Who's got delays? We've got delays! We've got long delays, short delays, delays for good reasons, delays for no reason! If you need a delay then come on dooooown!
Sorry it took so long to get this one out. My sanity is fine, I swear.
Goodbitch? Seriously? Does she think she sounds clever?
Weiss would have laughed at the schoolyard taunt if Goodwitch and Raven weren't poised to kill each other. They couldn't let this fight happen; the farm would be destroyed if not by the duel then by the resulting Grimm. Close to the city or not it was a disaster waiting to happen.
And why was Raven so keen to fight? This close to the city it was suicide to start a fight. She had to know that. Was she that desperate?
This is ridiculous. Weiss, throwing common sense to the wind, marched out between the women, passing beneath hovering stones and staring down the bandit's blade.
"Schnee, what are you doing?" Raven hissed.
Raven's weapon was peculiar, she'd come to realize. Green and red, strange colors for blades, but perhaps there was a reason for it? She utilized fire and wind, not unlike how Weiss preferred ice with her runes. It was why her rapier being made of Everfrost was so good; both good for enhancing her magic and for her specialty in ice magic. Did Raven use those blades for the same reasons?
She wouldn't dream of drawing her weapon on either woman. Still she gripped her weapon, holding it, comforted by the slightly chilled steel. Fighting was absolutely out of the question. So, she'd settle for the next best thing.
Weiss drew a deep breath, closed her eyes, and doubled forward.
"Are you two absolute idiots?!" Blake cringed at her piercing yell. A small flock of swallows took flight from the nearby tree. Weiss turned on Raven, steeling herself as she stared down the bandit. "You're asking to be killed coming near the city like this! And for what? Suddenly you care about your daughter? You sure didn't seem to before!"
"I saved her, didn't I? I saved you." The last word came in a growl and Raven stepped closer. One of the rocks halted above them. "Unless you're forgetting, Schnee, I own you. Now move aside."
"No one owns me. I have allegiances but I am a free woman," Weiss retorted, a hand to her chest. "You saved me, yes, but that means I owe you a favor, nothing more." Raven bared her teeth but didn't advance. Weiss turned on her heel, sent a silent prayer to whatever god might be listening, and stared at Goodwitch. "You know what magic does, don't you? Why are you so ready to endanger the farm then?"
"Miss Schnee, watch what you -"
"No! You're putting these people in danger by using your magic so carelessly! What happens if Grimm appear? Are you two going to keep fighting or protect the farms? Or is that mine and Blake's job?" Weiss shook her head angrily. "You're both being ridiculous! We're working towards the same goal! We're on the same side!"
"I am not on their side, Schnee."
"For once I'm in agreement with her," Goodwitch said. "She is not an ally of the Church. She has killed far too many of our own."
Realizing perhaps the futility of her efforts Blake took Mr. Cress and ushered him back towards his home. A crowd was forming, inevitable really. How often did these people get to see something like this? The most exciting part of their days were probably whenever a wild animal wandered onto their lands.
"Miss Goodwitch…" Weiss took a breath to calm herself. "I'm not excusing what Raven has done but you can't say you're surprised. All this subterfuge, these secrets, it's only natural people dislike the Church."
"And you," Weiss turned Raven. "What did you expect to happen to you? You attack villages, kill Hunters, and you take delight in it! They're justified in sending people after you!"
"The secrets they keep -"
"Everyone has secrets! Remnant has been safer since the Church was formed. I'm just as sick of not being told everything as you are but don't act like they're the only ones at fault! Now please." Weiss raised her hands then dropped them at her sides with a resigned sigh. "We're on the same side in this. Can we just work together, just this once?"
A fight would endanger people. A fight would potentially tip off her friends' captors that someone was beginning to search for them. Weiss doubted they were ignorant of that fact but she didn't want to take chances. They couldn't afford to fight now.
Would they cooperate?
Weiss jumped as a rock fell behind her, then another. Surprised, she watched Raven sheathe her blade and take a step back, hand never leaving the grip. It was good enough, more than she could have hoped for. A weight fell from her shoulders along with the rocks and Weiss exhaled, shaking hands smoothing out her hair as she took a moment to herself. That could have been disastrous…
"You sound just like Ozpin, brat," Raven said.
Goodwitch cleared her throat loudly. "You mean she sounds reasonable," she corrected, fixing her spectacles.
"She sounds like a fucking mouthpiece. You lot really do a good job at brainwashing your soldiers don't you?"
"I am not brainwashed. I'm perfectly capable of thinking for myself. I'm also perfectly capable of seeing what a colossal waste of time all of this is!" Weiss, still between the women, took a step back. Blake rejoined her and remained silent. "We're working towards the same goal, aren't we? Then histories be damned, let's work together!"
"I told you I'm not cooperating with a scoundrel, Miss Schnee."
"I'd sooner slit my own throat than work with the Church."
What did an aneurysm feel like? Weiss swore she was having one. Either that or a splitting migraine brought on by sheer stupidity. Nursing at her temples she inhaled sharply through her nose, reigning in a series of expletives.
"Miss Goodwitch? The Church has formally forgiven Blake, hasn't it?" Weiss asked.
"Yes, as per our agreement."
"Then, if I understand correctly, you're forgiving the murder of nobility yet not of Hunters?"
Goodwitch's brow furrowed. "Do not make false equivalencies. Miss Belladonna's crimes -"
"What? They were done on someone else's orders? So that absolves her of guilt?"
Blake sighed beside her, nudging her with her elbow. "I'm perfectly fine not being involved in this, you know."
"I'm making a point," Weiss hissed under her breath. "You can't call Blake innocent yet damn Raven for the same crimes. Either they're equal or -"
"Killing people meant to protect the kingdoms harms everyone, Miss Schnee. Nobility is replaceable. It is far easier to instruct someone in the ways of governance and law than it is to train a Hunter. A village can survive without its leader, or one can be sent in the interim. The same cannot be said for a village which loses its Hunter."
