Little more Vale, and some new developments. Hooray for developments!
Weiss spent so much time on the road that she'd forgotten just how busy a city could be. Even in the waking hours of the day, Vale's streets came alive. Figuratively speaking, as Weiss was certain no magic in existence could accomplish such a feat.
Residents began their mornings with the rise of the sun, hurrying off to work or wherever the day would take them. With the density of a city came the bustle, and while more hectic than a place like Holbrook, Weiss had come to enjoy it. Even if an early start to the day was still a tyrannical idea.
As she wove her way through the cobbled streets, homes gradually gave way to businesses. A few restaurants were in the residential districts, though there was much more variety the further one ventured north. The activity in the residential area paled in comparison to what Weiss was seeing here.
Carts moved to and fro, horse drawn carriages ferrying goods and passengers alike. She walked by a bakery and steeled herself from buying a sweet for breakfast. Though, she'd most certainly return for lunch; there was a raspberry tart in the window with her name on it. How early did a baker need to rise to work? Much too early for her, that was for certain.
Today Weiss and her friends would be meeting with Ozpin and preparing for initiation. Not their own, and she was eternally grateful not having to go through that again. It would be her first time witnessing the event from the outside.
Was it wrong to feel a certain giddiness at that?
They would still have plenty to do and it was by no means an easy task, overseeing initiation, but leading initiation was wholly different to taking part in it.
Weiss passed by another bakery, eyeballing muffins on display, and a small restaurant known for its pancakes. Delicious though those may be, she opted instead to visit a diner just along the river. A normal Schnee would never be caught dead in such a low-class establishment, but then she wasn't a "normal Schnee".
It wasn't until she sat down and ordered a plate of eggs and ham that she realized she was hoping for a repeat of yesterday's meal. Unlikely as that was, she stayed put and committed to her choice. A cursory glance around the tables confirmed her fears that the food would be, at best, subpar. Though another striking realization hit her then too.
She was, by far, the youngest patron here. Everyone else inside was either old enough to be her parent or grandparent, and that fact didn't go unnoticed. Customers turned her way, wondering why someone so young was frequenting their regular dive.
Weiss was just glad no one seemed to recognize her. Let it be said that the elderly could give two hoots for who some up-and-coming Hunter might be. All they cared about was their breakfast.
"Aren't you a bit young to be in here, kid?"
Weiss nearly jumped out of her skin when a man spoke to her. She turned in her seat and blinked owlishly at the middle-aged man. "I'm… Sorry? I wasn't aware there was an age restriction for eating here."
The man chuckled, and Weiss' eyes widened when he pulled a flask from his coat. "Isn't it a bit early to be drinking?"
"I like to think of it as getting a head start." How lovely, a rational alcoholic. Weiss attempted to ignore the man and read over the menu. She'd already ordered, though he didn't have to know that. "What's a Schnee doing in a place like this?"
Oh lovely, so someone did recognize her here. It was too early for this. Weiss gave a measured sigh before smiling politely. Manners, she reminded herself. "Getting breakfast, isn't it obvious? Now if you'll excuse me…"
"Isn't every day I run into a Schnee," the man continued, and Weiss cursed mentally at his persistence. "Heck, you're the last sort I figured I'd find here. Usually just old geezers and lonely middle-agers."
Perhaps it was the early start that made her nerves short, or the man's off-putting stench - he reeked of alcohol. "And which of those do you fall under, I wonder?" Weiss asked sharply.
The man grimaced and waved a hand dismissively. "Neither, I'm not old, kid, and I'm not lonely. I get plenty of lady friends, I promise." And now she felt like she wanted to gag.
"Forgive me, but… Is there a point to this? Or did you just want to harass me? I have a very busy day ahead of me, and I'd like to start it right." Which meant starting by not being bothered by a drunk. Weiss hoped that point got across.
"Hm… No point. Kinda just figured I'd come over and chat, see what you're all about. Definitely a Schnee."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
The man chuckled and shook his head. "Don't sweat it, kid. Just keep doing what you're doing and you'll turn out just fine." Weiss swat at his hand when he ruffled her hair, though he'd already stepped away when she did. "I gotta run, be good, ya hear?"
