So, this took a bit longer than anticipated to finish. Life gets busy sometimes though, not much to do about that!
Self-promotion time! I've started a new story, simply titled "Branwen". It's focused on Qrow and Raven pre-Beacon and is going to be trying to flesh out the tribe prior to Raven becoming its leader. If anyone is interested feel free to check it out! At current only the introductory chapter is up, with chapter 2 coming in the next few days.
With that all aside, enjoy!
A thin film of dust drifted by a fogged glass pane, swirling in unseen currents and gathering, like the cobwebs along the ceiling, in a forgotten corner of the building. The cracked window allowed fresh air inside but afforded little else; outdoors the air was chilled with the distinct smell of rain. Inside was musty and stale. Neither was pleasant.
Weiss grimaced as her ribs throbbed again. Fingertips danced across the bandages beneath her tunic and she drew a deeper breath, then with a slight jolt, settled for shallow, measured gasps.
The healers had managed to repair the worst of the damage. No more internal bleeding, no more bruised organs, just battered, mending bones.
Even healing magic had its limits.
Rickety boards creaked and she rolled her head, then lifted it when the back of the armchair obscured her vision. One of Raven's people - she didn't remember the woman's name, came into the room and set a tray beside her seat.
"Need anything else?"
"No, that will be plenty."
The woman scoffed, turning on her heel and muttering audibly about 'ungrateful brats'. Weiss ignored her and leaned over the arm of the chair, grabbing a chunk of bread and pressing it between her fingers. It didn't give way, although the crust did crack a bit. With a soft huff she worked at plucking the soft white innards of the bread out, discarding the crust afterwards.
Two days. Two days of doing nothing but sitting around and recovering. After all they had been through in the last week alone she supposed she ought to be grateful for the chance to rest. Weiss sputtered and rasped, grabbing a mug of pale ale and swallowing a mouthful, choking as her nostrils burned.
Two days of being stuck in Plockton and in the care of the Branwen tribe.
The chair's leather cover crinkled under her weight and Weiss scooted forward, hissing as her bare feet met the cold wooden floor. With the chair as leverage she pushed herself to her feet and paused to let a brief spell of vertigo pass. Once her vision cleared, she shuffled across the room and fetched a vial from a low table, popping the cork and pinching her nose. She hated this. Her eyes preemptively watered and she downed the contents in one go, gagging and choking on the fluids as it trickled down her throat. A mixture of cranberries and ginger was her best approximation. She'd never tasted it but fecal matter might not be far off either.
Putrid as it was the solution did its trick. The dull ache in her chest ebbed and her breathing came easier now. Resisting the urge to lick her lips clean she wiped them on her arm instead before wandering to the window.
Rain spattered against the glass and dripped down on the planter just outside. Weiss reached a hand out and drew it back, shaking cold droplets from her chilled skin.
As miserable as she was inside, she counted her blessings all the same. A group of men hurried by with a shaved length of timber propped between their shoulders, thrice as tall as the tallest man and easily as many times as heavy. The wind whipped up and a woman shouted angrily, and Weiss had to resist laughing as she watched a servant girl chase after a loose piece of cloth.
Plockton was, for all intents and purposes, resettled and bustling. Much of it was in dire need of repair; Merlot's path of destruction had leveled a dozen or so buildings and damaged countless more. The Grimm hadn't been conscientious guests either.
A town which had just been an empty shell was now vibrant, given a second lease on life with new, willing workers buzzing about like bees rushing to repair their nest.
Weiss knew she and her friends had the harder job; timbers and strips of cloth weren't liable to kill anyone unless they were an utter dolt. She still felt a slight twinge of empathy watching people move about in the downpour. Not enough to go out and offer her assistance, mind, but enough.
A knock on her den-turned-bedroom door interrupted her people watching. None of Raven's people had the decency to knock which ruled out plenty of people. Relieved, she turned and leaned herself beside the window. "Enter."
Blake wandered into the room, eyes drifting around the space before pausing partway through. "Wow… They actually gave you a nicer room than me."
"Nicer?" Weiss balked. She pushed away from the wall and spread her arms. "Look around: this place hasn't been cleaned in ages, and there's a draft even when the window is closed!"
"Beats sleeping out in the rain." Fair, although considering there were other, far more amenable homes available Weiss couldn't help but feel slighted. "Besides you're not stuck under Ruby and Yang. At least you've got a quiet part of the house."
That was true, gods knew she lucked out in that regard. The sisters hadn't left each other's side since finishing their business with Merlot. Understandable given their time apart and how close they were before their separation. They dined together, went out together, slept together, laughed and cried together.
Yang, much like her younger sibling, did everything with a bombastic flair. Neither girl knew the meaning of 'quiet'.
Weiss acquiesced, shrugging and smiling. "I assume you aren't here to see which of us is more miserable. So…?"
"I can't come and visit?"
"You may, but you're not. You've had ample opportunity to do so before now," Weiss said. She drew back and frowned. "And… To be fair I've had plenty of chances to visit you too. I'm glad to see you're recovered."
"For the most part, yeah. Still sore but it could be worse. You?"
"My ribs are still healing but I should be fine before long. For all their insufferableness, Raven has adept healers in her midst." Which made sense considering their line of work. A tribe of marauders wouldn't be able to conduct much business if they couldn't keep themselves patched up. Bandages and salves only went so far.
