"Why did you save us?" Jaune asked after a long silence. "I'm grateful, I really am, I just want to know." He turned to the tall girl covered in ash and bits of blood. The van was eerily quiet as even Fox turned to hear her answer. Catalaya just shrugged after a minute much to the disappointment of a certain redheaded Amazon. "That's it?" She questioned, "You're just going to shrug, like what you did was just that simple?" Catalaya nodded, "I have no answer to that. But in regards to saving them." She paused, "I do not know why I did what I did. All I know is that not everyone must die in battle. Some must live to see the dawn of a new day." She said this with pain in her voice that can only be gained through experience, through suffering.
"Why don't we let her rest," Blake said,"You must be tired after everything." Catalaya nodded,"Yes. I would like to rest for a while." She sat back up in her seat and was quiet the entire ride. The other occupants were either thinking on what she had said, the emotions that crossed her face when she gave her reasoning. Or trying to forget it even happened. By the time they arrived back at the house, they'd spent almost two hours trapped in their own thoughts.
Ozpin was standing outside the building, along with Goodwitch and Ironwood. His presence didn't seem like a good thing to them. There was no greeting, just a cold hard stare directed at each one of them. It only intensified when he saw Catalaya being helped from the back. Catalaya entire demeanor changed the moment she saw him, a subsonic growl accompanied by a snarl replaced the calm indifference. "Think they know each other?" Yang whispered to Coco who shrugged in response as she led Catalaya inside.
The silence was deafening as Catalaya and the general continued to murder each other with their eyes. Ruby was fidgeting when she asked Ozpin, "Would you, um, like totalk to her now, sir?" He gave a miniscule smile, "Of course." He looked over the group, "Why don't you all clean up, while we chat." Signalling to his companions he led down the hall to the locked room no one could get into earlier, pawed at the key pad and ushered the other two in as he motioned for Catalaya to come. She went without protest.
The others were split between worrying for the girl and doing as ordered. Slowly they went to the showers after a short mull of quiet. Weiss was the most hesitant to go and was ushered to the showers by Ruby who shared her concern with her via expressions.
Interrogation Room
"Please sit." Ozpin said to the tall woman. "We have some questions for you, if you don't mind." He stated in a smooth voice as to not provoke her. She nodded her approval as she moved her seat as far away from Ironwood as possible. "You may ask your questions."
"What is your name?" Ozpin asked, it was best to start with the basics. "My original title is Black Flame, Daughter of Cheiftain, born of Wolf's Blood, the One Who Walks the Boundary." She said with pride.
"Do you have anything else you go by? That is a long title."
"Snow called me Catalaya." Glynda and Ironwood looked confused. "You mean Ms. Schnee?" A nod.
"Would you be alright if I called you that as well?" Another nod. "Now, how old are you?"
"I do not know the proper conversion but I would be considered twenty-seven."
"Okay, where are you from?"
"Drelathaer. The Dark Lands." Glynda started taking a record. "Where is that?"
"Cannot tell you that. It's strictly forbidden." Her posture straightened.
"Alright, now, how about why you are here." Catalaya froze a second as if she was trying to recall that reason.
"I was sent to protect White Snow."
"Weiss Schnee, you were sent to protect her?" Gylnda asked, "Why is that?"
"She is the Winter Knight of Pruveogar." She said as if it was an obvious fact. "Of what?"
"Pruveogar." Her interrigators looked at her confused, "The Ivory Mirror Nexus."
"And that is what exactly?"
She sighed, "The place where the greatest power, the most dangerous weapon lay in hiding, away from any who wish to use it with malicious intent." She looked around the room,"Have none of your leaders wondered why so many supernatural beings flock?" Ironwood looked perturbed, "Are you saying Remnant is this Nexus your talking about?"
"Do I need to repeat myself?" she said in annoyance. "Are you so dumb that you do not understand such simple wording?"
"Listen here you inhuman peice of-"
"Enough!" Ozpin shouted. "Can you tell is what this weapon is?"
"It's called the Armor of Duskshadow. A deathly black armor once belonging to the Blood Elf Inatrus Sunspear. A practitioner of Necromancy who was shunned by his clan for his love of a elf-human half breed woman. His love, Gabrielle Duskshadow was killed by the leaders when they found them together. He was so distraught by her death, he tried anything and everything to bring her back. He did succeed, unfortunately."
"Why unfortunately?" Glynda asked.