At a loss, Weiss watched the man turn and leave, though not before stealing a glance at one of the waitresses. Ugh, he was so… Obnoxious. What had that been about? She was used to having strangers speak with her, but not like that. He acted as though he knew her. Or perhaps just her family's name.
Whatever. He was gone, and her meal had finally arrived. It wasn't nearly as good as Riole and Maria's cooking had been. Weiss stomached it all the same, dutifully finishing off her meal and leaving a modest tip before leaving. Still much too early in the day to meet with the others, she found herself with an abundance of free time. A rarity these days.
The allure of shopping was powerful, as Vale boasted all kinds of goods from the world over. Only Mistral's markets were more plentiful, though that was purely a guess, she'd never been there before. Rather than indulge, Weiss opted instead to find one of the local healers. Her wounds had been mending nicely, but she'd prefer it done with already. A healer's charges weren't too exuberant, even the better ones, and often they would give some kind of discount to Hunters.
Finding a healer took searching and no small of asking for directions. Eventually she stumbled upon one, located just inside the commercial district. Finding so much greenery in the middle of Vale City would be peculiar if not for an herbalist's shop. Weiss walked through the gate, passing by a variety of herbs and plants used in healing salves. Even to someone with no knowledge of healing arts it was an impressive display.
A chime of a bell sounded when she stepped inside, surprised by the density with which the shop was packed. The shelves were lined with all manner of potions and elixirs, medical supplies, and a few mixtures Weiss assumed were purely for health benefits. A woman and her daughter were currently fawning over a few of them, ranting about the supposed benefits for the skin.
"Can I help you, dearie?"
Weiss looked around for the voice before glancing down at a poking to her knee. An elderly woman smiled back up at her, her eyes enlarged behind thick spectacles. She would look out of place even in the diner she'd just left.
"I'm hoping to find a healer. And not just medicine, but a Magi." Healer encompassed a variety of disciplines, a general term really. "Are you able to perform magic?"
The woman shook her head, the few wisps of white hair on her head swaying with the motion. "I'm afraid not, dearie, but there's someone else here who is. Give me just a moment."
Weiss uttered polite thanks as the woman shuffled away to the back room. Traditional medicine worked well enough, but she had a long few days ahead of her with initiation. The sooner she could be over her wounds from Mount Glenn the better.
When the woman returned moments later, a young girl trailed close behind her. She was younger than even Weiss herself, no older than fifteen if she had to guess. She didn't mean to doubt the old woman, but she had to ask. "Um… Is the healer still in the back room?"
The old woman chuckled. "No, sweetheart, Dalia is the healer. She'll be more than happy to help you, won't you dear?"
The young girl, Dalia, sized up Weiss. She frowned and crossed her arms. "Another Hunter got herself beat up, is it? Figures."
"Um… Excuse me?"
"You people go running around like chickens with their heads off, get all beat up, then come crawling to us to be fixed. Gods, it's like we're not your personal medics."
Well someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. "I wasn't implying that at all. If it's too much trouble, I can always go elsewhere."
"Oh no no, please, Dalia doesn't mean it. Do you dear?"
Dalia rolled her eyes. Why did she bother being a healer if this was her opinion of Hunters? "They're idiots that rely on people like me to keep them going. Anyone that willingly fights Grimm are just asking to be killed."
"I'm glad to know I'm risking my life to keep people like you safe." Her mouth moved without her thinking. How dare this girl stand there and criticize what they did. Weiss hadn't taken up the mantle for gratitude, but being criticized for helping people? Who did that?
"Please, ladies, settle down! There's no need to argue!" The door opened and another customer entered, and the mother and daughter pair had long since been waiting to make a purchase. "Dalia, please just treat her and she can be on her way. I need to get to the counter."
"I never said I wasn't going to treat her, baba. Go do your thing, I've got this."
Suddenly the medicinal herbs seemed much more appealing. At least those weren't going to give her any attitude. Weiss was led into the back room and motioned to sit down in an armchair by the corner.
"Let's… Try this again. If I offended you in anyway then I apologize. Thank you for agreeing to see me, Dalia." The last thing anyone wanted was their healer to dislike them. Best to bury the hatchet and make amends now.
"Sit down, or don't you want to be healed?"
