Chapter Seven
Ashe was having such a wonderful sleep. Wrapped up in some comfortable sheets and fluffy pillows was an amazing experience. It wasn't often she had such a luxury. After all, the inns were usually stiff and stale. Perhaps it's from how tired and sore she was, but Ashe had neither a dream nor nightmare. She just was.
It was peaceful. Something she desperately craves.
A sudden and short knock rasps upon her door.
She ignores it in favor of snuggling up into her pillow. A peaceful night with no interruptions. None. The mattress just swallowed her up into its warmth. There's still plenty of time before she needs to get up.
The knock grows louder and more firm.
Ashe's brow furrows in the middle. Throwing off her blanket with a scowl. She grabs her hat and angrily plops it onto her head. In her rage, Ashe's foot smacks into the leg of the chair. Shouting out in a muffled rage, she grabs her dagger in hand. Stomping toward her door in a slow hobble, Ashe grits her teeth and opens the door. 'I'm feeling stabby.'
Who the hell is up at such an ungodly hour? Not only that, who is the asshole that must bother her specifically in the morning?! With the door ripping open, she snarls out in rage, "Who the he—"
A sudden glint of steel blinks toward the ceiling.
Ashe grit her teeth in a strain, "Professor Goodwitch. Good morning." Great, she almost assaulted a Professor on the very first day. Wonderful. Already she is off to an amazing day. She can just tell.
Perhaps she should have just gone through with the motion. Pity.
Glynda stares her down with a neutral expression, a certain knowing shine to her eyes. "Good morning, Ms. Souris. I am glad to see you up so early. Did you have a good night sleep?"
She's screwing with her, isn't she? Goodwitch must be, she knows damn well Ashe was still asleep. "Mm…It was relaxing…I simply couldn't get enough of it." If she has to wake up this early every day, perhaps Ashe will rethink this whole thing. An envelope is suddenly held in her face.
"I'm here to give you this." Tenderly reaching out, Ashe takes hold of the envelope in curiosity. "Your schedule for the semester. It was a…last moment notice, so I apologize for not having it sooner." Glynda's glasses shine dangerously with sharp eyes, "A certain someone…decided to push it off till the last moment. Said person is very unkempt, constantly tardy, forgetful, unorganized, and a complete buffoon when it comes to paperwork."
Was she venting toward her? Ashe couldn't help but recoil at the absurdity of it all. Though she's quite curious, to know who she's talking about. They sound like a completely unreliable person. "Mm…so all I have to do is follow this schedule?"
Glynda huffs and straightens her clothing, "Correct. It goes without saying, but you also have to pass. I advise to keep your schedule on hand till you've memorized it. Then you can do what you will with it." Looking at a watch on her wrist, "It's still early. I recommend having an early start in your condition. Get some breakfast and find your classroom."
"Mm." Can she not? The bed calls to her.
"I have a meeting to attended, have a good day, and good luck." With a professional strut, Professor Goodwitch disappears down the hallway. Having watched her go, Ashe closes the door and looks over the envelope.
Ripping it open, she reads it over with a soft hum. "Seems…simple enough." Placing the parchment back into the envelope, Ashe sighs in annoyance. Her hat tilts to the side when she looks up. Buried into the ceiling is her dagger that glints toward her. "What to do about you…"
It was embarrassing to admit, but in her condition, it took a while to get her dagger down. Thankfully no one managed to barge in, else they would see a tiny girl struggling to jump and reach it. Ashe did attempt a running start, but when she once more banged her shin against the chair, she threw it across the room.
She does not have anger issues, and she will fight anyone who says otherwise.
At least her body is less rigid. Don't get her wrong, she is still barely mobile, but it's less like a rusted machine. Having washed up, Ashe is standing within her bathroom with a noticeable frown. Checking herself over, Ashe looks down at the uniform.
Has she ever mentioned how she hates skirts? Her hips sway from side-to-side. Making it flutter at the movement. Ashe sighs to herself, at least the black tights under make it less of an issue. Not once in her life had she ever worn a skirt. She much more prefers the comfort and reliability of pants or shorts.
They generally have pockets. Lots of pockets.
The equally annoying situation about her uniform was the jacket. Ashe raises her arms like a ghost and wags them around. The sleeves are longer than her arms. Her frown turns into a scowl. It doesn't make any sense. It fits comfortably and snug upon her chest. Appropriate size, so why are the sleeves longer? The clerk didn't do it on purpose…
Did she?
Ashe finds a hole at the end for her thumb to slip into, making it cover only half of her hand like a finger-less glove.
She did.
She can't deal with this right now. Replacing the red ribbon with her own black bow, her bell is securely placed upon the white blouse. With a pleasing chime, Ashe turns to place her elastic hair bands back into her tails.
They are missing, again.
Shouting out in annoyance, Ashe turns her bathroom upside down to find them. One was behind the toilet and the other inside the towel cabinet. How they got there, she doesn't know. It shouldn't be possible.
Damn elastic hair band stealing Grimm.
Ashe was in a foul mood. If someone was to look at her, she would have the grumpiest expression. Thankfully, there were not that many people up. It was mostly empty. The students were still sleeping since there was plenty of time.
Like normal people would.
Slamming her tray of food upon the table, Ashe grumps and plops down to shove some eggs into her mouth. They have a simple menu for breakfast. Eggs, potatoes, cheese, and pancakes if you so choose. A good selection to feed so many months in the morning. On the bright side, she received a fresh batch for being so early.
Ashe once more looks at her schedule for her first class. "Mm…starts at nine…Professor Peter Port…Interesting." Apparently, the topic of his lecture revolves around Grimms, common Survival Skills and Combat with the usage of terrain. It sounds interesting. Something that she wouldn't mind looking into.
Hopefully the class isn't so bad.
Finishing her meal, her eyes narrow dangerously toward a lone carton of milk. A googly eyed cow stared back at her. It's mocking her. She can sense it. The bastard. Her hand squeezes around it before ripping it open with the other. Ashe throws her head back and chugs it in one gulp. Slamming it back onto the table, she squeezes it into a toothpick.
A drop of milk trails down the googly eyes in the form of a tear.
Leaving the lifeless carton upon the table, Ashe makes her departure from the cafeteria. Already, more students are pouring in. The early birds are on the rise. And so, begins the Beacon Academy legend of the mysterious milk cartons being destroyed and left behind for people to find.
Slowly pacing between the tables, Ashe notices a few students chatting around. Just as she's about to pass them by, one of the students rises from his seat. Ashe noticed his movements, but her body was too weak to move out of the way. A large body bumps into her and forces Ashe to stagger to the side. Thankfully she caught herself on the adjacent table.
"Well, well, look who it is boys. If it isn't the talk of the school. Little miss special case." Ashe scowls and clenches her hand into a fist. "Surprising to see you here by yourself. Shouldn't you be shaking and crying out for someone to hold your hand?" Her chest reverberated in a growl.
Standing before her was a familiar shade of burnt orange hair. He had an annoying shade of indigo eyes that were looking down on her. She hated them. Those eyes that think everyone is beneath them. With her hat, he thinks she's a normal human. She would hate to see those eyes looking at her if he knew she was a Faunus.
