A bus parked at the summit's entrance where it lets out several people in their winter gear most unprepared for the chilling air. A girl with vibrant short orange hair jumped from the top step much to the drivers to the dismay. Landing knee deep in a pile of snow, she shouted excitedly at the top of her lungs. The final passenger stepped off his breathing labored and arms tired from carrying all the bags most belonging to his rambunctious companions. The girl giggled leaping from the mound, "Come on Ren, let's make snow angels!"
"Nora," calmly the boy called to gain her attention. She paused mid-step, glancing back him smiling, "Maybe, we should go to our cabin?"
With a mock saluted Nora replied, "Yes, sir," she then skipped off towards the main cabin.
Ren sighed softly always amused by the girls high strung personality.
While they waited in line for their cabin key someone was nice enough to lend the worn out Ren a luggage cart. Meanwhile, Nora took in all the sounds the place had to offer. From excited teens ready to hit the slopes, kids wanting to build a snowman, and the roar of snowmobiles outside the door. Exited turquoise eyes darted back and forth drinking in every sight. A large fireplace crackled with life, the Grimm skin rug laid sprawled out on the floor, in the far corner sat a Schnee Winter Industrious shop where she could make out a hockey section. Her eyes light up, grabbing Ren's arm, she shook it wildly. "Oh, Ren I can't wait to get out onto the ice and unleash my mighty Magnhild – ooh say that five times fast, my might Magnhild, my mighty Magnhild-"
"Nora."
"Right, sorry," she nodded, rubbing the back of her head collecting herself and coming back to reality. "They won't know what hit them," she cackled maniacally, stroking her hockey stick that stuck out of her bag. "I'll be Queen of the Rinks." Glancing at Ren she added, giving his arm a punch, "and you will be my right hand. We should totally name our team the Sloths."
The typical quite guy arched his brows confused. "Nora, sloths don't do much," he voiced.
"Exactly!" she exclaimed, jumping into the air scaring a few people around them. "That way our opponents won't suspect anything, and when they least expect it, we will put the hurt on them. It's perfect!"
Ren shook head, knowing there was no stopping his friend once she began one of her rambling sessions though he didn't mind one bit. After getting their cabin key Nora helped carry her bags. Though once they walked through the door Nora immediately dropped them racing off towards the room where she jumped onto the top bunk of one of the beds and began to bounce on the mattress. "This place is amazing!" she beamed. "Ren, we should build a snowman later!" Nora shouted, looking out the window as fresh snow fell.
"Sounds fun, but I have to admit I'm a bit rusty on my snowman making skills," a new voice replied.
Whipping around Nora spotted a tall redhead with an awkward smile curving half her lips. She held a pair of ice skated and a helmet under her right arm. Falling off the top bunk Nora approached unsure what to make of the new girl yet. Though she gladly extended her hand always happy to make new friends. "Nora Valkyrie, hockey player," she introduced.
The redhead followed suit grasping the girl's hand, "Pyrrha Nikos, speed skater."
Removing her hand, Nora saluted, "Nice to meet you Pyrrha, do you like pancakes?"
"Uh, yes, pancakes are good." Pyrrha didn't know what to think of the strange hyper active girl, but she seemed nice. Though getting a good look at her, the speed skater wondered how such a tiny thing could play such a rough sport like hockey. She had seen guys use the rink during her practice runs and she saw how barbaric they played. They didn't seem to have any trouble beating their opponents, or slamming them into the rink barrier.
"You should meet my friend Ren, he and I are on the same team, and we will be invincible–once we get more players for this season. Plus, he makes the best pancakes in the world!"
A knock on the threshold interrupted them. The pair turned their attention finding Ren standing there. "Someone passed out on the floor."
Exchanging a mixture of confused, worried,–Nora tried not to laugh, looks the three headed out to the living room where the two girls found the person on the floor not moving. "Nora, help me carry them to the fireplace."
"Sure thing!" Nora lifted the person up by their feet carrying them and laying them on the couch.
"Do you think they'll will be fine?" Pyrrha asked, being able to make out blond hair underneath the melting snow.
"Yeah, the snows melting and they seem to be breathing. Ren, do you think you could fix up something warm?"
Ren nodded, already in the kitchen searching around. A few moments passed and the pair saw the person's fingers move and a disgruntled groan. "Dog sledding hurts."
"He lives!" Nora praised.
Pyrrha fought off a laugh managing to ask, "Are you okay . . ."
"Jaune Arc," he coughed. The blond tried to get up ignoring Pyrrha's protests, but passed out on the floor from pure exhaustion.
Ren came over handing Nora the mug of hot chocolate. "What happened?"
Taking the mug Nora frowned, "He died." After taking a sip, "Too bad too, he would have enjoyed this hot chocolate." Pyrrha looked away covering her mouth straining not to let a chuckle escape, and Ren simply rolled his eyes not even surprised Nora said such a thing.
