"Blake? Did you hear a word I just said?"

There was a blank expression and golden eyes seemed to be staring at the nearby bookshelf. Blake's mouth would be open if her hand wasn't supporting her chin.

Concerned, Yang waved a hand in front of her face. Nothing. Even her cat ears didn't waver to acknowledge her.

"Man, you're out of it."

Curious as to why her partner was daydreaming, Yang followed her line of vision. Across the table were a few people that included Ruby, Weiss, and Nora. They were studying for professor Port's next exam, being surprisingly productive in the library.

"Hm," Yang hummed, finding this very interesting.

If her guess was correct, golden orbs were fixated on a certain glimmer of white in the middle of the two.

No way, Yang thought in disbelief, quirking an amused eyebrow. She can't be.

Then again, these last few weeks were starting to make sense as Yang pieced the puzzle together. To make sure she wasn't imagining things, she stared at her partner for a solid minute.

Is she really only staring at Weiss?

For several weeks, Blake was in her own little world. Sometimes in lala land. Since Weiss had recovered from her illness, Blake found it difficult to pry her eyes away from her.

She learned a lot about Weiss.

Everything Weiss did- from reading a book to dancing on the battlefield. Blake found her entrancing. She was the center of her thoughts recently. She wondered why this was. All she knew was that Weiss made everything shine even during the most mundane days.

Eventually, Weiss glanced up from her notes and noticed the faunus staring. "Blake?" she called, which snapped Blake out of her trance. "Do you need help with anything?"

Watching the interaction closely was Yang, who smugly grinned when she saw those ears flick. Not to mention, Blake's face lit up when she heard the call of her name from that melodic voice.

"Yes, actually," Blake replied cooly, thinking of a great excuse to be tutored. "I'm having trouble with problem three. I can't think of a logical explanation as to why the hunter in this passage didn't go straight for the back of the gryphon's neck. There's a protective layer of armor, but it's not that dense. And he has a powerful katana."

Before Weiss could give her an explanation, Ruby interjected. Until now, she had been helping Jaune with his grimm studies assignment.

"It's because severing the throat should come first with a sword," Ruby blurted. "It makes slicing off the entire head much easier when you go for the back of the neck. Unless you're like me with my scythe and can do a total 360 in one swing."

Yang gazed between her partner and Weiss, thinking Blake looked disappointed. She wanted the princess' help. Oh my god. She has it bad.

From Ruby's explanation, Weiss nodded in agreement. "Although a one-hit kill is preferable in most cases, the hunter in the passage lacks brute strength. Aiming for the back of the neck in the first strike could prove fatal for him."

"I guess that's a good point," Blake accepted. "What would you do in that situation?"

"I have a lot of dust, so I would freeze it solid if it was me versus the one gryphon," Weiss revealed. "Then I'd take it out by slicing the ice in half."

Ruby wildly grinned. "I'd slice its head off so quick it wouldn't see me coming."

Yang shrugged, thinking it was better to have fun. "I'd punch the crap out of it."

Weiss sighed from her response. What an expected answer. "No strategy. How typical."

"Grimm are my punching bags," Yang elaborated, thinking they were lower than trash. "Doesn't matter what I do as long as they end up dead."

Ruby nodded and closed her textbook. "That's all that matters."

Without warning, Nora stood and slammed her hands on the table, causing her friends to jump out of their seats. "I'd smash it flat!"

This whole time, Jaune was listening and imagined what it would be like if Nora and Yang teamed up against a horde of grimm. "I wouldn't want to be in your guys' way. I'm glad we're on your good side."

Mischievously, Nora quirked a smile. "For now."

This entire conversation made Weiss sigh in defeat. She firmly believed strategy is how to win, not brute force. "I suppose strategy and tactics would be too much for you two."

Instead of retorting, Nora proudly declared. "You got that right!"

Perking an eyebrow, Yang crossed her arms. "I take offense to that, princess."

"As you should, brute," Weiss placed a hand on her hip.

Yang looked amused more than anything. "You tryin' to pick a fight in a library? Isn't this place like… sacred to you? Aren't you afraid of disturbing the library gods?"

"You're so dramatic," Weiss deadpanned and shook her head. "I'm hardly here, Blake on the other hand, is."

Blake pointed to herself as if she was in a trance. "Me?"