"What's the matter? Got nothing to say, pipsqueak? You have to move your mouth to talk." Ashe just stared at him. Cursing her feeble and weak body. If one stared long enough, you'd noticed she never blinked. "Guess you really are a bit special in the head. Right, boys?" He and a group of males burst into a laughter. Must be his team, considering they make up a total of four.
Gritting her teeth, her eyes begin to glow slightly. He's looking down on her. Just like everyone else. She hates it, hates it, hates it. Ashe can feel her body coiling and poised to strike, but she's just so weak. Her muscles ache. Damn this Aura exhaustion. 'If I don't leave now. I'll try to kill him.'
"What's with that look there, huh?" Leaning forward, he stares down into her unflinching gaze. Wish she had the strength to smack that smug look off his face. "You look like you want to fight me. I'm just trying to be civilized here, you know. I'm not here to fight. Not yet."
Gritting her teeth, Ashe doesn't flinch away. "What?"
He roars back in a bark of laughter, "Hah! She speaks! Looks like she's capable of speech guys. I was worried there for a moment. I was starting to think you were some kind of animal, like a Faunus or something."
Ashe presses forward to stand firmly and lock into his gaze. Her anger was boiling within, her breath was hot and burning at her lips. The only thing holding her back, is the thought of being expelled on the first day. Even if she's weak and unable to fight, she's not the type to back down. "I suggest…keeping your mouth shut." The glow flickers in her eyes for only a moment before sizzling out from lack of strength. "Else you'll find yourself, taunting a predator you can't survive."
With her piece said, Ashe turns and hobbles away with as much muster her body can afford. A voice calls out to her. She only glances her over shoulder.
The male was standing in the aisle with a fresh apple within his hand. His indigo eyes bore into her own in arrogance. With ease, he clenches his fist and shatters the fruit into mush. "I can crush you like a bug, Pipsqueak. I've got my eye on you."
Ashe makes her exit after the display. Her mood has completely tanked. Anger and fury were bubbling within her body with no escape. She has the first person on her shit-list here. While Ashe doesn't know his name, he's already on it. She hates people like him. He reminds Ashe of her stepbrother.
Using the wall as a clutch, Ashe finally approaches toward her lecture hall. There at the door, she finds a male professor greeting the students in boisterous joy. He was an older gentleman. A burgundy suit with double buttons and matching slacks. They tucked into some olive colored cavalry boots. Gray hair that was combed and split down the middle. Ashe isn't going to lie. She's highly impressed with the large mustache upon his face. It must have taken years to grow it that long and properly groom it.
He turns toward her direction at the chime of her bell. "Hoh, hoh~" His overweight belly jiggled at his voice. Interesting. "Good morning, young lady. My name is Professor Peter Port. How are you this fine morning?"
Ashe grunts out an honest answer, "Horrible. Angry. Frustrated."
Port stares in her direction curiously with his mustache arching up for details. With a huff, she gives what he wants. "My sleep was interrupted. I don't like my uniform. Some male tried to taunt and pick a fight with me. This has been worse than the nights in Anima. Excuse me for being grumpy." Ashe couldn't really help but vent a bit of her frustration toward the professor. She just wants to let it out somewhere.
Talk about making a good first impression, right?
"Hah-hah!" She slightly startles. "I like your honesty young lady! I remember my first day at Beacon. It was a horrible day just like yours. I had overslept since I was so excited the night before and couldn't sleep. Then, when I rushed to class, it turns out I went to the wrong lecture hall. But in my rush, I never noticed that I had placed my shoes on backwards. There was much teasing to be had for a while after that. Ah, those were the days of youth back then. What might your name be, Ms.?"
"Ashe Souris."
"Ms. Souris! It is a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to your attendance. I shall do my very best to mold you into a true huntress. I must admit, I am quite curious to speak with you some more. You spoke about having worst mornings in the forests of Anima, I wish to further share stories. Alas, we are out of time and more students are arriving. Please, feel free to sit wherever you'd like."
Ashe squeezed on by after he waves her through. It is a normal type of lecture hall, but quite extravagant. A podium with a large black board toward the front with many posters of various types of Grimm and an occasional map. She does notice however, there is only one set of stairs. It's right in the center and ramps up toward the upper levels.
There's no one here that she recognizes.
She attempts to maintain her posture while traversing the stairs. There was nothing to use as a crutch in between the levels. But with perseverance, she managed to reach the top and squeeze through to the very end. She chose the side with a large window to gaze through. Ashe carried her supplies with her to class. It wasn't much, just a few notebooks to write in and pencils.
Courtesy of Coco.
Finding a few trees outside, Ashe decides to pass the time and doodle. Drawing has something she picked up as a hobby. It gave her something to focus on, to lose herself and not think of stray thoughts. Not only that, she could do it anywhere. So long as she had a small notebook and pencil. It wasn't even her idea. A notebook and pencil were thrown at her face and told to go draw something till food was ready.
Apparently, just sitting and staring at someone cooking because you have nothing to do, is rude.
A soft thunk catches Ashe's attention. Glancing over her shoulder, Ashe finds a familiar shade of white sitting beside her. She also appeared to be quite grumpy. "That dolt almost made me late, but I made it in time." Weiss turns toward her direction with a curt nod. "Good morning."
Ashe gave her own nod and greeting, "Mm, morning."
The door suddenly slams open when a familiar group of students attempted to barrel through all at once. Physics of course, reared its ugly head. The rest of team RWBY and JNPR found themselves stuck within the doorway.
Yang groaned and tried to push Ruby through, "Ruby! You need to lay off the cookies, we are stuck because of you!"
Said girl flustered at the accusations, "Huh?! Leave the cookies out of this! It's not me, it's Jaune! Get out of the way!"
"Urk! Leave me out it, I'm almost through. Hey!" Jaune has a slight red hue to his face and looks over his shoulder, "Who keeps touching my butt?!"
"I'm sorry~"
Ashe watched in fascination and intrigue. Weiss on the other hand, covered her face in embarrassment. That was her team and her team leader. How did she get straddled with a team of weirdos? Both Weiss and Ashe startle at the next turn of event.
An angry and orange bowling ball barrels through the cluster. Plowing them into a pile of sprawled out teens. "Outta my way! I need to find Mousey!"
Before she could continue further, Ren catches her by the back of her uniform. "Nora, behave. Class is starting, we'll get in trouble."
Nora pouts with her arms crossed as she is dragged into a chair before she chuckles out in a bright smile, "Alright, alright, I'll be good and pay attention. Yeesh, you're such a mother hen, Ren. Hah! Mother Hen Ren! I made a funny." Ren plops down next to her as he sighs with a hand massaging at his temple. This is only the first day, and he is getting a headache.
Suddenly, he is not so excited about the next few years.
Ashe slowly turns toward Weiss. The tips of her ears were red in embarrassment and shame. She could just feel Ashe's gaze on her. "Not. A. Word." Dragging her hands down her face, Weiss shakes her head in disbelief. "I don't know them. That's it, I'll just pretend to—Stop staring at me." She barked out toward Ashe in a fluster.
The hidden faunus couldn't help but snort out in amusement. "That's your team. I don't think pretending to not know them is going to work." Down at the floor level, Ashe finds Ruby waving in their direction before Yang drags her into a seat with Blake beside them. "They seem friendly enough."
