"I don't know if it'll work," Weiss said, hesitance strong in her voice, "I ran away, only like, three weeks ago, mind you."
The group, after walking for a few more hours, had halted about two days from Atlas's main gate, in a secluded forest that stood right in between Argus and Atlas. It was an unsupervised plot of land, belonging to Atlas, but ran or owned by nobody in particular. It grew right alongside the river, which was now a roaring and crashing river. Much larger, grander, and scarier than their previous gentle stream. Occasional Atlesian ships would make an appearance here and there in the air, many of them military ships.
The appearance of cargo ships had reduced greatly after the Fall of Beacon, due to the suspicion of all the Atlesian soldiers attacking the citizens. Nearly nobody other than a few huntsmen and huntresses, as well as team RWBY and JNR knew that Roman Torchwick and Cinder had been responsible for that, and so, many people, as well as the other kingdoms, were wary against Atlas, even though it was truly innocent.
"Would you please stop suggesting that," Yang said, getting irritated at Weiss continuous complaining.
"It has been getting rather irritating," Blake added in agreement.
"Look," Weiss said, getting annoyed, "I'm just saying; I've only showed anger, resentment, and friction towards anything that had to do with my father and our home. And then I ran away, technically twice. What makes you think that he'd just accept everything I've done and just did, and then believe that I suddenly want to go back?"
Ren sighed and shook his head.
"You told us that many times, and now I am quite certain we all understand," Ren said calmly, "We are just growing a little jaded of your hesitance to comply."
Weiss's eyes narrowed and her teeth clenched. She stepped forward, her hands clenched into fists, and looked angrily at the group.
"Oh, my hesitance to talk to someone who used me as a pawn for his money, cares nothing for me, my sister, or my mother, married into my family for fame, and stripped me of my rightful place as heiress is getting irritating?" Weiss snapped, "Well, I'm sorry!" She rolled her eyes and waved her hand, placing it on her hip and tilting herself to the side. "Maybe we should see how patient you'll be if we have you talk to someone who's controlled and hurt you, hm?"
"Weiss, we didn't mean it like that-" Blake began, trying not to start another huge argument, but Weiss cut her off, stepping forward and shoving her face into Blake's.
"Oh, why don't you try talking to Adam, after he stabbed you and cut off Yang's arm, hm?" she shot, sarcasm and anger dripping off her words, "Or after you abandoned him and then killed him, after making a promise to him that you would be there for him at all times?"
Blakes' eyes widened and she shrunk back a little, wrapping her arms around herself as if she was cold. Tears slowly brimmed as Weiss continued shouting at her teammates and friends, anger making her heart hard and frozen.
"Or how about Raven?" Weiss continued, stepping in front of Yang and shoving her finger into her face, "After she abandoned you as a baby and then only saved you once, saying that she'd never do it again, not to mention leaving you with the Haven Relic, knowing it would paint a target on your back that could get you killed. Nice mom, huh?"
"Weiss, that's not what-" Yang protested, taking a step forward, but Weiss moved on, now glaring at Ruby, looking down on her as she was taller than her leader.
"Or how about you try talking to Cinder," she jeered, her temper rising to its peak, "After she forced Pyrrha into destroying Penny, and then killing her later. And after she hunted you down and tried to kill you so many times, putting all of our lives in danger. I bet you're feeling pretty eager to talk to her, huh, including after that time where she impaled me and nearly killed Jaune. Oh! And how could we forget? The entire occupation of Haven Academy!"
Weiss stood there, looking more like a villain herself than a poor, abused, lonely huntress. Panting from her yelling spree, she suddenly realized that Ruby was crying. A trail of tears had trickled down her cheeks and gathered at her chin, dripping off onto the front of her hood. Her silver eyes were glistening and full of sorrow and hurt, more than Weiss had ever seen in her lifetime. The she stepped back, realizing what she had just done.
"Oh my gosh..," she said, putting her hands over her mouth, "I'm sorry...I didn't mean-" She gave up and buried her face in her hands. Ruby wiped her eyes as Oscar put his hand on her shoulder. She sniffed and looked down, deeply wounded. Any mention of Pyrrha, Penny, what her presence had brought to them, or her mother had her nearly crying. But this. This was all just too negative and sorrowing. It was all she could do to keep herself from running off into the forest and hiding for a long time.
"Look," Weiss said, uncovering her face and sighing, "I'm really sorry. I just felt like nobody cared or knew how it felt like to be in my shoes. But I was wrong, and I'm sorry. All of you. Could you just forgive me? Please?"