It appeared as though Blake spaced out of the conversation until she heard her name by that melodic voice again. Yang had to hold in a chuckle since she had her figured out.

Jeez Blake, at least try to hide it, the blonde thought. Weiss has to be denser than a rock if she can't see it.

"You're here far more than any of us," Weiss pointed out, knowing Blake came here almost every day. "Isn't the library your favorite place in school?"

Blake closed her book since it looked like she was done with studying. "It's the only place where I can read my books in peace."

Yang placed a hand on her shoulder and whined. "Aw come on. We're not that bad. Are we?"

Blake didn't want to hurt her feelings, but this needed to be said. "No offense, but you and Ruby can be pretty loud," she said, but she wasn't annoyed. It was more of an observation. "Obviously, I love you guys more than anything, but sometimes coming here when it's silent is my slice of heaven."

From the explanation, Yang held onto one thing and grabbed on. "Are you calling me unheavenly?"

Weiss smirked, knowing this was her chance. "She's calling you a nuisance."

"Am not!" Yang yelped.

"Sometimes."

Ruby didn't want to admit it, but… "We can be loud."

"Rubes, not you too!" Yang couldn't believe her sister betrayed her.

"Yang, you're yelling in a library," Ruby said slowly for her to understand. "This is exhibit A," the leader turned to Blake. "We'd be more than happy to tone it down for you if you want to read in our room, Blake."

Blake beamed from the offer. "I'll let you know next time."

"Deal," Ruby said happily, glad they could come to an understanding.

There was a pregnant pause as they all looked at each other. It appeared no one wanted to look back down at their books or notes.

Casually, Yang popped her knuckles. "I need a break, who wants to let off some steam?"

Without missing a beat, Nora raised her hand. "Me!"

Jaune shrugged, thinking it would be nice to move around after all this sitting. "Why not?"

Before Blake answered, she wanted to make sure her partner had everything completed for the day. "Did you finish your assignment?"

"Yes, mom," Yang played along, acting like she was her daughter. "Can we go now?"

Since Nora was antsy and had been that way for a while, she was eager to stand. "Pyr and Ren are sparring right now. Let's go meet up with them."

After what felt like forever, Weiss closed her notebook and looked around the table. "Did everyone finish?"

"Yep!" Ruby confirmed, which made everyone pack up. "Let's get outta here, team."

While they grabbed their belongings, Weiss headed for the doors. Before leaving, she spared a glance over her shoulder.

"I'll meet you there."

Curious, Ruby asked. "Where are you going?"

"To drop off my things," Weiss replied curtly like she was in a rush. "See you soon."

Before anyone could try to join her or get a word in, the doors closed.

Briskly, Weiss walked through the halls. If they were going to practice combat, she needed to go back to the room first. No one could find out why or it would raise questions.

I need to take it, Weiss thought as she hurriedly rounded a corner. My aura can't fluctuate again or they will get worried.

It was supposed to be strictly a study day. That's why she hadn't taken it sooner. Throughout the day, she noticed her aura fluctuated randomly. Not drastically, but it was a noticeable change as she sat in the library.

She would be fine if she was just sitting there the whole day. But if she was going to practice combat, she absolutely needed to go back to the room first.

If her whole team wanted to improve their attack combinations, she wasn't going to say no and drag them down. To perform her best, she needed to take it to stabilize her aura for the time being.

At last, she arrived in her room and locked the door behind her. The last thing she needed was for someone to walk in. After the satisfying click, she sauntered into the bathroom and opened the cabinet under the sink.

Where no one would look.

In the very back, hidden under a bunch of tissues, was a blacked-out bottle. When she picked it up, it rattled. Sighing, Weiss shook the bottle until one, tiny orange pill fell into her palm.

I can't worry them, Weiss thought as she popped the pill with ease. I hope it kicks in soon.

It should take about five minutes to work, so Weiss glared into the mirror for three minutes to be safe. Now, the pill will function properly before she gets to the training room. Frustrated that this even has to be a thing, she squeezed the bottle as if it did her wrong.

Then hid it and left the room.

I hope they haven't started yet.

We know the magic pill prevents Weiss' aura from fluctuating randomly. But why does her aura fluctuate?! Hmmmmm who knows.

Stay dandy,

~Toto