Told you guys I'd have another one out!
I don't own RWBY
"Alright, show of hands," Flynt said. "Which of you all have played before?"
Jaune and Blake raised their hands. Ruby, Weiss, and Yang didn't.
"Alright. Jaune, Blake, you two know what you're doing a bit. Jaune, help Blake roll up her character, since you're pretty experienced."
"You got it," Jaune said. "By the way, I'll be playing a protector aasimar paladin."
"I dig," Flynt nodded. "Blake?"
"Half tabaxi rogue," Blake said. "I didn't get to play her too much last campaign, so I kinda wanna play her from the start."
"Then you're already familiar with what you'll need," Flynt nodded. "Now, Ruby, Yang, and Weiss, first we need to choose your race and class."
"Blake said monks are good at hitting things," Yang said.
"They are," Flynt said. "But, you strike me as the type that likes powerful brute types, am I right?"
"You know it," Yang said.
"Then go for barbarian and use gauntlets as your weapon," he said.
"Can I do fire stuff as a barbarian?" Yang said.
"You can if you choose storm herald as your subclass," he said.
"Done," she said.
"Ruby, what about you?"
"I wanna use a scythe, for one," she said. "I wanna be really fast, and I kinda like the idea of using light magic."
"Then, the fast part will come from stuff you can get in game," he said. "The rest of it, you wanna play a domain of light cleric."
"Aren't they, like, healers?" Ruby asked.
"Everyone always thinks that. Until they play one," he said.
"So... what are they, then?" Ruby asked.
"They're more accurately warriors with a bit of healing ability, a lot of holy magic, and a good weapon. You couldn't start with a scythe, but you could buy one," he said.
"Alright," Ruby said.
"And, Weiss, you said you wanted to play a mage," he said. Weiss nodded. "Alright, well, there's a few different types of mages. Bards play music to use their magic. Druids use nature magic. Warlocks get their magic from striking a deal with some sort of powerful creature. Sorcerers are born with their magic, it's in their bloodline. And wizards learn their magic."
"I think I want to play a sorcerer," she said.
"Alright," he said. "Now we need to pick races."
"I wanna play something big, with a lot of strength," Yang said.
"There's quite a bit of races that have that," he said. "But if you want fire stuff, there may be a better race for you."
"What race?" Yang inquired.
"So the genasi are basically half element half mortal. You could play a fire genasi," he said. Yang grinned, face lighting up in confirmation.
"I'm not quite sure," Ruby said.
"Well, if you want light magic, you could play an aasimar. They're basically half angels. There's three different kinds, and scourge aasimar get some cool radiant magic stuff," he said.
"Ooh, I wanna play that," Ruby said.
"I know it's probably a bit less interesting," Weiss said. "But I want to play an elf."
"There's no shame in playing one of the better known races," Flynt said. "There's three different main kinds of elves. High, wood, and dark. Do you want better magic, a connection to nature, or a bunch of stealth stuff, with the downside of getting really debuffed if sunlight touches you?"
"I think the magic one," Weiss said.
"I figured, it fits your character best. So, you'll be a high elf," he said. "Oh, and you'll need to choose a subclass. There's a lot of different kinds of sorcerers."
"Alright... what kind is best at summoning things?" Weiss asked.
"Well, sorcerers can summon but none of them are especially skilled with it."
"Then, what's best at ice magic?" she asked.
"Oh, that'd be a draconic ice sorcerer," he said.
"I'll be that one," Weiss said, slightly overwhelmed by the complexity of the game. "I'll need to take some time to study how the game works."
"By all means. If you want, the school library has a copy of the player's handbook," Flynt said.
"I'll need to read it," Weiss said.
The party continued to design their characters, excitedly building a team of heroes.
"I can't wait to play," Yang said, as she walked down the hallway with Weiss.
"I really didn't expect a tabletop roleplaying experience to be your cup of tea, Yang," Weiss said.
"I'll admit, until Blake suggested it, I always thought it was pretty lame. But, she convinced me to not judge it by its cover. I watched some YouTube videos, and it looks pretty fun," she said.