She looked hopefully at the group, who had all been looking down. Negativity attracted Grimm, but no one cared right now. Team RWBY was hurt, and the others were saddened by Weiss icy insults. But they all slowly nodded their heads, except for Ruby who tried not to show her silent sobs that melted in her throat and left it aching.
"We forgive you," Jaune said, his voice low. Ren nodded, followed by Nora, Yang, and Blake.
"We do too," Ren said with a light smile. Weiss smiled at them and then looked at Ruby, hurt that Ruby didn't reply or agree.
"Ruby?" she asked softly. Ruby looked slowly up, her face filled with grief and sadness in the worst way. Weiss's face changed as she recognized this face. It was exact face Ruby had made after she had yelled at her about bossing her around, back in Beacon while she had been fighting the Boarbatusk. Weiss sighed and waited for Ruby to respond. Ruby just looked at Weiss with that heart-wrenching look, and then swallowed.
"It's fine," she said quietly, her voice barely audible. Weiss felt mostly relieved about this, but she was still sorry for her previous action, and felt like maybe Ruby was still hurt. Of course she was; it had just happened only a minute ago. Weiss just sighed and looked down, feeling uneasy and sad. What else could she do, anyway. She had yelled her mind at Ruby and Ruby wasn't fully accepting her apology. That was, in a way, her own fault. She would just have to deal with it until the fresh hurt healed. That was how one got stronger.
Weiss sighed and turned around, facing the rest of the group.
"Look," she said, that saltyish tone in her voice, "Just to make it clear, if this plan fails, then we'll never get another chance of using me to Atlas again. No matter if I'm actually telling the truth or just lying, he'll never let me back home ever-" She paused, as if realizing what she was saying, and her eyes widened suddenly. Then her face relaxed and some sort of smugness seemed to come over her, with a side of calm and serenity, as if everything was going to be alright after all. Taking a small, short breath and then exhaling she smiled softly.
"You know what," she said, stepping backwards, "It's alright. Don't worry about it."
The group exchanged glances, confused at Weiss's very sudden change of mind. But Jaune shrugged, giving Ruby and Qrow both a side glance before he answered her, neither confused nor wary of it. "Okay then...I guess we could go ahead and call him now, if you'd like?"
Weiss turned around, her back facing the group so they couldn't see her smug smirk as she crossed her arms over her chest. "It would be my pleasure."
"You ready?" Jaune asked.
Weiss stood there, her back to the group and her scroll held out in front of her with her father's number dialed, her finger hovering over the call button. Although she seemed relatively calm, and all of the tentativeness of earlier had been thrown out durning their previous discussion, she was trembling slightly, a mix of fear, anger, and nervousness on her face. But she bit her lip and nodded her head in some sort of determination.
"Yes."
Jaune nodded slowly and stepped away from her, falling in line with the others, who were standing in a nearly straight line behind Weiss. Ruby sighed and looked down, then looked up at Jaune.
"It's too bad she's super scared of just talking to her dad," she said, earning a nod from Jaune, "But I'm just not quite sure why she suddenly seemed more eager to do it just before."
Jaune shrugged. "I dunno, but at least she's doing it now."
Most of the group seemed down for whatever reason, even though this wasn't exactly a problem that they themselves had to deal with. Perhaps it was simply the anticipation of hoping that Weiss's call would work. Weiss's argument earlier had also put a little weight on the group, but it was mostly faded now, as most of them had simply forgiven her. It wasn't really a big deal, anyway, and everyone made mistakes. But what she had said was true. Why would Jaques believe Weiss, after she had just recently run away and had shown and had been showing total resentment towards him and their home for who knew how many years.
Weiss took a deep breath, running once more over the fake event she and the group had decided on for Weiss's "desperation" to get back home to her father. And then, with her heart thumping in her chest and a little bit of sweat beginning to form on her neck, she forced herself to press down on the call button on her scroll. The dialing sounds played and then her scroll began to vibrate, indicating that she was now calling her father.
Taking a deep breath and flicking her hair casually to the side, she sighed and melted her face into a heartbroken, absolutely miserable expression, tears actually rising in her eyes and her chin quivering. the group saw her do this, and they were a bit taken aback. Who knew she was so good at making realistic faces. Weiss wished her father would just pick up already, as her impatience was growing and she just wanted to get over with this. Sniffing and trying to layer onto her already sorrowful face and mindset, she waited for her father to pick up. To her surprise, he didn't and his voicemail answered for her in an automated female voice.
