So... Happy New Year! That was a thing. After a straight week of getting up to work at 4 am I finally, FINALLY managed to get this finished. Plodded along but I've gotta say, not imposing a deadline each week for myself does take some of the stress off. *Some*.
Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year's, and holidays, whatever you celebrate! Still virtually no snow here which is awesome, I think? No shoveling is nice but... Earth, why you so warm? Staaaahp.
Anyway, here's Wonderwall!
Weiss just needed to keep her head down and she'd be fine. Don't look anywhere, don't talk to anyone. She'd even gone to extra lengths to borrow a new if drab cloak. The dark green fabric clung to her shoulders and concealed her blue and beige attire, at least from the back.
Stealthily making one's way through Vale was probably child's play for the initiated. Two problems there: Weiss couldn't sneak about for the life of her, she'd never had to. She didn't take to breaking rules, or even bending them slightly, and as fond of sleep as she was she never snuck out past curfew. It was a skill she had no interest nor intention of developing, and so she was about as discreet as an Ursa. Maybe not that oafish, but the point remained she wasn't good at it.
There was also the slight issue of it being early in the morning. After breakfast and their usual morning summons initiates and Hunters alike had been given the day off. Some delegates from other kingdoms were coming to the city to meet with Ozpin, and as a result much of the Cathedral's grounds were off limits. For those who lived nearby it meant returning home for a day or two.
For Weiss? She'd been relegated to wander Vale until she could return to her quarters. While not an abhorrent situation in of itself - she could use the time to get some errands done, it did have its drawbacks.
"Ah! Excuse me! Pardon me!" a shrill, almost squeaky voice shouted.
Ruby had insisted, borderline begged to accompany her. Not that Weiss detested her friend's companionship, tiresome though it may be. She'd simply preferred to go alone and try and get everything taken care of in a timely manner. Rarely were things involving Ruby ever concise, or timely, or easy, or…
Weiss stopped when Ruby called out to her, face dropping and a hand shooting up to smack her own forehead. Random voices shouted in protest and she could hear boots slamming against the street as Ruby rushed through throngs of people to reach her. Resigned to her fate she slowly turned, narrowing her eyes when Ruby stood before her, grinning.
"How in the world did you find me…?"
Ruby's eyes focused on the finger before her nose, crossing before she resumed her smiling. "What do you mean?" Weiss gestured to the forest-green cloak clung around her slender frame and the brunette's eyes shone with glee. "Oh, that? Pfff, well it was obviously you!"
Weiss groaned and lowered her hood, secretly glad to be rid of it. Fixing her ponytail and tucking hair behind her angled ears she frowned. "What do you mean obviously? There's no way you could have known it was me."
"Well… It's kiiiind of obvious." When Weiss' silent gaze prodded for elaboration Ruby seemed hesitant, pressing her index fingers together and shifting her weight between her feet.
"Ruby…?" Weiss pressed.
"B-Because you're the only one who walks like that!" Like what? How did she walk exactly? Ruby smiled nervously and let out a stifled chuckle before wringing her hands together. "Everyone else looks relaxed when they walk. You're always so… Stiff."
"It's called posture, you dolt. Forgive me for trying to have some!"
"I'm n-not saying it's a bad thing, just that it makes you stand out!" Ruby stammered and waved her hands. Weiss folded her arms and tilted her head, waiting to see how Ruby might salvage things. "I mean… Not everyone walks l-like they have a stick up their butt!"
Instead of salvaging things Ruby had inserted her entire leg in her mouth. Weiss growled and lunged out, her hands grabbing onto Ruby's pliable cheeks. The brunette whined in protest and flailed her arms, knowing better than to pull away lest she stretch her face out. That wouldn't happen. Probably. Weiss wasn't well versed in the elasticity of faces.
"'Eiss, I sorry! 'Emme go please!" whined Ruby.
A few passersby watched the unusual display, one which felt far too commonplace to Weiss. With the social graces of a fly Ruby always had a tendency to say just the right thing… None of the time. It wasn't malicious, Weiss knew, her friend was simply just a dope. Even Jaune for all his hopeless romanticism managed to get by better.
Ruby's eyes welled with tears and she whined, hands flapping in exaggerated panic. Weiss kept her grip a moment longer before finally relenting, sighing as he wiped her fingers off on her cloak. She did not walk like she had a stick up her butt! And really, could Ruby think of a cruder way to phrase it? There was no way that was the brunette's own phrasing at work, she'd usually never resort to such deplorable terms. Weiss mulled it over and scowled when a single face sprung to mind.
Nora. I'll have to speak to her later.
Pulled from her assault on Ruby's face Weiss became keenly aware of the few people still watching them. A small crowd of initiates whose names she didn't know laughed, a boy with green hair pointing at them. Beside him a girl with pink cornrows - because that wasn't an affront to style, flashed Weiss a toothy smile. Weiss ignored a handful of quips from them and others, rolling her eyes and storming off. Sure as the sun rose each morning Ruby fell in line behind her, still whining.
"Weiss, that hurt…"
"Yes, well… Perhaps you'd do better than repeat things Nora has told you!"
Ruby dropped her hands from her cheeks and gawked. "How'd you know it was her?!"
Honestly who else among their friends would say something like that? Weiss gave Ruby a dubious stare before shaking her head. Sometimes she felt like Ruby understood things full well and enjoyed making Weiss explain things. In fact, she was certain of it, and Ruby's playful grin as she skipped alongside her added fuel to the fire.
Fingering the Lien pouch on her belt Weiss let out a sigh, puckering her lips feeling Ruby eyeing her. Meeting a giddy silver gaze, she reached over and prodded the other girl's nose. "It's impolite to stare."
"Sorry, I'm just excited! Spending a whole day with my bestie!" Just uttering the words sent Ruby into a tizzy and Weiss was reminded of the obscene amounts of sugar consumed that morning. And the previous night. Only Ruby and Nora could ingest piles of pancakes two meals in a row and come out none the worse for it.
