A/N: Alright I felt bad for letting you guys wait so long without an update, so... 2 chapters in 2 days! Don't get used to it though lol.
Also yes, things are moving faster now. People didn't like the idea I had for keeping this story slow so I'm still cutting some things I had planned out as was seen in the previous chapters (the Ball was originally supposed to be longer). But it wasn't anything really important to the central story.
So, enjoy this next chapter! Rough waters ahead for a certain pair but Blackrose SHIPpers (lol so many boat puns) will be pleased. Arc 2 of Winds of War is coming up fast! I can't wait.
Also don't forget to vote on my profile!
"We have heightened security all throughout the kingdom now; guardsmen are now patrolling the streets as we speak with revolving schedules of our off-duty personnel." Tactician Glynda explained from her seat towards the King of Vale.
Weiss absently watched the discussion continue in front of her but her mind just wasn't into it. Currently she and a few other key members of Vale were seated around the oaken table in the crimson painted war room. Now that it was the morning after, everything that she had done last night and almost had done to her; it hit her hard.
Ever since she awoke from a restless night, she couldn't believe it. Blake had come rushing into her room moments after Weiss spotted a barefoot Yang seemingly jump off her balcony to chase the intruder. Her Faunus friend would not stop apologizing and begging for forgiveness to which Weiss waved off. She truly didn't blame Blake for anything, plus it wasn't like she was injured. Just a little shaken up of course but Yang had saved her life. Again.
This brings her to the other thought that was on her mind, Yang. Regarding the blonde Commander, Weiss couldn't believe what had transpired last night. The two of them… kissing passionately on her bed moments before they were interrupted…
Even now just remembering what was going on between them caused the white haired girl to blush immensely at the table. She quickly glanced around and noticed that no one's eyes were on her and silently exhaled a sigh of relief.
But regarding the matter of her and Yang's … relationship now, Weiss hadn't a clue on what to do now. She couldn't ask for advice from anyone about it because frankly she was ashamed.
Not ashamed to be seen with Yang, of course not! Anyone would agree that the wild blonde warrior was captivating in her looks. No, she was ashamed because she thought herself better than to fall to her baser emotions such as desire and want. She was the General of the most prestigious order of soldiers in all of Vale! She didn't have time for petty things such as love. At least not yet.
Though she would not regret the short amount of… intimate time she and Yang had spent together, it was truly relaxing and dare she say… quite enjoyable, but nonetheless she couldn't let it happen again. She had just fallen into a moment of weakness.
'But you cannot deny your feelings for Yang, Weiss…'
'Like hell I can't! Ugh, shut up!'
'What are you going to tell Yang? Are you just going to ignore her and leave her in the dark? You know how emotional she is inside! She entrusted you with bits of her past! This is how you reward her?'
'No… It's just…'
'Just what? Always quick to make excuses, aren't you?'
"No!"
Weiss glanced around the table before realizing that it was in fact her that had shouted the word so loudly. Now all eyes were fixated on her with even her father giving her a worried glance.
"Weiss, my daughter; are you alright?" He asked with a fatherly tone that she hasn't heard him use in quite some time.
Weiss could only feel herself start to calm down as the earlier voices in her mind vanished along with her doubts concerning the blonde. Slowly she started to take deep breaths before nodding towards her father.
"I'm fine." She said knowing full well that no one at the table believed her. "I just didn't get much sleep last night is all."
She watched her father nod his head as if accepting that for an answer, which was technically true. She probably only got a total of an hour of sleep. Even with Blake standing guard all night in her room, refusing to leave for anything or anyone. The girl even disobeyed Weiss' own orders to rest up. She truly felt guilty about not being by her side last night.
"After this meeting I'm ordering you to take the rest of the day off to rest then." Her father commanded suddenly before rising from his high chair and walking towards the world map, pointing towards a continent that was across the sea from Vale.
"Because tonight, you along with Admiral Port will be heading to Atlas to plead our case to Supreme General Ironwood for reinforcements." He continued speaking, no longer looking at Weiss now who felt her eyes bulge at the unsuspecting news. "Bring only who you need, the rest of your troops will remain in the city until you return."
Turning to Admiral Port, who until now had been sitting quietly, still dressed in what looked like his formal attire from the ball last night, her father asked his next question to.
"Do you have any vessels worthy of travel for tonight?"
Port nodded his head slowly before answering. "Indeed, I have three that could set off by the day's end, my King."
