"A Wednesday chapter?! You're insane!"
No, I'm Gambol. And also busy, so chapters come out when they're darn well ready. Thank you for your input though, disembodied voice!
Silliness aside I think it's safe to say that chapters won't be coming out on a regularly scheduled basis now. I'll do my absolute best to never let more than two weeks lapse between entries though! Life's busy once again and hobbies, unfortunately, take a back seat for now.
With all of THAT out of the way, enjoy!
Vale's city gates closed with a muffled thud, heavy wooden beams coming to rest in ruts, well-worn into the packed dirt from years of punishment, packed hard as cast stone bricks. Behind them the city walls worse up, stretching into the pitched darkness of a cloudy night sky, continuing for an indeterminate length. To Weiss' inhibited vision the walls were never-ending, although her rational mind knew it to be otherwise.
As she and Blake trudged along down the central road bereft of carriage or steed Weiss let out a shallow, displeased sigh.
She'd left the city many times before but never in the manner she was now. Late in the evening to avoid the prying, vengeful eyes of a passing nobleman. Word of her assault on O'Rourke had filled the city with an excited chattering more befitting of the long dining tables within the Cathedral's quarters, a fervor she was used to seeing from over-excited initiates, not masses of tradesmen, nobility, and even the guards. Sparse as the streets were during their solitary trek to the gates she had heard it uttered plenty.
"A Hunter attacked a nobleman; can you believe it? I bet he had it coming!" A cherry-faced tanner with an arm slung over his apprentice's shoulder barked with laughter. "Would 'ave paid good money ta see it!" he'd roared. I bet the bloke near shat himself!"
"Hear that 'Rourke bugger got 'imself frozen? Good riddance! Bastard's run lot of me friends out of business!"
"And he attacked a young girl!" An indignant woman stood in the shadow of a stall spoke to her friend, shielding their mouths but not bothering to lower their voices. "How he gets off without any punishment is beyond me!"
There was, unsurprisingly, a clear divide of opinion about what had happened: fellow nobility and aristocracy called for her head, demanding swift, disparate punishment for the crime. Common folk and even the guard reveled in what she'd done, caring less for who she was and more for having one of the city's "bumbling fat-purses" as one guard called him, taken down a notch.
Weiss huffed and stared up at the night sky, clouds stubbornly depriving her the light of the moon or even that of the stars. Her thin cloak, dark green and making her all but invisible, fluttered behind her at the slightest of breezes, the sparse material barely making a sound.
Some loved her, others reviled her for what she'd done. Ultimately it didn't matter: the nobles had made their displeasure known and Ozpin had provided her a choice: remain in the city and face their ire or go forth on a mission, days removed from her graduation, with a woman who had not even a week removed tried to kill her. Were Ruby not involved she'd have taken her chances with the nobility instead.
Blake, at least this early into their journey, was not altogether unpleasant company. Distressingly silent in comparison to Ruby's overtly excitable behavior, and leagues tamer than Nora's bombastic behavior, the Meera hadn't spoken a word since leaving the Cathedral's grounds. In the early hours of the moonless night they left, accompanied only by two Hunters, then left on their own at the gates.
The other woman, Weiss had decided, was not to be trusted. Her changing of allegiances came too easily, nothing that a Hunter's Mark could convince her of. What game was she playing at? A spy for the White Fang?
Blake's ears twitched, and Weiss strained her own to try and pick up whatever slight sound the Meera heard. Insects chirped around them and bats overhead squeaked, for a lack of a better descriptor, feasting on the swarms along the city's fields. Her own hearing was better than a Muran's yet evidently worse than a Meera's. Frustrating, that, as she'd have to rely on Blake for an early alarm.
Amber eyes stared a hole through her before Weiss realized the ravenette was looking her way. Indignant despite being the one staring first she frowned, looking straight ahead and pulling her hood tighter to hide her face. "What? What do you want?"
"Plenty," came a dry, humorless reply. Weiss looked again and found Blake smirking at her. "For starters though maybe, you could walk a little less heavy-footed?"
"Less… Are you suggesting I walk like a clod?!"
"No, I'm saying you stomp when you walk."
Weiss narrowed her eyes and focused on the bleak road stretching out before them. Blake was just trying to get a rise out of her, attempting to get under her skin. Her boot slammed into the ground, a small stone digging into the sole, and Weiss scowled before kicking it aside. It skipped along before tumbling off and coming to rest in a ditch.
They continued in silence for a moment longer and Weiss, sheepishly, realized Blake hadn't been wrong. She'd felt wronged and agitated, unfairly punished for recent events, but had thought she'd kept her distress well hidden. Only after hearing what amounted to a horse's hooves slamming into the dirt did she realize she'd been storming along the entire time, her legs immediately grateful as she eased up on the weight of her steps.
Blake snorted and shook her head. "Better. I'd wondered if you'd even noticed."
"Oh, I'm sorry, is my being upset at being made to work with a murderer bothering you?"
"Not as much as my being forced to work with a prissy little bitch."
Aghast, and admittedly taken aback, Weiss stopped while Blake continued to stalk ahead. Her hands clenched, and she stormed after the woman, gritting her teeth and reaching out to grab Blake's shoulder. Her wrist was caught and the Meera whirled around on her, pulling her arm down and Weiss in so they stood inches apart.
"Need something, princess…?" Blake whispered, tightening her grip on Weiss' wrist. Refusing to give the woman any satisfaction she bit back a whimper and sneered, defiant.
"Put on your hood, we can't risk being recognized. Or rather, you can't."
The Meera scoffed, releasing her hold and stepping away. Rather than do as asked she shook her head. "Grimm could be about, and certainly will the further we get from the wards." Weiss began to walk again as Blake did, holding and rolling her wrist. "I have no plans on being snuck up on, nor do I trust you to be able to notice anything."
Or to tell me. The words might have gone unspoken, but Blake's tone suggested as much. They were working together, yes, but not by choice or desire. Weiss had been forced to leave and Blake… Blake was still an uncertainty to her. If so openly antagonistic why agree to work with Weiss?
Pained as it made her to do so Weiss hung her head, closed her eyes briefly and let out a frustrated huff. "I… Apologize for how I was walking. I hadn't realized I was being so loud."
"Hm…" Blake's ears swiveled, and she glanced towards one of the fields, amber eyes glowing in the dark. Her hand moved towards the chains on her hip and she let it drop when a bird flew out from the rutted ground. "You people rarely do realize when you're bothering others."