"Except she only kills Wardens." Because that somehow made it a lesser evil. Raven wasn't giving her much to work with. "Which yes, is worse if she kills the ones who created barriers, but you and Ozpin said before that of the twenty-four in the kingdom you were only missing one. Clearly Raven hasn't been making sport of slaying them then if that's the case."
Goodwitch's face held a slight scowl, she narrowed her eyes, and said nothing.
"You've worked with us before, several times," Weiss went on, directing her attention again to Raven. "You don't kill the Hunters which protect settlements so clearly you recognize not all of them deserve your…" she rolled her eyes. "Justice, or whatever you call it. You can work with Hunters if you get over yourself."
"I cooperated with you runts because I needed you. Because my daughter was with you."
"Stop pretending you care so much," Blake interjected. So much for staying out of it. "She's told me about you. How you left the family alone, how you never helped her until it was convenient for you. Stop using Yang as justification; she's your daughter, not some excuse."
"Watch your mouths. What I've done is none of your concern -"
"We think it is. You're involved with us, one way or another, and you expected us to just leave with you, no questions asked? I think we're perfectly justified in being concerned." Weiss held her hands together. "Stop being a hypocrite. We'll work with you to save Yang, but clearly the Church won't leave you be."
"So, we should agree to a truce here and now. Raven cooperates, the Church assists, and we save our friends. Again." With any luck it would be for the final time. With the way things were escalating the entire kingdom would be involved in the next rescue effort before long.
Edos be good… If I just jinxed us…
Bystanders, realizing that a fight had been avoided, began to disperse. Goodwitch removed her spectacles and rubbed her eyes, grumbling something that sounded incredibly rude under her breath. Grumpiness was fine, she'd tolerate it if that meant these two would stop.
"This is a waste of time…" Raven spat. "You two just come with me already. I have someone looking into where they've gone. We can move as soon as I have information."
"Oh, you mean Lord Bisset?" Weiss took no small satisfaction seeing the bandit's jaw drop. She might have just gotten the man killed, hopefully not, but she took some pleasure in the shock. "I'm well acquainted with him too. We could all make the trip over there now."
"Wait, she knows Lord Bisset?" Goodwitch's brow shot up and she leveled an accusing glare at Raven, then another at Weiss. "Miss Schnee, if you're not telling us something -"
"With all due respect, ma'am, you're not the only ones who can harbor secrets. Spare me your accusations, please."
Raven actually laughed at that while Blake snorted and shook her head. That very well could have just landed her in some deep trouble. If I haven't already damned myself then I might as well keep going.
"Lord Bisset can continue his search, and he'll send word to all of us when he finds out where they are. We'll pool resources and go after them as soon as we know where to attack." Weiss smiled. "Then, once this matter is settled, everyone can go their separate ways. Everyone can go back to hating each other or whatever it is you do."
Raven put a hand to her hip and scoffed. "Hm. Where'd you find a spine, Schnee?"
"This is insubordination, Miss Schnee. You're fortunate that your proposal has some validity to it otherwise I'd have you punished for your defiance." Goodwitch, reaching into the satchel on her hip, drew a Waystone and stepped away from the group. "Ozpin will be informed of this. All of this."
"Fine." Weiss threw up her hands. "Put the blame on me if you need to, I'm not going to apologize for doing what's right here. What's necessary."
The enemy of your enemy as the saying went. Did she want to work with Raven? Not particularly. Did she trust the Church? Somewhat. The fact remained that they would need help to save her friends; with at least four Wardens involved they'd need an equal number themselves to have a chance, and that was assuming there were only four.
"I suggest you return to the city post-haste. Ozpin will want to speak with you two." Weiss couldn't help but roll her eyes. Goodwitch held out the Waystone and the rune on it glowed, projecting a white stream that cut into the air itself. It shimmered, hissing and snapping, forming a portal. "Raven, I humbly suggest you stay as far away as possible. Even the slightest provocation and this tenuous agreement is off."
"Run on back to your little master," Raven cooed, shooing Goodwitch away with a grin. "Oh, and if you see my little brother do tell him I said hello. It's been a while; I hope he's well."
Goodwitch sniffed before disappearing into the portal. It snapped shut behind her and Weiss rubbed at one of her temples again, frowning feeling a nagging pain behind it.
"I'll admit, Schnee, I planned on killing her and taking you two by force. But this arrangement of yours could be interesting." Ah, and there was the source of her headache. "They'll give me some nice meatshields while I work my way to Yang."
"And Ruby," she said curtly.
"Yes, yes, and Summer's brat too. Relax, I'm not going to leave either of them there." Raven chuckled, resting a hand on her blades as she turned to leave.
"Wait. You told us before you weren't going to become involved anymore. And you do not own us," Weiss reiterated. "Plus, you clearly haven't cared enough in the past to help Yang, so why now? What's changed?"
"Hm. I don't know. Maybe it's just a whim?" Raven glanced back and smirked, cocking her head. "You just keep being a good dog, Schnee. Let me worry about the rest."
Tempting as it was to bite back Weiss was keener to see the woman gone. Watching Raven stroll away she let out a long sigh, sank to her knees and hung her head. The farm was still standing, no Grimm appeared, and, for the moment anyways, an unlikely alliance had been formed. Whether it would stand the test when everything began was something she could worry about later.
Right now though? After the Wardens attack, Bisset saving them, and now this? She'd done more in a day than most had in a lifetime, she felt. Falling onto her back she let her limbs splay out, staring up at the cloudless blue sky. Blake blocked out the sun, standing over her with a slightly bemused expression, black hair falling in curtains to frame her face.
"They're probably going to ream you for this, you know that right?"
She did. Even if this worked Weiss was sure there would be consequences. Maybe not quite as dire as being sent on a suicide mission as before but certainly some form of punishment. They agreed though, she told herself with a smile.
They wouldn't have agreed if the potential for success didn't exist, however slight.