"A little too friendly if you ask me." Grumbled out Weiss. "I have had a horrible morning so far. I couldn't get much sleep because Yang snores, loudly. Ruby is constantly tossing and turning in her sleep. Thankfully, Blake is the only decent one on our team, but she's kind of creepy sometimes. Like, when she was up reading late, she had this creepy giggle and her face buried in a book. Weird."
Ashe perks a brow at the thought. Blake must have been reading one of her lewd books. Though, who knew she giggled while reading them. She'll have to confirm that later. "It can't be that bad?" It was more of a question than a statement.
Weiss rolls her eyes and rests her chin within a palm, "You have no idea. First, Ruby woke me up with an airhorn—" Ashe would have stabbed her. "Then it was mayhem when we are fought for the bathroom. Thankfully, I timed them, so I know what time to wake up in the mornings before them. Afterwards, they all voted to construct some make-shift bunkbeds. I don't mind honestly, but I have the bottom bunk, and the one above me is held by fragile rope." She turns toward Ashe with a scowl. "I would very much appreciate being able to wake up every morning. No telling when it will crash down and kill me at night." Ashe couldn't help the chuckle of amusement that escaped from her lips. "Don't laugh! It's not funny!"
The heiress turned away in embarrassment and with a pout. Soft chuckles kept escaping from her mouth, "I didn't mean, to laugh. I'm just…happy I'm not the only one having a bad day." And so, Ashe began to tell Weiss about her morning. At the end of her tale, Weiss is staring at her with an uncertain expression. "…What?"
"You threw your chair across the room?" Ashe's lips thin, Weiss suddenly snorts into an elegant chuckle, "Of course you would. I can just imagine it now. You probably struggled to throw it at first. Which only made you madder, so you became hell-bent on throwing it. Simply because it hurt your pride. Does that sound about right?"
Ashe's lips pucker up like she just ate the world's more bitter and sour lemon in existence. Turning away, her chin plops into her palm in a pout. "Nn…I'm not going to answer that."
"I'm right, aren't I?" Weiss's laugher is like a quiet melody to her ears. "Of course, I'm right. I'm always, right." But her ego was like a gong.
They soon fall into a comfortable silence in each other's presence. Weiss, the ever-studious person that she was, jaunt down notes at a record pace. Ashe simply kept drawing the tree that she found interesting. She was quite disappointed in the class so far. All Professor Port has done is talk about cabbages and make a pass at Yang. Nothing of interest.
"I do, Sir!" Glancing over her shoulder, Ashe finds Weiss with a raised hand. Her brows further in puzzlement, when did all those paper airplanes and paper wads cluster around Weiss? Was…Was that a doodle of Professor Port as well?
What did she miss?
"Very well then! Step forward and face your opponent." Their professor rolls in a rattling cage of steel. Two crimson eyes slammed into the closed door in anger. "You have ten minutes to change and then you will face this foe."
Without so much a word, her friend snatches up her school supplies and exits in a flurry. Obviously, something happened, because prior to this, her mood wasn't that bad. Professor Port watches the clock as the class goes about their business into a buzz of activity. Ashe should get to the bottom of this, and the only people that may know, are at the bottom.
Collecting her things, Ashe limps down the stairs. Not caring about how she looks. Everyone is busy talking to their team members anyway. Reaching down the bottom with a chime, Blake is the first to notice her approach with a soft smile. She gave Ashe a small wave. Yang and Ruby were engrossed in their conversation. "Excuse me."
"Dah! Back off! I know Kung-Fu!" Ruby frightfully whirls around with her hands poised to karate chop Ashe into oblivion. "Ashe! Don't scare me like that, or you'll give me a heart attack before the sugar cookies do!"
Ashe couldn't help but smirk and use the desk as a crutch for the moment, "Mind if I take a seat? I think I missed out on something."
Blake nods while leaning forward, "Of course. You're more than welcome to sit with us whenever."
"Yea, we don't bite." Yang grins while ruffling onto Ruby hair to elicit a growl. "Except for Ruby. There was this one time when she was young. The town baker came to our house to drop off an order for dad, and dad teased Ruby by saying the Baker was actually a living cookie." Yang laughs at Ruby's expense. "I've never seen her run so fast and chomp onto someone. Funny part is, she wouldn't let go. It took a while before we pried her off."
Ruby flared a bright red, "That was one time! And that wasn't my fault! Dad was the one that said he was the gingerbread man! How was I supposed to know he was lying? It didn't help you played along either. I was young and impressionable!"
Yang smothers Ruby in overly sister affection, "I know, I know. There's no need for you to go and…bite my head off!" She barked out and laughed at her own pun.
Blake rolled her eyes, Ruby groaned, "Urg, you're just like dad, I swear."
Ashe slid into the seat next to Ruby, deciding to change the topic before it got out of hand, "Mm, did I miss something? Weiss was in a bad mood just now."
Yang just waves her off dismissively, "When is she not? I swear, she's just a primadonna."
"Nn…you're not wrong…" Agreed Ashe, "But she seemed more so than usual. At the start of class, she was in a good enough mood."
Blake leans forward while staring at Ruby accusingly, "Perhaps Ruby had something to do with it."
Ruby points toward Blake in defiance, "You can't prove anything! You have no witnesses! I'm innocent!"
Yang ruffles onto Ruby's head before she hides away in her hood. "Yea, that's not working here, Sis. Long story, short. Rubes here kept throwing paper airplanes at Weiss with messages and doodles in them. I'll admit, it was hilarious to see Weiss grow frustrated and angry over time."
"We're partners! A team! She should be sitting here with us!" Ruby whirls toward Ashe with a sheepish expression, "No offense."
Ashe's brow perks up. "Some taken."
"…Sorry." Ruby perks up in brilliance, "Hey! We should totally exchange scroll numbers! This way we can message each other when we can. Like during class!"
"Good thinking, Sis!"
Ruby adores a smug expression, "That's what I do. I think good." She then turns toward Ashe with a radiant smile, "Lemme see your scroll and I can add all our numbers." Handing it over, Ruby quickly inputs her team's numbers. "What?! You already have Weiss's number? That's not fair! I had to pester her till she gave in."
Ashe's nose twitched at the comment. That's probably one of the reasons explaining why Weiss keeps her distance. "Maybe…you should give her some space?"
"Nah! We're the best of friends now! Gonna be the best of partners and show everyone how great we are." Ruby hands the scroll back toward Ashe, only for a hand to reach down from above and snatch it.
"Yoink! That's mine!" Team RWBY and Ashe turn to find Nora hanging down from the above level. She was suspiciously looking toward Ruby the most. "How's it hanging?"
Yang snickers off to the side.
Ren was holding Nora by the back of her jacket, preventing her from falling. Even though he wasn't straining, there was a noticeable red hue upon his face. Pyrrha was a similar shade of scarlet and held down Nora's skirt. "N-Nora! Get back up here, other people are going to see!"
"Mm, morning." Ashe couldn't help but watch in interest. But mostly because Nora was holding her scroll. She kind of needed that. "That's my scroll."
Nora just blinks toward Ashe with a neutral smile, "So it is! Just a second. Jaune! Catch!" Nora lobs it toward Jaune after he peeks over the desk.
