Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY or any of it's characters.
Weiss Schnee
I jotted down some thoughts, glancing back over at the blue screen.
The weather was a bit more terrible than before, and I could feel the turbulence shake the bullhead every now and then. Probably a result from leaving early. A few hours ahead even. I was much less demanding this time around, so my flight took off much sooner.
Hopefully though it'd give me enough time to find a tailor out in Vale and make small adjustments to my outfit, as I wanted. I couldn't get it lined with more defensive material within the timeframe, but what is a girl to do?
"Honestly, this whole game thing is pretty obscene. Menu."
[Settings]
[Options]
[Store]
The store could have been quite valuable, if it wasn't greyed out. Every time I pressed it nothing happened. Why give the option if I couldn't use it?
I glanced over at the piolet again, confirming that it was still there.
Rot Spotman Lvl: 5
Hp: 500/500 Ap: N/A
Now that was a useful ability. Accurately judging a person's name and overall strength by just a glance was very useful. I figured out how to mess with it in the settings of the menu. For whatever reason it was set to reflect off mirrors and not show the Hp gauge. The Ap one, otherwise known as aura points, was a tad bit more peculiar. There were several other options like Mp or Sp or even a Stp gauge I could activate, but all of them showed as N/A for my status sheet.
Pretty likely I didn't have it just like a civilian didn't have aura.
Options was just unhelpful. It let me turn the volume of voices up, volume of ambiance, brightness levels, the basic options you'd find in a game menu.
But even with how helpful the settings could be, another feature I quickly figured out how to use proved even more useful.
"Skills." I muttered, watching the blue screens change.
[Skills]
[Dust/Glyph Configuration (Lvl: 33)]- Using your Semblance in conjunction with the substance known as Dust you can augment your glyphs for a variety of effects. Increases the power and mastery of your glyphs by 33%.
[Ice Shots (Lvl: 36)]- Using your Semblance in conjunction with Ice Dust you can create hails of ice infused arrows to hurl at your enemies. +46 Damage to target. 10 Ap per 3 shots.
[Fire Lance (Lvl: 10)]- Using your Semblance in conjunction with Fire Dust you can create lances of fire to cause explosions or deal devastating damage. +70 Damage to target. 30 Ap per shot.
[Attraction/Repulsion Manipulation (Lvl:35)]- Using your Semblance you can manipulate the momentum of objects and/or people, repulse people and/or objects, or even attract objects and/or people. Can be augmented with Dust. Increases strength of glyphs related to this manipulation by 35%.
[Time Dilation (Lvl: 5)]- A very powerful ability to drastically slow down the world around the user, while simultaneously speeding up the user itself. Done using Semblance and Lightning Dust. Increases movement speed and reflexes by 300%. Max time of use set at 10 seconds. 240 Ap per second.
[Ice Dust Manipulation (Lvl: 10)]- The ability to manipulate Ice Dust through the use of your Semblance.
[Fire Dust Manipulation (Lvl: 2)]- The ability to manipulate Fire Dust through the use of your Semblance.
[Sword Mastery (Lvl: 40)]- The way of the sword. Your skill in rapier in particular. Dedicating your whole life with the help of the best instructors has led you to a deadly sword art with no room for error. Speed and power with a rapier increase by 40%.
[Singing (Lvl: 35]- You write a song whenever you are lonely, and preform on stage to profess your sadness. As such, you've had a lot of practice.
Using the Hp and Ap gauge I now could see in the top left of my peripheral, and the exact measurements of my skills together, I could be so much more efficient in combat. My whole fighting style relied on precession. Precise measurements of how much damage I could be dealing, and quantified means of monitoring progression meant I'd could make decisions a lot quicker, get stronger faster, and be just that more dangerous on the battlefield.
Not to mention I was glad to find out my summons had followed me back to the past.
[Summoning (Lvl: 10)]- The personification of personal trials and tribulations, summons are the manifestation of your past enemies made to fight for you. As long as you come out alive and changed from the experience, they will be there as your guardians against the next foe. Increases the power and mastery of your summons by 10%
[Summon Arma Gigas (Lvl 14)]- A massive metal knight once controlled by Grimm, Arma Gigas boasts massive strength and above average durability. Although, it can be quite slow. 14 feet tall, with a massive sword that can dwarf a human. Power and mastery over summon is increased by 14%. Ap cost per summon is 500 with -2 Ap per second.
