiss' age, her black, red tipped hair was messy and oily and her clothes were worn and tattered. Her skin was pale and her frame was thin, way too thin, Weiss' heart ached looking at just how emaciated the girl looked. Even so, the thing that struck her most was the girl's eyes; wide and stunning silver that shimmered with a mix of fear and disbelief. Her arms were raised up to her chest as she gazed into Weiss' icy blues, her mouth slightly agape.
"I… I'm Ruby." She said softly, coming to her senses, letting her arms slowly fall to her side. "What's your name?"
"My name?" Weiss hesitated, looking towards the opening of the alley where no foot traffic passed by. However, looking back the the small girl, she found that those big eyes and small, frail frame left little will in her to be on guard. With a soft exhale she composed herself, smiling amiable as she was taught to do, even as it pulled at the gash on her lip.
"I'm Weiss Schnee." She curtsied out of pure instinct, the action having been drilled into her enough when introducing herself that she did it off of muscle memory alone.
"It's nice to meet you!" Ruby grinned, barely stifling a laugh at the far too formal greeting as she walked over to the beautiful girl in white. Her smile softened and her eyes warmed with empathy as she grabbed Weiss' hands in her own, turning them up to see the mangled skin on her palms. "You're hurt."
"Oh no, it's nothing, I just… I just fell, that's all." She couldn't be sure why but she felt bad making the girl worry about her. However, her compassionate and caring gaze rose to hers and then fell, ever so slightly.
"Did you get this from falling too?" Ruby's voice was gentle and hurt as she reached up with one hand, still holding Weiss' in her own before she softly and tenderly brushed the wound on her lip with the soft pads of her fingers, wiping away a warm scarlet drop.
"That's none of your business…" She tried to sound authoritative, she tried to sound strong, but her voice came out as little more than a soft whisper as the warm hand that held hers pulled her heart from the pain that raged within her, stealing her attention away with the caring tone in her words, a depth of concern she had not heard from anyone in her family in… far too long.
"Sorry, I'm not trying to be nosy, I'm just worried. You're crying and I just wanted to help." The whole time she spoke, she didn't let go of Weiss' hand, gently rubbing the side of her palm with her thumb, distracting her nerves from the damaged skin.
"It's complicated, that's all." Weiss sighed, looking away from Ruby as she wiped away her tears with her wrist. The girl, Ruby, she was just so disarming. Something about her just made Weiss feel at ease, breaking down her walls with each soft touch and each gentle word.
"So, what are you doing here?" A change of topic seemed like what Weiss needed and with a friendly smile, she did just that.
"That's… complicated too." What else was she supposed to say? How could she tell this girl whose name she just learned about her family? Still, as she saw disappointment dull her expression, Weiss felt an unexpected pang of guilt in her heart.
"Oh." Ruby said softly still looking unwaveringly into Weiss' eyes before her bright beam returned to her face. "You don't have to tell me, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"Thank you. I'll be alright, I just needed to get away from home for a bit, that's all." A wistful look softened her face, pulling her lips ever so slightly up as she looked down at her feet but her mind was clearly far off somewhere else, somewhere bittersweet.
"Where do you live?" Ruby tilted her head curiously, gently sliding her other hand under Weiss', holding both carefully as she looked up at the girl.
"Oh, well…" That took Weiss by surprise, normally people knew who she was on sight, but this girl seemed oblivious as to whose hands she was holding. "Like I said, I'm Weiss Schnee so…"
"I know? You already said you name, I was just wonder where you… wait! Schnee as in the Schnee Dust Company?!" Her eyes sparkled with awe and her smile only grew brighter.
"Yeah, that's my family's company." She couldn't help but be a little amused by the child like reaction from Ruby.
"That's so cool!" She blurted out in absolute awe, beaming with excitement and enthusiasm as she got up closer into Weiss' personal space, still holding her hands. "You must live in an awesome house!"
