Surprise, not dead!
It's a short chapter. Not sure when the next one will be, not sure of the length. Writing has become such an elusive thing over the last few months between complications from COVID and other issues that I've long since stopped trying to force out things. If I can write, I can write, if not then who knows. I have no intentions of abandoning this fic, but I'm also not expecting folks to wait 6 months between updates.
So we'll see.
White, white, and more white.
Weiss hadn't expected a scenic climb when ascending the mountains. She knew what to expect long before they ever started their way up the sloping trails. Snow, facsimiles of vegetation, small, sparse patches of stubborn plants too dim-witted to try and produce somewhere more hospitable. She knew all this.
And the climb still sucked.
"You handle the cold like shit," Nike had helpfully dispensed at the first sign of the white stuff. Weiss had wasted no time throwing on a second coat, an oversized garment Charon had provided. "You'd think for the goddess of ice you'd fare a little better."
No, she handled the cold poorly as it just so happened. As they walked single file up a narrow, slippery pathway, ice-slicked rock to her left, a several hundred-foot drop to her right, Weiss wove a rune of flame and held the fire in her palms. Nearly moaned in relief as warmth seeped back into her fingertips, her nose tingling as blood filled her extremities again. Huddled against her own little flame while Nike trudged on ahead of her, using her spear to clear debris, the occasional burst of magic too.
Her friend was from this region and lived somewhere among the mountains. It made sense that she wasn't affected by the cold as much as Weiss.
Except Weiss was from Atlas! Her time there had been brief, yes, but she had been born in ice and snow, raised among snowbanks so high that Vale's three-story buildings would become piddling, one-story shacks against them.
And despite that she shivered as soon as the temperature had dropped, then clung to her magic like a desperate, jealous lover afraid to let their partner out of bed. And Nike just traipsed along, occasionally remarking about the scenery and seeming perfectly content.
"Jerk…" Weiss mumbled under her breath. Her magic sizzled, focus broken. She cursed and struck up another flame, stepped over a crack in the ground and looked skyward.
They had been climbing for hours now and the mountains still rose up impossibly high. Vanishing into the gray embrace of the sky. Peaks that go up, and up, mocking her with their insurmountable height.
And they were supposed to find Nike's home among those peaks. Way, way above.
A chunk of icy snow as large as her torso broke off from above and flew overhead, striking the side of the mountain and shattering into jagged, frozen daggers.
"We're going to be killed," Weiss bemoaned, hanging her head. "The godsdamned mountain itself is going to collapse to keep us from getting there."
"Nah. Much more likely that a tree or a big rock gets us first."
"Nike, this is the part where you tell me I'm foolish!"
Nike glanced back and smiled. "Why? I thought honesty was the best policy?"
"White lies, Nike. White lies." Weiss scowled, stepping over an outstretched root. "Sometimes lying is good."
"You're handling the cold well, Weiss."
"... I hate you."
Nike laughed, throwing Weiss a wink before turning away. "You love me."
"Like a hangover."
One bright side in all of their frozen climb was the lack of Grimm, even when they used magic.
As if the Grimm were smarter than them, avoiding the precarious purchases they used to scale the mountain's face. Oh, the occasional howl and cry let them know that the beasts were never far off. An occasional black blur against the stark white snow.
Watching. Waiting for the most opportune time to assault them, to tear them limb from limb or die trying.
Weiss had thought it peculiar that the Grimm weren't just assailing them. That their magic wasn't driving the fell beasts into a frenzy, forgoing the self-preservation they didn't possess to begin with to try and kill her and Nike.
Not that the Grimm were their only concern either. Twice already small avalanches had come screaming down the mountain, blanketing growth and stone in mounds of snow. At one point she had seen a particularly hardy goat clamber up stones, lift its head, and try to avoid one of the deluges. She'd turned away when its bones shattered against stone and the snow had been painted red.
The promise of not ending up paste in a snowy wasteland was enough to keep Weiss marching along. Following the narrow mountain path, clinging to the lifeline, letting Nike act as her earnest guide. If the Faunus didn't recognize where they went, she made no show of it. Striding along confidently, wings tucked against her back, spear in one hand as she kept her eyes forward. Idly, Weiss wondered how in the world Nike kept her wings clean or cared for them when wounded. Was it a hassle, or was it as simple as washing a normal limb? What did it feel like having wings on your back?
She hadn't the gall to ask, and not because it was too forward. No, she didn't want to seem like a prattling child and start pestering her friend with 'why' and 'how' like they were the only words in her limited vocabulary.