[Summon Queen Lancer (Lvl: 8)]- Once a massive Grimm that controlled dozens of lesser Grimm, the Queen Lancer has massive durability, extreme speed, and moderate strength. As big as a cargo airship. Power and mastery over summon is increased by 8%. Ap cost per summon is 700 with -2 Ap per second.
[Summon Boartusk (Lvl: 4)]- A boartusk once held in captivity, a relatively weak Grimm personifying a change in heart. The only things of note are its spin attack and massive durability, albeit with glaring weaknesses. Maximum height is 4 feet tall while on four legs. Ap cost per summon is 150 with -2 Ap per second.
[Summon Giant Ancient Nevermore (Lvl 1)]- A monstrous bird-like Grimm with feathers as big as a fully grown person. With monstrous speed, durability, and strength a nevermore of this size could wipe out an entire town, or perhaps a group of Huntresses. As tall as a fortress tower. Ap cost per summon is 1500 with -2 Ap per second.
Sadly the last one was way to cost insensitive for me to even consider using it in battle. The only way I'd ever need to use it would be to deal with another flying Grimm. And I already had Queen Lancer for that job.
"And VIT and INT combined equaled my total aura. Aura is the concept of soul so perhaps overall health and strength of mind somehow equated to a stronger aura? Maybe I-"
"Weiss."
I looked up, blinking at the older man with a brown mustache.
"We're here Miss Schnee. Come on, I'll tell the servants to load your suitcases up into the Beacon bullhead. We are a few hours ahead of schedule though."
I smiled. "Good. Then it'll be easier on them." I got up, stretching out the aches from the ride over. I couldn't help but be happy. In a couple of hours I'd meet my best friends again.
"Not that it'll be much difficulty." He joked. "I'm impressed. You packed lighter than usual."
"I'll be in my school uniform most of the time anyway." I reasoned. "Klein can you believe it? I'm here! In a few days the next time you see me I'll be a Huntress! Er, in training."
He laughed warmly. "I'm very proud. You've worked very hard for this Miss Schnee." His eyes turned red. "Despite the best attempts from your pigheaded father!"
I gasped. "Klein!" I grinned. "Although it is true."
His eyes turned back to a yellow amber. "Oh I do hope you enjoy your time at Beacon. Learn quite a few useful things... make some very good friends?"
I smiled brightly. "Yes, I hope I do too."
After saying my goodbyes to my oldest friend and surrogate father figure I headed to the nearest tailor to get some Huntsman grade belts and pouches for my outfit. It was relatively simple, and I managed to get the right colors too. White and blue of course.
Although I have been thinking about adding more black to my wardrobe...
In the end nothing to exciting happened, and I landed in the bullhead exactly like before. Except with a different outfit, a longer skirt, and a lot more experience.
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.
Show time.
I didn't have to wait long, although even if I did seeing Beacon before the fall again was enough to keep my attention. I forgot how big the place was, almost like it was floating up in the sky like this... being back here was a bit bittersweet.
"Gak!"
I bit down the wistful smile, turning towards the bumbling buffoon that knocked over my cart of pure and freshly cut Dust.
"Careful there." I called out, seeing her try to get up, and failing. "You do know what that is don't you?"
"I-" She blinked, and I put my finger to the tip of her nose, stopping her sneeze.
I smirked. "This is Dust. Mined and purified from the Schnee quarry. Sneezing right here wouldn't be a good idea. It's highly unstable."
"Oh, uh yeah." She grinned nervously.
Ruby Rose Lvl: 15
Hp: 1000/1000 Ap: 1800/1800
She seemed a lot more of a dolt than I remembered. It eased some of my nerves, and let me relax a bit more. I helped dust her off, absentmindedly putting some of the canisters back in there cases. "I'm uh Ruby, Ruby Rose."
"Weiss Schnee. Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. One of the largest producers of energy propellent in the world."
"Oh wow, I thought you looked rich but..." She trailed off, mumbling to herself.
"The same company known for it's controversial labor forces and questionable business partners."
Blake.
Yikes. I didn't realize how depressed she was back at the start. She looked on edge just being around me.
She handed me a bottle of Fire Dust. "You dropped this."
I tried for a smile but it came out more of a wince. "Yes thanks. I hope you know not all Schnees are like that."
She didn't seem impressed.
"Sure."
