Here we go.

Cover Art: Z-ComiX

Chapter 88

What bothered Ruby the most was how little the attack on Vale bothered the Collegium. Arcanists and Initiates moved around as normal, to and from lessons, chatting and face-deep in their various tomes. There was no grieving, no lingering shock or horror; the Collegium acted as though nothing had happened.

At first, she thought she was judging them too harshly – that her own pain was making her see apathy in them unfairly. But the more she looked the less they seemed to care. People were laughing – laughing – and the lawns outside the initiate's dorms were strewn with brightly coloured blankets as the students enjoyed a midday picnic, dining on fine treats and chilled drinks. The sun shone over the Collegium and everyone was out enjoying it as if it were just another day.

Ruby trudged past them, wet and miserable and angry.

No one got in her way. They could tell her mood before they saw her and the robes of an Arcanist, sodden as they were, still carried weight. Leaving the busier section of the Collegium behind, she made her way to the dorm building she and Weiss stayed at, wishing nothing more than to fall into her bed and sleep. Or cry. Whichever came first.

"Ruby!"

Pyrrha spotted her. Ruby could have groaned but wasn't able to escape as Pyrrha swept her up into an uncharacteristically strong hug. It was so much like Yang's, so full of the fear of losing her and relief at finding her, that Ruby melted a little and returned it. She couldn't be angry at Pyrrha like this.

"You're alive!" Pyrrha whispered, pushing her face into the top of Ruby's head. "I'm so glad! I kept telling Weiss you would be, but I didn't know. I was just trying to keep her spirits up and…"

"I get it," Ruby mumbled into the older girl's chest. "I made it."

"You did." Pyrrha released her and laughed brightly, a ringing peal like a silver bell. "And I bet there's a story and a half as to how you survived as well. I want to hear it, but Weiss would never forgive me if I left her to fret for your safety while I heard it. How about over lunch? You must be starving."

"Actually, I-" Ruby's stomach growled fiercely. It had actually been almost a full day since she'd had a proper meal, and all that running through the outskirts and fighting hadn't helped any. "Um. Food sounds good. Really good…"

"I'll go reserve us a table and ask the cooks to start preparing. You're soaked." Pyrrha's hand played with a wet lock of Ruby's hair. "I'll make sure it's something warm and filling. You go talk to Weiss and tell her you're okay, then meet me at the tavern. Okay? We can all talk there."

"Mm. Okay."

"Good." Pyrrha hugged her again, whispering, "I really am glad you're okay."

Ruby smiled. Pyrrha felt just like Yang right now. "Yeah. Me too."

The interior of the building was just about empty, aside from a few servants moving around to clean and prepare food for later. They bowed to her, one even offering to take and dry her robes. Ruby politely turned them down and trudged up the stairs to her and Weiss' shared room, unsure if she was or wasn't looking forward to the interrogation that would come.

They're just relieved I'm okay. I can't be upset about that…

On the other hand, she was tired and wet and hungry and shaken over everything she'd seen. The temptation to blow them both off was big, but Ruby forced herself to knock on the door and smile, even if she wanted to scream. "H-Hey Weiss," she called through. "It's me…"

Loud thumping from within approached the door, which wrenched open inward. Weiss stood there, eyes wide and mouth open. There were no words at first. Weiss' eyes flickered over her, left, right, down and up, as if making sure she was there and wasn't missing any limbs. Only when she'd performed a full check did she speak.

"Y-You're okay?"

"I'm okay." Ruby smiled awkwardly. "As okay as I can be considering…"

"You look awful!" Okay, well, thanks for the compliment? Ruby shrugged and allowed Weiss to drag her in and sit her down. "Your hair is wet and your robes… off with them. I'll fetch you some spares and a towel."

Ruby peeled her clothing off and set it on the floor to take down to the cleaners later. Sat in just her undergarments, she felt Weiss kneel on the bed behind her and soon had her vision overtaken by a fluffy cream towel. Weiss was not gentle in her treatment, less drying and more rubbing Ruby's scalp raw. All the time, she talked.

"You'll need a proper bath later and I expect you to clean yourself properly. When did you last eat? Never mind, it's you, you always have room for more food in that gluttonous stomach of yours. Have you seen Pyrrha? Does she know you're okay?"