"H-Hey! Give me more of a warning next time!" After fumbling over it, he glares toward Nora. "I caught it. You happy?"
"Just peachy! Be a pal and add our scroll numbers to it, will ya? Thanks!" Nora suspiciously leans toward Ruby, "Eh, what are you doing gettin' all chummy with my Mousey over here? Did I give you permission? I think not!"
Ruby awkwardly shuffles away, "Uh—"
Nora plops a finger against her lips, before she could speak. "Shh, I know. She's just so cute, you can't help it, right?" Nora then leans closer toward Ruby with an eerie calm, "Just remember, I found her first." Ren finally having enough, pulls her back up forcefully. "Whoop~"
Ren forces Nora to sit back, he peers over with a sheepish expression. "My apologizes, she can be quite a handful."
"I object!"
Ruby looks around awkwardly, "That's…okay." She looks toward Yang for guidance, but the bodacious blond just glances between Ruby and Ren with a shrug. Not like she any idea either.
Jaune peers over with a smile and scroll waving in hand. "Alright, I finished. I even our pictures to our numbers." He gently tosses the scroll back toward Ashe.
She caught it with ease thankfully. Would be horrible if her feeble body fumbled it. "Mm, thank you." Looking over her scroll, she finds her address book filled up with even more people. A small warmth sparks within her chest at the sight. Ashe couldn't help but scroll back and forth while looking over the names.
Ashe felt…content. She's never had a personal scroll before. Ashe was a bit old-fashioned. Usually dealt in person or through mediums. But looking over the scroll and addresses…When she peered up, they were happily talking between themselves. Team RWBY and JNPR interacting with soft smiles and an occasional chuckle.
It made her feel wanted…A part of something, if only in name.
A sudden bang forces Ashe's gaze up. Weiss appeared in her combat-skirt and weapon in hand. That scowl ever prominent on her lips. If she keeps frowning like that, her lips my become permanently stuck. Though, tongue in cheek, that might bold true for Ashe as well.
Yang was the first to pump her up, "Go Weiss!"
"Fight well!" Blake…could use some practice in her cheer department.
"Yea, represent team, RWBY!" Where did Ruby get those flags from? There's no way she made those just now…Just how prepared was this girl for her team in the span of a few hours?
Weiss snarled toward Ruby in aggravation. "Ruby! I'm trying to focus!" Ashe's brow arches at the outburst. Why did she only call out Ruby? Yang was the first to cheer her on and then Blake. She is absolutely in a bad mood, and Weiss is directing it all toward Ruby for some reason. Weiss spots Ashe next to Ruby before huffing away in annoyance. "Whatever."
Slipping a foot forward, Weiss assumes a textbook stance to perfect. Ashe's fingers twitch, she's seen that pose quite often in the field. Fencing was a common swordsmanship in Atlas, so I wasn't uncommon to see it in their foot soldiers.
"Alright. Let the match, begin." Professor Port smashes the lock of the cage with his weapon. A strange type of musket with a double headed axe on the other end. With a squeal, a boar-like Grimm charges forward.
'A Boarbatusk? A small one at that. This should be easy if she has fought them before.' Boarbatusk were not exactly that difficult of a Grimm. Extremely linear with about one or two methods of attack. They have no appendages to claw or kick. Just tusks. Avoid the front and—
Weiss attacked the Boarbatusk from the front. It went just how Ashe expected. Her rapier was easily repelled from the hardened bones. Ashe's nose twitched at Weiss's startled expression. What did she think would happen? At least it is obvious to see that she's never fought one before. What better place to get some experience?
Safely at least.
"Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?" Sending their professor an unamused glance, Ashe couldn't help but frown. While it is true, that most people prefer others learning on their own, this is an academy. Isn't his job to teach?
Ashe would have very much loved someone to give her advice during her younger years. Instead of throwing her into pits of fighters or beowolves and forcing her to survive.
Turning back to the fight, Ashe finds Weiss unarmed. Her weapon apparently being thrown across the room, courtesy of a boar. 'Mn, shouldn't be much an issue. Just kill it barehanded.' It isn't too difficult to use a Boarbatusk's momentum against it and snap their necks.' What Ashe wasn't expecting, was for Weiss to stand dash toward her weapon from the side.
Why would you do that? That could easily open you to a counterattack or trap. Granted, it is a Boarbatusk and their bodies are not meant for turning. But just like he had told her and taught her. Never put your life on one weapon. For when you're caught without it, you'd be easy prey.
Ruby was the only student to finally bellow out, "Weiss, go for its belly! There's no armor underneath-"
Weiss snarled toward the rose themed student, "Stop telling me what to do!"
Ashe's brows burrow in the middle with a frown. Why would you reject someone's advice? Especially if they give it willingly. Ruby isn't wrong. Their bellies are defenseless and easily pierced. Weiss should be thanking her, considering she's adhering to the advice. She really does have quite the pride issue, or maybe its an ego? Ashe isn't quite sure, but it reminds her of a certain someone.
Him and his damn ego that swelled his head into a balloon of pride. She will kick his ass one day. "Mm?" It was an unspoken question toward Yang.
She shrugs her shoulders in response, "Don't ask me. I haven't done anything. Yet." Because she obviously will, Weiss's reactions are priceless. "She did help us assemble our bunk beds, so she was in a good enough mood. I think."
It's becoming questionable if Weiss knows how to be in a good mood.
The Boarbatusk soon dissolves into fragments at the hands of Weiss. "Bravo, bravo, it appears we are indeed in the presence of a true huntress in training. I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings and stay vigilant. Class dismissed."
It didn't take long before Weiss stormed out the lecture hall in a hurry. A small gust of wind with a red hood flutters on by and out the door. Ashe is not well versed in social interacts. But back in the Fang, when there was a dispute between people, it was handled between them only. So, when Yang makes to rush on by, Ashe's hand reaches out and grabs onto her wrist.
Yang whirled around with a fierce scowl. Ashe could swore those lilac eyes flickered a shade of red for an instant. "What are you doing? Let go of me."
Ashe shakes her head, "Nn. Whatever it is, it is between Weiss and Ruby. They need to settle it between themselves." Because when others got involved in a dispute, it only escalated the issue. Which would then cause discord within the group. Meaning the higher ups would have to bear their fangs and solve the issue themselves. She was included in those groups.
No one ever took her seriously.
"You need to trust in your team. A pack that can't work out their differences, will be devoured by the others." Ashe releases Yang's wrist when she calms down. "If you step in, Weiss may feel like she's being ganged up on, and become even more frustrated. Besides, you still have Blake to work with." Ashe nods in her direction.
Blake just awkwardly stares between the two before placing a hand upon Yang's shoulder. "She's right. How about we just give it some time. If it gets worse, then we can step in. Together, because it will then become a team issue."
Yang sighs deeply while ruffling her hair. "Yea, yea. I know. It's just, I want this team thing to work out. Especially for Ruby, because it's always been difficult for her to make friends. I kind of feel like letting off some steam. Hey, Nora."
Said girl peers over the desks curiously with Jaune in a playful choke hold. Apparently, the two seem to enjoy a bit of rough housing. At least on Nora's end. Jaune seems used to this type of treatment for some reason. "Yes~"
Yang smirks with her hands upon her curvy waist. "You want to have a race?"
Nora perks up in excitement, "Oh? A race? Details!"
"First to hit Jaune wins. Loser owes the winner lunch."
"Woah, woah! Don't I have a say in this?!"
Nora grinned mischievously, "You're on!" She turns toward Jaune afterwards, tugging him in closer in the head lock. "Five second head start. Tick tock, buster!"
Jaune rushes down the stairs in a panic, "Oh come on!" Not even a moment later, Yang and Nora chase after him. One cackling like a mad woman. Ren and Pyrrha rushed down after them to run damage control.
They get along surprisingly well, don't they?
"Do you think we'll ever get used to this?"
Ashe turns to find Blake speaking in her direction with an exasperated expression. Perhaps Blake is mostly asking for her shake. Ashe is used to rough housing. Well, rough housing is putting it mildly. Running around with people trying to poke you with pointy things, is well beyond that. "Mm…I'm sure we'll get used to it."
"I hope so," Huffed out Blake, a brow perking up with an upward tug of the lips. "Have you been reading that book I loaned you?"
Ashe shakes her head in a slight pout, "No, I haven't had much time to read, and I was too tired last night." She really should read it as much as possible. The practice will help with her reading skills. It didn't help that Weiss sprung that conversation on her. She even stayed late, soaking in the tub. Ashe didn't even get to use it first.
Blake follows Ashe in her hobbling and slow walk. "That's a shame, but I know what you mean. I haven't been able to read much."
"Oh? Weiss told me you read at night. You, apparently, giggle as well."
Blake sputters and chokes on her own breath, "Wait, she heard that?! Now I won't even be able to read at night either."
Ashe's nose twitches, "Why not read in my room then?"
"You don't mind?"
"Nn, why would I? You could always bring more books for me to read also. I have no roommates, so there's no one to bother you." It's a win-win for them both. Blake gets her peace, and Ashe gets more books to read, for free. Without having the work of going through the school library for something decent.
With a soft smile, Blake nods her head. "Alright, thank you. I'll take you up on that." Thankfully, the lecture rooms were not very far away from one another. It's embarrassing to be seen using the wall as a crutch. "You can send me the details later on a scroll message, and I'll find your room."
"Mm." Upon entering, they find Yang and Ruby at the base level of desks. The golden girl offers a wave in their direction, beckoning Blake on over. "You can sit with your team; I'm going to the top again." Blake helps Ashe toward the base of the stairs before splitting off.
It doesn't take long before Ashe notices a familiar figure. The bunny ears were sticking out like a spotlight. Perhaps she should introduce herself. This is the first Faunus she's seen at Beacon. The girl's eyes flicker up with a twitch of a bunny ear from the sound of Ashe's bell. "Morning."
Her eyes were brown, they felt warm as well. If not a bit shy. "O-oh, It's you. Good mornin', we have the same class I see."
"Mm, thank you for helping me. I never got to introduce myself," Ashe leans on the bunny Faunus's desk for support. "Ashe Souris."
A tiny smile forms upon the older girl's lips. "Velvet Scarlatina. It's a pleasure. Congratulations on your enrollment. I look forward to working with you." Ashe couldn't help but notice that Velvet was a bit…timid. She was kind of drawn into herself. Then again, that's a bit of a normal thing for Faunus in public.
"Careful pipsqueak. I'd hate for you to come down with rabies if you're bitten." Velvet winced and drew even further into herself. Her long bunny ears wilting and curling against her head. That explains why she's so withdrawn.
Ashe tilts her head to find the same burnt haired teen on the other end of the stairs. He was relaxed and resting his head upon the desk wall behind him, and legs propped up on his own. The smug and arrogance was radiating in excess. "I wasn't talking to you. Stay out of it."
His hand waves dismissively, "Relax, I'm just giving you a friendly warning. You should be much more careful. It's not smart to befriend wild animals." Ashe grits her teeth while straightening her fragile body and pupils constricting into restrained rage. "By the way, my name is Car—"
"I don't care for your name, trash."
A pencil slowly rolls from a table and thumps against the ground. All eyes upon them were wide and shocked. Even though she could feel their lingering gazes, Ashe kept her composer and ignored them. The rage within was smothering everything else.
The male slowly unwinds with an angry snarl. "What did you just call me?" Ashe remained silent but kept a fiery gaze upon him. Watching his every movement like a hawk. Standing to his feet, he stomps toward her small and tender being with an outstretched hand, reaching for her uniform jacket.
Her body was coiled and ready, even if she was weak. She logically knows, that this is still an academy. Even though he insulted and provoked to begin with, Ashe can't touch him. Unless he touches her first. With a flex of her fingers into a claw, Ashe waits for the one moment for him to touch her in any manner.
"I asked you a quest—"
An older hand snaps onto the male teen's wrist. Ashe never even noticed the speedy approach considering she was fixated on the person before her.
"I suggest you keep your hands to yourself, Mr. Winchester." A tall and thin man wedged himself between the two. While Ashe didn't back down, she was small enough that he could still force them apart. He was highly unkempt in his appearance with messy and tangled green hair flowing back with foggy white spectacles, "And I suggest you, Ms. Souris, to reign in that temper of yours. Regardless of how justifiable it may be."
Ashe stares a moment longer at the indigo eyes.
What a shame that it was interrupted. Even if she's extremely weak now, Ashe would gladly remind him why Faunus are not to be trifled with. Even if no one knows she is one, it's the principle of it all. Ashe slowly rips her gaze away and trudges up the stairs without a word. She's not in the mood anymore.
"That's my girl! Don't take no shit from anyone!" Tilting her head, Ashe finds Nora with a large grin upon her lips. Team JNPR was behind her with their own quirks of worry. Offering the tiniest of nods, Ashe continues her way to the opposite end. Finding refuging along side the window, she stares out the glass into the sunny day.
Ashe can still feel people staring at her, judging her. Already, she can imagine all the labels people are putting on her. Her mind swirls around in a vortex about all the possibilities.
"How often does something like that happen?"
Tilting her head to glance over her shoulder, Ashe finds Weiss taking a seat beside her. Though she was staring down at the desk. Ashe really didn't feel like talking, but she can spare a few words for Weiss. She knows her secret after all. Better to play nice. "More often then people believe. At least Vale is more tolerable toward Faunus. Most of it is kept behind closed doors, but its still around. Others have no issue about it in public, and as you can see, no one really bothers to stop it."
Weiss barely nods and opens her books with a pen in hand. Not getting any response, Ashe turns away to stare out the window once more. A squirrel leaps from the trees and stares at Ashe from a branch. It's tail flickers curiously at being seen. Her body wilts with a tug on her lips. A frown upon her lips and a half-lidded expression in sorrow. There are so many remembrances of her.
"May I ask you something?"
The soft and curt voice shatters all of Ashe's thoughts. Once more tilting toward Weiss, "Mm?"
Weiss lips pucker in thought. Second guessing whether she should even ask the question. With a flicker of her light blue eyes, she nods in decision. "Do you believe, I would make a better team leader than Ruby?"
That's kind of a loaded question there. If she answers no, Weiss will probably bite her head off. If Ashe says yes, Weiss more than likely hate the half-hearted bullshit answer. With a tongue in cheek, Ashe thinks about the best way to handle this. Maybe it would be best to just say, what Ashe personally believes a leader is. Let Weiss come up with her own answer. This way Ashe doesn't become at fault of a horrible answer.