I sighed, watching her walk away. That was... a whole mixed bag. Blake and I were never close like she and Yang were but team RWBY was like family to me. After we sorted out our problems Blake and I had a mutual respect for one another for our desire to make the world a better place. I just hoped we could get there sooner rather than later.
Ruby watched her leave as well, shuffling in that awkward mix of hyper and anxiety. "She seemed nice?"
"Yeah..." I frowned, before turning to Ruby offering a smile. "Well I'm going to get to orientation. Farewell Ruby." I sent her a small wave, moving off into the crowd. I'd find her later. As much as I wanted to stick around-
"Wait please!" I jolted as a human sized bullet crashed into me.
"Ruby?!"
"Please I don't know anyone here and my sister left me and I don't even know where to go so please-"
I held up my hand, shutting her up. "Honestly." How did she even function on a daily basis? "Come on you dolt." I dragged her by the hand, taking us to the orientation ceremony.
"Thank you!" She cried, clinging to me.
I guess some things never changed.
...
It was as crowded as I remembered. There was a lot of excited chatter although headmaster Ozpin wasn't up on stage yet. He wouldn't be for another 10 minutes at least. But I guess that did give us enough time to find Yang.
Ruby was very adamant about finding her sister to stand next to her and cross her arms in visible anger.
The blonde looked good. Out of everyone she was probably the one who changed the most-physically at least. I'd gotten used to her prosthetic arm, so it was a bit strange seeing her... whole, as unpleasant as that sounded.
She still had that ever present smirk on her face. Out of our group Yang was the most friendly social. Very easy to get along with, and very fun to be around, as much as I hate to admit it. Meanwhile while I was popular back at Beacon... there was a reason I was usually called Ice Queen.
Yang glanced over at her sister, finally giving her attention. "How's your first day goin' little sister?"
"You mean when you ditched me and I almost exploded?" Ruby pouted, glaring at her.
Yang frowned. "Yikes. Meltdown already?"
"No I mean I literally almost exploded."
"It's true." I piped up.
Yang gave her sister a long stare. Before narrowing her eyes suspiciously, smirking wider. "Are you being sarcastic?"
"I wish! After you left I tripped into Weiss's luggage, scattered Fire Dust everywhere-I-I think some ice? And then almost made a crater in front of the school!"
Yang saw her sister getting worked up and quickly tried to divert her attention. "S-so then you must be Weiss? Nice to meet you!"
"A pleasure." I crossed my arms. I had missed this. It had been less than a day since I last saw them, but this was different. Hopefully this time I could make a good first impression.
"Weiss helped me get to orientation. Thankfully." Ruby glared at her sister.
Yang ignored it. "See! Already making new friends."
Ruby looked taken aback. "I mean, Weiss isn't, I mean she wouldn't-would you like to?" Ruby directed her question at me, pointing those big silver eyes my way.
Honestly, those eyes were a deadly weapon. And not just because she could kill Grimm with them.
I gave her a warm smile, putting my hands behind my back. "I would love to be your friend Ruby."
Her bright smile warmed my heart. "Thanks."
Yang nudged Ruby, ruining the moment. "You don't usually thank people for being your friend Ruby. I mean, not unless you're kind of desperate, which you are."
"Silence you!" Ruby lunged at her sister, getting ready for a fight, when all of a sudden, the lights dimmed and a man with silver hair and a green scarf walked on stage, holding a cane.
Ozpin(Ozma) Lvl: ?
That solved one question I had I suppose. Although whether or not I could see his real name because of my previous knowledge is... to be determined.
He leaned in close to the microphone, looking forlorn.
"I'll keep this brief."
He cleared his throat.
"You have traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you finish... you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you... and all I see is wasted energy. In need of purpose. Direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this. But knowledge will only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
Even now I couldn't fully grasp what he was saying. Classic Ozma, always speaking in riddles.
Glynda walked up to the microphone as Ozpin walked off the stage.
"You will gather at the ballroom tonight. Tomorow your initiation begins." Having said her piece Glynda followed Ozpin's example and left. The lights came back on.
Yang ran her hand through her hair, thinking. "He seemed kinda... off."
"Almost like he wasn't there." Ruby agreed.
"He probably has a lot on his mind." I commented. "He's the Headmaster of Beacon after all. I'm sure dealing with all of us has been pretty taxing."
"Still..." Ruby seemed to be thinking on it.
I smiled. "Come on. I'm going to go gather my things and put my weapon and Dust in my locker."
"Locker?" Ruby blinked.
"I don't remember anyone saying anything about a locker."