There was a side effect, it was just felt by other people. Ren and Nora had left that morning with the latter clung to her partner's back, insisting, no, demanding a piggyback through the city. That wouldn't last long. Ruby couldn't seem to stop vibrating and Weiss considered getting a vegetable to help balance the intake of sugar and sweets. Then again trying to make Ruby eat anything remotely nutritious was like pulling teeth.
"Soooo…" Ruby sang, grinning as she skipped ahead of Weiss. She spun on her heel and folded her hands behind her back, red cloak swaying with the breeze. "Where are we going? What's first on the list, bestie?"
Besides finding a way to reduce Ruby's energy levels? Weiss dug into the pockets of her trousers and produced a neatly folded paper. She'd made a list of things to do today, obviously, and she fully intended to adhere to it every step of the way. "First, I need to drop Myrtenaster at the blacksmith and have the handguard fixed. Then, I was hoping to visit the tailor and see about purchasing a larger bag…"
"Oh, maybe they can fix the tear in my cloak too!" Ruby lifted the red cloth and peered through a hole waving with a giggle.
"Perhaps. Though that would mean parting with it for a time." Weiss smiled as she cocked her head. "Are you going to let them hold onto it…?" Ruby's eyes widened and possessively clung to the tattered cloth. It didn't surprise her at all. "Perhaps we can see if someone at the Cathedral can mend it," she added before Ruby could fret. "It might not be as well done, but at least you could get it back sooner."
"Good idea, Weiss! I can save some Lien that way too!"
True, though not the reason she'd suggested that. Ruby beamed and seemed pleased with the arrangement, thank goodness, meaning she should be able to take care of her business in peace. Though there was the slight issue of still being followed…
"After all that I do need to visit the shops for a few things. Or the markets…" Weiss trailed off in thought. "I suppose the farmer's market should have everything I'd need. Then again, if I just went right to the shop…"
"Oh, what are you getting at the farmer's market?" Ruby's enthusiasm dwindled a bit as she regarded Weiss warily. "Are you going to be cooking…?"
"I… What if I was? What's with that reaction?" Weiss huffed and stopped in the middle of the street, hands on her hips. Ruby squirmed and smiled sheepishly. "I'm a perfectly good cook! Last time I cooked everyone loved it!"
She'd followed a recipe letter for letter and had done everything as expected. A simple stew, so simple that even a drunkard could manage it! Sliced beef, potato, onion and carrot. It was mundane yet hearty and the perfect thing for a group of initiates in the middle of the Emerald Forest. Everyone had eaten their fill, and Jaune even asked for seconds!
"Well um… For starters you never washed the potatoes…"
"I beg your pardon? I most certainly did!"
"Then where did all the sand come from?" Weiss' face flushed as Ruby tapped her fingers. "N-Not that it was awful, and it definitely did, um… Fill us up! It was a little…"
"Well then, perhaps next time we should just let Ren and Nora cook, hm?" She knew she was being petulant as she folded her arms, and if that didn't sell it then the pout certainly did. Weiss turned away when Ruby shook her head, dropping her hands to her hips and whirling back around. "I didn't see you volunteering, Rose!"
"N-No, it was good! You should totally try again!" Ruby followed after Weiss and smiled nervously when she went ignored. Sighing to herself the brunette followed behind, watching Weiss nervously the entire time.
The Cathedral stood now only as a silhouette in the city, a backdrop instead of the monument that it was. Wide streets fanned out in a grid and formed the market district, the only one that had any rhyme or reason to its layout. If there weren't stalls lining the roads, crowds gathered around the tiny, sprung up shops, then proper stores formed walls, funneling people through. Tailors, leatherworkers, bakers, bookbinders, all that and more could be found in the city's varied markets.
A Muran woman stood beneath an awning, a rainbow of cloth draped across one arm, a stack of flyers in another. She called for people to examine her handiwork and the few who took to the offer seemed impressed, though it was few indeed. An Ydran man bellowed as he spoke, a deep voice that didn't quite fit his slender frame. Pointed, angled ears slipped out of the corners of a crimson cap, a hawk's feather poking out from the top, almost comically long. A necklace caught the sunlight and shone like a smaller sun itself, polished gold and the sapphire encased glistening brilliantly. Fancy no doubt but perhaps a bit out of most people's price range.
With Vale nestled at the mouth of a river it was natural that canals would carve up the landscape. One such canal sliced through the market district, half a dozen stone bridges spanning its length. Slabs of carved granite rested upon mortar and stone, and iron lampposts grew out of the ground like weeds. Unlit as it was the middle of the day their rotund glass cases were dark. Weiss didn't envy the guards whose duty it was to light them every evening.
"Alright, that's quite far enough." Weiss stopped midway on the bridge and turned, frowning as Ruby nearly ran into her. Digging into her pouch she produced a handful of Lien and offered it to the perplexed girl. "I don't want you nipping at my heels all day."
"Are you… Paying me to leave…?"
The hurt in Ruby's tone made Weiss cringe and she quickly shook her head. "No! No, I just… I have a lot to do today and I figured I could enlist your aid?" Like an overeager puppy Ruby lit up and bounced on the balls of her feet. Weiss fought the urge to roll her eyes and grabbed her friend's hand, planting the money firmly into her palm. "We have our first mission coming up and we should make sure we're supplied. Can I trust you to purchase what we need?"
"Medicine, some food rations, extra flint and steel, oh! And maybe some sweets!" Close enough. "Hey Weiss…?"
"Hm?"
"How am I supposed to find you after I buy stuff? Assuming you won't be waiting here for me…?"
"Huh… Well, seeing as we haven't gotten our scrying stones yet…" That was a good question. A better question would be how could she prolong Ruby's absence? Unless she gave her friend more errands it wouldn't take long to group back together. "Why don't you go to Monty's Corner when you're done? I'll come visit you there when I'm finished."