Frowning, she called him again, waiting for an answer. The result was the same, and Weiss felt angrier.
At least it'll make me look even more desperate to get ahold of him.
She called him again and again, adding to the group's nervousness, and then, with a suddenness that startled her a bit, Weiss heard the sickly smoothness of her father's voice, answering at long last.
"This must be very important for you to call me this many times."
Weiss almost spat at the sound of his voice, as she could hardly bear it, but instead, she sniffed and swallowed a fake sob, adding a pause for effect.
"Father?"
"What is it, Weiss. I have a business to run and not much room to run it," he answered, his voice carrying impatience and irritancy.
"Oh, Father!" Weiss suddenly cried, sounding so realistically miserable that the group almost thought she really felt that way, "I'm so sorry! You were right; I should've stayed at home. I never should've left in the first place, and I shouldn't have run away after you took me home from Beacon. I didn't realize that you only wanted to keep me safe, and I was only thinking about Winter and about how much I wanted to be free. But I am free with you; I just didn't realize it. I'm so sorry!"
Weiss inwardly winced at every word she said, ever voice in her head gagging and disagreeing at the sound of those words. But she kept her voice sorrowful and sincere, hoping she hadn't sounded absolutely ridiculous. There was a pause on the line, and Weiss simply filled it in with small sobs and sniffs, hoping to add some effect. And then he answered in a low and slightly wary voice.
"What happened, my dear?"
"I-I was with my team," Weiss began, sniffing and trying to sound like she was holding back a flood of emotion, "We were trying to go and "save the world" I told you. But then...th-then..." She teared up and began to cry, looking so sad that team RWBY wanted to go and comfort her, but they had to remind themselves that it was all a gig. Weiss was just extremely good at acting.
"Then what?" Jaques asked, slightly curious.
"Th-then w-we were attacked," Weiss continued, acting as if she was trying to gather herself, "By Grimm. They destroyed our camp, they hurt my friends...and they killed..." She silently cried for a few seconds before answering again, her voice cracking. "They killed Ruby."
Ruby's eyes widened, surprised that Weiss had chosen her of all of her friends to be the subject of sorrow. Sure, Ruby had always wanted to be Weiss best friend forever, but Weiss had never seemed to feel the same. Of course, Weiss was definitely her friend, but to act like she was completely heartbroken because of her death was really touching. Maybe Weiss did want to be her best friend forever.
"Isn't Ruby your team leader?" Jaques asked. Weiss nodded, purposely letting her scroll move with her.
"Yes. But she was also my-my best friend."
"I see."
"Please...take me home. I-I'm so sorry that I let you down so many times. I promise never to stray again, and I promise I'll do whatever you want with an eager heart. Just please take me home away from all these chaotic people. I see now why you didn't want me to leave. I'm so sorry. Could you ever forgive me?"
"Well, my dear, I have to say that I'm shocked that you are so eager to come back. But the flames of hardship can refine you, just as we cleans our dust crystals with fire to make them perfect and clear. Where are you?"
"I-I'm actually not far away from home right now. I'm right in between Argus and the gate to Atlas."
"Well, you and your group certainly did a good job making it that far, through Argus."
"Well...that doesn't matter anymore."
"Are you hurt?"
"Kind of. Nothing my aura can't heal, but I'll be fine."
"I'll fly over myself. Try to signal to me as I fly over, and I'll land."
"Thank you, Father. I'll signal to you with fire, if that works for you."
"It is doable. It will be good to have you home again, my dear."
"I-I can't wait to see you again, Father. Thank you."
"Of course, my dear. I will see you soon."
And with that, he hung up, and Weiss stood there, her scroll to her ear and her hand holding her elbow nervously. She slowly lowered her scroll and ended the call, staring at a while at the screen. Her face was tear stained and wet, and she still looked sad, which slightly concerned the others. And suddenly, Weiss fell to her knees, actually crying, her hands covering her face.
Jaune ran over, skidding to a halt beside her like he had in Haven when she had been impaled. He put a hand on her shoulder and looked softly at her, worried. Weiss continued to cry, and then suddenly jumped into Jaune's arms, burying her face into his chest. Jaune was very surprised, as his arms didn't close around her in a hug, but remained out in confusion. But his face softened and he hugged her back, closing his eyes and holding her as she clung to him.
The group smiled, and Nora put her hands on her cheeks.
