Prologue 4: The Hawthorne Passage
Four years later…
Red and white collided repeatedly, as the clash of metal rang in the air. The young wielders of two simple, reinforced rapiers stood tall and proud as they stared each other down. After three years of study and exercise, they finally got to enjoy a year of application, and put what they'd trained for-aura and swordplay-to the test. With a shared smile at the reminiscence over the enjoyable trial to reach this point, they each lunged again.
So familiar were Weiss and Ruby with each other's actions and thoughts that the intensity of their spar quickly rose. Ruby would use her semblance to lunge with great speed and anticipate Weiss' manifested semblance, which launched her over and past her friend as a white snowflake glowed beneath the demon and acted as a ramp under her feet. Weiss turned as Ruby soared overhead before she braced for her own sprint at the younger girl.
Ruby replicated Weiss's action, not strong enough to block, she redirected the oncoming blizzard past her with a crimson rose shaped glyph that behaved as her shield.
To those who spectated-the girls' guardians specifically-all that was seen were great flashes of red and white as petals and glyphs of the respective colors appeared and vanished. Arnice and Winter early on noticed the shared uniqueness of the two children, where they were so interconnected that even their auras depleted evenly as they used the other's manifestation of their soul.
The older students smiled sadly this time however as they knew that this grand show, and what it clearly promised, two hunter prodigies, would be their last time for some time, as they graduated in two days and nobody knew what to do with the now twelve and ten year old girls. It gave Winter's smile an extra bit of light with the knowledge that the General was determined to help the two kids. His dislike of Jacques only rose with each year as he, and all the other individuals at the school, learned just how wonderful the Schnee children-since Ruby was decidedly a sister to Winter with how close she was-could be.
As the twin rapiers scraped each other again in an exchange of flurried strikes, Arnice stepped forward as the two auras each hit the red as one. "Okay girls, that's all for today. We can go get dinner now, then enjoy this night with a movie seeing as tomorrow is going to be stress and nerves." The childlike expressions of disappointment and understanding tugged at Winter who knew that neither girl would, or could, have been so carefree if stuck at the Schnee Manor, which is where she feared they'd be taken back to if Jacques ever found them.
Weiss looked up at her aura clearly having been lost in her match while Ruby simply looked directly at Arnice in her blueblood glory with it hardened to her arms and not yet washed off. "Fine, but only cause it's obvious you need to wash still."
Arnice smirked as Ruby teased her, fully aware that she was the primary influence in that girl's attitude. After that first time at the Ende Hotel, it was like her and Lillysse had adopted the mysterious little girl into their family. "What this?" As the blood covered arm got raised in mock confusion, Arnice used her own semblance to soften the substance until it got coated on her sword to be cleaned. "That's an easy fix."
The two white haired sisters couldn't help but smile at their friends' antics. "Come on Ruby, let's get ready for tonight." Weiss grabbed her best friend by the arm and pulled her away from more teasing since she was excited for a movie night, even if it only distracted her from the inevitable separation soon.
"Qrow, I need a favor."
A slim man in a white jacket and black sweatpants looked dumbfounded at his scroll at the call he had debated ignoring. His slack-jawed expression at the face of James Ironwood requesting help was enough to show the military man he had his undivided attention.
"I'm sure you know the full story of who has been in my custody for four years. The young Weiss Schnee was disowned from her family for having befriended what looked to be a Faunus, but the girl is definitely a demon. I've monitored them both, and if my approach left you stunned, you may want to sit down when I say that they are great kids and I want them safe. I have a bad feeling about when Weiss' older sister graduates, as Winter was the key to me keeping them here. Without that, I don't know how to go about protecting those two."
The General had an exhausted look to him, and his desperation to help the kids helped clear any last confusion from Qrow's mind. "So what I'm hearing is you want me to take them in at Signal, which will get them out of Atlas politics and in a place where you have an ally." The bark of laughter at the fact this was happening and their jobs were conveniently in places they could get away with it escaped Qrow's throat as it sank in. "I can do that James. I just never thought we'd be in such unique circumstances as childcare. I'm a spy, not a parent."
A similar laugh escaped James as it sank in how odd this actually was. "Try arguing that after meeting them. Trust me, if they can get through my attitude, you don't stand a chance. And yes, since Signal is a boarding school, it would be the perfect tool perfect to get Weiss out of Atlas. I'll have Winter go about the documents with you tomorrow if you could please, and don't worry about Ruby's age, at two years younger than normal, she is far above the curve." With a sigh of relief at Qrow's nod over the scroll, the General hung up. "That's one problem down. Now for that cursed father."