"Wait, there's YouTube videos of it?" Weiss said.
"Oh yeah, a lot of them," Yang said. "And let me tell you, there's one series called Criti-"
"Weiss?" Coach Goodwitch interrupted, as they passed by the gym.
"Yes, coach?" Weiss asked, turning abruptly.
"Admin wanted the staff to relay to you, they need you in the offices," she said.
"Alright," Weiss said, confused. "I'll see you in a bit, Yang."
Weiss hurried over to the admin office, worried. She turned the corner into the room, and her heart dropped and turned to ice upon seeing who was waiting for her.
"You have a visitor," one of the staff members said, then turning back to their computer.
Jacques Schnee sat on one of the waiting chairs. He stood upon her entry.
"Warren," he said, straightening his tie.
"What do you want?" Weiss spat, stepping back cautiously.
"It's been almost two weeks since you ran away. It's time that you return home," he ordered. Weiss' blood ran cold.
"You told me to leave. You kicked me out. I meant what I said. I'd rather live on the street than with you," Weiss said, forcing as much confidence as she could muster.
"Yes, your stubbornness is very much intact, you've proved your point," he smirked. "That being said, you are my son. You legally are required to live with a parent until you're eighteen."
"Actually, that's not how it works," someone said from behind Weiss. She turned to see Officer Qrow Branwen, who had been checking in with one of the receptionists.
"And, you are?" Jacques rolled his eyes.
"The school's SRO," he said. "The safety of the students here is my jurisdiction. And legally speaking, once someone turns sixteen, there are circumstances in which they're allowed to leave home. And Weiss, you're sixteen, right?"
"I turn seventeen in about a month," Weiss said. "January twelfth."
"Well, there you have it. It's more her choice where she lives than yours," Officer Branwen said.
"If you don't mind, I'll take my legal advice from someone with a higher position than a poor excuse for a resource officer," Jacques sneered. "Especially after you've shown that facts have a lower priority than the delusions of grandeur of students of... questionable mental health status. And due to that questionable status, I don't believe my son is fit to safely make decisions without a parent or guardian."
"Legally, that's not your decision to make," Qrow said. "Currently, as it's the school day, every student here is legally in the Taylor High's custody. So if you intend to forcibly remove a student from the grounds, we have a word for that. It's called kidnapping. And I don't take threats towards students lightly."
"Warren Schnee is legally my son," Jacques said. "And therefore legally in my custody."
"You released me from your custody when you kicked me out," Weiss said. "You've been nothing but abusive. And unless you want me to list off how, here, in front of several people including a police officer, then you'll back off."
"Oh, and look at who became such a legal expert," Jacques scoffed. "Then answer this for me. If you intend to expose legally confidential information in front of the public if I don't meet your demands, what would that be called?"
"If it was a legally confidential secret, it'd be blackmail and extortion," Qrow said. "But, concerns of abuse aren't something that is legally confidential unless the court rules it so. Not to mention, as you've pointed out, Miss Schnee is a minor. Therefore, it's unlikely anyone would conclude that this counts as blackmail. I'm going to ask you to leave the premises, and if you don't comply, I'm authorized to take you into custody for trespassing and threatening to kidnap a student in school custody. You're choice."
Jacques scowled, glaring down at Weiss.
"You'll come back, one way or another," he said, turning towards the doorway. "Congratulations. This will go to court."
With that, he walked out of the building. Weiss reeled, worry storming around in her mind. She knew that if it was a court case, she had no chance.
"Hey, kiddo," Qrow said. "You alright?"
He stepped around so that Weiss could face him.
"I..." Weiss stammered. She choked on her words, realizing the consequences of Jacques exercising his lawyers.
"Step into my office, alright? I'll have you excused from classes for a bit longer," he said. She nodded, and they stepped into his office. He gestured to a comfortable couch against the wall. A framed picture of Ruby and Yang sat on his desk, next to a semi messy collection of books and personal belongings.
She sank into the couch.
"You weren't wrong about your old man," Qrow said. "I've never seen a bigger tool."