"Excuse you? And what exactly have I done?!" Weiss balked. "I've barely spoken to you until now!"
"If you have to ask…" the Meera glanced back with a frown. "Then forget it."
Frustrated, and with no desire to spend the evening bickering, Weiss threw her hands up and decided to follow at a distance instead. It had taken three days by horseback to reach Holbrook originally. It had been at a leisurely pace, granted, and they had stopped frequently to gather news and rest. The request hadn't seemed urgent enough to warrant spurring the horses into a gallop and neither she nor Ruby had any desire to arrive, thighs chafe and limbs and back aching from a rough ride.
Still, those three days had been at a quicker pace than theirs was now, and they had no means of moving faster. They could run, sure, but that would only leave them winded and scarcely any closer than before. So, they walked, moving as casually as a couple out for a midnight stroll, with all the haste of a laborer making their way to the mill, reluctance impeding their steps.
Farmhouses stood as blotches against a dim sky, hardly discernible against the backdrop of black. Trees rose up like bars of black iron and formed cages, groves becoming inescapable prisons. Weiss shivered as a cooler breeze rumbled down the road, turning her head and coughing as dust kicked up and tickled her nose. Blake made a sound to clear her nose and Weiss wondered if her sense of smell might be greater as well.
An hour into their walking - or what Weiss assumed to be any hour, for telling time was impossible, she'd come to realize two important things. The first, more mundane realization, was that she was growing terribly bored. In the moment when Ruby prattled on about all things unimportant and whimsical she couldn't care less. Now that she was with Blake however, a woman who spoke as sparingly as possible, she rather missed the inane prattle. All the more reason to find her partner then.
As Blake stopped and held up a hand Weiss waited. The Meera, not for the first time tonight, moved towards the edge of the road. She crouched and stared out over the fields, tilled land having given way to unkempt grass a long time ago. While Blake stared out at the sea of green Weiss chose to watch her instead, observing how her ears continued to swivel, eyes unblinking as they watched some unseen entity.
Her second realization was she knew remarkably little of Meera and their abilities, or habits, or… Anything really. It was sheer idiocy to assume that every person, of every race and creed, behaved the same way, believed in the same thing. Yet despite confrontations like O'Rourke's and hers the day before the city was a largely homogenous place with people of every kind living in relative coexistence. There were clear divides to be sure and an obvious social hierarchy favoring Murans, but people seemed to be largely civil, kept to themselves and rarely caused a fuss. As such many went by unnoticed, just another face in a crowd. Weiss had never, or if she had it had been rarely, given much thought to each and every person's life.
Blake stood again and shook her head before moving along without a word edgewise, neither explaining herself nor offering Weiss any. That was fine by her as every exchange they seemed to have inevitably led to an argument. Besides, it left her with her own thoughts a while longer.
What did she know about Blake? The woman belonged to the White Fang. Ozpin assured her that had changed but she was skeptical. To change one's allegiances so willingly hardly bespoke trustworthiness, which suggested one of two things: Blake was capricious beyond belief or something had happened that was so convincing, so unprecedented, that she'd willingly switched.
Weiss was loath to believe the latter, leaving her with only skepticism and doubt. That mindset didn't lend itself well to her other assumptions either. Blake used shadows to fight, hiding in Adam's until called upon. Despite their arguments then she didn't enjoy confrontation, or preferred subterfuge to directness. Fine, if it didn't make Weiss the slightest bit paranoid about going to sleep later.
The woman fought with an odd weapon combination; a sickle and chain were more tools of a farmer than the weapon of a trained killer, and that was indeed what Blake was. Weiss' assumptions told her Blake had killed plenty of times before, no doubt relishing in any chance to deal the Church and nobility a blow. While she could almost entertain the latter, the former was inexcusable. Nobles were selfish, whimsical, and at the best of times, seedy. Lord Bisset might have been generous but she didn't grant him any exemptions.
The Church and, by extension, its Hunters, worked for everyone's safety. There were a few bad apples to be certain, but the overall body of work spoke for itself. Remnant would be doomed without the Church. Without people like herself working tirelessly to hold back Grimm, Weiss mused with a growing sense of pride and perturbation both. They were the shield for society against an endless, vicious force. The White Fang sought to splinter that shield and throw Remnant into chaos.
Blake glanced back, and Weiss again looked away, having been staring at the back of the Meera's head as her anger grew. She was supposed to believe that a woman who had pledged herself to a cause so abhorrently malicious, so callously disregarding of everyone's safety, could be won over so easily? Bah. She'd sooner believe Pyrrha had a fear of combat, or Nora's giddiness was put upon and as false as Bisset's goodwill.
"Problem…?" Blake's question spurned further musing and Weiss looked up with a frown.
"None at all," she answered coolly, shivering again as a cold wind ruffled her tunic. "Just enjoying this wonderfully bleak night."
The Meera smirked, shrugging before drawing her waterskin from her belt. "I like it. Its peaceful."
Weiss knew nothing about the Meera, and as her 'partner' took a right at the fork in the road, paying no heed whether Weiss saw the sign and followed her, she decided regardless that she intensely disliked Blake. She was up to something with this, the only question was what. And whether Weiss could do anything to stop whatever Blake had planned.
/+/+/+/+/+/+/
By the time the moonlight was little more than bleak residue upon Remnant and the sun, shy as a timid, blooming boy around young maidens crept over the horizon, Weiss and Blake had arrived at their stop. From the main road and following a worn, illegible sign they veered into a side path, weaving through trees and brush as a snake through tall grass. Wide enough for two carriages and relatively kept it was clearly leading somewhere well-traveled, otherwise no one would bother to maintain the route.
Weiss could have almost cried out in joy when she saw an inn through the trees. With the rising sun behind it, rays splashing out behind the building, it looked like the gods themselves had presented her and Blake with the residence. Trees had been cut away ages ago, sparse stumps remaining, many with stools sat around and refurbished as makeshift tables. Dirt turned to gravel as a narrow path led from the main road to the front door, hidden just beneath the shadow of an awning. Several oil lamp posts stood and marked the makeshift walkway, lights losing life steadily, flickering in the waking hours of the morning.
Unsurprisingly, there had been no one up and about when they stumbled into the inn, feet aching and bodies weighed heavily by fatigue, stomachs growling from hunger. Despite the latter neither Hunter took up the owner's offer to prepare a meal and instead asked after beds, keen to be off their feet.
