-Fort Castle, Two Days After The Message Was Sent-
Yang yawned as she woke in her bed, however she worriedly looked around when she felt Weiss missing. The blonde's worry was quickly quelled however when she saw Weiss writing into a small black book, clothed in her day to day clothes. Weiss dipped her quill into an inkwell before she carefully wrote into the book.
"Morning." Yang smiled over at Weiss. The princess looked up in surprise at the general.
"Ah, good morning Yang." Weiss smiled as she closed the book quickly, the ink having dried quickly.
"So, what are we going to do today?" Yang asked Weiss curiously.
"Well…." Weiss started to say, "I was thinking maybe I check out the city on my own."
"Are you sure?" Yang asked worriedly. "I mean, the Kingdom isn't that dangerous and you have started to learn your way around but are you sure?" Yang questioned her, not wanting Weiss to be in danger.
"Yes, I'm sure. I've really liked these last few weeks but I've started to feel like maybe I can start going out on my own." Weiss told Yang. "I know it's still going to be dangerous but I'm sure I'll be okay."
"Okay….well….try to stay safe okay?" Yang asked.
"It's not like I'm going to seek out danger." Weiss rolled her eyes at Yang. "I AM an adult."
"I….yeah. I just don't want to see you get hurt because…." Yang trailed off and Weiss looked at her with a slightly hopeful glint in her eyes.
"Because?" Weiss edged her on.
"Because….well I'm you're guard and I'm supposed to make sure you're safe." Yang finally said, not entirely a lie after all though Weiss was clearly disappointed in the answer.
"Oh, of course. I…." Weiss stopped herself. "I understand. Well….get ready for breakfast and such."
"Yes, of course." Yang said as she got out of bed. The general quickly got ready for the day and the duo then headed downstairs for breakfast. After a pleasant meal with the Roses, Weiss stood from the table.
"Where are you going Weiss?" Holly asked as Weiss got up from the table.
"I'm going to go walk around the city, explore and such." Weiss smiled, the three Roses looked towards Yang, the blonde still sitting at the table slowly eating her breakfast. "I uh….am going alone." Weiss elaborated as she saw everyone staring at Yang. Ruby and Blake looked at each other in mild surprise before returning to the last of their food while Holly looked between the two of them in concern. Weiss walked off and as soon as the door closed behind her everyone looked at Yang.
"So…." Blake started only for Yang to stand up and begin to walk away. "Where are you going?" Blake asked Yang as she started to leave.
"I'm getting my armor and heading out for today." Yang answered as she put away her dishes.
"Yang…." Ruby said to her sister.
"I'll be fine sis." Yang replied as she left the dining room.
"Is Auntie Yang okay?" Holly asked her mothers as she finished her breakfast.
"I'm sure she is." Ruby said as she ate the rest of her food, Holly still uncertain.
Yang sighed as she sat in her room on her bed, head in her hands.
"She hates me. She hates me and is creeped out by me." Yang groaned out into her palms. "She's gone out without me and she's going to die." Yang over exaggerated to herself. "I HAVE to keep her safe….but if I go following her around she'll hate me even more than she already does." Yang fretted to herself before she snapped her fingers. "I'll ask a guard to keep her safe. Just because I can't be close by doesn't mean I can't keep her safe from afar." Yang decided before she armored up, helmet included, and hurried to the closest guard outpost. Metal boots hit dirt as the general hurried to her garrison. When Yang reached the building her breath was ragged and sweat beaded on her brow as she entered the room. Every soldier in the room, five in this building, stood and saluted Yang. "At ease." Yang told them and they all relaxed.
"What do we owe this visit General Xiao Long?" The captain asked.
"The Atlesian Princess is somewhere in Vale and I need you to find her." Yang said.
"Did she escape?" One of them questioned to which Yang adjusted her helm, glad to not have her blush seen by her men.
"No, she's allowed to be on her own. She requested leave from my protection and I willingly agreed. I am however worried that she will be targeted by radicals and I am entrusting you to keep her safe while she is in the city." Yang explained. "Any questions?"
"Is it true that you've been bedding her?" One of the guardsmen asked from his chair. Had Yang not been wearing a helmet the guard certainly would have regretted his poor decision, however he took Yang's silence to be one of concurrence rather than rage. The mistake was quickly amended by Yang grabbing the man by his chestplate and lifting him out of the wooden chair.
"No, it is NOT true that I have been BEDDING the princess. Such slander is lies, understood?" Yang growled from behind her mask. However she herself was uncertain whether she was angered by the accusation or the fact that it wasn't true.
"Y-yes ma'am." The guard submitted before he was dropped back to his feet, a nervous wreck at the sudden aggression.
"Now, I have ordered you to keep Princess Schnee safe. Do I need to repeat myself or am I understood?" Yang asked more calmly, her fiery temper cooling.
"Crystal clear General. We'll start the search now." The captain of the post said.
"Good, I will be out for most of today. IF I find out that anything happened to her when I entrusted her in your care then I WILL fire each of you. Do I make myself clear?" The blonde informed them.
"Yes general." The captain replied. Yang saluted her troops and walked out of the building to head out to acquire her favorite alcohol and think to herself. Yang sighed as she walked into town to the one pub that sold her precious elixir, The Three Bear's Tavern.