Instead, she busied herself by admiring the landscape. White on white. Icy walls and veins dusted with a powdery white. Hardly the most picturesque scenery she'd had the displeasure of navigating.
Though the sun had climbed high into the sky by the time they broke for lunch it hadn't warmed up much. Bitter, biting winds rolled down from the mountaintops, kicking up flurries that added to the unpleasant bite of the crisp, cold air. The rocky shelf they took refuge beneath broke the bulk of the wind, but tufts still curled around it. Creeping, prodding fingers determined to rob them of what precious bodily heat they still had. After making certain no Grimm were nearby and throwing caution to the wind Weiss used her magic and ignited flames in her palm. Nike shifted closer and they sat side by side, huddled beneath a roof of stone as she nursed heat back into their sore, chilled bones.
What she wouldn't give for more proper winter attire. Charon's offerings hadn't provided them much, save for a musty old cloak that dragged behind her, and mittens that Nike Weiss wore despite having the cloak.
"You need your hands to cast your magic, I don't," Nike argued at the time. "Besides, I'm fine. I'm used to the cold."
An hour after lunch and the Faunus' teeth were chatting so loudly Weiss could hear them over her own. Her wings offered little in the way of protection and small patches of ice had formed on feathers, breaking off only to reform in minutes. The show of bravado wore on Weiss's already taut nerves, and she finally forced Nike to accept the cloak. Except her wings got in the way, so instead she lit another flame and carried it like a stickless torch, letting its heat wash over both of them.
Maintaining a small spell like that was child's play. When the wind blew Nike used her wings to shield them and Weiss would warm them again in turn, keeping them decently comfortable with her magic.
Inch by inch they crept along, rising higher into the mountains. Dusting turned to snow drifts and Weiss found herself wading through shin deep piles before long. Walking side by side meant she couldn't cheat and walk in Nike's footsteps either, which left her to struggle to plod along, more than once needing a moment to pull her leg free from a stubborn patch of snow.
Miraculously, they made it through the day without further incident. By the time the sun had begun to retire for the day they found a small alcove to huddle in. Barely large enough for the two of them, it would at least provide shelter from wind and a modicum of concealment from prowling Grimm. And as the light dropped too, so did the temperature, already frigid temperatures making a graceful swan dive, turning from unpleasant to downright miserable. Despite their misgivings they lit a fire, letting the flames dance at the mouth of their small shelter, black smoke billowing into the cloudless night sky.
"All things considered," Nike mused as they split a chunk of hard bread, the flames turning her skin golden honey. Weiss just looked like a pale shrimp. "Not a bad first day. Neither of us are dead."
"A remarkably low bar you've set for us there."
"Easy to not be disappointed that way. Plus, I think that's a good accomplishment." Nike stuffed her bread in her mouth and counted on her fingers. "Three avalanches, one rockslide, two patrolling Sabyrs. None of it killed us."
Weiss tried to tear a chunk of bread off, huffing when her fingers refused to cooperate and biting into it instead. "You're tempting fate."
"I've heard the embodiment of fate is supposed to be hot. I don't mind tempting her."
Despite herself Weiss snorted, smiling as she chewed. "You're impossible."
"No, I'm horny."
"Nike!"
She wasn't some prude oblivious to the workings of hormones and desire. Weiss had her own experiences, her own wants. But somewhere between learning her entire life was a lie and running across Remnant she'd long since lost the urge to do any of… That. Still, the blatant admission was enough to bring heat back to her cheeks.
Laughing, Nike snatched the canteen from beside the fire and popped the cork. "I'm joking," she sang, sipping at the warmed water before handing it to Weiss. "But seriously, why not enjoy our good fortune for a change?"
"Because life has had a funny way of shitting on me whenever I have a stroke of good luck lately." Weiss thumbed the neck of the canteen with a frown, worry forming long creases on her brow. "I'm not going to start getting optimistic now just for your beloved fate to throw it in my face."
"Maybe you should try sweet talking her? You know, butter her up a bit. Maybe she'll cut you a break."
If that was all it took then she'd have done it ages ago. Hells, she'd give her first born child at this point for a damned reprieve from misfortune. Weiss had been about to tell Nike as much when she glimpsed a playful, happy gleam in the woman's eye, a soft smile on her face. Despite their sordid conditions she seemed genuinely happy and, dare say, enjoying herself. Which had to mean due to Weiss herself, she thought selfishly, because it sure as hells wasn't the environment or lousy food.
