Chapter 7
Dust and Ashes
Not long after Ruby left the classroom, Professor Port led his class to the Battle Arena, saying that he had something special for their first lesson. While the class took their seats at the benches before one of the Arenas, Weiss stood within it, right at its center.
When the red coated professor asked for someone to take part in his surprise, Weiss immediately volunteered, believing this to be an opportunity to show off and prove herself. In the circular arena, she stood, head held high, body garbed in her combat dress, and Myrtenaster ready for whatever surprise or challenge the pudgy professor will throw at her way.
"To truly understand these soulless beast known to all of us as Grimm, we must observe and learn not just from textbooks or stories," he said, as the a part of the wall opened up, revealing four blood red eyes full of malice, "but from the beast themselves." he said, the beast trotting out of its cage and into the light. White plates, an iconic feature of the Grimm, covered much of the head and body. Wickedly curved tusks jutting from the monster's jaw, strong enough to easily dent iron plating.
The Boarbatusk roared, charging at the girl in white with great velocity. Weiss, though surprised by the large beast's speed, quickly leaped out of the way. While the Grimm recovered, Weiss got back to ready stance, posed and ready to dodge, rapier ready to strike.
Once the beast charged at her again, the Schnee Heiress sidestepped it, and thrust her sword at the Grimm. The thin blade bounced off the Boarbatusk with an audible clang. Weiss grimaced at the failure to penetrate, but it shouldn't matter, all it took was finding the right spot to strike.
After several more charges, and failed strikes, Myrtenaster bouncing off the monster's tough hide, Weiss was beginning to tire out. The Boarbatusk, however, was still going strong, still charging with the same speed and ferocity.
'This isn't working!' Weiss thought to herself, she needed a new approach.
Her moment of thought was interrupted when Boarbatusk was a barely a foot away, the Schnee heiress instinctively and quickly raised her rapier to defend herself. The monster collided with the girl in white, pushing her back with astounding force, causing Weiss to crash into the wall surrounding the arena. Quickly getting her bearings, she spied the beast charging at her once again, determined to end her life. With a flick of her hands, she summoned a glyph of... Ice?
Weiss jumped out of the way with great haste, the Boarbatusk smashing through the thick ice, and slammed into the wall. The slam appeared to daze the creature. Weiss took the moment to figure out her predicament. The glyph was supposed to be one of stone, not ice. She looked down at her weapon and paled at the sight. Myrtenaster was damaged, one of the prongs bent, and the cylinder off center, making it difficult, if not impossible to spin the chambers or make proper glyphs.
The creature shook off its daze, and roared at the girl. Weiss moving as quick as she could opened her weapon, and removed two of the Dust cartridges in the cylinder, and closed it up as the beast was charging at her again.
With the cartridges in hand, she summoned another glyph, this one of rock and stone. The Boarbatusk ran into it, causing a great impact, shattering the glyph, but stopping the monster in its tracks. Weiss then dropped the earth Dust cartridge, and conjured another glyph under the Grimm, this one of wind. The Boarbatusk was sent flying into the air, much higher than Weiss expected.
Dimming up one more glyph under herself, Weiss waited for the right to attack the Grimm's underside, which she deduced is the creature's weak spot. 'It had to be.' Weiss thought to herself. As she waited, she could feel the glyph beneath her feet grow more unstable. The window of it doing what Weiss intends is getting smaller, and the possibility of it doing something unexpected, or just not working at all, is being more evident.
Weiss finally saw her opportunity, and fired away. She sped towards the Boarbatusk in no time, Myrtenaster poised to strike, and strike she did as Weiss thrust at the Grimm with great might.
The two landed at the opposite end of the arena, the heiress' rapier blade within the monster's flesh, as the Grimm laid on its armored back, weakly flailing away, softly crying out in defiance, as it slowly died. Weiss withdrew her blade, breathing deeply, as the adrenaline in her system drained away, leaving the girl in white feeling drained herself, though she won't show it to her peers.
Slow clapping drew her attention to the stands, to Professor Port doing the deed while the rest of the class sat in silence, few exchanging whispers. Weiss curtsied to the group, as Port began to speak, "Well done, Miss Schnee. Honestly though, you could have done better, but well done nonetheless." he critiqued, causing Weiss to clench her hands hard, but say nothing in response.