Snowboard under her arm Ruby began to head back toward the cabin, having spent the rest of the afternoon getting back into her groove so she could prove to the woman she met yesterday she wasn't a novice. The wind mused through her hair and a soft smile curved her lips. Despite her beginning resentment of coming to the summit this year it had been a decent first day.
Following the path Ruby walked along the barrier of the one of the ice rinks finding practically, Glancing over she noticed a figure in the setting sun's light. The rays of the last offered sun shone down, causing the fragments of light to shone upon the ice and the person's clothing. Leaning against the barrier for a closer look Ruby saw the jewels decorating the dress sparkling and shimmering dazzling her and anyone who happened by. The person spun in a few circles, pausing before they darted across the light before leaping in the air, and landing gracefully taking a bow.
Weiss took a moment to catch her breath. Checking her watch she noted it was time to head for the cabin for a show and some well-deserved rest. For the next morning she would begin her routine all over again in preparation for her first competition of the season. Her training schedule was rigorous, but it would all be worth it in the end, or so she thought. Now, she merely skated to put her mind at ease. Skating over to the bench, she traded her skates for a pair of snowy boots lined with fur and her families logo on the side. It wasn't until she left the rink did she notice the someone was watching her. Rushing over was the girl who she shared a bunk with and ruined her dress. "Hey Weiss," she yelled, skidding to a halt in front of the girl. The blonde gave the girl a once-over not seeing any hot chocolate in her hands Weiss figured it was safe. "Wow, that was awesome. The way you jumped in the air like you were flying only to land with such grace and-" Ruby felt her cheeks heat up, "That was pretty cool."
"Thank you," the heiress remarked, taking Ruby's excitement in stride. "It looks better with music and the appropriate attire."
"I tried ice skating once, but my uncle said I don't have the feet for it and they should belong on the ground most of the time."
Weiss hummed in responds figuring that out yesterday after the hot chocolate incident. "Not everyone is able to understand the fine and difficult art known as ice skating. It takes years of hard work and dedication." Her frosty blue eyes spotted Ruby's board, "Anyone can slide down a snowy hill on a piece of plastic."
Suddenly offended Ruby shot back, "Snowboarding is far more complicated than just 'sliding down a snowy hill on a piece of plastic'. It's about balance, timing, becoming one with the snow, and avoiding obstacles that lay hidden under the snow and not simply gliding on a flat piece of ice."
The heiress stared coldly at the naive girl, "I bet I could easily master snowboarding in less time it takes you learn how to even balance in a pair of ice skates."
The younger girl heard the challenge in Weiss' voice. "You wouldn't last a day on a snowboard, princess."
Quirking a blonde brow Weiss nodded. A Schnee never backs down from anything, even something she could probably win with her hands tied behind her back. "Ruby Rose, I gladly accept your challenge. I'll give you a fair warning the rink can be a fickle unforgiving mistress."
Ruby scoffed, "Don't be surprised if you wind up eating snow."
With a flick of her ponytail Weiss left.
Ruby's triumphant smile quickly faded realizing she just agreed to teach Weiss how to snowboard to see if the heiress could surpass her in a shorter amount of time compare to her ice skating lesson. Little did she know she also inadvertently agreed to learn how to ice skate. Groaning to herself Ruby mumbled, "I need some hot chocolate."
Yang drove down the trail heading for the cabin pausing at the hill. Not finding her sister among the snow and the place was practically empty save for a few stragglers. "She must have headed back already," the golden blonde shrugged. Revving up the engine Yang speed off hoping to get back before night completely engulfed her. While driving her mind began to wonder causing her not to see someone emerging from the tree line until it was almost too late. Hitting the brakes Yang came to a halt centimeters in front of the person. The pale yellow light of her single headlight shone on the stray. Yang yanked off her helmet fiery rage blazing in her normal placid lilac eyes. "Hey dumbass," she yelled, "at least have the courtesy to wear something reflective if you're going to go out in a black jacket."
The person took off their hood, revealing dark amber eyes.
A light blush coated the blonde's cheeks. "Oh hey, Blake, sorry about the out-lash people aren't the smartest in the world."
Blake nodded approaching the sled, "I understand you wish to avoid an accident since you are still grieving."
Yang chocked, "Grieving? Yang Xiao Long does not grieve. Wherever you put that idea in your head is beyond me. My insurance is awful and I don't want to damage Bumblebee again. Took me six months to repair her to her former glory after some idiot crashed into her a few years ago. "I also have a sister to protect and getting hurt is not an option. "I have noticed you care for her a lot. Ruby right?"
"Yeah, she's a good kid who shouldn't have to go through this stuff." Yang decided it was time to change the subject. "So, what brings you here to the resort?" she asked nonchalantly leaning against her sled.