With a sigh so forced Nike laughed, Weiss rolled her eyes. "Very well, I'll ask her for a change of pace."
"Pray." Nike wagged her half eaten bread at her. "Gods are finicky, they like it better when you pray."
"Fate isn't a god, Nike. It's a nebulous concept at best."
"With tits."
Weiss's eyes rolled in earnest as she groaned. "We don't even know if fate is a woman!"
"True," Nike conceded. "But we also don't know if it's a man. So I say fate has boobs."
"Did you hit your head earlier and didn't tell me?"
"Must be the thin air getting to me. I'm feeling faint."
"If only you'd pass out and give me sweet silence," Weiss mumbled.
Nike winked. "I'm hearing a lot of whining and not enough praying."
Licking her slightly chapped lips, Weiss took another drink before looking up at the starry night sky. Picking out a random star and deciding that it was the embodiment of faith, she set her bread in her lap, clasped her hands together, and cleared her throat.
"Oh Fate. Oh wonderful, kind, generous…" Her eyes slid to the corners to see Nike making motions with her hands. She snorted. "Endowed Fate, please see it within your heart to give us a small reprieve from our current misfortunes. A sunny day, a warm meal, a giant bird to fly us to the peak. We'll take anything at this point, however big or small." Weiss's eyebrow twitched and her lips pressed into a thin white line. "Seriously. I'll take a warmer day tomorrow. I'll settle for a warmer cave. I'm not asking much."
"For a member of the Church you suck at praying, you know."
Weiss turned and flicked Nike's nose before she had a chance to react. "And for a faithful follower of Lummiare, you give me a lot of lip!"
Snickering, Nike rubbed her nose and grinned. "True, but you said it yourself; you're not Lummiare. That makes you free game."
"Well, I'm still your superior!"
"In what sense?" Nike asked, tilting her head and raising an eyebrow.
"In the sense that I have fire and you don't, meaning if you want to be warm you'll stop mocking me."
Not that she would genuinely withhold heat from Nike. That would be cruel and besides that… Their paths were often small and cramped. She couldn't hoard the heat if she tried. Seeing the bluff for what it was then the Faunus snorted, leaning closer with a wry smile.
"Don't worry, Weiss. I hear they love earnest, bumbling priestesses. You'll land on your feet yet."
"I have zero intention of becoming a priestess, thank you very much. I've never been especially devout."
"Well, that explains your shitty luck. The gods are spiting you." The Faunus laughed. "Hells, your own father's a god and you don't believe in him. No wonder they're all pissed."
"One, Charon is not, I repeat, not a god. And two, he is most certainly not my father."
He couldn't be. He was uncomfortably fond of her, yes, and an elf like her. Well, half elf. Semantics. But she refused to believe her biological father was some loon hiding out at the foot of a mountain in Mistral, fancying himself a god while living in borderline squalor.
"He's your father, Weiss. I'm sure of it."
Weiss groaned. "You didn't even know me until a month ago, Nike. You don't even know what my favorite food is."
"Salmon."
"... No."
"Fuck." Nike clicked her tongue, then smiled amused. "You just don't want to call him 'daddy'."
"Even if he was my father, proof and all," Weiss pointed out curtly, "I would not call him 'daddy', you ignoramus. I'm not a child."
"You pout like one."
"Because someone seems intent on giving me an aneurysm with her incessant teasing!"
Nike laughed again and Weiss found herself giggling along, feeling lighter for it. The ridiculous banter, even at her expense, made the brisk evening feel just a little more pleasant. Gods knew she preferred this over traveling alone, even if her wariness made her still wish for it.
Salem hadn't done anything in some time, nothing beyond a small reminder that they were still connected. But that didn't mean the monster was going to leave her forever. She might have deemed Nike essential for now but what would happen once they reached the village? Would Salem force her to attack, trying to raze the village and its people - innocents one and all, to the ground? She didn't put it past the awful woman. Or the thing masquerading as a woman. Whatever in the hells Salem was.
Traveling alone would be safer, yes, but also insurmountably lonely. Weiss couldn't imagine being there on the mountainside alone, with nothing but the occasional howl of wolves and the whistling of wind to keep her company.
If nature didn't kill her then her loneliness might. For her company alone Weiss found herself once again grateful for Nike's presence.
"Hey, Weiss?"
"Mmm?" she drawled, biting into her bread again.
"Uh…" A long pause began to drag out. Nike glanced at her before looking away, scratching at her cheek. Her throat bobbed and she cleared it, fluffing out her wings and prodding the fire with the toe of her boot. Another moment passed before she looked at Weiss again with a small smile. "You need a bath."