As far as Winter could tell, nobody even paid attention to the movie. Weiss and Ruby were snuggled under a blanket with their bodies angled into each other. Their hands sat on their laps after having heard Winter yell at Arnice several times to keep them in sight, but their eyes were both glossed over in that way that told Winter they were of one mind currently. Arnice and Lillysse were in a back corner of the room where nobody acknowledged them or their slightly shifting covers, it was too late at night to care anymore. Nova had crashed earlier when her usual burst of energy burned out. In all four years, that girl never lasted past ten at night. Last were Oren and Winter who shocked everybody when they started dating-or as it seemed to Winter, with how formal and civil Oren was-courting. Currently he had an arm wrapped around her as they nodded off with Winter in his lap.
'Hey Weiss, how crowded do you think graduation will be?'
Even with how social Ruby seemed to have become, Weiss knew that same shy girl was right there who'd hide in Weiss' thoughts any chance she got. This fact always comforted Weiss, who knew they'd always lean on each other, since she was the same. 'The class isn't huge, but probably big enough that it'll be tough to move.'
'So could I just stay on you so we don't separate?' Weiss felt sympathy for her friend, whose feelings she shared on the subject. Graduation would be a mess, especially for the two children. The unease of the crowd and all those emotions would be too much, especially if Winter's-as Weiss was resolute to never call him her own-father paid a visit, which good publicity demanded he do.
Weiss sighed realizing just how tense these thoughts made her, so she clung to Ruby's bright presence where she could help push them away. 'That'd be nice. It'll be nice knowing I won't lose you.'
The slight buzz of joy and comfort was shared briefly between the girls as Ruby's mind dwelled on the upcoming events and what it meant for her family. She really didn't like these thoughts. It would cause them all to separate and force everybody to leave their homes. That might not be what it really was, but that's what it felt like to the young demoness.
With that deadline in mind, Ruby knew she needed more time with all these people who had become her siblings and protectors, so she asked one final question. 'Do you think it would be alright to stay by Simon and Lillysse while the General does the ceremony?'
Weiss' lips curled up into a shadow of a smirk for a little over a second as she dwelled on that question. 'I don't think we get a say there Ruby, they are our only guardians not on stage, in front of everyone.'
'Good. Thanks Weiss.' The whispered words were quiet even in Weiss' mind as Ruby drifted off to slumber. Now left dealing with Ruby's bared mind, Weiss saw both their biggest fear. The chance he would show up tomorrow.
"Goodnight Ruby." Weiss whispered into her ear as she adjusted a bit to get more comfortable as the pull of sleep dragged her under too.
The crowd was larger than expected, but not a worst case scenario in Weiss' mind. Roughly five hundred people stood for the ceremony in Atlas' main auditorium, a grand chamber that was definitely for show rather than shelter with its giant ceiling that was a solid stone. Only the ground was the regular steel of the rest of the school. The walls were lined with veins of blue, red, and yellow dusts that glowed like lamplight to cast a cool sheen of light and color over the entirety of the room. The stage was a raised slab of granite, or rather, dug out, since around the base of it the ground was lowered four feet so as to give it the elevated feel.
The emotions also weren't too strong. Most that came were families and friends of those who were meant to graduate, and to Ruby, there wasn't a single blackened silhouette in the mass of people. The rainbow of colors and lights she saw brought a breath of relief. As the two entered the crowd, Ruby directed Weiss to Simon's golden glow beside Lillysse's pearl white.
The old man smiled down at the white haired girl as she approached, and took note of the rose tattoo on her left hand before he let Lillysse know her sisters arrived. With her usual cheer that cleaned Ruby's system of any negative energies in its purity, she ran up to hug Weiss before she guided them the rest of the way to the seats. From their current location, the girls could spot team SNOW in front of the procession of students as the General preferred things done in order of achievement, not name.