Another reason the civilians had welcome Raven and her people in town with open arms. Given the choice between becoming Grimm fodder or cooperating with a bandit the choice was obvious. Now that the tribe showed itself to have capable healers and artisans? Only fools would turn away that help even if it meant becoming indebted.
I still loathe to think these people actually want them here. Raven saw an opportunity and took it. Wind battered the glass panes and Weiss shielded her face as droplets made it inside. With a huff she slammed the window closed, wiping the window sill with her palm. What are they supposed to do, fight her? I doubt the four of us could win. Maybe with Qrow's help…
Ruby wouldn't allow for that, and fighting would mean Grimm.
Rather than be a savior for the vulnerable the Branwen tribe was a leech, sapping people for manpower and exploiting their needs.
"That's good. Ruby thinks we'll be ready to leave by tomorrow, if we're all feeling up to it. Which brings me to why I'm here." Blake shut the door and folded her arms, rubbing her elbow as she began to tap her foot. "What's the plan for when we get back to Vale?"
What was their plan? Weiss had given it no small amount of thought since their last meeting and still she felt no closer to an answer.
Did they remain with the Church? Information had been withheld, yes, but Remnant as a whole had enjoyed years of peace for their efforts.
Peace which came at the cost of a shadow war, oppression of people, overtly or otherwise, and even its own people being used and lied to.
Not that the royal families were much better. The Great War had been a result of kingdoms and their hubris, of leaders who only wanted more and more. More land, more power, more influence, always more.
The Church kept the kingdoms in check by controlling magic. The royal families dictated laws and handled daily affairs.
Neither side was infallible. Both sides had benefits.
Weiss wasn't sure if Remnant could function without either one.
"I think we should refrain from making a decision without Yang or Ruby. They're just as involved in this as we are." Arguably more so. Yang was a byproduct of experimentation gone unchecked and Ruby had likely lost a parent because of the Church. Except maybe she hadn't. "All we have thus far is hearsay from Raven. We don't have to believe everything she says."
"We've seen enough to at least trust some of it though," Blake said. "Unless you still think magic isn't responsible for Grimm? Or the Church and royal families aren't fighting?"
"It's… Difficult to discredit either, but I still don't want to jump to conclusions yet. We've only heard one side of the matter."
"What do you plan to do? Ask Ozpin about it?" Blake scoffed.
That had been the plan, yes. Confront the Archbishop and try and get a straight answer. According to Raven's tall tales she'd be labeled rogue for learning too much and killed. Yet Qrow was here, wasn't he? He hadn't yet made a move to enforce any such punishments. If the Church's modus operandi was to kill those who knew too much he'd had ample time to silence them.
Weiss didn't know what the right call was. What she did know was making any decision right now, as uncertain and unclear as matters were, would only end poorly.
"Let's go meet with Ruby and Yang. Maybe we can come to a decision together." Weiss shivered and drew her tunic tighter. Confound the cold weather! It was probably a good thing she wasn't in Atlas if a chilly rain was enough to make her miserable.
Wind battered their two-story shelter, shutters slapping against the exterior walls. Weiss paused briefly in the foyer to peer out the window and watched as a deluge came down; traveling in such a storm would have been an utter nightmare. Maybe being stuck in Plockton a while longer wasn't so bad after all.
Sequestered away on the second floor, down a narrow hall with poor lighting and a floor that Weiss swore would buckle under her meager weight. Lightning flashed and cast a long shadow across the wall, limbs of a tree bending and scraping against the house. A loud rolling thunder clap made her cringe and Blake doubled over, clamping her hands over her ears with a groan. The joys of enhanced hearing; Meera's had a far keener sense than Ydrans. A simple clap of thunder must have sounded like an explosion to them.
Pausing at the door Weiss knocked once, raising an eyebrow hearing giggling on the other side. Waiting for a moment she knocked again, rolling her eyes when something, or someone on the other side crashed. Yang cursed and Ruby laughed, and Weiss took a preemptive step back from a door that for some obscene reason opened outwards.
"Oh, hey guys!" Yang grinned, stepping back and waving them in. "Welcome to house Rose-Xiao-Long! Take off your shoes and stay a while!"
Weiss lifted her bare foot and smirked, padding into the decidedly warmer space. She paused when she noticed Ruby sat in a chair by the window, wrapped in a blanket with tufts of hair littered over the garment and floor.
"A haircut…?"
"Mhm! My bangs were really getting long and dad's not the best at them, and I figured you would be busy!" Ruby laughed, kicking her feet beneath the blanket. "Pluuuus… You kind of don't give the best haircuts?" she added meekly.
"Excuse you? Every cut I make is uniform and even! I know perfectly well how to cut hair!" Weiss protested.
Yang snorted and returned to her sister's side. "Yeah?" She grabbed a pair of scissors and began to trim away. "From what Rubes tells me you like giving bowl cuts. Great if you're a monk, not so much if you're a young lady." The Dimuran tossed away some hair before humming. "Then again… No guys are probably going to ask out a girl with a bowl cut…"
"Yang!"
Her haircuts were not that bad! Weiss puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms, looking away with a petulant huff. She'd given Jaune one before too and he seemed happy with it. Her shoulders sagged and she smacked her own forehead with the palm of her hand.
Jaune would be happy if she gave him the time of day. Of course he was happy with that.
Blake sank into one of the beds and stretched her legs, leaning back. Yang offered to cut her hair and the Meera shot her a dirty look, gesturing to the Dimuran's own luscious locks. With that offer thoroughly shot down Yang went back to her business, humming off-tune as she worked.