Weiss cocked her head, confused. Still teary, she cleared her throat and did her best to keep her voice calm.
"Aren't you supposed to remain impartial?" she asked.
"As a cop, yeah," he said. "I'm not talking to you as a cop. I'm talking to you as your friends' uncle. I'm worried about you and I wanna make sure you're alright."
"Well," Weiss said. "I'm really scared. He's probably the richest person in the state, and that means some of the best lawyers money can buy. That also means he might have the judge under his thumb."
"Yeah," he said. "I've noticed that, too. It's not great, but it at least buys some time."
"Time for what?" Weiss scoffed.
"Time to build an argument. There's a few things we can do. We may be able to get a lawyer better than a state provided one. I'll see if we can have a judge with no prior communication with Jacqass," he said. Weiss nodded. It all felt hollow.
"What could we possibly come up with that could match his resources?" she asked, her voice quiet and fearful.
"We'll find out. No one should have to go back to their abuser, and that includes you. Speaking of which, as an officer, I can file record of the abuse. So, this probably won't be pleasant, but if you can tell me about the abuse committed, I can note it and make sure it's on file. That'll give us a better chance."
Weiss nodded.
"Alright," she said. She braced herself. "I guess I'll start at the beginning. The first incident I remember, I was five. Winter and her friends were helping me explore styles that, I'd later find out, fit me better than anything I was forced to wear."
Yang, Blake, and Ruby were already sitting in the cafeteria when Weiss came in. She bought herself a small lunch and nervously stepped over to them. Her eyes were red, as the events she had recounted had brought up several traumatic memories.
"Weiss! Just in time, we were talking about-" Yang began, seeing Weiss in her peripherals and excitedly waving her over.
"Weiss?" Blake interrupted, seeing Weiss' face as she walked over. "What happened?"
Yang went silent, seeing Weiss' eyes, and her entire demeanor changed instantly. She leaned in as Weiss sat down, looking over her with a protective and worried expression.
"Father came by," Weiss said. "That's why they wanted me at the office."
Blake put her hand on Weiss' shoulder, scooting closer.
"Oh, no," Blake gasped.
"He wants me back at the mansion. He tried to make me go now. Your uncle basically told him that I was currently under the school's custody," Weiss said to Ruby and Yang. "And therefore it would be kidnapping if he took me. So he's backing off for now, but he's taking it to court."
"No," Blake said, eyes wide. Weiss put her head in her hands, closing her eyes.
"We'll stop him," Ruby said. "I promise."
"How?" Weiss asked. "He controls the courts. No one's successfully sued him in over twice my lifetime. That's not going to change with me."
"You're not going back there," Blake said matter-of-factly. "I don't care what conclusion the court comes to. You got out and you're not going back."
"That's not how it works," Weiss said.
"We'll find something," Yang said. "No matter what happens, you have us, okay?"
"Yeah," Weiss said, her words holding a hopeless ringing.
"I'm so sorry, Weiss," Blake said. "I want him to just leave you alone."
"I want that, too. I'd hoped I was done with him. I should have known that was too good to be true," Weiss bitterly muttered.
Over the next couple days, Qrow, Blake, and Taiyang dug through every resource they could find to compile a fighting chance. Qrow was able to pull enough strings to get a judge from out of state, on the grounds that one potentially affected by Jacques' business would be a conflict of interest and could lead to a biased conclusion.
Then, during the weekend, Weiss and Blake were watching Ruby and Yang play video games, a knock rapped against the door. Taiyang opened the door, and an officer stood in the doorway.
"Warren Schnee?" he asked. Weiss sighed and stood, cautiously. "You've been called to the court. On May fifth, you've been called to participate in the case of Jacques Schnee v the Boise School District, and potential custody arrangements."
Weiss nodded, accepting the envelope associated.
"Thank you, officer," she said. She returned to her seat, resting her head in her hands.
"So," Blake said, as Taiyang closed the door and sat on an adjacent couch, watching with concern. "We have about six months to prepare for the case. That's better than I thought we'd get."