Or not. Weiss' eyebrow twitched and she bit back a rude remark, hiding behind a smile and extending her hand. "My name is Weiss Schnee, and -"
"I know who you are. We doing this or not?"
So much for civility. Weiss sat herself and rolled her top up to show her wound. The rest were superficial, the only one in need of attention was the gash on her side. The bandages were clean, she'd made sure to have them changed last night with Pyrrha's help. She might not know much about medicine, but she knew enough not to risk infection.
"Ow!"
Dalia's fingers prodded at the tender skin beneath the wrap, causing Weiss to grit her teeth. "Bruised ribs, though not bad. The gash isn't too deep either. At least you were smart enough to have it disinfected."
Insults aside, that was an impressive assessment. "You can tell all that just from a glimpse?"
"The discoloration of the skin suggests bruising, and the wound isn't bleeding. Plus, you walked here, right? If the wound was deep you wouldn't be able to do that, it would mean muscle was cut. It's not that hard to figure it out."
"I'm surprised you didn't have it fixed sooner," Dalia continued, peeling back the bandages, "Most Hunters treat even the smallest wound like it's life-threatening. It's kind of funny, actually."
"Well when even a minor wound can cause problems, it makes sense. The last thing you want is a handicap against Grimm." Dalia's fingers prodded the wound again and this time Weiss hissed. "Must you touch it?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you wanted to be healed. Let me just do that from across the room."
The curt and sarcastic remarks were really wearing thin. Weiss rolled her eyes though bit her tongue, swallowing a bitter pill and letting Dalia work. So long as she didn't speak, it seemed, neither would the healer.
A warming sensation flowed from Dalia's hands and onto Weiss' skin, and the effects were immediate. Feeling your skin actively mending was something she would never grow accustomed to, though she'd gladly deal with it if it meant her wounds closing. Like weaving a basket, fibers of skin visibly stretched and mended, crossing and growing together to seal the injury. The process took little more than a few minutes, and when Dalia was through, Weiss' skin was as flawless as it had always been.
"I would tell you to rest, but I know that's moot with you people. Just try not to die."
"Thank you, I'll take your… Generous warning to heart." Weiss smiled politely as she spoke. "You're quite good for your age. Who taught you?"
"Do you have any other wounds?" That was a blatant diversion if Weiss ever saw one. She shook her head and Dalia stepped back, washing her hands in a basin. "Then we're done. Grandma will handle the pay. Just get out of our shop already."
"I…" Forget it. Dalia already made it apparent she'd no interest in acting civilly, so why bother? Rolling her shirt down and gingerly testing putting weight on her wound, she was pleased to find no issue. A slight soreness, though that would fade as the day went on. Thank the gods healing magic existed.
Weiss found the elderly shopkeeper behind the counter, storing away jars on the shelves. "Excuse me?"
"Oh! Heavens, you scared me! Did your session go well, sweetheart? Your wounds are all healed?"
"They are, Dalia did a wonderful job." Weiss retrieved Lien from her pouch, uncertain of how much the process would cost her. "Um… If you don't mind my asking…"
"Why is she so reluctant to treat Hunters?"
"Yes, that." At least the woman knew it was an issue. Weiss handed over her money and smiled uncomfortably. "I've never been here before, but… Well to be perfectly blunt, I don't think I'll come back. Not if this is how I'm treated."
"I understand, and you wouldn't be the first. Dalia treats Hunters because it's the right thing to do, but she doesn't spare them her opinions. And please… It's not against you, not personally." That did little to make her feel better. She'd been scrutinized purely for her profession. If it wasn't her race, or her name, it was her job. Always something.
"Our history with Hunters is complicated. Dalia's mother was a healer as well, one of Vale's best. She had a heart of gold, always trying to help anyone in need, no matter how big or small the need was."
The woman cashed out Weiss, and the treatment was surprisingly inexpensive. "Less scrupulous Hunters took advantage of this. They would ask her to retrieve herbs for them, plants that could only be found far, far out of the city. And Aria, believing it would help them, agreed. She would go to dangerous places all the time, often alone, to try and retrieve these plants of theirs."
Weiss felt like she knew where this was going. A lump formed in her throat and she frowned, suddenly regretting her threat not to come back. "And one of those times… Her mother didn't come back."