"What're you two doing here? Just coming to say hi?" Ruby asked.
"Hi, Ruby." Weiss smiled when her partner laughed. "And not quite. We were actually hoping to discuss what our plans are moving forward. We're…" she trailed off and rolled her wrist, chewing on her cheek to find the words.
"We have no clue what to do," Blake concluded. "Have you two given it any thought?"
"Oh sure, plenty." Yang planted a hand on Ruby's head to hold her still and cut around her ears. "Are you askin' if we want to go back to Vale? Cuz I'm still not exactly sold on it."
"You think the Crown won't hold to their word?"
"I think the Church won't care and try to do something. They sent people after me before. Idiots, mostly," Yang said with a snicker. "Nothing I couldn't handle." Her sister tensed under her hand and Yang pat Ruby's head. "Relax, sis, I never killed anyone. Unlike Raven I don't get off on killing people."
'Get off' might not be right but none of them could deny the woman didn't seem pleased with herself.
"How are you doing by the way?" Ruby asked. She looked at Weiss, leg bouncing as her lips curled down. "Are you doing okay? You took the news kind of hard before."
How odd that hearing the world wasn't what you thought it was might upset you. Weiss dropped her cynical thought and began to pace. Another clap of thunder made her cringe and she glared at the window, as if her look alone might cause the storm to cease. Rain splattered against the window just to spite her.
Was she okay? The Church might have lied to them. Or it might simply have withheld information deemed not vital. Knowing the truth about Grimm seems pretty vital. As does the knowledge the Crown and Church are fighting. Not every run-of-the-mill soldier was given every detail during war and the fact of the matter was that she and the others were still fresh Hunters. Maybe not Yang, Weiss was still unclear on her situation, but herself, Ruby, and Blake certainly.
"What we did was necessary. Merlot couldn't have been allowed to continue to live, and there's no guarantee that imprisonment would have stopped him." Weiss stopped in the middle of the room and sighed. "I am not happy with what we did, but I've come to terms with it." Her brow furrowed and she glanced at the closed door. "We're certainly better than Raven. Merlot was genuinely wicked. What she does…"
"I expect something like that from the White Fang's 'Claws'. The organization would put hits on people who were problematic, whether they were Hunters, nobles, or even members of the Conglomerate."
"Claws? Is that what you were?" Ruby asked. Blake gave a curt nod and drew one knee to her chest.
"We were just glorified killers, sent out to get rid of people who the leaders thought were in our way. I guess I'm like Raven in that regard."
"You were similar to Raven, but not anymore." Yang set the scissors down and smiled at Blake. "You're better now, and besides… I remember in Alabaster you weren't exactly keen on hurting people," she recalled. Pulling the blanket from Ruby she brushed down her sister and pat her head. "Unlike some folks you seemed to have a conscience."
"Thank you, Yang."
Claws, huh? It occured to Weiss how remarkably little she knew about the White Fang. Its organizational structure, its methods - judging from Blake's account she could make a good guess. They had a fount of knowledge about the organization with them that could turn the tides, or at the very least provide invaluable insight.
I wonder if that's why Ozpin let her live?
"So… We are the good guys again, right?" Ruby hopped to her feet and began shaking her hair loose. Yang stopped her and directed her to a wash bin in the corner of the room instead.
"I believe so, yes," Weiss smiled. Bouts of hysteria aside they were by all rights, at least in terms of moral standing, better than most. Merlot had to be stopped. They'd helped Ambrose for no benefit to themselves, although one could argue they'd done so to progress their mission.
Regardless, the notion they were some callous, cold-blooded killers now seemed like an absurd idea to Weiss. Was she happy they had taken a life? No happier than a pet owner being made to euthanize their beloved dog or cat. It was a necessary death. Not something to be relished. Countless lives saved in exchange for the demise of a truly deplorable man.
"Anyways, we should decide what our course of action is moving forward," Weiss said, clapping her hands. "Yang, Blake, I obviously cannot force you to return with us but Ruby and I likely should go back to Vale. I could try to find answers for us, or at the very least try to make some sense of everything we've been told."
The Meera rolled her shoulders before tossing her hair back. "I don't have a problem returning. Though I'd like to try and follow up on Ilia's warning," she mused. "Maybe I should warn the Church? Whether they're in the right or not the White Fang is an enemy of everyone. Adam can't be allowed to run unchecked."
"You still want to save your friends, don't you?" Yang asked. Blake nodded and she smiled encouragingly. "Maybe I could give you a hand with that. Two heads are better than one, after all!"
"Even when one of those is a hot-head?"
"Ya know, Blakey, I'm gonna take that as a compliment!" Yang snickered, then slung an arm around Ruby the moment her sister came back. "'Course, I don't wanna leave Ruby just yet. We only just reunited after all! And… I guess seeing dad again wouldn't be so bad either."
"Oh my gosh, dad! How do you think he's going to react?"
"Probably a lot like you, sis." Yang's smile disappeared and she groaned, hand over her face as she hung her head. "Gods… If he starts bawling, then I will too. I don't want that."
"There's the matter of looking into your mother as well, Ruby," Weiss added. The sisters exchanged a look before nodding. "Regardless of what our goals might be it seems like returning to Vale is in our best interests, at least for the interim. What happens after that may well depend on the information we find."
