Author's Note
I remember to do a note this time. Look at me go! First off, thanks for the small encouragement after the first chapter. This is my first fanfic and it warms my heart to know that a few people enjoyed it. Second, this chapter is out a bit early. I planned to do weekly updates, but the extra time this weekend from the holiday let me work a bit more. So, enough of this. Enjoy!
While the extra pair of skates fit her well, she struggled with the lacing them tight enough.
First those stupid lady stilts, now these silly ice skates. This is why I prefer sneakers. Simple, yet effective!
Despite Weiss offering to assist the younger girl, Ruby persisted that she could handle this problem. A slight shake of the head was the response from Weiss as she headed toward the ice.
More than had a few minutes had passed before Ruby accepted the fact she did need Weiss's help after all. As she was about to call for assistance, her mind went blank. Ruby sat frozen to her seat in awe of the sight before her.
She's incredible, thought Ruby. Stunning, beautiful, absolutely gorgeous.
In the time Ruby struggled with her skates, Weiss had warmed up on the ice. Going through motions that her body used to be accustomed to, her muscle memory slowly came back. A few lazy laps around the pond adjusted her to the feel of her skates.
A quick turn. Gliding backwards, picking up speed. Two quick rotations on her left leg. Arms spread out to maintain her balance. She brought her right leg around. slightly extended, carrying her momentum as she pushed off the left. One. Two. Three spins in the air as the heiress was a foot off the ice. Ruby held her breath as she waited for Weiss to return back down.
Ruby always knew Weiss had a certain sense of poise in the way she carried herself. After all, as heiress to the Schnee company that was to be expected. But on the ice, she was completely different. It was beyond elegance and beauty. What Ruby watched was a girl completely forgone of any troubles or problems, where she could freely express her feelings and emotions without judgment. This was the closest Weiss was to letting anyone under her icy exterior.
The laws of gravity held ever true as Weiss made contact with the ground once again, landing on her right foot. Her left leg extended behind her as she was bent at the waist. A flawless landing.
Ruby glanced back down at her feet. How impossible it seemed that simply on these two thin blades could ever balance a person. And that was only the first step. To go on and showcase the graceful blend of art and sport that Weiss displayed?
I have a better shot at taming an Ursa for Vale Circus.
Weiss was lost in the moment. The feeling of being on the ice was invigorating. After all, she hadn't been on the ice since last winter. For Weiss, ice skating had a unique sense of power. Of command over distance and to defy gravity. A complete illusion that she no longer had to move because her momentum carried her. Free to let loose and express herself, ice skating was the closest activity she had to an escape.
The feeling was cut short as applause and shouts travelled from the pond's edge. A look to the source showcased an appreciative Ruby on her feet, attempting to balance on uneasy legs.
"Weiss, that was amazing! I knew you were good, but wow!"
"Thanks, but really what I did was nothing. Most trained skaters can do what I did," dismissed Weiss. Yet, the praise from Ruby meant more than any of the accolades she received over the years. "Now, I suppose you need help with your skates, yes?"
"...maybe…"
"Well, let's get that done then. It's hard to teach if you aren't even on the ice, you dolt," smirked Weiss. With her arms behind her back, Weiss drifted back towards the bench. "Ruby… how did you even managed to get your laces that tangled? I was only on the ice for 5 minutes."
"Heh well you see, I kinda sorta just fiddled with them while I was watching you. I mean, watching you skate! Not just you. Not that I don't want to look at you! You're really pretty too and you're skating is amazi-"
"Ruby."
Oh no, I was rambling too much. Why am I so nervous? Am I blushing again? Butterflies made their appearance in Ruby's stomach as she struggled to compose herself.
"Yes?" squeaked Ruby.
"Relax, please? I can tell you're nervous. Don't fret too much," soothed Weiss. She placed a hand on the younger girl's shoulder as she spoke. The touch made Ruby's body tense at first, but Weiss's words had the desired effect. "Now give me a minute here while I salvage this mess of knots."
Weiss kneeled down in front of Ruby, attempting to loosen the mass of string that seemed to turn into a ball.
"Hey, um. Weiss?"
"Uh-huh."