"Well then since this demonstration has ended," the large professor said, addressing his students, "and we have gone over what is we will be covering this year, you are all dismissed. Be ready to take notes for a lecture tomorrow." he said, then turned to address the heiress once more.
"Miss Schnee, please change back into your uniform, and see the blacksmith to get your weapon repaired, when you have the chance." He instructed, before walking back to his office.
Blake smirked to herself while she and the rest of the class shuffled out of their seats, and back into the halls. It was satisfying to see a Schnee taken down a peg or two.
Five minutes later, the bell rang, officially signaling the end of class. Weiss changed back into her uniform, walked down the hallways, lost in her thoughts.
'Idiot!' she cried at herself, 'You should have been more vigilant! Now everyone thinks you are a failure! Some little girl who used her daddy's wealth to get here!' That last one caused her to darken considerably.
Weiss rounded a corner, so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice one of the last people she didn't want to see bump into her, her partner and leader Ruby Rose.
Ruby herself was lost in thought as well, pondering on whether or not to tell her teammates about the devil inside of her. It was not helped by Diablo's taunts and promises of death. They were becoming grating to the black and red headed girl.
Weiss and Ruby just looked at each other after their small crash. Weiss just sent a glare at the girl and continued on her way. Ruby just sighed and stood there for a second contemplating her next move. However, since she forgot where her next class is, the red cloaked girl followed her blue eyed partner. Ruby walked with Weiss, just a couple of steps behind her, as Ruby could very well see the heiress' foul mood.
"So," Weiss started curtly, breaking the silence of the near empty hallway, "What was is it that Professor Ozpin needed to see you about?" she asked, as she kept marching forward.
"Uh…" Ruby stuttered, as now seem the time to tell about her predicament. If she can tell Weiss, then she can tell Yang and Blake. Maybe they can understand, perhaps help out with it.
"He just wanted to see how I was acclimating. Said it was because he invited me personally." In the end, she was still afraid of what they would actually do. Everyone was already afraid of her, and to hear that she has an otherworldly, absolute terror dwelling within her very soul? Well, Ruby didn't want to think of the results. Within her mind, Diablo only bellowed in laughter.
"That all?" Weiss asked, unhappy that the headmaster took the time out of his busy schedule just to converse with this odd girl. At least her partner missed her spectacle.
"Yeah." Ruby said quietly, disliking the notion of withholding information from the people who are supposed to trust her. "So, what happened while I was gone?" she asked, deciding to change the subject.
"I had some trouble with a Grimm the Professor had for a demonstration." Weiss said, quickly deciding to tell the truth, but is deciding not to share all the details, "My weapon was damaged due to my foolishness." she continued in a business like tone, that sounded like such a thing was unavoidable, "I am going to meet with the blacksmith during lunch."
"Oh." Ruby said, not sure what else to say. However, a thought occurred to her, something that will hopefully bring the two closer. Well, as close as a spoiled rich girl and a girl with an ancient demon can be. "Why don't I go with you? For... Moral support?" the silver eyed girl asked, failing to come up with a decent reason.
Weiss just gave her a flat look, "No, I can handle it myself." she replied.
Ruby, disheartened by the blunt response, nevertheless kept at it, "We're partners, so I should come with you, if only to keep you company. We could at least try to get to know each other." she said, explaining her reasoning.
Weiss remained silent, the sounds of their shoes walking against the tile floor echoing through the hallway, conversations being heard some ways away, and the swishing of Ruby's cloak, fluttering from the pair's brisk walk.
"You really going to push this?" She asked her partner after a moment.
"Yup." Ruby simply stated without hesitation. Weiss sighed in defeat, deciding to relent rather than fight this odd girl's bullheadedness.
"Fine, you can come along. We leave at lunch. I do not want to hear any complaining about being hungry." Weiss said, setting the terms. Ruby nodded in agreement, though a little chest fallen about the conditions.
/
The two continued on to their classes, with the other half of their team. One class was history with a speeding, motor mouthed teacher, another was a class on Aura control and strengthening with Ms. Goodwitch, and the last class before lunch, being a medical class with the sultry teacher that Ruby and Jaune asked for directions on the first day, Dr. Nightingale her name was.
"You can't be a great hunter without grasping how to properly treating simple wounds from yourself and your team." she explained at the after her introduction, when asked why they were taking this class.
"You can't be recorded in the annals of history for great deeds, if you die young from a preventable infection." the instructor said, adding a wink that cause the doubter to blush.