Weiss didn't want to split up any more than Yang or Ruby did. Frankly however that decision was out of their hands. Pending everything - her research, Ruby and Yang's search, Blake's investigation, there was no telling where they might end up. At the very least they could return to Vale together, perhaps take time to rest and, barring unforeseen complications, actually enjoy themselves. By now the Week of Veneration had likely passed - Weiss couldn't remember how long it had been anymore, but she liked to think they had earned some reprieve for their efforts.
"Still not in love with the idea of going back," Yang said while drumming her fingers on Ruby's arm. "But… If Ruby is going, then so am I. No way am I leaving you alone with the Church, sis. And it might be nice to get Oz to fess up about stuff."
"Maybe my uncle could help me find some information. He's helped people leave the White Fang before," Blake mused. "Maybe he could help find a way to get Ilia and the others out too."
"If there's even a chance mom might still be alive then I have to go back." Ruby's eyes steeled as she spoke, then softened immediately after, gasping. "And we have to see everyone else too! They're all probably back to the city by now!"
Weiss flushed and coughed into her fist. "O-Of course, we should see our friends too."
She'd completely forgotten! In light of everything else that had happened as of late she'd hardly spared so much as a thought for the others. With some luck they had a much nicer week off than we did. Ruby and Yang snickered at her and she grabbed a pillow, hurling it at the sisters with all the force of a summer breeze. It would be nice to see some friendly faces again. Different friendly faces, she amended.
Ruby jumped as another crash of thunder exploded directly overhead, shooting Blake a sympathetic look as she buried her head under a pillow. "Blake, should we get you earmuffs? I didn't know lightning hurt your ears so bad."
"It doesn't…"
Weiss took a second to process that. Her eyebrows raised and she inclined her head curiously, opened her mouth to speak, then closed it and nodded. "Oh."
"Blake, are you afraid of thunder?" Yang asked, leaning over the bed and grinning. "Is big bad Blake afraid of a little boom boom?" The Meera slammed her pillow into Yang's face and glared. Yang laughed, stumbling back and throwing the pillow, then hiding behind Ruby when Blake threw it back.
Weiss' lips quivered and she covered her mouth, choosing to look away both to hide her smile and avoid Blake's glower.
Maybe Meera didn't mind loud noises that much after all?
"Heh, scaredy cat…"
Ruby yelped and ducked away. Yang screamed and fell back onto the bed as Blake tackled her, breaking into a fit of laughter as she was assaulted with a pillow.
"Shut up already!" Blake warned, face burning as she hit Yang again.
Ruby slid over to Weiss' side, cringing as Yang and Blake began a duel to the death… With pillows.
"W-Well… At least they aren't trying to kill each other anymore?"
Weiss nodded, then sputtered, laughter bubbling in her chest watching the pair finally break into fitful giggles as they fought, anger giving way to the absurdity of the situation.
Yeah, she wouldn't mind returning to Vale with these three. Whatever awaited them there they could handle. Together.
/+/+/+/+/+/
"This is bullshit!"
"Yang, please…"
Yang ignored Ruby's attempts to quell her rising anger and brushed her sister's hand off. Staring at Qrow to the point he might be set alight and having half a mind to try doing so already, the Dimuran tore her fingers through her hair with an angry huff.
"Firecracker, listen. I didn't think -"
"No shit, Qrow! That's pretty fucking obvious!" Her eyes flickered, phasing from lilac to red and back. She managed to keep control. For now. "You just figured you'd let Ozpin and the Church go through with this shit?"
"From what we knew you were too far gone. I'm not sayin' I liked it, Yang. I'm sayin' -"
Qrow didn't finish as his voice was drowned out by an angry shout from Yang. Tears welled in her eyes and she stomped across the room, slamming her fist into the wall before resting her forehead against it.
When Yang didn't speak Ruby shifted in her chair. "Uncle Qrow… Did dad know about Yang too? Is that why he a-and… And you were lying to me?"
"No, Tai wasn't filled in. He had the same story everyone else did."
Killed by Grimm. Torn into bloody ribbons to the point her body would have been unrecognizable.
The pit in Weiss' stomach deepened. One look at Yang and she tore her eyes away again, unable to watch her friend shudder and weep in silence. Her own eyes prickled, and she swallowed a lump in her throat, thumb rubbing the back of her left hand to the point the skin became red and sensitive.
Qrow had known Yang was alive. Ozpin too. Their information had been patently false - Yang had been in control of herself, for the most part, and they'd crucified her for it.
It's despicable. Qrow hung his head in shame and he damn well should. Weiss didn't feel the slightest bit of remorse for the man; Ruby looked to be on the verge of tears herself and Yang had gone deathly silent. They deserved compassion. Qrow? To lie to your own family like that. Children. And for what?
Their information had been faulty, yes, but they could have verified Yang's status easily enough. Weiss had seen the wanted posters. None of them depicted Yang as grotesquely malformed and while the posters were hardly hung out everywhere - only certain Hunters appeared to carry them, the distinction was clear enough.
Yang hadn't gone rampant. People knew of her, or at least by her moniker, Wildfire.
Qrow did seem earnest in his admissions. As earnest as a man who had been caught lying could look anyways.
Had Ozpin known the truth of the matter and led Qrow astray too?
"Why…?" For the first time since their congregating Blake spoke up. The Meera leveled her gaze on Qrow, ears flat as her eyes narrowed. "Why keep the secrets? There could have been a chance to help her. To heal a broken family."
"We didn't know what we were dealing with. After Merlot got his hands on her there was no tellin' what Yang would be like."
