A/N: Alright, time for some quick fun banter. :3 Enjoy, everyone!
Book Two: Corruption's End
Chapter 32: How Disgusting
"I wish that I could turn back time." - Refrain from a lament (local: Epitaphum) for an unnamed Child
They met at their usual spot, the Empyrean Observatory. Instead of sitting on the couch, Weiss stood at the window, close enough for her breath to caress the reinforced glassteel. She looked frail without her power armor, like a slip of tattered black silk. For a time, neither of the former Huntresses spoke, choosing to watch the endless oblivion of the warp instead. Yang edged closer, but the grinding screech of her wheelchair gave her away, and she winced. Shouldn't have tossed it so hard, she thought. Piece of crap.
"Yang… am I a bad person?" Weiss asked, her head unturning, her shoulders unmoving. The question struck her like a slap in the face.
"I… Weiss…" Yang started. This was too much. What the fuck happened back on Ranshu? A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, but the first one was 'yes', and it made her sick. It was obvious her friend was languishing. "Why-"
"Answer the question, Yang," The Inquisitor snapped, her voice frigid with the airs of cold command. She sounded like her father.
"I can't Weiss, we both know that." Yang still wanted to punch her for even thinking to abandon Shao-la, but she'd sounded so distressed… And she stood up for the city when the Sisters threatened to burn it! Wheeling closer, she spoke up once more. "I don't know who pissed in your recaf this morning, but I can't help you if you don't spill." Weiss turned to face her. There were no tears, nothing except sunken eyes that had lost their color, skin pallid and lined.
It was the first time she looked her true age… older, even. 'Ice Queen' is dead, Yang realized. She died a long time ago. Her cute nickname for the defrosting heiress, her friend… it tasted like the ashes of Shao-la. Tasted like the grey sand that Rhain fell dead upon.
"Yang, I am an old woman. I've lived a long time, I've seen…" she sighed, shaking her duster off her shoulders and folding it in her arms. "I've seen so much. Whole planets splitting apart, spilling their oceans into the void, continents broken by a single salvo. Billions of souls claimed in an instant. I've seen daemons… twisted, monstrous things. Every time I saw something like that, I'd close my eyes…" She did so now, resting her forehead against the window. "'Ruby', I'd think. 'Ruby'. She'd know what to say. She'd be there for me."
"But she wasn't." Yang said, her throat working. She did not like where this was going. At all.
"She wasn't. Eventually, the Imperium became my routine. My new life. I tried to shut Her away. I still dreamt of Her though… Her and rose petals." Stepping away from the glass, she shook her head "Wine and duty were enough to seal it all away." She paused. "And then the Emperor delivered you to my doorstep." Once more fixing her eyes on Yang, she went to join her friend near the couches. "Can you imagine what that was like?"
"Well, I showed up in the Imperium without so much as a warning," Yang said, shifting in her chair. "So that's been a bit of a shock, really," she continued, trying to brighten the mood. Weiss scowled at her, and she felt her hackles rise, an electric current running up her neck.
"Do you honestly think that compares? You've been here a scant few months. You have no idea, Yang." The cold, deadpan delivery stung her worse than the words. A parent lecturing their impotent, sophomoric child.
"I beg your fucking pardon?" Yang started, once more about to break her wheelchair. "Don't talk to me like I'm some kid. I've seen shit too, you know!" Weiss rolled her eyes derisively, and Yang saw red. Don't you fucking dare dismiss me like that! "You know, I came here because you asked me to. Because I was worried about you!" Her friend growled.
"Don't patronize me, you blonde little shit! You wear airs of nobility like you're some perfect fucking angel, but I've seen how you look down at me! You think I like having the deaths of millions on my shoulders? You think I enjoy what I do? Of course not! You're not any better then me!"
"Really Weiss? Is that what you think? You think you can say that after what you've done?"
"Yes!" Weiss shouted, ignoring the blood that seeped from her nostrils. "You're a fucking animal, Yang! You get off on playing soldier, playing the noble hero… but even that's not the whole truth, is it? No, you like killing! Don't think I forgot about you switching out the concussive rounds during our missions! 'Keeping us safe', you said. What a fucking joke!" The words were knives, each one drowning her better judgement in blood and adrenaline, feeding the furnace of her fury. She seethed, spittle flying from her lips as she rounded on Weiss.