The woman shook her head, her aged face suddenly appearing even older. "That's the right of it. No child expects to lose their parent, not when they're that young." Her hands shakily reached into her shirt and removed a locket. It was flipped open and Weiss was shown the picture inside. A woman, smiling, holding a much younger Dalia in her arms.
"Aria always tried to help, and people took advantage of that. Somehow she always made it back to us alive though."
Every time except the last. Hunters had effectively sent this woman to her death. And if Weiss' estimate was correct, they'd never even apologized. "Not all Hunters are like that…"
"No, they're not. But Dalia won't listen. And frankly, I can't blame her." The woman smiled apologetically. "I know you're not all like that, though we've met too many who are. But I can tell you have a good heart, child. And I know someday Dalia will realize not all Hunters are awful people."
Hopefully. How Weiss wished she had some magic words in that moment. Something that could repair this girl's idea of what a Hunter was. Ironic, a Magi with mastery of runes and its language couldn't find words. Instead all she could muster was a weak smile. "I'm sure she'll come around."
Leaving the shop felt like abandoning a mission. There must have been something she could have said to change Dalia's mind. Instead, she'd argued with the girl, only reinforcing her ideas of Hunters.
Discontent as she was, Weiss hadn't the time to be worrying about a jaded healer right now. The bell tower chimed loudly, signaling just past 10 in the morning. They were supposed to gather at the Grand Cathedral at 11 to meet with Ozpin, which gave Weiss about an hour left. Plenty of time to restock supplies. And maybe grab some sweets.
/+/+/+/+/+/
Vale was a generally well-to-do city. That wasn't to say it wasn't without its difficulties. Crime was most certainly ever present, and poverty existed in certain areas. One would think the proximity to a Grand Cathedral would all but ensure a higher standing of living for nearby residents.
For some, it most certainly did. The wealth was far from equally distributed, however, and in some places the rich lived in exuberance while the poor lived in their shadow. And the Church seemed to facilitate this. For reasons like that, and for Hunters abusing their position, Weiss could understand and sympathize with people like Dalia.
That the Grand Cathedral stood so proud and elegant in the face of beggars mere blocks away perfectly encapsulated the reason people seemed to dislike the Church. Weiss was having a difficult time deciding what people might hate more: The Church, or Hunters.
The interior was every bit as extravagant as the exterior, and as Weiss entered the building she felt a twinge of paranoia set in. Yang's words hung around in her mind like a gnat, ever present and persistent. There was no possible way people could know what she and the Dimuran had discussed, she knew that, though her nervousness continued. It peaked when she stopped short of the lift and was greeted by one of the priests.
Weiss breathed easier when he'd merely asked her for a donation. Another peculiar thing, asking their own Hunters for donations. She would think with the services that they provided, and the numbers every church brought, they would have plenty of income. She handed over a small amount of Lien simply to placate the man, hurrying inside the lift afterwards.
Only Glynda awaited her when she arrived outside of Ozpin's study. That came as little surprise, she always had been the earliest to arrive for, well, anything. Early was better than late, and it gave her ample time to speak to Ozpin privately. Or it would, if he wasn't currently seeing to guests.
"Do you know how long they'll be?" Weiss asked, expertly hiding her anxiousness, voice steady and calm. "I was hoping to speak with him before the meeting."
"Truth be told he should be finished, but then this is Ozpin we're talking about." The man Weiss knew was always punctual and to the point, so she didn't understand what Glynda was complaining about.
"I see… Well, maybe I can speak with him afterwards then."
"That would be for the best." Glynda's eyes met Weiss' and there was something in the woman's gaze, something she couldn't quite read. "I hear your mission at Mount Glenn went well."
Oh dust. She'd hoped not to have to discuss that, not with anyone other than Ozpin. "As well as one could hope. I'd gotten more Grimm than I bargained for, but I managed."
Glynda nodded, adjusting her glasses. "We should commend you for that. Frankly I'm not sure why more than one Hunter wasn't sent. Mount Glenn is hardly something for a novice such as yourself to tackle alone."
Novice. Good as she may be, Glynda was right, she was still a novice. Only a year removed from her training and hardly undertaking any groundbreaking jobs. "It all worked out in the end, and the towns nearby should be safe. Honestly I'm rather happy with the outcome!" Weiss allowed herself a bit of pride, smiling to herself.
