Hey look, a chapter! Took a little longer than I wanted to get out but busy life is busy.
While the village of Holbrook bustled with activity behind them Weiss, Blake, and Yang stood in silence. The Dimuran grinned and teased at her young charge, leaning away while little fingers poked and prodded at her face. Unsure of what to do with herself Weiss glanced between the blonde and Blake, raising an eyebrow at the complicated expression her comrade wore. Recognition and disdain. There was a story behind that.
Cassie giggled, then huffed and pouted as she was set on her feet. A gentle thwack to her rump sent the toddler running back into the house, rounding a corner and disappearing into one of the inner rooms.
"There…" Yang dusted her hands and smirked. "That's better. She's a real handful, ya know? I mean most kids are. They just wanna play all day and wake up at ungodly hours." She shuddered, shaking her head before grinning and placing her hands on her hips. "Good to see you again by the way, kitten! Still robbing people?"
"Hardly." Blake wrinkled her nose. "Still living with racists I see."
"Hey! The people here are awesome! For the most part…" Yang conceded, making a face before grinning once more. "And who is this little snowflake…? I don't think I've met you before." Leaning forward and taking one of Weiss' hands she made a show of kissing the back of it, laughing as Weiss yanked her hand back and wiped it on her tunic. "Ouch, feisty, Ice Queen!"
"Do not call me that. And I have a better question for you." Checking for Cassie, Weiss made a show of peeling back her cloak and revealing the rapier on her hip. "What is a wanted criminal doing here in Holbrook? With a child no less?"
"Well for starters she ain't mine…" Yang chuckled. "And criminal? Watcha talking about? I'm an innocent nobody!"
"'Yang Xiao Long, considered extremely dangerous. Wanted for destruction of Church property as well as several accounts of aggravated assault against clergy.'" Weiss folded her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Unless you're strikingly similar to the woman on the poster I saw, that would be you."
"Yang? Uh… Nah, I'm Yin! Yang's my twin."
"And I'm an Ursa…" Blake muttered with a roll of her eyes.
"Nah, you're way prettier, kitten." Blake bristled and bared her teeth. Yang smirked and curled a finger at the ravenette, winking and cocking her head. "Kitty got claws…? You going to get me back for Alabaster? I'm right here, kitty."
Blake, poised to take Yang's invitation, dropped her weapon when Cassie came rushing back to the door, accompanied by a stern looking woman. The young girl giggled as she tried to clamber up Yang's leg, then whined, stubby legs kicking as the apron-clad woman snatched her up. Weiss mouthed 'thank you' and left it at that, confusing the woman but earning a silent nod.
"You must be the two Laurel mentioned. I'm Trina, and sorry for my little bundle here." Cassie wriggled and tried to break free, protesting the injustices of being caught. Trina held her daughter against her shoulder and bounced her in place. "Come on in. I'm just about done making lunch and you two must be starving. Yang, mind giving me a hand putting the food out?"
"Sure thing!" Yang wiggled her fingers and puckered her lips before jogging off, leaving Weiss staring after her fleeing form.
"Er… Ma'am, I don't want to alarm you…" Weiss began.
"Please, Trina works. 'Ma'am' makes me sound so old!"
"Right. Trina, you're aware of who you're housing, correct…?"
The fact Weiss hadn't seen a poster for Yang before recently was surprising. Vale typically had wanted notices up around the city in various places - places she hardly frequented, but prominent enough she'd have given them a passing glance. Surely these people knew they had a rogue Magi in their midst? If they were harboring a criminal willingly, or if the town was in on it…
"Yang? Oh sure, but she's explained everything!"
Weiss smiled even as her mind tripped over itself trying to make heads of what she'd heard. "Let me see if I understand you... She explained herself? And that somehow absolves someone of their crimes?"
Trina nodded, taking a second to shush the fussy child on her arm. "She explained herself to the entire town and left it up to us to judge her. Since we only have the word of mouth to go on, and the fact she's actually helped us in the past." Yang grinned while Weiss' mind continued to reel. "Besides, she's done nothing but lend a hand in rebuilding since she arrived. She's even great with the children."
"You're letting a criminal watch your young…?" Blake asked, brow raising in surprise.
"Everyone has made mistakes," Trina said with a shake of her finger. "Few try to make things right. The way we see it Yang is more than making up for whatever missteps she's made. Now, please, if we're done questioning my other guests could we go inside? I want to get Cassie fed before she goes down for a n-a-p."
"But I don't want a nap!" Cassie protested fitfully.
Trina smiled at Yang, laughing as they exchanged hushed words between them. Privy to her impending doom Cassie writhed on her mother's shoulder, loudly protesting the idea of naps as the trio vanished into the house. Weiss stood still, frozen in place and gawking after what she'd just seen. The town was willingly housing a criminal? A rogue Magi at that. Didn't they know how absurd that was?
Technically speaking you're a criminal too. Weiss growled at her traitorous thoughts, huffing and stomping into the building, then easing up as her right leg throbbed in protest. Blake lingered at the threshold before following her lead.
The first room, a small den, was austere yet welcoming. Two benches with knit pillows and cushions on dark wooden frames sitting to either side of a fireplace. Between them a low cut table held a vase of flowers, the rings of a tree still prominently on display through the glossy finish. Two shelves adorned the far wall, one full of various odds and ends, the other housing a humble display of books. Blake lingered at the latter and ran a finger along several volumes, drawn away when Weiss called to her.
Light sifted through open windows, green painted shutters held open by small brass latches. A narrow hallway led to a pair of doors, both sealed, and opened up on the right to a staircase leading up. Weiss glanced briefly up the steps and went left towards the intoxicating aroma of a hot, freshly cooked meal. She nearly wept when she saw the table full of food awaiting them.
Yang had a mouthful of chicken and vegetables by the time Weiss sat beside her. She leaned away from the gregarious blonde, then thanked Trina for her plate and calmly tucked a napkin into her collar, going through the agonizing task of cutting up her meat. Juicy and still sizzling chicken melted in her mouth, lemon and mint mingling. Weiss couldn't help but sigh at the bountiful meal, thankful to have real food and not rely on berries or rodents for another day.
What she was not thankful for were the stares being thrown across the table. Blake and Yang spent more time looking at one another than their meals, the former glaring in silence while the latter smiled in return. Trina knew something was wrong by her expression but kept silent, preoccupied with keeping Cassie from feeding their dog rather than herself.