"Yes Weiss," Ruby answered to each question. "And I saw her outside. She's reserving us a table at our usual place…"

"Hmph. Just like you to seek out food before me."

"I didn't-"

"But you are okay and that's a relief. Look at me." Weiss tilted Ruby's head up, staring into slowly blinking silver eyes. "Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?"

Helplessly, Ruby shrugged.

"Are you okay…?" she pressed.

"As okay as anyone can be…"

Yang was alive. Blake was alive. She was alive. So many people weren't, but Ruby was one of the lucky ones and she had to remember that. There might be survivors who had lost everything. It didn't feel right to weep when they'd suffered so much more.

"I… I understand." Weiss brushed her fingers through Ruby's hair, parting and styling it with a much gentler hand. "The Grimm caught everyone by surprise. Everyone but Lady Goodwitch," she added proudly. "Did you fight some out there?"

Ruby nodded.

"I hope Lord Branwen looked after you."

"He did his best. I'm alive."

"Yes. I should thank him for that if I ever meet him. Hands up." Weiss pulled a fresh robe down over Ruby's head while she held her arms up obediently. Once it was on, the white-haired girl smoothed it out and gently tied the knotted belt, looping it back on itself. "There. You look so much better now, a true Arcanist of the White."

She knew Weiss' comments and treatment were meant to comfort, so Ruby smiled even if she didn't feel it inside. This was Weiss' way of trying to look out for her, or so she assumed. In all honesty if it had been left to her then she'd have probably gone to meet Pyrrha in her same clothes. Ruby didn't have the energy for much of anything.

Maybe some food and drink will help…

Or failing that, some good company.

/-/

"What really happened out there, Qrow?"

"Nothing more or less than what I told you." He opened the silver flask on his hip and took a long swig. Glynda's lips twisted in displeasure – as Qrow's own parents would have if they were still alive to see what their son and heir had become. "A little more desperate than the telling, a little more luck than skill on my part."

"I find it hard to believe you were able to defeat so many Grimm."

"You and me both. Ruby helped." He watched Glynda's eyes widen momentarily. "Distracted them at a key moment," he added, dashing such thoughts. "I won't say she was competent by any means, but we'd be dead without her. That girl needs a bit more training when it comes to offensive spells, especially when she's under pressure."

"I see." Glynda sat back, eyes closed and lips downturned. "It was all you, then?"

"Course. What else did you think it'd be?"

"And you didn't notice anything… unusual about her?"

"Fitter than the average noble brat, less entitled, less whiny. I chalk that up to her losing everything and having to survive on her own. I hear she runs with the Newbloods, too."

"On the odd mornings," Glynda confirmed. "She is a girl with a lot of energy."

"She's fifteen. That's to be expected. I hear her friends are capable as well. Weiss Schnee and Pyrrha Nikos, isn't it?"

"Lady Nikos was already an Arcanist when they met, but yes, Lady Schnee has grown well and is quite loyal to the White. They've both become Arcanists far sooner than expected - Rose quicker than Schnee."

"Helps to have an Arcanist friendly to you, I guess. Nikos must have helped them. And she has a mentor, doesn't she?"

"Lord Merlot."

"Ugh. That old quack." Qrow didn't like the man. He couldn't like anyone who was so interested in opening up creatures to look inside them. "Last I heard he wasn't so good at combat spells either. Guess he hasn't taught her any."

"I suppose not. I'll suggest she take some training with the Crimson. We both know we'll all need it for the coming days. I may well have it mandated for every Initiate and new Arcanist."

Qrow hummed his agreement. It looked like Glynda had given up on her suspicion for now, but the fact she prodded at all was a bad sigh. Ruby hadn't been as subtle as she thought she'd been. Few people can sneak by Glynda so easily. If she knew for sure then Ruby would be in the Sanctum already. Right now she just suspects something is off, but she's not sure what.

He'd have to warn Ruby later.

"Not a bad plan. Speaking of plans, I walked through a marshy graveyard on my way here." His eyes narrowed. "That your work?"

"Yes." Glynda didn't try to bullshit him. "Yes, it was."

"Ozpin would never have accepted that."