He was a little man and Weiss couldn't help but compare him to the dwarves in so many stories Ruby enjoyed reading. A long mane of red hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, a bushy beard, and frayed, slightly oversized brown quilted vest sat snug across his broad chest, a stained white shirt beneath. Short black legs in brown beige trousers hurried him along as he led them across the room to a staircase that disappeared into the dim light above.
Weiss scarcely remembered reaching their room, too tired to even voice a complaint about sharing a room with a killer. There had been some exchange made of Lien, and if the man had asked for all her life savings she'd likely have given it without realizing. Once they had paid and settled Weiss kicked off her boots, nursed her aching feet, then threw herself onto the bed.
Blankets still reeking of soap greeted her, a rough yet pliable straw mattress caving beneath her meager weight. She buried her face into a downy pillow and sighed, in sheer bliss. A cursory glance across the room showed her Blake wasn't much different, taking her jacket off as well as her boots, though curiously she kept her scarf on, wrapping it tightly around her neck before turning in bed, her back to Weiss.
Drowsiness hung from her eyelids and dragged them down, refusing to let go once her eyes had closed. Weiss sighed again and relaxed in bed, as if the action somehow relieved the tension in her calves, the aching soles of her feet, or stifled the incessant, faint gnaw of hunger in her stomach. Birds had just begun to fill the morning air by the time she fell asleep, filling the air with a wonderfully languid tune.
/+/+/+/+/+/+/
Harsh rays burned holes through her eyelids and Weiss cursed venomously. Her fingers provided little help and after it became apparent that the world wanted her to wake she rolled onto her back, groaning as she stretched out her limbs, popping her back in the process. A shrill yawn rattled away the last vestiges of her slumber and her eyes drifted open begrudgingly, narrowing as she came to stare at the stained ceiling of the inn.
I'm… Indoors…? Since when? Her mind filled with muddled memories and she groaned, nursing her face in her cold hands and rubbing away lingering fatigue as much as she could. In something of a stupor, she and Blake had traveled through the night, determined not to sleep outdoors if they could help it. Weiss swung her legs over the edge of the bed, stretching once more before looking around the room.
She was grateful for it, she supposed, although waking up with hardly any knowledge of how you came to be there was a little unsettling. Weiss' brow knit, and she frowned when she finally noticed the bed opposite her own was not only made but empty as well. No belongings sat upon the nightstand and if she didn't know any better she'd assume she'd come into the room alone.
After inspecting her feet for blisters and massaging them for a moment she slipped her boots back on, searching the room for her own possessions. Her satchel and Lien were still bound at her hip, having left an indentation in her pale skin from sleeping on it all night. Weiss absently rubbed away the red marks as she found her weapon, a training rapier of moderate make, laid across her own nightstand. Having not undressed for bed she didn't quite need to search for her clothes, and her bag, mercifully, rested just at the foot of her bed. A quick search of its contents revealed nothing had been taken. A map of the kingdom remained rolled up by twine, a small, wax-paper package bound by string with dried meats waited patiently to be consumed. Weiss reached in and grabbed a pair of vials, green liquid sloshing about silently. With luck she'd not need the salves on the trip, though better to have them and not need them.
Weiss tucked her meager goods away and slung her bag over her shoulder. "Now the only thing I'm missing is Blake…" Huffing, she checked once more to be certain nothing was left behind before leaving the room. A narrow hall with a dozen doors opened before her. To her right it ended, a single window letting sunlight flood in. Beneath it a vase, green and yellow painted, held aloft a red hibiscus flower in full bloom.
She took the stairs down, boards creaking as she went. Before she'd made the turn at the first landing she could already just begin to make out voices. One was Blake's, thankfully, and the other she scarcely recognized as the innkeepers. The man laughed gruffly, and she swore she heard Blake laugh too, the sound alien to her. Another woman's voice joined in, making Weiss tilt her head as she descended. One of the barmaids perhaps?
To Weiss' surprise the inn, despite having the capacity for several dozen, was nearly empty. One table in the far end of the main hall held a group of three, a merchant in finery accompanied by two guards. Another hosted a young man and an older man, their dirt-stained, shabby clothing and tanned skin painting them to be farmers. Besides the table where Blake sat they were the only patrons, speaking in more muted tones than her partner.
"'Tis true! I swear on my late mother's name; the lad didn't know his ups from his downs!" The innkeeper bellowed, booming laughter shaking him, hands on his rotund belly. Weiss kept a respectful distance and smiled politely, her eyes wandering briefly to the twin black horns that curled out from his forehead.
"You should stop serving them, you know," Blake chided, a playful smile showing she meant no ill. Amber eyes snapped to Weiss and her smile waned slightly.
"Ah, but why would I? Men with a little ale in their belly are more willing to part with Lien!" The Toro grinned unapologetically. "Who am I to say no then? Let them drink I say! Hah! Let them enjoy the night and line my coffers! Is not my fault that they are too quick to drink, and quicker still to let loose their coin!"
The trio laughed again, and Weiss shuffled purposefully, clearing her throat. Blake settled down and finally looked at her, merriment vanishing as she frowned at Weiss. Looking as thrilled as someone finding a beetle in their bed she frowned, sitting back from the table and taking a drink of her mug.
"Did we wake you, girl? Apologies!" Weiss smiled politely at the Toro and shook her head.
"I overslept, so I should be thanking you, actually."
"That right? Good then! Because I had no plans to stop!" Laughing again the Toro slapped his hand on the table and Weiss rolled her eyes. How could anyone be so energetic this early in the morning? It was absurd, heretical even. What was this man on anyways?
Thankfully his employee had a little more tact and rose from her seat, smoothing out her gray, rough spun tunic and approaching Weiss. While the Canis wasn't exactly smiling at her she looked… Curious? Weiss opted to maintain her own smile and had begun to greet the girl when she was sniffed, gasping and leaning away defensively.
"Wh-what are you doing?! Stop that!"
The Canis did though only after a moment longer. When she met Weiss' eyes again, one hazel, the other brown, she wrinkled her nose and tilted her head. "You smell like Blake now…" she mused, frowning and tilting her head the opposite way. "Or does Blake smell like you…?"
Unable to follow Weiss lifted her arm and sniffed herself. She did smell a little rank from their travels, though nothing that would be considered offensive. Oh but she was offended, narrowing her eyes at the Canis, hands on her hips. "Is that any way to greet someone? You could do with better manners!"