Weiss decided to let the two women stew and endeavored to finish her meal as quickly as possible while not looking like a starved animal desperate for food. Once her clay dish was clean save for lingering juices she wiped herself with her napkin, reclining in her thatch chair with a contented sigh.
"That was lovely, Trina. Thank you."
Trina smiled and nodded before returning to washing dishes. "It's my pleasure! Once I heard we had Hunters coming I had to make something special for the occasion. I'm sorry that it won't be a more regular thing though."
"Don't worry about it, Trina! Your cooking is always awesome!" Yang said. "Seriously, she could make grass taste good!"
Call Weiss a skeptic but she doubted that. The meal was good however, much better than she'd expected. Better than anything Monty and his wife can make, she thought guiltily, licking her lips and staring jealously at Luna as she gnawed on the remains of the chicken carcass. That's likely the last proper meal I'll have before this business is concluded too. I should have savored it more…
Hinges squeaked as a door opened and a man's voice called into the house. "I'm home! Where's my little girl?"
Cassie squealed and slid from her chair. "Daddy!" she cried, rushing out to greet her father. Precious. All the more reason Weiss still wasn't thrilled with the idea of someone like Yang being anywhere near her. How was it these people could be so nonchalant about it?
"By the way, Ice Queen…"
"I told you not to call me that," Weiss reprimanded. "That nickname is reserved for my friends, thank you very much."
"Wait, we're not friends?" Yang gasped, placing a hand on her chest and feigning a hurt look.
"Just call her princess, it's what I do," Blake chimed in.
"You aren't helping!" Weiss pointed at Blake before narrowing her eyes in Yang's direction. "And no, we are not. I wouldn't even go so far as to say we're acquaintances."
"Harsh! Even after I was so nice and greeted you two," Yang lamented with a shrug. "I do gotta get your name then, otherwise I'll have no choice but to keep calling ya that."
Fair enough. Before Weiss could give her name however Cassie's chittering laughter filled the room again, giggles interrupted by rapid, stringed together slurring words that reminded Weiss of Ruby's blathering. Beside her Yang cooed, lilac eyes twinkling in adoration.
"Sorry I'm late, they needed a hand moving some lumber," the man explained, tickling Cassie's chest and laughing as she snatched the offending digit. "Did I miss lunch? I could go for… Some…"
"You…"
The man's eyes locked on Blake's and the Meera stared back, remaining seated yet rigid. Weiss felt her pulse in her chest, her heartbeat in her ears, the sounds of breathing the only noise in the kitchen. Having Cassie was likely the only thing that kept the man from lunging for Blake for he took a step towards her before stopping and looking at his daughter.
"Why is she here…?"
"Devin, honey, I can explain."
Devin tore his eyes away from Blake long enough to look at Trina incredulously. "Explain what, Trina?! She's the reason we had to leave our home!
"Devin, that town was never going to be our home for long. You know how those people were…"
"It was still our home! We nearly died on our way here because of the things she did, because of the White Fang." Devin scowled at Blake who remained seated. "You have no right being here."
"Daddy…?" Cassie whimpered, tugging on Devin's tunic.
Weiss pushed her chair back and stood, clearing her throat loudly to grab the disgruntled man's attention. He looked surprised to see her, perhaps not even realizing she'd been in the room to begin with. Smiling, she held up her hands and moved herself around the table.
"Please, allow me to explain, sir. I promise that you or your family are in no immediate danger." Not from Blake at least. When Devin nodded Weiss eased her hood back and peeled down her collar to flash the mark on her neck. "My name is Weiss Schnee, I'm a Hunter with the Church of Vale," she explained gently. "And my… Associate here, Blake Belladonna, has recently joined our ranks. While I don't know the circumstances surrounding your meeting I can promise you that she poses no threat."
"Speak for yourself…" Blake muttered. "I've been getting looks since we arrived."
"Well, you did attack this town not long ago," Weiss chided. "And from the sounds of it you hardly won yourself any friends elsewhere either."
"I was just trying to get our supplies."
"You were robbing us!" Devin yelled. Blake shrugged, looking away and frowning, choosing to ignore rather than argue. On his arm Cassie began to cry, burying herself against her father as soft sobs turned into wails. A small body began to wriggle and kick and Devin, looking worried, desperately tried to console his daughter.
Cassie's tears were not so easily assuaged, and Trina abandoned her post at the sink to take her girl and leave. Hands empty and looking unsure of what to do with himself Devin spared one last look their way before rushing after his family, the sound of a child's cries becoming muffled once a door shut behind them.
For a long, awkward moment none of them spoke. Then Blake stood and scowled, pushing her chair in aggressively and drawing up her scarf, masking all but her angry amber orbs. "I'm going out, don't follow me."
Weiss had every intention of following but could only let out a frustrated groan as shadows wrapped around Blake and ferried her away to gods knew where. Staring at the lingering black smoke she ran a hand through her hair, then over her face before lifting both uselessly. What was she supposed to do now? Letting Blake wander about was hardly ideal but it wasn't like she could chase her. Surely she wouldn't wander off, right? She had to have some idea of what abandoning her post would mean as a Hunter.
She should go search. If she was lucky Blake would be somewhere in town still, perhaps even outside. Weiss grabbed her weapon from beside the chair and latched it back in place on her hip, drawing up her hood and heading for the door.
"Weiss Schnee, huh?"
Yang was watching her from her seat, chin in the palm of her hand. For the first time in Weiss' memory the blonde wasn't smiling but rather watched her intently, regarding her in an unsettling way. Feeling like prey cornered by a hunter she frowned, hiding her discomfort as she crossed her arms.
"That is correct, is there a problem?" she asked tersely. "Don't tell me you have issue with my family. I am not like them."
A smile returned to Yang's face, albeit a halfhearted one. She chuckled and held her hands up. "Easy, princess. I've got no problem with you. In fact," her smile widened into a grin. "You're exactly who I was hoping to meet."
Weiss raised an eyebrow in question as her arms fall to her sides. Why was that exactly? And why in the name of all that was good couldn't she just get a simple 'Nice to meet you' for once in her life?
Yang didn't elaborate, and when it became apparent that she had no intention to Weiss left her sitting where she was, easing out of her seat. Glaring sunlight made her shield her eyes as she threw open the door, scanning the immediate vicinity for any sign of Blake. Of course she's not here. Why would anything be simple?