"Take only two." King Schnee answered without missing a beat before gesturing towards Tactician Glynda. "Make ready a parchment for me, I will write a missive to General Ironwood that Weiss will deliver to him when she gets there."
He then turned his eyes back towards Weiss, who still sat stunned at the news of her traveling to Atlas tonight. "Have whoever is your second in command inform the rest of your troops about their new orders, and to gather who you are bringing along with you to meet at the docks at the sun's set, understood?"
Weiss could only nod dumbly as she knew that arguing with her father would get nowhere. She wasn't sure if he had had this planned all along or was now sending her to do it because of the assassination attempt on her life last night.
Sighing to herself now, Weiss nodded her head as she started to stand up from the table. "I understand, father. I'll get it done."
She nodded once to everyone else around the table before heading for the door to leave. There was nothing else for her to discuss here.
Pushing the heavy doors open, Weiss spotted Blake instantly rush to her side protectively before the pair walked off without a word. Weiss wondered if she could ask Blake to relay the information she had just gotten from her father to everyone but she knew the Faunus would decline leaving her side if even for a moment. Having to wait outside the war room was probably bad enough for her.
One thing she was glad for however was that no one seemed to question how Yang managed to save her from the intruder. No one asked what the blonde had been doing in her room, only thankful to her for chasing the assassin away, and Weiss was glad for that. She was sure if anyone asked, especially Blake, that she wouldn't be able to lie about it. Blake always knew when she lied, whether she called her out on it or not.
Plus she decided that she'd let the task of informing everyone about the change of plans tonight on Yang. Technically after Blake, Yang was the "highest" ranking aside from her since the blonde led her Vanguard now.
Rounding another corner in the large halls of the castle, Weiss couldn't help but notice activity around the White Castle had died down significantly. Instead of the countless nobles who roamed the halls as if they had nothing to do but gossip, there was no one. No one save for guards who seemed posted every few feet. It seemed as if security really had been tightened, although Weiss knew that that assassin wouldn't come back. They had failed in their mission and there'd be no way they would return so soon.
"We're going to Yang and Ruby's room." Blake uttered next to Weiss. The sentence sounded more like a statement than a question but Weiss nodded anyway.
"Yes, I- We have new orders." Weiss started, earning a sidelong glance from Blake as if waiting for her to continue. "We're traveling to Atlas. Tonight." Weiss finished with a huff.
"Atlas?... to appeal for reinforcements I'm guessing?" Blake then asked to which Weiss could only chuckle at. Anyone could figure that out.
"Yes. And I've been ordered to take the rest of the day off, to rest. So now I'm going to have Yang inform the rest of the Vanguard that they are accompanying me and letting the rest of the soldiers who arrived in Kingdom with us to remain here, falling under the command of Glynda most likely until we return." Weiss explained just as she caught sight of the blonde and her sister's guest room that Weiss had allocated to them during their stay in the castle.
She spotted two familiar males standing guard outside the door, dressed in their white Order armor as they spoke quietly to each other. It wasn't until both Weiss and Blake stepped closer that the two of them stood at attention and saluted to her, even though she was only dressed in her casual attire.
"At ease." Weiss stated as she dropped her own salute back towards the two.
She watched both Sun and Ren do the same before looking towards her as if hesitant about something.
"Is Yang inside?" Weiss asked the pair to which they both nodded.
"Yes ma'am, both she and Ruby are inside." Ren answered, still not moving from his position and earning a slight brow raise from Weiss.
"Okay, thank you." Weiss said as she made to enter before Sun raised a gloved hand shakily and flinching when Weiss looked towards him.
"Ah, b- ma'am, see, Yang ordered us to not allow anyone inside until she awoke." The blonde monkey Faunus stammered out nervously to which Ren also nodded slowly as if to agree with him.
Weiss herself, especially now, remembered how she and Yang were last night together and doubted that she was just anyone to the other girl now.
'Wait a minute… where the hell did that thought come from?'
Feeling a slight heat rising to her cheeks, Weiss shook her head at the two. "I'm her General." She replied blankly.
The pair of boys glanced at each other as if they were weighing the pros and cons of getting yelled at by Yang or by Weiss.
"Yes ma'am." Ren answered before both he and Sun moved away from the door and letting Weiss enter it unhindered.
