Locked Out
Chapter 2: Cold as Ice
A/N: Hello all! Wow, I am amazed by the support this story has already gotten! Thank you all so much! It really keeps me working hard. So like I said before, I'd make this into a longer story if you all asked for it. And it's clear you all want more. So here we go! Chapter 2! Before that though, here are my responses to the most recent reviews:
TehUnoman: Thanks for the support! And for the compliment! I try my best. I'll see about Ren and look into that. Thanks!
Kiriguyu: Here you go! Thanks for the support!
Vanitas Lunar: And more you shall receive! Enjoy!
Guest: You raise a fair point, and it is a common theme with Weiss. I feel that it is justified. If you watch the White Trailer, after she is hit by the Giant Armor and her eye begins to bleed, she falls to her knees and seems out of it. I feel that is where most writers see Weiss as someone who would freeze up, as would most people in that sort of circumstance. She looks almost fearful of what the Giant Armor had done to her. That's just my opinion and understanding of it. I do agree that it happens a lot more with Weiss than anyone else, that's true. Thanks for the review!
True Support: Thank you! And thank you for the support!
Hope you all enjoy!
The first day Ruby returned to Beacon was a very hectic one.
Her name had spread across the school. Signs were springing up across campus like a virus with words such as Welcome Home and Glad You Are Safe, all as a sign of goodwill by the student body. The students at Beacon really did care about their own. They were like one big, chaotic family.
Ruby was dropped off by airship, having a small escort consisting of Headmaster Ozpin and Goodwitch, alongside a handful of off-duty Hunters. Ruby didn't feel safe returning to the outside world, and thus Ozpin was more than willing to accommodate to her needs. She was like the daughter he never had, and he would do anything for her as well as all of his other students. Ruby struggled off of the airship's ramp as it docked with the side of Beacon's main hub, the Headmaster having offered assistance only for it to be coldly shrugged off by the smaller girl. The injured girl wore her typical combat uniform save for her scythe, which was resting back in her dorm. Not that she would need it. The crutches keeping her suspended wouldn't allow her to even lift the scythe, and the damage done to her spine wouldn't help either. She was far too fragile to even think of such action without feeling lightheaded. Nearly falling once or twice, Ruby managed to get down to the stable flooring of the hub structure as the airship departed, the group leading her along the stone walkway back to the academy.
Weiss anxiously tapped her fingers together as she looked around the room, nervously gritting her pearl teeth as she gently adjusted the temperature in the room. She hoped she had done a good enough job.
Expecting Ruby to have mobility issues as Yang had explained to the Schnee, Weiss took the opportunity to re-arrange the layout of the dorm room. With the aid of Blake and the approval of Yang, Weiss was able to lower the bed belonging to Ruby and place it to the right of her own. She figured Ruby would have a very difficult time trying to climb up to her formerly suspended resting place in her current condition, opting to make things as easy as possible as she recovers. Weiss took the liberty of adding a few new additions to the room that she figured Ruby would like.
As a Schnee, Weiss had access to an extraordinary amount of wealth on reserve. Using her allowance for this month, the girl went ahead and prepared for any sorts of accommodations Ruby would require or want at any given point in time. A freshly stocked mini fridge sat at the foot of her bed within arms reach of both girls. Along with this, sitting upon said mini fridge rested a brand-new TV with all of the newest video games that Ruby had yet to acquire. Having relocated Ruby's gaming system over to a small nightstand that rested too at the foot of the bed, Weiss hoped everything would be to the girl's likening. She wanted things to be perfect. Maybe then Ruby would start to open up a little bit more, seeing as the white themed girl on the team actually did care about her contrary to what she thought. And Weiss did care, immensely so.
Yang crossed her arms over her chest as she had finished getting dressed for school. She really did hate the skirt that they were pretty much forced to wear when attending class. She hadn't a clue as to how half of her team fought in these.
"Thank you Weiss." Yang sighed. She was definitely much more outgoing than she had been in the last few days, but it was obvious that the whole Ruby situation was still troubling her. She had every right to feel that way. This was her sister after all, and besides her dad and uncle Qrow, Ruby was all she had left.
Weiss bowed her head in a gesture of respect towards Yang. "It was no problem. I'm glad to be of any sort of help."
Blake sat in her bed reading a book as usual. Keeping to herself for the most part, the cat girl just listened to the conversation going on throughout the room. She really wasn't much of a talker compared to the rest of her team. Yet, she did pitch in. Weiss had asked for the Faunus to locate some sweets for the young red head, tasking her with this as it was of the upmost importance. Blake had returned with a bakers dozen of a variety of chocolate chip cookies, double chocolate chip, even triple. Setting this up to be the best day ever for Ruby, Weiss was still worried.
"I'll be right back." Weiss nervously spoke as she exited the room, taking a quick lap around the hallway to calm her nerves. Blake and Yang were left in the room to their own conversation, Blake speaking up first.
"Weiss seems... excited." Blake commented as Yang walked over to the side of her bed, hands on her hips.
"Yeah, I noticed." Yang shrugged.
Blake furthered. "Do you suppose this means anything?"
"How so?" Yang responded, raising a brow out of interest. Blake was the most observant of the bunch, and thusly knew practically everything going on behind the scenes.
"Remember the reason we sent Ruby out with Weiss?" Blake asked as Yang flinched visibly, nodding a moment later. "Ruby has a crush on her, and we wanted to know how Weiss felt in return..."
"So?" Yang crossed her arms. "I already know this."
"So, doesn't it strike you as odd that Weiss is putting so much effort into this?" Blake asked as Yang felt puzzled. This was true. Weiss was acting especially odd over the last few days... Only now did it register to Yang.
"You think she feels the same way?" Yang pressed as Blake nodded.
"It would certainly seem. That or she just feels guilty for what happened. Either or, something has changed with her." Blake noted. "What about Ruby?"
Yang sighed. "I tried to talk to her about it but she told me to leave right after." The brawler sat down on Blake's bed. "She was so excited for that date with Weiss... and now she seems like she just lost interest."
"It's not like Weiss would be your first pick for Ruby." Blake took a neutral stance, just stating the truth.
"Yeah... but Ruby seemed to really have felt something for her before all of this. I thought she wouldn't ever come out of her shell and make friends when I first came here..." Yang began. "I was so worried that Ruby would be the awkward and shy one on campus. The one that no one talked to. But then she met Weiss... Even with all of the drama Weiss caused, I could see it in Ruby's eyes whenever she talked about her... this gleam seemed to rise. Weiss was her first friend, and if she wanted more I wasn't going to get in the way of it."
"Do you think she doesn't care for Weiss any longer?" Blake inquired. "Or could this just be the depression talking?"
"I'm not sure..." Yang sighed as the door suddenly opened again, Weiss walking in with a bottle of water and soda in both hands. Yang remembered to continue this conversation some other time as Weiss walked over to the table by Ruby's bed and put down both drinks.
"T-There." Weiss nodded rapidly to herself. "Perfect. All perfect."
A light knocking on the door made Weiss jumped in fear, waiting for one of the other girls to open it for her. Yang took charge and did so, revealing the duo of Ozpin and Ruby in the gateway.
"May we enter?" Ozpin asked for the girl as Yang nodded, pulling the door open as far as it could go to allow Ruby easy access with her crutches.
The red head looked around the room and noticed the changes. Her eyes met Weiss before she dropped them immediately, sighing low under her breath as she looked at the heavily decorated bed.
"Mine?" Ruby eventually asked as she made her way over to it, Weiss nodding furiously. Ozpin handed Yang Ruby's things and notes, speaking to her about something off to the side before leaving as Blake just watched the red and white part of the team talk, more or less just Weiss.
"I made the bed more comfortable for back support with some added blankets. Also I got you a few new pillows and I also got you all of this!" Weiss showed off the array she had set up for the smaller girl. "I made sure the connection range of the controller would work from the bed, and everything in the fridge belongs to you!"
Ruby sat down slowly on her bed, wincing as her spine shifted dangerously upon the initial action of bending her knees. The girl relaxed and set her crutches down beside the bed, looking around with a blank expression.
"I... I hope you like everything." Weiss muttered, afraid of what she would say in return.
"It's... fine." Ruby spoke low as she shifted positions, resting her head on her favorite pillow. The girl shoved off one of the new ones Weiss had bought, the heiress not really reacting as she just watched the girl slump into her bed.
"Do you need anything?" Weiss asked as Ruby shook her head slowly, rolling over to face away from Weiss. The girl shifted under her blankets and produced the rose Weiss had given her, setting it down on the small table beside her. Weiss felt her heart race for but a moment as she realized Ruby hadn't left the rose in the hospital room.
She cared, even if just a little.
"Okay. I'll leave your Scroll right here and if you need anything, Ruby, just let me know. Okay?" Weiss stated as she set down the red head's Scroll right before her, right next to the rose.
Ruby didn't say anything, Weiss taking this as a sign Ruby was done talking as she moved to exit the room. Blake followed, pausing at the door as Yang left with Weiss. The raven haired girl looked over to Ruby and gave a small nod towards her, the younger girl just staring at the doorway. Gently as she could, Blake closed the door behind her, claiming to her team that she would be in class shortly.
Blake stood at the door, looking over at Ruby who stared back blankly. She looked hollow, as if she were but a husk of the girl everyone knew and loved so much. The cat Faunus crossed her arms as she scanned the red head over with interest, opening her mouth to speak.
"Ruby." Blake began as Ruby tilted her head ever so slightly, almost as if she were curious as to what she was going to say. "I don't care if you want to talk or not, but you are going to listen to me. Understand?"
Ruby just blinked, looking away.
"I understand what you're going through, I've been there myself, trust me. I know you can't help it. And I know it hurts, that it hurts so badly. But... Weiss isn't going to stop all of... this." Blake gestured to all of the new accommodations that were in the room all thanks to the heiress. "Not until she brings you out of this."
Ruby shifted and sat up, looking towards Blake with a scrunched brow, as if she were trying to gauge the girl. Blake simply looked back with her amber eyes full of purpose and truth, and a deep sadness. Ruby looked away after a moment, thinking to herself.
"Shutting out everybody isn't the correct way to go about this. I know the feeling of hopelessness that you are experiencing, and I've seen what it does to people." Blake continued on. "The people you love do love you back. Yang loves you, I love you, and Weiss clearly does."
Ruby sat there, suddenly gritting her teeth.
"Stop lying to me." Ruby spoke, sounding cold and unfriendly unlike her usual self. She regarded Blake with a pair of silver eyes filled with frustration and loathing. "I am just a burden, and that is all I ever will be."
"How so?" Blake raised a brow, challenging the girl. "Do tell."
Ruby met the girl's threat. "Look at me. Pathetic. A little kid trying to play hero." Ruby looked over to Crescent Rose. "Just a dreamer waking up for the first time. That's what I am. I see what I'm worth to you all. I'm just the scapegoat. Just the trash can for everyone to use."
"You are wrong. So, so wrong. You just can't see it. The nightmares end when you wake up as well, Ruby." Blake spoke confidently, removing her bow from her head in a methodical manner. "Like I said before, you aren't the only one that has been in this position. I can feel your pain, and as I look at you right now I can only see myself."
Ruby narrowed her vision on the girl.
"I had dreams when I was a child, much like yours of being a hero and saving the world. But one day, reality came knocking. They came swift, and as fast as a bullet." Blake gripped her bow tight in hand, nearly drawing blood from her palm. "The day that I first became alone in this world, I thought what you do now. I felt what you feel now."
Ruby churned.
"I'm not telling you to suck it up." Blake quickly wrapped the bow back around her ears. "At the end of the day only you are going to be the deciding factor with your condition. All we can do, all Weiss can do, is try to make things better to get you to realize the truth."
"Truth?" Ruby almost demanded.
"That no matter what you think, we will always be there for you." Blake nodded to the girl as Ruby sunk back down. "We love you Ruby. Some more than you realize."
Blake reached for the door handle, looking back for but a moment. "Get some rest, Ruby. Welcome back, my friend."
With that the Faunus left the room for her classes. Ruby was left alone to her thoughts, thinking deeply on the conversation she just had with her most reserved team mate. The team leader looked to the rose suspended on the small table beside her, looking ever so slightly past it as she spotted a photograph.
Weiss had thought it would look nice, a decoration of sorts for the girl. A picture of the team, all together. All smiling.
Ruby looked away and sighed, crying to herself as she felt her heart break over and over, again and again. That photo wasn't the real thing to Ruby. To her, all it represented was the world she had come to realize was true: she was a burden to her team, cannon fodder for those she cared about. They would be better off without her. A better team.
Ruby kept these negative thoughts inside of her as she sobbed into her blankets, holding her cloak close as it was all that was left to keep her safe and warm.
Weiss poked her grapes with her silverware, not hungry whatsoever. The bags under her eyes seemed more under control at this point, as Blake had forced her to sleep some in between the time that she had gone to the hospital and before Ruby arrived. The heiress needed sleep, as did everyone. She wasn't immune to the passage of time. Blake felt like quite the babysitter when it came to Weiss lately, the girl constantly asking for advice and tips.
"What... What if I take her shopping to that new weapon store?" Weiss asked as she pretty much spoke to herself, Blake just interjecting every so often with her opinion. "Yeah, she would like that..."
"She can't do battle." Blake pointed out, chewing a piece of pasta and swallowing. "Her spine can't take the stress."
"Then I get her a lighter weapon." Weiss glared in a hostile way towards Blake, as if she were a rabbit and Weiss a fox. The white haired girl immediately realized what she was doing and apologized, sinking into her chair.
"Sorry..." Weiss sighed as Blake took no offense. Weiss was unstable, as was the rest of her team. The girl had no idea how Blake could keep so calm. She almost envied her.
"It's quite all right. I understand." Blake shrugged the insulting glare away, not caring whatsoever. She had seen worse looks. "Weiss, I understand that you want to help Ruby in anyway you can, but isn't this a little... much?"
Weiss narrowed her vision on the raven girl. "What are you trying to say exactly?"
"If you keep smothering Ruby it will only make her think you are just pretending. Remember, she feels that you allowed this to happen. She isn't an idiot. She probably feels that this is just your attempt to buy her faith back and nothing more."
"Then what do I do? Tell me!" Weiss begged the cat Faunus, watching as Yang sat down beside her partner.
"Hey guys." Yang greeted. "How are you two holding up?"
"I'm just peachy." Weiss sighed in defeat. "I don't know what else I can do."
"You've done more than enough." Yang smiled to Weiss, an honest smile. "I can't thank you enough."
Blake just listened. It's what she did best.
"I don't feel like I have..." Weiss finally ate something, chewing on a grape.
"Well, you did." Yang expressed to the Schnee. "I don't really know what I would have done without your help."
"Thanks, Yang." Weiss nodded as she smiled to herself, somewhat content with her progress. Still, she was conflicted. She needed something to really show Ruby she cared for her. Something...
Ruby churned in bed.
Another nightmare. It was all she had to look forward to whenever she shut her eyes and drifted off to sleep. It was the same one every night, playing off exactly the same as it always did.
Ruby was back on the streets of Vale, and Weiss was at her side. Save for the pair and the eventual arrival of the White Fang agent, no one else was around. No one to see or save her from what was to happen.
There he went, pulling the gun out as Ruby was compelled to tackle Weiss to the ground. Ruby went with the motions, everything feeling so real that she began to not understand it was a dream any longer.
The White Fang assassin shoved Ruby off of him, tossing her to the ground. Ruby hit her head against the stone ground below, dizzy for but a moment as she stared down the barrel of the gun.
That's when it all changed.
The soldier offered Ruby a hand, Ruby would take it and rise up with him. His words were intoxicating, so sincere and... true.
"Come, Rose." The man would speak in a serpent's tongue. "Let me help you. Revenge is sweet like candy. Take it, and you will be content."
Ruby looked down at Weiss, who just sat there frozen. Her expression turned from fear to panicked as the White Fang member passed the gun to Ruby, molding it into her hands.
"Pull the trigger, Rose. Take your revenge." The White Fang grunt would speak to her, leeching off of her worst fears and the sorrow she felt inside, sucking her pain and anger in an effort to push her over the edge.
Ruby leveled the gun in her hands as he let go. It was heavy in her hands, weighing almost as much as her own scythe. She knew it wasn't the weight of the gun, but the weight of what she was about to do. Ruby was made to take aim at the heiress. His words forced her to do so, twisting her will to fit his own. She didn't want to do it, she couldn't. She couldn't.
"Unless you take your vengeance you will not know peace." The voice spoke to her with an accusing tone. "Everyone will see you as weak, unable to do what it takes to achieve your goals."
"I..." Ruby felt her finger inch towards the trigger, her hands trembling as Weiss begged Ruby not to, that she was sorry. "I can't...!"
"Pathetic." The man grabbed the gun in her hand, forcing her back down to the ground as he took aim. "This is what becomes of those who are weak."
The White Fang grunt executed Weiss on the spot, spitting on her body before turning back to Ruby.
"Now, it's your turn, Rose."
He would pull the trigger, and she would be no more.
