[Weiss]

The pain and cramping had begun to ease up hours ago with the assistance of pain medication given to her by the hospital, they had insisted she take it and had ignored her father's protesting. Weiss had practically felt the irritation radiating off of him when he didn't get his way, but he still played the role of a caring and worried father perfectly. "Bastard. . ."

Weiss' eyes skimmed over the paper her nurse had given her, informing her of what to expect and what to do now that she's returned home. She disregarded information warning her about intercourse, she didn't have to worry about that. It was pretty obvious and shouldn't need to be said, in her opinion. According to the hospital, her uterus had completely emptied itself out and no intervention was required, she was told to consider herself lucky for some unknown reason.

Judging by what she'd read she should be able to resume light activities here soon. That is, if her father cared about her well-being. In just a few hours, she would be meeting Liam to discuss their supposed engagement. Weiss had tried to escape the mansion once she'd felt better, but there were guards at every possible exit. One had escorted her back to her bedroom and currently stood outside her door in case she made an attempt to run away again.

"No use in delaying the inevitable." Weiss thought, folding the paper and rising from her bed. A twinge of discomfort poked at her abdomen and the woman winced, breathing in as it quickly subsided and making her way to her dresser. "Though, it'd be amazing if I could reverse time and prevent any of this from happening. . ."

Three days had passed since the incident, but it felt like an eternity. Maybe all of this was just a bad dream and she could wake up at any second. When she woke, Ruby would be right by her side. Unfortunately, this was reality now. Her partner was gone, she wasn't ever coming back.

Weiss' eyes glanced down to the ring she wore on her finger and she reluctantly removed it, caressing the silver metal with her thumb. A silver snowflake adorning a heart-shaped sapphire diamond sat in the center, and Weiss could just vaguely see herself through the the polished diamond. Memories flashed through her mind; being lead through the forest by her hyperactive girlfriend (at the time) and following her into a clearing, Zwei and his little part in the arrangement, Ruby's fingers working the flowers into her hair, and the proposal. . .

"I-I know I'm not wealthy like your previous suitors."

Weiss closed her eyes, "Why would I have cared about that?" Yes, she used to care about her wealth and her reputation, but she'd learned that there was much more to life than that. She discovered that most of her suitors were trying to work their way into her family name, just like her father. They only seen her as a prize to be won. Ruby, on the other hand, had loved her for who she was. She helped her find her true self.

"Our first encounter wasn't all that great, either. I made a horrible first impression. . ."

Had she not met the perky redhead, she would have remained a cold, spoiled bitch who got everything she would ever want. Well, almost. Money didn't buy happiness. . . At least, for some. There would have always been a piece of her missing, no matter how well-off she was. She would have always been lonely. Weiss chuckled weakly, "No, that was me. I was the bitch. You were fine."

"I-I can't give you the world, or buy you everything you want."

Weiss gently squeezed the ring before reluctantly setting it on her desk, she opened her eyes to see her reflection staring back at her in the mirror. "What could I have possibly wanted that I didn't already have?" She'd had her team, her friends. She'd had Ruby.

"I can give you my heart."

That's all she wanted, that's all she really needed. Weiss hadn't cared what she'd have to go through as long as her partner was there to support her. Because of Ruby, she'd had a family. Ruby and Yang's father had willingly accepted her as part of the family when he'd learned of the engagement. Blake's parents had been a bit wary of her at first due to her name, but eventually came around. Blake's father had been nothing but a big teddy bear. . .

Had she lived, and had Weiss known. . . Weiss bit her lip and forced down the sob rising up to her throat. She and Ruby had often talked about having a family, and she'd been looking forward to it. Ruby already had names picked out, she'd even been willing to make her life as a huntress a side job to stay at home and care for the children. For a brief moment, Weiss had felt guilty, feeling as though she'd asked Ruby to throw aside her dream for something so small.

"Weiss, I would gladly give up everything for you and our kids when we have them. Nothing would be more important."

Look at that, she'd destroyed two of Ruby's dreams. . .

Knock knock.

Weiss reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes, allowing her vision to clear before moving away from her desk to approach the door. She hoped she didn't look too bad, considering it was probably her father coming to remind her of her meeting with Liam. Weiss opened the door, preparing herself for the scrutinizing glare from her father and the possible insults about her appearance. It wasn't her father on the other side of the door, though. . .