Storming away from the house she began her hunt for her aggravating partner, grumbling under her breath the whole way.
/+/+/+/+/+/
Weiss would like to think she knew Blake's mannerisms by now, or if nothing else, had a general feel for someone who called shadows their friend. Her first instinct had been to search in places where shadows lay, stolen away from view and tucked off in some forgotten part of town. Holbrook, small as it was, hardly had the number of alleys and empty, forgotten paths the city did, although Weiss did find it to be more condensed than before. It was somewhat impressive really how much they fit into such cramped quarters.
Behind the homes lining the walls she hadn't found any trace of Blake. Unless the Meera kept herself cloaked in shadow there was no trace of the ravenette. It was an aggravating thought; Blake could hide in darkness indefinitely and no amount of searching on her part would reveal the woman before she herself was ready for it.
The interior walls held no trace of her companion either. Holbrook's walls, comprised of towering, lichen-covered timbers with rusted iron braces were solid and offered no easy passage through. The only things Weiss found along the walls were vines sprouting from the earth, clawing their way up Holbrook's walls as though Edea's fingers attempted to break down man's creation and reclaim her stolen land. Cobwebs spanned from the wall to the backs of homes and more than once Weiss sputtered as she wiped webbing from her face, cursing herself at somehow missing the glittering threads.
It wasn't until she reached the gates where packed earth and yellowing grass met at the base of twin watchtowers that she found Blake. A pair of guards had just descended a tower, grumbling about a moody woman interrupting their game of dice. They were only too happy to reveal Blake as the culprit and wished Weiss luck, throwing in their own desires for Blake to be smacked for good measure.
Weiss chose to stay her hand. After climbing the tower in silence on steps hardly wide enough for one she pushed open a trapdoor, hinges creaking loudly behind her and making her wince.
Blake was there, thank the gods, seeming to pay no mind to Weiss as she climbed through the opening. Once Weiss stood in the center of the canopied opening the Meera turned to glance at her briefly, face pinched in a disconcerted, pensive expression before looking out across the fields again.
"Couldn't leave me well alone, could you…?"
"At best you'll have gone off to sulk and return in an awful mood," Weiss began. Blake sat on the low wall enclosing the top of the tower, legs dangling over the edge. Weiss opted to remain firmly planted and leaned against the same wall, folding her arms atop it. "At worst you'd have run away and abandoned your post. Frankly, I don't want to deal with either scenario."
"Hm."
What a verbose reply… Resting her chin on her forearm Weiss watched a collection of farmers mill about below. Several worked to till the land, backbreaking posture making her ache just by watching them toil. Another followed close behind with a large burlap back, sprinkling seeds out, and a woman behind him with a watering can. They were only halfway through the small field and there were at least three others nearby, each manned by a number of laborers.
Guards as well. Weiss counted four of Hazel's men stood out among the fields, weapons drawn, and although their postures were relaxed, and they spoke idly she was certain they could spring to action at a moment's notice. Now and again one of the laborers would look their way, mutter something to their friend beside them, and return to work.
"Do you suppose they'll have me killed after this…?"
It took Weiss a second to reply mostly because she hadn't thought she'd heard right. Blake's face remained flat save for the slightest downward curl of her lips, eyes still locked on the fields. Giving the weighty question ample thought Weiss shrugged, standing and running her fingertips along the smooth edge of the wall.
"Do you deserve it…?"
Answering a question with another felt cheap. Blake sighed, leaning forward and folding her arms across her legs, slouching.
"Maybe? It's easy, you know, doing the things I did. When you don't know who you're attacking or just have an idea of what they've done." Blake paused for a moment, running a hand through her black hair and relieving an itch at her ear. "You stop seeing them as people and more as their crime, or just something in the way of a meal."
"In other words, they're dehumanized," Weiss said. "And is this sudden epiphany supposed to make you a better person?"
Blake shook her head, leaning forward and gripping the wall to keep her balance. "I never said that. I've just never had to meet someone I… Dealt with before." She smiled wryly. "Usually I'm halfway across the kingdom by then or they're dead."
"Yes, well, it shouldn't come as any surprise that your actions have real consequences. Or do you mean to tell me you never considered that before?"
"Considered it, sure. Maybe I thought that they had more than they needed, that my stealing was noble. Or the people I killed deserved it enough that their families didn't matter. I might no regret some of it still," Blake frowned. "But I don't like feeling guilty. Its different when you have to see things like this. For the first time someone's hatred of me was justified. I don't like that either."
It seemed too little too late for Weiss, like the crimes themselves were fine, the guilt and regret an afterthought. Blake considering that though had to be worth something, right? At least she was acknowledging those things. Not that acknowledging them absolved her of anything either.
Weiss had no rebuttal and Blake seemed content to leave matters at that. Looking out at the slowly turning sky, the distant treetops and fields turning golden yellow and fiery red with the setting sun, Weiss wondered just how many people Blake had effected the way she had Devin and his family.
"Perhap We should go and meet with the Commander and Laurel again?" Weiss suggested, smiling slightly. "Personally, I'm not fond of the idea of waiting until tomorrow."
"Pass. I'm done playing nice with people for the day," Blake said. "Besides…" she smirked at Weiss, eyes flickering down before finding Weiss' own. "You're favoring your left leg, you have been since we got here. Sore much?"
Weiss glanced down at herself and blushed. She'd tried to conceal it but trekking as far as they had in so little time had left her all manner of stiff. At least her back wasn't locking up, something that riding a horse surely would have caused.
"I see your point…" Weiss conceded. Blake chuckled at her expense and her flush darkened, hands coming to rest on her hips as she frowned. "You had best return soon. If I find that you've run off…"
"Relax, princess. I'm already walking a fine line as it is. Think I'm going to give the Church even more reason to kill me?"
Weiss pried the trap door back open and peered into the dim space as sunlight flooded the tower, swirling wisps of dust kicking free. With her foot on the first step she paused, looking back at Blake. The Meera was already back at her aimless staring, ears flat against her head. Testing how the words sounded in her head first Weiss smiled.
"For what it's worth… If you think you've done something wrong, often the first step in rectifying that is to apologize." She shook her head and started down the stairs. "That's your prerogative however, I'm not going to force you nor hold your hand."
"Wouldn't expect you to," Blake called after her. "Zorander keep you, Weiss."
Blessings of the shadows, huh? Hardly a god she looked to for safekeeping but the sentiment was touching nonetheless. The stairs creaked as Weiss took them down, pausing at the base of the watchtower to crane her neck.