She'd probably be in for a world of hurt after the rescue but right now she just couldn't bring herself to care; the day had used up the last of her concerns.
"Let's get back. I want a meal, then my bed."
"You're really going to go right back there? They just all but arrested you, Weiss," Blake pointed out.
"Where else? Besides, that's where the others are." Weiss sat up and plucked a blade of grass from her hair. "I'm thinking we might be able to convince them to lend a hand."
"Without telling Ozpin to do it?" Weiss was helped to her feet and she dusted herself off. "You're a glutton for punishment today."
"This alliance is shaky at best. I want someone with us that we know we can trust, and we can trust those four." Pyrrha and Jaune, Nora and Ren. They were too new to be as unreasonable as Goodwitch, and while inundating them with the 'truths' of the world felt unfair she'd like no one more to work alongside. "But that can come tomorrow. Let's relax for today…" She looked up, the sun since past its zenith, gradually making its way towards the horizon. "What's left of it."
/+/+/+/+/+/
Weiss had been up Ozpin's tower numerous times in her time in Vale, but never down. Hells, she wasn't even aware there was a down until today.
After spending all of last night dealing with inner turmoil, she had dragged herself to the lifts only to be redirected by Goodwitch. "Not up", she had said, taking Weiss past the usual cages, through the rear of the building, past the clergymen's quarters. In the far end of the main cathedral a solitary lift sat behind, of all things, a false bookcase. In an otherwise unassuming miniature library tucked away in a forgotten corner this other lift waited for them.
Why the secrecy? Weiss had asked as she and Goodwitch filed inside to no answer. Perhaps tellingly was that the lift itself, squared, was made of solid sheets of metal, not bars like the public lifts, nor could she detect the usual grind of chains as they whirred, cogs churning in motion.
The lift was immaculate, not a scratch or dent anywhere. When it stopped after a minute's descent, they entered a long, spacious corridor, pillars lining it, sconces holding candles aloft, already lit.
"Mind the walls, Miss Schnee. They mean you no harm."
"The walls…?"
Curiosity got the better of her and Weiss paused to stare at a gap between the pillars. Pale yellow bricks, unassuming, rose high above, disappearing into the shadows overhead. There was nothing to note about them. Stepping closer, glancing at Goodwitch who watched on with a slight frown, she reached out towards the wall.
In the blink of an eye the stone shifted, and a hand of rock shot out, grasping her wrist.
"Hells!" Weiss screamed, pulling hard as she could. The hand refused to budge and to her horror pulled her closer, other hands reaching out. "Make it stop!"
Goodwitch snapped her fingers and at once the hand released her and she fell back with a thud. Grasping blindly, the limbs receded into rock once more and the wall became flat, unremarkable. Panting, Weiss pulled herself back on her hands and stared.
"A security measure to prevent unwanted guests from roaming these halls." Her lips twitched and a smile flickered before the usual stern expression returned. "Once we're finished here you'll have no problem walking these halls."
Weiss nodded, rising to her feet and clutching her hands to her chest, heart beating wildly. "Th-that's a relief…"
"Until then," Goodwitch continued, walking away again. "I humbly suggest you refrain from wandering away. They won't kill you, but I can't promise it won't be unpleasant."
"What will they do…?"
The woman smiled properly this time and hummed. "Hold you until one of the Sentries arrives."
"Sentries…?" Weiss wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"We're likely to encounter one or two on our way. Do keep up." Weiss, realizing she had been lagging behind, jogged to match Goodwitch's pace, moving just a bit closer for good measure. "You seem less enthusiastic than before."
"Y-Yes, well, that was before I knew the building itself might kill me."
"Restrain you. Killing intruders is the job of the Sentries, not the Gatekeepers."
Weiss paled, then gawked seeing her escort smiling to herself. "You… You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"I haven't the faintest idea what you could mean."
She'd wished that Blake could have come along to at least have someone to suffer alongside her. Now though? Blake was the lucky one, not having to venture down here.
Wardens. Sentries. Gatekeepers.
If Weiss didn't know any better the Church made a habit of using presumptuous names for their rank and file to make it sound more grandiose. Maybe they did it precisely for that reason.
Her eyes darted to the wall at her right, drawing in a sharp breath through pursed lips. They couldn't hear her thoughts, right? The last thing she wanted were those unholy hands grabbing her again because she'd had a dissident thought.
When Goodwitch had said 'halls' Weiss expected perhaps two or three branching paths. Yet from the main corridor where the lift arrived there were a multitude of pathways, branching out like limbs on a tree, intersecting, leading to rooms, dead ends, and gods knew where a guide Weiss would certainly have become lost. The fact that every hallway was much the same didn't help navigation at all either.
The walls were all the same yellowing brick, weathered as if struck by blasts of wind; the air in the halls was still. The flooring, made of dark tiles, shone like onyx in the candlelight, showing years of scuffs and scrapes. There was no furniture in the halls beyond the sconces and Weiss wondered more than once if anyone ever ventured down here.
One corridor after another they walked, navigating the maze of seemingly neglected pathways. Just as Weiss had begun to grow weary and suspect Goodwitch herself lost they rounded a corner and came to a halt.
For all the walking they had done she'd expected something grand. A giant hall, an auditorium, something remarkable hidden away in the cathedral's furthest corners.
Instead a single door at the end of the hall was all that awaited them. Light seeped beneath the heavy wooden slab and Goodwitch approached, passing by a twin pair of stone statues set into small indentations along the wall. Weiss wasn't sure why she was surprised when their heads turned, slowly, eyeless sockets tracking her movements. Hearing stone grating on itself she hurried after her senior, fumbling nervously with her sleeve as she waited.
"Archbishop? We're here." A muted response answered them, and the door swung open without so much as a sound. Ozpin sat just inside, nursing a mug with a tome in his lap. Further inside Oobleck lingered along with Port and two other instructors she'd had as an initiate; Ahmar Fatalwa, a Vacuo native with a demeanor as pleasant as a King Taijitu's, and Azalea Belle, a woman so energetic, so excitable that it made Ruby and even Nora seem tame by comparison.