"Blake?" Weiss frowned and Blake cocked a brow in amusement. Weiss glanced around for the guard in confusion. They would have never allowed a faunus to enter the Schnee mansion, not unless they were a slave. The hallway was clear, save for Blake. "I'm sorry, I didn't expect to see you. . . What do you need?" She asked, returning her attention to her friend. The woman held up a familiar red piece of cloth and Weiss felt her heart clench again, having finally noticed the matching red sash around Blake's waist.

"Yang and I decided to do something with this instead of carrying it around everywhere." Blake replied and Weiss gestured for the black-haired woman to enter, she closed the door behind her and turned to meet her friend's golden eyes, "It was kind of in the way since we're staying in a small hotel room."

Weiss rolled her eyes, irritation bubbling up inside of her as she approached her bed. Her heart clenched as the fading smell of roses drifted towards her, signalling that Blake had followed her. "Good," she whispered, seating herself on the mattress and leaning against the headboard, "it won't go to waste."

"It's dark in here." Blake commented and Weiss glanced in her direction, "If you comment on my night vision, I will walk out of this room." Weiss hummed, shifting so that she was in a more comfortable position and patting the space next to her for Blake to sit down. Said woman obliged, "Before I ask anything else, how are you feeling? Still in pain?"

Weiss shook her head, "I have a few cramps here and there, but the medication seems to have helped. Please don't mention this again," she requested, wanting to be in the best mood possible for tonight, even if it would be forced, "what are you here for?"

"Yang made her part of the cloak into a scarf that turns into a hood." Blake replied, setting the remains of the cloak in her lap.

"Creative," Weiss murmured quietly, forcing her icy gaze to lock with Blake's golden eyes again, "it's expected of her. So you turned yours into a sash?" She asked, gesturing to the red cloth around Blake's waist, she received a nod in response, "What are you going to do with the rest? I would suggest sending it to-"

"No, it's yours." Blake cut her off and Weiss watched the other woman unfolded the rose emblem hiding underneath, "You were part of Team RWBY." Blake smiled softly, "You were also her fianceé, so I think this belongs to you."

She wanted to reach out and touch the soft material that Ruby had wrapped around her when she was not feeling well, Weiss recalled the many times she'd unclipped the pin from Ruby's cloak when the younger woman had fallen asleep the moment she laid down. Ruby would also allow her to use it as a blanket whenever she was away, it used to bring her some sense of comfort. Now. . . Could she touch it? Would it still feel the same? It was only one piece, of course it wouldn't be the same. The scent would eventually fade away, too. But maybe. . . Hesitantly, Weiss reached out for it.

"Don't ever touch it again! Don't even look at it!"

She pulled her hand away before she could touch the silver rose, Weiss released a shaky breath she hadn't realized she was holding and looked back at Blake, Yang's words played on repeat in her head. "I vividly recall Yang insisting I don't deserve to have anything left her."

Blake frowned, "That's not what she said and you know it." The woman placed the cloth and the rose into Weiss' palm and the white-haired woman's heart skipped a beat again, she instinctively grasped the emblem and her finger traced the pin. She didn't notice Blake moving off the bed, "Your servant told me I need to leave as soon as I can. Your father wouldn't like a faunus being in here. . . I'll see you tomorrow, Weiss."

Oh, right, her father. She had to get dressed for tonight, she still had to meet Liam. Wait. . . Weiss looked towards her friend just before Blake opened the door, "What do I do with this?" She had an idea.

Blake offered her a smile, "Whatever you want to do with it."

"Perfect."

"Just what in the world are you wearing?!"

"This is the gown you purchased for me, is it not?"

"You know very well what I'm referring to, young lady! Take whatever it is out of your hair this instant!"

The red cloth she'd been given had been turned into a ribbon, Weiss had set aside her tiara and replaced it with the rose, attaching it to the bow she'd tied into her ponytail. For some strange reason, she felt more at ease. Perhaps it was the fact she had part of Ruby with her? It was like she could feel her presence- well, she felt someone's presence, but she chose for it to be Ruby's. At least, she hoped it was. Ruby wouldn't allow her to go through this alone, right? She'd always been there when she needed her.

"I like it." Weiss replied calmly, turning her attention to two approaching figures down the hall. They both seemed to be middle-aged, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. Maybe they'd reconsidered the engagement? She could feel the glare her father had given her before greeting the couple with a practiced polite tone, he spoke their names, but she didn't catch what they were It didn't matter, though. It was her turn. . . "It's nice to finally meet you," she smiled, quietly growling on the inside, "I've heard a lot about your family."