"He wouldn't have. I wish he were still here, Qrow, so that I didn't have to deal with this at all. Alas, I'm left in charge and a decision had to be made. I chose what I believed to be the best one."

"The best for whom?"

"For the city. And yes, I know, those who lived below would disagree with me. I can't change that. For what it's worth the plan was run by the King."

"And he didn't care about their lives? Why am I not surprised?"

"The slum-dwellers did not pay taxes. They were a burden on the city."

"Are you that heartless?"

"Of course not!" she said crossly. "I'm only giving you his reasoning. Would that I had another way, Qrow. Would that we had an army of Arcanists to fight them. I was faced with the prospect of Vale becoming another Menagerie. If they couldn't fight the Grimm back then I doubt we could. Our survival called for another plan."

"Use the people of the slums as bait to draw the Grimm in, then kill them all in one go while the monsters are distracted ripping people to pieces. What a great fucking plan."

"It worked, didn't it?"

Qrow snarled. "Is that all you care about? Results?"

"It's all I can afford to care about!" Glynda roared, slamming her hands down and rising to her feet. "What do you want of me, Qrow? I have all of Vale expecting me to fix this problem. There's a war coming – a war that has already destroyed one Collegium – and the Arcanists, the citizens, the king and everyone in between are expecting us to deal with it."

"The White does not falter. The White will save the day. The White will fix this mess." Her fist punched down with enough force to shake the desk. Glynda's knuckles bled. "If I stop to think of everything we've done, I'll be the first to falter! I cannot afford to. No one can afford me to. No one can afford you to, either." she said, pointing at him. "You are Lord Qrow Branwen, our best Investigator. Even among the Crimson, few can defeat you in combat. I know you have reason to hate the White, Qrow. We all know you let that Wildmage escape twenty years ago-"

Qrow grinned. "What Wildmage…?"

"I was the one who found you by the memory alteration potion. That you'd go that far for someone like her-"

"The White doesn't falter, Glynda. Neither do I."

"We have different definitions of what it means to falter then," she snapped. "I don't care to argue with you over them. I said to Rose that the Arcana need stay united. The same goes for us. We're the two most powerful people in the White, possibly in the Collegium itself, and we can't afford to be at one another's throats. Not at a time like this."

"Then why are you questioning me?"

"Because there has been a Wildmage on the loose. Because that Wildmage was found within the slums. Because that Wildmage failed to act in defence of the slums when it was flooded, which suggests to me they are no longer there. Because I know you have shown leniency to their kind before."

Qrow crossed his arms. "I thought we were focused on the Grimm? If there's a Wildmage around then I'd say this is the worst time to try and agitate them. Who knows, they might even help us with the Grimm. It's their home as well."

"Or they'll draw the Grimm right to us. Don't let your feelings for one woman cloud your judgment, Qrow. Don't sacrifice everything we've worked for over one person."

"I live by my own rules. You want us to stop butting heads then the first thing you can do is stay out of my business." Qrow turned away, waving over one shoulder. "I'll help you with the Grimm but I ain't hunting this Wildmage of yours until they do something wrong."

"The White-"

"Can kiss my ass. It already cost me my sister and the woman I loved." He glared back, reddish eyes narrowed. "Don't think I'll let it fuck with my life any more than it already has. Or you'll find that the Grimm are the least of your problems…"

/-/

For once Weiss was letting her stuff her face with no regard for manners. Ruby hadn't realised just how hungry she was until the food was put before her – pork and beef smothered in thick gravy, mashed potatoes piled high and steamed vegetables so soft they melted in her mouth. Ruby polished off hers and even a healthy dose of Weiss' that the girl had spooned onto her plate once she saw how hungry she was.

There hadn't been any time to eat with Qrow once they went out on their hunt, a task that was only meant to last a few hours but ended up taking the whole night. When she got back, she'd been too focused on finding out if Yang was okay to think about the gnawing hunger.

Maybe in a way she'd grown used to that, too. Hunger was a state most people in the slums – those who had once lived there, she reminded herself – were used to.

