Mistral Central Station was the largest transport hub on the continent, connected to perhaps the widest reaching rail network in the entire world. Not only that, it also contained an equally impressive airship dock for international travel. From this one location you could take a train all the way to the northern reaches and the city of Argus, right down to the southern port towns to gain passage to Menagerie or catch an airship straight to any of the three major Kingdoms in the world. At least, that was what you could have done before Vale was attacked by Grimm, the CCT network was taken offline and the world hadn't bore witness to Atlas military hardware turning on the people it was supposed to protect. Now you were lucky if any airship would willingly leave Mistral protected airspace for more than reconnaissance.
Not that Weiss could blame them. The world was a dangerous place and even without the knowledge she now held of maidens and magic and queenly Grimm, it felt more dangerous than ever. The governments of the world were pulling back to protect their own in the best ways they knew how, closing their borders to direct international travel as much as possible without completely stifling any trade. Whether or not she agreed with their methods was irrelevant, it was more than understandable that this was the stance they took.
"Hey look!" Ruby's high voice carried across the concourse, beating every other sound into submission. "King Taijitu!"
Weiss couldn't help but glare as their group followed after her rambunctious and completely oblivious partner, arms crossed so tightly across her torso that she looked like she was attempting to squeeze the life out of something.
An entire week wasted! Seven days she'd had and seven days she had squandered, though it had been far from her fault! Time after time, day after day, she was thwarted by her idiot teammates! And okay, maybe it wasn't all their doing – Weiss could grudgingly admit that the day of their outing, that had been all on her. She had simply forgotten. A brief lapse, that was all. They'd had so much fun together as a group that she had lost her self in the moment, basking in the innocence they had recaptured for that one day. But all the other times! If it wasn't Ruby barging in on them at an inopportune moments, it was Yang monopolizing his time or Blake pulling him away on some errand. Even when they were training at Haven, something always got in her way. It wasn't just her team, either. Nora's unpredictable nature was always guaranteed to throw a spanner in the works, while Oscar was always on the look out for a helping hand which Jaune was more than willing to lend. Then there was that one time that Qrow decided he wanted a new drinking buddy. Coincidentally, that particular event had coincided with a massive power outage across the kingdom that the pair swore vehemently had nothing to do with them.
She really couldn't catch a break.
Now the week was done and they were ready to depart for Argus. It was time to leave Mistral behind. Maybe a change of scenery is what was required. And perhaps she needed to do some changing of her own.
Maybe it was time to be more assertive.
It wasn't that she had been entirely passive in her attempts but there had always been wiggle room for others to slip between them, opportunities for others to claim his attention. That needed to end. He need only look at her. Hear her. Touch her.
No one else.
All in the name of training! If she could just get him alone without chance of interruption, then her path to victory would be clear.
"Over here," Ruby waved.
She was standing beside a massive fountain sculpture in the likeness of a King Taijitu, the two headed snake Grimm carved from white and dark marble. It was an impressive sight and a beautiful piece of art, the stone shimmering as water cascaded down its surface. Other passengers were posing and taking photos in front of it, while others were perched on the stone rim, eating their lunches or talking with friends and loved ones. It was such a slice of normalcy that Weiss couldn't help but envy them their ignorance and long for the times she had at Beacon Academy. At least the times that didn't involve the White Fang, rampaging mechs and psychotic wannabe maidens.
Weiss glanced to her side and smiled when she noticed Jaune looking her way, the blond returning her smile with one of his own.
"How long do we have?" Blake asked the group at large. After admiring the fountain for a few minutes, they moved on, making their way across the concourse and toward the platform where the Argus Limited sat in wait. The train was sleek and state of the art, the cars reinforced with retractable armour plating to protect against Grimm attack if ever the need arose.
"Almost an hour," Ren answered while glancing up at one of the holo-screens suspended above their heads where a list of departure and arrival times were listed alongside destinations, both domestic and international. Vale was crossed out, as was Atlas and Vacuo – a sad reminder but an expected one.