"Because Duskshadow had been corrupted by a dark entity, used as a mere vessel for it. It slowly corrupted Inatrus' mind, forcing him to be its weapon of mass destruction. Using dark magics, whose names even I can't speak, he created the armor. The entity in Duskshadow's body was supposed to wear it, instead Inatrus killed her along with the darkness inside her when it attacked his former clan. He took the armor apart and brought it to the Nexus and scattered the peices. That is, before he went to his love's grave and killed himself."
Everything was silent before Pzpin spoke for them, "What type of destruction could said armor bring?"
"The Nexus would be destroyed. Nothing left, not even the ashes of the dead." Catalaya said solemnly. Ozpin nodded sagely as Ironwood shrunk back subconsciously in fear.
"Okay," Gylnda said, "We understand this threat now. But I have a question for you Cat, may I call you Cat?" Catalaya nodded at the mage, "What is your role in all of this?"
"I am to be the Guardian of the Winter Knight. Protecting her, training her, and assisting in the protection of the Ivory Mirror Nexus."
"Why you though?" Ironwood asked, "Why out of everyone, are you supposed to take on such an important task?"
"Every time the White Knight and/or the Guardian dies, their spirit, their power, is transferred to another being. A child." She looked to Ozpin, "The child will, generally, start to have dreams or visions of the other in some kind of symbolic way. For example, the Guardian would have dreams of the Winter Knight, maybe a shadow, a face, identifying mark or something else. And vice versa for the White Knight."
"I'm assuming you had these dreams." Ozpin stated. "Yes. As a child I had visions of brilliantly white snowflake converging with a black flame. In my dreams, I would see a white figure with silvery white hair, bright blue eyes, and pale skin. Sometimes it would be the same person but in silver armor weilding a rapier." She paused in remembrance, "As I got older, the images got clearer. Not long before I journeyed here, I finally saw the face of my charge." She took a peice of paper from her shirt pocket and slid it to Ozpin.
It was a drawing of Weiss Schnee, most likely hand drawn. Every little detail was captured in this image. From her vibrant eyes to her scar. All threes eyes widened. "If you were to ask her, I guarantee she has had the dreams." They seemed to have a conversation with their eyes before Ironwood begrudgingly unshackled her wrists. "May I clean up and rest now?" Ozpin nodded, "Glynda please excort her to the showers then someplace she can rest."
The two of got up and began to leave before Catalaya stopped in the doorway. "I may not know what is to come, true. But you and I both know we should prepare ourselves for the absolute worst. Whether it's needed or not at the end." She left leaving Ozpin and Ironwood to mull over what she said.
With the Hunters
So Weiss can I ask you a question?" Yang said over the sound of multiple showerheads running. "Sure." Weiss responded as carfully washed her cuts and scrapes. "You got a crush on her or not?" Weiss stopped as Blake jumped into the stall next to her,"This seems interesting. Well, Weiss?"
"I don't who you are reffering to." She squeaked out as she began to wash the ash and debris from her hair.
"Oh really?" Chirped Ruby from Yang's right, "Yes, Ruby. Now I would like to shower in peace."
"Oh, I don't think they're going to drop this." Commented one rabbit faunus. "Neither will I." That was Coco,"I myself am particularly interested in this juicy topic." Weiss was beginning to regret this especially more when Nora chimes in, "What you guys talking about?"
"Weiss' crush on tall, tan, and muscular." Yang chuckled. "You have a crush on her, Weiss?"
"No, I do not." Weiss inadvertently crushed one of the handles on the stall in annoyance. "Hello there, ladies." Dust dammit. Weiss thought to herself. "What's going on with you all?"
"Hey Pyrrha. We're just trying to get Weiss to admit her crush." Nora announced. "Oh. Wait, who's her crush?" Pyrrha asked.
"It's-"
"Yang, so help me, of you say one more word I'm going to kill you." Weiss snarled at the blonde.
"One more word." Yang stated.
"Ugh!" The Schnee slammed her head into the wall.
"Here are the showers, clothes, washcloth and a towel." They stopped when they heard the voice of Gylnda Goodwitch. "Soap is in the stall. When your done I'll show you to your room." Then they heard her heels cleary leaving the room.
"Who was she talking to?" Nora whispered. "I don't-" Yang stopped and motioned for them to look to the left. The girls watched intently as Catalaya stripped herself of her clothing and tossed the items down the laundry shoot.
They noticed many of, what appeared to be tribal markings, covering her body as wells as 3 scars parallel to each other going diagonally across her back. She had a very toned figure, with just enough muscle to look strong but not overpower her femininity. She picked up her cloth and towel and headed to the only open stall left. Which happened to be in front of Weiss. Closing the door and draping her towel over she turned to the showerhead and was startled by all the eyes staring at her. "Why are you staring?" They shook themselves out of the trance her figure put them in. "We were just surprised to see you." Ruby said. "Okay."