"Jacques may have good lawyers, but something this disruptive to a learning environment is something that the school district wants as close to the end of the school year as possible," Taiyang said. "That gives us a pretty decent amount of time to prepare our side. What we need is a really good lawyer."
"They said he was suing the district, not you," Yang said. "So, would we need a lawyer?"
"It's regarding her custody position," Blake said. "The lawsuit will determine if Jacques can overrule the school's current custody arrangement on you, since you no longer live with him and there is substantial evidence that the school has your best interests at a higher priority than your father does. Afterwards, we will need to determine who does have custody of you, as either way, a specific individual must be appointed. Weiss needs a lawyer to make sure we can appoint someone responsible. The school district won't be able to have a say in it at all if Jacques wins, and if the district wins, they still need to have someone hold custody during times that the school can't. But this case, for the most part, the suit will be Jacques trying to get compensation for the school withholding you from him. When it comes down to it, if he loses the case, he can just try again once the summer begins. The school district has no say in that case. So we do need a decent defense."
"Either way," Ruby said, in an assuring tone. "We'll keep you safe, Weiss."
"Thank you, all of you," Weiss said. "It means so much to me that you're all here for me right now. Especially after how I've treated you in the past."
Blake took Weiss' hand.
"Your past doesn't define you," Blake said. "I care about who you are, not who you were."
"Thank you," Weiss said, looking into Blake's eyes. Blake smiled comfortingly, non-verbally reassuring Weiss that everything would be okay.
Later that night, Ruby had already fallen asleep on the couch and Blake had long since returned home. Yang and Weiss sat on the other couch, passively watching Pirates of the Caribbean. Weiss held her compact in front of her, practicing her makeup while Yang scrolled through Facebook. Weiss' hair had begun to reach her shoulders, and she finally had somewhat begun to enjoy the length. She had, however, gotten her bangs cut, to frame her face.
"Favorite desert?" Yang asked.
"Haven't really gotten to explore deserts much," Weiss said. "I would occasionally have tiramisu, but aside from that, I haven't tried much. I guess I also had a few cakes at various points."
"Gotcha. Mine's gotta be cinnamon rolls, fresh out of the oven, with vanilla ice cream," Yang said. "Your turn."
"Alright... favorite class?" Weiss asked.
"Easy. P. E.," Yang said. "You?"
"Math has always come easy to me, and for that reason, I always enjoy math class," Weiss said.
"Nerd," Yang grinned jokingly. "It's alright, though. Coolest people I meet are nerds. Plus, that's probably why Blake likes you so much."
Weiss froze, blushing.
"Likes me?" she asked, startled.
"Of course. You're easily her best friend. Why would she be your friend if she didn't like you?" Yang asked.
"Right," Weiss said, embarrassment turning to disappointment.
"Anyway, my turn," Yang said. "Favorite music genre?"
"I enjoy music that's generally vocal," Weiss said. "And comes from the heart. I enjoy indie a lot too."
"I like my rock and metal," Yang said. "Disturbed is one of my favorite bands."
"They're a bit too aggressive for my tastes," Weiss said.
"Fair enough. Your turn," she said.
"Favorite color?" Weiss asked, running out of ideas.
"Gold," Yang said. "Easy."
"Baby blue," Weiss said. Yang nodded.
"Figured. Let's see... would you rather fight one horse size duck or a hundred duck sized horses?" Yang asked.
"What kind of question is that?" Weiss scoffed.
"A hilarious one," Yang smiled.
"I guess one horse sized duck," Weiss said.
"Nope," Yang said. "A hundred duck sized horses."
Weiss nodded, thinking.
"Favorite animal?" Weiss asked.
"I really like dragons," Yang said.
"They're not real, that doesn't count," Weiss said.
"Fine," Yang said. "Komoto dragon, then."
Weiss rolled her eyes.
"I'd have to say doves are mine," Weiss said.
"Of course," Yang grinned. "Dainty and small, just like you."
Weiss smiled, the feminine compliment helping to ease the dysphoria threatening to bring her down.
"Anyway, my turn," Yang said. "Let's see... ooh, I got one. Who do you have a crush on?"