They crowded around a bench, Weiss seating herself carefully and stretching out her legs. Nora and Ren joined her on the bench behind, while Jaune sat next to her, leaning back against the backrest casually, arm slung along its length. She had a sudden urge to lean back against it.
"I'm hungry," Ruby announced. "Want anything?"
Most of them replied in the negative, though Oscar offered to join her. As the two youngest trot away, Yang let out a massive sigh, stretching her arms above her head.
"I can't wait to get to Argus," she said. "Not that I don't like Mistral but," she hesitated a moment. "Anyone else feel a little restless?"
There was a chorus of agreement.
The events at Haven had opened their eyes to the full picture and had created an urgency that had somewhat dulled by their week long wait, but it had never completely vanished. There was a fight in their future – an important one, perhaps the most important fight of their lives and each day brought them closer to it. The good news in all of this was that apparently Raven had taken care of Cinder, removing one of their biggest obstacles. Just recalling that wicked woman reminded Weiss of her near miss with death, and of the absence of one of their own, a piece of themselves forever lost.
"Argus, then Atlas," Jaune muttered beside her.
That was the plan. Argus, then Atlas.
As much as she never wanted to set foot in the god forsaken place again, she didn't have much of a choice. Ironwood was their best bet. Their only hope, really – an ally in a sea of unknowns. Unfortunately, it was a guarantee that she would inevitably run into her family at some point. As much as she had come to terms with it all, meeting her father again wasn't going to be pleasant and things with her little brother were complicated, putting it mildly.
And that wasn't even taking into account her mother and the baggage there.
But that didn't mean it was all bad. Where Ironwood was, Winter was sure to follow – seeing her sister again would be a blessing. It had been far too long.
"You good?" Jaune asked.
Weiss blinked, surprised to find him leaning her way with a look of concern. His cologne was different from the scent of her dreams but only a little, filled with warmth, a woody tone – cedar, she thought wildly, with a touch of tobacco – followed by a nice hit of spice to compliment the mix and make it pop across the sinuses. It filled her mind with a haze, a pleasant hum that she found intoxicating, her impulse to lean in and bury her nose in his collar strong. Instead she hastily busied herself with the red scarf she had taken to wearing lately, feeling her cheeks warm slightly.
"Perfectly good," Weiss replied. "Fine. Perfectly fine. Why do you ask?"
He leaned back, shrugging his broad shoulders. "Oh, you just looked a little – uh – lost in thought. You get this look on your face sometimes when-"
"What look?" Weiss interrupted crossly.
Jaune grimaced. "Oh, uh,"
"Sort of like this," at some point, Yang had mounted the bench behind them and took the opportunity to lean between them, causing to the two to flinch back in alarm. Her face was grave with a hint of stress around the eyes, "Right, Jaune?"
He hesitated for a moment. "Uh, that is actually really accurate. How did you do that?"
Yang laughed while Weiss glared. "Just pure talent, I guess. I did spend several months living with sourpuss here, so it gave me lots of time to see that face in action."
"Would you kindly shut up," Weiss pushed her fat head teammate away, Yang yelping as she nearly fell off the bench. "And I look nothing like that."
"Well," Jaune began.
"Nothing. Like. That," Weiss punctuated each word with a finger jabbed into his very tender neck. "Got it?"
"Right, right."
Ruby and Oscar returned with food – or at least Ruby's definition of food. Mostly various candy bars and crisps, though a pre-packaged sandwich had somehow mixed its way in there. As the pair tore into their bounty, a familiar voice called out from a nearby walkway. Sun, Neptune and Ilia waved, prompting Blake to hurry over and converse with the trio.
Qrow chose that moment to appear, grumbling sourly under his breath about incompetence. He took a swig of his flask, paused, and then grunted as he upended the very clearly empty container in an attempt to squeeze out every last drop.
"Everything alright there, Uncle Qrow?" Yang asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Fine. Just some idiots that need their heads bashed together. The academies are really going down the drain if those two graduated," he didn't bother elaborating on who those two were, instead looking around quickly. "Where is that Belladona girl? I spoke with the train staff – we can board now."