"Ooooh, lunch! Good thinking!" Ruby grinned and clapped her hands together, then blinked and looked at the stack of Lien still in her hand. "Um… I'm going to need a bit more though if we're getting food. Not much! Just enough to order."
Or… Wait for me to get there and then order? Then we'd have enough Lien no matter what. Rather than argue Weiss dug into her pouch again and handed over more money. "If you happen to run into anyone else there could you tell them I'll be done shortly?
"Oh, they know we went out?
Weiss mentally slapped herself before smiling to mask her folly. "Obviously. And they know we left together, so if you were to return by yourself it may raise questions. Just… Tell them I'm finishing my errands, okay?"
Ruby lingered while a look of uncertainty hung across her face. Silver eyes studied Weiss, and for a moment she wondered if the brunette might be searching for an ulterior motive. Never one to suspect a friend however Ruby let it drop, uncertainty replaced by a warm, glowing smile. "Okay! Hurry back, I'm hungry!"
Settling for a nod as an answer Weiss lifted a hand and waved, watching Ruby turn and bound off. She felt guilty for separating them, but it was necessary - she couldn't get everything done with Ruby dogging at her heels like, well... Like a dog. Her enthusiasm for the most mundane of matters became tiresome after a while even if it was genuinely innocent and innocuous. She would linger and try to look at every little thing a shop owned just for curiosity's sake. Gods forbid they should visit the blacksmith together; Ruby could spend hours inspecting weapons on display and ask questions of the blacksmith until she went blue in the face.
For a girl whose magic pertained to speed Ruby had a knack for taking ages sometimes.
Weiss smiled to herself and looked up at the blue sky, reflecting the color of her eyes. It was mostly clear save for a few stray wisps of white, like a painter's brush lazily dotting a blue canvas with globs of paint. Still early, she noted, and plenty of time to complete her errands. If she was quick perhaps she could get most of them finished before meeting Ruby again. If she was lucky maybe she could fabricate another reason to send her excitable friend off.
Weiss' footfalls were soundless from the crowds around her. The water trickled along beneath the bridge, catching sunlight and glowing like a cavern of crystals. Along the canal stretched narrow paths and a handful of residents sat along the water's edge, their belongings gathered in disorganized piles beside them.
Continuing from the bridge the markets stretched on for several blocks. Cobbled roads, laid out more like a spider's web than a grid, wove into each other. Whichever shops lined the streets were as random as the paths on which they lay and even after years of living in Vale, Weiss still struggled at times to remember exactly where she was going.
Thankfully a blacksmith managed to stand out. Where most buildings stood abreast a smithy always stood apart. It was necessary - thick, billowing clouds of black smoke rose from the furnaces and the incessant ring of hammer on steel was grating. Weiss spot a chimney of soot before the building ever came into view, clouds of dark rising high above wood and tiled roofs.
Pyrrha had explained to them once that there was art in a smith's work. At the time Weiss had scoffed, unable to understand how anyone could see beauty in something so disgusting. Blacksmiths wore as much soot and sweat as they did protection. Forges smelled of ash and charcoal, and many were unkempt, burly masses that were as pleasant to be near as a Grimm. She'd scorned her friend's explanation until Pyrrha took her to see one, the very same shop Weiss now found herself standing before.
Hammer strikes, while still every bit as loud and abrasive, had a certain rhythm to them. As a conductor might lead their orchestra the blows were measured, coming after set intervals, each strike methodical, careful. Pyrrha pointed out how every blow needed to be right, lest they ruin the piece they were forging. It gave a new sense of finesse to a practice Weiss thought barbaric. Necessarily, but hardly something she could ever consider artful.
Oak timbers framed a heavy door, the front of the blacksmith's shop gray stone. Moss and vines crept up the surface and clumps of uncut grass sprouted from cracks in the cobbled road, through the crushed stone walkway that lead off the main road and up to the entrance. Weiss slipped through a wooden gate and needed both hands to push open the door, fingers gripping the cold steel as she swung. Natural light flooded into the building and specks of dust circled in the air. Wooden flooring stained by ash and sporting innumerable scuff marks laid out before her.
Over the noise of the smith's work outside she knew he wouldn't hear her, so Weiss refrained from calling out. Instead she entered the shop, the heavy door shutting behind her without a sound, somehow. Low counters to her left and right directed her towards the main counter opposite the door, each sporting pieces the smith had worked on. Swords, knives, spearheads and arrowheads to her left, with strips of parchment and prices scrawled in charcoal underneath.
To her right were kettles, hoe heads, sickles and small containers of screws, nails and washers. At least that's what Weiss assumed they were. A carpenter could probably point out the dimensions of the pieces, list what they were used for, and even what material they were made of at a glance. To her it was a pile of nails and screws.
Weiss stopped at the counter and drew Myrtenaster from its holster. Polished steel laced with silver gave the weapon a sheen even in its dulled state. The narrow blade, reinforced with a rod to add strength, was sharp even as she ran a fingertip along its edge. Sharp, but certainly dulling. Her fingers gripped the leather-bound handle as she turned it over, inspecting it methodically for further wear and tear.
The handguard was warped where she'd blocked a few strikes in training. Cages usually were intended to trap yet this one was designed to protect. She had considered using a parry knife to compensate for a lack of shield but opted against it. If she needed both hands for weapons then she lost her ability to cast any spells, and spells, she decided, were of greater import than a tiny blade. So, she'd had the handguard added, and gods if it hadn't been worthwhile.
No sooner had Weiss set her rapier down on the counter did the sound of hammer strikes cease. With lack of noise, she became acutely aware of how floorboards creaked while she shifted her weight, the gentle scrape of Myrtenaster along the counter as she shifted it. A door in the back opened and a deep cough rumbled from within the shop. Another door opened, and through it walked a man whose girth made Weiss surprised he could even fit. Every time she came to the shop she seemed to temporarily forget the size of the smith, though she supposed it was only natural a man of his profession be large; a diminutive person like her would be a terribly smithy.