"Awwww!" she said, "They're so cute together!" She gave Ren a big side hug, nearly knocking him over, and held on tight, giggling. Meanwhile, Ruby smiled softly, feeling a little hope as to her situation with Jaune. If Weiss liked him for real, like she had told her earlier, and Jaune gave up on Ruby and let Oscar have her, then maybe Jaune could end up happily with Weiss and she could say with Oscar. Then maybe the strain on their relationship could ease and disappear.
"What was that?" Yang asked as Jaune and Weiss returned to the group after Weiss had stopped crying and collected herself. Weiss sniffed and wiped her eyes, turning to Yang and allowing Jaune to pass her.
"It's kind of sad when you have to completely leave behind all your hopes, dreams, and friends, just to get your father's love and attention," she answered, sniffing again and then following after Jaune. Yang blinked and then looked down, nodding her head a little. She had actually been referring to Weiss hugging Jaune, but that was an alright answer. Yang leaned back so that her and Blake were neck and neck.
"That's depressing," she whispered, leaning her head back forward. Although Yang enjoyed having a smaller group than the gang back at Beacon, she still missed a few people. For instance, she missed Pyrrha, as well as many of her friends from Signal that had graduated with her. She also sort of missed Neptune, in a weird way, and Sun. Yang grinned as she remembered how Blake had been all fuzzy about Sun, always talking about her feelings towards him whenever she and Yang were alone. Yang had gladly given her some advice of her own, most of which Blake had declined, and now Blake didn't have Sun.
"Hey Blake," Yang asked, leaning backwards, "Miss Sun yet?"
Blake's eyes widened and she gave Yang one of her glares. "Stop reminding me. What does that matter to you?" she hissed, clearly trying to cover up her heartache of him being gone. Yang chuckled.
"I like romance," she said back, licking her lips, "And when my best friend is involved in a relationship, I really am a part of it, if you think about it." She giggled when Blake rolled her eyes and looked away, avoiding admitting that Yang was right. Yang stuck out her tongue and headed for the trees.
"I'm always right!" she said teasingly, waving her arms for the others to join her, "C'mon guys! It's time to hide. Weiss's dad is coming soon, and we can't mess this up, 'kay?"
The group nodded and quickly headed for the trees, ducking under low branches and stepping over roots. Weiss came with, purposely allowing her dress, leggings, and scarf to catch onto the sharper branches and roots, ripping them a little and adding some leaves as well.
Blake bent down and scooped up a handful of mud, rubbing it in her hands and walking over to Weiss. Nodding to her and getting a nod in response, she carefully began smearing little bits of mud here and there, making Weiss surprisingly realistically battered looking. As an artist, she really had the knack for good proportions. After she had finished with the mud, she took hold of the skirt of Weiss dress and carefully tore it a few inches, giving it a good post-battle look.
"Okay," she said, stepping back and looking at her work, "I know this may sound a little painful or annoying, but I'm going to need you to take your aura down. I'm going to cut you a little and scrape you some."
Weiss narrowed her eyes, but nodded. Taking in a slight breath, her aura flashed down, light blue. Blake unhesitantly pulled out one of her broken Gambol Shroud pieces, one of the blade parts, and walked back up to Weiss, the blade out. Weiss shut her eyes tightly, knowing that this was all necessary, and braced herself.
The group winced and looked away as Blake calmly sliced Weiss's palm open, blood spilling out onto her hand and the blade. Weiss took in a deep breath through her nostrils, but held surprisingly still, well disciplined. Blake then bent down, making smaller cuts were she had torn her leggings, and then smearing some of the little blood for emphasis. Standing back up, she carefully held the blade to Weiss's face, tracing her cheek bone with it and then slowly slicing down the side of her face, from her mid-cheek to just above her chin.
That cut had looked the most painful, but also kind of cool, bleeding bright red down her face and dripping off her chin onto her dress. Weiss opened her eyes, revealing shaking pupils and pain in that sea of sky blue. Her mouth was clenched and her chin quivered, but she kept her mouth shut and said nothing, looking down at Blake's work.
The group all painfully nodded, sad but relieved that Weiss did looked battered up. Defeated and injured some, and without any friends to be there by her side. Abandoned and alone. Worthless and nothing. Just like Jaques had told her she'd be if she went out again. Of course, Weiss did have friends by her side, and she wasn't abandoned, alone, or defeated. It was all a gig, but it was a painful gig, and Weiss wished she didn't have to be the main victim in it. But she just wanted to help the group, and they just so happened to need to get into Atlas, with her in their group. It all worked out perfectly.