Blake casually held up her skies.
"I see, though I must say I pegged you for an ice skater," Yang teased.
The other girl blinked a few times raising a brow in confusion.
Rubbing the back of her head nervously at her joke flying over Blake's head, she sighed, "Never mind. Do you wanna ride?" she added, gesturing to her sled.
"Sure, it's getting dark, and the night isn't safe or sane for a person to be out here right now. The darkness can bring the demons from a person's past."
Not arguing the blonde slipped her helmet straddling her sled. "I'll go slow so you won't have to hold on."
"I don't mind if you fast," Blake responded.
Yang hit the brake suddenly stopping knocking the girl into her shoulder. The blonde wasn't sure what happened, Blake said it so casually, so she didn't understand why she acted suddenly flustered. Cursing under her breath, she was glad to have the helmet covering her burning face. Looking over her shoulder, she apologized, "Sorry, my foot slipped."
Yang managed to get them safety to the cabin without any further incident and parked her sled at the side.
The pair entered the cabin, finding it eerily quite. "Rubes, are you here?" Stripping off her jacket and haphazardly placing it on the couch she noticed Ruby's boots beside the couch. Yang walked in further, calling again, "Ruby?"
On cue the younger sister rose from behind the kitchen counter. Silver eyes shifted nervously towards the bedroom. "Hey, Yang did you have fun?"
"Why are you hiding? Did your boyfriend dump you already?" she joked.
"No, I made a mistake today."
"Oh my Vale, don't tell me you didn't use protection?" Yang continued to mess with her sister hanging her head in disappointment.
Being an innocent puppy Ruby replied, "There was plenty of padding between of us." Yang's laughter clued her in on what her sister truly meant and Ruby's cheeks turned a dark shade of crimson matching the streaks in her hair. "Yang," she shouted embarrassed, "Nothing like that happened. No, I made a deal with-"
"Ruby Rose-" Weiss barked sternly.
Gulping Ruby regretfully looked over meeting enraged frosty blue orbs. "Yes, Weiss?" she asked, fearfully.
"We have training first thing in the morning. Sleep is energy that means going to bed. Let's go now," she ordered, tapping her foot on the ground, arms cross menacingly and blonde brows were knitted together in anger. "Plus, we need to purchase the right gear for ice skating, and buy the appropriate attire and a board for your vile sport of choice."
"My sport is not vile, yours is pretentious and girly." Ruby ducked back down sensing Weiss' anger becoming intense and figured if she didn't obey the whole room might freeze from Weiss' cold personality. She squeaked, "Can I at least have-"
"No cookies or sweets until after our little bargain is over. Now to bed with you," Weiss said, grabbing the back of Ruby's over-sized sweatshirt and dragging her to the bedroom"
Ruby reached out pleading, "Wait, Yang save me. It's far to early for bed."
"Nope sis, you got yourself into whatever this is, so you two have fun."
"Yang, this in some areas could be considered cruelty to your little sister," she said until the door closed drowning out her pleas.
Blake took a seat on one of the stools. "What's up with them?"
"Ruby got herself mixed with The Ice Queen. I'm figuring her mouth ran quicker than her brain. A trait in our family. I'm sure she'll be fine." A loud bang and yelling came from the room and the pair met glances. The golden blonde added a bit worrisome, "Maybe."
"Shouldn't you check it out?" Blake asked, getting into the fridge, reaching for the gallon of milk.
"Nah," Yang waved off, "Weiss' bark is far worse than her bite. Hey, you wanna watch a movie?"
Before Blake could answer the bedroom door slammed opened, and Ruby rushed out ducking behind her sister. "Yang, she's going to kill me."
Running a frustrated hand over her hair Weiss barked, "That dunce somehow managed to knock over the bunk bed."
Yang started off for room her eyes closed, "Oh, you two there's no need to get excited." Coming to the threshold opening her eyes she stopped in her tracks seeing the bunk on the floor. "Blake, you need to see this."
The amber-eyed girl peeked in nearly dropping her glass of milk. "It's better than hanging a bed by rope suspended from the ceiling," she remarked.
The sisters exchanged awkward looks having done the very thing when they slept in the same room. "Blake give me a hand." The other girl nodded, helping Yang lift the bed up putting in its rightful place. "There, no harm, no foul. Next time make sure whatever you both are doing isn't wild or reckless."
"But-" Ruby began.
Yang put her hand up, "I don't want to know what happened. If you need us Blake and I will be in the living room."
Once the older girls left the snowy blonde's attention turned to Ruby. "If there won't be any further incidents I'm going to bed, and I suggest you do to the same, Ruby. We leave first thing in the morning."
"Yes, Weiss," Ruby bowed, her head climbing up to the top bunk. Once the light were off, Ruby grabbed her pillow, placing it over her head, groaning to herself, what have I gotten myself into?