That Belle only smiled and nodded at her then was disconcerting.
"It's about time you've arrived," Ahmar growled. More spoke, really. Evidently a throat injury years ago had reduced his voice to an unpleasant gravelly sound. "You take the long way, Glynda?"
Goodwitch closed the door behind them, turning up her nose as she strode into the room. "I took the most direct route. It's not my fault this building is a labyrinth."
"We owe our thanks in that regard to our forebears. They developed the tunnels as a means to deter interlopers, along with those charming stone creatures. Why, I don't think if we were to build this structure today, we'd need to go to such lengths; a simple ward or illusion would be enough to trick most people!"
Port's mustache quivered, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Do I hear a complaint about history, Bart?"
"The history is fine and sound, but the necessity leaves much to be desired. Why, to maintain all of this, not to mention catalogue every square foot, keep track of the Sentries, make sure the enchantments are up to date…"
Bickering, Port and Oobleck began to debate the points of, what the latter liked to call, "a convoluted attempt to deter intruders that have long since stopped prowling these halls." Weiss would agree it was excessive.
It had certainly made her never want to wander beneath the cathedral alone though.
For how many people there were the choice of space was an odd one. Hardly larger than her room with a desk claiming a quarter of it it was any wonder they'd picked this of all spots to meet. Hells, Weiss still wasn't sure why they needed to meet down where they had. Why not above ground? In Ozpin's office? Anywhere would be preferable.
As far as meeting spots went this was easily among the most dismal. The candles along the walls did little to illuminate anything, casting long, eeries shadows and silhouettes against a paneled wooden wall. The room itself, the air she now had to share with six other souls, had an acridity to it that made her throat itch and nostrils burn.
Maybe it had something to do with the container on the desk? Ozpin sat beside it, watching her as she stared at the small oblong box, creeping vines carved into the light wood; her sense of smell was far from acute, but she was certain the odor came from there.
"If you gentlemen are quite finished," Ozpin interrupted, silencing both the bickering men and Weiss' musings. Lowering his hand, he shifted in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. "Thank you for joining us, Weiss. And please forgive the unusual location. With recent developments I felt it best to conduct ourselves with a little more discretion."
Did he mean her sneaking Blake in with her before or something else? Blake had been sent off on an unrelated task, much to Weiss' chagrin, so that wouldn't be a problem. Does he mean nobles? Raven? She wondered what about any of this required so much secrecy.
"Sir… If you don't mind my asking," she began, giving voice to her thoughts. "This all seems like a bit much. Doesn't becoming a Warden just involve receiving a new mark?"
"Among other things. Typically, you would be trained and, given your proclivity towards runes, we'd have you learn how to create wards. Recent events however have made us need haste." Ozpin smiled. "The rest of your training will come once this sordid matter is resolved, I promise. For now, however, we'll simply adjust your mark."
"That makes sense." Kind of. Not really. Weiss folded her arms and shuffled in place, craning her neck to peek at the box again, then settled when made aware everyone present was watching her. "If I could ask another question? What exactly will this new mark allow me to do? Isn't it just an identifier?"
"If you'd stop asking questions, we'd explain it to you," Ahmar barked.
"There's no harm in a little curiosity, Ahmar," Ozpin chided gently. "A typical Hunter's Mark, the Mark of the Church, whatever you'd like to call it," the Archbishop waved dismissively. "Serves purely as an identifier, a symbol that you are a Magi in the employ of the Church of Remnant. A Warden's mark differs in that while it also serves as an identifier it offers unique boons to those who bare it. Azalea, if you would?"
"Gladly, sir! You see, Weiss, the Warden's mark not only serves to show who you are but it also reduces the fatigue that a Magi endures when casting magic!" The woman steepled her fingers, face split by a toothy smile as she bounced on the balls of her feet. "It's incredible, really! It helps to mitigate the symptoms of Spellcast Sickness and lets us cast spells with reckless abandon!"
"Not quite reckless abandon, but with far less consequence than a typical Hunter," Oobleck corrected. "Since a Warden's job is so demanding, whether supplying the magic to create a barrier or deal with rogue Magi it is often necessary to be able to draw upon larger reserves of magic. The Warden's mark enables us to do precisely that."
"And there will be time for questions later," Ozpin added, smiling the moment Weiss' mouth opened. "How it works, why we only give it to a select few, so on and so forth. For the time being those details should suffice."
Even if that was all the mark did then it was remarkable. Weiss groaned inwardly; she could imagine Yang's laughter at her unintentional pun. Was that a pun...?
She did have a hundred questions and being told she'd have to wait for answers was frustrating. Fitting, given the Church's penchant for withholding things, but no less frustrating. Her eyes drifted to the strange container once more and her nose wrinkled. "Does that have anything to do with this…?"
"Yes, actually. While a typical Hunter's Mark is made exclusively by magic, one of a Warden requires extra ingredients. It seems I'll be offering an explanation after all." Ozpin took the box, waved his hand over it. A green glow engulfed the latch and it popped open. "Spellcast Sickness takes a toll on Magi because it attacks the body itself. It is, after a fact, miasma which forms as a product of spells themselves."
"By using the life force of another creature, and yes I do mean its blood, we can use it as a catalyst to redirect some of that miasma. A one-time application acts as a sort of… Sponge, shall we say, absorbing the putrid byproducts and releasing them safely. An antiquated solution, admittedly, one which dates back to the origins of the Church itself, but an effective one."
"Glynda was kind enough to find an animal for us to use as well!" Azalea giggled, ushering Weiss over. Against her wishes she inched forward, leaning in as Ozpin opened the container. "A bit of a random choice but it'll work just fine!"
"It's… A raven?"
If she wasn't mistaken, she saw Goodwitch smile for half a second. The implication, however discreet, wasn't lost on her either. Weiss shivered, covering her mouth with her hand as a waft of rotted flesh hit her nose.