As the rest of the class of one hundred twenty four students went to sit down, the General cleared his throat to begin the ceremonies. "Today is like many before and many after for most, but for those behind me, for it is on this day that they put down the textbooks and raise arms and minds to the tasks they came here for. It is on this day they become hunters, men and women capable of protecting the peace we've held precious for decades, and shall prolong it into the next generation. These students, as they are children no more, have put forth the effort worthy of the title of huntsman as they completed jobs of those fully trained and succeeded. One team-our valedictorian team in fact-even had the added task of raising a family and protecting innocents all through their years of school. The fact they perform at an unparalleled level-as no other student would dispute their talent, devotion, and skill-speaks of their determination to the people and to those that matter. It is with great honor, and a heavy heart, that I must salute them and have this great group of four students take this podium and speak as one to unify their bond as they take the next step, which they chose to do together. So I salute you team SNOW, led by Winter Schnee." At this, the General turned to the group with a faint twinkle of a tear formed in his eyes as he went to salute them, followed by the audience all doing similar. Ruby felt the awe in the crowd mixed with confusion, most likely at the mention of raising a family since they were all just now graduating.
As team SNOW took the podium, Weiss, Ruby, Lillysse, and Simon all shared a laugh as they saw the four friends try and position themselves in a possible manner. Finally, Winter and Oren stood in the center with Winter and Arnice to the left and Oren and Nova to the right. With clearly great effort, the group began. "Thank you for the honor General, if only its reason weren't such a dark one in its conception." Weiss and Ruby had to agree with that statement from Winter, knowing that their determination was in part to keep the two girls safe and with a worthy family.
Before Winter could get any gloomier, since Ruby felt her mood sober with each passing second, Arnice elbowed her and leaned in. "As I'm known for throwing in my two cents, I want to do my part for this family we are, and for those who strove to do their best beside us." With her usual smile, Arnice reached out to put her arm on Winter. "As I am doing, I would like everybody to reach to their right, or if at the end of a row on the right side, reach to your left, and put a hand on that person's shoulder." Weiss felt Ruby's mirth as the demon saw Arnice's azure blue glow shimmer with joy at the crowd doing as asked. "Thank you, now as you all can clearly tell, our speech has now touched all of you on some level, and it is that gentleness I ask that you take home and share so that we may go out and protect this delicate touch knowing that it's not in vain or for others to gain from in any way but comfort and care."
Nova leaned over to lightly shove Arnice out of her semi-serious state. "Ain't Blueblood sweet? Y'all should see her with kids, I don't think any one of us can doubt her love of family and need to protect it. Now I may sound dumb as bricks right now but that's why I follow and don't lead, and with this group, I'm grateful I could follow their footsteps. They sprinted through these years so I had to too, and we all did it for the kids we protected with each return home or successfully passed exam. And those times we returned to their love and joy, we knew it was worth it all. Or when any of us got high marks on a test, the following celebration at our favorite cafe would be beyond gratifying. I know I wouldn't be here if it weren't in the name of others seeing as I couldn't have done this good for my own sake."
Oren shuffled for his turn in their joint unorthodox speech that rotated in moods as they all fought down each other's seriousness. "We are here because of others. We came here to protect and it was by protecting and knowing what we were doing was accomplishing its true purpose, protecting those who can't yet protect themselves."
Weiss could tell it was about to an end when Winter leaned into her boyfriend subtly. "And so long as we know that gentleness exists, we intend to go forward and keep protecting."
Ironwood strode over, having been forewarned of their odd speech of formal and informal. "Thank you, all of you. Now it is time I hand you your hunter's license and diploma to show you have graduated from this school and are officially what you've always been inside."
Then the brief speeches ended and the General started to list names, shake hands, and give congratulations as each team stepped forward as one to then break apart as they were freed from the ceremonies. Meanwhile Ruby's emotional radar picked up who they feared would come but assumed since the opening ceremonies had finished, he would've simply not shown up. Unfortunately, it seemed Jacques planned to actually show his face to his graduated daughter, and unknowingly, his disowned one too. The four years did his tar black soul no good as its misery seemed thicker than before. His negativity would've made Ruby wretch had she been in a physical state. As it was, her subconscious need to flee filtered into Weiss who began to fidget behind Lillysse when the threat maintained a constant pace in their direction.