Hopefully.
"I can't give you a straight answer. Because I don't know either you or Ruby all that well. I can at least tell you my perspective on what a leader is."
Puckering up her lips, Weiss clenches her pen a little more harshly than needed. Seems she really didn't like that answer either, but she slowly nods and relaxes after some self-thought. "That's understandable. I suppose a straight answer would be without merit. Fine then, I'll hear you out."
Ashe couldn't help but roll her eyes. Just how much pride does this girl have? She doesn't take it to heart though. That just seems to be the way Weiss interacts with others. "Honestly, I believe that people have the wrong idea about what a leader is." Weiss tilts her head in Ashe's direction. "Everyone assumes that a leader has to be the strongest, smartest, most popular, and sometimes that's how it happens."
Leaning forward, Ashe rests her head upon folded arms on the desk, "But that's not always for the best. Because it can just as easily corrupt a person. It goes to their head, always a need to prove they are the best, the strongest, and none should ever claim otherwise." A flash back of two people with crimson hair comes to mind. A father and son duo, full of pride. "Eventually, people will start to fear you."
Closing her eyes, a shaky breath escapes from between her lips. That's how it all started, she respected and admired them in the beginning, but eventually…it warped into fear as the years went by. Till eventually she broke. Clenching her teeth, a wisp of red flickers through her eyes for only a moment. The memories once more being repressed successfully.
How long was she holding her breath for? She didn't even notice. Looking at the window, the squirrel stuffed its mouth with acorns and disappeared into the foliage. "A leader has charisma." A fond smile worms its way upon her lips. "They just…draw people to them. Someone that you can rely on and look toward for strength." She even recalls all the times a ladle smacked her on the back of the head. "They want to help you be the best person you can be."
A hallow chuckle escapes from Ashe, "They don't even have to be the strongest, wisest, or most popular." Because she wasn't. She was no fighter, not that very smart, nor did people believe she was honorable in the least. Because she had a mouth and a slew of words to make a sailor blush. She was very creative with her insults. It's probably where Ashe got her sharp tongue from. "Because that's why you have others to help you."
Even though that person wasn't very popular. Everyone knew and respected her, because in the end, she was someone you could rely on. Someone you could go and confide to. Even though she wasn't a fighter, she gave as good as it gets. And if someone tried to harm her…
The pack tore them apart ruthlessly.
A tight constriction squeezed onto Ashe's heart. An unbearable pain at having to recollect about her. After all these years, the wounds are still raw at her being taken away. It has not even dulled in the least. "In the end…" Ashe buries her face into her crossed arms to hide away the pain. "I believe a leader…is just someone who sees you. To accept who you are and doesn't judge you. Instead, they try to help you and better yourself. Someone that people can rally behind. That's all."
Ashe turned away and stared out the window. She's done with this conversation. There's nothing more for her to add, nor does she want a reply from Weiss. There's doubt Ashe could even respond if Weiss wanted one. There are things, that are still to raw for her to talk about. Even after all these years.
"Wonderful! Stupendous! Magnificent! I love your outlook on what a leader is, Ms. Souris!"
Sucking in a deep breath, Ashe groans in frustration. Why does she keep getting bothered? But she can't just ignore the professor. She's already in hot water from the beginning of class. No need to add even more to it. She found their professor down on the level below, peering up behind those swirly glasses. Just how long was he there for and why is he sipping from an expresso cup?
"I was going to lecture you both for talking during my own lecture, but lo and behold! The topic of conversation was something I found to be interesting! This is simply marvelous! In fact, it is so interesting. I am going to change our subject for today, to be about the conversation you, Ms. Souris and Ms. Schnee were just discussing." The Professor takes a quiet sip from his expresso before disappearing in a blur to front of the room once more.
Ashe couldn't help but notice Ruby staring at her with a strange expression. Those silver eyes were just…staring. Not in malice or the like, but…maybe studying? Eventually, she looks down and away at the sound of their professor once more.
"Now then! How many team leaders do we have in this class? Raise your hands. Come, come, raise them up. No time for dilly-dallying." A few students being to raise their hands. Ashe looks around to notice Ruby, Jaune, and the Winchester ass. Should she raise her hand? Technically, she is a team leader, but…she's only a team of one…Plus a professor. Ashe just doesn't feel right to consider herself a team leader.
It's not a role meant for her.
"Good! Good, good, good. Now then, we have already heard from Ms. Souris what she believes a leader to be. I wish to hear it from all the other team leaders in our class. This is marvelous! I simply love learning new things. Knowledge is wonderful." Turning away, Ashe didn't partake or even care to listen in for the rest of the class. She's just mentally exhausted and wants to relax for a while.
Thankfully, the professor appeared to let her take a nap for the rest of class. She wasn't going to listen in, she was in a grumpy mood, and her body was still fatigued and fragile. Perhaps he was more understanding of her plight than he let on. It wasn't long before she was awoken from the class's dismissal.
Weiss slowly rose with plenty on her mind. "Thank you…for your opinion on the matter."
All Ashe could do was watch Weiss stroll out the classroom. It wasn't long before she found herself to be the only student left. The others probably deemed it best to give her some space. For that she's grateful. Hobbling down the steps, she almost makes it out before a voice calls out to her.
"Ah! Ms. Souris, a word if you will. It will only take a minute, I assure you."
Turning back around, she finds the professor behind her. No expresso in hand this time. What was his name again? She doesn't remember. "Normally, I would lecture you about talking during my class. However, as I said, I found the conversation to be quite enlightening. It's something I normally save for later, but it was a good opportunity I couldn't pass up. But my enquiring mind must be put to rest. I have a few questions for you, if you will."
"Mm, what is it?"
"First, why did you not raise your hand earlier? I know who you are, and you are the team leader of Ash Gray." The professor was rocking on his feet curiously and eagerly.
Ashe shrugged her shoulders, "Because I don't really feel like I am a team leader. I am the only student on my team. I have a very…peculiar situation on my hands. Even with Professor Goodwitch, am I really a team leader, with no team?"
"Hm…Sound reasoning…Logically. Very well, I'll accept that for now. You are indeed in quite an unusual predicament. Secondly, I asked the class if they believed themselves to be leader material. To get their own opinion. I know you were quite…frustrated, so I let you have a pass in my class today. So, I'll ask you here in private. Do you believe you are leader mat—"
"No." There was no need to let him finish that question. Ashe already knows what he is going to ask. Is she leader material? No. The answer is obvious. She knows there's plenty wrong with her, and she is unfit for the role. The only reason she didn't object to being placed as a team leader, is because she doesn't have a team. It's on paper only.
"Interesting." He shuffled his glasses into place. "Do enlighten me."
Ashe placed a hand upon her chest, "I'm not going to pretend, like I'm okay. I'm perfectly aware, that I have issues. Lots of issues. I leader needs to be social and interactable. I can't do that. I only have the small group of acquaintances, because they interacted with me. A leader needs to look after their team. I can't do that. A leader knows the right thing to tell people when they need to hear it. I can't do that. A leader can help people…" Ashe clutches onto her heart, an expression of desperation on her face. "I can't even help myself. How can I help someone else?"