Cat proceeded to wash herself clean of the dust, blood, and grime she'd acquired in her time there, barely even phased by the glances at her figure. The other girls obviously wanted to question her but didn't know whether it would be welcome. "You wish to ask questions, yes?" The girls pointedly looked away and Weiss wanted nothing more than to die. "Yes actually." Ruby chirped, "If you don't mind that is." She became uncertain and mumbled the last bit. Catalaya nodded, "It is fine. Although, I would prefer to do it without being under the water the entire time." She turned of her shower and looked to the clock. They'd been there a long time.
Catalaya was very comfortable being in this state. It did not matter that they stared, she was used to it. In battle there was no separation when supplies ran low and everyone has to clean themselves. The other rushed to dry and dress while she took her time to both get everything and to enjoy knowing Weiss was running her eyes over her body.
Awhile after the girls took her to the living room where they could talk. Bit they were do nervous and sat waiting for someone else to speak. They didn't have to wait long. "What should we call you?" Ruby asked. "You can call me Catalaya or Cat, if you prefer." Weiss blushed when she realized the name she gave her was going to be used. "Oh!" Velvet exclaimed, "We never introduced ourselves. I'm Velvet Scarlatina." She stuck out her hand which was gratefully accepted. "Name's Coco Adel." A gloved hand shook hers.
"I'm Nora Valkeyrie!" The ginger said slightly too loud. "Hello there, I'm Pyrrha Nikos." The tall redhead said as she gripped her hand and forearm in that of a warrior greeting, Catalaya smiled and reciprocated. A short cheery girl in red and black pajamas came next, "I am Ruby Rose." The blonde girl, "Sup, the name's Yang Xiao Long." She winked. "I'm Blake Belladonna." The cat eared girl stated as she nudged her white haired teamate from her thoughts. "U-uh, I'm Weiss Schnee." She said sputtering when she could practically feel Catalaya's gaze raking over her body. "Nice to meet you all." She said smiling,"You may ask your questions."
"What are those markings on your body?" Coco asked,"They don't seem like normal tattoos."
"The one on my chest is my clan, title and rank. The rest are extensions, showing my experience in battle." She pointed to the center of her chest and rolled her hand down her arms, gesturing to the rest. "Well," Nora said, "based on that, you must've seen alot of battle." Sagely she nodded, "Unfortunately."
"What are you?" Pyrrha asked. "My kind has no official name. Most recently we have been called either Nightmare Creatures or Phantom Beasts." Pyrrha looked confused,"To put it simply, imagine I don't know, a random monkey. Give it a massive intellectual capacity then amplify its natural insticts and behaviors. Then corrupt it with darkness."
Ruby looked scared. "Implant a human soul in its heart. However, that doesn't mean that conflicting soul will react well to the dark energies within or react at all. Whatever it is that remains from this is essentially one of my kind."
"You said darkness, what do you mean?" Yang asked as she sat up straighter, clearly interested. "Dark thoughts, pain, bloodlust, hatred, greif, anger, even disgust. Those things as well as dark magics, some of which many shall not name out of fear." Cat took a deep breath, "The result can be one of three things; an unbelievably painful death. Or you get one of me, a being with control over the darkness, able to manipulate it to my wants, to keep it from consuming me and driving me mad. The third is a true monster. Driven by pain and anger. A need to destroy anything that lives and breaths."
It was silent before Yang decided to break the tension, "So essentially, Blake on her period." They all laughed at Blake's expense. "What does the center mark say exactly?" Catalaya straightened and said with pride, "It says Black Flame, Daughter of Chieftain, member of the Onyx Beasts Clan, Warrior, and the One Who Walks The Boundary."
"Oooh. Sounds so cool." Nora cooed. "So are kinda like an heiress like Weiss?" Catalaya thought for a second. "Yes and no. She would almost instantly inherit the fortune or company or whatever when the parent dies. I would have to fight the current Chieftain for the right to rule the clan. Thankfully, I don't have to."
"What do you mean?" Weiss finally asked. "I'm the youngest child out of the rest. Also considered the runt."
"Runt?" Coco said, "You're huge. You fought that Pain Dealer, and saved their lives. How are you the runt?"
Catalaya laughed, "Here, by your standards, maybe not. But I've many siblings who are much taller as well as stronger than myself. The only thing I can hold over them is intelligence and experience."