'Lillysse, he's here.' The Blonde girl stood at attention as Ruby's words crossed her mind. Around a year ago, the girl learned how to expand her thoughts past Weiss and connect them to the array of colors that was her mind's eyes. The fear that came with the words caused her to look about for had spooked the children, even if it wasn't hard while the man strode down the open aisle as if he owned the place, much to the clear disdain of every parent in the room because he was clearly about to ruin their kid's graduation day. The speech about family also reinforced the strong dislike towards the man for his clear indifference to not showing up sooner to be there for whichever kid was unlucky enough to be tied to this clearly arrogant man. The clear animosity now directed towards Jacques didn't faze him at all, but Ruby felt it as the room began to roar with the singular emotion. Its taint blurred her sight, but the nearness of Lillysse and the worry from all of team SNOW who also saw the man helped keep her grounded. Their light kept the dreaded dark at bay.
At Jacques' approach towards the stage, a seat suddenly appeared open and he took it, then waited for the ceremonies to end. Ruby felt the sigh of relief in the audience that a scene hadn't occurred throughout the procession. Weiss however saw the white hair multiple rows in front of her and could've sworn the man saw her as he passed. His hollow gaze resting on her a fraction too long to have not been recognized. Unfortunately, she hadn't changed much except in height to have seemed different in appearance, and where that man was concerned, she may always internally be that scared child.
As General Ironwood gave the concluding speech, Weiss felt that hollow gaze again as he turned and gazed directly at her cowered form tucked into Lillysse, a snarl carved onto his face. 'I think he's worse than before. If it would save us I'd say run, but I think we are safer here.' Ruby's scared but calm voice pierced Weiss' panic silenced thoughts, which granted her a blessed moment of composure before everyone stood to leave.
Weiss scurried to hide behind Lillysse as Simon helped guide them to an empty enough area where Winter and Arnice could spot them and get together swiftly. None made eye contact with the man who approached them as they all knew he simply would.
The barely masked violence in the voice was however a shock to Simon and Lillysse who only knew the story of why Weiss and Ruby were here to begin with, and his part in it. "Just who do you think you are to be near my daughter?"
Ever civil, Simon didn't get a chance to speak as Lillysse stormed up to glare at him, even if she had to look upwards to do it. "Oh, I didn't know she was yours. Considering she was cast out of the house at what? Age eight? You don't have the right to stake such a claim. Nor the power, nor the honor."
Even as angered as she was with him, Jacques was still completely oblivious to the hatred directed at him as he glared back. "I am CEO of the Schnee dust company. I have the money to buy you into exile for talking to me like that, bitch. I have all the right I need to call my property what I will." The ever easy to anger man stepped forward threateningly as he spoke, even if his voice never wavered from its singular hate filled but not loud tone.
Lillysse stood her ground against the volatile jerk as she saw specks of silver and white approach while the rest of the team was sent to retrieve the General. She prayed they hurry as the man before her seemed ready to get violent.
Fortunately, her chivalrous knight arrived swiftly, sword drawn. The deathly serious look from Arnice was one she'd only seen when watching spars, but right now, she felt its intensity as she spoke. "Is there a problem here Lillysse?"
"No need to act Arnice, it's quite clear my father decided to pay us a visit after all. Shame he took so long or he might have actually felt something other than cold steel as we politely ask him to leave our family alone." Winter smirked as her father spun around to gaze into the fully grown woman she had become. His shock, if there were any, was perfectly masked behind his anger at how things were going. The savage look in his eyes promised he would yell at her too, but she slapped him hard enough to echo in the grand cavern. The sound created a nice sound as it silenced him. "I wanted to do that for years. Glad I finally could. Also glad to say you can't call Weiss your property. I checked, you did legally disown her, even if not publicly. I took custody of her in case you are wondering, and Ruby too. You wouldn't know her, seeing as all you saw were wings and attacked and threatened. Sweet girls both of them, and great at what they wish to try. Your loss father. Oh and on the note of my custody of the two, they will be leaving the kingdom with my team in one week as we head out on a mission. They won't be at risk on this, since the mission is to escort our favorite little girls to their next destination while we do our jobs." Winter smiled at the man before her, his eyes glazed over in rage but still, comprehension seemed to seep through his thick skull. The purely animalistic look to him rang of creatures of Grimm she and her teammates fought on occasion with how deep rooted it seemed in his nature. The smile she passed to the girls behind him however was far more sincere and showed how pleased she was with what she got the opportunity to do. "Yes girls, you're going to Signal next. The files went out yesterday and before this began, General Ironwood got your call of acceptance and informed me. We're helping you move in."