"Yeah, it's alright. I mean, it's more like a vacation home here in Vale but it's not bad." She shrugged, feigning modesty with a genuine smile, their conversation and the girl's energy easing her heart and making her feel… Comfortable.
"What about you? Where do you live?" She was relaxed, comfortable and at ease and in no rush to go back home. Talking to her a little longer shouldn't hurt.
"Oh, actually, I live here." Her once bright smile all but faded away, leaving the most wistful trace on her lips as she looked away from the girl before her.
"You mean one of these buildings?" Weiss asked, looking between the two brick buildings, neither of which looked residential.
"No… I live here… in this alley." She stepped aside, letting go of one of Weiss' hands while holding the other just a little tighter, showing Weiss the dirty, cold and hard place she apparently resided in.
"Ruby…" She knew, of course she knew but even so, she didn't want to think it. The small girl with such a bright smile and a clearly warm soul, picturing her sleeping in such a place broke Weiss' heart.
"You're homeless?" Those words left her lips, soft and broken, dying in the still air as she looked at Ruby, empathy aching her chest.
"Heh-heh… yeah." She smiled bashfully, rubbing the back of her head as a soft blush warmed her cheeks. "It's not so bad though! It's safe from the wind here. No one ever bothers me, though it does get really lonely sometimes…"
"I'm so sorry." It felt so wrong, the image of this girl sleeping on hard concrete, shivering through the night, starving every day. It at once made her blood boil with anger and her eyes glisten with tears of empathy for her.
"Don't be, honestly I should be thanking you! You're the first person I've gotten to talk to in a long time! It was nice… getting to meet you." Weiss could feel the gratitude in her voice, the thankfulness and happiness at such a simple thing as getting to speak with a stranger. It really puts my problems into perspective…
"Um, it's getting dark. You should probably get going, it gets kinda dangerous around here at night and it'll be getting pretty cold soon." With a frown as grabbed both of Weiss' hands, they were as smooth as silk and even the small touch warmed her to her core. She didn't want to let go, but she knew she had to.
"Yes, I suppose I should go home." Home was the last place she wanted to be, but she knew she couldn't stay. However, that wasn't the source of the hesitation and hurt in her sigh. It would be dark, cold and unsafe… How can I just leave her here? But… what can I-
Weiss was torn from her thoughts as a small weight slammed into her, nearly knocking her off of her shaky legs. Her eyes grew wide as Ruby threw her arms around Weiss, pulling her into a tight embrace, burying her face into Weiss' shoulder as she held the heiress. The two bodies exchanged precious warmth in the cold air within moments, Weiss' body relaxed and a small smile formed from her lips.
"Will you be safe there?" Ruby asked gently, her face still buried in Weiss' shoulder, her words dripping with worry and compassion for the girl she had just met.
"Yes Ruby, I'll be safe. It doesn't usually get this bad." Her body moved almost on its own as she returned to embrace, holding the small and fragile girl close, wrapping her arms around her back with the care and tenderness that was reserved for the most precious and delicate things. "Will you be okay?"
"I'll be okay Weiss, it's not supposed to get too cold and I have blankets. Like I said, no one ever bothers me." Weiss felt hot tears soaking through her top as they flowed silently from her eyes pressed against her shoulder. Ruby's small hands gripped the back of her top tight as a happiness and gratitude beyond words shined through her entire body. "Weiss… can you- can you promise me that you'll come back?"
"No one ever- no one ever talks to me. I'd really really like to see you again and I'd like to know you're okay so maybe you can come by sometime and maybe… maybe we could just talk a little more… just a little more…" Ruby broke down, Weiss could feel her body shaking and spasming as she sobbed, holding as tight as her weak and starving muscles would allow her.
"Tomorrow." Without hesitation, without pause and without regret Weiss gave her answer, squeezing the girl just a little more, resting her head against Ruby's, her own eyes sparkling with tears. "I promise."