"You okay?" Jaune asked, a pained expression on his face. he almost appeared to have tears in his eyes. Weiss slowly nodded, swallowing hard.
"I'm going to head out to the clearing," she whispered, her voice also sad, "Better signal to him with fire." She smiled weakly and then turned around, disappearing through the tangled mass of trees and bushes. The group stood there, watching her go, and then turned to Jaune.
"Now what?" Yang asked, her voice rid of any sorrow or depression. Just some sort of eagerness to carry on with the plan. Jaune shrugged and sighed, sadness in it.
"I guess we wait," he answered. The group all nodded dutifully, each of them hoping the wait wouldn't be too long. Qrow sighed, one of his exhasperated, raspy sigh and pulled out his flask, taking a long swig. Ruby frowned, always angered at the sight of that silver flask. She hated everything about alcohol; how it smelled, how it looked, what it did, its purpose. And her own uncle consumed that stuff.
Meanwhile, Oscar stood behind Ruby, nervously considering their plan and its execution. He didn't want Ruby to end up in some horribly fierce combat, stuck fighting with all her energy. She would pass out for sure, long before it would end. Their baby could die, and Ruby would get badly injured, and in her weak state, maybe even...
No, don't think like that, Oscar said to himself, shaking the horrid thoughts from his head, Ruby is strong and smart. She wouldn't allow herself or our baby to get into such danger. But then again...how could she help it? She barely has an control over what happens anymore!
Oscar sighed with exasperation and wiped his slightly sweaty forehead. The shade of the trees was more than welcomed by the group, but the air remained muggy and humid, and the heat was still more than draining. At least the sun was beating down on them, burning at their skin. All the crazy stress of keeping Ruby safe and keeping her looking innocent was weighing down on him harder everyday. But he knew he had to press on and be a real man. Weather Ozpin decided to support them or not, he would do whatever he could to keep Ruby and the baby safe, even if it killed him. He had promised her that, too.
"You okay, Kid?" Qrow asked, looking up from his flask. Oscar sighed and nodded wiping his brow again. "Yeah. It's just crazy hot out."
Qrow nodded slowly and took another drink. "Makin' my drink warm," he mumbled to himself. He screwed the the cap back on his flask and tucked it away, resorting his hands to his pockets. He looked around at all the people who were there. There because of Ruby's eagerness to set things right; there to help save those who couldn't protect themselves; there for each other, and yet, why was he here?
He was there to protect his daughter and because she had insisted on him staying. And to be honest, he was also there because he was too afraid of loosing her. He didn't want to loose the only person left dear to him. He just couldn't. If he lost Ruby, his little ray of hope and light, the only thing keeping him going, and the smile on his mouth, he would likely commit suicide. Maybe go off and halfheartedly fight a stupidly large amount of Grimm.
Sighing again, he pulled out his flask again, took a quick swig, and then tucked it away.
"I just hope Weiss is okay," Ruby said slowly, looking down unconsciously at the hardly noticeable bump on her stomach, "I'd never let her go through anything like that again."
Yang nodded, her hand on her hip. "Yeah, and to go through all that mud and blood just to let us go into Atlas? She's really proving herself now." She tossed her thick mass of golden hair to the side and let it swing around behind her until it steadied a moment later. Jaune just looked down, sighed, and then straightened up.
"Guys," he said, catching their attention, "I need you all to focus on this mission. One small step out of plan and we're all done for." He held out his hand and hit it with his fist for emphasis. "So it's important not to get distracted by anything and to keep our eyes fixed on our plan, got it?"
The group nodded dutifully. Qrow rolled his eyes and grunted, fixing his gaze on a patch of moss by his feet. But a hand rested itself gently on his arm, making him look up. It was Ruby, her face pleading for him to step out of the shadows and try not to be so glum. He could tell by her face that was what she meant and wanted, having seen that face so many times.
"Hey," she said softly, "You okay?"
Sighing and then smiling lightly at her, he nodding slowly. "Yeah."
Ruby smiled softly and then nodded. "Okay." And then she turned back towards Jaune and listened to his further instructions.
Ruby still looked so young, so frail. And right now, she looked really frail. He wasn't even sure what made her look so frail at the moment, but she just did. Maybe the heat was really getting to her, like it had earlier when she stumbled. Concern filled him. If she had stumbled from the heat earlier and now she look especially delicate right now, maybe she should take it easier now or something. Maybe she should take on an easier portion of this mission.
Maybe she should've even participate at all!