"You stink," the Canis said with a shrug. "I'm just pointing it out."
Weiss seethed and lifted her hands, unsure what to do besides make a throttling motion that went unnoticed. The Toro sighed and rubbed at his pudgy face, leaving the table to grab the Canis' arm and pull her aside. "Lupa, I told you to stop sniffing the customers. It's rude."
Lupa, stumbling before catching herself, shrugged. "What? She stinks, sir. I'm just telling her she stinks." As casually as she'd insulted her then the Canis looked her over, pursing her lips before pointing behind them, past the tables and to another door leading outside. "There's a bathhouse behind the inn. You should use it."
"I… I will bathe when I am full well and ready to!" Weiss snapped. "And you should listen to your employer, Lupa! You're terribly rude!"
"I apologize for her, miss. She means no ill will." The Toro glared up at his charge and chopped the side of her head with his hand, giving Weiss a satisfying show as Lupa drew back and whimpered. "The girl has about as much sense as a goat, and as much grace as a three-legged mare besides."
Lupa frowned and itched at her cheek. "I'm plenty graceful, I can balance as well as anyone," she argued.
Blake set down her now empty mug and chuckled. "I think what Sebastian means is you are blunt and, well… Rude."
"Oh."
Pot, meet kettle. It was too early for this. Weiss rubbed her eyes tiredly and grumbled to herself before looking down at Sebastian. The red-maned Toro had just finished chopping Lupa a second time and sent her off to the kitchens, dusting his hands on a ratty cloth hung at his belt. "You could do with some better help, sir. Some that aren't quite so…"
"Lupa is fine," Blake interrupted. Weiss glared at the Meera who brushed her off and held her mug up for Sebastian to take. The Toro obliged, seemingly all too thrilled to be away from Weiss as he hurried behind the counter. Exasperated, Weiss moved to the table and sank into a chair.
"You have a very skewed idea of what constitutes 'fine' behavior, then." Weiss sniffed the air before gawking at Blake. "Are you drinking?! It's still morning!"
"Cider, non-fermented," the Meera acknowledged, brushing Weiss aside with a wave of her hand and taking back her mug. Another was placed on the table and Weiss muttered thanks, glancing at the honey-tinted, warm liquid whimsically. "The water here isn't very good," Blake continued after a drink. "Too much clay in the well, right, Sebas?"
"Aye, aye, we're getting it fixed though!"
Across the room the older farmer spit out his drink and grimaced, peering into his mug before slamming it onto the table. Lupa rushed out of the kitchen and began to wipe his table. "Give me some of that cider, you snake! I ain't drinking no dirty water!"
Sebastian excused himself and rushed back behind the counter, filling several mugs as disgruntled patrons shouted across the room. Weiss sighed, elbows propped on the table and her head in her hands. "Blake…" she began, nursing her temples, eyes closed. "Why were you so insistent we come here…?"
"Because it's a den of thieves and murderers?" Tilting her head when Weiss stared, Blake rolled her eyes. "It was a joke."
"Jokes are meant to be funny," Weiss snapped.
Rather than argue Blake sipped her drink, leaving Weiss to stew as she glanced around the room. Rustic was the best word for the inn, whose log walls, worn and colored by age, allowed sunlight to slip through, attenuated by the crudely carved lumber. Everything inside looked handmade - obviously, as how else would anything be crafted? No two chairs were the same, each fashioned no doubt out of whatever wood was handy. The tables were simply flat boards set upon carved logs, the inn favoring functionality over form.
"It's because I know the people here."
Weiss arched an eyebrow at Blake's admission, nodding as she looked after Sebastian. The man darted back and forth, refilling mugs and checking food as it sizzled loudly on slabs of heated stone. She was ashamed of her growling stomach when she caught wafts of seared meat and vegetables, the hint of garlic and sage making her salivate and licked her lips in anticipation.
"That's all?" she asked, looking back at the Meera expectantly. "Just catching up with acquaintances?" Blake offered a simple 'mhmm' and returned to nursing her drink. Realizing she'd not get anything more Weiss exhaled, sampling her own cider and wrinkling her nose at the overbearing tartness.
The back door swung open and Lupa rushed out, tray in hand and several steaming plates on display. The farmers were served, the rowdy merchant, face now rosy and deep into his mugs, waved her over and demanded a plate as well. Lupa delivered, smiling as the man snapped again and demanded something more. The Canis tilted her head and seemed to test the weight of her tray in her hands before lifting it and smacking the merchant over the head.
Weiss gasped, eyes locked on the man as he slumped down into his chair. Neither of his guards moved to defend him and she watched as one even thanked Lupa as the pair lifted the unconscious man out of his seat. They disappeared up the stairs and the older farmer, having been about to make a demand of his own, slinked back into his chair and started his meal in silence.
"She… She assaulted him…"
Blake shrugged. "And? He'll assume he drank too much when he wakes up."
Weiss watched as Lupa went off to the counter with a lackadaisical air, satisfied with herself. Sebastian pat the girl's arm and smiled and for a moment she had to wonder if her assumption about 'killers and thieves' wasn't accurate. "Do the staff here make a habit of assaulting people…?"
"No more than Hunters do, I believe."
Okay, she'd walked right into that one. Weiss huffed and drank, eyes fixating themselves on an interesting knot in the floorboards. It wasn't the most inaccurate accusation, and frankly if given the opportunity she'd gladly turn O'Rourke into a living ice sculpture in a heartbeat. Jealousy wasn't the first thing she thought she'd feel after witnessing an assault but the levity of Lupa's actions, and lack of reprimand thereafter, made Weiss envy the girl.
Lupa smiled as she stopped by their table. Weiss' mouth watered, and she placed a hand over her stomach as it grumbled, eyes trained on the tray. "Sorry for the wait," the Canis said, setting plates down before them, glancing at Blake with a smirk. "Extra for you. Sebastian says it's on the house."
Blake raised a delicate eyebrow and looked over at the squat Toro who watched them with a knowing smile. "That wasn't necessary," she chuckled. "But give him my thanks."
While the barmaid hurried off Weiss folded her arms. "Okay, now I'm curious. How do you know them, and why are they so inclined to give you free food?"
Rather than reply immediately Blake began to slice apart her strips of beef, pushing golden brown pieces through an orange sauce. "They're friends," was her answer.