"What? I don't have a crush," Weiss said.
"Are you aromantic?" Yang asked.
"No, but-" Weiss began.
"Unless you're aromantic, no way you don't have a crush. Everyone with romantic attraction has one," Yang said.
"Then who'se yours?" Weiss scoffed.
"Uh-uh," Yang said, wagging her finger. "You first. That's the game."
"Fine," Weiss said. She took a deep breath, fighting with herself on whether or not she would say it. "You can't tell anyone."
"I'd never tell," Yang said. "I promise."
"And you can't make fun of me," Weiss said. "Or tell me I'm stupid, or-"
"Weiss," Yang interrupted. "I'm your friend. I'd never do anything like that."
Yang's expression went from amused to sincere as she spoke, as she realized who Weiss' friends used to be.
"I'm not Melanie, or Miltia, or Henry or Cardin."
"I wasn't friends with Cardin," Weiss said.
"Really?" Yang asked. "Everyone thought you were."
"Wonderful," Weiss said.
"Sorry, that probably could've been more sensitive."
"It's okay," Weiss said.
"Anyway, I promise. I won't laugh, or tell you you're stupid, or anything like that. Okay?" Yang asked.
"Okay," Weiss said. "Then... Blake."
Yang smiled.
"I knew it," she said.
"Is it that obvious?" Weiss whined.
"It was more of a personal theory," Yang said. "I always saw how you looked at her."
"It doesn't matter," Weiss said. "Nothing's going to happen with it."
Weiss took a deep breath, misery chipping at her thoughts.
"You don't know that," Yang said, setting down her phone.
"Yes, I do," Weiss said. "She's a lesbian."
"And you're a girl," Yang said. Weiss looked away.
Not a real one, her inner critic sneered.
"Weiss?" Yang said, scooting closer. Weiss grabbed the makeup removal wipes and began to clean off her face.
"Anyway, your crush?" Weiss asked, her voice breaking.
"Weiss," Yang said. "I know spiraling when I see it. I'm your friend, talk to me."
Weiss sighed, looking down.
"It's not going to happen, Yang."
"Why not?" Yang asked. "I mean, obviously if Blake says no, that's a different situation. But so far, why would you think you outright have no chance?"
"I just... like I said, she's only into women... real women," Weiss said. Yang's expression changed again, this time fierce and harsh.
"No," Yang cut her off. "Weiss, you are a real woman, you hear me?"
"I don't feel like one. I feel like a laughingstock. Sometimes it feels like my father's right," Weiss said.
"Right about what?" Yang asked.
"Once he found out, he would say I was delusional. A freak," Weiss said, wincing on that last word. Her father's words replayed over and over in her head, on a loop. "He told me it was a phase and when I argued with him, he..."
Weiss couldn't bring herself to say more. She remembered his palm, time after time, striking her face.
"Weiss," Yang said, anger poisoning her voice. "Your father isn't right about you. He's an asshole, an abusive asshole, and he has no clue who you are, okay?"
"I... wish I could believe that in my heart," Weiss said.
"Then I'll remind you until you do," Yang stated, determined.
"Doesn't change the facts," Weiss said. "Blake wouldn't want someone like me. She could have anyone."
"Weiss, you realize Blake sees you as a woman, too, right?" Yang asked.
"I just..." Weiss struggled with her words. "I don't want to be like Adam."
"Adam was a creep who didn't know the meaning of the word no," Yang said. "If Blake told you no, would you keep trying?"
"Obviously not," Weiss said. "But it'd hurt. And I know that's not fair. I don't want to feel that way."
"Weiss, there's a difference between friendzoning and unrequited love," Yang said. "Adam thought Blake owed him a relationship. He was controlling and awful and thought that just because he may have been nice to her once or twice, her not practically jumping into bed with him then and there was a personal attack. You're not convinced Blake would be saying no out of spite. Friendzoning isn't real, and that's what Adam refused to believe. This is different. If Blake wasn't interested, that'd be unrequited love. You'd accept her decision, even though it'd hurt. And that doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. It just means that you are in a sensitive place and feel hurt. And you're allowed to feel that way, Weiss. You'd never try to manipulate her, and that's the difference."