"Thought I heard someone come in!" Perhaps it was because the shop was so small, or because her hearing was so sensitive, but Weiss swore the man's voice boomed like thunder. He flashed a full grin beneath a thick black beard, dried, cracked lips stretching. "Good to see ya again, lass. What'll it be today?"
Weiss offered the man a friendly smile and craned her neck to meet his gaze. Gods was he tall. Or maybe she was just short? "Just some tune-ups, Roderick."
Roderick nodded and held out a beefy, calloused hand. Where it took Weiss both to hold her weapon he easily gripped it in one, his limb eclipsing the weapon. "A few dents and scrapes along the blade, the handguard needs to be adjusted, but nothing too pressing," she elaborated, watching as the smith examined her tool. Most people would make her feel uncomfortable if they scrutinized her precious blade, but Roderick had long proven himself not only capable, but exceptional in his work.
"The core's softening a bit too, seems like. She's got a little hum to her."
To illustrate his point Roderick rasped Myrtenaster against the countertop. Weiss watched as the blade vibrated before resuming its stationary state, eyes trained on it carefully. She hadn't heard nor seen anything to suggest there was an issue, but she trusted the man enough to know it was genuine.
"Can you fix it?" Weiss asked.
"Easily. Can't go and put any new metal in there, not unless you want me forging a new blade." Weiss shook her head quickly. That would take time, and though today might be a day off she'd need the weapon soon for sparring, and her first mission. "The best I can do then is maybe encase it. Perhaps use a spell to warp some fresh steel on it, create a shell to help hold it together."
Roderick's tone hardly sounded certain which meant there was a caveat. When the man trailed off and remained silent Weiss pressed him to continue. "But…?"
"A shell only will do so much. Put all the dressings on a wound ya like, but if the body is infected then bandages won't do much good."
"In other words, you think I need a new blade?"
It was inevitable, Weiss supposed. Lien had been tight when she'd arrived in Vale and she'd needed a new weapon. Roderick had been generous enough to forge her one, though he'd only been able to do so with the funds she had available. He might be contracted to the Church, Weiss observed as he inspected Myrtenaster once more, but a business was a business and he couldn't give away goods for free.
"Sooner rather than later, aye. I can rebuild her exactly the same, wouldn't be too hard. Assuming you've gotten more of that stipend of yours saved up we can make something really worthwhile."
Weiss smiled and nodded, wistfully eyeing Myrtenaster. It was a knock-off anyways, a stand-in for the real thing. She hadn't expected it to last terribly long and it hadn't, half a year at most. Yet there was an undeniable sense of sadness that came with knowing she'd be retiring her weapon. It was cheap, inexpensive and arguably unreliable, yet it had been hers. The first weapon she'd commissioned for herself. It was little more than sentimentality but part of her wanted to tell Roderick he was wrong and keep the blasted thing how it was.
Common sense prevailed however, and Weiss ponied up, dropping a handful of Lien onto the counter. "Just the shell for now. Perhaps after my mission I can have it reforged."
"Aye, sounds like a plan. Sure you don't want something else though? A small sword?" Roderick gestured, and Weiss looked back at the shelves of weapons on display, the counter that she'd crossed on her way in. "Might be better safe than sorry, lass. Can't hurt to have a good weapon just in case."
"Do you think Myrtenaster will break so easily?" Weiss questioned, and when the smith shook his head she smiled up at him. "Then I think I'll be fine. Besides, I do have magic at my disposal. So even if my weapon breaks I'm not entirely defenseless."
Roderick snorted and laid the rapier across his broad shoulder. Gray eyes stared at Weiss under a thick brow and his leathery, soot-covered skin twisted with another smile. "Magic is fancy an' all, but nothing beats a good blade, Weiss."
"And I'm sure you're not at all biased in saying that," she retorted with a giggle.
Rumbling laughter erupted from the smith and he flashed another wide smile. "Aye, you've got me there. Can't blame a man for trying though!" Scooping up the Lien he slipped it into the pocket of his apron, patting it over his chest. "When do you need her done by?"
"Two days, if possible. I might be able to make it three, but I don't imagine Proctor Goodwitch will give me more than that."
"Let's not try the woman's patience. You'll have her ripe and ready by this time tomorrow, lass. And if you'd like I can begin drawing up plans for a replacement, too?"
Weiss eyed Myrtenaster, what equated really to little more than a training sword. It pained her to do so but she nodded, signing off on her blade's fate. Roderick seemed pleased and nodded himself before placing the weapon on a shelf beneath the counter. She didn't want to do it but going into battle knowing her weapon might break was less appealing still. All she needed was for it to last through her mission and then she could scrap it.
Bidding Roderick farewell Weiss excused herself and exited the shop, taking a deep breath once the door closed behind her. The man was friendly, but gods did his shop reek. Glad for the fresh air she dusted herself down, nose wrinkling as clouds came off. Perhaps if she was lucky enough she could pick it up without having to go inside.
She could worry about that when she came back though. Right now… Right now, she needed to get to the tailors. Fingering her pouch Weiss noted the swiftly dwindling Lien inside, sighing and shaking her head. "This had better be worth it…" She flicked soot from her sleeve and adjusted her tunic before heading out along the road once more.
/+/+/+/+/+/+/+/+/+/+/+/
Weiss wouldn't have noticed her new pouch's weight if she'd had Myrtenaster to offset it. Or perhaps it was the lack of weight inside that was more telling. Aside from having no supplies - Ruby would be remedying that, her Lien reserves took a notable hit from the purchase. A ruddy, fraying pouch made of cloth wouldn't survive much longer and, much like her weapon, was in need of replacement. Unlike Myrtenaster she could replace it easily, albeit not cheaply.
Tracing the woven seams of her pouch a reluctant sigh slipped through her lips, closing her eyes. One-hundred and fifty Lien. It was a good quality pouch, rectangular and made of two strips of hardened leather. A single strap, sewn in the middle of the pouch, was clasped in place by a buckle, easily unlocked with a flip of her finger. Secure yet accessible, it could hold a handful of items and do so well, plus endure the regular wear and tear of traveling. Still, though… One-hundred and fifty Lien for a pouch. Roderick and his services had cost her another two-hundred, and she'd given Ruby eighty for their supplies. Of the five-hundred Lien she'd taken only seventy remained, and she still needed to visit the markets.