Weiss acquiesced and nodded, favoring her meal over chasing questions. To Sebastian's credit the food did look exquisite, albeit not as flamboyantly so as what she'd enjoyed with Ironwood the day before. Thin cuts of beef with charred skin mixed with green and red bell pepper, onions, scallions and carrots sizzled in a shallow pool of sauce, flecks of herbs mixed in. Following Blake's example, she blew on the first spoonful and coughed at the sudden spice, glaring through watery eyes when the Meera chuckled at her plight.
Their meal was spent in a comfortable silence as both women took their time, although for different reasons. Just holding the spoon by her nose made Weiss' nostrils burn, her buds ache in anticipation. Blake had no issue with the bite and instead busied herself with a leather bound book she'd brought along, the cover slightly yellowed and stained. Deeming her hunger more important than fleeting curiosity Weiss didn't bother to ask, subjecting herself to the unpleasant yet delicious dish.
One plate of miserable, tangy beef and two mugs of cider later Weiss fanned herself with her hand as beads of sweat evaporated on her skin. She'd assumed partway through that her meal had been spiked with extra spice, a suspicion all but confirmed when Blake smiled knowingly at her. Confound the woman. Next time they stopped for a meal she'd be certain to ask for something dreadful on her behalf. Perhaps snail? That punishment fit the crime nicely.
After the farmer and his farmhand had left the inn fell into a comfortable, if tense, silence between Weiss and Blake. With their destination in mind they'd little to discuss, or so Weiss thought. She had little desire to make small talk with the woman and it appeared the feeling was mutual as the Meera engrossed herself in conversation with Lupa and Sebastian instead. Ill-content to remain a third wheel, Weiss pardoned herself and stepped outside for fresh air.
The Dragon and the Knight, or so the faded board dangling on bronze chains named it, was every bit as ramshackle as Weiss expected. The building itself, with moss and vines claiming the exterior walls as their home, almost gave the appearance of being abandoned. The windows, while clean, were tinted either by grime or other means and made looking inside impossible without straining, and the lack of smoke rising from the twin chimneys would suggest the place unoccupied.
Weiss took a seat on a bench nestled among a bed of flowers in the shade of a billowing blue spruce. Fresh and brittle needles crunched under her boot as she drove her toes into them, grimacing when her back stuck to planks, sap dripping down from above. Finding a spot, she could comfortably relax Weiss leaned back, closed her eyes, and listened.
Accustomed to Vale's perpetual activity even in later hours the atmosphere out here, so far removed from all that, Weiss found herself antsy. The chipper song of birds was a little too cheerful, too pitched. Leaves rustled with every breeze, every frantic, busy skitter of small critters rushing to find a meal or cover from a would-be predator. Far away, yet close enough to hear a hawk screech, its cry followed by the frantic, pleading squeaks of a rodent before it disappeared into the distance, Weiss wondered if she should be concerned for the rodent or if it was just nature taking its course.
Sometimes things just happened. There was no rhyme or reason to nature, it simply was. Animals were wont to do whatever their instincts dictated, and the consequences were of their own doing. Weiss frowned, stomping her foot down as if to quell the rising unease she felt. That rodent had been trying to find a meal no doubt, or more depressingly, perhaps trying to reunite with someone.
Was Ruby okay? Had a hawk found her and taken her in its clutches as well? Her chest tightened and Weiss grimaced, nursing herself and opening her eyes to the rays of fleeting light that pierced through blueish needles. What if she wasn't at Holbrook? What if something had happened to her…? What if…
Rowdy banter and laughter disrupted her quiet reverie as well as the cheerful song of nearby sparrows. With minimal effort Weiss lifted her head and cast a curious glance back down the winding path.
They were hidden at first by the thickets, only voices carrying around the bend. When a group of men rounded the corner, she took in their armor and weapons first, marking them as far more than any average traveler. She'd thought them bandits or mercenaries until one member of the group tilted his head and flashed the Hunter's Mark. Hunters? Why here?
Foremost in the group, a man with burnt-orange hair and a vicious mace swinging from his hip, noticed Weiss first. His curiosity brought him over, wearing a smile that was more meant to intimidate or deride than appear welcoming. With nowhere else to go Weiss rose from her place on the bench, smoothed out her clothing, and returned the smile with one of her own.
"Well, what's this then? One of the barmaids out neglecting her work?" Why was she suddenly compelled to give the boy an inappropriate moniker? 'Jackass' seemed oddly fitting. The redhead chuckled, laughter subsiding when he caught a glimpse of her own mark. "A Hunter? Would you look at that boys!" he snickered and pointed to Weiss, "They're letting anyone be a Hunter these days!"
The steel boots the redhead wore prevented Weiss from stomping on his toes although she was still tempted to try. "I am indeed a Hunter," she confirmed stiffly, peeling the collar of her shirt to flash her mark.
A boy with a green mohawk, a ridiculous hairstyle in Weiss' opinion, narrowed his eyes, then belted a low whistle. "Oi, Cardin! I think that's…"
"The Schnee girl," another with swept-back silver hair observed. "Wow… She's tiny."
Weiss' irritation flourished as the group laughed at her expense, inhaling sharply through her nose. Cardin grinned after a moment and clasped a large hand on her shoulder, patting it. "Looks like you made it after all! There was a lot of talk about you, you know." He moved back with a teasing smirk. "Most thought you were too delicate to pass."
"Well, I am a Schnee, after all." Weiss tried not to show her displeasure when they laughed again. "Might I ask what you're doing here?"
"What, you our boss now or something?" The speaker, a boy with messy, sandy-blonde hair shifted the scabbard on his hip and smiled. "Look out, Russel, she's gonna chew you out!"
Russel snickered, cocking his head as he approached and leaned forward, hands on his hips. "That right? What're you going to do, huh? Kick our ankles?"
Weiss dropped her hand when Cardin slapped the boy for her, raising an eyebrow at the apparent leader's intervention. Nodding her thanks, she watched Russel slink back behind the redhead, cursing under his breath as he nursed his skull.
"We're out here on business, looking for someone if you need to know."
"Oh? Well then it appears our goals are similar," Weiss said, straining to remain civil with a small smile.
Cardin took stock of his surroundings, nodding absently. "Who are you looking for then…?" he asked, returning his eyes to her, brow arched inquisitively.
