Chapter 7: Comfortably Numb

A/N: Hi again, this chapter I just breezed (or, rather, powered) through; and that's why It's here so early!

The group got ready early, and was out the door at sunrise, bundled up against the cold; except for Nick, who seemed to have a screw loose.

His red-checked long-sleeved flannel was worn over a grey tee. A black bandana was tied loosely around his neck and tucked into his tee collar. He wore dark blue cargo jeans –oil-stained from the knees down— with a belt that held several pouches and an axe sheath. His knife was sheathed and strapped opposite his axe on his left foreleg. His heavy-duty metal-capped engineer's boots and gloves finished off his attire.

It was a stark contrast to the winter coats the rest wore.

"How are you not freezing?!" Ruby said. He turned to them and said, "I'm used to it." "Um, how?" asked Nora. Nick got a far and distant look in his eyes, and was silent. He took a moment before answering. "I can't feel much of anything anymore," he bluntly stated. They were about to ask more, but Qrow interrupted, "Alright, let's get movin'." Nick stood there for a moment, then shrugged and said, "Well if you insist." He followed Qrow down the path.

For a while they marched on in silence, until Ruby came up to Nick and eagerly asked, "So, is that just an axe, or is it also a gun?" he looked at her and said, "Just a tomahawk." She went on, undaunted, "well, what about your knife?" "Only a bowie," he replied without missing a beat. Ruby nodded, "Oh okay, that's cool." "I will say," He said, "you have an impressive weapon, Miss Rose." He turned to look at her just in time to see her turn away and smile. "A mix of a scythe and sniper rifle… that's very unique. You take any inspiration from your d-uncle?" "Yeah, he helped me build her," she replied, stroking Crescent Rose. He nodded in understanding.


They arrived in the village early, thanks to Nick showing them a shortcut down. When they entered, Blake kept an eye out for the two Atlasian specialists, and Jaune decided to stick with Blake. Ruby, Nora, and Ren split off and did their own thing. Qrow headed for the tavern to get a room or two. Nick, however, headed for the council building.

He stopped before he entered, taking off his backpack. He drew out a sealed cylinder; a document canister. He attached a note to it and entered. He placed it in the council's meeting inbox, then left. Now the lodge and mountain go back to them, He thought as he crossed the street, now to meet the others back at the tavern.


At the Tavern bar, Qrow was halfway through his first drink. He swirled his glass, reminiscent of his deal with his sister.

A familiar voice talked behind him and he turned around, and instantly regretted it. The white-haired Specialist who was talking saw him turn around, and recognized the man on sight. "You!" Winter said, "What are you doing here." Qrow took a swallow and replied, "I'm havin' a drink." Winter stepped over to him, saying, "What are you doing in this village." "You know," Qrow said, unsteadily getting up to his feet, "I don't have to tell you anything." She glared at him. He glared back.


Meanwhile in the Tavern's lobby, Weiss sat patiently, sipping a coffee winter got her, and read a book on her scroll. She heard Winter raise her voice, and looked up in alarm. The man she was talking to kept calm, and Weiss went back to her reading. Three or four people entered the tavern; Weiss ignored them, until one of them saw her. "Weiss?" An all-too-familiar voice of a red-caped huntress-in-training said. Weiss looked up in astonishment and disbelief. "R-Ruby?"

"NORA!" interrupted Nora, to everyone's chagrin.

Weiss stood up, right before Ruby nearly tackled her in a hug. Holding her at arm's length, Weiss was the first to ask, "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Vale." "Weiss, I can't believe you're here too!" Ruby said almost before Weiss finished. Weiss looked over Ruby's shoulder, seeing Ren and Nora heading to the counter. "Do you two need a few moments alone?" the fourth person said. Weiss looked over Ruby's other shoulder to see him. The first thing she noticed was his grungy clothes, and then his mesmerizing eyes… and then his ashen-white hair. When she saw his hair she thought, A Schnee? That's impossible. Unless… Ruby turned her head to look, and said, "oh Weiss, this is Nick, he's gonna help Yang." He held up his hand in greeting, "Shalom Aleichem."

Weiss looked at him in curiosity, "Nick who?" he was about to answer, but a commotion followed by the ring of metal on metal stopped him short. He swore under his breath as he breezed past them to the barroom, thinking, what in Hellfire is going on in there?!


Yang sighed and finally sat up. She slid out of bed, slowly, and cautiously stood up. She smiled at her achievement; now to hunt the next one. She took a breath, and then a step, and then her legs buckled, too weak to handle the strain, sending her falling to her knees. She exhaled, giving a sob, and then pounded the floor in frustration and anger.

She stood back up and walked, unsteadily, to her door. Her eyes flashed red as she turned the handle with her only hand left. She stepped through the house, drawing strength from her aura. As she approached the back door, determination, anticipation, and fear coursed through her body. She threw open the door and rushed outside, letting the cold impact her loosely-clad body. This feels good, She thought, with my luck, Uncle Qrow's friend is an old prosthetic specialist. She stayed out there in the winter outside for a few minutes, and then went back inside, exhausted, and numb, but strangely comforted.


Qrow jumped onto a table as he drew his sword. He pointed it at Winter, her blade already drawn. "I'll give you one more chance Ice Queen; why are you here?" She circled around him, saying, "That's classified." She stopped, "But there's some unfinished business that need's resolved," and she lunged. Qrow leaped off the table, kicking it mid-air at Winter. She leaped over it, landing in a crouch and swinging her blade at Qrow. He parried, and she swung again.

Their blades clashed and clanged again and again, as they maneuvered around the barroom. Finally, Qrow engaged the scythe form of his blade, but not before Winter stabbed at him. He leaned out of it's way. She punched him using the guard of her blade. He grinned back at her and swung. She rolled out from under his scythe, and was about to return swipe, when she slipped on a glass lying on the floor. She fell backwards, landing on her backside. The few spectating members burst out in laughter, and Winter picked herself up in embarrassment. She stalked over to Qrow, anger nearly boiling out, when she slipped again, this time on the glass' former contents. A hand was offered to help her up, and she reluctantly took it. She stood up, and her face was mere centimeters from Qrow's. Her cheeks flushed as she looked away. "This isn't over, Qrow," she said. She stormed off, nearly colliding with Nick. When she saw him in person, she could barely believe it. Those rumors were true! She thought. "Are you the Ace of Spades?" she demanded.

"You first," he replied, giving a smirk, "who are you, and what do you want with me?"

A/N: So I'm back a record eight days after the last post. My birthday was ok, I'm still coherent so that's a plus. this was one chapter I was excited about, even though it's short-ish. It might be a WHILE before I get to the next post, so...

And now, the reviews.

GamehunterMC: well, keep practicing the art of patience, Hunter (It's okay if I call you Hunter, right?) the next chapter will have their moment.

merendinoemiliano: well, I hate to give a spoiler, but this is only the beginning for Pyrrha.

thanks guys for putting in your time reading this, even if you didn't review because it was so awesome. (or it was so horrid)