"Quite. Let's just hope it lasts."
Glynda's eyes hadn't left Weiss the entire time, a fact she was now acutely aware of. Shifting awkwardly in place, Weiss' gaze drifted around the lobby, desperate for something else to focus on.
"This will be our first time overseeing training…" Weiss began lamely. "I'm nervous, but I'm excited at the same time. That Hunters like us, novices," she added, using Glynda's own word, "Would be asked to do this is an honor."
"New as you are, no one can deny your skills. There are few pairings better than Miss Nikos and Mister Arc, and Mister Ren and Miss Valkyrie are certainly dependable. You and Miss Rose have done… Adequately, for not having a partner."
She would like to think she'd done better than "adequately", given she'd just secured a good portion of Mount Glenn. "Do you know where Ruby is, Professor Goodwitch? Will she be joining us?"
"She will not. Miss Rose is out on a mission right now, and we couldn't call her back in the middle of it. I think the five of you will more than suffice, don't you?"
"Of course!" It was disappointing that Ruby wouldn't be present. The girl had a knack for grating on her nerves, but Weiss felt odd having everyone else here and not Ruby.
Behind them the lift rang and the doors parted, and out stepped the remainder of her friends. They all looked ready and primed to begin their day, except for one.
"Honestly Jaune? Could you try to make yourself presentable?" His usual outfit wasn't bad per say, but he hadn't even tucked in his tunic. And his hair was an utter mess, like he'd only just rolled out of bed.
"S-Sorry, slept in! Guess I was more tired from our trip than I thought!" Then he had just rolled out of bed. Unbelievable.
Nora hurried ahead of the rest and right for Ozpin's door. The crack of Glynda's riding crop stopped her short, and she stepped back with a nervous smile. "Oh, hi professor! Didn't see you there!"
"She's standing right in front of the door." Ren pointed out.
Pyrrha smiled politely and bowed her head to their former instructor. "I hope we're not late. Is Professor Ozpin ready to see us?"
Glynda glanced at the clock on the wall and huffed, adjusting her glasses again. "Doesn't matter, it's time and you're all here. Give me just a moment." A woman on a mission, she stepped past the group and grabbed both handles, throwing the doors to the study open. Inside she found Ozpin and his guests enjoying a cup of tea together, clearly finished with their business.
"And, pray tell, when did you intend on telling us to come in?" Glynda snapped. The scholar glanced at his own clock and blinked once, giving his assistant a small smile.
"It's right on time, Glynda. Besides, there's nothing wrong with being a touch fashionably late, is there?" For anyone else, no, but then Ozpin was never late. Professor Goodwitch shot a quick remark at her superior, though Weiss didn't bother listening to hear it. She was much too busy staring at one of the men inside the room.
"What is he doing here?!"
The drunk from this morning was sat across from Ozpin, casually reclined in one of the chairs. That he had the audacity to have his flask in hand when they entered was astounding. Did the man ever not drink?
"Ah… I see you've been acquainted with Qrow. Excellent, that saves us one introduction, then."
Qrow flashed Weiss a smile and waved, pouring a small helping of whiskey into his drink. "Hey there, Schnee. Long time no see!"
No way was this man involved with the Church. Inconceivable. Was she meant to believe he was a Hunter? Drawing up her chin she huffed, tearing her eyes away from the man disdainfully. Her eyes settled on another, and her reaction to this one was much, much different.
"Professor Ironwood?!" The stone-jawed man smiled back politely, raising a hand in greeting. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you in Atlas?"
James Ironwood was to Atlas what Ozpin was to Vale. Both were in prominent positions within the Church, with Ozpin as one of the lead scholars, and Ironwood overseeing research and development. Or more accurately, he oversaw field tests of new weapons, and helped to regulate magic's use in the kingdoms. It was difficult to say which of the two men held more influence.
"I attend every initiation I can, when my schedule allows for it." Ironwood rose from his seat and offered a hand to Weiss, which she readily shook. "And when I heard you would be helping this year's recruits, well, I couldn't pass up the chance to come visit."
Weiss must have been smiling like an idiot, for both Nora and Qrow burst out laughing. Heat raced to her face and she quickly folded her hands at her waist, bowing her head respectfully. "I-It's a pleasure to see you again, sir." She couldn't hide the smile that came to her face when he pat her shoulder.