As oafish and brutish as the group seemed they did have eyes, and with luck enough brain to recall any passing young girls they might have seen. "I'm searching for my partner, actually. A young girl with a brilliant red cloak, silver eyes, and an unhealthy obsession with sugary treats." No sense in hiding her intentions when these four might be able to offer help. "I don't suppose you've ran into her on your travels?"
The four turned to one another and conversed for a moment, serious. Then to her disappointment all four shook their heads, genuinely appearing apologetic. "Nah, not seen anyone like her," Cardin answered. "She lost or something?"
"Something to that effect, yes," Weiss said. It was a long shot, but she'd hoped Ruby might have crossed their path.
That left her without any lead besides travel towards Holbrook and hope to get lucky. If Ruby had left in the dead of night as they suspected, then it only stood to reason that no one had seen her. Few traveled in the dark hours, when Grimm appeared in the countryside, unattended and roaming. Only Hunters and groups of well-armed, trained guards or soldiers might brave the dark and even then, to go out alone, even as a Hunter, was foolish.
"Might I ask who you're after?" Weiss pressed. "I might not be able to help, but perhaps I can offer something?" No harm in aiding a fellow Hunter.
Cardin toyed with the idea before shrugging. Taking his pack from his back he dropped it down on the ground, undid the clasps and began rifling through the horrendously unorganized mess. "Sure, I guess. We're after a bounty actually, looking for someone supposed to be in these parts."
"A bounty…?" Weiss frowned and crossed her arms. "I was unaware Hunters were allowed to do such a thing."
"Only when Magi are involved," Russel spoke up. "Too much for the regular tack to handle." He turned to his sandy-haired friend and nudged him with a grin. "Too much for Dove too. Balls still hurting?"
Dove scowled and shoved a laughing Russel back. "Shut up! She put your ass through a table too!"
"Honestly…" the silver-haired boy snorted. "How did you three get your asses handed to you by one girl?"
"Because, Sky, that one girl was a fucking demon." Cardin grumbled as he pulled his bags contents out, shaking his head and looking back at his friends. "Oi, any of you got the bill? I lost mine."
Before any of the trio could retrieve their bags, the inn door swung open with a resounding creak. Heads turned and Blake, barely a foot out the door, paused seeing the newcomers. She regarded them cautiously before moving down the front steps, giving them a wide berth as she moved her way towards Weiss. For her part Weiss didn't miss how all four locked their eyes on her and kept still, feeling Blake tense beside her when she stopped.
When no one spoke for an agonizingly long moment Weiss felt butterflies play havoc with her stomach, licking her dry lips and swiping her sweaty palms on her trousers. Cardin slowly rose to his feet and left his pack where it was, and beside her she heard Blake's clothing ruffle, the chains of her weapon jingling faintly.
"Would you look at that boys…" Cardin grinned and grabbed his mace from his hip. "What're the chances of this?"
As the other three drew their swords Blake had her weapon in hand, and Weiss hadn't missed how black mist had begun to pool around her feet. Rather than go for her own weapon she promptly moved between Blake and the others, holding her hands out. "Wait, wait! There's a misunderstanding here!"
"I don't think so, Schnee. Looks like we've caught our killer in the act." Weiss, unsure what Cardin was referring to, stared at Blake in shock noticing the blood on her hands. "Unless you're going to tell me that's just berry juice?"
Weiss stammered before gesturing to Blake's hands and demanding an explanation. The Meera merely glanced at her and sighed, freeing up one hand to hold her palm up. "I was helping Lupa prepare food, decided to come outside and see where you'd run off to."
"A likely story! I bet if we go inside we'll find someone dead!" Dove barked.
Blake snorted, rolling her eyes. "You won't but go on and check."
"We can check after we deal with you," Sky snapped. "You're a wanted woman!"
Groaning and quickly running out of patience Weiss threw her hands up. "You buffoons, wait! Blake, show them your mark!" The ravenette rolled her eyes and peeled back her scarf, tugging it down and flashing the Hunter's Mark for their eyes. "There!" Weiss shouted. "See? Whatever notions you might have are wrong, she's no longer a wanted killer."
"People don't just change, Schnee. And there's an awful lot of Lien on her head," Cardin said. "That mark could be fake for all we know. Hell…" he snorted and smiled viciously. "Yours could be fake too. Maybe you really didn't make it? Trying to fake your way to be a Hunter now, are you?"
Of all the asinine, ridiculous, idiotic things she'd heard in her life. Fake being a Hunter? Why not just attack a noble in broad daylight? The punishment would be about the same: the executioner's block.
Oh wait…
"Whatever. Either she's tricked you or you're elicit in her crimes!" Russel shouted accusingly.
"It's complicit, you oaf," Weiss said in exasperation.
"I don't think he knows the difference," Blake mumbled from behind.
Cardin twirled his mace, grinning as he and his group fanned out to surround them. Weiss grabbed for her rapier and cursed, remembering she'd left it upstairs in their room. Why would she have brought her weapon? How could she know they'd be set upon by clueless, overzealous bounty hunters?
"There's no bounty on you, Schnee, so I suggest you step away and let us do our jobs."
As if she would. Weiss huffed and pointed to Blake angrily. "She is not a criminal, you clod! She was recently appointed as a Hunter by Ozpin himself! Cease this at once!"
"Or stand there and take your lumps," Cardin laughed, ignoring her entirely. "Makes no difference to us!"
They were idiots. Nora had her moments of insane stupidity, Ruby could be dense, but at least those two had common sense. These four were mindless. More fit to be town fools than Hunters. With all four drawing their weapons Weiss groaned and looked around desperately, heart rising to her throat. "Stop! We're all on the same side! Stop!"
Sky screamed and lunged at Blake first, halberd closing the distance in a heartbeat. The Meera turned and twisted her chains around the shaft, pulling him in close and wrenching the weapon free. His legs were swept, and he rolled aside to avoid his own weapon.
"Blake, stop! All of you, stop this!"
Dove and Russel closed in together, striking from either of Blake's sides. Daggers threw sparks as they clashed with the curved blade of Blake's kusarigama, metal on metal ringing out and screeching through the still waking forest. Dove's sword missed her back by a hair's breadth, swinging wide when she sidestepped, flipping head over heels as her chain caught his feet and yanked them from beneath him.
Weiss hastily began to carve an ice run to freeze everyone in place. The hairs on her neck stood on end and on instinct she ducked, stumbling as a mace screamed through the air. Turning on her heels and holding her arms out to catch herself she blanched, staring at Cardin in shock as he bounced his weapon in his palm.