It's worth it. Weiss reminded herself, a single, solitary tear slipping from her eye. It had taken her a month to save that up, her stipend as an initiate hardly an impressive sum, and it had taken less than three hours to see most of it vanish. Pausing at a stall selling tarts her mouth watered, inching closer and rising onto her toes to peer at the pastries.
Squared, oblong, treats of various shapes and sizes laid out across the stalls surface. Puff pastries with glaze and filled with apple, strawberry, cranberry and gods knew what else, all just begging for her to purchase them. Weiss' stomach dutifully reminded her she'd not eaten yet with a loud, unceremonious growl and she almost gave in. When her fingertips grazed her remaining Lien however she stepped back, snapping her pouch shut and continuing down the street.
Markets first. She needed to be certain she had enough for her purposes there, and only then would she allow herself food. Ruby would be waiting for her at Monty's Corner if she wasn't already, food could be gotten there.
If she needed fresh goods then she needed to travel further out, away from the Cathedral and the central markets. Foodstuffs were sold closer to the agricultural district, which meant traversing most of the commercial areas. A baker here and a random restaurant there hardly constituted suitable places for buying ingredients. She could feasibly buy what she was after but that felt like cheating. No, she'd do this herself, even if it probably wouldn't come out nearly as palatable.
Her eyebrow twitched, and she glared ahead at empty space, causing people around her to steer clear. She was capable of cooking regardless of what Ruby might think! She'd taken lessons from Ren and he was the best among them! Nora too, though she was timid to recreate anything Nora had shown her.
Case in point she was perfectly capable of preparing food. Maybe it was pride making her do it, but she was determined, and evidently a glutton for punishment. As Weiss took a flight of stairs down towards the lower sections of Vale she was reminded of the empty jostle of her pouch.
At least she had her first mission to look forwards to. She could recoup some of her losses with that.
Shops closer to the Cathedral and interior wards were the most affluent. Polished stone with fine trim and high-quality goods made up the majority of shops there and it made sense. The noble's homes were closest and the Church itself had no shortage of Lien, even if its initiates might. Stores there then could afford to both produce and sell more expensive wares thanks to the people living nearby. As Weiss moved further away and moved towards where the residential district bled into agricultural, however, there was a notable change. In more ways than one.
Roderick's blacksmith shop was middle of the road in terms of quality. A decent building, enough space to claim owning his own lot. High end stores were spread out and had ample room to expand if need be. Roderick could, though he'd still be pinched for space.
Buildings of brick and stone funneled Weiss down narrow roads, feeling every bit as claustrophobic as she should. Small alleyways barely wide enough for two people to pass through separated buildings, though in some cases they were joined together, a single wall separating them. Many shops were stacked on top of one another, ostensibly to retain what little open space was left in the area.
Despite roads being narrow, or perhaps due to it, people crowded the streets. Weiss for once was grateful for her smaller stature and slipped between groups, occasionally pushing against someone to give herself an extra inch or two of space. Some were shopping, she assumed, though most seemed to be middling about. One group of men gathered outside of a tavern and clanked their glasses together, laughing boisterously as one of their number's drink spilled on him. In a display of maturity, the man flung himself at his friend opposite him and the two broke into a drunken scuffle. Weiss ignored it.
From somewhere nearby she could make out the pleasant sound of a lute being strummed. The sound was light and airy, the tune carrying well, like a bird's song in the waking hours of the day. Whoever played did so with a practiced touch and she wished she could spare the time to watch them perform. Even if she could find the source though, which she couldn't, she was sure they would be playing for the Lien she couldn't spare. Best to avoid that guilt altogether.
With the sun high overhead now Weiss found herself wishing she'd forgone the cloak, thin as it was. In trying to escape the sun's grating rays she pulled the hood up only to drop it moments later, deeming the pooling heat not worth the paltry protection. Maybe some sun would do her some good. Maybe she wouldn't be so deathly pale with a little exposure.
Or maybe you'll return to Ruby resembling a lobster. Weiss' mouth twisted into a rueful smile as she paused at an intersection, watching a cavalcade of carriages pass through. Unlike the shoddy wooden carts of many traders they were furnished in stained food with trim, fine upholstery and, Weiss noted with curiosity, plating and padding along the exterior. Someone important then, if the guards accompanying the procession didn't make that obvious enough. A handful of shouts around her called out, unintelligible, and the proceedings went on without acknowledging any of them. Before she could press her way through the crowd for a better look they were already gone, pressing on for the nobility district judging by their direction.
Shops thinned, and the roads opened. More permanent structures became replaced by stalls and tents, and crowds grew denser than before. Be it nobility, common folk, the Church or the guard, everyone and anyone in Vale relied on the agricultural district and farmers for their food. While Vale had plenty of trade thanks to its port one could hardly transport fruits and vegetables across the ocean.
So, the farmers and hunters, despite making up a small portion of the population, were given a district unto themselves to peddle their wares. Local merchants helped to proliferate trade and residents purchased locally grown goods. It was the way Vale had always operated, a system of self-sustainability that had enabled a once modest village to grow into one of the capital cities of Remnant.
Even better that it was all fresh and nothing but the freshest goods would do. It would cost her the last of her Lien more likely than not, something that made Weiss whine as she wandered into the plaza, but it would be worth it.
Unlike the inner wards and upper districts, the roads in the agricultural areas were unpaved. No cobble or stone, simple, hard packed dirt. Maintaining such a busy area would be a logistical nightmare and when so many animals were brought into the space, and subsequently relieved themselves in it, it was easier to just leave things natural.