Not anymore. They'll never need to worry about finding their next meal again…

Ruby dashed her morbid thoughts away with hearty ale, washing the pain down and drowning it under froth and bubbles. Pyrrha and Weiss allowed her more time than she expected before finally breaking their silence and asking for details. The top floor of the tavern was empty enough. It was still too early for most Arcanists to want to drink, so Ruby gave them the full – if edited – story.

"My goodness!" Pyrrha recoiled. "I've never even heard of a Grimm that large. I can't imagine what it would have done if it reached the walls."

"It's a good job Lord Branwen was there to deal with it," Weiss said.

Her story had of course suggested Qrow dealt with everything. Safer that way. What she didn't leave out was the encounter with the Rogue Arcanist however, or the gemstone found in his Arcanum. Goodwitch would be angry, but Ruby didn't much care right now.

"He was of the White?" Weiss asked.

"Yeah. Lady Goodwitch wanted that kept secret though."

"Then why did you tell us?"

Ruby shrugged.

"Likely because she trusts us to keep it hidden," Pyrrha said. Close, but not quite. Ruby just hadn't cared enough to. "I happen to think Lady Goodwitch's thoughts on this are a little naïve too. Every Arcana has its traitors, some more dangerous than others, but still. There's little point in trying to act like the White has none. People aren't so stupid as to believe that."

"I think it's more the severity of this case," Weiss countered. "Vale has been attacked. Obviously, whomever is behind this is deranged entirely, but people might blame the White if they found out one of us was involved. Lady Goodwitch is just trying to keep us all united. This person confirmed themselves a lackey anyway, there could well be traitors from every Arcana involved."

"True…"

"It's not worth arguing over," Weiss said. "And it's not worth letting everyone else argue over it either. The guilty will be found and dealt with in time. There's no reason to point fingers at those of us still loyal."

"Someone is full of fire." Pyrrha remarked with a coy smile.

Weiss both blushed and smiled at the same time, tossing her hair back. "What can I say? I'm proud of how the White has handled things thus far. They – we – were prepared for the Grimm, had arranged countermeasures and were able to fight off their first attack for almost no losses. It's a great win for the Collegium."

Ruby's voice came out hoarse. "A great win…?"

"Of course," Weiss continued obliviously. "The Grimm were repelled."

"It was probably only the first wave," Pyrrha warned her.

"Oh, I know. We still managed to drive them back however, and for very little!"

"Very little…?" Ruby's breathing came out faster and faster. This had to be a mistake. Weiss must have been talking about something else. "W-What do you mean little!?"

Weiss flinched. "W-Well, I don't mean that it was without consequence. Obviously, there's a lot of damage that's been done to the city and that will need to be repaired. I'm sure they can fix some of that-"

"The slums are flooded!" Ruby yelled.

"They flood all the time. It's no different from normal."

No different. No different!? The floods were a nightmare at the best of times but at least people had some warning! They had time to prepare and get away, time to save themselves. This… There'd been nothing. No one had time and thousands had died.

"The important thing is that the Grimm were repelled," Weiss went on. "Flooding the slums again isn't something anyone is pleased about, but it's such a small sacrifice to pay in the grand scheme of things."

Ruby wobbled on her stool. Vertigo almost had her falling off.

"I'm sure they understand." Weiss said. "Even the people who lived there would understand that."

A small sacrifice. Ruby opened her mouth but only a shaky rattle came forth. Pyrrha noticed, brow creasing in concern, but Weiss was too lost in the telling to see it and kept going.

"The important thing is that something was done. We didn't sit idle. The White saw the threat and acted to protect the city from it – unlike what happened at Menagerie. I'm proud of the fact I had a hand in that."

Ruby's heart clenched tight. "Y-You were involved…?"

"Weiss-" Pyrrha tried to warn.

"I certainly was!" Weiss puffed her chest out proudly. "I was right there in the mountains; I threw my own magic into breaking the dam and unleashing the floodwater."

Ruby's vision winked out for a moment, black creeping in at the edges of her eyes before snapping back. She dipped – almost tumbled – and caught herself on the table's edge. Why? Why did Weiss sound so happy? Why was she talking like this?

"Ruby," Pyrrha said. "Are you okay?"