The class went by as smooth as can be, the bell sounding off the start of lunch. Ruby and Weiss went a different direction from the others, earning curious looks from the other half of the team, though they didn't voice their concerns.
Ruby and Weiss walked down hallways, turning this way and that, the halls because less populated around every corner. All the while, the sound of footsteps was all that rang, echoing against the walls.
Ruby decided to break the monotony, "So, Yang and Blake told me about what happened with your demonstration." she said, unsure if this was a good time to have a conversation. No sense turning back, she thought.
Weiss just continued on, her body tensing ever so slightly, "Like I said, my weapon was damaged due to my foolishness and because I was unobservant." she stated with detachment, her voice mechanical, and tone even.
"Well," Ruby said, as she continue to remember what the other half of her team told her, "they also told me how you had trouble with a Grimm none of us faced before." The leading girl clenching her hands.
The duo made their way out of the academy, walking one of many of its cobblestone paths, a sign nearby pointing them in the right direction.
"A good rule of thumb that my dad told me," Ruby said, putting a finger to her chin as she tried to remember the exact words, Weiss gritted her teeth in response, "if a Grimm is armored in the front, stab it in the back. If it is armored there too, skewer it through the belly." Ruby said, trying to remember if these sentences were supposed to rhyme or not, "If everything is armored then you-"
"SHUT UP!" Weiss suddenly yelled, the two of them stopping their trek, the girl in white, whipping around to face her partner, blue eyes shining with resentment, "Just shut up! I don't want to hear about it! I don't want to be reminded of my failure! Especially from you!" Weiss yelled shoving a finger into Ruby's chest.
"W-what did I do?" Ruby asked, still getting over the shock and surprise of the sudden shouting.
"How about being the leader? Hm?" Weiss said, as though it was the most obvious thing, "How am I supposed to show everyone what I can do if I play second fiddle? How am I supposed to prove that I earned my place here?! How am I supposed to show that I am not some little girl who decided to play Hunter?! To show that I didn't get here with a blank check, and a letter from some office?!
"And now, how can I do all that after today?! I wanted to display my skill and prowess, things that I trained and work hard on, only to utterly fail in that regard!" Weiss continued to yell, rant, and vent, Ruby unsure how to feel or react.
Weiss breathed deeply, feeling spent, then looked to the ground, and softly said, "I hate my name, for others only see the Schnee, and never me."
There was a moment of silence, Diablo's scoff only being heard by Ruby, 'What a pathetic and unsightly display. Leave this girl, lest she burden us with more trivial things.' he said, the disdain in his voice easy to pick up. Ruby, however did not budge from where she stood.
Weiss also just stood there in the silence, a blush of embarrassment on her face. She immediately felt regret, unloading in such a manner, her emotions getting the better of her.
"... But you did prove yourself." Ruby spoke up, surprising Weiss this time, "I saw what you did in the Initiation, you have great power and control over your Semblance." Ruby said with a smile, "And I don't think whatever happened today was a failure. You defeated a Grimm none of us faced before, even with a broken weapon, you still came out on top. So, it certainly sounds like you proved yourself, at least to me, if that counts." she joked.
The girl in red continued on, "And you don't have to be the leader to prove that." she said, "I'm sure you'll outshine me plenty. Make me look bad and all." Weiss shared an awkward laugh with her partner, wiping away tears that seemed to stain her eyes.
"Nice to know I'm appreciated, even if it is a dunce." Weiss jest, having another bout of odd laughs. "Thanks."
"Why don't we start over?" Ruby suggested, then held out a hand, "Hello! I'm Ruby, would you like to be friends and partners?"
Weiss just smiled, and took the odd girl's hand, shaking it, thinking of how silly all this is, "Weiss, and yes, I would like that."
"Great!" Ruby cried in joy, happy to actually make a friend, "Let's get your weapon fixed up."
'You mortals make me sick.' Diablo grunted.
/
The two continued their stroll, walking side by side, making small talk, neither really wanting to speak about personal matters yet.
The two soon spotted what looked like a small house, some ways away from the main campus. A large forge, a meter away from the building, its pits dark and empty of fire. In between the two sits an anvil of black iron, a large hammer leaning against it. The two girls marched up to the single story building, standing before a pair of wooden double doors. Weiss knocked upon them, and immediately hear what sounds like a small explosion, various crashes, thumps, and cries of pain. Ruby and Weiss look to each other, unsure what to do next. The door opened to reveal a bald man coughing into his fist, face covered in soot.
