Chapter 41

Weiss narrowed her ice blue eyes down at the ground. They stared forward for a brief moment to judge her strike. Nothing short of perfect would ever be accepted, she had to hit with just the right amount of power and with precision. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face as she concentrated, eyes glancing back down to the ground. She took a breath and adjusted her arms, bringing back her tool. She swung forward with a soft and light tap as she made contact with the small white ball. Her eyes tracked the object as it made its way along the flat green carpet and towards its destination.

An audible knock of light plastic as the ball struck the spinning sail of the small windmill, her eyes widening with a soft gasp as she watched the ball roll back down towards her. She clutched her plastic golf club in her hands as she shut her eyes in frustration. "Damn it!" she exclaimed as she stomped her foot against the ground. Her eyes opened and looked to Neo, who instantly turned her attention elsewhere as if feigning the fact that she found the situation humorous.

It had been two days since Winter woke up back at the hospital. Both she and Yang were still recovering, Yang was even able to sit herself up in her bed now with only minor discomfort. Winter on the other hand was still unable to move much at all. This morning Neo had suggested (As much as she could manage) that herself and Weiss spend some time outside of the hospital. Now that Winter was awake Weiss felt that she could take some time for herself, she had been sitting in that chair besides her bed far too often after all.

And so seeing no reason to reject Neo's offer, Weiss accepted. It was still within the early hours of the day, Neo had seemed keen to explore the city and stumbled upon a mini-golf course. The weather had been kind, the sky was white with light clouds that dropped gentle flakes of snow. It was not enough to coat the floor or cause much of a problem but Weiss would have preferred to have been out in the sun, because a lack of that made the wind around them rather chilly. The current hole they were on had already been bested by Neo who was now waiting for Weiss to catch up. The heiress was less than talented at such a game however.

Neo's eyes turned to Weiss' posture as she readied herself for another attempt. Her eyes glared at the windmill that had bested her thrice now. She brought her arms back and swung forward, tapping the ball towards the hole at the base of the tower. A light knock as the ball rolled back to her feet. Weiss grit her teeth in frustration as she brought her arms back again, another tap. It was difficult for her to restrain her anger and not just bat the ball into the distance. The sound of a light knock told her that she had once again failed. Neo smirked at her, silently amused. Weiss turned to point her plastic club in her direction, "It's because you're watching me! You're making me nervous!" she yelled in defence of her poor skill. Neo shrugged her shoulders at her and turned her back, folding her arms behind herself as she waited.

Weiss turned her eyes back down to the ball, she would not fail this time as she lined up the shot. She didn't understand why she kept missing her mark even after having done her best to predict when to swing. She gave a deep breath as she pulled her arms back and tapped the ball with the club once more. The ball was on course to hit the sail of the windmill again. Weiss narrowed her eyes as she subtly reached a hand forward, a small black glyph appearing over the ball and halting its progression. Once the tunnel was open she erased the glyph as the ball resumed its journey with success. Her expression turned to glee as she clapped her hands together in excitement.

"Yes! I did it!" she cheered. Neo looked over to her with slight confusion. She had heard the tap of the ball but Weiss' reaction seemed to have come far too late. Her eyes glared suspiciously before the two proceeded around the windmill and to the final part of the hole they were on. The ball was a mere tap away from its goal now. The heiress took her stance as she readied to humiliate the windmill behind her with her victory. Bringing her arms back she gave the ball a tap and sent it towards the hole. At first it seemed like it was dead on course towards its destination, but she noticed it had veered slightly. The small ball came upon the hole and skirted its edge before rolling away from it. Weiss opened her mouth in silent disbelief. "How is that even possible!?" she yelled, Neo had discovered the girl to be a very sore loser as she smiled idly towards her. Weiss stomped her way over to the ball and re-positioned herself. Her brow furrowed as she struck it, some of her anger getting the best of her as she hit too hard. The ball seemed to enter the hole but then bounced straight back up and out of it as it rolled further away from the goal.

Even Neo was a little surprised this time as she watched the ball, mismatched eyes glancing towards Weiss who was, safe to say, furious.

"That counted, okay!? It went in!" spoke the heiress as she walked over towards the ball, picking it up in hand before making her way over to the hole and dropping it in. Her ice blue gaze set itself upon Neo who appeared rather smug. She had won by a clear landslide, just like in many of the activities they took part in together. "Is there anything you're not good at?" asked Weiss as she crossed her arms over her chest, voice a little more calm now.

Neo placed a finger against her chin as her eyes glanced up, pondering the question.

Before she could begin a game of charades in order to answer, Weiss had spoken. "Ah, actually, how about skating?" grinned the heiress, knowing full well she was second to none in that particular activity. Well, maybe perhaps Winter bested her but she didn't count. Neo offered a rather dangerous grin in return, a look that worried Weiss. Did Neo actually know how to skate? Worst of all, was she good at it? If Neo could best her in what she considered one of her finest skills... She shook her head, she could not give in to defeat before even stepping into the ring. "Skating it is then, follow me. I think I remember the way" answered Weiss as she turned with Neo following closely behind.

The two left the mini-golf course and were once more upon the busy streets of Atlas. Neo had insisted on holding Weiss' hand as to not become lost in the crowd, which to be fair the heiress understood was an actual concern that could happen. For Neo however there was no lie as to what this all was, no question about it in fact. She had asked Weiss earlier to come on what was essentially a date. Weiss on the other hand didn't seem to consider it as such and would as a result perhaps require a push in the right direction. Neo's plan for now was to simply show the girl a fun time, but after skating she would need to try and move it all towards something more romantic to try and tell her that she considered this a date.

They continued on their way through the streets, brushing between and past people. The light snow continued to fall upon them as they came to a halt at a traffic light, waiting to cross the busy street. Every car here seemed sleek and polished, now and then it was easy to spot the cars that were brought in from Vale, they were a lot more... boxy and loud. They waited amongst other people for the lights to turn red for the traffic, and soon enough they did. The crowd made its way across the chequered path in the road before reaching the opposing crowd that was coming from the other side. Neo tightened her grasp around Weiss' hand as she moved through the group, being as short as they were it was difficult to see where they were going.

After emerging from the crowd Weiss stood at a halt, glancing left and right in confusion. Neo was stood beside her at a loss as to what caught her attention. The silver-white haired woman groaned before turning around and tugging Neo along. Somehow they had ended up on the same side of the street, did they really get turned around in the crowd? Skipping across the road quickly they managed to make it to the other side as the lights for the cars turned green and the traffic resumed. Together they continued on down the many paths of the city, turning left and right, crossing other various roads, passing all kinds of people both from Atlas itself or elsewhere.

Continuing on however, Neo began to notice the glances from random people. It appeared most were directed towards Weiss herself, and why wouldn't they be? She was practically a celebrity in this town and she hardly blended in. If anything their height was a boon, while those near them would surely recognize her, those far would not on the case of simply not being able to see them amidst the crowds. But it wasn't just random civilians giving glances. Sometimes Neo would spot a shady looking person, eyes watching like a hawk. Other times it would be an Atlas soldier. It was as if they were being tracked, but by the General? Or her father? This caused Neo to adopt a more cautious approach to things during their day and she made sure never to let Weiss leave her sight.

"And here we are" answered Weiss as she stood outside of a large building. "It's early so hopefully there won't be too many people around" she nodded before pushing her way through the door, Neo followed closely behind her, eyes briefly glancing around once entering the reception. It was clear save for the woman behind the desk who looked over to the two, eyes widening at the sight of Weiss. The heiress tried to subtly wrestle her hand from Neo behind her back, though the shorter woman was reluctant to let go and kept an iron grip. They didn't look awkward at all thought Weiss as a soft blush appeared over her cheeks.

Weiss looked out to the ice rink, her assumption proved right. More than right in fact, nobody else was here yet. She smirked to herself before moving onto the ice with her skating shoes. She had no difficulty whatsoever on such terrain as she slowly slid forward and spun to a halt in order to face Neo who had just prepared to join her. "Now the first thing you need to be aware of is-" began Weiss as she raised a finger to lecture Neo. She paused however as she watched her step onto the ice and slide forward on one leg, the other extended behind herself as her arms spread out wide. She held a wide smile on her face as she glided past Weiss who watched in surprise. She guessed Neo might be able to skate but... "You know, that's not exactly proper form" judged Weiss with a slightly annoyed expression as she followed after her slowly and with little effort.

Neo stood both boots firmly against the ice as she spun around to face Weiss, now sliding backwards as she smirked at her.