The Professor pressed on, trying to encourage her to embrace the role. "That doesn't mean you can't learn how. All you need is time, Ms. Souris. The fact that you are aware of your own weaknesses, shows that you have what it takes." But it didn't help, it had the opposite effect.
"No!" Why did she raise her voice? Madness was engulfing her mind, "I can't be a leader. I can't, I can't." Why is she acting like this? Why is she losing control? "I'm not allowed to be anything more than a pawn." Wait…not allowed? Where did she hear that? A chain link snaps within her mind. Her body is pulled asunder.
The void consumes her, and within, she hears the faint whisper of a little girl giggling in glee. Falling into the dark, a shadow watches her from her afar with a crimson set of eyes. Slamming into a glass floor, it shattered into fragments. Her once teenage body, devolved into that of a child in her descent. Her body jerks into a sudden stop. Struggling to breath, her world spins and rights itself.
Where is she? Why is the room so dark? Why can't she control her body?
The shadows relent as braziers burst into existence. The small flames illuminating the dark room in a dim light. It was an office of sorts. A large, wooden desk in the center with a cushion chair behind it. It's cold. The room is so deathly cold. That's why she's shivering. It must be. Even though she was wearing boots, pants, and a long sleeve shirt, all black in color, she still felt the chill.
When the shadows retreat further, a silhouette appears behind the chair. It was a colossal and imposing figure. Even with the dim light from the braziers, she could make out the color of the hair. A deep shade of crimson and long. Her heartbeat quickens and drums against her chest. Why? Then the emotion slams into her like a truck.
Fear.
She's afraid of this person.
As if mocking her, the braziers put out even more light. Further illuminating the figure. Ashe is finally able to make out the scarlet tuxedo jacket with black dress pants. Upon the back of the jacket was a black emblem. A terrifying behemoth with horns that's howling and full of muscle.
Static roars within her mind. Fragments of a distant memory re-arranging within her mind. It's starting to come back to her. Most of her memories are scattered with blanks. She's not sure why, but it allowed her to live in momentary peace. But at night, they would re-surface and Ashe would remember. When she was asleep, but she was awake prior to this…What's going on?
A deep voice shattered her thoughts, calm and collected. "Reports indicate, you overruled my order. Is this correct?"
Ashe's body and voice had a mind of their own, all she could do was sit and watch. "Yes…Father." Her voice…so quiet and high-pitched. She was so young at the time.
His body tightened, "Explain."
Her eyes were flickering around in thought, hidden behind an eye-mask with a red claw slashing through. "Scouts warned us of an ambush. If we pressed on, our squad would have suffered heavy casualties. I saw fit to clear a path for our envoy. This way our caravan will stock up our supplies."
A silence fills into the room, the flames crack and flicker within their braziers. "Do you…have any idea, what you've done?" He tilted up, two long horns upon his head.
Ashe tilts her head in confusion, "What…I've done? I don't understand. I did what was in the best interest for the Fang."
"You fool!" The desk is suddenly hurled through the air and demolishes into the cement wall with a crash. Ashe startles into a fright as the behemoth is charging toward her. "You fell for their ploy. There was no ambush." A hand wraps around Ashe's neck and slams her small body into the back wall. "I gave you an order, and you disobeyed. Challenged my rule."
She struggled to breath, small hands raising to grasp onto the restraining wrist to hoist herself up. "I don't understand! The information was from our own scouts." Her vision was beginning to spin, legs dangling and kicking.
His teeth and fangs grit, a dark glow within his eyes. "We have a traitor." With a sneer, he scoffs toward the side. "I don't know why you relented. You are my Daughter of the Fang. Always following my orders to the absolute." With a flick of his wrist, he hurls Ashe toward the ground. "Must be that damned cook, but that may have solved itself."
Ashe hacked out a series of desperate coughs. Breathing was difficult with her hands clutching at her own throat. What is he talking about? An open envelope smacks against her face in disgrace. "Because of your decision, we have new reports. We now know what they were after. You may have allowed the first caravan to reach safety, but what about the second?"
The second caravan? That was in the complete opposite direction. There is no movement in that area, and only a select few even know about it. That's why there has never been a need to protect it. Even after all these years.
"We have a traitor." The words repeat within her mind. A knot forming within her throat at the sudden realization of the weight behind those words. As she mentioned, only a select few know of the second caravan, and they are high on the totem pole. Ashe doesn't give a damn about the cargo, but…Opening the envelope, she rushes to read it over.
The colossal figure slumps into his chair, "It's too late. They would have been overrun by now. That damn Schnee is more cunning than we gave him credit for. This is why you will never be a leader." Ashe momentarily stops her reading to glance up at her stepfather. "You make stupid decisions without any thought. You let your emotions for your comrades to get in the way of your decision making. Now, it has cost even more lives. You are not leader material, nor will you ever be. Respect your place at my side and do as I tell you. Without fail."
Gritting her teeth in desperation and frustration, Ashe continues to read over the report. It can't be too late. There must still be time. Staggering to her feet, Ashe uses the wall to hold herself up for a moment. "It's not too late. I can save them."
"You won't make it in time."
She clenched the envelope into a crumpled mess. "We don't know that! Without a squad, I am the fastest within the forests. I can make it. I know I can!"
The chair tips and crashes into the ground when he stands to his feet in rage. "I'm giving you an order. You are not to go after them. I've already lost Adam and Sienna in their cowardice! I'm not about to lose another."
The frustration was building within, along with rebellion. Biting onto her lower lip, a drop of blood trails down her chin. Swirling around without a response, Ashe rushes toward the door with her small steps. "If you go after—" His warning falls on deaf ears. She's already out the door in her mad dash. Ashe must make it in time. The cargo they carry is irrelevant. The people driving the caravan don't mean a thing to her.
Except for one.
With her crimson daggers upon her hips, Ashe bulldozes through the campsite. A ladle lays upon the ground, forgotten. Reaching the tree line, Ashe leaps into the branches. Rushing through their canopies, a squirrel watches her from a distance, before she disappears into the dark depths.
Static screams within her mind. The pain is unbearable, her head is being ripped apart. She can suddenly breath again. Sucking in a deep and life-saving breath, her skin glistens in a desperate sweat. Ashe's chest heaves and pounds for oxygen. Fingernails were clawing into her supplies.
The professor clicked his tongue, "Dreadful, simply dreadful. To think you see yourself as nothing more than a pawn." His hand reaches out to pat her on the shoulder. "Why, I believe with some time and nurturing, you'd make for a wonderful leader."
Something within her mind snapped, "No!" Flicking away from his hand, her weak body stumbled into a backpedal. Her eyes were wide and maddening in fright. "I'm not a leader. I'll never be a leader. I'm just a pawn. A failure." A hand clenches onto her heart. "I let people die." The room spirals out of control, something burns at her stomach and threatens to burst from her mouth.
Covering her lips, she rushes out the room in a desperate retreat. Though her body was weak, she didn't care. Adrenaline was pumping through her blood. Slamming the door open, Ashe heads toward her only safe place. Her dorm.
"What took yo—Ashe? Hey, hold up!"