Nora jerked her thumb across the way. "Saying goodbye to her boyfriend."
"Nora, I don't think they are dating," Ren attempted to correct.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"I am fairly confident in my assessment."
"Yeah, but are you sure?" she stressed.
The group watched as Blake rose up on her tippy-toes and planted a quick kiss on the monkey faunus' cheek. Sun looked like he had hit the jackpot, his mouth stretching in the biggest, stupidest grin it was capable of achieving. They all shared uncertain looks except Nora who proceeded to pump her fist in victory and perform a little dance.
"Hah!" Nora shouted. "Was I right or was I right?"
"That could have just been a friend kiss," Ruby tried to reason, looking a little shocked at this sudden turn of events.
"Oh yeah, we all give each other friend kisses all the time," the ginger girl replied sarcastically.
"Nora," Ren tried but even the usually stoic boy wore an expression of surprise.
"They are fairly close and have been through a lot together," Weiss backed up her partner when Ren failed to continue his thought. "Who knows when they will see each other again? I agree that such an action may be a little inappropriate for such a public setting but I suppose it isn't outside the realms of possibility."
"When have we ever known Blake to be all kissy? And we didn't all give Yang kisses when we left Patch and we're all super close and great friends," Nora fired back, addressing Team RNJR specifically. "At least I didn't and – and Ren, you better not have," he raised his hands in defense. "And I don't think Jaune did…" she eyed her team leader queerly. "Although..."
"Haha, very funny," Jaune deadpanned. "I rather like my spine where it is, thank you very much."
He grunted as Yang reached over and wrapped her arm around his head, crushing the side of his face into her torso. She wore the biggest shit eating grin in existence.
"Oh you know us," Yang said cheekily. "He couldn't keep his lips off me."
"Would you mind?" Weiss snapped, eying the way his cheek smooshed against her teammates breasts.
Yang laughed. "You gotta lighten up, Ice Queen. Public displays of affection are perfectly normal between friends in this day and age. Right, Jaune?"
Whatever his reply was, it was muffled by her leather jacket.
"See?"
Before Weiss could reply, Blake wandered back over completely unaware that Nora was moments from pouncing – and pounce she did, lifting the taller girl off her feet and giving her a giant hug that threatened to snap her in half. It surely looked comical to any outside observer, watching the tiny girl manhandle Blake with such ease.
"Wha—Nora?" Blake said in alarm.
"Why didn't you tell us you were going out with Sun?" She swung Blake around like she weighed nothing. "You two are so cute together."
"What? We aren't going out!" Blake looked outraged and dizzy as Nora continued to swing her about like some oversized doll. "Nora, cut it out! H-Hey, stop!"
"Not until you admit the truth!"
"While this is amusing and all, how about we take this on the train?" Qrow interrupted in his usual grouchy tone, though there was unmistakably a smirk on his lips.
The train staff showed them to their rooms, two cabins fitted with beds – bunk beds, didn't that take them back a bit – and wardrobes for storage. Stowing their luggage, they all gathered in one of the dining cars, exchanging small talk as finally, one by one, the rest of the passengers were let aboard. It wasn't long before they set off, the train humming as it rose up on the gravity dust lined rail. They barely felt it as they began to move, quickly gaining speed as they pulled out of the station and through a tunnel that took them beneath the kingdom walls and into the surrounding wilderness. Trees flashed by as they wound their way through the thick forests of Anima, across vast ravines and skirting lakes and rivers.
"So," Yang began when a lull in the conversation presented itself. "You and Sun, huh?"
There was no doubt to whom this was directed at. Blake rolled her eyes as Nora bounced in her seat looking entirely too smug.
"I'm an idiot for thinking you were going to let that go," the cat faunus drawled.
"You know me better than that," Yang replied with a grin.
"Just ignore the busy body," Weiss added her voice. "If you wish to cavort with Sun then it isn't really any of our business."
"Oh come on," Nora groaned while Blake spluttered and Ruby mouthed the word 'cavort' in confusion. "Aren't you just a little bit curious?"