"How rich, coming from the Queen Butcher herself! You're worse than your fucking father, and you don't even realize it!" Weiss recoiled, struck by her words. "Oh, I'm sorry, My Lady, I didn't mean to offend, My Lady." Yang cried. "You're horrible! Trying to lecture me on how to cope! You want to lecture me about how much you miss Ruby? To her sister, Weiss?" She demanded. "What the hell is wrong with you? I already dealt with this shit once today, thank you very much, My Lady!" Spitting, she leveled her finger at her. "You know, I bet you fucking love this job. You get all your little peons to do whatever you want, and whenever they don't like it, you snap your fingers and something nasty happens to them! Well I'm not them!"
"Yang, I-" Weiss said, stomping over to face her.
"Yang nothing! What did your Captain say to me? 'They die screaming, every last one.' Is that who you are now? Hell, I'd say this whole 'Inquisitor' gig fits you like a fucking glove! Even on Remnant you were always power-hungry!" Weiss snarled at this, and the two women drew face to face, wariness and anger pulling their features tight.
"How dare you?" She whispered, the words crawling through the thin gaps in her frigid teeth.
"Don't you even fucking try that shit on me, Weiss. Wasn't Winter your older sister? Tell me, how did she get passed over when it came to the Schnee Dust Company?" Weiss screamed in incoherent, indignant range, fingers lacing through her snow-white hair.
"My sister was a cunt!" Weiss bellowed, "You never saw that side of her because the only sibling you ever had was Ruby! She was perfect, Yang! Brave, skilled, innocent, charming, beautiful, funny! Don't you dare judge me!" She shrieked. "Not after you decided to mourn Her by getting drunk and fucking whatever stranger you happened to lay eyes on! For two years, Yang! I thought you could help me in this nightmarish galaxy, but you are just as pathetic as you were back then!"
HURT HER. The thought surged through her, pounded against her temples. It made her shoulder roil in agony, but it felt right, oh so right. SHE KNOWS NOTHING, the thought continued, BITCH BITCH BITCH BITCH
Yang's hand shot out, clasping the Inquisitor's throat between her white-knuckled fingers. Her hair ignited, and her eyes shone a bloodier red than the warp that boiled a few dozen yards away.
"Shut the fuck up," she spat. Yes! Listen! LISTEN! Weiss made no move to escape, held in place by steel fingers. Her face was red, steaming, angry, angry, angry. "I'll sit and tolerate your whining about how you wanted to fuck my sister, but I won't be insulted! I know what I did, and I regret it every. Single. Day." The Inquisitor's fists hammered against the corded muscle of Yang's arm, only feeding her semblance further. Squeeze. SQUEEZE. "You pray to their God and wear their sigils. Command their legions and pilot their ships. That's something else this galaxy has taught me, Weiss." She snarled, tightening her fingers. "There is no grey. Only white. And black. Us." She tightened her grip. "Versus them. Remnant versus the Imperium. Once Ruby shows up, I know what side she'll be on." Leaning in, she matched Weiss' stare, a rictus of unfiltered hate. "And it isn't yours." She released her hold on Weiss, whose answer was a resounding slap, one that struck Yang with unrelenting fury. It threw her out of her wheelchair, sent her sprawling across the floor of the Observation deck.
The Inquisitor did not for gasp for air, nor make any sudden movements. Roaring, Yang pounced, slamming a fist into the Weiss' face. Nothing. It was like punching a brick wall without her aura. Yang swung again, the strike shrugged aside like a rifle round off the hull of a battleship. HOW DARE SHE HURT HER KILL HER SHE'S WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG
She screamed in frustration and desperation, hammering away to no avail. But Weiss remained motionless and uncaring. Her aura was nothing like it was on Remnant. It was monstrous. Slowly, one by one, the blows slackened. Stopped. What… what… what am I doing?
Yang looked at her hands realizing what she'd done. She felt sick. Why? Why had she done that? Why did I snap like that? Oh Dust, I actually choked her. I wanted to kill her. Golden hair fell to rest at her shoulders, her eyes turning violet once more.
"Weiss? I'm so sorry… I… fuck! What… what's wrong with me?" She said, the words barely sliding past her swollen throat. Looking up at Weiss, she saw pity. Regret. And it felt like drowning.
"You realize that during your... tantrum, I could have killed you in a heartbeat?" Weiss said, the rage gone, replaced with nothing but ice. "I could have slipped into your mind and broke it. Snapped it like a twig." She loomed over Yang, towering over her. And would you like to know why you had that outburst?" Nodding, Yang struggled to her feet, trembling.