"What are you doing?!"
As she jumped back and away from another swing it was rather obvious, wasn't it? Cardin smirked and stomped loudly towards her, trying to seem intimidating. "You're aiding a criminal, so we're bringing you in!"
A shame he only looked more idiotic than ever. And 'bringing her in'? How were they going to do that with her head caved in?! Blake's chains were deafening as her weapon swung around, catching and deflecting incoming blows. Without a blade of her own handy all Weiss could do was run away and avoid being bludgeoned. Not that a rapier would have done much against a mace to begin with.
A rune shattered as she was forced to abandon it in favor of dodging. Another broke when Cardin's mace whizzed past her side, smashing into the bench and shattering the back. Splintered wood flew up and Weiss reflexively shielded her face, hurrying away while Cardin wrenched his weapon free.
Again, she tried to appeal to reason and again her words fell on deaf ears. Blake kept the trio at bay easily enough, straining to keep her blows from being lethal. Not that the clowns were affording them the same courtesy. Weiss dove and rolled in a desperate bid to avoid another swing, scrambling as the mace slammed into the ground at her heels.
"Fight back!" Cardin taunted, laughing. "Come on! Do something!"
What did he think she was trying to do?! Weiss wove another ice rune and failed to get her spell off yet again, the mace nearly crushing her hand as she drew it back in haste. Close enough to strike her Cardin lowered his shoulder and drove it into her chest, lifting her off her feet and throwing her back. Weiss gasped as she hit the ground, air rushing from her lungs and tailbone aching from the impact. Towering over her prone position Cardin grinned, twirling the mace in hand.
"You know, I almost feel bad about this…" He should! He was making a horrible mistake! "I'll do you a favor and make it quick. I bet Ozpin will love to have you back for this."
"We. Are. Hunters!" Weiss shouted, desperation and anger ringing out. Cardin raised his mace again and took a step forward to bring it down…
Only to be swept away by a sudden deluge of water. Weiss shielded herself and slowly lowered her arms realizing Cardin was no longer standing before her. Blinking and staring at the now soaked soil she looked down at her hands. She hadn't done that, she certainly hadn't woven any runes…
Blake jumped away from the trio and, lined up as they were, another geyser swept them up in a collective heap, threw them into the air and tossed them several yards away. Bodies landed in wet puddles and they groaned, weapons discarded and clothing and skin now caked in mud. When Blake lowered her weapon and seemed to relax Weiss, with her heart thundering away and nerves shot, searched for their would-be savior.
"Uh… Oops…" Lupa grinned and itched her cheek nervously. Behind her Sebastian stared in disbelief, then buried his face in his hands and groaned loudly. "I… Might have overdone it…?"
Blake chuckled, shaking her head as she set her weapon back around her waist. "No, you didn't. Thanks for the help, Lupa."
Grinning proudly the Canis nodded, coming out to the front to join them. Off to her right Weiss heard Cardin groan and found him sprawled out at the base of a wide birch, pushing himself up with trembling limbs before collapsing again. Plate armor glistened, drenched, and his hair was matted and an absolute mess, bangs hanging down over his face. Feeling a lack of pity for the buffoon Weiss glanced at the hand offered to her, meeting Lupa's heterochromatic eyes.
"Um…" Hoisted to her feet Weiss returned an awkward smile, dusting herself off and clearing her throat. "Thank you for that?"
"No problem!" Rather proud of her handiwork Lupa dusted her hands off and smiled as she turned towards Blake, waving to the approaching woman. "I didn't get you, did I?"
"Nope, I'm fine."
Weiss felt her tunic and trousers, scowling at the wet clothing. "You got me though!" Maybe a petty complaint given her life might have just been saved, but it was still irritating!
Lupa cocked an eyebrow and studied Weiss, then shrugged and smiled innocently. "You needed a bath. I gave you one."
"I… I do not stink!" Weiss snapped. She leaned away from the Canis and swatted at her head, scowling when Lupa danced away.
"Do too. You need a bath."
"Th-then give Blake one as well! She must stink too!"
"I bathed this morning, actually," the Meera deflected, smirking. "While you were still asleep."
Well that was just perfect. Grumbling to herself Weiss wrung out what water she could before giving up and deciding to let the sun do its job. At least their little scuffle was over with, no thanks in small part to Lupa's intervention.
"You're a Magi…" Weiss mumbled, looking at Lupa in surprise.
"Yeah? So are you, and so is Blake," the Canis responded, blankly staring as she tilted her head. "What of it?"
"I'm just surprised is all. I hadn't expected to find a Magi here."
"And you wouldn't have if Lupa remembered to keep her magic to 'erself!" Sebastian hobbled out of the building, red in the face either from anger or exertion, Weiss wasn't sure. The short Toro frowned up at his helper, swat the girl on the arm, and shook his head before rubbing his forehead.
"I thought I told you not to use your spells, Lupa. This always happens when you do!"
"They attacked Blake though, Sebas… What else was I supposed to do?"
The innkeeper narrowed his eyes as he looked at the four young men strewn about his property. "They're Hunters…" His eyes widened, and he glared up at Lupa, swatting her arm again. "What did you do!?"
"Um, sir…?" Weiss smiled and eased Sebastian's hands down. It didn't take long to explain their encounter and the man relaxed when given the full story. Looking every bit as indignant as Weiss felt he dabbed his forehead with a cloth from his pocket.
"Ridiculous… Bounty hunters, and this early in the morning…" Sebastian took his turn to scowl at Blake now, pointing a stubby finger at her. "You need to stop making things so nerve-wracking!"
The Meera chuckled and raised her hands defensively. "I'm sorry. It was a misunderstanding, it won't happen again."
Caught between staring at the now unconscious, or damn near unconscious Hunters and the trio Weiss was at a loss. Blake had a bounty on her, hardly surprising given her earlier profession, and these clods had come to collect. It only stood to reason word hadn't gotten out yet, there was no way every Hunter in the kingdom would know of her recent appointment. Her stomach groaned as she considered the implications of that, nursing her temples to chase away the growing sense of irritation.
How many other Hunters will we encounter that try to bring her in? I'm going to lose my mind if we have to fight people who are supposed to be our allies…
Blake had thankfully refrained from killing any of them or dealing any grievous wounds. She'd credit the Meera for her restraint if nothing else, though it was difficult to say the same of Lupa. If Cardin hadn't been wearing armor, then the impact against the tree could very well have broken his spine. The others no doubt had some awful bruises after being tossed.