Qrow shook that thought out of his head, realizing that he was acting too much like Tai; overprotective and underestimating his offspring. It was true. He thought Yang hadn't been ready to go out into the world, and countless times he had talked to him about Ruby being too young for Beacon or for going off and doing the type of "hero work" she was doing now.
Inwardly cursing himself, he stood up slightly straighter and sighed. Ruby was strong, smart, and skilled in combat. Skilled enough to get Ozpin to move her up two years and to succeed far better than two immature graduates on the train to Atlas. He could trust her, and hopefully, she could trust him.
I just hope I haven't been braking that trust by everything I've caused this whole time...
Meanwhile, Weiss stood in the clearing, her sword out straight in front of her, the dial on the hilt poised on fire dust. The pain from her fresh cuts and scrapes was slowly irritating her more and more, stinging, poking, wincing pain. But she brushed it off, knowing that as soon as her father picked her up, those minor injuries would have no problem healing up.
Taking one last look at her thin silver sword, she ran her hand down the smooth metal surface of it, hoping she wouldn't have it locked up in some room of the mansion. Knowing her father, he might do such, just to make sure she wasn't trying anything. She would need to show no hesitance at his demand of doing it, and maybe even agree with it. Glaring down at her ripped and dirt dress, she sighed, looked up, and then took a deep breath, holding her sword close to her face.
Focusing, she slowly slid her finger across the blade, a line of fire following, and then, snapping her eyes open, she let loose a large pillar of fire into the air, several glyphs forming a path for the burning flames. Each glyph spun at a medium pace, keeping the fire radiating from each one, sustaining her beacon for her father.
As she stood there, keeping her sword in position and focusing on keeping her glyphs going, she sighed, lowing her head. For the longest time, she had always wanted her father gone, out of her life completely, but now she was beaconing for him to come, purposely.
But at least you don't actually mean what you're going to do next. You just need to pretend.
After only about a half our of Weiss's flaming beacon and the group waiting patiently in the woods with Blake explaining stealth, a smaller Atlesian ship was spotted, flying towards them and leaving behind a trail of exhaust. Weiss waited a little longer for the ship to come closer before finally relaxing and allowing her glyphs to fad away, letting the fire die away in the air.
Panting slightly, Weiss stood there, her heat thumping wildly in her chest and sweat from her semblance and her nervousness streaking down her face and neck. She reevaluated the plan in her mind, over and over again, and then what she planned on doing and saying, every motion sounding bitter and fake. But she knew this was necessary, and she was going to do it. She could barely hear the group in the trees whispering harshly to each other, rustling around in there and moving around. It made her nervous, but she didn't look over by them or say anything.
Instead, she simply stood there, watching the ship as it got nearer and nearer. Slowly sinking into her acting sense and jerking her mindset into the plan, her face began to melt into a hopeless, flat look, the kind she often made when she found at that something she was trying to do was hopeless. The ship nearing, her allies in the trees quieting, and her face and mind now perfectly prepared for the rocky journey that lay before her, Weiss closed her eyes, and waiting.
It wasn't very long before Weiss started to feel the warm air blowing out from the Atlesian ship as it prepared to land. She didn't even need to open her eyes to know that it was landing now, and she waited as the air got hotter and stronger, blowing her alabaster hair around and wiping the skirt of her dress around with her red scarf. And soon enough, the loud rumbling of the ship landing stopped, now replaced by the gentle purring of the motor.
Keeping her eyes closed, she slowly grabbed her elbow, pawing shamefully at the ground below her. The sound of a few feet landing on the dirt, guns moving around in their arms, and the low talking of Atlesian guards talking became audible and then, with a prickling sensation down her back, Weiss heard the main door of the ship open, and then the sound of another pair of feet stepping neatly out and then standing there.
Weiss just stood there, partially flinching from the fact that her father was there and partially because she was suppose to be flinching from shame. She could almost feel his presence in front of her, feel his icy blue gaze on her, feel the feelings and thoughts in his head. And then, in his usual, sickly sweet voice, Jaques spoke.
"Hello, my dear."
Oh boy. Not looking forward to writing Jaques the rude and naughty dad. I also need to keep the focus on the main plot; Ruby and Oscar trying to deal with this baby! Anyway, please write reviews, I find those helpful, useful, and fun to read, even the critical ones. And sorry AGAIN for the MASSIVE delay!
I got lice, and then of course, I had to spend time dealing with that. And then I had a full week of crazy business, so this chapter was late again. Shouldn't be a problem for a while, though, thankfully, at least after next week.
Thanks for reading and tune in for more chapters!