"-and it was exhausting. I've never felt so mentally drained." Weiss laughed. "That's the sign of a job well done I suppose. It's satisfying to know I was able to do this for the city. That'll show all the doubters. Just because my father was a merchant doesn't mean I can't help in clearing out the filth daring to infest our fair city."

Too much. It was too much. Ruby surged to her feet, upending the wooden table and shattering plates and glasses onto the floor. Weiss lurched back, while Pyrrha rocked to her feet, dodging food that would have otherwise sprayed on her.

"W-What-!?"

"They were people!" Ruby screamed into Weiss' face. "They were people – good people – and they're all dead!"

"Ruby, what-?"

"They're dead because of you!" she shrieked, stabbing her hand into Weiss' chest. She could, with a flair of her Wildmagic, have killed her on the spot. The thought had her choking back a sob and wrenching her hand away. Tears running down her cheeks, Ruby fled, dashing through the shards of crockery and down the stairs with Pyrrha and Weiss' calls in her ears.

The Collegium had killed her people. The White Arcana had killed her people.

Weiss had killed her people…

/-/

Ruby hammered on the door, ignoring the curious looks of everyone around them. People who were wondering why an Arcanist of all things was in the barracks; why a female Arcanist might be in the barracks, looking as bad as she did and slamming on the door to one of their own quarters. She didn't care. Ruby kept pounding away until it opened.

"Ruby…?" Jaune Arc looked surprised to see her and even more surprised at her tears. "Ruby, what's wrong?"

"I-I can't!" she babbled. "I can't!" Pushing into him and forcing him back, she made the door close behind her. "A-All dead. Weiss killed them. The White killed them. Please, I can't go back tonight!"

"What!? Killed who? Ruby, what's-"

"Let me stay here!" she begged. "Please let me stay here. O-One night, that's all!"

"Of course you can stay." Jaune half-led, half-steered her toward his bed and pushed her down onto it. The sheets were dark-blue. That was all she saw before she was on her side, knees against her chest. Jaune pulled the blanket up over her, tucking her in as he might have one of his sisters. "I'll not tell anyone you're here," he promised. "Sun won't talk if I ask him not to. Stay as long as you need. I…" He swallowed. "I'll be here if you want to talk."

"They're all dead!"

"Who is dead?" he asked. "Who died?"

"E-Everyone in the slums."

"The lower district? What do-" His eyes widened. "Do you mean the flood that fought the Grimm back? But surely everyone had time to get out-" He cut himself off. "They didn't get out, did they?"

"So many bodies," Ruby wept. "W-We were swimming through them. Children. Floating. I-I can't… I can't… and Weiss – she… Weiss did…" Ruby buried her face into his pillow and screamed in a mixture of pain and rage. If it weren't for Jaune's hand – and his power – on her back, stroking, she wasn't sure if her Wildmagic wouldn't have erupted and killed everyone in the vicinity. "There were so many of them, now there's none."

"I'm sorry." He settled down beside her and continued to rub her back. "I know that doesn't mean much, but I'm sorry. If there was anything I could have done…"

There was nothing. They both knew that. From what she knew from his mother, he was as much a victim as her. The only kindness was that he'd soon not remember any of this. He was doomed to end up like his father, a slave to the Collegium with few memories to call his own.

"I hate it!" she raged. "I hate this place! I hate magic!"

"Yeah." Jaune smiled bitterly and rubbed her back. "Me too, Ruby. Me too…"

Sad face.

Poor Weiss has no idea, though she'll get one next chapter. On a random - incredibly random – note, a friend linked me a video for a new anime out that he said I had to see. Not because it's good but because the story and lines are so hilariously weird or even bad.

It's called Bottleman and omfg it's like big soda brands came together to write an awful anime promoting themselves. It's like Beyblade, but with bottle caps and the voices (at least on the dub) are so painfully weird. Also there's a person literally called Dew Montana (like Mountain Dew) and Cota Coda (for Coca Cola).

My brain cannot handle it. And they drink fizzy pop to get super powers? Or so it seems from the clip I saw. This kid just makes a huge show of screwing the cap off his drink and then can teleport all of a sudden. It's so strange. Makes me remember that for all the crap I give RWBY, there is SO MUCH WORSE out there.

Next Chapter: 23rd May

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur