Here's chapter 40, everyone.
Blake slowly opened her eyes, the sound of people talking was what woke her up as she sat up and looked over at the source of the voices, surprised to see Yang comforting Weiss, though the surprise was her in her wolf form. That and Willow Schnee being present in the room. "What's going on?"
Yang was a little startled by her partner's question, not thinking she'd be awake. "Oh, Blake, uh, look now isn't the best time for questions. Go on back to sleep, we'll try to be a little quieter."
The cat Faunus was taken aback, watching closely at how the white wolf was reacting to the comforting rubs Yang was giving her. "I'm not tired anymore, and what do you mean not to question anything? Weiss is-."
Willow cut her off. "Please. I know you barely know me," That wasn't true, but Willow didn't know that. "But right now my daughter is in pain and she needs her rest."
How hurt her voice was, and the way she pleaded, Blake was in a mix of unknown reactions she should have. "O-Okay." She couldn't say much else.
"Weiss…"
Her eyes widened when she realized she started feeling bad for the white wolf, a feeling she didn't think she'd ever have for a Schnee. "She's hurting." Blake got out of bed and knelt down by Yang.
The blonde brawler was surprised when she saw Blake looking a little sad. But she was even more surprised by the fact she was looking sad for Weiss. "You… Wanna try to rub her fur a bit? It helps her feel better."
Blake shook her head as she whispered. "The fact that I was the one to slap her before… I can't just do that." Luckily only Yang could hear her whispered voice.
"She's asleep, Blake." Yang gave her an assuring smile as she pulled her hand away. "Please, try."
Try. It was that word that even pushed Blake slightly, so she sighed and reached her hand out to where Yang's was. A Schnee. Right under her hand, but because of Yang, she was able to place her hand on Weiss' back, holding it there for a moment.
"Soft, huh?" Yang joked softly, trying to make light of the situation.
Blake simply nodded, moving her hand a bit as she was still a little shaken up by being in contact with a Schnee. "She's not… Like him." Blake thought to herself.
Weiss slightly moved in her sleep, startling Blake a bit, but Yang helped her keep still by gently grabbing her arm. "Don't get all jumpy. I promise this is helping her."
"Helping her…" Blake couldn't imagine herself ever wanting to help a Schnee in the past, but it wasn't the past. She nodded to Yang and rubbed Weiss' back, wondering what could have happened to the white wolf that she needed this much comforting. "Do you at least know what happened?"
Yang shook her head and Willow spoke up. "She's asleep now, so I can talk about it." She was sat on her daughter's bed, hands folded on her lap as she sadly recounted what happened in her head. "She and Ruby were sparring together, both wanting to use their semblances. I was… Nervous to say the least." She sighed. "Even so, it was going well."
They saw the shift in her face.
Willow bit her lip and shook her head. "Weiss had dropped her sword and her… Semblance had gotten a little stronger, making her grow a bit bigger in her wolf form."
Blake hadn't actually taken that in yet. Weiss was indeed a bit bigger from the last time she saw her wolf form.
"Because of that, it was hard for her to… Be in control of herself." Willow unfolded her hands and dug her nails into the bedsheets, almost crying at how her daughter reacted after. "She's scared…"
"Shit." Yang cursed under her breath, looking down at her friend.
Blake continued feeling bad for the white wolf, stopping her rubs when she heard that Weiss was scared. "I'm sorry." She whispered to herself, while Yang heard that, she didn't comment on it.
Willow got up from her daughter's bed and knelt down by them. "I have to go back to Atlas on monday, so… Please do what you can for my snowflake." A stray tear escaped. "Please."
Yang leaned over and hugged the older woman, nodding to her. "You know you don't have to ask me to. I swear I'll get our ice wolf back on her feet."
Without saying a word, Willow hugged the blonde girl in return, while Blake had to take in what was happening even more so. A moment passed, and the cat Faunus leaned her other hand over, placing it on Willow's arm, the second Schnee she made contact with, and the older woman turned her attention to Blake.
"Yang is right. And… I may not have known Weiss for long, but I'll help too." Blake promised, surprising both Yang, and herself.
Willow let out a small smile, while gently responding. "Thank you."
Blake nodded, not feeling foreign to the feeling of getting the thank you from a Schnee, so she went back to rubbing Weiss' back. "Adam… Hurt me this much, maybe… Maybe what he's said about the Schnee family really was exaggerated."
Ruby was sighing to herself, walking through the halls with Crescent Rose firmly on her back holster. "What can I even do?" She bit her lip, hating how she had to ask herself that. "It wasn't her fault." She muttered to herself.
As she rounded a corner, she bumped right into someone, who groaned in response. "Miss Rose, this is why you shouldn't look directly down at your feet while walking." The voice was Glynda's and Ruby honestly wasn't that concerned about it.
"Oh. Sorry, Ms. Goodwitch." Her voice wasn't filled with her normal cheer, and Glynda raised an eyebrow at that.
"Yes, well, make sure to look straight ahead of yourself." The blonde professor pushed her glasses up a bit, taking note of the small nod she got from Ruby.
"I will." Ruby responded and continued walking, not wanting to get in a conversation at that point.