Where Jacques Schnee had failed as a father to her, James Ironwood had stepped in. He was not in any way her actual father, not legally or otherwise, but as a longtime friend of the family. As someone who helped to both raise and train Weiss and Winter, he was more a father to them both than Jacques.
"If you and Miss Schnee are quite through, James, we have business to discuss." Glynda, in her ever-stringent mood, quickly brought the focus back to the matter at hand.
Ozpin rose from his seat as well, holding his cane idly in one hand against his leg. "Of course, thank you for keeping us on task, Glynda." He offered the group a kind smile and Weiss again found herself smiling back. Between Ozpin and Ironwood she had been blessed with mentors.
"As you're aware, new recruits will be undergoing initiation within the week. I'm sure you all still fondly remember your own," Ozpin said to a chorus of groans. He smiled good naturedly and continued. "I'm positive you can appreciate how trying this event is. We'll receive many young men and women who are eager to serve the Church and the kingdoms, though only a handful will pass. Fewer still will make it through the entirety of training."
"It falls to those of us who have been through the process before to determine who is and is not ready. We need Hunters, but we cannot commit anyone who is ill-prepared. To do so is to send them to an early grave." A somber reminder of a handful of their own class that they had lost. Weiss put that memory back where it belonged, in the grave. She cringed; bad analogy.
"As proctors, it will be your job to oversee these recruits. Each of you will be tasked with accompanying a pair through a mock mission, and you will assess their ability as Hunters. Instructions will be given in full on how to grade them, and should you have any questions during the process, scrying stones will be provided to contact myself, or another senior member."
Qrow stood alongside Ozpin and smirked at the young Hunters gathered. "That doesn't mean slack of, ya hear? We're assessing these new kids, but we're looking at you all, too. If you want a promotion then this is how you get it, so don't be relying on us for every little thing."
"Also, bear in mind that while the missions themselves are fabricated, the Grimm are, obviously, not. Combat is inevitable, and encouraged, to see what the students are capable of." Ironwood nodded to Ozpin, circling around to the scholar's desk. He returned with a box containing several sealed scrolls.
"Within are your orders. You will meet your team on the first day of your mission, so their names are omitted for now." Ozpin explained. "As James said, we are watching you as well. Your ability to lead, to work with strangers, and to handle a variety of skill sets. We expect you'll all do just fine, so give it your all, and make us proud."
Weiss' chest swelled with pride as she accepted her scroll. She hadn't wanted a partner, and still didn't, but this was special. A chance to share her knowledge and experience, to teach, and to prove what she was capable of. The others seemed just as thrilled as she was. Ren and Nora, mostly Nora, chatted animatedly among themselves, while Jaune and Pyrrha both bore wide smiles.
"Do your best everyone, and you'll succeed." Ironwood encouraged, smiling at Weiss in particular. "Show us what our best students can really do."
"And try not showing off too much while you're at it, eh? Your job ain't to make the kids look bad, or do everything for them. It's a fine line you're walking here."
Weiss might not like Qrow, but he had a point. They had to toe the line between helping and simply doing it all themselves. Too much and they would make the recruits appear incompetent, likely failing them. Too little, and they would seem incapable leaders.
Given permission to view their assignments, Weiss hastily broke the wax seal and unwound the scroll, eyes scouring over its contents. Her group's mission was simple. Escort someone from Vale to their destination, protecting them along the way. Finally, something other than simply killing Grimm.
Weiss' smile quickly vanished when she reached the bottom of the scroll. The name of her goal was printed in the last line, and she recognized it immediately. She had studied her map intently last night, wondering where Yang had marked. There had been a town right on the edge of the area, and the selfsame town was now listed here on her scroll.
Cue dramatic music! Weiss was thrilled to have a different job for a change, though not so much now she knows where she's going. Sure hope nothing untoward happens! Those kinds of things never happen in stories. Conflict isn't a thing.
Sarcasm aside, there's like to be one more day spent in Vale before everyone meets with their team and client. Just debating on whether to make the next chapter dedicated to Vale, or Vale and starting their mission both.
As always, thanks for reading, and reviews are appreciated! Here's to hoping I'm improving with each entry!