"I just wish I didn't feel this way," Weiss said. "I'm head over heels for her and I wish I wasn't. Every time she's around, I feel safe. It's not about anything physical. I just really want that emotional closeness, you know?"
"Yeah," Yang said. "I understand. You've been treated horribly for so long, and you feel like you don't deserve love. And at the same time, because of how you were treated, you desperately want someone to care about you that much. That's completely understandable, Weiss."
"I just feel so scared. I don't want to say anything, because it'll hurt if she doesn't see me that way. And I know that's not fair, but I don't know how to not feel that way. Whether I want to or not, I know it'll be something I take personally. Obviously I won't take it out on her, but I'm scared, Yang. I'm scared she will be grossed out, and want nothing to do with me, then I lose her as a friend, too."
"I doubt Blake would just want nothing to do with you just because you want to be her girlfriend, regardless of whether or not she feels the same," Yang said. "We already love you, Weiss. You're an amazing friend."
Weiss sighed, drying her eyes.
"I keep picturing watching a movie on the couch with her, everything just calm, my head on her leg. It sounds safe and comfortable. And it feels like my heart skips a beat every time she talks to me," Weiss said.
"Then, you need to ask her out," Yang said. "If this is something that you want that badly, you owe it to yourself to try. If she says no, then at the very least you can move on. And if she says yes, then you can actually feel these things instead of just absently hoping for them."
"But I can't," Weiss said. "I can't imagine actually managing to get those words out, to her. It was hard enough just telling you. How do I tell her?"
"Preferably at a nice restaurant," Yang said. "Probably somewhere affordable but still decent."
"She's not a fan of restaurants as much," Weiss said. "She'd generally probably prefer a coffeehouse. One with good tea. They're really calm environments."
"Gotcha. Well, you'd probably want to do something afterwards if she's up for it, like a movie, or maybe something like ice skating," Yang said.
"I've always wanted to skate," Weiss said. "But not for this first one. Besides, she generally prefers things that are quieter and more comfortable. Honestly, going back to her house and watching a movie, and having dinner, me, her, and her parents, would probably work pretty well."
"Honestly, it sounds like you've got this in the bag, Weiss. I'd give more advice but you probably know her better when it comes to this kind of thing," Yang said.
"But... how do I tell her?" Weiss asked. "That was where and when. But telling her is much easier said than done."
"Yup, the first one's always super nerve wracking. I'd love to tell you there's a secret to doing it easier. But there's not. It's just something you gotta grit your teeth and do."
Weiss nodded, nervously.
"Alright," she said.
"Like I said, this is all safe with me," Yang said.
"Thank you, Yang," Weiss said. "Anyway, who is your crush?"
"Damn," Yang said. "I was hoping you'd forgotten."
"You don't get out of it that easily," Weiss said.
"Alright. You know Neo, right?" Yang asked.
"Jaune's friend, right?" Weiss asked. "Small, pink and brown hair?"
"Yup. She's absolutely adorable and she is one hundred percent precious," Yang said.
"Huh," Weiss said. "I figured you being more into someone like Nora."
"Nah, I've dated people similarly to me. Turns out I don't like people with similar personalities that way," Yang said.
"What is your sexuality?" Weiss asked.
"I'm as bi as you can get," Yang grinned, picking up her phone again.
"Then I'll tell you what. I'll ask Blake out after you ask out Neo," Weiss said.
"Really?" Yang asked. "Alright."
"Now, if you don't mind, I'm exhausted, and I would like to take advantage of being allowed to sleep well again," Weiss said.
"Fair," Yang said. "Let me get Ruby to her room."
Yang lifted Ruby off of the couch, fireman style, and carried her out of the living room. Weiss stretched out on the couch, letting sleep wash over her.
I hope everyone's still enjoying the story, despite its long hiatus, and as always, all reviews and feedback are appreciated. Stay safe, everyone. I know everything's kinda crazy right now.