She ignored it. There's no time for useless things. Run away to safety. Escape. Escape from reality, if only for a little bit. Legs were turning to jelly and stumbling in her quest. Her bell was erratic, but at least it made people move out of her way. Slow as she was, it made for her pursuer to easily keep up, regardless of her semblance. But the way they bulldozed through the students, perhaps that's why everyone moved out of the way.
Thankfully, she left her door unlocked. Stumbling through, her supplies crash onto the ground. Legs gave out from under in a tumble. Slamming into her bathroom door, it bursts open. Vision was so blurry and hard to see, but she knew. Crawling to the toilet, her stomach erupts in a searing and burning pain. It hurts. It hurts so much.
That childish laughter whispered within her mind in glee.
The lights to her bathroom ignite. A figure slamming into the door frame with a scroll to her ear. "Pick up already." Her pursuer wasn't even winded in the least. "Weiss? Wha—No! Shut up and listen. You were with Ashe in the infirmary the longest, right? I think something's wrong with her. She's having a freak out…If I knew I wouldn't be calling you!...I think this is her dorm…I'll do what I can."
Hanging up the scroll, the curvy figure kneels beside Ashe. Strange how she has some experience in this type of situations. A hand rubs onto Ashe's back in a small circle. "C'mon now, let it all out. Are you able to tell me what's wrong? Are you hurting? I have to say though, Uncle Qrow looks so much worse when he does this."
Ashe could barely shake her head. She could barely make out that voice, but it wasn't too difficult to tell who it was. Her eyes shift to glance out the corner and they were met with gold. That hair was like a beacon in the night.
Yang huffs, "You're that type huh? Just like my uncle." Standing and pacing to the towel rack, she dampens a handcloth before wiping away the grime on Ashe's face. "Let's clean you up first. Looks like you've let it all out at least."
A warm hand wraps around Ashe's waist and easily lifts her up. Passing by the mirror, she couldn't help but grimace at how horrible she looked. Finding herself placed upon the bed, her own hand raised to cover onto her face.
Why did this happen?
It was a nightmare and a memory resurfacing. That only happens during her sleep. That's why she always sleeps far away from prying eyes, because she never knows when it happens. At times, she's woken up screaming into the night. Not once has it ever happened during the day when she's awake. Something triggered it, but what?
Fingers snap in front of her face. "Hey, you back with me?" A ghastly shade of honey stares up into those warm lilac. "There you are, how are you feeling?"
"Like shit."
Yang chuckles and grabs a desk chair to sit reverse style. "Yea, I should have seen that coming. You look it too. No offense."
Ashe sniffled slightly, "Some taken."
"Hah, I'm starting to like you even more." Yang handed over a cup of water she filled in the sink. There were a few plastic cups in the towel rack. "Take a swing, your voice and lips are dry. It should help get that vile taste out of your mouth also. Though, I recommend brushing your teeth."
"Mm." With a slow drink, the cool liquid helps to sooth her nerves. Vision finally beginning to stabilize and the ringing within her head is dispersing.
Yang shrugs her shoulders, "Whelp, I'm out of ideas. Usually Uncle Qrow passes out by now and I just tuck him into bed. You know, the more I talk about him, he's not that good of a role model, huh?" She grinned in an awkward chuckle. It was apparent that Yang was trying to lift Ashe's spirits, but it just wasn't having that much effect on her.
She was grateful none the less.
"So…Wanna talk about it?"
Hell no. The very last thing Ashe wants to do is talk about it, but she really should. There's no way Yang will let this go so easily and will probably blab about it to the others. She just needs to feed her a tiny bit and make her keep it a secret. So long as Ashe doesn't reveal the contents, she should be fine. "Severe…Nightmare terrors…I guess."
"Huh…That sucks." Yang's foot taps against the ground. "I used to have some nightmares, but they were never anything too serious. So, I can't really relate. But…your father doesn't happen to be a Qrow Branwen, right?" A brow suspiciously looked toward Ashe. "I mean, you are really resembling him right now."
Ashe leaned against her headboard, sagging and making herself cozy into the pillows. "Are you calling me a drunk? Because that's what he sounds like when you describe him."
"No…but are you though?"
Before Ashe could respond, the door flung open with a gust. A sudden chill swept into the room at the sight of Weiss. Light blue eyes found Ashe and drilled into her. After checking her over in her stomp toward the hidden faunus. Yang wisely moved away from her target. "What did you do?"
Why does she automatically think its something she did? Ashe had no control over anything. "Nn, I had nothing to do with this. It was out of my control."
Ashe feels Weiss's cold fingers grasp onto her chin. Weiss notices the darkness nestling under Ashe's eyes, and her facial features were extremely ghastly and haunted. "I sat next to you in class, and we even talked. You were perfectly fine. What. Did. You. Do."
For some reason, Ashe couldn't help but feel annoyed, "Nn. I told you, I had nothing to do with it."
Yang flinches back in surrender when Weiss whirls in her direction. "She said it was Severe nightmare terrors. All I know is that, she rushed out of Professor Oobleck's class like a bat out of hell. I chased after her into here. I don't really have much else to add besides that."
Weiss offers Yang a tight and polite smile. "Thank you." Turning back to Ashe, Weiss leans in further. "Nightmare terrors? Why didn't you just say that? What could you possibly be having nightmares about though?" Ashe's lips are tightly shut. A moment later, light blue eyes shift toward her top hat. Realization dawns upon Weiss.
She's too intuitive for her own good. Weiss tugged Ashe's face back to look at her, wanting a silent answer in confirmation. Only the tiniest of nods is given, forcing a deep sigh from Weiss. Yang couldn't help but perk an eyebrow at the silent conversation. But she could question it, another voice spoke up from the door.
"Now, now, girls. I believe that is quite enough." The students turn toward the familiar voice. That green and black tuxedo on display with spectacles. "Why don't Ms. Schnee and Ms. Xiao-long head on to lunch? There are still more classes for the day, and you will need the energy. Fear not about being late, I already informed your professors ahead of time."
Weiss couldn't help but stare toward Ozpin, studying him. Yang was the more rebellious of the bunch, having an issue with authoritative figures "But—"
"I insist."
Yang clicks her teeth shut in annoyance. It may have been polite, but it was an order. She's not foolhardy enough to talk back to the Headmaster. "Yes, Sir." With a strained smile, Yang approaches Weiss. "Come on, Weiss. Let's go grab a quick bite before class. I am sure the others are worried where we ran off too."
Giving Ashe another glance over the shoulder, Yang drags Weiss along reluctantly. "I can walk on my own, thank you very much." A pale hand smacks away Yang's in frustration. It didn't take long before both girls disappeared out of the dorm, but it was clear as day. Neither one of them were pleased with the outcome and being forced out.
Blinking away, Ashe shifts her gaze back toward Ozpin. He had a blank and neutral smile upon his face. "Ms. Souris, if you don't mind, freshen up a moment and take a walk with me. I think we need to have a talk."
( A/ N )
Greetings everyone, just a quick note. I created a Deviant Art account a while back. There are currently two pictures of Ashe if you wish to see. Just search up DarthGlaurung on the website. The weapon she is showing in the picture is not her current, but the weapon of her past in the nightmare from a few chapters back. There will be another posted up in the future with a more current update with the weapon she uses in the present.
Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying the story. Leave a comment or review and let me know your thoughts thus far!
Darth