"Miss Rose," Glynda called out and Ruby looked over her shoulder. "Is there something wrong? You seem to be a little-."
Ruby shook her head, cutting her off. "I'm fine, Ms. Goodwitch. Just a little tired is all."
Glynda wasn't all too worried about her student's personal lives, since that's what it was. Their personal lives. "Very well. I would recommend you get some rest then." With that, she turned around and walked off from Ruby.
"Yeah…" Ruby said to herself, but she didn't know if she could get any rest, thinking about how Weiss wanted space and was more than likely in the dorm. "She didn't want me to go near her."
"Ruby!" Summer called out to her daughter, since she was trying to catch up to her the whole time, and when the younger Rose stopped, she was met with a hug. "Ruby, why did you just walk off like that?"
"You know why, mom." Ruby said in a monotone voice.
"Weiss is going to be okay, little rose." Summer assured. "Don't you think other people have went through this too?" Ruby lifted her head up, wanting to hear more about that, since it meant that if others went through it, they most likely got help for it. "You didn't, but I can tell you that yes, people have had problems controlling their semblances."
Ruby sighed. "How long does it take someone to control their semblance again?"
"It depends on the person, but you know that little snowflake is strong." Summer said, kissing the top of Ruby's head. "I bet she's getting some rest right now, so come on. Her partner should be there when she wakes up."
"B-But she told me not to get near her." Ruby said in a saddened tone.
"Little rose, you know she's just scared. The way things happened, you can't blame her, and I know you don't." She let go of her daughter. "But when a friend, or a loved one is hurting, and they say to stay away, you need to look deeper and think what you really need to do here."
Ruby looked down, thinking about Weiss. "I… I think I do want to be there when she wakes up. I wanna hold her and tell her that what happened wasn't her fault." She looked up at her mom with determination. "And I wanna tell her that I'll help her with her semblance!"
Summer let out a supporting smile. "There's my little rose." She patted her shoulder a few times. "Let's get you to your partner, sweetie."
"Right." Ruby hoped her partner wouldn't be upset with her wanting to help, but she knew one thing at least. "Mom, I wanna try to learn more about her semblance. Do you think there's anyone out there who might have the same kind of semblance?"
"Hmm, it's possible. I can't remember off the top of my head, but I'll make sure to ask around for you, sweetie." Summer said, knowing full well she wanted the knowledge of Weiss' 'semblance' to help her.
"Thank you, mom." Ruby said, hoping her mother would soon find anyone out in the world of Remnant like that.
Blake could hear the quiet snores coming from the white wolf, making her actually smile a little as she continued rubbing her fur. "I've never really got to ask before, but with her semblance, does she have increased senses?"
Willow wasn't too surprised by the question, so she nodded. "A wolf's senses are her own when she uses her semblance."
The woman had few words to say, due to her daughter's condition worrying her too much. "What was it like… Discovering her semblance wasn't the same as the others in your family?"
Yang was about to try and get Blake to stop asking questions, but Willow spoke up before she could say anything. "It was unexpected, but even so, I'm so proud of her for whatever semblance she would have."
Blake sighed a bit, even more about the Schnee family was starting to come to light for her. "I'm sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions."
"It's okay." Willow assured, leaning down to kiss her daughter on the head, the white wolf moving a bit in her sleep. "You want to know more about my little snowflake, and I'm happy to hear that, so if you have more questions, feel free to ask them."
"Well… I had one." Blake stopped rubbing Weiss' fur and turned on her knees to face Willow. "Yesterday when we first spoke… I was nervous to speak to you because," Yang knew Blake was going to tell her. "Because you're a Schnee."
Willow was taken aback, though only for a moment as a sad smile appeared on her face. "Not the shy one after all I see." She sighed a bit, nodding to Blake. "I understand why."
Blake felt guilty, but her feelings were her own, and she couldn't hide them forever. "A lot I've been told over the years made me feel… Uneasy about your last name, but seeing you and your daughter, how you both are… I feel like I may have been fed lies."
Yang decided to position herself closer to Weiss, and away from the two to let them speak, while taking over on comforting the sleeping white wolf.
"Honestly," Willow held a hand over the other. "I wouldn't say they're all lie. My children are not like their father," While she knew Whitley was on that same path, she would still do what she could to keep him from becoming his father. "I can't speak for myself, but-."
Yang spoke up after hearing that. "Hey, come on. You're like, a really awesome mom, Willow."
Willow let out a light chuckle. "I only want what's best for my children… So, if there is anything to say here, Blake." She showed she wouldn't forget the girl's name. "It's that the Schnee name is tainted because of my husband, and I apologize for the pain he may have brought you or anyone you know."
Blake lowered her head, her eyes not visible to Willow as she spoke one word. "No."
"Hmm?" Willow seemed a bit confused by her response.
"I don't want you to apologize for another person's faults." Blake said, remembering what Weiss said to her that day, while lifting her head up to look Willow directly in her eyes. "Your daughter didn't have to apologize, so you shouldn't either."
Willow felt happy hearing that from the girl she met one day ago. "You're very forgiving, Blake."