Blake knew her name after all.
/+/+/+/+/+/
By the time Blake returned home the dreary cloud coverage that had come and gone earlier in the day was in full effect, the lukewarm glow of the moon showering Holbrook with broken, interspersed rays. With eight people in all crammed into Riole and Lauren's home it was inevitable that they should share rooms with someone. Much to Weiss' dismay that 'someone' turned out to be both Yang and Blake.
It went about as well as one might expect. With one bed and two cots between them Weiss played the part of mediator, separating Yang and Blake, one to either wall and herself smack in the middle of the room. Quiet jabs were passed between the two until finally at the ends of her patience Weiss snapped, setting both women in a gaze that threatened to encase them in ice. Her promise to utilize magic didn't hurt either.
The cot was marginally more comfortable than the ground she'd slept on the night before, the taut fabric feeling more like a table than a place meant for rest. Sleep eventually claimed Weiss however, albeit not for long.
Creaking floorboards caused Weiss to stir. At first, she ignored it and curled the pillow under her head to block out the sound. When the footsteps persisted, she cracked one eye and gazed hazily into the dark room. Bleak as it was she could still make out the shape of someone moving around, and one look towards the lone bed in the room told her it was Yang. Keeping silent she waited for the Dimuran to return to bed. Instead, after a few moments of padding about and searching for something in her bag, Yang left the room as silently as she could.
Weiss let her go but strained her ears to keep track of Yang. Over Blake's rhythmic breathing and the gentle scratching of a tree branch against the house she listened to the blonde's slowly fading footfalls, the groan of steps as she moved to the first floor, and the faint but telling opening of the front door.
In her mind she counted, letting minutes pass before deciding to give pursuit. Swinging her legs out of the cot Weiss redressed herself hastily, throwing on her tunic over her undershirt and fixing her cloak back around her shoulders. Peering back at her partner and seeing Blake still fast asleep she slipped on her boots and tiptoed her way out of the home.
Bitter, crisp night air lapped at her face, the arrhythmic songs of a swarm of crickets stirring the still night air. Hidden in the shadow of the home Weiss searched for Yang and found her heading towards the gates. No other resident would be up at this hour and the only other souls who stirred were the guard, their backs trained on the interior of the town. And why wouldn't they be? It wasn't as if they had a wanted criminal in their midst.
Had it been anyone else Weiss would have left them well alone. Yang wasn't just 'anyone else' however, and she would be sooner caught engorging herself on sweets with Ruby and Nora than willfully ignore such blatantly suspicious behavior.
Weiss moved slowly, far slower than she'd have liked. To her knowledge Dimurans lacked the heightened hearing of other races, even of a half-breed like herself, but she wanted to be certain. By the time Yang reached the gates Weiss had scarcely made it halfway through the town. Peering around the corner of Holbrook's general store she watched Yang glance around lifting the lumber that sealed the gate, setting it down and slipping out of the town.
No you don't! Weiss hurried herself to the gates and paused, pressing flush against the heavy door and inching her way to the edge. Once certain Yang hadn't heard her she peered through the crack, contorting herself to see Yang moving along the wall towards the forest. Where are you off to, Xiao Long?
Neither guard patrolling the walls noticed anything amiss and so it fell to Weiss to handle matters alone. As she slinked along the wall under the faltering moonlight she wished she'd had the foresight to take her rapier with her. Who in their right mind followed a criminal at night without a weapon in hand? She did evidently.
A small animal unseen to Weiss skittered away through the grass in her wake. Moths flocked and clung to the outer walls of Holbrook, white and gray wings fluttering silently. As Yang disappeared into the shrouded growth Weiss took a deep breath and released it in a cloud of fog, looking around for anything that might make a makeshift weapon. A limp, rotting branch wouldn't do her much good and with a resigned huff she wiped her hand on her trousers before hurrying after Yang.
In daylight she imagined going through the forest would have been a nightmare. At night it was ten times worse, invisible roots doing their utmost to trip her, concealed limbs and brambles catching her clothes, thorns biting into flesh and cloth. Weiss shook them free and pressed on. Enough moonlight found its way through the occasional breaks in coverage and showed she was still behind Yang, thankfully.
For what felt like an age but couldn't have been longer than a few minutes they trekked through the growth, Yang managing far better thanks to a torch fashioned from her magic. Weiss had considered following her example but resigned herself to sightless dawdling when she realized lighting a flame would give herself away in an instant. As luck would have it Yang wouldn't travel much further.
Beneath a lofty spruce whose trunk was several times wider than Weiss' arm span Yang finally came to a rest. Grateful for the shadows serving as her shield Weiss crouched low and braced herself against a moss-encrusted rock.
Yang was looking for someone, that was the first thing Weiss realized. When the Dimuran finally turned her back to Weiss and gestured to the darkness she also realized how impossibly quiet Yang and her partner were speaking. What were they planning? Were they intending to attack Holbrook? Compelled to know, and even more compelled to put an end to it, Weiss crept forward. She ignored the prickle of thorns on her hands as she brushed them aside, froze each time a leaf or twig crunched underfoot. Yang never erred from her conversation, but she took it slowly all the same.
On the precipice of where moonlight cleaved shadow in two Weiss paused again, kneeling and straining her ears. Yang's voice was audible now, her partner's slightly less so. If she strained just enough however with an ear cupped around her ear she could just make out their discussion.
"... Going back! You can forget it!" Yang hissed.
The voice that responded was high pitched and screechy, like a fork dragging across a platter.
"No choice! Orders! Orders!"
"Yeah? Well I don't take orders from her, so you can tell her that!"
Her? Who was 'her'? Weiss tried to spot whoever Yang was conversing with and couldn't make out so much as a silhouette in the dark forest. On her hands and knees, she crept forward, moonlight catching her white hair, the glow quickly hidden by her dark green cloak.
Yang scoffed, walking away from the tree before doubling back. She cracked her neck, shoulders squared and muscles in her arms taut. "How about I just fry your ass? Can't go running back if you're cooked, can ya?"
Weiss winced at the piercing laughter and eased back onto her heels, covering her ears until the sound subsided.
"Send more! Send more! Stupid girl send more!"