The man with jet black hair and forest green eyes spoke next, returning the greeting before furrowing his brow. He glanced towards Jacques and unspoken words were exchanged between the two. Weiss stiffened as the Mr. Greer approached her and began to circle her, examining her as though she were on display. Irritation pricked inside of Weiss' chest as he continued scrutinize her. "Why are you circling me?" She had to fight the urge to scowl at him, "What were you, a vulture in another life?"

Mr. Greer glanced back up to her and he hummed thoughtfully, "Her appearance is perfection, other than that one flaw," he glared disapprovingly at her, he was obviously referring to her scar, "but her physique. . ." Weiss just barely held her tongue, "I do hope the children inherit most the Greer family genes." Now she was seething. . . How dare he! Before Weiss could say anything in response, the man turned back to her father, "I was hoping we could discuss something in private, if that's okay with you, Mr. Schnee?"

"Of course! It has been such a long time since we discussed anything concerning our companies." Weiss rolled her eyes at her father's facade, "Where is your son?" Oh great, she was being sent to meet some strange man alone! This was going to go smoothly. . .

"He's outside, we asked him to wait for your daughter's arrival. He is quite old enough to handle this on his own." Mr. Greer replied.

Jacques glanced towards her, "Weiss-"

"Yeah, I'm going." Weiss muttered bitterly, turning away from them and starting down the hallway towards the exit. Over the clacking of her heels, she heard Mr. Greer comment on her attitude and her father apologize, saying that she would be straightened out later. She didn't care. . .

A sudden wave of melancholy surrounded her, causing her heart to grow heavy and her shoulders to slack as if she were carrying the weight of the world upon her. A million incoherent thoughts ran through her mind, some of them wondering if her Ruby was still alive, and some blaming her for the hyperactive woman's death. Ruby was the strongest person she knew, she couldn't really be dead, could she? But. . . She'd have returned to her by now. . .

Her icy gaze fixated on the floor, she didn't look up to the guards when the doors were opened and she stepped out into the cold Atlas air. It was only when she heard a young man's voice did she snap back into reality, she glanced to see a man with combed dark brown hair, a goatee, and lime green eyes staring back at her. "Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized as he approached her, "I was lost in my thoughts. Are you Liam?"

"I am," Liam smiled politely, then nervousness crossed his features, "do I need to bow or something? I'm really sorry, I'm inexperienced with this." Weiss shook her head and he released a sigh of relief, "So um. . . You're really pretty."

"Thank you." She was blunt with her response, wanting to show as little emotion as possible. "Our parents are discussing political matters," Weiss gestured towards the mansion, "I could show you around? You must be cold." She wasn't that heartless.

Liam's eyes lit up and Weiss frowned, "That would be great!" That was Ruby's voice. . . Part of her wanted to look around for her beloved, but her gut told her it was just her mind playing tricks on her. Liam's nervousness had reminded her of the redhead, causing her to hear Ruby instead. She must've zoned out, because she was reeled back into consciousness when Liam spoke again, "Um, Weiss? If I am allowed to call you that. . . Are you okay?"

Weiss nodded mutely, ignoring the brief cramps in her abdomen and leading the young man into the mansion. "Wow, it's a lot fancier than I imagined!" Liam commented, examining the interior in awe. Weiss momentarily spaced out again.

"Oh my-! Weiss, this is where you live?"

"Lived, actually. We have our own home now, Ruby."

"Yeah, I know, and it's amazing! But this place. . . It's- It's bigger than I thought it would be!"

Weiss glanced over her shoulder at Liam, who was wearing the exact same expression of pure astonishment as Ruby did when she'd first entered her home. The white-haired woman drew in a deep breath, "Please, keep your amazement to yourself," that came out sounding more icy than she had originally intended, "this place is really nothing special." She didn't find anything remarkable about the mansion, at least, not anymore. She used to take pride in her home and had usually been more than happy to show it off to any visitors when they stopped by. Though, it had become rare for her father to allow anybody inside.

She could only guess that people were commenting on the fact that any trace of her grandfather had been removed as an attempt to completely erase his memory.

Liam came to her side, "Did I upset you? It was not my intention, if I did."

She stopped and took a few steps away from the man. "No, you're fine, you're not the one to blame. . . You seem nice enough, but please don't invade my space like that." She turned down the hall, paying no attention to Liam's sincere-sounding apology. "Come. The tour begins now."

I don't like this chapter. . .

There's just something about it that makes me think it's absolutely horrid. . .