"Alright. So. We know your secret." Nora said, pressing her hands together. Weiss tensed up, trying with all her might to keep herself from bolting back into that maze like passage. "Yes, I'm sorry, but we do know. There's someone tracking you, and WE need to catch THEM." Nora pointed at herself and Ren for dramatic effect.
Someone tracking her? Well, stalking and tracking were basically interchangeable. So it was either stalker number 1, or number 2, Weiss figured, since Henry had been number 4 and it now turned out that Nora's boyfriend Ren was number 3.
"The original plan was for Ren to bring you over when you were half asleep, but that failed spectacularly, so I snuck into the inn and stole a key instead." Nora explained.
"You don't work there!?" Weiss exclaimed.
Nora gave her a confused look. "You didn't even check? They don't have people cleaning the rooms there! That'd be an invasion of privacy! Oh my god I feel so bad. You're so trusting." Nora looked away guiltily.
"How would I know that?! You said you know my secret, you should know I haven't been out in the real world much!" Weiss held back the urge to pout.
Nora winced. "Yeah, a dragon wouldn't get out much, huh?"
Wait, wait. ...Dragon?
Weiss blinked "Dragon?"
"We know you can change to human form. We haven't told anyone, you're fine." Ren assured.
Wha, no, no! That wasn't the secret! A dragon? A dragon?! Why on earth did they think she was a dragon!? So, her princess secret was safe but still, WHY did they think she was a dragon? Oh no, could they have been tracking Ruby, but mistaken Weiss for the dragon? "Why do you... Think that?" Weiss asked, trying to stay calm.
Nora took out what looked like an oddly shaped compass. "We've got a dragon tracker." What. "It points toward the nearest dragon, and it points towards you." WHAT. "See?" Nora showed her. Weiss moved to the left, then right, and the needle moved as well. Why did it point at her? What part of her was dra– oh. A thought occurred to her.. Weiss took off her scale necklace. She discretely moved her closed palm with it inside around, and the needle followed it. Nora and Ren gave her odd looks, but didn't say anything. Ah, so it wasn't a dragon tracker, it just followed the magic signature of dragon scales or something.
Wasn't Ruby covered in scales on her arms right now? Also, Nora was being pretty trusting with her scale compass. She must have had more, or they must not have been very hard to find if she was fine with showing the person she thought was a dragon the compass. Or perhaps Nora was just not very guarded in some ways. Weiss had another scary thought. Nora and Ren wanted to catch someone that was 'tracking' Weiss. Did they mean–
"A dragon hunter." Ren said. "A dragon hunter is trying to catch you. You haven't slipped up yet, but if you do, they'll jump out of the woodwork and steal you away in a second."
Oh god. Weiss, Weiss needed to get back to the inn NOW. To make sure Ruby was safe. Should she try to clear up the misunderstanding Nora had about her being a dragon..? "I'm not, actually a dragon, uh..." Should she tell them about the scale? "It's not me." Wait no shoot don't elude to a dragon still being here–
Nora raised an eyebrow. "Not you? Then who?" She said in rhyme. Weiss looked to the side, staying stone faced. "Is it someone you're traveling with?" Weiss turned away. "Are there more than one?" Weiss turned away even more. "Is it your girlfriend?" Weiss had fully turned around now, and let her panic show on her face because Nora and Ren couldn't see it. Ren taped Nora's shoulder, motioning for her to tone it down. "Ah, sorry, I wasn't trying to bombard you with questions. Weather or not you're a 'dragon' doesn't really matter, what matters is that the dragon tracker wants to get you. So you can be used as bait." Nora gave a thumbs up.
Weiss's panic left her at that statement, and she turned gave Nora a condescending look, her cold princess persona showing through just a bit "Is that really something you should ask someone you think is a dragon?"
Nora shrugged, and Ren face palmed. "Nora, shouldn't you reassure her?" Ren said.
"Huh?" Nora tilted her head.
"Reassure her that you're actually friends and you weren't just using her."
"Oh!" Nora gasped. "That's right! I'm so sorry if it came across that way! I did MEET you because I wanted to ask you to be bait, but you're a fun person so I liked hanging out with you! If I didn't like you I'd have just knocked you out in a dark alley and dragged you here."
Ah. That hadn't even occurred to Weiss, that Nora might have been using her. The whole 'I know you're a dragon' thing had been a bit of a distraction. And it wasn't like she wasn't used to being used, her father viewed her as nothing more then a piece on his political chessboard. Was it that much if a bad thing to be used? "Its fine." Weiss said. "I don't mind."