"Yeah, I figured she would…" Yang grumbled, then nearly outside of Weiss' hearing added. "Bitch…"
Whatever this exchange was Yang clearly wanted no part of it. That didn't absolve her of guilt, and if anything, slinking away in the dead of night only made her look worse. Weiss pushed herself up and prepared to confront the blonde only to suddenly freeze when something grabbed her wrist. An unbidden yelp, hastily suppressed by a hand over her mouth, turned into a scream and she pulled against the hands holding her, almost biting down on the hand until she spotted a pair of familiar amber eyes staring at her.
"Shut. Up." Blake hissed and slowly released her hold. Weiss nodded slowly, deciding to leave Blake's verbal thrashing for later. Yang and her unseen conspirator were demanding her attention.
Alarmingly they seemed to have attracted Yang's attention as well. Weiss held her breath when the blonde looked straight at them, frowning and tilting her head. She didn't dare move so much as a finger for fear of giving herself away. Clouds moved and robbed the forest of its final vestiges of light, leaving them entirely in shadow. When Yang began to move away from the tree she tried to spot Blake but found the Meera outside her peripherals.
"Followed? Followed?" the voice called, a loud scratching noise following. "Stupid girl! Stupid girl!"
"I wasn't followed!" Yang snapped, throwing a glare over her shoulder.
Their eyes met and Weiss' heart stopped. She stared at the other woman and leaned back on reflex as a hand reached out towards her, attempting to weave a rune to defend herself. Yang's fingers reached Weiss' temple and she froze in place, closing her eyes and… Felt nothing.
When she looked again Yang was staring at her hand confused, narrowing her eyes and peering back into the forest. Right past them, Weiss realized, and just about anywhere besides where she and Blake were really. After a tense few moments Yang shrugged and returned to her post by the tree. Once she was far enough away the moonlight returned and Weiss felt the air return, not having realized she'd been removed from the cold night's embrace.
Wait…
Blake frowned and shook her head, eyes flickering to Yang before staring pointedly at Weiss. The Dimuran took one last glance back and rolled her shoulders before chuckling nervously.
"Look… How about this: You go back and tell her to sod off, and I'll keep doing my own thing. Sound good? Good."
Good to Yang but not whoever she was speaking with. The same unpleasant laughter rang out and the blonde growled angrily. "Have her! Have her! Obey!" the voice taunted, speech broken by warbling laughter. "Obey!"
"Have who…?" Yang asked.
"Her! The one you want! Her! Her!"
Weiss silently urged Yang to press again for answers if only to satiate her growing curiosity. Who was this voice referring to? Just who was Yang involved with? This was becoming more and more infuriating with each passing moment. Couldn't they just get an answer already?
She jumped when Yang's fist burrowed itself into the spruce, bark splitting and cracking under the blow. Even in the poor lighting Weiss could see smoke pouring from the wounded plant and winced.
"If you're talking about who I think you're talkin' about…"
"Little Rose! Your Rose!"
"Give her back, dammit!" Yang roared, reaching into the darkness. "I told you to leave Ruby out of this!"
Wait. Rose? Ruby Rose? Blake couldn't stop Weiss fast enough as she jumped to her feet and stormed out of the brush. Yang cursed loudly and glared into the tree line before turning back to face Weiss. Her mouth opened to speak, and a shout came out when a slab of ice formed around her, pinning her against the tree. Weiss stood before her in a heartbeat, a fire rune cracking at her palm, apoplectic with rage as she glared at the Dimuran.
"Where is she?" Yang opened and closed her mouth, stunned by her sudden capture. "Where is Ruby Rose?!"
"Weiss…"
She shrugged off Blake's hand and glared at the Meera before returning to Yang. "You have ten seconds, Xiao Long. Where is my partner…?"
"Your… Partner…?"
"Yes, now where is she?! I am in no mood for games! Tell me where you're holding her!"
Yang blinked before scowling, veins in her neck pronounced as she strained beneath the ice. "I don't have her, you idiot! I'm trying to figure out the same thing!" She grit her teeth and steam began to spill off Yang in clouds, ice turning to water in an instant. "I was about to get answers until you stormed in here!"
Weiss backed off when ice shattered, shards flying and narrowly missing her face. Yang shrugged off leftover pieces and grumbled as she brushed herself off. Overhead that same chittering laughter rang out and all three women looked towards the source. Weiss' eyes widened following a small black shape against the dim night sky, though it was Blake who spoke first.
"A raven…?"
The avian cackled as it landed on a nearby branch, feet clattering against hardened bark. Beady eyes stared at them intently, head twitching side to side, wings flapping. "Bring them! Bring Schnee! Rose safe, bring Schnee!"
Yang looked as lost as Weiss felt. It spoke? And why on Remnant did it know her name? HOW did it know her name? With Yang too stunned to speak Weiss took the initiative, storming over to the tree and staring up at the bird.
"Who are you? Who do you speak for?" she rectified. Unless they were dealing with a shapeshifter she doubted the bird was anything but that.
"Bring Schnee, get Rose!" the raven repeated cheerily. Its wings flapped, and it hopped in place. "Yang return! Yang return!"
"Yang? What is this?! What's going on?" Weiss gestured to the obnoxious creature above while glaring at Yang. "Explain at once!"
"I…" Caught between the odd display and Weiss' demands Yang looked around before frowning. "None of your business, 'kay princess? Head on back, I'll be in town in a few minutes."
"I think not! You had best explain yourself before I report you to the Commander."
"Gonna tattle on me?" Yang laughed. "Go ahead, but he's not gonna –"
The raven's sudden pitched cry cut Weiss off. Wings beating furiously it began to circle them, flying erratically before rising higher into the sky, well above the treetops where it called out to them.
"Grimm! Grimm! Fight or die! Fight or die!"
Weiss and the others stared after the bird at first, thinking nothing of it. Then the low, constant rumble of dozens of feet reached their ears, swiftly accompanied by trees and other fauna being crushed or pushed aside. A lone howl rose from within the darkness, several others joining it, and Weiss began to hastily weave a rune.
"Where did they come from?!" Blake demanded, as if any of them knew.
Yang sneered and cracked her knuckles, pivoting to face the approaching mass. "Shit… Hell if I know! Just get ready!"
Of all the terrible timing. "I expect an answer after this!" Weiss shouted over the growing noise, face pale from the glow of her spell.
"Focus on survivin' first, princess! Live through this and I'll tell ya whatever you wanna know!" Yang turned to them and sneered. "Try not getting in my way, alright ladies?"