I smirked. "I may have taken a peek at the schedule. They won't assign us lockers until later tonight, but it'll be a rush to put everything away to get to the showers first."
"You didn't strike me as the rule breaking type Ice Queen." Yang smirked at me, that mischievous look she got when causing trouble sparking in her eye.
"No sense in being unprepared."
Ruby seemed nervous. "Um-wouldn't they mind if we just decided to do it before they told us to?"
I gave her a reassuring smile. "You don't have to if you don't want to Ruby, I just want to get it out of the way while we have spare time. If you do want to go, well I already have the temporary password for both your lockers."
Yang seemed to decide against it once she saw that Ruby seemed uncomfortable doing it. "I'll pass. Thank you for the offer though."
"Alright. Bye then. I have a lot of luggage, so I'll need the extra time." Saying goodbye to my new(old) friends I headed to the area outside where my servants had carried all my things and directed them towards the locker room area. Dialing in the temporary password I vaguely recall using before, I placed my stuff in there before everyone else, save for a sizable bag that caried some essentials.
I still had a couple of hours before nightfall, so I decided to mess around with my game ability for a bit, summoning my summons in mini form to see if they'd level up.
They didn't, but it was nice to take my mind off of things.
...
"Oh hey Weiss!"
I glanced over, seeing Yang wave enthusiastically towards me from her area on the floor.
I had made my way over to the showers after everybody started scrambling to put away their things, and quickly changed into my nightgown after a decently long shower.
I remember my first time through I had so much stuff to put away it took me forever to get changed over. And the showers ran cold too. Put me in a really crabby mood that night.
Luckily this time I was prepared. And much more... tolerant of foolishness.
"Weiss~ Weiss~" I sighed quietly to myself.
Well... better than the two of us despising one another I suppose.
I walked over, sending a small wave as greetings. "Yang. A pleasure."
Her emblem was in red across her orange sleeveless pajama shirt, and she was wearing the same kind of revealing shorts she always wore.
"Heya Weiss. Saw you looking kind of lonely over there, so I thought I'd call you over."
I sighed, flashing her a small smile. "Perhaps."
"Miss home?"
"Not particularly." I said flatly. "Although you could say I don't know anyone here, besides you and Ruby."
"Aw, kind of like Ruby, then." She frowned, glancing off to the side before meeting my eyes. "Hey I just wanted to say, Ruby has never really gotten along well with anyone, and she doesn't really know anyone here, like you. So I guess what I'm saying is..."
"I don't plan on ditching her anytime soon Yang. Ruby seems like a really nice girl, kind of a dolt, but in a charming way." I smirked. "Just like her sister."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh har har. Like that's the first time I've heard a dumb blonde joke. But uh... thanks, Weiss. You seem pretty safe, all things considered."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh is this an interview now?"
"Maybe. What's your hobbies?"
"Singing, dancing, playing the piano." I listed off on my hand.
She blinked.
"Yeesh. You really are an Ice Queen."
"Hey!"
"Kidding kidding. Seriously though?"
"Okay how about you?" I crossed my arms. She threw a grin my way.
"Staying up late past my bedtime, riding motorcycles off into the sun set, partying all night a club."
I rolled my eyes. "And I'm the one who has to get interviewed? Those are the hobbies of a hooligan."
"Who uses hooligan anymore? Are you an old lady?"
"You'd do well to respect your elders."
She snorted. "Ha. Uh, it kind of feels weird. We're pretty in sync even though we just met."
"Is that so weird?"
She shrugged. "I dunno. I guess I thought you'd be more... stuck up, maybe. Sorry. Ruby told me you were an actual heiress and I... I dunno. Kind of bought into stereotypes."
"I can be bossy, and I'd be lying if I said I'm not... a bit difficult sometimes." I rubbed my arm nervously. "But I think you're really cool. And you seem to really care for your sister."
"Yeah... that just makes me feel worse about misjudging you." She rubbed the back of her head. A nervous tick I remembered her having. "I'm really sorry."
"It's fine." I soothed her. "It's not a big deal. Okay?"
She smiled. "Yeah."
"Weiss!"
I turned around, seeing Ruby in her ridiculous white and pink polka dot pajama pants.
I sent her a wave.
"Hi Ruby."
She went over to her area, sitting down on her blankets, looking frustrated. "Ugh! You were right about the lockers and-the showers! Everybody was rushing around it was really really chaotic."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
She sighed. "Well I was just about to write to my pals back at Signal. It's so weird being here alone. I don't know anyone here."