"If you don't mind me asking, where did you learn to skate like that?" inquired Ruby.
Weiss knew at some point the question would be asked. After all, ice skating is rarely a natural born talent. And while the topic wasn't off limits, she didn't feel comfortable discussing it. There was no animosity or bad feelings. As a whole, it touched on complicated matters. Ones that troubled Weiss to openly talk about in front of people.
The girl in white pondered for a moment more. She looked up to Ruby who gazed down on her, icy blues meeting curious silvers. Sometimes Weiss forgot that Ruby was still two years younger, but moments like these illustrated Ruby's childlike wonder.
"To keep it short," replied Weiss, "My sister Winter taught me. You met her not that long at the Vytal tournament."
Ruby remembered Winter's illustrious arrival. At first, the elder Schnee came off as cold as her younger sister. Winter had the same judging eyes that Weiss did the day Ruby arrived at Beacon. But there was a difference. The more Schnee sisters talked, the harshness of her voice was replaced by adoration of Weiss. True sisterly love. While Weiss might not be on pleasant terms with her father, knowing that the sisters enjoyed one another gave Ruby some comfort.
"Ah Winter! Even though she did try to beat up uncle Qrow, I liked her. She's an older, cooler you!" chirped Ruby.
Weiss laughed at Ruby's reply, "Excuse me? Cooler? Tell me how you really feel Ruby."
"I.. I didn't mean it like that! Of course you're awesome and the best partner I could ask for and I really like you and-" Ruby her rambling after she realized what she had said. Reaching back, a red hood engulfed her face as she tried to hide. "Um. Are you done with my skates?"
Way to go, Ruby. I hope she didn't catch on to that. Really need to work on not vomiting words without thinking.
Weiss studied her for a moment, debating on whether or not to comment on Ruby's statement. Based on her immediately reaction to cover herself with her cloak, Weiss decided that discussion could wait a bit longer.
"Despite your best efforts, I have done the unimaginable. I have tied your laces. Properly. I still am dumbfounded by how you even managed this."
A nervous chuckle answered Weiss's remark. "I said I was distracted…"
"Yes, yes. Staring at me nonetheless," said Weiss. Even with her hood up, the red glow on Ruby's cheeks was clearly seen. "Now up with you. We don't have all day. Those feel alright?"
On uneasy feet, Ruby stood up. The skates were surprisingly sturdy when laced up, keeping her ankles from bending while trying to balance.
"Yuuup!" came the reply from Ruby, popping the P at the end. A habit in which both her and Yang participated in.
"Good. Now let's start with the first lesson, walking."
Weiss gestured to the short distance that lay between them and the pond. No more than ten feet away, but on these wobbly skates the distance seemed an awfully long way for Ruby. Thankfully, the light padding of snow made the journey a bit easier as the pair made it to the edge with no falls.
"Woo! Nailed that one, Weiss."
"You nearly fell four times, dunce. Regardless, we can get you on the ice." Weiss noticed a look of hesitation on Ruby's face. "You're not worried, are you?"
Of course I'm worried. I don't want to make an idiot of myself. Make you think you're wasting time on me. When you could do so much better.
"Team RWBY's leader worried? Nah."
After spending so much time together over the past months, Weiss read through Ruby's facade.
"Ruby Rose, listen. It's alright to be nervous. Let me tell you something Winter told me when I first started. You're going to fall. You're going to stumble, make a fool of yourself. This is the start to all things. And it will never get easier. You, simply, will be better.
"As your partner I will be here for you every shaky step of the way. I'll help you improve. I'll pick you back up after every fall. I've seen the great things you've done Ruby. As a fighter, as a leader, as my best friend. So don't fret over this."
"Wow… thanks Weiss. You really know what to say sometimes," grinned Ruby. Any unease she had melted away at the heiress's words and her gentle smile.
"Of course. Shall we continue?"
Author's Note
I leave you all hanging again! If you can't tell, this is going to be a slow burn for the most part with smaller chapters. If you want to help out, I wouldn't mind having someone proofread in their free time. Having a second set of eyes would be wonderful. If you enjoyed this, let me know with some favorites/follows/review etc. Expect Chapter 3 by Friday! Thanks again.