"There's nothing to forgive." Blake clenched her fists. "I was fed lies for a long time, and I believed them."
The white haired woman scooted over. "And just like you choose to not blame me and my children for their father's faults, I won't blame you for being lied to."
Blake's heart was racing, her opinions of the Schnee name changing completely, though she still kept the hatred in her for Jacques Schnee. "I-I'm…"
"Shh." Willow spoke. "Blake, at this point, the only thing I know about you is your on my daughter's team." She reached her hand over and took Blake's, the contact not making the cat Faunus jump again. "Still, even without knowing a lot, I can tell you're a very smart and talented young woman. Don't be afraid to speak your mind though, okay?" She gave her a smile, trying her best
The words were comforting, soft and felt true to Blake, so she nodded with a smile of her own. "Right. Thank you."
"For what?" Willow asked as she let go of Blake's hand.
"You and your daughter helped me see there's more to your name than the lies I've been told." Blake explained, looking over at Weiss. "I… Also need to be honest. Weiss and I were not… On great terms with each other."
"With what you've told me, I can't say I'm surprised, but… Does this mean you'll try and understand who my snowflake really is?" Willow inquired.
Blake nodded, sighing a bit as her ears flattened against her head under her bow. "I'd like to try… But… We did get into an argument."
That got Willow's attention even more so. "What kind of argument?"
"It was about your family name." Blake said, the guilt in her voice showing. "I said some things, and she only wanted to talk to me about it, but… When she touched my shoulder… I… I slapped her by accident."
Willow's expression changed that moment. Yang could see it too, the shock on her face, and the look of anger that had washed over a moment later, but the woman didn't use that anger. She simply took a deep breath. "You say it was an accident?" Blake nodded, nervous about how Willow would react. "Then… I can't stay angry with you… But I will say this," She held her hand out, a glyph appearing over it. "My children mean everything to me, Blake… I don't want to hear this happened again in the future."
Blake looked down, feeling terrible for what she did, but in truth, it really was an accident. "I understand, and I'm really sorry."
Willow sighed and the glyph disappeared. "I will forgive you this one time, but only because I still keep my words true. You're a smart and talented young woman, so don't make me regret believing that."
The sternness in her voice told Blake all she needed to know. Willow Schnee was nothing like the White Fang made her out to be, and she'd make sure to get to know Weiss Schnee as well.
"Hmm…" Weiss' voice got everyone's attention, as Yang pulled her hand away, watching the white wolf lifting her head up to look around. "M-Mom?"
Willow instantly got to her daughter's side and rubbed her cheek. "I'm right here, snowflake."
The white wolf noticed she hadn't slept all that much, so her aura couldn't have recharged enough to change back. "I need to get up." She spoke softly, and her mother was against it at first. "Please, mom."
"You should rest, sweetie." Willow said, wanting her daughter to not stress herself out anymore.
Weiss whimpered a bit. "I-I just don't want to sit around like this."
"I know, snowflake, but the more you rest, the faster your aura will recharge." Willow reminded, rubbing her daughter's back a few times.
"Yeah, ice wolf." Yang encouraged from the side. "Just take it easy for a bit, and you'll be able to use your semblance again in no time. Kay?"
The white wolf sniffled and nodded, but when she looked over at her pile of clothes, she raised her head up and got on her paws, earning worried looks from both her mom and Yang. "I-I just want my pendant…"
Willow got to her feet. "I'll get it for you, sweetie." She walked over, picking up the necklace she got Weiss for her eighth birthday.
"C-Can you wrap it around my neck?" Weiss requested, remembering how Ruby would do that for you.
"Oh, I never knew you wanted it tied around when you used your semblance." Willow remarked as she was still trying to adjust to Weiss' new size in her wolf form. "Why didn't you ever tell me?" She asked, wrapping the necklace around her daughter's neck.
Weiss felt a bit happier with the pendant around her neck, so she leaned over and nuzzled her mother. "Ruby was the one who thought about the idea during initiation."
Willow sighed in relief when her daughter nuzzled her, since it meant she wasn't as depressed. "Well I'm a little jealous I wasn't the one to come up with this idea." She rubbed her daughter's cheek again. "It looks beautiful on you, sweetie."
"Thank you, mom." Weiss let out a real smile again, nuzzling her mother once more as Blake stepped over.
"Weiss." The white wolf turned to face her teammate, surprised a bit that she'd call out to her. "I think we need to talk."
Not much to say here, though I do have at least one question I hope some of you can answer. At the moment of where I'm at, has the pacing of the story felt okay? I'd really like to know so I can make improvements if need be. Meaning does it feel too slow, or do things feel like they get resolved too quickly? Feedback on that would be very much appreciated.
To JJ- I do my best at trying to convey the feelings of characters, and yeah, it really isn't her fault, seeing as she doesn't even know her true past. As for Qrow, well you'll see. And with Blake and Yang, it's a coin flip for sure, even on my end. As I do love to build up to a relationship, so if it goes that way, then hey, at least it was built up.
I hoped you all enjoyed chapter 40. Remember, reviews are welcomed, but not required. See you all in chapter 41.