Though as she reached for the door handle to pull it open, she couldn't help but wonder why Yang would forbid anyone from entering the ro-…
As soon as Weiss entered the room along with Blake, she was greeted by a very unexpected but yet not quite unwelcome sight.
Resting on the large bed in the center of the guestroom lay a very bare chested Yang who was snoring quite loudly indeed, along with a small redheaded Ruby who clung to the girl like glue. Weiss felt her eyes quickly etching the form of the blonde's body into her mind as she felt her gaze travel up and down the well sculpted body.
The silver covers of the bed stopped just at Yang's midriff, hiding most of her well defined abs but left the rest of her upper body exposed as the blonde opted to not wear a shirt as she slept. Her large chest rose and fell with each snore she took as the pair of breasts jiggled ever so slightly from the vibrations of her breathing. It took a moment but finally Weiss wretched her eyes away from her chest and up at the girl's bandaged right shoulder and then up at her face before she froze.
Yang looked so peaceful when she slept. In fact Weiss couldn't remember another time that Yang looked so relaxed before.
"Looks like not even clothes could hold back her free spirit." Weiss heard Blake joke behind her as the Faunus shut the door just loudly enough to wake up the room's occupants.
She watched as both Yang and Ruby jolted from the sudden sound as the redhead lifted her head lazily before glazed over silver eyes focused on Weiss then Blake.
The moment Ruby noticed Blake however; the shorter girl sat up quickly before untangling herself from both the covers and Yang and hopped onto the floor, making a beeline for the ebon haired girl. Weiss watched the redhead smile up at her as she passed before jumping into Blake and hugging the other girl.
Weiss couldn't help but watch the entire thing as she spotted Blake look slightly surprised at the gesture before returning it slowly, a small smile creeping onto her face. That is until she noticed Weiss smiling at her, Blake's expression quickly turned to one of slight embarrassment as she looked away and separated herself from Ruby gently.
"Ugh, morning already?"
Weiss turned to the last occupant of the room and spotted Yang stretching her left good arm above her with her bandaged one carefully to her side as if she was still slightly in pain. Weiss figured the injury had happened last night, she hadn't seen Yang since the girl had jumped out of her window, but she was glad the blonde was okay.
She then couldn't help but let her eyes travel back towards the girl's ample chest and her memories were instantly flooded with what had happened last night again. Weiss blushed again and forced herself to look away from Yang, but she noticed the devious smirk on the blonde's face before she could do so.
"P- Please cover yourself, Yang. It's unbecoming of a lady to expose themselves like that!" Weiss hissed as she found that the curtains on the other side of the wall were the next most interesting object in the room.
"Mhm…" She heard Yang hum as shuffling was heard before the blonde laughed. "It didn't stop you from catching a nice long look at me though, did it? I mean you stood there for about a minute before you made yourself known."
Weiss felt her eyes rise as she attempted to defend herself. "I- Wh- No! B- But…" She stammered out. "H- How did you know?" She finally managed as both Yang and Ruby laughed out.
"What? You think we wouldn't know if someone entered our room? I mean, you did appoint me your Commander, didn't you? Surely I must have some skill." The blonde answered jokingly as she stood up from the bed, twisting her back.
Weiss noticed that the blonde was now dressed in a loose fitting brown shirt that had the sleeves cut off. Sadly she could no longer see Yang's toned body but she still felt her blush at her cheeks. She had to get herself under control around this girl.
'Wait… Sadly?'
Clearing her throat though, Weiss gave the other girl a pointed look. "I came here on official business, Yang. So don't blame either Sun or Ren for letting me into your room. They informed me that you specifically told them no one was to enter but I basically ordered them to let me in." Weiss explained, not wanting the boys outside to be disciplined for letting her inside and disobeying Yang's orders.
She watched Yang roll her eyes though as she trotted to the other side of the room and grab a brush for her hair and started combing her long and golden mane.
"Oh, you're always welcome in my private chambers, Weiss. Especially after la-"
"Anyways!" Weiss shouted loudly as she glared openly now at the blonde who now gave her a confused look. Weiss was extremely grateful that both Ruby and Blake were behind her and couldn't see her face.
"Anyways…" Weiss said again as she stared daggers at Yang, she made a mental note of having to have a private conversation with the blonde about what transpired last night between them… and how it couldn't go on… Something she wasn't looking forward to.
"I need yourself and your entire Vanguard ready to move. Tonight." Weiss said, emphasizing on the last word.
She could already tell by the look on Yang's face and the fact that she stopped brushing her hair that the girl was going to ask where and why, so Weiss decided to answer that for her before she could even ask.
"We're sailing to Atlas tonight to deliver a message to our allies. We meet at the docks at sunset."
She watched the blonde's face contort to a slew of emotions before they settled on what looked to be apprehension. It looked as if she was going to argue the fact of why she was needed to go along with the voyage, but in the end, she said nothing.
Slightly surprised by how the usually confrontational girl not being… confrontational, Weiss looked around for a moment before turning on her heel. More than she had felt all morning now, she wanted to talk to Yang, but knew she couldn't in this moment. Not with Blake and Ruby in the room. Plus the time was hardly right. It made her wonder if she'd have any time in fact while they were traveling on ship. They'd be surrounded by sailors and other soldiers, not really the ideal place to have a private conversation.
"Alright Weiss, we'll be ready and waiting." Yang announced with her usual bright and infectious smile that threatened to even cause her to smile until she looked away.
She didn't know if it was her imagination or not but she had a feeling that Yang was acting sort of different. It felt like she was a little bit happier in a way.
"Good. Don't be late; this is an assignment from the King himself." Weiss mentioned as she spun on her heel to exit the room, watching Ruby smiling brightly up at Blake with the latter smirking.
Once she reached the door though, Weiss stopped. "Oh! I almost forgot, the rest of the soldiers we're leaving behind in the city; get with them and inform them that they are to remain in the kingdom and fall under Tactician Glynda's command until we return."
"Aye aye!" Was all Yang said.
Weiss shook her head at the girl's choice of words and could already tell she was in fact excited. Before she pulled the door open to leave however she cast one last glance towards the blonde before leaving the room.
Staring up in awe at the two large wooden vessels that bobbed gently up and down while docked; Ruby felt her breath escape between her lips.
'Boats…'
She'd always wanted to see the ocean! It's always been a lifelong dream of hers. But now not only would see be able to see them, she was going to sail them!
When she first had heard General Weiss tell her and her sister about their traveling to Atlas, Ruby had to fight to contain her excitement. It was when both the General and Blake left that Ruby jumped in joy before moving to the bed to jump on it just like when she was younger. It had taken Yang a few minutes to finally calm her down in the way of tickling her into submission.
She had worn her smile all day however, and now the sun was setting in the distance, right over the sea that looked out from the docks of the kingdom; right where she and the rest of the Vanguard were standing with a few of their belongings did she realize that this wasn't a dream. This was really happening!
Everyone seemed to have packed light for the trip, bringing along only their weapons and a few clothes to change into as well as their armor. No one was dressed in their plate armor however as was explained that the trip would take several days so there was no need to be in full gear.
For Ruby, she didn't have to be told twice. She really didn't like being in the uniform, it restricted her movements too much. She missed her old leather jerkin that she used to wear, but what she wore currently wasn't too bad. It consisted of a black tunic and jacket along with brown leather pants and boots with of course her crimson cloak tied around her neck.
The rest of the Vanguard was dressed in a similar fashion as they too looked in awe at the two vessels that were being prepped by countless sailors of Vale's navy. Seeing the countless men and women moving quickly back and forth as they readied the rigging and brought supplies on board made the small crimson haired bundle of energy start bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet.
"Have you ever been out on the ocean before?"
Ruby turned to face Nora who had asked the question. The girl wore a cheery smile much like Ruby's own as she hefted her large war hammer over her shoulder in an impressive display of innate strength.
Ruby shook her head towards the girl to which Nora's smile broadened.
"Well, let ol' Captain Nora of the high seas tell you all about what to expect." The girl then exclaimed.
"Nora, you've never been on the ocean either." Ren then interjected, earning a slight scowl from the girl.
"Yeah I have!" Nora protested then. "I've been to the beach before. It's like the same thing!"
"Pfft! What? No it's not!" Sun laughed out to which Nora pouted even more.
"Is to! There's water and… stuff."
"And… stuff. You really proved your point there, Nor."
Ruby only giggled at the banter before she tugged on her sister's good arm and getting her attention. As soon as Yang looked down at her she smiled brightly and placed her hand on top of Ruby's head, just like she had done since they were little. Ruby wasn't sure if her sister knew or not but she loved when Yang did that.
"You ready to see the rest of the world, Rubes?" Her elder sister asked to which Ruby happily nodded her head.