A Beowolf sailed through the air and vanished in a burst of flame, its body barely begun to vanish when four more Grimm took its place. Furious calls of the damned beasts filled the air and what little moonlight made it through the forest revealed a small horde of Grimm all converging on the single spot.
Weiss inhaled sharply and unleashed a volley of ice, her shouts joining in with the others. Grimm were shredded, cut down like wheat stalks to a scythe, and spells set the forest ablaze in a horrifyingly beautiful display.
It would be a long, long night.
/+/+/+/+/+/
Weiss collapsed with a strained sigh, leaves crunching loudly beneath her. Wet as the ground was she could feel herself sink into mud. She didn't care. When she turned her head and saw a leaf stuck in her bangs she halfheartedly swats at it before giving up, deigning to become host to whatever debris or critters the forest had to offer.
"Are… Are they all dead…?" Blake panted and collapsed nearby, chain laid across her knees. At least she'd had the foresight to bring her weapon along.
A muffled reply came from further away, and with considerable effort Weiss lifted her head. Yang gave a thumbs up, her other arm beneath her head, face down as she sprawled out on the ground. Halfway in a deep scar her arm and the very tip of her head poked out.
Gods, everything just hurt. Mentally kicking herself for forgetting her weapon - Weiss couldn't lift her leg enough to actually do it, her head lolled back, and she stared up at the vast sky. Now that they'd cleared away trees in the immediate vicinity she could see, and what a lovely night it was. Aside from the horde of Grimm and the throbbing discomfort that seemed to permeate her entire being. Everything from her legs to her eyelashes was sore.
Sore was good though, sore was alive. Her arms trembled, and her hands struggled to find purchase in the soiled ground. Muck crept up through her fingers and she cursed when her grip slipped, falling back with a dull thud. "I… Hate… Grimm…"
"You… You're not alone, princess," Yang laughed, or tried to, releasing several wheezy rasps before devolving into a coughing fit. Her face glistened with sweat as she pushed herself up, getting as far as a squat before her legs wobbled and she fell onto her hind end. Still better than Weiss had managed. "So… Heh… Anyone keep score?"
"You're insane…" grumbled Blake.
"If ya didn't… I win by default…"
Yang could have her victory, Weiss just wanted a bed and fresh change of clothes. Scratch that, she'd settle for a bed. Digging the heels of her hands into the ground once more she filled her lungs and kicked her legs. Graceful as a miller too deep into his cups Weiss swung herself into a sitting position, huffing as her hair, heavy with sweat, slapped her in her face. Lifting a hand to wipe it back she reconsidered seeing mud caked onto every inch and used her forearm instead.
"We should… Check the town…" Gods she needed a drink. Weiss licked her lips and looked around, taking a moment both to catch her breath and survey the damage done.
Well, they wouldn't have much issue making it back through the woods now. Between Yang's errant flames igniting swathes of trees and brush, and Weiss' frantic efforts to extinguish said flames mid combat, the surrounding forest was an absolute mess. Trees not turned to ash stood as charred skeletons, bark brittle and crumbling. A cold wind swept through the clearing and a smaller tree cried out before snapping at the knee and collapsing.
Fearing she'd follow suit Weiss elected to remain seated a while longer. Shaking her trembling hands and wiping them off on her trousers she gawked as Yang rose to her feet, swayed but remained upright, and began to stretch herself out. Blake tried to do the same but ended up slumped against the remains of an oak, chest heaving.
"I doubt… Holbrook's in trouble…" Yang grunted as she pressed into her back, popping it audibly. "Pretty sure we got… Every Grimm… For miles around. Least they're dead."
"Shut up… You'll jinx it."
For a moment Weiss feared Yang had done just that. Leaves from a fallen tree rustled and their eyes all snapped to the noise. Did she have enough to make another rune? Sure. Did she want to cast more and make herself bedridden for a week? Weiss looked around herself for anything she could use to fend off a Grimm; how many hunters had bludgeoned a Grimm to death with a stone? She was about to be the first.
The small black shape that hopped its way out of broken limbs was decidedly not a Grimm, although Weiss was no less happy to see it. Twitching and hopping about in place the mouthy raven from before studied the three of them before laughing, flapping its wings as though to clap at their expense.
"Is it… Mocking us…?" Blake asked.
"Little shit…" Yang stumbled forward and lunged for the raven. More like collapsed really, falling forward and reaching for the annoying creature, feathers crinkling as it slipped through her outstretched hands. Landing with a grunt she pushed herself to her hands and knees, scowling as the raven circled overhead.
"Bring Schnee! Bring Schnee!" the raven sang. "Get Rose, Bring Schnee!"
Maybe one more rune just to roast that infernal creature. Weiss dropped her hand into her lap when the raven took off, disappearing into the night, its laughter continuing long after it vanished from view.
Was that the same bird from before? How many ravens had she seen that made routine efforts to taunt people? Obnoxious flying rat… Weiss grit her teeth and pushed herself up again. Her legs wobbled and knees clacked together, swaying while she held her arms out for balance. Only once she was convinced she wasn't going to topple over immediately did she slouch down, arms dropping to her sides.
Yang continued to stare after the raven, looking away only once Weiss called to her. Coated in mud as they all were, not to mention the superficial wounds, bruises, and onset of early spellcast sickness, it wasn't entirely inaccurate to say they looked like death. Or maybe it was just the pale moonlight which made them appear sickly.
"You…" Weiss stumbled towards Yang. Her boot caught a divot and she pinwheeled her arms to keep upright, glaring while the blonde snickered at the display. "You have explaining to do! I suggest you talk…"
"Yeah? Or what, Ice Queen? Gonna make me?" Yang grinned threateningly and cracked her knuckles, then winced and shook her hands out and blew on the back of one.
"Hardly. But you know Ruby somehow, my partner," she emphasized. Weiss wiped sweat on her sleeve and drew a deep, greedy breath before shaking her head. "Where is she? If you've done anything…"
Spent as they were chances are it wouldn't have been much of a fight. Weiss would have tried for all it was worth, and she'd readily resort to clawing and kicking if she needed to. Yang couldn't have had much more energy than she did and, if push came to shove, she liked to think Blake would side with her. If Yang worried about a possible fight she hid it well, snorting and waving a hand dismissively.
"Done what? I would never hurt Ruby," the Dimuran answered. On unsteady legs she began to stumble across the clearing, pausing at one point to lean over and fix the purple cloth binding her boots closed.