"Yeah?" he coughed, his voice gravelly, with a thick accent, as he raised his goggles from his eyes to get a good look at who was knocking, while rubbing a lump on his head.
"Uh, sorry to interrupt, sir." Ruby apologized.
"What? Oh don't you worry about that, was makin' some Ash bullets, woulda been worse if it was an explosive. Also teaches me to not leave my tools precariously on a shelf above my head. And maybe to put up a sign. Also don't worry about me none too much, Ah've taken worse knocks to the head." the man rambled, "And don't you be callin' me sir neither. Mr. Wesson will do just fine, not really a professor or doctor like the other instructors here. Ah just the blacksmith, and quartermaster. If you girls ever in need of any ammo, or equipment, ah the guy to get or make it." Wesson boasted.
"Well Mr. Wesson, we are here because I need my weapon fixed." Weiss said, presenting Myrtenaster.
"Ah yes, Professor Port called forward about that." the blacksmith said, taking the rapier, glancing it over with a calculating look, "Ah expected it to be in a much worse shape, this is nothing. Ah can have it good as new by tomorrow." Wesson declared with a wave his hand, putting Weiss as ease, believing that she wouldn't have her weapon back for longer than that.
Ruby, however, was distracted by the fact that the quartermaster's hand was missing its pinky and part of the ring finger. Wesson noticed her stare and lifted up his hand, putting it on display for Weiss as well.
"What, this? Occupational hazard, really. Got careless one time, and, well, you can see the result." he said, wiggling the stubby ring finger, "Things happened, like I got too many burns too count, and also ah lost three toes from dropping something really heavy on my feet." he continued, telling more about various scars and the like, much to Ruby and Weiss' shock and revulsion.
"Thank you for the... information sir." Weiss said, trying not to sound too grossed out, getting Wesson's attention.
"Huh? Oh, sorry about that." he apologized with a big grin, "Ah have a tendency to just talk on hours and hours on end, and with subjects people don't really want to know. Again, sorry."
"It's alright, Mr. Wesson." Ruby said, deciding to change the subject to something with less... Squick, "You said you were working on Ashes? Aren't Ashes illegal?"
"They are illegal to mine and sell for civilians. Government and military institutions can use them, as well as some private sectors with the right permits and licenses." Weiss explained, to Wesson's surprise.
"Well there ya have it, though ah shouldn't be shocked that little Miss Schnee knows all about it. Her family company pretty much has a monopoly on the stuff." Wesson said, Weiss crossed her arms at the remark, "Ash is illegal because it is really volatile stuff, ten times more so than Dust. It's pretty much why it's in most ammo rounds and explosives."
"Really? I thought it was Dust." Ruby said, surprised that she may be firing high explosive substances.
"Most people do, what with Dust being much more common than Ashes, and they use to. Ash mines have been springing up more in the past ten years or so. Now, just about every bullet and grenade is made with Ashes. More kick to it." Wesson said with a shrug. "However, it's a one trick pony. Ash is more powerful, sure, but if you want to do something with your Semblance, or use some specialty equipment, like a flash bang, then you would use Dust. Using Ashes with your Semblance guarantees somethin' going wrong. Stuff is too unstable for such use."
"It's true," Weiss added, "those are Dust cartridges in my weapon. I used a small amount of Ashes once, and that just resulted in a glyph that exploded."
There was a loud grumbling heard, catching the attentions of the three. Ruby blushed, knowing the cause.
"Sorry, getting kinda hungry." Ruby said with an embarrassed chuckle, causing Weiss to roll her eyes.
"Why don't you girls head on down to the cafeteria, and grab some grub." Wesson said, "Like ah said, ah have this fix up by tomorrow. Thank ya for listenin' to this old coot jibber jabber." he said with a grin that showed off his big yellow teeth, Ruby and Weiss saying their goodbyes as well, leaving the blacksmith to his work.
"Now we can eat." Ruby said with joy, ready to satisfy her hunger.
"I thought I told you not to complain." Weiss stated.
"I didn't complain!" Ruby defensively countered, "My stomach complained." causing Weiss to huff with amusement. Diablo just grumbled to himself, doing his best to try and gain more of his power to take over his host, as this was all sickening and disgusting to him. The Lord of Terror would rather be facing one of his brothers.
/
So what took me this time? Nothing really, I'm a lazy prick.