"Um excuse me? What was that?" Nora held a hand up to her ear, miming not being able to hear. "No one should ever just be used and tossed aside! Who hurt you! I'll break their legs!" Nora pumped a fist in the air.
Weiss laughed a little, making Nora smile. "It's getting late." Nora said, looking at a window near the top of the room. She was right. There was no light coming in from that window anymore.
"So, how is this going down? Am I a hostage right now?" Weiss asked, rather calmly for someone asking if they were a hostage.
"No! No, we're just talking." Nora shook her head. "We just think it'd be better to catch the guy before he makes off with you, and you could help speed that up." She paused "Plus, don't think holding a dragon hostage would be a good idea. Even if you deny it, I've found it wise to trust the dragon compass when it tells us there's a dragon, so.."
"Why do you even want to catch this guy?" Weiss wondered out loud.
Nora casually told her. "Oh, he's just wanted for the murder of 26 well-known people in the last year. Probably more in the shadows too."
After their discussion, Nora had led Weiss out back to the streets so Weiss could dash off back to the inn. Somehow while talking to Nora, she'd let her guard down and forgotten about wanting to rush back to see if Ruby was alright. Weiss mentally kicked herself at making such a mistake. In fact, she was so worried about Ruby, that she just ran. Ran back to the inn, in the dark, at night, alone. It wasn't her greatest move. Anyone with eyes watching her would have seen exactly what inn she ran to.
Luckily, Weiss somehow avoided running into any drunkards or kidnappers. She payed no mind to her surroundings as she speed walked into the inn and up the stairs, barging into the room her and Ruby shared. Ruby, sitting up in bed next to Blake, jolted and just barely covered her mouth before letting out a burst of surprised flame.
"Door!" Blake hissed at Weiss. Weiss fumbled and shut the door behind her. She turned back to Ruby and Blake, seeing what they were doing. Ruby had a deck of cards layed out in front of her. For a few moments, the only sound that could be heard was Weiss's breathless panting.
"We're playing marge gone!" Ruby said, breaking the tense silence.
"Marjon." Blake corrected. She looked Weiss over, noticing how winded she seemed. "Did your hang out go sour?" She tilted her head.
Weiss put a hand to her face and sunk to the floor in relief, her back pressed against the door. "No, its fine." She said. "Nora's great. The ninja's her boyfriend. We might have to have another discussion when Yang gets back."
"Sounds complicated." Ruby said, crawling away from her game to the edge of the bed. Her tail raised, perking up curiously as she stared at Weiss. "Do you wanna sit with me?" She asked.
Weiss nodded, stumbling over to Ruby and flopping onto the bed. Ruby pulled her close, letting her head rest on her lap. Weiss felt all tension leave her body. Ruby was safe, Blake was safe, Yang would punch the everliving crap out of anyone who even looked at her wrong so she was probably fine. Weiss probably didn't need to worry. She'd tell them about the things she'd learned later. For now? She just wanted to sleep. Ruby brought her wings around front, giving Weiss a little cave around her upper body that provided shelter from the light of the room. She could almost see through the soft membrane of the wings. She'd never really gotten this close a look at them when Ruby was fully a dragon. And they were so small right now. Weiss gently stroked one with a finger, watching the tiny veins twitch as Ruby shifted her position at the tickly touch. Weiss closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She slept.
Waking up was awful. Waking up was always awful, but Weiss powered through it. She blearily opened an eye. She noticed that Ruby wasn't on the bed. Weiss glanced around the room, seeing Ruby near the door. What was she doing there? She had on her red cloak, and...
Ruby opened the door and slipped out silently. It took a moment for Weiss to register what was going on. Ruby was going out? While she was still in her weird semi dragon form? Sure, keeping anyone cooped up in a single room this long would make them go stir crazy, but, why didn't she tell Weiss?! Weiss was soft! Ruby could have easily broken down any resistance and convinced Weiss to let Ruby go outside with her!
Weiss stumbled out of bed, got dressed as quickly as she could, and ran out of the room. She tripped into someone as soon as she left. Nora.
"Oof!" Nora let out all the air in her lungs as Weiss accidentally pummeled her to the floor.
Weiss didn't have time to talk, she'd wasted to much time already just changing her clothes. "Be back later, gotta go!" She yelped back at the fallen Nora as she sped away. When Weiss got outside, she froze. Which way had Ruby gone? There was no way for her to tell. She frantically turned her head every which way, trying to catch even a glimpse of the red hooded girl.