"And why is that…?" Weiss pressed.
Yang's chuckling turned into a coughing fit and she grimaced while nursing at her chest. Weiss almost elected to sit again when another bout of nausea hit, the cold night winds doing woefully little to help.
"Why? Cuz I'd have to be a pretty shit person to hurt my little sister."
"... Come again?"
"What, need me to spell it out for you?" She really didn't. Yang fixed her dirtied top before tilting her head, pursing her lips. "Let me see… R-u-b-y i-s m-y…"
"I heard you full well the first time, thank you very much!" Weiss snapped. "You cannot be her sister! As far as I'm aware her sister died, and even barring that you two look nothing alike!"
Yang shrugged. "True, but I look a lot like our dad, don't I?" She paused and tapped the scales on her cheek. "Well, ya know, aside from these. I get these little gems from my mom. About the only thing she gave me…" she added beneath her breath.
Weiss narrowed her eyes as she studied Yang. There was some resemblance, she supposed, although it wasn't as if she'd had a lot of time to examine Taiyang either. Still, to suggest she was Ruby's sister? Sure, Ruby had never named her sister - Weiss had never pressed for that information out of respect, but how could her dolt of a partner and this insufferable rogue be related? Impossible.
"Let's… Let's say I believe you. Where is Ruby then?" Yang shrugged, and Weiss felt herself deflate just a bit. "What do you mean you don't know?"
"I don't know. Kinda got interrupted earlier by a certain snowflake," Yang pointed out.
"W-Well… Excuse me for wondering where a wanted woman was stealing away in the middle of the night!"
"Hey!" Yang paused before placing a hand on her chest and smiling coyly. "Are you saying you want me? This is so sudden!"
"What? I… What?" Weiss' face flushed, and she pointed angrily at Yang. "Don't change the subject!"
"Uh, guys…?"
Yang grinned and tossed her hair. "Aw, what's wrong, Ice Queen? Getting flustered?"
"Hardly! I'm just astonished by how full of yourself you are!"
"Full of myself? What are you…"
"Guys!"
Weiss and Yang both turned to Blake, simultaneously shouting "What?"
Hazel stood behind the Meera and half a dozen men behind him, all either looking away awkwardly or watching the display. The Commander barely contained his amusement rubbing his bearded face before resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Should we come back…?" he asked.
"No! No, it's quite alright!" Weiss answered hastily. "We're… Finished here," she added, finally taking a moment to count the small contingency that had arrived.
"I see. Full glad are we to find you three alive as well. When the Grimm began to flee into the forest we were confused at first, but when we saw the lights we had an idea of what was happening." Hazel bowed his head. "We'd have come to help sooner were the town not set upon as well. My apologies."
"The town?" Yang pushed past Weiss and staggered forward. "Is Holbrook alright? Is everyone inside -"
"Unharmed. The guards and my men did an admirable job of keeping the Grimm from ever reaching the wall. However," Hazel looked between the run-down women before settling his gaze on Weiss. "I'm afraid your evening may not be over quite yet. Can you still manage a few spells?"
Weiss nodded even as every fiber of her being protested it. "I believe so, sir."
"Good. I had mentioned before I had one of my men looking into the sudden decay of the forest and we've come across something peculiar. You're a rune user, correct?" Weiss nodded again. "Excellent. Then if it's all the same we'll escort you back to town now. We can take but a moment to rest, though I'm afraid anymore and we may be inviting more Grimm to our doorstep."
She'd ask for answers if she wasn't certain to receive them once they returned to town. Instead Weiss gestured for the men to proceed, declining a guard's offer to help her walk. Blake and Yang turned them down as well and the men formed a loose guard around them. In case of Grimm, Hazel assured them, to which all three were grateful for.
By the time they had made it back inside the walls Weiss' legs were numb, as was the rest of her. After making certain neither of them had any need to stay both Yang and Blake excused themselves and headed for the comfort of their beds. Weiss watched after them longingly, deliberating excusing herself. In the end she pushed away her wistful longing and trudged after Hazel, off towards the barracks.
/+/+/+/+/+/
Gods preserve her.
Another hour had passed before Weiss had a chance to return to her lodgings for the evening, and by the time she'd arrived both Blake and Yang had already changed and were fast asleep. After virtually crawling up the stairs she peeled off the outermost layer before deciding it wasn't worth the effort, collapsing into her cot and burying her face in her pillow. Any other time she'd have forced herself to bathe and scrubbed herself down until every pore on her body was spotless. Tonight though? Dirt be damned, she was going to sleep.
Awakened the following morning by voices downstairs and the incessant drum of a hammer on wood Weiss pried herself from both her slumber and the cot, groaning as her muscles tensed, conspiring with gravity and trying to pull her back to sleep. She fought it and eventually her stubbornness won out even if she really, really wanted to give in.
After the night she'd had Edos finally saw fit to grant her mercy, leaving the washroom both available and ready for her use. Wasting no time Weiss cleansed herself of the grime that stuck to her skin in a thin film, washing away dirt, sweat, and whatever other unpleasantness she'd picked up in their battle. Once clean enough she wrung her hair out and dried herself off, taking one of the long gowns left out - a frilly, dandelion yellow garment. Longer than she needed it hung off her shoulders and dragged behind her as she walked. Still better than putting on her dirty clothing again.
Downstairs she could begin to make out some coherent conversations. Over Cassie's laughter and the excitable barking of a dog Weiss heard Yang and Hazel speaking; they had started without her, how annoying. Benches had been pushed aside and the table from the kitchen brought in, maps and other papers strewn out. Yang leaned over it and spoke animatedly with the Commander, the two of them gesturing constantly to the display.
Weiss found Blake on one of the benches and clamped a hand over her mouth, trembling with laughter. Cassie stood in the Meera's lap and giggled maniacally while her tiny hands made playthings of Blake's ears. Every twitch drew a squeal from the child and she'd grab hold of one only to chase after the other seconds later. The family dog, Luna, laid across Blake's feet, tail thumping loudly against her shin. The ravenette took one look at Weiss and mouthed the words 'Help me.' Weiss shook her head and smirked, waving before venturing towards the table.
"Ah, and here's sleeping beauty herself!"
"Hush you," Weiss snapped at Yang. Brushing her still damp hair back she glanced at the map curiously, finding it to be the same one Laurel and Hazel had shared before. "There are new marks," she observed.