"Because she looks so monstrous right now," Weiss quipped. Bitter, she stood and approached Yang, hesitating before placing a hand on her back. "Yang… It's alright, we're here. We won't let them hurt you." She felt the Dimuran shudder beneath her. Yang remained silent and Weiss heard her draw short, sharp breaths.
Looking more haggard than ever Qrow traipsed to the windows. He hesitated to open it as rain continued to pelt the panes, giving up on the notion and instead bracing himself on the sill, staring out at the dark, stormy city outside.
"Look, I'm sorry. I know it isn't enough, and believe me, I'm just as pissed as you girls are. If I had known, we coulda helped Yang I would've." Qrow hung his head. "Once I was told she was as good as gone I let it be. Made my peace with losin' another member of the family and moved on."
The untapped compassion Weiss held for the man flickered across her face. Yang tensed again beneath her hand and sniffled, wiping her arm on her sleeve before finally turning away from the wall. Cheeks damp with tears and eyes red, Yang sniffled again, folding her arms and scrunching her shoulders together.
"I could have used your help, Qrow…"
"I know, Yang."
"You know?" Yang's laughter was clipping and sour. Her lips trembled and she took a moment before looking at Qrow again. "At least you know you're wrong. That makes everything all sunshine and rainbows, doesn't it?"
Thunder cracked outside again. Ruby looked between her uncle and sister, torn by indecision. Did she help her sister who felt betrayed, or her uncle who felt much the same? Inaction was her answer, along with a look of guilt. Weiss watched her partner draw her red cloak tighter around herself, hanging her head so her bangs masked her face. That didn't keep the soft sounds of sobbing from reaching her ears.
"Y-Ya know… I used to dream about things like this. Us all being together a-again…" Yang smiled, more morose than jubilant. "Maybe all of us at home on Patch again, sittin' around the table together, laughing and eating. I…" Her voice tightened and her eyes welled again. "J-Just a dream, huh…?"
Ruby made her choice and Weiss stepped aside to let the brunette barrel into her sister. Qrow watched the two girls before deciding to stare out the window again rather than face his mistakes.
The girls had been laughing together. Elated, no doubt, over the prospects of being family again. Yang must have been thrilled to see Qrow. How quickly that joy had soured. How swiftly that dream of a happy family was broken.
Dreams were like pottery; hold onto them too hard and they might start to crack.
Lost in a soft fit and taking solace in each other neither Ruby or Yang seemed inclined to continue the conversation, and Weiss couldn't blame them. Her appetite for speaking to Qrow had been whittled away to nothing in mere moments. They had someone to speak to about everything though. Someone else besides Raven to finally get answers from.
Or more lies. There's no guarantee the Church itself doesn't have falsehoods. Yang was one. That in of itself made Weiss skeptical of whatever Qrow might have to say. Gods… Is there actual merit to Raven's claims?
Before Qrow had a chance to leave the room Weiss grabbed hold of his ruddy cloak. Made to look up to meet the lanky man's tired eyes she frowned, giving his cloak a tug to try and convey her wishes. "We need more answers from you." No harm in voicing them too.
"Answers, huh?" He took one look at his nieces before chuckling, running a hand down his face. "Fine," he nodded, leaning against the wall and taking his flask out. "Got nowhere else to be. Let's see what else I can ruin for you kids."
He's a victim too, Weiss reminded herself, quashing the flickers of anger. He hadn't been told everything either. Qrow had assumed Yang either dead or twisted beyond salvation. If anything he was at fault for neglecting to confirm that information. They shouldn't condemn him for that, or at least they should give him a little sympathy.
And we haven't even mentioned what was said about Miss Rose. Although I doubt he'd know anything about that either.
"Raven made… A lot of claims with us. About the Church. About the state of the world. About magic." Weiss wrung her hands together, and not for a lack of heat. The fire in the den continued to crackle, spitting embers and ash against the hearth gate. "We're hoping you might shed some light on these matters."
"Hm. I'm sure she told you girls plenty. She does love to run her mouth." Qrow drank from his flask, chugging gulp after gulp. Somehow, he didn't finish it. He didn't put it away either. "Sure, shoot. I'll tell you whatever you wanna know."
Weiss had at least a dozen queries for the man well beyond what she'd listed. Valid or not Raven had brought so much of what she thought she knew into question. How much was false, how much was true? Seeing Ruby and Yang still comforting one another she decided they needed to be quick. The sooner those two could have time to themselves the better.
"The truth about magic, for starters." Blake cocked an eyebrow and hip. "Does magic attract Grimm?"
What better way to start the questioning with the heaviest of them all? Qrow pondered taking another drink before sighing, tucking his flask away and running a hand through his salted hair.
"Seems to, yeah. Pretty hard to deny that Grimm tend to show up where Magi fight. We don't know why that is exactly. Couple of times I've talked to Oobleck or one of the other brains in Vale they only have guesses at best."
"Why lie about it?" Weiss asked. "Why keep that a secret from everyone?"
"Think about how hard it is for a normal person to fight Grimm. Magic ain't just some equalizer, kids. It lets us kill Grimm by the dozen. Even sprouts like you can manage that with a bit of training. It makes em show up in droves, sure, but even then, it's nothing most Hunters can't handle."
Qrow pulled down his collar and tapped the Hunter's Mark on his neck. "Folks already get nervous when they see this. Remember, it wasn't too long ago that Magi were used in wars. Some people still think we're gonna turn on everyone."