"I bet. I remember you used to always want to travel and see new places. It was all you used to talk about before." Yang continued before a hint of sadness crossed her features for only a moment, but Ruby had caught it.
She knew what had caused it. But she noticed that ever since last night, Yang has been in a much better mood than usual. At the ball last night she spotted both her and the General leaving the grand hall together. She didn't have a clue where they both went but when she ran into her last night out on the street, Yang had been oddly… happy. Even this morning when they were woken up by Blake and Weiss, Yang seemed to almost glow when she saw Weiss.
'Wait… Does she like…?'
Ruby tilted her head as she still continued to look up at her sister and Yang raised an eyebrow at her.
"What's the matter, sis?" She asked casually as she held Ruby's curious look.
Ruby however only broke out into a smirk before shaking her head. This was something she was going to keep to herself for now.
"Ah, you all must be the infamous new Vanguard!"
Ruby turned to her left and spotted an older plump man walking towards them with his hands clasped behind him. The main thing about him though that Ruby couldn't help but giggle at was the gigantic bushy white mustache that covered his mouth. It almost looked like a large fuzzy caterpillar that moved every time he spoke.
"That we are." Yang spoke up. "I'm Commander Yang and this here is my unit. General Weiss told us to meet here at sun set."
Ruby stood by her sister's side and kept her eyes on the new man who now wore a friendly smile as he gestured for them to follow him.
"Ah, the young and fierce General Weiss, you know I knew her since she was just a baby." The man spoke as Ruby and the rest of the Vanguard followed behind him. At his words though, both she and Yang shared a look before her sister spoke up again.
"Oh… really? How was she when she was younger?" Yang asked as a tone of interest crept into her voice.
The older gentleman turned to look behind him as he kept walking and let out a guffaw. "How was she? Why she was as headstrong as she is now I believe!" He chuckled out. "As long as I could remember her she always was a bit of a rebel but she always made sure to try her best in anything she did."
Ruby believed the man's words the second he said them. She couldn't see the General acting in any other fashion in fact. She was a good leader, much better than General Cardin in whom she had served under for less than a week. She could tell the difference between a leader who valued those under them and one who only viewed their soldiers as tools.
"Sounds like her." Yang hummed out.
"Indeed. Why I remember this one time when she was about I believe four years old, her mother the Queen was walking around the castle with the young Weiss when the girl claimed that she had to use the washroom. Now her mother at the time I think told her to hold it for just a tad bit longer… though I don't think she understood just how bad young Weiss had to go."
Ruby felt her eyes widen at the words she was so sure were about to come.
"She didn't…" She heard her sister mutter in barely above a whisper.
"She did!" The man exclaimed as he fought to hold back a smile. "Right then and there, little Weiss decided she had waited long enough and relieved herself right in the grand halls of the White Cast-"
"ADMIRAL PORT!"
All eyes turned forward towards the balcony of the vessel the group was walking towards to spot a furious looking Weiss. The girl's entire face was tinged as red as Ruby's cloak with her eyes piercing the man's very being as if she had heard the entire story. Ruby herself couldn't help but turn her head away and snicker. She still couldn't get the image of the prim and proper General Weiss … just letting go… in the hallway!
Ruby felt herself grab onto Yang's sleeve and shook violently as she fought the urge to laugh out loud. She felt Yang snort as well as her sister hugged her back and chuckled.
"Ah, General! I hope everything is going according to our time limit?" The elder man who had told both she and Yang the story asked innocently.
Weiss however still wore her emotions on her face, and right now that emotion was fury.
"Yes, everything is going well and we should be set to set off as soon as you stop indulging my soldiers in times long past." The General replied with a clipped tone.
Admiral Port however only chuckled at the face of true unbridled anger as he climbed the narrow board which led to the platform of one of the vessels. "Ah, forgive me dear General. Let an old man reminisce of the past. When things were simpler and much more peaceful."
Ruby watched as Weiss grumbled and stalked off towards another part of the ship before she felt her heart skip a beat.
There Blake was; lifting what looked like a handful of books underneath her arms. But that wasn't the main thing Ruby felt her eyes drawn to. It was what Blake was in fact wearing.
The usual black leather armor that covered her from the neck down was nowhere to be seen. Now Blake wore a sleeveless black jerkin along with loose fitting black linen pants that were tucked into black boots. Along with her unusual uniform, Blake had her hair tied into a loose ponytail as well.