The heiress seemed suspicious as she spoke, "Where did you learn to skate?" she asked. To this Neo expression briefly dipped before she turned to face forward, gracefully gliding against the white surface of the ice. She shrugged her shoulders. Had Weiss brought up distasteful memories? She frowned to herself at the thought as she followed after her. The ceiling of the building was open and allowed the flakes of snow to fall down into the rink. It took until now for Weiss to realise just how hard it was to be hanging out with Neo however, a girl that couldn't speak. Where mostly idle chatter would accompany the skating she now found herself at a loss.

The shorter woman spun around once more as she started to glide in reverse, she reached both her hands out towards Weiss who seemed confused for a moment, Neo leaned forward slightly to grasp her hands into her own. This of course made the girl blush as she was pulled along. Neo smiled sweetly at her which caused her eyes to nervously glance away.

"Is... something wrong?" asked Weiss, the two began slowing towards a halt as they neared the centre of the ring. Neo tilted her head at the heiress as if examining her thoroughly, she pondered wherever now was in fact the good moment she was waiting for to explain herself. Weiss peered back at her with ice blue eyes, noticing that both of Neo's eyes had shifted into magenta as her hands pulled her closely. The two had come to a firm stop upon the ice now. "Neo...?" asked Weiss, cheeks growing flustered. Neo's hands slowly slipped from Weiss' as she would begin trying to convey her desires. At first she pointed to herself, and then to Weiss. The heiress focused as she started to decipher what she was saying. The third action involved Neo trying her best to form the shape of a heart with her hands. "Is... Is that some gang sign?" she gasped, "Are you part of a gang? Wait, are you asking me to join your gang...?" asked Weiss, failing to understand the clear message.

Neo shook her head with a disappointed look before re-attempting the hand gesture. Weiss narrowed her eyes at the shape of her hands, they then widened as her cheeks grew as red as ever.

"Wait... Are you-..." she paused, "Do you... Like me?" asked Weiss as she looked to meet Neo's gaze. With the most sincere smile anyone had seen on her face before Neo nodded and slid herself closer towards Weiss. The heiress stared into her eyes, someone, a girl of all things, had taken such an interest in her? She felt a warm feeling rushing through her body as her breathing quickened its pace, why was her heart beating so hard all of a sudden?

Her eyes glanced down to see Neo's hands reaching up towards her once more. They wrapped around her waist and pulled the two closer together. Their forms came into contact as Weiss stared upon Neo unsure. Was this really going to be what she thought it was? Did she want this? The questions kept fluttering through her mind as a hand reached up to the back of her neck. Neo's face was only inches away as she tilted it to one side, almost like she was asking the heiress if she was okay with the action she was about to perform.

"I..." began Weiss, maybe giving it a try wouldn't be the end of the world? Neo was attractive after all. She was her height, she had a great sense in fashion, she was colourful and fun. And the fact she never spoke was actually kind of a plus, Weiss never really liked loud people save from a few exceptions after all. She gulped and awkwardly placed her hands around the dainty form Neo, arms now wrapping around her waist.

Neo offered her trademark smirk as she moved her face closer towards Weiss'. Their lips briefly brushed against one another as the heiress reclined her head briefly, as if shocked by the sensation. Neo opened her eyes to look upon her before Weiss took in a breath and closed her own. Neo narrowed her gaze with a smirk before leaning back in to plant her kiss firmly upon Weiss' lips this time. Her arms tightened around her form and she quickly discovered how awkward Weiss was feeling. Was this possibly her first kiss? Regardless, Neo was enjoying herself far too much to stop just for the sake of her having cold feet. Weiss' lips felt incredibly soft, as if they were silk. The experience only excited Neo further.

She could feel her staggered breaths against her skin as the kiss continued, her fingers digging into her back. She had the heiress right where she wanted her. After a few more seconds Neo parted her lips from her and loosened her arms. She watched smugly as Weiss still had her eyes closed with her lips pursed, like she was still experiencing it before opening her eyes in a delayed response. She stared upon Neo, almost confused yet her arms were still wrapped around her waist so she must have at least liked it. The snow continued to fall upon the two as Weiss' eyes glanced down to the floor, "That was..." she began as she breathed out a breath, cheeks still red. "Acceptable..." she admitted.

Neo bit her lip subtly, everything had played out just as she had hoped.