"Of course I am," Weiss replied defensively when Yang and Nora both looked at her as if she was a giant killjoy. She was certainly not! "But I happen to respect the privacy of my teammates more than sating any sort of curiosity on my part. I just ask that should we meet up with him again that they keep their canoodling to behind closed doors."
"Canoodle?" Ruby repeated uncertainly.
"Where are you pulling these terms from?" Yang asked incredulously. "Are you a grandma?"
Weiss sniffed haughtily.
"You and monkey boy getting it on?" Qrow suddenly asked out of the blue. If possible, Blake was momentarily rendered even more speechless than she already was before somehow forming a coherent response in an emphatic, "No!"
"Uncle Qrow!" Yang and Ruby both scolded, scandalised.
"What?" the older man asked with a well practiced face of innocence that fooled nobody.
"You can't just ask a girl that, you big ninny," Ruby rapped her knuckles against the hardwood of the table. "It's rude!"
"Appalling behaviour," Weiss agreed.
"That's why you're single," Yang hit with a critical strike, Qrow's expression shifting into a scowl.
"Look, I was just showing my appreciation," Blake muttered awkwardly. "He was worried about me after what happened at Beacon and followed me halfway across the world because of it. I was annoyed at him at first but... he was a real big help. Having a friendly face around was nice, even if I didn't really understand that at the time. It meant a lot to me."
Yang hummed. "Well, you better let him know that it was just appreciation. The boy is smitten. That little kiss might have just made him fall even harder."
Blake grimaced. "That really... wasn't my intention."
"As long as you know, then you can avoid making the same mistake in the future," Weiss nodded wisely at Yang's words. "Or you might be the second girl on our team to get a visit from a serenading blond."
That was a low blow if there ever was one. Jaune groaned. "You really had to go there, didn't you? L-Look, I thought I had to stand out a little, you know? And it always works in the movies."
"When it works, they can usually sing well," Ruby piped up with a smirk. Jaune shot her a wounded look that made everyone laugh.
"Who did he serenade?" Oscar asked curiously.
"Please let it end," Jaune's voice was muffled as he buried his face in his arms.
"Who else but our very own Ms. Schnee," Yang answered dramatically. "Ice princess – sorry, heiress of the largest dust company on Remnant. Well, formerly."
"Quiet, you," Weiss replied, not amused in the slightest.
Of course, Yang didn't listen. "So the poor guy knocks on our door and had a guitar and everything, starts singing about how he wants to take her to the school dance. Well, it wasn't enough to melt her heart of Weiss and she slammed the door in his face."
"You really had to slip that in there, didn't you?" Blake deadpanned, though she looked relieved that they were no longer focusing on her.
Oscar looked horrified on Jaune's behalf while Qrow laughed loudly and thumped him on the back. Jaune just groaned again and tried to shrink into the ground without success.
Weiss felt her cheeks flush. "L-Listen, perhaps I was a little harsh-"
"Ya think?" Yang cut in.
"Shush. All I'm saying is that I may have overreacted to the situation and I'm sorry. Though your singing and playing really were atrocious," when Jaune remained buried in his arms, Weiss frowned worriedly. "Jaune?"
He peeked out at her and grinned weakly. "I'm good. It's just embarrassing remembering all those things, you know?"
"If you want embarrassing, wanna hear about the time I caught Yang trying to practice kissing with her Achieve Men poster?" Ruby dangled a lifeline.
"Ruby!" Yang screamed as Blake suddenly burst out in laughter.
The trip to Argus was an overnight one and as the morning turned to afternoon, then approached evening, the scenery also changed. The once vibrant green forests became snow laden, the lakes and rivers topped with ice, the cliffs and mountains tipped in white. They ate a quiet dinner. The food was exquisite and paid for by Ozpin's slush fund, and it wasn't long after that they started to break apart for the night. The sun was still out but hung low on the horizon, the sky a flash of orange and purple and deep dark blues.
Weiss watched as Ren and Nora made their way out of the dining car, Blake not far behind with a satisfied expression on her face. The cod had been to die for, or so the cat faunus had proclaimed loudly and often. That was one teammate down for if she knew anything about Blake, it was that she always crashed after a good meal. That only left Ruby, Yang, Oscar and Qrow.