"According to Raven, you already have." Blake frowned. "She says the Church and the royal families are fighting still. Unless that's a lie…?"
Qrow muttered something under his breath. Weiss caught 'bitch' and nothing else, but context told her the rest probably wasn't pleasant. "It ain't a lie. Sure, it's not a full-blown war, not like how it used to be. Back before my time there were all those wars we had. I'm not gonna waste your time and go over 'em, you all know 'em by now."
After having the information drilled into their heads, yes. Weiss found herself listing off the facts as if Oobleck had pressed her for an explanation.
The Magi's War. A name so woefully simplistic yet perfectly suitable for what it was. The Decade of Strife. A watered-down version with Magi used as tools of war by the kingdoms. Those two culminated in the Great Remnant War. A series of conflicts which nearly destroyed Remnant itself.
She'd be remiss if she'd forgotten the lessons. Not to mention Oobleck would likely lecture her over and over until he was certain the teachings had stuck. Mercifully she remembered it all. Enough to avoid remedial lessons anyways.
"After all the wars," Qrow continued. "It was pretty obvious the status quo wasn't workin'. Every kingdom had its own idea on how to regulate magic. Question was who got to say what was right and wrong? Mistral wanted free magic, Atlas wanted to police it. Vale was somewhere in the middle and Vacuo… Well, Vacuo was Vacuo. Point is that nobody could agree on how magic was gonna be dealt with. It was pretty obvious though that if it wasn't regulated somehow, we'd just keep having wars."
"So… The four kingdoms made the Church of Remnant." Qrow drummed his fingers on his arm, pursed his lip, and snorted before shaking his head. "Listen to me, rehashing this stuff like I'm some teacher. Bart would be pissed and think I'm trying to steal his job."
"Spare us the history lesson, if you'd be so kind," Weiss urged. "We know all of that." Except for perhaps Blake, though the Meera didn't look interested in the lesson any more than Weiss or the sisters. "Why are the Church and families still fighting?"
Why, when such a system was in place, did the two powers struggle? Even with magic's nefarious side effects hidden the world was still better for it. The royal families still ruled, Grimm were dealt with, and war was a distant memory that perhaps only Remnant's oldest living members could recall.
"The system worked, for a time. But you girls have seen it happen in your lifetimes. Think about nobles tryin' to get more land, or the king trying to annex territory." As if there were any questions were Qrow's allegiances lay. "People want more. The Church has made concessions over the years. Letting the royal families employ Magi of their own for protection, not to mention makin' all the laws that we live by. And the royal family lets the Church regulate magic and deal with the Grimm."
"So, you're saying that it's the royal families who shoulder the blame in all this?"
"The Church and its Hunters aren't trying to grab more power, so yeah, I'd blame them." Qrow again removed his canteen and ran a finger along the embroidered case; patterns of vines scrawled across a dark leather strip, held together by black strings. "The system ain't perfect. Hell, I've got some big problems with it too, especially after today, but it's damn better than it was. At least we're fighting to protect people."
"And Raven…" Qrow's expression turned sour and he spat. "She knew all this and she still chose to side with the families. She calls me a dog of the Church but she's on the wrong side here. At least I'm fightin' to make the world a safer place. She runs around killing Hunters for sport."
"She… She mentioned that she k-kills ones who are bad," Ruby stammered, drawing her face from Yang's chest. Silver eyes shimmered and she shuffled in Yang's embrace. "Does that mean people like Merlot?"
"Is that what she told you?" Qrow guffawed when Ruby nodded her head. "She kills Hunters that the families asks her to kill. She's not some saint. It's only because she happens to keep Grimm from wrecking towns that Oz hasn't clamped down on her and her goons. But if she wanted you to think she's some… Vigilante or somethin'," he snorted. "That's a load of crock, girls."
Despite knowing the truth of magic, despite the animosity Weiss felt about Yang's situation, Weiss still wanted to believe Qrow. It was much easier to think that the Church was right and Raven, and by extension, the Crown and royal families and nobility were to blame for everything. Gods knew she'd seen enough of their ilk causing problems to believe it.
Yet the truth wasn't so easy was it? She suspected it lay somewhere in between, as it often did. Neither side would be quick to incriminate itself, but both would take every chance to decry the other. Chances were that both Raven and Qrow had some validity to their claims.
That didn't mean either was right. Withholding information, willfully endangering people, both in of themselves were deplorable; what more did the Church keep from people? To what lengths were nobles going to usurp power and reclaim what had once been theirs?
"At least the Crown spared us…" Yang wiped her face before scowling at her uncle. "That's more than Oz was going to give me or Blake. Unless you're going to tell us now he had a change of heart?"
"He wouldn't have killed you girls," Qrow argued. He then went silent and seemed to consider something before frowning. "Just… Don't trust the Crown, okay? Take their pardon if it means getting to come back, but don't start helping them. The Church aren't the bad guys here, kids."
"You're not exactly infallible either," Blake pointed out.
"Yeah… I know."
There were more questions. Always more questions. Yet Qrow turned to leave and none of them stopped him. Maybe they were sick of feeling like they were being led along. Maybe they felt a twinge of sympathy for the man apparently caught up in a storm like the rest of them.
Left on their own once again the girls kept silent, listening as the floor creaked under Qrow's feet. Once the sound subsided and the distant shutting of the front door came through the house Ruby let out a shuddering sigh.
"Uncle Qrow…" Ruby started towards the door.