Weiss pinched her nose as she passed by a man selling hides. His ox grumbled and stomped its hooves, kicking up clouds of dirt. Meeting its gaze, she blinked back tears catching its unwashed scent, and more poignantly, the pile of dung it left underfoot. She'd retch if she dared open her mouth and instead hurried along. Horses and other beasts dotted the area, many used to transport goods, others going to sale themselves. A pen of pigs, smelling of over-ripened, spoiled food, unwashed hog and, yep, more poop, squealed loudly. A farmer lazily sat beside it and kicked his foot against the fencing, snapping at the lively swines.
Thankfully what she was after stood removed from the livestock. Finding a small cart with burlap sacks of varying sizes Weiss slipped between a crowd, picking out the smallest of the bunch; she'd have to carry back her purchases by hand so only what she could manage would have to do. Weighing the flour in hand and deeming it more than enough she grabbed the attention of the vendor, getting the price and promptly paying it. Tucking the sack under one arm she continued through the plaza, wandering to try and find whatever she was after.
A bag of flour, a small box of eggs, and a small jar of sugar. Weiss balanced her purchases in her arms precariously, clutching them to her chest for dear life. Any time someone bumped against her she redoubled her grip and glared daggers, going unnoticed most times. If she had to go back and buy more ingredients she'd set ablaze the buffoon who caused her misfortune. Not literally. Probably not.
Reciting the recipe given to her in her head Weiss stopped in stride when a man began to shout. Shouting in a bustling market was hardly anything unusual, though most people didn't tend to include expletives. Several heads turned, her own included, just in time to spot a cloaked figure breaking away from a stall, a lockbox tucked under their arm.
It would be so easy to ignore it and let the guards handle the situation. She was unarmed, though technically she had magic, and she had plenty to do herself. Weiss stood idle for a moment and chewed on her lip before her moral compass gave her a swift kick to the butt and forced her into action. With a grumble she forced her goods into the arms of a baffled woman and took off after the figure. It wasn't difficult to follow them even if she couldn't see as most people moved out of their way, conveniently giving Weiss a path directly to them.
Her boots dug into her shins as she sprinted, shouting for the few who didn't move to do so. Catching sight of the black cloak she scowled at their back, hastening to close the distance. They were fast, faster than her, and once they broke free of the plaza catching them would be nigh impossible. Ruby could catch them easily, no doubt, but she'd sent her friend elsewhere to take care of business. She'd kick herself for that later if the thief got away.
"Stop! Stop right there!"
As if shouting at a thief ever worked. They did look back though, and Weiss caught a flicker of the boy's face before he vaulted over a cart, knocking its contents aside to delay her. Rather than circle around Weiss slid under it, silently cursing as dirt stained her clothes. The boy pushed a man down and Weiss jumped over him, closing the gap somewhat.
Buildings began to appear again and the crowd thin, leaving the boy with ample opportunity to escape. Weiss clicked her tongue before raising her index and middle fingers, weaving a rune and unleashing it. The glowing character snapped like shattering glass before a sudden gale of wind slammed into the boy's back, lifting him off his feet and knocking him over. Still clutching to the lockbox, he rolled and rose to his knees, drawing a short knife. Weiss reached for Myrtenaster and grabbed air, leaping back as the boy closed in and chased her off with the blade. Rather than press his attack though he ran again. He doesn't want to fight. He can clearly see I'm unarmed, thought Weiss. That or he doesn't want to attack a Magi.
Nor did she want to play a game of cat and mouse. As the boy raced down an alleyway Weiss cut in after him, weaving another rune. This time the ground glowed, a trail of light racing through the earth itself. The boy looked down to watch magic worm its way through the soil before he gasped, skidding to a halt as a wall of earth erupted before him, cutting off the end of the alley. When he turned Weiss already had another rune prepared, a faint blue glow tinting her face.
"You have nowhere to run, please hand that over." Weiss held her free hand out for the lockbox, her eyes never leaving the boy's green, panicked pools. He shouted in frustration before charging, knife held awkwardly before him. An image of her opponent yesterday, an initiate somehow so inept that Jaune seemed skilled by comparison, flashed through her mind.
She sidestepped the knife and grabbed the boy's wrist. Pressing her rune to his chest she unleashed her spell, ice erupting from her palm and rapidly covering most of his body. Weiss pushed him back into a wall and let her spell run its course, trapping his arms, one leg, and the entirety of his torso. With only his head and a single leg free from the shell he wasn't going anywhere and plucking the knife from his hand was a simple task.
The boy finally saw sense and hung his head, muttering to himself in defeat. Satisfied, Weiss removed the lockbox too, inspecting the latch and checking inside. All the Lien was accounted for, or so she assumed, and whatever might be gone would be recovered. "There are better ways to earn a living, you know," she berated, frowning as the boy continued to sulk.
A small group of guards stopped at the end of the alley, shouting to Weiss before hurrying inside. "Right on cue…" Handing over the lockbox she smiled apologetically as the man gaped at the ice, no doubt wondering how they would get the boy out. Sparing them the effort Weiss weaved another rune, pressing her palm to the ice and melting it. Cold water pooled against the floor and the boy sank to his knees once free, promptly lifted to his feet by a pair of guards.
"Appreciate the help, little girl," one of the men commented, smiling warmly.
Weiss felt anger bubble forth and for a split second debated encasing the guard as she had the thief. Deciding that assaulting a man of law wasn't worth the sleight she smiled back, even if she really, really didn't want to. "It's no trouble. Though I do have to ask…" She eyed the other men and raised an eyebrow. "Where were you in the market? Aren't there usually plenty of guards on duty?"
A rusty-bearded guard opened his mouth to answer and belched, blinking before flashing her a sheepish smile. They were eating? Okay, now she really wanted to freeze them, if only because she herself still hadn't enjoyed a meal yet. "I trust you can this from here on out…?" Weiss asked, placing her hands on her hips. A guard snickered at her posturing and was quickly silenced by a glare in his direction.