Weiss sighed with a smile as she walked down the streets of Vale without Yang being overprotective of her, guard or not Weiss had begun to feel crowded by her protector and the extra room to breathe was refreshing to the princess. The royal browsed the market district, occasionally checking over her shoulder to see if she was being followed. Weiss meandered through the bazaar where she bought another set of civilian clothes as well as a small dagger and sheath that she attached to her pants. Weiss paid in full for everything, though she soon noticed a city guard in standard full armor following her. Princess Schnee sighed as she saw the guard, knowing it wasn't Yang from the lack of adornments on the armor as well was the absence of the large broadsword.
Yang probably asked them to follow me….though at least it isn't actually her when I asked her not to come with….Weiss walked away from the stand and the guard followed her at a distance. But how to lose this guard? Weiss pondered as she walked through the market place, the guard constantly there. Weiss swiftly rounded a corner and ran down an alley way before hastily entering a building. Weiss sighed as she looked around the room, quickly realizing that the business she had entered was a tavern. The princess took a calming breath before she walked over to the counter and sat down.
"What would you like to drink?" The bartender asked as he walked over in a well kept jacket and slacks.
"Uh….what do you have?" Weiss asked uncertainly.
The man quirked his brow at the woman before him, "First time in a pub?"
"I….yes it is." Weiss truthfully said.
"Well, menu's written over on that board. If you need suggestions just ask one of my employees, and the first one's on the house." He said as he poured a glass of rum for another customer.
"I…." Weiss said in shock. "Thank you mister….?"
"Xiaong, Hei Xiaong, proud owner of The Three Bear's Tavern. Though I'm usually referred to as Junior by my frequent customers, whether they're here for the bar or to spend the night for various reasons." Junior said with a smile.
"Well thank you Junior. I'll take you up on your offer for that free drink." Weiss said as she looked at the menu while Junior walked away to service other patrons. She frowned at the menu as most of the alcohol without understanding most of them. Several minutes go by without Weiss saying a word as she scowls at the unfamiliar names, as well as the lack of any fine wines, Junior walked over to Weiss.
"So, what will you be having today?"
"I don't know. What would you suggest?" Weiss asked the barman.
"Well, it depends what your preferences are. Have you ever had alcohol before?" He questioned.
"Yes, though usually I drink wines though it doesn't look like you have any that I usually drink."
"I see, then hard liquor is likely out of the question." Junior said. "I'd suggest a number six, seven, or eight."
Weiss looked back to the menu and furrowed her brow before she questioned one of the drinks, "What about the number….thirteen?" Weiss asked, noticing that the four drinks in question were all fruit themed.
"Ah, that one doesn't have much alcohol content. It's mainly just for tastes and a small buzz." Junior said. "We don't really sell a lot of it."
"Then why keep it in stock?" Weiss asked curiously.
"Eh, you'd be surprised that those that do like to drink it are repeat customers. I might not sell a lot of it but it helps keep some business coming in so it's not a waste of lien." Junior told her. "You're the second person to order it today."
Weiss nodded in understanding, "I see then. Well I'd like to try a Strawberry Sunrise then."
"One Strawberry Sunrise, coming up." Junior walked away to prepare Weiss's drink. Weiss sighed as she sat at the counter, enjoying her alone time.
Yang sighed as she sat at the right end of the bar counter. She sipped at her favorite drink, a Strawberry Sunrise, as she rested her chin in her left hand as she held her drink in her right when the blonde watched junior bring out another Strawberry Sunrise in confusion.
I'm not done with my drink yet….She thought to herself as she watched the bartender walk away towards the far left of the counter. Before Yang could look out and over at the patron who shared her taste in alcohol there was a commotion at the door. Yang looked over her shoulder to see two short females arguing with one of her guards. I tell them to find Weiss and he goes to a bar instead….Yang drank the rest of her drink. Why do I even bother.
"I'm sorry but you're not allowed in here with your armor and weapon." Melanie said to the guard.
"My apologies but I MUST enter-" The guard started.
"No, you don't." Miltia quipped with a glare. "We legally reserve the right to refuse service and entrance to ANY one under the Free Rose Laws established in the year five fifty nine by Mave Rose. You can look it up if you don't believe us."
"So we are POLITELY asking you to leave before we have to force you off the premises." Melanie told the guard. The man looked straight at Weiss as the princess looked at the argument.
"My apologies but-" The man's excuse was cut short by the two short bouncers placing their hands firmly on his chest and shoving him out of the doorway. The two exited the door to prevent any other armed pedestrians from entering. Yang sighed and stood up to make sure the twins left her guard alone. Yang blinked her eyes a bit, the alcohol giving her a buzzed feeling, as she tried to walk in a straight line to the door.
The blonde however stopped when she heard Weiss say, "Yang? What? I told you…." Yang turned and looked at Weiss in surprise, shocked at both Weiss's presence in the bar as well as the tone of hurt in her voice. "Damn it Yang! I told you to give me alone time and what do you do? You follow me!" Weiss said in cold rage while Yang stood there stunned by the sudden events. Weiss walked over and slapped Yang across the face, an action that finally brought the blonde to her senses, before she stormed out of the building. Yang started to go after Weiss but by the time she exited the bar she found the twin bouncers standing there glaring down at her guard on the ground and Weiss nowhere in sight. Yang groaned to herself and reentered the bar.
"Followed her? You were here hours before." Junior said in confusion at the scene.
"Yeah….though I didn't get to say that…." Yang pouted as she retook her seat and rested her head on the table. "Put her drink on my tab….I'm guessing she didn't pay."
"No she did not." Junior replied. "So, another Sunrise?"
"No….I think I need something stronger now…." Yang frowned at her own folly as she was left alone once again, though her relationship with Weiss had reached a new low.