"It's my fault. Ever since Ranshu, my connection to the warp has been out of control. Spilling over. I can't keep myself restrained. My kasrkin see a figure wherever they go. A Red Woman. Amat…" She shook her head. "And Emperor, Ira hasn't left his quarters since we've left. It's all my fault."
"Weiss, what's going on?" She didn't answer. "Weiss?"
"I… I might know where Ruby is." Yang's heart burst at the words, filling her stomach with dread, with sickening, acidic joy.
"Where?" She asked, the only word she could manage.
"I saw Her in the King's mind. But he had fallen to the arch-foe long before we arrived." The words felt like physical blows, each one more powerful than the one that crushed her ribs.
"Does that mean-"
"I don't know what it means exactly. What I do know is that the King was possessed with Josephus' essence. Or something akin to it. He spoke to me, mocked me with her image."
"I am going to wreck him." Yang roared, a fist hammering her palm. "I will beat him like a drum until he fucking sings like one."
"It's possible…" Weiss said.
"Wreck him, Weiss!" The Inquisitor sighed, scooping her friend up like a toy and dumping her back in her chair.
"Settle down, Yang. It's possible the image was created from our linked minds. The only way we can know for sure is if we find him. And believe me when I say we are going to find him."
"Amen," Yang spat. "I'm going to shove my foot so far up his ass, my bootlaces will stick out his nose. Once we-" She stopped, hesitating as the fight they just had resurfaced. "Aw… dammit. I'm sorry for blowing up, Weiss. Seriously though, why didn't you start out with that?" She said. Weiss sighed, glancing out at the eddies of the Warp.
"Would you believe me if I said I was worried I'd make you angry?" Yang laughed at that. Or, she tried to at least. It came out as a snort of disbelief. "I haven't slept since I learned. I'm afraid if I sleep, I'll dream. And if I dream… I'm afraid I'll slip. All my hard work." Her face met her hands. "Decades of work… all gone. Emperor give me guidance, it's too much."
"Well, when we find 'im, I'm going to tear 'im a new asshole." Yang said. "After he tells us where Ruby is."
"And what if she's… fallen?" Weiss asked. The cold logic sent icicles into her spine, but Yang shrugged the question off.
"Then you didn't know my sister very well." Smiling, she put a hand on the Inquisitor's shoulder, almost smiling at the irony… they'd literally been at each other's throats a minute ago. "She'll be fine. I know it."
"And what if you're wrong?" Weiss asked.
"I'm not." She held up her hand before she could reply. "But if she is… we'll do what it takes. You're smart, you can figure out how to fix her." Smiling, she fixed Weiss' hat, settling it on her head. Her face fell just as fast. "And look. About what I said… we're always a team. I don't like the Imperium, and I don't like what you do. But no matter what, we're on the same team."
"Team RWBY." Weiss replied, smiling as well.
"Damn right. If we're lucky, maybe Blake will join us too." Having all four of them… maybe they really could change the Imperium. She missed her team so much it was a pounding, physical ache.
"Yang, you need to know something. I was going to put it off until later, but I think now's a good a time as any." The sudden shift in her tone caused her to sit up in her seat. With a pallid, translucent hand, Weiss removed a silver cylinder from her bosom. "This is a symbol. Hold it." Yang did so, spooling the silver chain in her hand.
"A necklace?"
"A symbol." Weiss repeated. The design on the outside is a typical Inquisitorial theme. Our founder, Malcador the Sigilite. But within…" taking the cylinder, she unscrewed its cap, and pointed to a piece of parchment within it. Yang reached for it, but Weiss slapped her hand away. "It reads 'Only the Emperor is infallible'. Do you know why that is significant?"
"More Emperor-zealotry?" Yang offered, shaking her hand out.
"No. If I let you remove that parchment, we would have both died. Vaporized in an explosion that would leave a gaping hole in this ship." Yang's eyes went wide. An explosion that powerful, contained within that tiny slip of silver?!
"Holy fuck, are you serious?"
"Entirely. Everyone who receives this already knows what the parchment reads. Only those that wish to know its false secrets will remove it. The only way it can detonate. It is a safeguard of sorts." Removing it from Yang's hands, Weiss smashed it against the floor. The device remained inert. "It is a failsafe. The words themselves are a common, simple, platitude. An important one, but an obvious one. It is significant because everyone who bears this necklace is an Inquisitor who belongs to the Recongregationalists."
"The who?"
"Let me finish, Yang. The necklace, the parchment… it is all significant because on the surface, it appears to be nothing more than a typical pendant. Inside however, are the ideals that drive us… connected to a danger that is impossible to know until it has killed you. It is a reflection of who we are."