This whole encounter had been monitored by Ruby and the mirth that completely overwhelmed the irritation from Winter was a beacon of sanctuary in the boiling mass of disgust that Jacques' presence created. The news that was at the heart of this joy however caused Ruby's own to begin radiating strongly, and bleed into Weiss. Neither of them noticed the emotional sharing though since Weiss was just as lost in joy at getting away and being able to keep in touch with her sister.
"Thank you Winter." Everyone who knew both girls heard both voices give thanks, but to Jacques, he only heard a sound he couldn't quite grasp in his current state, but knowing he had lost, he merely left with what pride he still could muster.
"Jacques, before you leave here, care to stop by my office for a moment. I think it'll be worth your time." Ironwood's cold no arguing voice trickled in and settled on the target, which forced the man to swallow even more of his pride as he strode out towards the office. With him gone, the General's shoulders relaxed in relief and he gave the group an attempt at a smile. "I hate public speaking, it was nice not having to worry about him when it started though. Shame though he didn't get the family lecture, he's the only one out of that entire crowd who needed it. This Winter is why I'm sad to see you go, even if only for a bit before you come back to serve me under the military for a time. You handled that far better than I could have. With that said, and my farewell gift to Weiss and Ruby being spoiled, I best go pound my two cents into that fool's skull now. Enjoy your days."
The group all waved the man goodbye as he went off in the direction of Jacques, his posture shifting from relaxed to determined almost without notice.
As the final shadows of tension faded from the room with the General, Ruby noticed everyone else had left to avoid anymore of Jacques corrupted presence. With no negativity left in their presence, Ruby chose to manifest herself. She flung herself out of Weiss and tackled Winter in the process.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Everyone smiled at her pure gratitude and then the grins grew when Weiss joined in on the hug and thanks giving. Within moments, the rest of the group decided to join the good natured hug as they all felt their bodies finally relaxed from the situation they'd dreaded being resolved in their favor. With the weight all gone, it was only inevitable they asked Simon if they could go celebrate at the Ende since nowhere else would be as completing for their emotions.
Once there in their room, Winter raised a glass of hot chocolate in toast. "To us, a true family. One without limits or prejudice."
The resounding toast was heard throughout the floor as they drank to their victory of that day, and the hope it would bring later.
Notes: WOW, been awhile. I do apologize, finals and editor on hiatus and that. Anyhow, good news on my end is that school is out indefinitely so writing will pick up, but since Secret has said he will accept appropriate blame, I will point a finger is way at his refusal to edit my terrible writing (which even if it were good I'd request the peer edit still) until he has finished whichever chapter of Ruby, Mother of Wolves he is on. Btw, I do recommend you go read that. Might as well know why I'm delayed.
So, that aside, fav, follow, review, and/or read what's below, talk to me if you so please, I don't bite. Have a good life folks.
Announcements Ignorable by Choice!
Ok, with that out of the way, it is time for unnecessary self advertising time as I will be streaming tonight. It'll be just casual streaming as I be an idiot in dark souls, collectible hunt in Horizon Zero Dawn, and maybe some Bloodborne too, been awhile. So feel free to join me, and if enough ask, I may continue a previously started playthrough of Horizon Zero Dawn, it just finished the first story mission so it is very early on and easy to pick up from.
Next announcement, there is a poll on my profile page for what story I will be backlogging alongside this one whenever I have writer's block or Secret goes on another hiatus. So, vote for what you would like to see. Not all options have chapters up yet but I am working to fix that. I put this announcement and some following notes on the poll here where the majority of you will see this. below I shall list what my fellow friends and fanfiction authors want from my selection to progress on.
Blacsparrow - Red Huntress, This is his personal favorite of my written works that he has seen, which is most.
SecrettlySilentEvil - voted When Lemons Give You Life, but is undecided and recently has been cheering on Stargate: Kaleidescope
lordxsauron - When Lemons Give You Life, this fic is meant to be counter fluff to his story Forlorn Hope which I helped with for a bit but life interfered and am getting back into. The story is really serious and good, and I personally recommend you go read it.
Shaded122 - Afterimage, I really don't know what he sees in this story, but I'm to assume it involves the fact I actually have a plan and a serious plotline for it. He wants to see if I can follow through with his expectations probably.
Now I myself won't vote, and honestly don't know what to chose which is why I am asking you guys, but I personally want to work on Lemons and Wolf Knight, which both are collabs with Sauron. Wolf Knight even more so than Lemons.