On second thought loneliness sounded wonderful. Preferable. She could have some wonderful conversations with herself. Weiss figured she might even be able to climb the mountain faster if she were traveling alone, using magic to hasten the process. Salem would keep Grimm from tearing her apart, surely, so she could travel freely without worry.
Even if she might be a little lost without a guide.
"Nike?" Weiss smiled. She used the remains of her bread and plunked it off her friend's forehead, letting it plunk to the ground and roll into the fire. "Shut the hell up, please."
"Nope."
Closing the already small distance between them Weiss clamped a hand over Nike's mouth, thumping her shoulder with the other. "Shut up! As if you smell any better!"
Muffled laughter tickled the palm of her hand, eyes dancing with delight in the fire's glow. A hand pushed Weiss's head back. She grabbed Nike's shirt to keep her grip, sputtering as Nike's hand covered her face, blotting her vision. Weiss squirmed, pushed her friend's face harder and tried to wriggle enough to free her face.
Something damp lapped at her palm. Gasping, Weiss retracted her hand and Nike's laughter filled the air while Weiss, caught between disgust and bewilderment, shook her friend as best she could. "Don't be disgusting!"
"Don't put your hand on my face!"
"Don't be a pest!"
Nike grinned at her in challenge. "Make me stop."
Growling, Weiss threw herself at Nike with the plan to do… Something. Frustration fueled her and her thoughts went as far as 'make Nike stop being a nuisance'. The particulars were left to the wayside, and flailing and hushed curses and insults took the place of any concrete ideas. Before long the two of them were left flailing, vying for supremacy. Shadows danced wildly with them as they fought before the fire, though fighting might have been generous. Drunken sailors hobbled with two broken legs apiece would have put on a better fight.
It occurred to her that a mistake might have been made when Nike lifted her bodily, from a sitting position, and almost threw her back. Clearly the stronger of the two, Weiss found herself on her back reaching up to swipe at Nike only for her hands to be pinned to the ground. Nike perched atop her to keep her from rolling free, looming over her as they both panted for breath.
The fire continued dancing beside them, turning the alcove a warm sunset, basking cold stone in a foreign heat. Shadow danced to their left, the cold mountain air swirling with flakes and whistling away beyond their meager shelter. Somewhere, distantly, Weiss heard a wolf cry, met with the chorus of others.
She paid no heed to any of that, instead staring up at Nike, their faces inches from one another. There were so many freckles on Nike's face, more than Weiss had ever noticed before. And the way her friend's emerald eyes seemed to glow in the faint light kept drawing her gaze to them, inviting her in. Red bangs tickled her brow as Nike's hair fell down, braid having come undone. Somewhere, there was a comment about what a shoddy job she'd done braiding it for it to unravel so easily, but Weiss found her mouth inexplicably dry.
Nike shifted. The movement was so slight but enough to make their bodies brush against one another. For their warmth to pulsate between the two of them. Or perhaps that was something else. Licking her lips, watching as Nike mirrored her, her eyes drifted down to the Faunus' mouth. Her fingers curled as Nike's grip tightened on her wrists slightly, feeling warm breathing quickening against her face.
One of them leaned in, then the other, and Weiss felt her lips tingle as they came so perilously close. Her heart nearly leaped from her chest, then came crashing back down as Nike climbed off her in a flurry of feathers, panting audibly and stepping away from her.
It took her mind a second to process it all, sitting up almost sluggishly and shaking her head. Feeling robbed of something she hadn't known she needed, Weiss looked up at her friend baffled, unsure if she should be… She didn't know what. Confusion, yearning, regret, shame, and anger broiled in her chest, the cocktail a mixture of indecipherable flavors that she couldn't sort out. Swallowing thickly, she sat a little taller, clearing her throat and giving her voice a chance to steady itself. "Nike…?"
Her friend gave her a guarded look, unfurling her wings. Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she shook her head quickly, face redder than the flames. "I'll… I'm going to do a quick perimeter search. I'll be back."
Before Weiss could complain or point out there was no perimeter to search - they were on a godsdamned cliffside, Nike stepped off the ledge and shot off into the sky, quickly becoming a blot against the din.
Leaving Weiss sat alone by the fire, heart in her throat and a secondary warmth blooming inside of her. Deprived, confused, feeling just the slightest bit dejected, and with so, so many questions. The least of which was, "What the hells was that…?"