"You're part of some secret organization?" Yang asked.
"Good to see you're paying attention." Weiss replied, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "The Recongregationalists are a philosophical faction within the Inquisition. We despise what the Imperium has become. We detest the common practices of our comrades and the abuses of the Ecclesiarchy." Taking the necklace in her hands, she turned it over, inspecting it. "Many of the extremes we perform are necessary. But we're all striving to build an Imperium where that won't be the case anymore." Pausing, she smiled. It made her look even older. "Our numbers are swelling. One day, it's my intention that you join us."
"Me? An Inquisitor?" Yang asked. The idea has its merits. On Shao-la, she'd realized just how good Weiss had it… in terms of personal freedom, at least. But the responsibility sucked the air out of her healing lungs, leaving her fish-eyed and reeling. "Are you sure?"
"We need you. When I first spoke to you a month ago, when I gave you those glyphs, I spoke of hope. My former master inducted me into their ranks, and I learned what they were: the only sane, sensible people left in this galaxy." Weiss looked up, her smile fading. "The nights grow longer, and shadows stretch themselves across the Imperium. We have a lot to do first, but yes. I am sure."
"We'll fix it." Yang said, recalling her friend's words.
"We will."
"But first, I'm gonna rip Josephus' guts out," Yang said, a malicious grin on her face. "Once we find Ruby and Blake, we'll be unstoppable." She punched the Inquisitor's shoulder. "And I'm sorry for flipping out. No matter what warp shenanigans are going on, I need to watch my temper. Don't blame yourself, either. We'll get Team RWBY back together and show the Imperium how it's done." Pivoting in her wheelchair, Yang smiled. "I actually feel better now, you know?" If what Weiss said about these Reongregationalists is true, the Imperium might just be salvageable after all. They even had a lead on Ruby now! Sure, it'll take some asskicking to get to, but that's what I do best. Maybe… maybe her sister could fix them. Their friendship. She smiled at the Inquisitor. It hurt. This won't be our last fight.
"I'm sorry for exploding, I really am." Yang repeated. The Lady Inquisitor nodded, the picture of forgiveness.
"As am I." A lie. "I didn't mean what I said." Another lie. It's been… a rough couple of days," she said. An understatement so bold it was a blatant falsehood.
"You're good, Weiss. Do you need anything else? I left my friends at the party, and I… I think I could use a drink," Yang said. The Lady Inquisitor waved her off, trying her best to smile.
"Go have fun with your friends. I think I'll watch the warp awhile. It is," she paused, watching a tendril of blue nothingness dissipate into a pulsing cloud of black miasma. "Calming. In a sense. Be safe, and don't you dare get out of that chair. I need you at one hundred percent." Replying with a mock salute, Yang grinned.
"Thanks, Weiss. Try not to worry, okay? We'll get it figured out."
"I pray to the Emperor every day that we will. I'll seek you out in the next couple days. Perhaps we could speak more of Remnant," she replied.
"I'd like that."
Waving goodbye, the Lady Inquisitor watched her wheel out of the Observatory. She hated manipulating Yang, lying to her. The woman was a powerful asset, and a friend as well. She'd been properly incensed against Josephus, but her own responses to Yang's jabs had been disconcerting. Her fist tightened, taut leather stretching over her hand with a hissing groan. That she managed to anger me so… It did not bode well. As a psyker, self-control was paramount. That Yang had the audacity to assault her made her sick. That she had not seen it coming was first and foremost among the reasons why. That she screamed back was almost worse, but not quite.
However, it had been trivial to reconcile with her, in some flimsy sense. Despite her lingering anger and resentment towards Yang, the brawler was more useful contented and bubbly. A few bits of choice information, misdirections, pushing the right buttons that flared across the turbulent sea of Yang's mind… they were all she needed for a semblance of trust and forgiveness. Thank the Emperor for small favors.
Even though they had fought, Yang remained hopeful about Ruby. Her mood flipped like a switch, she thought, and the Lady Inquisitor chuckled. It was the first glimmer of the Yang she'd known back on Remnant. The fun, loyal one. Her teammate. Not the drunkard, the reprobate. But her sheer naivete grated on her. If Ruby fell to the Dark Gods, there was no 'fixing' her. Yet she hadn't the heart to tell Yang that.