"Gods!" she gagged, fanning the air before her. "How long has it been dead?!"
"Since this morning," Goodwitch answered. "I may have caused undue harm to the bird in the process of acquiring it. Its blood should still work just fine however."
"She almost splattered the damn thing against my window," Ahmar grumbled.
"I was trying to make its death quick, Ahmar."
"Then why in the bleeding hells did you hit it five times?!"
"Might we get on with the matter at hand?" Both Goodwitch and Ahmar went silent immediately. Rising from his chair, taking the container back, Ozpin chuckled at Weiss' paling complexion. "I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to take a seat while I administer the mark, Weiss. And, if I may, perhaps pinch your nose while I work?"
"How are you not all gagging?" Weiss wondered aloud as she sank into the lone seat.
"We're used to it," Azalea answered easily, cheerily. That wasn't off-putting at all.
Oh how lovely, so they built up a tolerance to fetid rot. Would the day ever come when Weiss found the scent of a rotting body to be, perhaps not palatable, but tolerable? She supposed a butcher grew used to the smell of animals after a lifetime of working with them, alive or otherwise. Farmers too.
Weiss shifted, craned her neck, and peeled down the collar of her jerkin to give Ozpin access to her mark. Being compared to a butcher or farmer wasn't the most unflattering thing but something about desensitization was unpleasant.
"I'm going to remove the initial mark first," Ozpin explained, fingers hovering over her skin. "There's going to be a slight unpleasantness, but rest assured it's fine. Once the mark is removed, I do have to use blood to prepare the new one, however."
"Every Warden goes through this?" She tried not to whine and failed miserably.
"Every Warden."
True to his word her skin prickled, feeling as though she'd laid in the grass and blades were stabbing into her skin. The mark itself heated up and she clenched her jaw, squeezing her eyes closed and curling her toes in her boots. It only lasted a few seconds, but she could feel her skin was hotter than before, irritated. Her hand reached up to nurse her neck and Ozpin gently stopped her.
"I wouldn't. Rubbing it only makes it worse. Once the new mark is in place, you'll feel fine." Ozpin handed the box to the lone Vacuan man. "Ahmar, if you'd please?"
With a gruff nod Weiss watched morbidly as Ahmar produced a knife, setting the bird on the chipped surface of the desk. Her stomach curdled hearing a rib cage being broken apart, squirming as she watched the man cut away skin and innards, leaving the raven flayed and bloodied. When Ozpin dipped his fingertip inside, she almost jumped out of the chair then and there.
She didn't, much as she wanted to. Oh gods, why was the blood still warm?! Weiss craned her neck a bit further and whimpered as she felt the blood smear against her skin, staining it red beneath Ozpin's fingertip.
"You're doing great, Weiss. Almost finished."
"I don't suppose I can bathe after this?" Weiss whined.
"The blood won't linger, don't worry."
What did he mean it wouldn't linger? If the blood wasn't going to stay then why use it? After tracing the vague shape of a circle on her neck she felt Ozpin's finger move away, pouting as she watched him clean his hand on a cloth. Oh, so he got to clean up and she remained covered in a bird's blood.
"Now then, this part may be a bit unpleasant. I would advise planting your feet firmly on the floor and sitting on your hands, or gripping the arms of the chair." Ozpin studied her for a moment before looking between the others present. "Does anyone have something we could put in her mouth?"
"Wait, what?"
"Ah, I believe I do." Goodwitch retrieved a cloth from her sleeve, spotless, mercifully, and handed it to Ozpin.
"So you don't bite your tongue," he explained, waiting for Weiss to open her mouth before placing it between her teeth. Were they treating her or torturing her? "The pain will pass, but as the mark is bound to you there will be some discomfort. Everything you're about to feel is normal so do try not to panic. It will be over in just a moment." Ozpin's hand hovered over her neck. "Are you ready?"
For lack of being able to open her mouth Weiss nodded, closing her eyes tight and bracing for whatever was to come.
At first it wasn't anything worse than having her first mark removed. A slight prickling sensation, nothing more. Then a heat began to build, low at first, like the heat that might be produced if someone rubbed a hand against your skin hard enough. Then the heat began to build, slowly, then peaking suddenly. What felt like an iron being pressed to her skin made her tense, crying out through the cloth in her mouth. She jerked away and a pair of hands grabbed her shoulders, firmly holding her in place.
"We're almost done, Weiss, just bear with it," Ozpin urged, keeping his voice low and soft.
If it was only to take a moment, then it was the longest moment of her life. Somehow the heat grew hotter still, sweat beading on her skin. Her skin never broke but she felt it harden, almost as if forming a callous. Pain spread from her neck down her spine, making her toes curl and hands clench the chair, fingertips digging into the wood. The back of her skull throbbed, pain pooling behind her eyes, and she felt her entire being twitch and shudder. One leg kicked out on reflex and tears seeped out from the corners of her eyes, face crumpling.
Then it was over. As if it never happened the heat suddenly vanished. While sweat still dribbled down her face and dripped into her lap, once allowed to move, she spat the cloth out and grabbed at her neck. Her skin was smooth, not even hot to the touch, and besides sweat it was completely dry.
She'd thought perhaps foolishly that Ozpin had been the one panting, yet seeing him standing by, concerned yet silent, Weiss realized it was herself. Drawing sharp breaths she tried to get up only for nausea to strike, making the dim room spin around her. A gentler hand than before eased her back down and from somewhere a cup was produced. She took one look at the liquid and drank greedily.
"Because of the nature of the mark the process to apply it is a bit more intensive than your typical one," Ozpin explained. Understatement of the century. Azalea smiled at Weiss and offered another cloth, then dabbed off her face for her. "The pain was a result of binding the magic to your body, whereas before we only needed a superficial mark. I think you'll find that the benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort. We certainly have."