"Ruby, don't."
"But Yang -"
"Don't." Yang drew her sister into another hug and buried her face against the brunette's cloak. "Just… Don't. Please."
Ruby's hands hovered for a moment before she nodded and embraced her sister. "Okay… Sorry, Yang."
After having turned an already miserable day even more somber Weiss had lost her appetite for doing much of anything. Her drafty, dark room suddenly seemed more amenable if only so she could lock out the raging thoughts plaguing her.
They were better than Raven, yes. Momentary hysteria brought on in light of her first kill aside there was no doubt about that. And yet… How complicit were they in this system? Had they helped or hindered the likes of Ambrose?
Blake motioned for them to leave as the sisters sat together, taking comfort in each other. Weiss cringed at her fleeting spark of jealousy. How nice it would be to have Winter here for comfort. How reassuring even to have her partner with her. But no, Yang was here now, and siblings took precedence over years of training together. She could go and suffer in silence for all Ruby cared.
Recognizing the ugly feelings for what they were she followed Blake out of the room, bidding the Meera a halfhearted farewell before heading back downstairs to her room.
/+/+/+/+/+/
"Well… I'm sure you're all very excited to get back to your beloved city. Back to those who would lie and use you for their own ends." Raven paced back and forth as she spoke. To Weiss' eyes it looked more like strutting. The kind that a self-important, ungracious noblewoman might perform.
Maybe Raven fit in with that lot more than she realized.
"You have my word that I'll keep Plockton safe for the time being. They are my people, after all." Raven grinned when Qrow scoffed aloud. She stood before her brother and spread her arms. "Problem, dear brother? Feel free to attack me if it would put your heart at ease."
"You're the killer here, Raven. Not me." Even as he spoke Qrow's hand hovered by his weapon's grip, eyes never leaving his sister. "Though maybe I should deal with you. Gods know you deserve it after all you've done."
"By all means, but need I remind you who's always been the better fighter, little brother?" Raven dropped all pretenses and set a hand on one of her own weapons. "You're welcome to make the attempt, but you'll die trying."
Bluffing or not Qrow didn't take the bait. Thank goodness. Besides the man being their ticket home Weiss didn't dare want Ruby to have to witness that. Yang either, who for all her deserved jadedness probably still cared for her uncle. Things had soured enough as it was.
It boggled the mind that people witnessing this were okay with it. Raven was grandstanding and threatening her brother's life to boot. Not a single resident of Plockton voiced support for Qrow, and certainly none of the woman's tribe. Weiss had half a mind to try until the younger Branwen caught her gaze.
Don't. Let me handle this.
Relenting, though not without a slight bit of protest, Weiss went back to fumbling with the pages of Merlot's journal. Satisfied, or perhaps disappointed no fight was to come Raven let out a lengthy sigh before resuming her pacing.
"Raven. There's still a chance you can stop this. How long do you think Ozpin will tolerate what you're doing?"
"Hm? As long as the Crown has him and the Church by the balls, he has no choice. You aren't going to stop me, Qrow," Raven jeered. "And neither will these brats. Do we really need to have this tired debate again? I've told you time and time again how I feel about your little organization."
"Tai misses you. Ever since Summer died, ever since Yang 'died'," he glanced at the blonde before frowning. "He's just had Ruby, and now she's a Hunter too. You could do a lot of good with us."
"I could be a puppet, you mean"
"Not like you aren't one now," Yang quipped.
"I do this of my own volition, girl," Raven spat. "I've made my decision, and clearly you've all made yours. I hope you at least consider what I've told you all." She sneered at her brother. "Before you're all as mindlessly loyal to a false cause as Qrow."
You mean like your followers? Weiss held her comment, barely. If the irony was lost on Raven, then voicing that wouldn't change a thing.
"You could be a better person, you know." Ruby's voice came out as meek and it didn't help that she clinged to Yang's side as she spoke. Weiss knew she was there to keep Yang in check but to everyone else it made her appear frightful. "You saved me and these people. Help us fight the Grimm. Maybe we can work together and make the Church better."
That was a farcical dream if Weiss had ever heard one. Apparently Vernal agreed and broke into laughter, a sound soon echoed by Raven and no small number of onlookers. The sentiment was nice, she'd admit. A shame it was wasted on someone so shameful.
"The Church is the problem here. I'd sooner join the Commandery than them," Raven laughed. "I think I'll turn down your offer, Ruby. An adorable idea however. Wonderfully naive just like your mother."
"You don't get to talk about Summer!" Qrow snarled.
"Oh? Still a sensitive subject I see. Pity then." Raven gave a knowing smile and held her hands up. "You'll hear no more from me, little brother. Certainly not if you're on your way out."
"If I'm lucky this will be the last time I see you."
"Aw, where did that olive branch you were offering go?"
"Shriveled up and died, just like your sense of decency."
Qrow dug into his tunic and pulled a stone free. From where Weiss stood, she could just make out intricate carvings on it and the faint blue glow against Qrow's palm. With his back to Raven he motioned for the four of them to move away, throwing the stone into the air. "Let the world be joined and become one. Open the gate."
The stone, solid black with blue engravings, stopped in midair and pulsed. Magic began to spread, unleashed in a swirling vortex that grew to match Qrow's height, then eclipse it. Like a pane of stained glass, a sheet of ocean blue formed an ovular doorway, humming as its surface shimmered, reflecting and twisting the sun's rays like a precious gemstone. When the spell finished the portal stood before them, poised to take them… Wherever it had been linked to.