As Ruby climbed aboard the vessel finally, she watched as Blake turned to look towards her with her books still in hand and smiled. The crimson haired girl managed a weak smile back towards her and it was in that moment that Ruby wished if only for just a moment that she had the courage to speak…
'She looks beautiful… She really does.'
The affection in her eyes must have been obvious because Ruby spotted Blake's cheeks start to redden, but maybe it was due to the cold outside. In fact even Ruby herself was starting to feel a bit chilly now, now that they were out near the sea. It no longer snowed but the temperature was still rather chilly, and with the sun close to setting for the day, Ruby knew that once they left port that she would most likely have to don her heavier coat that she had bought earlier just for this voyage.
"All aboard!" An enthusiastic Nora shouted as she and the rest of the Vanguard climbed aboard the ship with their belongings.
"Make yourselves at home; this ship boasts a comfortable living accommodation below deck." Admiral Port stated proudly as he prepared to walk off. "This is one of Vale's Navies' flagships; The Queen's Vessel. The largest of our war machines out at sea. This one along with the Schweigen Der Sirene are the vessels we're sailing to Atlas in." He then motioned towards the other large vessel that was getting ready beside us on the other dock.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to make sure all preparations are in order." Port explained as he shuffled off towards his naval crew before adding. "Lest the young General bite my ear off."
As the man walked off, Ruby slowly turned her eyes back towards the Faunus girl who looked slightly unsure as to what to do now before a new voice cut in.
"Vanguard, you're bunking on the first floor below deck as per the General's orders." A young girl with short boyish brown hair stated as she walked towards them all. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you all to your quarters."
Ruby gave Blake one last look just as the Faunus girl smirked at her as if reading her question.
"Don't worry, Ruby. I'll see you later, okay?"
Ruby pursed her lips but then nodded her head towards Blake, watching the girl walk off towards the stern on the vessel and disappearing into the crowd of sailors who were bustling with the preparations.
Ruby then felt a strong arm wrap itself around her neck and pull her off balance. "Yeah Rubes, you'll see your pet kitty later on, alright?" Yang teased.
Ruby felt her face heat up at her sister's words. She didn't realize that Yang had heard Blake. But just as fast as she felt the shiver of embarrassment crawl up her spine did she elbow her sister in the ribs in an attempt to get her to be quiet as well as let her go.
She felt Yang's arm vanish from her neck as Yang cried out in pain before falling into a fit of laughter.
"Oh? Sensitive are we, sis?" She continued teasing to which she then jogged to catch up towards the rest of the Vanguard who were already walking below deck.
Ruby pouted before chasing after her sister while feeling the smile on her face widen at the thought of going out to sea… and being able to spend more time with Blake.
"Why do I… his daughter and might I add General of one of Vale's armies have to be his personal errand girl?"
Blake didn't bother to look up from her book as she sat comfortably on the wooden chair in the elegantly furnished cabin on the ship. She had been listening to Weiss' outbursts about being sent to Atlas for quite some time now but she didn't let it bother her yet.
They had left port from the kingdom a few hours ago, and all was well. Admiral Port determined that with weather permitting, they should reach Atlas in no more than a week or so. With so much free time at sea, Blake was determined to catch up on some much needed reading. Ever since the war started she hadn't been able to partake in her hobby of indulging herself in books. She made sure to take quite a few of her favorites as well as some new ones she bought right before they had left. One such one that she was currently reading.
"I mean what of my soldiers back in Fort Beacon?" Weiss continued as she paced back and forth in the room, dressed in a thick brown leather jacket with tight fitting black silken pants. She wore her trademarked side ponytail as well along with a usual scowl that Blake hadn't seen leave her face ever since this morning.
"I'm sure Lieutenant Penny will lead them just fine while we're gone." Blake uttered absently as she turned the page of her new book. She might as well entertain Weiss' doubts a bit before the girl worried herself sick.
She heard Weiss suck her teeth in annoyance. "That's not the point. I mean we're in a war and it seems as if my father continuously tries to keep me from battle! I know he doesn't wish for me to be killed or whatnot but I chose to become a leader of soldiers! I know what dangers await me!" She continued breathlessly.
"Or maybe he knows that you're one of the few people in power that he could trust with such an important task." Blake rebutted.
She spotted Weiss look at her in the corner of her eye, but Blake kept her own eyes focused on her book. She didn't one hundred percent believe what she had said but she did in fact think it played a role in the King's choice.
