Chapter 1: Unlikely Friends
Lie Ren sat underneath a large tree in one of the many gardens across beacon's campus reading a novel trying to relax after a long day of practicing with his team. Ren loved his team but at times they could be a tad loud for his liking making their room an uncomfortable area to reside in. Quietly evading his team and leaving his room he sought out the peace of the garden and the moments of escapism that a good novel could provide.
As Ren read, he could hear light footsteps but paid them no mind assuming that they were nothing more than someone strolling through the garden. Soon after Ren heard breathing, someone taking in deep controlled breaths clearly in an effort to clam themselves. Putting down his book Ren noticed that the breathing was coming from the other side of the tree he was sitting under. Leaning to his right to see around the tree, eventually long white hair came into view, quickly recognizing the person as Weiss Schnee.
It was clear to Ren that Weiss was distressed but Ren didn't really know how to approach the situation that laid Infront of him. Ren knew Weiss, considering her a colleague but he had never truly spoken to the girl outside of a group setting meaning that they had no true personal connection to speak of. He also knew of her status as the heir to the Schnee dust company, being a girl of both wealth and title gave Ren hesitation in even addressing her. Standing up and walking around to the other side of the tree Ren found Weiss sitting against the tree hugging her knees tight to her chest in a tight ball with her head facing down, "Uh excuse me, Miss Schnee are you alright?" Ren ask hoping that he wouldn't be immediately pushed away.
Weiss slowly lifted her head looking at Ren with a mix of embarrassment and confusion "I'm fine Ren just a bit overwhelmed at the moment" Weiss said rubbing the exhaustion from her eyes. Weiss patted the spot next to her, gesturing for Ren to sit down beside her. Despites Ren's inability to pick up on social ques he understood Weiss's request, sitting down but leaving a large space between them. "What are you doing out here Ren? I didn't really think you were one for the outdoors." Weiss asked.
"I just needed a quiet place to read, I enjoy nature but I'm not here to look at the flowers, the gardens are usually quiet. I would read in the library but very few people respect the be quiet rule of the library, so I favor reading here." Ren answered calmly. "Why are you here? I frequently come here but I don't think I've ever seen you walk through these gardens." Ren questioned.
Weiss let out a heavy sigh a tired tone apparent through her whole demeanour "I needed a moment to myself, Ruby and Yang both just don't know how sit still or keep their mouths shut and Blake does nothing but encourage their exploits. It's not that I don't like them, they are my team, I trust them with my life but at times I just can't handle it. Ruby can be so annoying and loud; I have to be with her through out the day, every class, in our dorm, there's just no escape, just no moment of peace where everything is quiet. Through out the day Ruby had be pestering me, I was so close to saying something I would have regretted so I left her without a word, now here I am" Weiss explained sorrowfully. "How do you do it? I don't mean to be rude in saying this, but Nora seems like a handful much more than what I could put up with, she must drive you insane" Weiss assumed.
"actually, she doesn't." Ren quickly answered without a moment of hesitation "Nora and I are very different people and I may not always agree with her antics, but her energy and constant talking is somewhat reassuring for me. I've come to see that it's just her way of showing that she cares. Constantly telling me every thought and asking for my opinion about the most insignificant of matters is Nora's way of showing that she cares about me and wants me around. Do I sometimes wish that she would be quieter, relaxed, calm? Yes, I do, but If she was then she wouldn't be herself." Ren openly answered giving his unobstructed thoughts about his closest friend.
Weiss was clearly surprised by Ren's response taking a moment to think before voicing her thoughts "So, you just accept her boisterous behaviour? Don't you feel an ounce of rage with her inability to take her schooling seriously? With Ruby it's all fun and games, I know that she's trying but even her best attempts lack any consistent self discipline." Weiss snidely responded.
"Ms. Schnee life is all about compromise, Ruby may at times be an annoyance to you but isn't she also a good friend, a reliable team member and someone that would never intentionally harm you? Ruby may have some qualities' that you find unappealing but everyone's imperfect, we all do the best with what we have." Ren firmly stated.
"I know that this may sound arrogant or spoiled but I've never had to compromise in my life. While I lived in Atlas whatever I wanted was mine, my surroundings would bend to my whims. It's very foreign for me to be accompanied by people who aren't as refined as myself." Weiss said in a mix of remorseful narcissism.
"But don't you find your teams companionship more genuine then your previous experiences?" Ren quickly questioned.
Weiss gave Ren a confused expression "How so?" not fully understanding the meaning behind Ren's query.
"You said yourself that back in Atlas the people that surrounded you would obey your every wish? Don't you think those relationships were built more on money and status rather than a real want for friendship. Ruby and your team show a real interest in you, though their attention may be overwhelming it's something that shouldn't be taken for granted." Ren advised.
"I hate that I can't see these things myself, I guess that my ideals my be a bit clouded by my upbringing. If I'm completely honest I never thought you would be the person to help with my problems" Weiss embarrassedly stated.
"I'm aware that I'm not the most social person, though I have found that observing the relationships of those around me has given me some insight into what's important." Ren responded. The two sat under the tree for a moment neither of them speaking a single word. Meet with this moment of silence Ren didn't know what the next proper step in their exchange was so he once again opened his book and returned to a world of fiction.
The two said in this peaceful silence for a half hour until Weiss spoke, "Ren?" Weiss asked.
"Yes Ms. Schnee?" Ren responded.
"You should talk more; you have much that's worth saying" Weiss complemented. Ren froze for a moment unsure of how to reply merrily giving Weiss a shy smile "Ren?" Weiss asked again as she stood up from her spot beside the tree.
"Yes Ms. Schnee?" Ren politely answered.
"Why do you call me Ms. Schnee?" Weiss questioned.
Ren quickly became embarrassed, confronted with his choice of words Ren found it awkward to explain his speech. "I'm so terribly sorry, I just thought that with your status it was appropriate, do you prefer to be addressed by another title?" Ren asked.
"Yes please, I would be preferred to be called Weiss" Weiss lightly chuckled.
"Whatever you wish Ms. Sch- I mean Wiess" Ren said quickly correcting himself
"It's been quite lovely talking to you Ren but I'm afraid that I must depart, I'm sure that my team has been worried about me and my absence isn't making anything better. I hope we can talk again in the near future." Weiss simple stated as she began to walk away giving a small wave as she left.
Ren waved back to Weiss returning to his book while thinking over the strange friendship that had just began to bloom.