"Of course! Appreciate the help, miss." The first guard seemed to be a fast learner. Good. Waving to the pair holding the boy they marched out of the alley, half-carrying their captive with them. "You a Hunter? We don't usually see many Magi around," he commented after a moment, rubbing his head through his helmet, which made Weiss wonder why he didn't just remove the blasted thing. "Least, not so many that see fit to lend a hand."
"I am." Weiss puffed with pride at her declaration and allowed her smile to widen. Technically she wasn't, she was an initiate, but the guards didn't need to know that. "That boy… Can you give him a little levity when you sentence him?"
"What, why?"
It wasn't a Hunters place to distribute sentences, that was a guard's duty and Weiss knew that. It was even less her place to offer any suggestions considering she was still in training. Even so… "He didn't harm anyone despite being armed," she explained, handing the guard the unblemished, rusted knife she'd taken from the boy. "I'd imagine he was just trying to steal Lien to get by. He looked gaunt too. If anything, he's just down on his luck." Not a real menace to society, and certainly not warranting harsh punishment, in her opinion.
"Ah… I don't know. Circumstances aside a thief's a thief, miss. We can't go making exceptions just because the boy might be a touch hungry."
Weiss would argue he was more than a 'touch' if he'd resorted to theft, but she bit her tongue. The guard was right, and even if he felt sympathy too, the law was the law. "I understand. Well, he'll at least be fed while he's held, won't he?"
"Of course! Most folks don't tend to stay in cells long anyways." The guard itched his stubbled, rounded chin and smiled. "I imagine the boy won't do but a few day's time before being released since no one was hurt."
Pittance, considering nothing would change the boy's situation, and he'd likely end up stealing again. Subsequent charges would be worse, and Weiss wondered how many times one could be arrested before things escalated. Hopefully the boy would try to find other ways of making ends meet.
There was little more she could offer, and after the guards took her statement she was free to go. That little distraction had eaten up a half hour all things told and finding the woman with her goods took another twenty minutes. By the time she had her goods again and reached Monty's Corner she estimated four hours had passed since she and Ruby split. Ruby Rose, for all her kindness, was not the most patient of people. When Weiss finally arrived, her friend was bouncing in her seat, cheeks puffed up and eyes boring into Weiss. It was as close to a scowl as the dolt could manage, and despite herself Weiss had laughed at.
Ruby had questioned what took so long and Weiss explained over their meal. She'd also tried to ask what the large bag was for, but Weiss deflected expertly by explaining what she'd gone to see Roderick for. Any talk of weapons quickly took over their conversation and Ruby, as anticipated, lead the discussion. By the time their meals had finished and Ruby finally stopped her rambling the pair paid their tab and left for the Church, with Weiss' goods burning a hole in the bag. She was nervous, more nervous than she had been chasing the thief, and Ruby's constant glances weren't helping matters.
"So…" Ruby skipped along, her hands behind her back as she smiled at Weiss hopefully. "Are you gonna tell me what's in the bag?"
"No, you boob, and I won't tell you the next ten times you ask, either." Weiss rolled her eyes as Ruby stuck her tongue out, returning the gesture. Her friend snickered and let the topic drop even if she was going to bring it up again moments later.
For that Weiss was grateful when the Cathedral came into view. A little behind schedule, much more than she cared to admit, but they got back with a few hours left of daylight. As planned Nora and Ren waited at the main gates, the former bouncing in place as Ren sat and greeted them with a smile and wave. Further along they found Pyrrha and Jaune, the duo carrying a few bags themselves. Ruby regarded everyone with curious gazes and only received knowing smiles in exchange.
As they approached the training hall and cut through the gardens Ruby, who had been practically vibrating, finally tugged on Weiss' cloak. "Please tell me what's going on already?" she implored, silver eyes wide. "Come on, keeping secrets isn't nice and you're all being weird!"
"Weird? Hey, I'm not weird!" Jaune protested, clutching a small crate to his chest with a pout.
"Yeah! Jauney is noodley and a bit of a dork, but he's not weird!" Nora chimed in with a grin.
"Gee, thanks, Nora…"
"No problem!"
Weiss smiled patiently at her friend and shook her head, laughing when Ruby groaned and scuffed her foot in the dirt. "Why don't you go with Pyrrha and spar a bit? We just need to bring these to our rooms and we'll meet you two again, okay?"
Ruby looked to want to protest and pouted, folding her arms in a sulk. It didn't last long however, and her usual smile reappeared, accompanied by an eager nod. "Okay! Don't be long, though!"
"We won't be," Weiss promised. Pyrrha handed her goods to Jaune and offered Ruby a hand, yelping as the shorter girl took it and all but dragged the redhead into the training hall. Weiss waited after the doors closed, making sure Ruby wouldn't emerge suddenly before giving the remaining members of their group an excited smile. "Well, shall we?"
/+/+/+/+/+/+/+/+/+/+/+/
"What… What is this…?" Ruby questioned. She looked between everyone, eyes wide and mouth agape.
"What does it look like…?" Weiss asked.
"A cake, but…" Tilting her head and furrowing her brow Ruby's arms folded. "It's not my birthday, or any of yours, and it's not a holiday…"
Weiss applauded Ruby, though for a weird reason. She'd expected her friend to ask questions later and dive right into eating. Nora nearly had the moment they'd finished. Weiss smiled, her hair dancing as a cool evening breeze danced through the garden. The sun had mostly set and an orange glow illuminated the sky above, basking the ground below in subdued hues. Beneath them a soft woolen blanket, one not stolen from the storage room, Nora assured her, served as a makeshift picnic blanket.
Ruby shook her head and leaned closer to the cake, on the verge of drooling. "It looks so yummy…" she mumbled, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand.
"I should certainly hope so. Our friends worked very hard to make it." Pyrrha smiled, then giggled when Ruby's eyes grew impossibly large.
"You guys made this?!"
"We did indeed," Ren answered. If Weiss wasn't mistaken she caught a hint of pride in the usually monotone voice, though she couldn't be sure.