Perhaps there is still some 'Weiss' left in me after all, the Lady Inquisitor thought. Keying her microbead, she summoned Amat to her side. Afterwards, she found herself reaching inside her duster, thirsty fingers rooting around for libation. Emperor help me, I'm a hypocrite. I'm no better than Yang. Sighing, she resolved to restock her supply once they arrived at Uriel.
She'd left Myrtenaster with Magos Tyrham almost twenty years ago. His improvements were more than likely complete by now. Reuniting with a treasured piece of home would do her good, she decided. Maybe Yang was right to remain hopeful. Bowing her head and clasping her hands, she prayed to the Emperor for the deliverance of her soul and Ruby's well-being.
"My Lady?" Amat asked, emerging from the shadows.
"You didn't tell me you made contact with Trooper Yang," the Lady Inquisitor said, gesturing him closer. He stepped forward, nodding in apology.
"Apologies my Lady, I have yet to submit my report." Retrieving a miniature data-slate from his belt, he handed it to her. "This should cover the basics. I apologize for breaking protocol." The Lady Inquisitor accepted the slate, ignoring the text that crawled across its screen. Everything useful had already been discerned in the folds of his mind.
"It is no concern of mine how you approach your mission. I trust your judgement, Amat. Though I wish you hadn't exposed yourself like that. You are my Ace in the Hole. A prized and deadly secret."
"Your faith in me is reassuring. It will not happen again," he replied, stooping humbly.
"In fact, I believe it is for the best that you spoke with her. Now you know what she is like, and how quickly she might lose herself."
"You are wise and noble, Lady," Amat said. The Lady Inquisitor accepted his words with grace before dismissing him.
Once more, she found herself staring out at the Immaterium. With stilling, calming breaths, she contemplated its power and its majesty, its horrors and its nightmares. She thought of the Emperor, she thought of Ruby, she thought of Yang. Lastly, she thought of herself. Of the life that led her to this moment.
Am I a bad person? She chuckled to herself, for she knew the answer already. Knew it the moment she first clasped her rosette.
A/N: Upon re-reading this, I admit that the fight came on a little quickly, but this is some stuff that's surfacing between them after a month or so of mulling over. If their sudden reconciliation feels manufactured though, you should note that that's the point. You'll also notice that I made up a lot of stuff about the Recong. Inquisitors, if this doesn't fit their MO in the fluff, that's too bad. Couldn't dig up much anyway.
Oh, and random thought, but if you ever wanna chat or hit me up about the story, stop by this story's thread on Spacebattles or Sufficient Velocity! I love hearing from you guys!
Review Replies:
The Walrus of Eden: Haha I never said Dawn of War characters will be appearing, just that they're canon to AWoBE. Sorry!
Heitomos: I hope it satisfied! As regards to your question, it still broke them when she tried it. It boosts their power to such a degree, tehy snap under the pressure.
Inquisitor Azreal: Huh. An interesting thought!
Skepsis Forever: Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Or at least... I hope you did! :D
OBSERVER01: It... may have turned a bit ugly. XD
snoogenz: Hope this chapter delivered as well!
blaiseingfire: Doctor's orders! Plus, she's slightly more mature than her current canon counterpart. Knows when too much is too much.
Galm: Hope you enjoyed!
Redcollecter: I... uh... what?
huCAST 75 madeanaccount: I'm seriously thrilled you're enjoying the story so much! Your questions will be answered, all in due time...
Yoshtar: Yeah, the debrief didn't really go as planned...
Kiyoushu: Ruby? That's... oh Emperor... feeling nauseous...
Nemris: That's actually a really good question, and something I've thought a bit about. Basically, it'll go like this - if shit needs to be shown, it will... if not, it'll be in summary form. :)
Geth Markov: While I can't answer your question, I'm glad you're enjoying it so much!
Sigurd: Some interesting thoughts here! I wonder if they'll come to fruition...
Dayanne Rockstar: That would be pretty awesome!
soupie13941: Hahaha I'm glad you (and everyone else, it seems) is picking up on all the character development.
DeusExMortis: Hey, thanks so much for your review! I have more cool shit to come, believe me! As to your story, I'll try and get to it sometime, but beware... I will be merciless! :D
Gafgar: Wait... what?
Mintskittle: Hey, take your time! I really enjoy your Apocryphal side-stories, and always squee a bit when I see them. I'm particularly pleased to see all the thought you're putting into the story. Your theories on Amat are interesting! I guess we'll stay tuned to see what happens, huh? Thanks again for all your hard work!
I think that the pace of updates might slow here for a little bit. Need to get back into the rhythm of Uni and what not. Thank you so much for all your support! I love you guys! :D