"This is not how I planned to start my day…" Weiss grumbled. Seeing Blake heading into the inn once more she frowned and began to follow. "And where do you think you're going?"
The ravenette paused with her hand on the handle, arching an eyebrow in question. "You want to wait for them to wake up and do this again? I'm getting my things and we're leaving."
"What? But… We can't just leave them!"
"And what do you want us to do? Nurse them back to health? They tried to kill me. Kill you," Blake pointed out, opening the door and disappearing inside. "Stay if you want, I'm sure they'll understand when they wake," she called back sarcastically.
"And they'll take us running away any better?!" Weiss threw her hands up in defeat and whined, stomping her foot in place. Lupa stared at her and she turned at the Canis, pointing up in the taller girl's face sternly. "You two deal with them. Just… Tell them we have a job we're meant to be doing! Or that we fell into a river, I really don't care!"
No doubt it would come back to bite them later but Weiss' patience, and nerves, were shot after that debacle. Cardin and his lackeys could think whatever they wanted as far as she was concerned. Jogging into the building after Blake she hurried upstairs to their room, passing her partner on the way up. After retrieving her bag and rapier they excused themselves at the door, Blake bidding farewell while Weiss apologized for the commotion.
Sebastian could only grin and wave off her apologies, taking then to watching as Lupa unceremoniously began dragging the young men inside one by one. "No problem! The lads will need a place to rest after they come to, not to mention food and drink," the Toro chuckled, eyes twinkling. "I reckon I'll get some Lien out of them yet."
Still aghast at the brawl Weiss decided to let it go. If the innkeeper didn't care, then she'd not stress about it any longer. Excusing herself, and shouting at Blake who rifled through discarded bags, the pair cut their way back down the path and onto the main road once more, sun high overhead, long shadows accompanying them on their midday trek.
/+/+/+/+/+/
"You didn't…"
"Obviously I did. Where else do you think I got this?"
Weiss grimaced and set her head in her hands. The log she sat on creaked and she shifted her weight, sighing loudly. "Blake… You robbed them. We can't do that!"
"They tried to kill me," the Meera deflected. "The least they can do is give me some Lien as an apology."
"And the food…?"
"Saves us from having to hunt later, doesn't it?"
She could only stare as Blake sorted through a patchwork rucksack, tossing aside odds and ends. A broken compass, a soiled bundle of tinder, a shattered mirror that for the life of her Weiss couldn't imagine why the boys had to begin with. Leaning forward she picked up a sodden journal and flipped through the pages, tossing it aside after finding it either blank or devoid of anything of import.
Deeming Blake a lost cause Weiss ignored the Meera as she sorted through her filched goods, taking her boots off and nursing the sore soles of her feet. A wagon driven by a burly looking farmer toddled past them and the man glanced at them with fleeting interest before moving on his way. While Weiss enjoyed a small treat of fruit preserves and her water a handful of other travelers passed by, every one of which was on their way towards the city. Not many were brave enough to venture deep into the countryside apparently. That or there was no reason to: grasslands and sparse settlements were hardly tourist attractions.
Half an hour of rest had passed and Weiss, growing antsy from being idle, rose to her feet. After stretching herself out and checking her pack she slung it over one shoulder and pat the rapier on her hip. "Let's keep moving. I'd like to reach the next town before nightfall if at all possible."
Either Blake didn't hear her or ignored her. The Meera continued to stare down at the crumpled parchment in her hands, a look of surprise giving way to mild irritation, then amusement. Curious, Weiss leaned over and glanced down at the sheet.
"Someone you know…?"
Blake shrugged and offered the sheet over to Weiss. "You can say that. I wonder if those idiots tried getting after her too." Chuckling, she rose to her feet and shook out the stolen bag before discarding it in the weeds along the road.
Weiss offered a small 'hm', studying the wanted poster. A Dimuran woman, about their age she'd guess, stared back at her with a stern expression. Long billowing hair cascaded down her back and scales decorated her neck and cheeks. No one that she'd ever seen before and the moniker listed beneath the image didn't help either. Turning it over and finding the opposite side blank Weiss shrugged and stuffed it into her pocket, frowning as Blake gave her a quizzical look.
"Not all of us make it a habit of discarding trash wherever we please," Weiss snapped.
"Everyone does it," Blake answered flippantly.
"If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you do it?"
The Meera hummed before shaking her head. Weiss, holding her hands up as if to say 'See?', started walking along the bank of the road, keeping just off the tall grass sprouting up alongside well-trodden dirt.
"Though I guess if it was to escape or evade someone, or something, then I might," Blake mused.
Sighing, Weiss put her face in her hand before glaring back at Blake. "It was a rhetorical question."
"And I gave you a rhetorical answer." Blake smirked at Weiss' groan and chuckled, pleased with herself. "Relax, princess, we're almost there. Then you'll have your friend back."
"Oh, trust me, I can't wait."
"The feeling is mutual," Blake said curtly.
At least they weren't actively trying to kill each other anymore. If Blake's reputation was a shadow of what Weiss suspected, then there would be plenty of other people doing that for them.
Just for once, for once in my life, can't something be simple?
Her boot made a wet squelch sound and Weiss froze in her tracks. Before she'd even lifted her foot, she knew what it was, and as Blake stifled laughter behind her palm Weiss growled and scraped her boot on a nearby tree, cursing more than she ever had in her life. Putrid muck streaked against brown bark, clumps of grass and other material mixed in.
"Filthy! Disgusting! Rotten, degenerate, no good…"
"Relax, princess," Blake chuckled, grinning as Weiss stomped her foot and wiped it in the grass. "I'd figured you're used to being shit on."
Weiss glared and almost encased Blake in ice. Instead she growled, turned sharply, and stormed down the road, ignoring Blake's laughter as it chased her along.
And to think it was only noon.
"Gambol, you've relegated CRDL to a running gag!"
More or less.
"But why?"
Because they're butts and while I COULD make them better people in this... Meh. It's more fun to let characters slap them around.
"Weiss stepped in poop! I guess she's having a really crappy day!"
You could say that, yes.
Thank you all so much for reading and feel free to leave feedback if you have any! Have a nice day, tip your neighbors and love thy waitresses.
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