Correction. Qrow was deep into his fourth drink and looked about ready to ditch the brats as he had taken to calling them. Weiss found that Ruby's uncle was somehow even surlier when drunk than when he was sober and gleefully took to calling them names whenever possible. Was it any surprise that her sister Winter had immediately clashed with such a man? Weiss watched carefully as the veteran huntsman sauntered over to the bar and then proceeded in the other direction without so much as a wave, new drink in hand.
"Gonna finish all that?" Yang asked, eying the banana split seated in front of Ruby. It was a truly monstrous thing topped with whipped cream, nuts, flaked chocolate and at least several different flavour sauces. The younger girl had plowed into it with gusto but even her limitless stomach had been defeated, a good quarter still standing in defiance as Ruby moaned pitifully, belly overfull and veins filled with sugar.
Jaune reached over and plunged his spoon into the side of it, humming as he scooped a healthy portion into his mouth.
"It's good," he said after swallowing and going for another bite. Ruby just moaned again in despair, Yang laughing at her sister's pain and joining Jaune in finishing off the lavish desert, their spoons clinking together as they mock dueled for every bite. Something about the sight of the two blonds eating from the same bowl made something clench deep down in her gut.
Oscar yawned loudly, slumped in his seat and looking ready to depart the waking world at any moment.
Yang and Jaune made quick work of the remaining ice cream before Yang hauled her sister to her feet, Ruby's face paling further than her usual pallor.
"Y-Yang, dwbon't," the younger girl said around a dangerous burp.
Yang flinched back in alarm and kept a safe distance as she ushered her sister away, though a cheeky smirk crossed her face as she said, "Look out sis, I'll be calling you vomit girl to match vomit boy back there if you aren't careful."
"Well, looks like Yang is about to get her revenge," Jaune said after a moment as a waiter cleaned away their dishes. "I better get this one back to the room." He jerked a thumb at Oscar.
This was it. This was her chance.
"I'm sure he can find his own way back, can't you, Oscar?"
The boy stared at her bleary eyed. "What?"
"Excellent," she turned to Jaune. "Would you accompany me? I wish to speak with you."
Jaune looked at her in surprise. "Oh, uh – are you sure he'll be okay? He looks kinda out of it."
"I'm sure. He isn't a little kid, he'll be fine." She ignored that he was, in fact, still a child. Weiss slid out of her seat and helped Oscar stand, giving him a soft nudge in the back in the direction of their rooms. "Off you go, now. Have a good night."
Oscar shuffled his way out of the car, nearly bumping into the door frame.
"Uh," Jaune looked worried.
"Now then," Weiss grabbed him by the hand and marched in the opposite direction, getting as far away from their friends as possible. Jaune stumbled around behind her.
"Woah, hey – what's the hurry?"
"Time is of the essence," she replied, a quick look at his face showing his immense confusion. "I don't wish to be interrupted."
"Interrupted?"
She didn't bother answering, keeping a firm hold of his hand as they exited the dining car and passed through the adjoining passenger cars, people having to swerve out of the way as Weiss refused to alter course. She felt the looks of outrage directed their way and promptly ignored them, though Jaune uttered apologises on their behalf as she hauled him through another doorway and into the next car. This one was different than the others, plush seating running the length on each side, the walls dominated by crystal clear windows. Some sort of observation car to view the surrounding landscape and despite her better judgment she came to a stop, Jaune almost bumping into her at the sudden pause. The train was in the process of taking a large bend, the tracks clinging to the sheer cliff in which they were perched, giving them a wide view of the surrounding area for miles.
It was breathtaking.
Rolling snow capped forests for as far as the eye could see, a single wide river cutting a winding path beneath them. The large broken moon had finally crested the horizon as day officially became night and was reflected upon the crystalline waters, shimmering upon the slow moving currents. The sky was abloom with countless constellations, a sea of light to match the reflected moon below. It looked like something out of a storybook, everything perfectly aligned, a winter wonderland laid bare.