Discomfort?! Between feeling like her head was ready to explode and her skin being seared off Weiss felt like 'discomfort' was an awfully light way of putting 'complete and utter agony'. Wiping away lingering tears with the back of her hand she took a deep, shuddering breath. At least she could find some sliver of comfort knowing everyone present had endured the same thing as her. Or at least other people have. Misery loves company after all…
"Now, the effects won't be immediate, or even noticeable, but this will go some ways to enhancing both control and endurance. Given that you'll be facing Wardens most likely this should help even the playing field."
Ahmar scoffed. "She is still a girl. Even our newest member has a year's experience on her." The long vertical scar on his right cheek scrunched up with the rest of his face. "Don't feed her false hopes, Ozpin."
"He is doing no such thing! The mark will give Miss Schnee a boon that few Hunters can enjoy! Furthermore, her companions will be there to handle the brunt of the combat. No, we anticipate that Miss Schnee will have a more supportive role in this endeavor." Oobleck's unkempt green mane bobbed as he nodded, sliding spectacles back into place. "That said he isn't entirely wrong, Weiss. Do be mindful that this mark, while a wonderful thing, does not make up for any gaps in experience."
Nor would she ever be so delusional as to think that were the case. That did beg the question though…
"Sir? Who will I be going with?"
She hadn't been allowed to recruit any of her friends for it. Too risky, Ozpin had told her, and there was plenty to merit that. While a shame she'd be going with people she didn't necessarily know she could at least be grateful her friends wouldn't be in the line of fire.
Ozpin, already heading for the door, paused with his hand on the handle. "Ah, yes. Miss Goodwitch will be among your party for the raid, as will Qrow Branwen. And, thanks to a certain someone's insistence on cooperation," he made a point to smile at Weiss as she shrunk back in guilt. "Qrow's sister will be with you as well. Apologies in advance by the way, Glynda."
"Qrow is there to keep his sister in line, I am accompanying him to watch over Weiss. If anything should happen to Miss Branwen it will be most… Unfortunate." Goodwitch frowned. "But I think I will survive."
"The enemy of my enemy, Glynda," Ozpin laughed, holding the door open. Port and Oobleck left first, with Ahmar right behind them. Azalea took a moment to inspect Weiss' mark, parting with the promise to check on her again before they left; with no set date for the raid, or location, gods knew when that might be.
"She will escort you back to the surface once you've had some time to recover. While I know you tend to enjoy exploring the city, Weiss, I insist you remain at the cathedral grounds until we're ready. And…" Ozpin gave a slight bow. "Welcome to the fold. As of today, you are officially a Warden."
Leaving sounded wonderful. Walking a bit less so. Just keeping herself vertical was tiring and Weiss sank back into the chair, nodding gratefully to Ozpin for his wishes, then apologetically to Goodwitch who had been resigned to watch over her.
That was it then? No ceremony, no official declaration, although that might come later.
After her graduation and becoming a full Hunter, Weiss had expected a bit more. It didn't need to be anything momentous, even if the situation might have warranted it. She had a new rank in the Church, premature, sure, and a new host of responsibilities with it.
Sinking back into her chair she closed her eyes as a small headache came on. Her fingers nursed at her temples and she frowned, willing the discomfort away with a sigh.
It was beneficial at least, Weiss decided, even if doing this meant reaffirming her allegiances with the Church. With Ozpin. The constant back and forth, who to trust, the questions, it was beginning to wear on her. Maybe it was just easier to side with the devil she knew. Whatever the Church did or didn't do the fact remained that Remnant was better off since its inception. The others? They were unknowns, people looking to grab power, nothing more.
The pain in her head began to subside but she kept her fingers working at her skull, posture relaxing once the discomfort had completely fled. It would be another few minutes before she'd be ready to go, rising to her feet and pausing. The bird was still there, stomach sliced open and splayed out on the table.
"Leave it," Goodwitch ordered, gesturing for Weiss to leave ahead of her. "A Sentry will be along to clean up for us."
Well that's convenient.
On the woman's heels Weiss left the small room behind, pausing when she heard stone shifting. With one look over her shoulder she watched one of the statues peel itself from its pedestal, dust crumbling from its stone figure. The raven's carcass seemed to attract it and it loomed over it, briefly, before lifting it up and
Weiss assumed it would throw it out but instead she clasped a hand over her mouth as the statue's mouth opened, dust spitting out as its jaw unhinged, and it dumped the bird into its gullet. By the time it turned to see who was staring at it she was down the hall, shoulders scrunched and eyes trained front.
/+/+/+/+/+/
It was now or never.
The sun had set hours ago, and clouds had rolled in, turning the darkness of night into an impenetrable blanket of shadow. A storm was brewing, the air itself heavy, moist, but so far only gusting winds had appeared. Outside of her room branches groaned and creaked, wood just limber enough to flex doing so for self-preservation, leaves rustling loudly as if screaming against the gusts.
If Ruby was going to try to escape now was the best chance.
After laying in bed for hours waiting to be certain she was alone, and then a bit longer still to be double certain, she slowly sat up and peered around. Nothing. No silhouettes, no movement. Someone could be using shadow magic, but she doubted it; her magic was cut off in the room and so too was everyone else's.
The blankets came off and she eased out of bed, cautious still. On her toes she made her way to her dresser, wincing as the doors squeaked open, and dug out her makeshift rope at the bottom of it. Whoever owned the dresses would be livid seeing what she'd done to them. She'd apologize later, maybe, but right now Yang was much more important than some frilly garments. With her arms full she dumped the rope on her bed, found one end and tied it off to one of the four posts. Giving it one tug to see if it was secure, she carried the rest to the windows.
Panes of glass shook whenever wind struck them and outside, she could just make out the tree flexing in the wind. Can't light anything to check otherwise they'll see me, she lamented, sighing. Good thing she wasn't afraid of the dark!