"Well you have Weiss." Yang nudged me. "Boom! Thats one friend."
"Yeah well I tripped into her stuff, nearly blowing us up off the side of a cliff. And then that crabby girl talked down to Weiss. Boom. One negative friend. Back down to zero."
"Oh sis, you can't have a negative friend. That just means you got one friend and one enemy."
Ruby threw a pillow at Yang's head, glaring at her.
"She had good reason to talk down to me. The Schnee Dust company is... a bit morally ambiguous." I rubbed my arm nervously.
Ruby made to respond, before locking onto someone in the back. "That girl..."
Yang got up, looking in the direction Ruby was looking. "You know her sis?"
"Yeah... she was there this morning when I knocked over Weiss's stuff. The one we were just talking about."
"Huh." Wait I knew that face... "Well now's your chance! Come on lets go talk to her!" Yang pulled Ruby up, despite her sister's clear protests.
I stayed seated, looking down at my lap. "I should just stay here. She probably doesn't even want to see me-wah-Yang?!" I yelped as the tall blonde yanked me up.
"Come on Weiss!"
"Yang I demand you let go of my hand this instant!"
"Ooh there's the bossy heiress I was waiting for. It'll be fine Snow Angel." Yang reassured me, before turning to Blake as we got close enough. "Hello!"
I avoided eye contact, choosing to look down.
I didn't know if I could handle it if Blake started glaring at me. I just couldn't. We were friends. We had been through so much.
But this Blake just left the White Fang. She still hated the Schnee Dust Company.
She still hated me.
"I uh, think you three know each other?" I gave Yang a glare, hearing the smug way she said it.
Blake's eyes drifted from Ruby to I, looking all to entirely uninterested in this conversation. I decided to bite the bullet, as one would say.
"You already know me. This is Ruby. Hi." I tried for a small wave, albeit a weak one.
"Hello!" Ruby tried her best, I had to give her that. But she was still a awkward bag of nerves.
Awkward silence.
"I like your eyes!" Yang tried to save the conversation.
"Uh huh."
"They uh, really go well with... your pajamas!"
"Thanks."
More awkward silence.
Yang turned to Ruby. "Yeah this girl is a lost cause."
My eyes caught the book she was reading. It was one Blake actually lent to me once or twice. "A Man With Two Souls?"
Her eyes glanced up from her book. "What about it?"
"I've read it once or twice. A man with two souls, each vying for control over the body."
Yang didn't seem nearly as interested, judging by her grimace. "Sounds lovely."
"I liked the idea of a fight for freedom." I continued. "Of two different clashing ideals and personalities struggling for a different cause. Neither were good, or even bad. Just different, and that was enough to spark aggression."
"You'd know a lot about aggression because of difference, wouldn't you?" She muttered.
Ouch. That hurt.
"I know a lot about fighting for what I want, verses what someone else wants for me." I spoke softly, crossing my arms.
"I love books." Ruby chimed in. "Yang used to read to me every night before bed. Stories of heroes and monsters. That's one of the reasons I want to be a Huntress."
"Whys that? Hoping you could live happily ever after?"
"I'm hoping we all will. As a girl, I wanted to be just like those heroes in the books. Someone who fought for what was right, and protected people who couldn't protect themselves."
"That's... very ambitious for a child. Unfortunately... the real world isn't a fairy tale."
"Well that's why we're here... to make it better."
That seemed to get Blake to stop and think.
"Oh-I'm so proud of my little sister!"
"Ack! Yang get off me!"
I sighed, smiling fondly at the sisters. "Alright you two let's get to bed. Some people are trying to sleep."
I was just glad I turned off whatever 'relationship notifications' were. If I had seen it drop when I talked to Blake, I probably would have cried.
Well tomorrow was a big day, and I still needed to work out how much I planned to change...
All in due time.
So the way stats work is 5 per level, with one point already in all stats at the start. A normal person's base stats are usually all around 5, and Hp is a 100x the stat point multiplier. While Ap is VIT +INT X 100 multiplier.
I just wanted to throw that out there so you know the stats aren't completely random and disorganized. Just mostly.
Also Weiss can choose not to see a person's name and Hp gauge if she isn't trying to look directly at it, which is why she didn't see it for Yang, Blake's or any other random person. She'll figure out how [The Gamer] works eventually.