"Well, how about Glynda? She and my father have known each other since they were children themselves! He could have sent her in my place."
Blake only shrugged her shoulders at that. "Maybe having a Schnee show up has a bit more weight." She offered weakly to which Weiss only scoffed at.
"A Schnee… Lately I feel like I'm not even a part of that name any longer. Did you see how the nobles at the ball treated me? Like I'm some kind of exotic animal!" Weiss whined out.
Blake however was starting to grow a bit agitated with the girl's incessant behavior. She hasn't heard Weiss whine like this in quite some time. It was only when there was something serious on her mind. Something that had to be more important than just this trip to Atlas.
So Blake decided to probe her friend's mind a bit…
Shutting the book gently whilst marking the page, Blake looked up from the table from where she sat and watched Weiss. The girl continued pacing back and forth near the large bed in the center of the room. She was still speaking but Blake watched the girl's face as it was tinged with exhaustion, worry, and a slight touch of anger.
She thought back to the days leading up to today and when she had seen the General at her calmest. Thinking back on it though, Blake noticed that it was when Weiss was with Yang of all people. She had noticed that the two of them had grown quite a bit closer. No longer were the days of them screaming and butting heads with each other. Nowadays it seemed as if they both seemingly enjoyed each other's company.
'Then there is the little issue of how Yang fought off the assassin that was present in Weiss' room last night.'
Debating on what to say, Blake exhaled before stretching her arms upwards and trying to appear as casual as possible for what she was about to say to Weiss.
"How about Yang?"
As soon as the blonde's name left her mouth, Blake heard Weiss' constant pacing halt abruptly. She could have sworn that she even heard the girl's breath hitch in her throat, but the creaking and moaning of the ship they were currently on made it hard for her Faunus hearing to pick up on small distinct sounds.
"Y- Yang?" Weiss asked as she gave her a suspicious glare. "What about her?"
"Maybe you should be going over some plans or something with her." Blake offered, still keeping her voice as neutral as possible. "She is your Commander, plus planning and going over some things with her is a surefire way to get your mind off of being so anxious and worried about something you can't change right now."
She watched Weiss' eyes narrow before she blinked and sighed, at the same time falling onto the bed behind her without care. It was almost like the days when Blake had first met her. The gesture was so innocent and slightly adorable. Like that of a pouting child.
"M- Maybe you're right." Weiss uttered meekly. "It's just… lately, Yang and I…" She started before her voice died down.
"Yang and you…?" Blake offered, sitting up slightly from her chair.
She heard Weiss mumble something incoherently before the girl slammed her hands into the mattress she was lying on top of.
"That girl doesn't know the meaning of discreet!" Weiss yelled suddenly, even startling Blake a bit. "She's wild, carefree, and loud… passionate, caring, fun… Ugh!" She then finally cried out.
Blake herself raised an eyebrow at Weiss' last words.
'Passionate? … Huh? I mean I guess she's passionate about killing people… Caring towards Ruby I could see… but I wouldn't exactly call her fun either… Unless…?'
She turned her attention back towards Weiss who had childishly placed a pillow on top of her face as she lied down now. She wasn't sure if she should say something or not until a soft snore was heard underneath the pillow.
'Did she really just fall asleep?'
Blake listened intently and heard the steady sounds of Weiss' breathing as she continued to lie on the bed, with only the gentle rise and falls of her chest. Seeing the girl whining and screaming one second to falling asleep the next, it almost caused Blake to laugh out right then and there, but she held it in. She didn't want to wake Weiss up so quickly only for her to continue right where she left off. She knew the girl was exhausted. Even though she was ordered the rest earlier today, the girl did anything but.
'Thinking about Yang let her fall asleep so quickly and peacefully. Who'd have thought that that loud and obnoxious brute could cause someone to slumber so quietly.'
Though now more than curious about Weiss' last choice words about the Commander, Blake decided to ask her later about it. For now though… she glanced at her book and grabbed it before walking towards the door of the cabin and heading outside, shutting the door lightly.
The moment she stepped out into the moonlit filled darkness outside on the ship's deck, was she assaulted with a gust of wind that chilled her to the very bone. Wrapping herself in the thick bearskin coat she wore at the moment, Blake quickly made her way towards one of the railings of the boat and sat atop of it, overlooking the crashing waves that rammed into the vessel below.