When she opened the windows, they slammed against the side of the house, thrown wide by the wind, and Ruby cringed as she stood frozen as a statue, half anticipating someone to take notice. The sound went unheard and no one saw her open the windows. Smiling to herself she collected the bundle, took one look outside, and heaved. Dresses and blouses tumbled into the darkness below and she breathed a bit easier hearing them hit the bushes beneath her room. No leaps of faith at the end then.
Well, the whole throwing herself out a window with little more than a gown to support herself was a leap. So, no double leaps then.
"Hang in there Yang, I'm coming!" Giving the 'rope' one more tug for good measure she swung a leg over the window frame and sat perched on the edge, lowered her head when the wind kicked up, slapping her in the face. Once it died down, she turned and gripped the ledge with one hand, her other wrapping around her lifeline.
With a silent prayer and nervous excitement Ruby let go of the ledge and held both hands around a pleated dress. Fabric stretched but her knots kept. The wind kicked up again and she shivered, her borrowed nightgown affording little insulation.
Not nearly enough discomfort to stop her she began to ease her way down, feet pressed against the cool outer wall. It was slow going as inch by inch she traversed the wall, pausing now and again at the slightest sound.
She wasn't afraid of heights either. Climbing trees on Patch was a pastime of hers and Yang's growing up. Jumping off a cliff near their home - cliff was being generous, she'd admit, it was more like a hill, into the ocean was a regular occurrence for her and other kids. Her dad would probably have a heart attack if he knew they had been doing that. Ruby found herself smiling fondly, lowering her head and giggling as the wind buffeted her.
They would get out of here and go to Patch. Their dad would know what to do. They'd tell him everything they'd heard, true or otherwise, and he'd be able to help them decide. Then they would find Weiss and Blake and all the others and make a choice together.
That was a little ambitious though. Still dangling on the side of the building Ruby glanced down and tried to will her eyes to pierce the darkness below. The home was three stories and she had to have traversed at least one by now. A glance up and she couldn't make out the window she'd exited anymore. Nor could she see the ground beneath her. She was in no woman's land and had little choice but to continue. Not that she planned to turn back anyways.
Her descent finally rewarded her after painstakingly climbing down when her foot grazed leaves, slick with water from the gardener's rounds. Her face split by a smile, Ruby reached down and found her rope to be at its end. No matter, she'd made it as far as she needed to.
"Here goes nothing…"
Her hands left the last dress and for a second she was weightless, hovering in the void of night, before gravity reared its head and she fell with a yelp. It didn't last long and soon she was splayed out on top of a bush, wincing as a branch poked her in the side, scratching skin. It took some wriggling and she probably looked absurd, but she worked her way out of the leafy nest, crouching low in the grass and looking around.
Yep, still couldn't see anything.
Now, where was Yang? Questioning the people sent to watch her hadn't borne any results. Her windows had such poor views that she couldn't hope to figure anything out by watching out of them.
That didn't mean she was totally clueless. Tiptoeing, cringing when a crack of thunder announced the storm's impending arrival, she started to circle the manor. A few of the lower windows shone bright and she pressed closer to the bushes, lowering herself to keep out of view. A kitchen with staff at work late into the evening, men and women in pressed linen and aprons preparing tomorrow's meals.
Closer to the corner of the home she approached a study, bookcases lining the room with plush cream-colored armchairs and a sofa forming a loose circle in the center. Ruby would have passed it by without second thought if she didn't spot a familiar face inside.
"Miss Peach…?" What was she doing here? Pressing against the wall she paused before peering over the bottom of the frame; it was the same woman from Ambrose, she was certain of it. She looked tired, which made sense given how late it was, but tired in a different way too. Like, emotionally tired. The same way her dad had looked when they were given the news Summer Rose had…
Ruby bit her lip and placed her hands against the windows. They gave when she gently pressed, wincing when they creaked open. Peach didn't look up, engrossed in something in her lap, so she eased them open and, after a moment's hesitation, pulled herself in.
When the floor creaked under her weight the woman finally looked up and Ruby got a better look at the haggard woman. Bags under her eyes, skin paler than before, and frayed strands of hair jutting out randomly. Peach blinked slowly and remained silent as Ruby crept forward, finger to her lips. The healer's clothes were rumpled and there was a stain of red on her right breast. Optimism said wine. There wasn't a glass in sight.
"Miss Peach?" Ruby repeated hesitantly, stopping behind the sofa. She could flee to the window if she needed to, she could use magic again. "Um… H-Hi…?"
She hoped she wouldn't have to. For an agonizing few seconds they stared at each other, then Peach finally seemed to acknowledge her, light flaring in her eyes. Setting aside her book she rounded the sofa with surprising speed and Ruby turned to flee, tensing when arms wrapped around her.
"I'm so sorry!" She was sobbing. Lowering her arms Ruby turned back and stared at the woman as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I didn't know, I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"Uh…"
She typically boasted the social graces of a duck. Having a woman throw herself at you and begin bawling took what little tendencies she had then and threw them out the window headfirst. Aware of her hands hanging limply at her sides Ruby lifted them to comfort Peach, thought better of it, then moved them towards the woman's back only to let them drop again.
"M-Miss Peach…?" she whispered. Her shoulder was becoming damp and she was growing concerned the woman's crying might bring someone in. "It's o-okay! I'm not here to hurt you! I promise!"
Through choked sobs the short woman laughed, finally prying her face from Ruby and shaking her head. "S-Silly girl, that's not why I'm… Oh gods… You're out of your room!" Her eyes went wide and hands cupped Ruby's cheeks. "Why? Don't you realize how dangerous that is?"
"No one saw me! I'm sure of it!" Ruby eased the hands off, awkward at the intimate touch. "What's wrong? What are you sorry for?" Her question was answered as soon as she'd asked and her lips wavered. "For all of this? It's okay, right? You're all just trying to help Yang.
"Yang…?" The woman's face fell and her eyes scrunched up. Ruby, taking one look at the door to the study, waved her hands frantically.