Nothing.
She was gone, and Weiss was starting to panic. What could she do? Why had Ruby even left? Why had she snuck out so silently? So many questions, so little answers. Weiss stopped herself from imploding, and slapped her cheeks. Calm down. Don't overreact. Ruby's a smart girl, she'd at least have a reason for leaving like that. And she'll be carful, all you have to do, is ask around for people that've seen the red cloak. Ok. Ok! Weiss finished talking herself though her next move, and went to initiate her plan by asking a random person if they'd seen Ruby.
She approached a random person, and asked. They hadn't seen anyone in a red cloak around. Weiss asked multiple people, and still no one had said they saw Ruby. Was Ruby that good at hiding in plain sight? It was a ruby red cloak! How could anyone miss that?! Unless... A sudden thought donned on Weiss. She hadn't seen which way Ruby went. In fact, she hadn't see her leave the building at all. Could she still be back at the inn?
Well, it was worth a shot at least. Weiss hurried back, scaring the innkeeper when she burst into the doors and ran around back. there was indeed a back door. And it was slightly ajar. Weiss pushed it all the way open, and saw a large mud puddle off to the side. Clear footprints from said mud puddle lead off towards the marketplace. Ruby was a smart girl, but also an idiot at times, Weiss thought as she followed the trail. When the mud footprints stopped, Weiss could still see the path Ruby had taken. Trampled grass, indents in the ground from someone falling over, claw marks on random trees or fence posts... Weiss was wondering how she'd ever thought this girl could be sneaky.
When Ruby finally came into Weiss's vision, Weiss almost fainted with relief. Ruby was standing in front of a cart that was selling something. She was awkwardly using her cloak to hold something, as not to let anyone see her hands. Weiss strode over and stood next to Ruby. "Hi." Weiss said, with gritted teeth.
Ruby jolted, and gave Weiss a glance before avoiding eye contact. "... Oh! Hi Weiss! I was just, ah, getting something..." Weiss lowered her eyes to what was in Ruby's hands. What had been so important for her to get that she'd risk her safety like this? Ruby was holding a jar of honey. What? "Don't be mad, I'm, I'm basically better, I just can't turn back yet!" Ruby said hastily.
Weiss didn't know what to say. She wanted to strangle Ruby right there on the spot, but at the same time she wanted to hug her and never let her go again. "You fell." Weiss said flatly. Ruby's cloak had some muddy grass stains, probably from the flattened patch of grass Weiss had seen while following Ruby's trail.
"Oh. Yes, yeah I did." Ruby and Weiss stood in an awkward silence until the honey cart owner shooed them away.
Weiss and Ruby left, and sat together on a familiar bench in an area almost devoid of people after they left the cart. Weiss recognized it as the same bench she had GIVEN Ruby the cloak on. She smiled at the memory. "Weiss? Are you mad?" Ruby asked, her eyes hidden by the red hood.
Weiss leaned forward and rested arms on her own lap, and her chin on her hand. She gazed at Ruby softly. "No, I'm not. Just worried. You're like a puppy."
Ruby huffed. "If I'm a puppy, then you're a... A squirrel!"
Weiss blinked. "Huh?"
"You're really paranoid and try to keep everything important super close, or push it all away. Like with me. I've seen squirrels before! They either abandon their food at the tiniest sound, or fight to the death to keep it!" Ruby paused. "They also like having their head and ears scratched. You like that too."
What? "Since when do I like that?!" Weiss spluttered, loosing her composure for a moment at Ruby's distracting comment
Weiss saw a smile creep upon Ruby's lips, though the hood still covered her eyes. It was a warm smile. "When you're asleep sometimes, I like patting your hair. You're really cute when you snuggle as I pet you!" Ruby chirped. Weiss felt her face burning red. Ruby noticed, and spoke again. "I like petting to! And Yang, and Blake, its nothing to be embarrassed about! Everyone likes to get pet!" Ruby fiddled with the jar of honey in her hands. "You seemed stressed recently.. It made me really happy when you brought me honey bread, so, I wanted to give you some to. Sorry I left without saying."
Weiss leaned against Ruby and rested her head on her shoulder. She was so stressed. And the sooner they go out if this city, the better. It'd be a shame to leave Nora though, Nora was the first human friend her age she'd ever made. Blake was her first faunus friend, Ruby and Yang were her first dragon friends, and Ruby herself was her first girlfriend! So many firsts. Weiss treasured then all.
Ruby absentmindedly tapped her claws against the bench, creating a slow moving rhythm. All was still.