"Aye, each of them showing the latest Grimm activity." Hazel tapped three points on the map, one of which Weiss couldn't help but notice was Holbrook. "Seems we weren't the only ones that had some trouble last night. I've gotten reports from men that small hordes appeared nearby as well."
The Commander leaned back and ran his hand through short cropped hair, then rubbed at his beard before gesturing to one of his men. "I believe what we discussed has something to do with it, Weiss. Last night all but confirmed it."
"Eh? What'd you guys talk about?" Yang pressed, head swiveling as she looked about. "Well? Don't leave a girl in the dark!"
"I'd like to know as well," Blake chimed in, then added. "And I'd like someone to take this child."
Blake could suffer a bit longer. Weiss, given the floor by Hazel, cleared her dry throat and began to try and tie her hair back. "When we returned last night the Commander and Sir Quinn, that is to say, his scholarly companion, shared with me some findings. That rotted bark found outside of town, the sort that had eaten away at the forest in a matter of days? There were runes involved."
"Runes huh…?" Yang drummed her fingers on the table. "'Kay… So what's that got to do with anything? Other than someone obviously trying to poison trees like an asshole, that is."
"Yang!" Trina shouted from the kitchen. "No cursing around Cassie!"
"Sorry, T!"
"Aside from that small fact," Weiss rolled her eyes. "The other sites which were attacked also showed the same kind of magics. As far as anyone has been able to tell it's a kind of miasma, though neither myself nor Sir Quinn were able to ascertain what kind."
"Neither were any of my other men. While the existence of the miasma and the Grimm attacks could be purely coincidence I'm not one to accept that as an explanation." Hazel frowned and waved one of his squires over from the door. A scraggly, sandy blonde boy rushed over with rolled parchment and handed it to Weiss. "There seems to be a connection. Somehow that miasma is related to the Grimm's appearance."
"That doesn't make any sense thought," Blake said. Weiss wondered how the Meera had gotten away until she saw Cassie and her dog run out of the house in a fit of giggles and barks. "Unless the miasma is somehow causing negativity."
"The loss of crops and reports of illness might be enough to do just that. A single village experiencing a sudden outbreak might cause one or two Grimm to appear, or a small pack," Hazel explained. "But this, and on such a widespread scale? This many Grimm? It seems too convenient, too purposeful."
Weiss laid the parchment out on the table, revealing the few runes scrawled onto the thick paper by way of charcoal. "What we surmised last night then was someone is causing all of this, or rather, a group most likely. To cover so much area and make runes linger for so long would be impossible for a single Magi. Some group of… Of wretches is attempting to kill countless innocents, either by Grimm or sickness."
"Which brings us back to my original request for you three," Hazel said. "Find those responsible and put an end to this. I'll be dispatching troops to locate the blighted areas and cleanse them; you three need to focus on locating the criminals behind this and bring them to justice. Alive or dead, I hardly care at this point." The Commander inhaled sharply and slammed a fist on the table, and Weiss winced as she saw the wood splinter and crack. "His Majesty has demanded we settle this swiftly. I don't feel that I need to stress why."
Yang whistled as she stepped away from the table. "Orders from the crown, huh…? Looks like we're making it big!"
"I should mention this as well. Both Miss Xiao Long and Miss Belladonna are to be given pardons from the crown for completion of this task." Weiss did a double take and stared at Hazel in disbelief. The Commander simply nodded, addressing the equally surprised Meera and Dimuran with a slight smile. "It is His Majesty's wish for your aid. We have not spoken with the Archbishop, but as far as the royal family is concerned your crimes, whatever they were before, can be waved in favor of saving potentially thousands."
"Huh…" was all Blake had to say. Yang hooted and clapped her hands loudly, loud enough that even Hazel covered one of his ears while Blake and Weiss both snapped at Yang.
Fine. Far be it from Weiss to argue with the royal family's decrees, however absurd or ill-advised they might be. Besides, she mused with a slight smile, there was something to be said for working for the crown, however indirectly though they may be.
"When do you want us to leave…?" Blake asked after taking another failed swat at Yang.
"This afternoon. We'll have horses ready and supplies for you by then." Weiss stole a glance out one of the windows. Early morning was just beginning to give way to the afternoon, meaning they had perhaps an hour at most, two tops. "We need to act swiftly. If they catch wind of what we're doing they may try to flee, or worse yet, launch another series of attacks."
"We'll be ready," Weiss assured Hazel. "We only need time to eat and prepare."
"Speak for yourself, princess," Yang teased while patting her stomach. "Blakey and I already ate while you were asleep!"
"Okay, I need to eat," she rectified. "And you and I need to talk before we leave," Weiss added with a pointed stare at Yang.
Could this mess become any more complicated? She'd set out to find Ruby, now instead they were off to stop a widespread attack on Vale itself. Not that it's just us, I'm certain the Church has mobilized more Hunters as well. Still, would it kill these dastards to pick a better time for this?
Yang asked about further plans and she and Hazel broke into another conversation. Blake had excused herself at some point - not that anyone had heard her do so and vanished to gods know where. Unlike the day before Weiss let her go off and instead retreated to the kitchen to sate her growling stomach.
Off to find the madmen poisoning villages.
Weiss paused in the kitchen and turned around, doubling back. She grabbed Yang's arm and stared up at the blonde, pointing outside and frowning. "When you two are finished speaking, go and find a raven. Figure out where we need to go." Yang nodded, and Hazel's silent question was left unanswered as Weiss hurried herself off towards a much needed meal.
She wished she could watch Yang run around town speaking to every bird she came across. Not enough to pass up a hot meal though, and as Weiss sat at the table and accepted a plate of eggs and meats she smiled to herself. For a change she'd get to relax while someone else did all the work.
"Um… Weiss?" Trina gestured to her own chest before smiling apologetically and returning to her cooking. Weiss glanced down and dropped her fork, fingers fumbling with the drawstrings to her borrowed gown.
Why me?!
Speaking of busy, busy chapter is busy. Lots going on and some stuff kind of teased at. Blake kind of showing regret (or at least acknowledging stuff), and Yang's little admission. Admittedly they seem like an afterthought in this chapter but don't worry, they'll get more attention in the coming entries, among other things.
And apologies for blue-balling people on action. There's a lot of that to come soon too, and goodness knows this chapter is long enough as is without pages of fighting.
Love ya'll, love each other, feedback is appreciated, and until next time!