"Woah," Jaune uttered in awe. Weiss felt his hand tighten against hers and squeezed back, chest feeling tight. He turned towards her and she felt her breath catch in her throat. "Is this what you wanted to show me?"
No, it hadn't been. Not at all. There was no way of knowing such a beautiful sight would greet them. While she had taken note of the observation car, it had been nothing more than another bit of distance to put between her and her team. It was pure happenstance that they were to be here right now, at this moment, to witness such an amazing view. Despite her initial desires, she wasn't going to squander such a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
"It looks so peaceful," he commented slowly as he turned back to the window. Weiss couldn't take her eyes off it – not the way the moon glimmered off the river, nor the picturesque pines dusted white, but the way his eyes lit up as he gazed out across Remnant. "You wouldn't ever think that behind each tree is a Grimm waiting to tear you to shreds."
It really did clash with the reality of the world.
They stood in silence for several minutes basking in the beauty on display. No more words were needed. Passengers moved in and out of the car, some pausing to take in the sight, others concerned with other matters to give it more than a brief glance. As they finished taking the bend and entered a tunnel, Weiss took note that they were now alone.
"I'm glad you pulled me along," Jaune said at last, smiling. "Thanks."
"My pleasure," she replied with a smile of her own.
This was it. There was no time like the present.
She cleared her throat as the train exited the tunnel, "Jaune,"
"Yeah?"
"Could you use your semblance on me?"
He blinked, turning slightly towards her. "Er-"
"I know that it may come across as sudden," she continued before he could get a word in. "But I haven't had a chance to train with you with it and I would very much like to take this opportunity while we have it."
"You want to train here?" he sounded surprised. "I don't think the staff would really appreciate that." He looked around worriedly. "We might break something. T-These windows look really expensive."
"Maybe not train, at least not how we usually do," she conceded quickly to assure him. "But perhaps I could just get a feel for it. You haven't used it on me since..."
Since the night he had saved her life.
"I guess I haven't, have I?" he looked startled at the revelation. "How did that happen?"
"How, indeed?" she muttered sourly.
"Uh, Weiss?"
Something must have shown on her face for he was looking at her in concern. "Nothing. So... would you indulge me this one thing?"
He faced her fully and she matched him, staring up into his eyes. "Sure, I don't mind."
She had to stop herself from pumping her fist like Nora, instead settling for a grateful nod.
"Um, should I hold your hand or-" he stopped when she reached out and encircled his wrists, pulling him in. She placed his hands on her hips, her heart thundering in her ears as she did so. They were standing so close now, his scent engulfing her completely.
"Here should be fine," she said lightly. She felt him tense for a moment, his hands loose – but as the seconds ticked by, he gradually relaxed. She gave her hips a little shimmy. "I won't break."
"Right," his voice was breathless, his hands firming as he took a hold of her properly. Her lungs quaked as she released an uneven breath, feeling his fingers lightly pressing into her, cupping her slim waist, his thumbs rubbing gently against her hipbone. On impulse, she laid her hands upon his shoulders. It almost looked like they were about to dance or maybe even-
"Okay," she said after a moment to compose herself. "Okay, whenever you're read-"
The train jolted at a sudden collision, followed by the sound of a vicious roar. Metal screeched as several more jolting collisions occurred, glass shattering as passengers from the surrounding cars screamed. Glancing out the window, they had the perfect view as a swarm of flying Grimm slammed into the train, bone claws attempting to pry open the passenger cars and devour the people within.
Weiss grit her teeth.
"You have got to be kidding me!"
AN: Well this took way longer than it should have. My brain hit a bit of a wall so I started writing some other stuff, one of which is nearly complete. Hopefully I can finish it off soon and post it as well. As you can see, this time Weiss was cucked by the Grimm. Poor girl.
I'm not sure how many more chapters this will have. Maybe one or two, maybe more. I still haven't watched Volume 7 yet, so I may hold off until I watch it for some Atlas ideas. Probably when Volume 8 finishes so I can knock them both out in one sitting.