Unleashing a squeal Ruby bounced in place, reaching for the cake before hesitating. She looked at everyone and blushed, sitting back and folding her hands in her lap. "This is for me…? Is that why you were all being weird today?"
"Yeah, and jeez it was a pain to hide," Jaune laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry if you thought we were avoiding you. But we had to, Weiss' orders."
"Weiss?" Ruby repeated, blinking and looking at the girl in question.
"Well yeah, it was her idea, after all!" Nora grinned, unapologetic even as Weiss tried to set her ablaze with sight alone.
"I don't understand…?"
"Weiss mentioned you seemed sad last night, and she wasn't sure what to do to make you feel better," explained Pyrrha. She gestured to the cake and giggled again. "Food seems to make you happy, and after we did a little sleuthing we decided a strawberry cake would make you a little better."
"That, and some good company," Ren added, smiling himself.
There were no stars out, yet something was twinkling. Weiss watched Ruby's eyes tear up, her face going pink as her friend turned to look at her. Gods, please don't start bawling. I'm not in the mood after today…
"W-Weiss…?" Ruby stammered as she clutched her worn cloak to her chest. "You did this…?"
"I mean… I didn't specifically, they all helped," Weiss corrected. Looking away as Ruby's eyes welled up she pulled at her collar awkwardly. "And Ren and Nora did most of the baking, I just came up with the idea." Ruby hiccupped and Weiss finally looked back, wishing she hadn't. Her friend shook, and her eyes seemed bigger, and like a dam desperately trying to hold back water. Concerned, Weiss moved a bit closer. "Ruby…?"
A puffy, teary, red mush slammed into Weiss and knocked her down, four limbs clinging onto her as Ruby whined. "You're s-so nice! You're the bestest partner ever!"
Stunned, Weiss tried to wriggle free, kicking her legs beneath Ruby. "Th-that's not a word, you dolt! And get off me! You're heavy!" Ruby whined again and, rather than do as she was told, squeezed tighter. Feeling her oxygen supply dwindling she motioned for help, exhaling and rubbing her chest as Jaune and Pyrrha obliged by peeling Ruby off.
With speed that would give most people whiplash Ruby rubbed her face and grinned, though soft sniffling continued. "You guys, you didn't have to do all this for me…"
"Don't be absurd, we're not going to let you be miserable." Weiss brushed herself down for what little good it did. On top of the dirt stains on her trousers she was covered in flour, icing and egg, mostly courtesy of Nora. "That, and I cannot sleep with you sniffling all night."
Ruby made an odd sound, something between a whine and squeal, and Weiss held a hand out, warning with a rune as her friend reached for her. Thankfully Ren knew just how to diffuse the situation. "How about we cut into this and enjoy? It would be a shame to let it go to waste."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Pyrrha agreed. She reached into the crate Jaune had brought and produced teacups, which explained what the kettle Jaune had brought along was for. While she prepared drinks, Ren went about cutting the cake, gently swatting Nora's hand as she reached for a strawberry slice.
It had taken their entire day off, not to mention trying to sneak behind Ruby's back, but they had done it. If her partner had gone to bed upset last night, then Weiss was confident Ruby would be nothing but smiles for the rest of the evening now. If she even went to bed, that was. Already she could imagine the brunette incessantly chirping as she recalled events not even half a day old.
Weiss smiled as she was handed her own slice, prodding the vanilla cake with her fork. Strawberry icing, strawberry slices mixed in, and strawberry slices on top. Never before and never again would a cake be so uniquely tailored to Ruby's tastes. It had been a headache to procure everything and an even bigger nightmare to keep everything from Ruby, but had it been worth it?
Ruby couldn't stop smiling and was currently competing with Nora to see who could fit more cake in their mouth. Nora was winning, though goodness if Ruby wasn't doing her best to keep up. Ren played judge, though Weiss suspected his true purpose was to save someone if they should start choking. Jaune and Pyrrha watched on with amused smiles, and the latter nearly passed out when Jaune offered her a strawberry, once again misunderstanding her looks his way. Idiot.
Weiss laughed, then shook her head and sampled another bite of the cake. It had been worth it. She could rattle off whatever excuse she wanted - cohesion with her partner, wanting a better night's rest, but ultimately, she'd made the effort because she hadn't wanted to see a friend so miserable. And it paid off in droves. Ruby seemed beyond delighted and any misery from the night before long since forgotten. Hopefully it wouldn't take a cake every time to cheer her up.
Nora gasped after chasing down an impossibly large mouthful with an entire cup of tea. Frosting decorated her face and she greedily wiped it off, licking her lips clean before grinning at Weiss. "What do you know… The Ice Queen DOES have a heart!"
Weiss' face reddened as the group laughed, placing her plate aside. "Why you…" Nora stuck out her tongue and Weiss raised a hand for a rune, stopping when Ruby caught it both her own.
"Weiss, thank you so much…!" Ruby's smile robbed Weiss of any malice, though she still managed to shoot Nora a look. "That cake was so yummy. You guys are the best."
Weiss chuckled, freeing her hand before flicking Ruby gently on the forehead. "Just enjoy your cake, you dolt."
Ruby didn't need to be told twice and promptly stuffed another helping, her cheeks distending to make room. The air had grown cooler and the sun had since set yet Weiss felt warm. Maybe it was the tea in her hands, still steaming, or maybe it was the blanket on which she sat. More accurately, she surmised, it was the company around her. Cheesy? Impossibly so, but even the Ice Queen was apt to feel sappy now and again.
"To the Ice Queen!" Jaune laughed, raising his teacup. Everyone followed suit, but Weiss trained her anger solely on the clod who started the toast.
She'd spend the next twenty minutes thawing him out of ice.
It seemed like a filler episode, didn't it? Was it? No, it wasn't. There are a few things I did this chapter to foreshadow/worldbuild, and have some fun with Weiss and Ruby. Don't worry your pretty little heads, there's more fun to come soon :D
Next chapter... When it's ready! Until then, stay lovely!