"You have no qualms with that?" Pyrrha this time. "Why would I? I have no interest in leading the clan. I prefer to be on the front lines, right in the middle of everything. That along with the conditions my father wants to put on us."
"Such as?" Ruby questioned. "I would have to get my markings removed, its notproperfor a lady in that position to have them. I must stay within the walls of our city. Not only that he expects me to get married to someone he picks and have kids." She grumbled.
"I know the feeling." Weiss mumbled. "Wait, you too Weiss?" Ruby asked. She nodded, "Yeah. It's one of the reasons I left Atlas. I couldn't take it anymore, being forced into a mold to benefit someone else's agenda.Nein.That wasn't happening."
"So instead, you chose to join an organization that goes around risking their lives 24/7 in order to protect others against supernaturals that mean them harm?" Velvet asked, "A job with the highest mortality rate since the Grimm Wars?" Weiss shrugged. "It gave me a chance to put my skills to use, my father wouldn't come looking for me and I made some good friends along the way." She was promptly squeezed by an overzealous Ruby,"Aww, Weiss. I knew you cared."
Catalaya felt a hint of jealousy as she watch Weiss' team embrace her much to her displeasure. Then she remembered that she doesn't even know of she likes her yet. She was brought from thoughts of Weiss by Pyrrha, "So how many siblings do you have? What are they like?" She chuckled as she watched squirm away from Ruby at last, inadvertently coming closer to her. "I have 12 siblings." Blake did a spit take with her tea. "Seriously?" She nodded. "What are their names? Are they as annoying as those two sisters?" The cat faunus chuckled out. "A few of them are. My oldest sibling, Marcus, is an artist, he loves to paint anything and everything. Then there's Jaime, his twin, he's mute and has this emotionless air around him. Used to come in handy when someone would pick on one of us, sent the bullies running. "
"After him, there's Angela, Mariana, and Dana, the triplets. They're all for fashion, wanted to be models and designers, unfortunately they were married off when they came of age." She shook her head, "Thomas, he was born deaf. Kaine, he spends more time within nature than with anyone else, has this little grey squirrel that follows him around. Gia, she's a travelling doctor. Never can stay still , always looking for someone else to help."
"Ayoanna is really the only one of the girls actually interested in all the politics and ruling. My most intelligent sister, Alex. Haniir, is the most egotistical person I've ever met, constantly talks about himself. Finally, there's Jīnsè, his name means golden after his unusual golden eyes. He trained me the older form of Jujitsu as well as many other fighting and defensive styles. He's the person you go to for any problem, no matter how stupid."
"You miss them?" Velvet asked. "Very much so." She looked to the clock on the wall, "I think it would be best to turn in, it has gotten late and Ruby has already left us for her dreams." As she had said, Ruby had indeed fallen asleep. Yang chuckled, hefted her sister over her shoulder, "Well, I think I'll head of too, good night." The rest let out a few yawns and said their farewells. Coco stopped and pointed to her side smirking, "You need help taking her to her room?"
Catalaya turned to notice for the first time Weiss. Sleeping, her head resting on her shoulder. She hasn't even noticed her laying on her. "I think I can make it." Coco nodded and went up the stairs. She carefully lifted Weiss from the couch, she clung to her like a child, nuzzling into the unnatural warmth her body put out. Slowly she climbed the stairs, searching for the room marked for the sleeping angel in her arms. It was next door to the room Ms. Goodwitch had assigned her.
Using her foot to open the door, she was treated to a nice view of her room. It was a pristine white, not a speck of dust or misplaced item. The only thing that stood out within, was a stuffed animal. It was a black wolf with red eyes, it looked like she'd had it since childhood. Swiftly moving the covers back, she tucked the ice queen under her light blue conforter and watched as she instictually reached for and held her stuffed animal close, smiling softly. Cat kisses her forehead gently and exited, not before turning off the bedside lamp.
What she saw in the hallway did not surprise her, in fact it made her chuckle slightly. Ironwood stood before her door with a small white notebook in his hands, "You were right." He flipped to a page and tossed her the book, "She's had the dreams." Catalaya skimmed the page, it was dated when Weiss would've been 8 years of age. She described a black wolf coming to her in her dreams repeatedly. Watching her, following her, protecting her, and fighting with her. She went on to say sometimes a girl with tan skin and red hair was there sometimes. She softly smiled as her guess was proven true. She opened her door. "And what is it you want?"
"I only want to make sure you will protect her."
"You need not worry about that." She stood in the doorway of her room. "Goodnight, General." The door was closed. Ironwood went to his own room.
Both parties were completely unaware of the girl with long blonde hair that had been listening to the conversation.