Weiss felt a touch of apprehension not knowing where it was set. Would they arrive in Vale? In Ozpin's study? Or would they be walking right into a trap?
"The portal will drop us off just outside the city," Qrow explained, noting not only Weiss' hesitation but Ruby, Yang, and Blake's as well. "Not entirely sure where. Glynda said she'd try to get us as close to the gates as possible."
"It will be on the ground though, right?" Blake asked.
"Should be."
"Should be?!" Weiss gawked, pointing to the portal while staring at Qrow. "What do you mean should be?"
"I mean it should be. I don't know how portals work, okay? All I know is using Glynda's waystones hasn't killed me yet."
"But… They do always work, right?" Qrow didn't answer beyond a tight smile and Ruby whined.
Traveling by horseback or carriage would take them north of a week to arrive at the city. The portal would be instantaneous. It might also drop them in a swamp. Or on top of the trees. Or, gods forbid, above a wrought iron fence. Was expediting their trip back worth the potential risks?
"Well? Are you leaving, or are you going to gawp at the portal all day?" Raven sneered at them. "My hospitality has reached its limit, so I suggest you get moving."
"You weren't exactly hospitable to begin with," Yang derided.
On second thought, yes, the risks were very much worth being free of Raven. Qrow rolled his eyes and went first, slouching over as he meandered through the portal. It quivered around his body and flexed before swallowing him with a faint flash. After hesitating a second Blake followed him, taking a deep breath before marching through.
"See you on the other side, Weissy," Yang teased, forcing a smile and wink before taking Ruby's hand.
"We'll be right there waiting for you!" Ruby smiled and allowed herself to be pulled along. "We'll finally have warm beds again," she sang, surging ahead of Yang and pulling the older girl through instead.
Optimism or naivete? Weiss shook her head and made certain she had everything they needed, which wasn't much. With most of their belongings either in Ambrose or strewn across the ruins of Plockton they hadn't much to their name anymore. Not much besides what little of Merlot's research they'd been given. That and his journal. Weiss crested the spine of the book with her fingertips and curled her tongue, wondering if it wouldn't be better off with Ozpin.
"Well? Are you staying, Schnee?" Raven inclined her head towards the portal. "I could use you here, you know. Last chance to make the right choice."
Right choice?
"I'm not sure if we can trust the Church anymore, or any of the nobility." Not that she trusted them to begin with. Weiss tucked the book away in the sack she'd been given, slinging it over her shoulder. "But I'd rather put my faith in them than trust a woman who makes a game of killing."
"Because that's any different from what they do? At least I'm honest with my plans, Schnee. Can you say the same for your beloved Church?"
Maybe she couldn't. Maybe she was making a mistake at least in trying to trust Ozpin after so much had been thrown into question.
Weiss turned her back on Raven and held her chin high, drawing her ruined cloak tighter before marching into the portal.
Maybe she was making a mistake, but then a world led by Ozpins still seemed better than one dictated by Ravens.
"You're making a mistake, Schnee!"
Weiss didn't turn back as she passed through the portal. Raven could think whatever she wanted.
/+/+/+/+/+/
Color flooded her vision in an instant
It wasn't unlike Blake's use of shadows. Senses fled you while suspended in… Whatever Blake's magic created only to deposit you back in the world, robbing you of all senses only to return them in an instant.
The waystone's portal had much the same effect, only unlike the void of Blake's spells passage through the portal had been met with a cool, peculiar breeze.
Then her face met grass. Weiss grunted as she unceremoniously face-planted in greenery, the long blades doing little to cushion her fall. With the pack of books suspended on her back that only added to the weight and left her coughing, sputtering and plucking a blade of grass from her tongue.
The smell of manure made her freeze in place and the familiar sounds of livestock milling about made her pale. Part of her didn't want to get up. The strained laughter of her friends compelled her to. Terrified of what she might find she pushed up onto her hands and knees, dropping the bag of goods, relieved to find no stains besides grass on her person.
Moo.
"Gods!" Weiss jumped back and fell again, heart hammering and face burning. A cowbell chimed and she grimaced at the stench assailing her nostrils. A cow chewed at the grass she'd been sprawled in a second earlier, uncaring as she glared daggers at it.
"Come on, Weiss!" Yang's voice rang out through bellowing laughter. "Let's get a mooooove on!"
Even Blake was laughing at her! Muttering some not pleasant names under her breath Weiss gathered the bag again, dusted off her clothes, and made sure to double-check for any unpleasant stains.
"W-Weiss…" Ruby stammered, lost in a fit of giggles.
"What is it now?" Her partner motioned to her forehead and Weiss swept her fingers across her skin, skin which turned stark white as a shrill scream bubbled up in her chest.
That wasn't mud.
The farmhands nearby, already perplexed by the sudden appearance of Hunters in their fields, wondered where a banshee had come from. Qrow hid laughter in his flask and Weiss, through tears and a string of curses, ran to a well to cleanse herself.
In the distance lofty watchtowers loomed, grey, monumental walls of stone forming an impenetrable barrier between the world outside and the city within.
They had finally made it back to Vale. Kind of.
Shame it was such a shitty return.
Bit of an up-and-down chapter in terms of mood this time, huh?
Looks like for the time being the girls are going with a 'devil you know' approach. Maybe it's the right choice!
And yes, I made a poop pun to end it at Weiss' expense. Sorry not sorry.