Quickly tossing her legs over the railing, she made herself steady and comfortable before opening her book and picking up right from where she left off. It was times like this that she was glad she was a Faunus; using her ability to see in the dark to read without a light source.
But just as she felt herself falling into the blissful feeling of immersing herself in her book, Blake heard a sound of slow and deliberate footsteps thud behind her. She could see a bright light creeping towards her as well as if whoever was walking towards where she sat was carrying a light source.
Turning to face the disturbance, Blake felt a smile form on her face when she spotted a bundled up Ruby slowly walking towards her while carrying a lantern in her hand. The girl wore what looked like two thick layers of woolskin with her crimson cloak serving as a scarf. She looked like she was freezing, the poor girl.
Blake let out a quiet chuckle and patted the railing where she was sitting. Ruby's own face brightened into a smile as the girl hobbled over to where she was and carefully climbed over the railing. Blake kept her arm at the girl's back, holding onto her and help keep her balance until Ruby situated herself right next to her.
"What are you doing awake, Ruby?" Blake chided playfully as she took the lantern from the girl's hand and hooked it onto a beam that hung above them. "Couldn't sleep?"
She looked into Ruby's twinkling silver eyes as the girl shrugged while suppressing a smirk. Blake only shook her head while looking back at her book before glancing back towards Ruby and noticing the girl looking at her with expectant eyes.
"Do you like to read?" Blake asked while meeting the other girl's gaze to which Ruby nodded happily.
Blake smiled at that. She always felt a little pang of happiness when she learned something new about the other girl.
Sliding closer to Ruby now, Blake brushed her leg against Ruby's own and shot the girl a worried look for a moment before chuckling nervously. She felt herself start to get hot but swallowed it down and placed the book on both of their legs so they could both see it together. Flipping it back to the first page, Blake coughed awkwardly before looking down at the book as she noticed that Ruby's eyes were still on her.
"T- This is a story about a man and his horse during a time of depression in his country and the challenges he faces while caring for both himself and his horse who he considers the last of his family." She explained as she prepared to read the first page for her before glancing back at Ruby.
"Do you want me to read it or you want to read it yourself?" She then asked nervously.
She watched Ruby's face scrunch up in thought for a moment and Blake thought the girl looked absolutely adorable. It was only for a moment though before the crimson haired girl then pointed a finger towards Blake with a smile on her face which in turn caused Blake to smile as well and nod.
"Alright, I'll read it for both of us."
Clearing her throat, Blake prepared herself to read the first passage for both of them. Although she read this part of the story already she felt a renewed vigor of sorts now that she had Ruby beside her. She usually hated rereading parts of a book, but she didn't feel that emotion at all right now. In fact all she felt was an inner calm as she started.
"Travis was never usually a happy fellow. In fact for most of his life his family and friends usually described him as rather despondent. So it didn't come as a surprise when he-"
Blake paused in her reading as a small finger belonging to Ruby pointed down at the page, causing the Faunus to stop reading and look at where she was pointing.
"Despondent?" She asked as she noticed that her pointer finger was resting on that word. Blake turned to glance up at Ruby who nodded her head at the question.
Blake couldn't help but giggle. "Despondent means in low spirits from loss of hope or courage." She then explained to Ruby.
But just as she was about to start reading again, she felt the other girl next to her shuffle closer. Blake stuttered in her reading before glancing over at Ruby to see what she was doing. But what happened next she didn't have the chance to react to.
Just as Blake glanced over at Ruby did she feel a sensation of warmth place itself upon her lips.
Blake felt herself recoil from Ruby as the girl leaned in and kissed her, almost losing her balance while perched on the railing in the process. But the other girl grabbed ahold of her to steady her. Blake now realizing what Ruby had just done, stared wide eyed at the younger girl as she regarded her curiously as if contemplating something.
Blake couldn't find her voice though as she could only stare back into Ruby's inviting silver eyes as the girl once more moved her face closer to her own. Blake watched as Ruby slowly closed her eyes as she leaned in before the Faunus could even react once again. Slowly she let her own eyes shut as she felt Ruby's lips meet her own for a second time, this time however much more gently as Blake was ready and felt her body react on its own, pushing her lips back towards Ruby's own.
She felt the book that was resting on their legs slip and fall into the waters below, but in that moment Blake couldn't have cared less.
Nothing could have stopped the warmth she felt in her body and in her heart.
Blake knew she had wanted this since the very beginning.
Schweigen Der Sirene - "Siren's Silence" in German.