"Please, don't cry! Whatever's happening isn't your fault!" She had no idea if that was true. "Please, just tell me where she is. I want to see her."
"Yang… Oh dearie, I didn't know, you have to understand. I was told we were helping her, curing her. After what happened I was certain I could do it, certain we could make your sister better." Peach's trembling hand went to her lips and she closed her eyes, slowly shaking her head. "I should have known. As soon as he became involved, I should have known!"
Trepidation mounting, Ruby looked at the window again, shaking back and forth on creaking hinges in the wind. She closed them and took Peach by the shoulder, easing the woman onto the couch. Something had gone wrong then. Terribly wrong. She didn't doubt the woman before her or her kindness, they'd seen it on full display in Ambrose. Her mind inevitably went to the darkest possibilities. She didn't want to know and yet her lips worked out the question she dreaded to ask.
"What are they doing to her…?" she asked, sitting beside Peach.
Again, the woman was on the verge of breaking down. It took a few deep breaths and a lot of reassuring smiles to get Peach to settle down enough to speak.
"I was supposed to heal her. Remove the Grimm, you see," Peach reiterated. "But they've had different ideas. They want to study her, to study what that… Monster did to her. They want to see if it can be replicated." Her eyes squeezed closed and Ruby rubbed the woman's back uncertainly. "I told them it was too dangerous, that we could harm her. Or worse…"
Dread crept into Ruby's voice as she struggled to keep it to a whisper. "Yang…? Is she… D-Did they…?"
"She's alive, dearie, although I can't say she's doing well. They're trying to break her, make her obedient. She's… I don't know. Some of them want her gone, others want to use her. I'm just here to make sure she doesn't… She doesn't…"
Peach didn't need to finish, Ruby understood. What she didn't understand was why. After branding Yang as a monster now they wanted to turn her into a tool? And who was 'they'? Trepidation gave way to indignant anger, hands clenching hard in her lap until her nails threatened to pierce the flesh of her palms.
Either Ozpin and the Church had orchestrated all of this, which seeing the bawling woman before her now seemed unlikely, or someone else was abusing their authority. The first case seemed unlikely but then again Ozpin had sent Weiss and Blake on a de facto suicide mission. The latter made Ozpin out to be incompetent and incapable of policing his own people.
Ruby wasn't sure which she liked better.
Mouth dry she licked her lips, cleared her throat, and inched closer to Peach. The lone source of light in the room, a small candle, flickered, painting the room in an eerie glow. Shadows seemed to dance with the flame and every miniscule shift made the sofa creak, the leather seat crinkling beneath them. Even the faint rustle of her nightgown sounded piercing in the dead stillness of night.
"Miss Peach… Where are they keeping Yang?" Ruby pressed, gently.
"She's… Here." The woman shook her head and wiped her eyes. "Not here, not in the manor, but o-on the grounds. They're holding her in a cell."
All while they kept her in a cozy room and told her Yang was just fine. Ruby's jaw ached from clenching so hard and she was grateful for the low lighting. It did a wonderful job of masking her plain fury.
"Show me…" she whispered, pleading but demanding. "Show me where they're keeping her. Please."
Peach stared at her for a moment, red rimmed eyes unblinking. Then she nodded, wiping her face again and exhaling heavily. "It's dangerous."
"I don't care. I have to see my sister. I'm going to save her," she said resolutely.
"They have Wardens."
"I just have to be fast enough to get away. Easy." Ruby smiled. "If I can just touch Yang then I can make her fast too. She and I can escape together." She paused for a moment then placed a hand on Peach's shoulder. The woman jumped at the touch. "You can come with us too," she added gently. "You don't want to be here, right? We'll all leave then."
"I can't."
"You can! My magic will work."
She hoped it would. Touching one person she knew she could propel herself and them at high speeds. Two? She'd never tried two but in theory it would be the same process, just more. More magic, more concentration, more everything. Easy. Probably.
Maybe it was their ability before that convinced Peach to stand, or maybe it was Ruby's own thinly veiled desperation. Either way the woman got to her feet and nodded, hands wringing nervously at her blouse as she moved towards the door, pausing to take the candle and book.
"Stay close. If we're stopped, I'll tell them you were feeling ill. Sneaking out for medicine isn't as bad as… This." The woman smiled weakly.
Ruby nodded, smiling back as they moved towards the door. Even if someone saw them, she'd use her magic and whisk them to safety. No one could match her speed; she was confident of that. No one else here had speed as far as she'd seen. All she would have to do is flit away and they'd be as good as gone. Except fleeing was meaningless if she didn't have Yang with her.
Peach eased the door open and poked her head out, then turned back and nodded. Clear, she seemed to say, stepping into the dark hall and taking another deep breath to compose herself. Following the woman's example, she smiled, then wiped it away, contorting her face and putting a hand on her stomach.
Sick. Act sick. Just like when she and Yang used to trick dad.
Ruby's left foot went forward. Her right foot stayed firmly planted to the floor. Giving her leg a tug she frowned, looked down, then went pale as a ghost.
A black tendril worked its way up her limb, cloaking it in darkness. Pulling harder against the binding she yelped, grabbing the door and trying to find leverage. A pool expanded beneath her, another tendril lashing out, grabbing her other leg. Her skin crawled, chilled at the contact, and she began to hyperventilate.
"Ruby!"
Peach grabbed her outstretched hand and pulled as the candle fell, going out. Even in the absence of light everything somehow became darker still as shadows engulfed her. Like a heavy cloak it hung down her back, wrapped around her arms and pulled back, wrenching her grip free. Ruby's eyes widened and a scream went unheard as a hand clasped over her mouth, body falling backwards. She watched Peach's horrified face disappear as something covered her eyes.
She was weightless again. Falling as though she'd leapt from her window instead of climbing down.
Then she was nothing.
Nothing like a little pagan blood ritual in the morning. There was actually a real-life counterpart to what I did... Somewhat, and I've since lost my notes and forget what its called. All that research, wasted!
Ah well!