Ruby jolted awake, breaking a sweat as she adjusted upwards suddenly. Her spine contorted violently at her sudden movement, the girl crying out in pain as she felt a fire burning up her entire back, reaching the base of her skull. Ruby swung to the side and knocked her Scroll off of the table, falling with it as she landed on the floor in a horrendous mangle. She couldn't move, crying out in pain.
Weiss froze as she felt something was off. She couldn't tell what it was, but it nagged at her more than her worry about what to do next. Her Scroll vibrated mere moments later, an incoming call from Ruby.
Weiss quickly raised the device to her ear, listening in as she went to talk only to be cut off by her leader.
...H-Help me...
Weiss could clearly make out Ruby's frail voice on the other end of the device, the girl sounding hurt beyond anything Weiss had ever heard before. The heiress stood up and ran out of the cafeteria, breaking into a full sprint as Yang shouted at the girl to come back. She wouldn't stop. Not until she reached the room.
Weiss fumbled with the key to her door, bursting it open as she found Ruby laying on the floor. Her breathing was slow and ragged, causing intense pain for the smaller girl. Weiss acted quickly, going to lift her up when she noticed the arc in her back. Weiss flicked her wrist and planted several Glyphs along the girl's damaged area, protecting it just in case anything were to touch the wound. Weiss moved down to her knees, looking at the girl's tearful face.
"Ruby! I'm here. You're going to be okay." Weiss told the girl, promising this. "This is going to hurt, but I need you to get back on the bed. Understand?"
Ruby gasped out a yes, wincing in pain as Weiss lifted the smaller girl back onto the edge of the bed. Having Ruby sit up, Weiss looked at her back.
"Ruby, I need you to take off your cloak and shirt." Weiss said suddenly, very concerned. Ruby shifted uncomfortably but complied. The cold air nipped at her exposed skin as she set her things to the side.
Weiss ignored the other details other than her back. Weiss could see things were not good. The bone seemed to have shifted from its position to a painful angle, nearly paralyzing the girl. Her Aura was the only thing keeping her moving at this point. Weiss grit her teeth and felt the area with a Glyph on the tip of her fingers.
"Hey Ruby?" Weiss asked, getting her full attention. "This is going to hurt. A lot. But I need to adjust the bone, or things are just going to get worse. Is this okay?"
Ruby managed a quiet yes, wincing as Weiss felt the harmed zone. "Just focus on me. Look into my eyes. Just don't think about anything else. Just me."
Ruby did as instructed, looking towards Weiss. Ruby felt her heart race just a bit, mostly from the pain she had felt. Her mind was a mess in this state, yet she managed to do as she was asked and looked deep into the icy orbs that were Weiss's eyes. Ruby got lost almost immediately. A sharp fierceness yet loving and caring gaze met her own, catching Ruby off guard. She didn't know what to make of it. Did Weiss really care? Ruby had to ask herself a few times before the question registered. Did she really? Ruby wanted to try and believe it, after what Blake had told her she did indeed. Something held her back, back within the depression she had fallen into. The serpent voice of the White Fang grunt reminded her of the pain she had endured, the betrayal she had felt as she was allowed to be shot. To be hurt. Hurt as she was now.
Weiss took a deep breath and counted down, jamming her fingers into the bone.
Ruby let out an ear shattering cry of pure pain as Weiss guided her Glyphs around the area, condensing the field in which her muscle and skin had begun to react to the pain. Weiss tried to numb the zone as well, still mostly focusing on the issue itself over all. Weiss jammed her fingers to the left and guided the bone to the correct area, gently rubbing the area before sitting back on the bed, taking a deep breath along side the now fixed breathing of her leader.
"Are you okay?" Weiss asked as Ruby caught her breath, sighing deeply as she managed to relax some.
"Y-Yes..." Was all Weiss could get out of her. It was good enough.
Weiss carefully massaged the area around the bone to soothe the damaged and swollen skin. It felt awful to Weiss, still she pressed on for Ruby. She wouldn't abandon her in her time of need. Not again.
Ruby kept quiet as Weiss worked, her breathing rugged as she noticed the significant decrease in pain. Her mind was a flurry of emotions all festering together in a Petri dish that was her being. She didn't know what to think, what to believe, or what to do.
Weiss retracted her hand from her back, sighing as all seemed somewhat well. Ruby looked fine, her back normal as ever as the girl quickly put her shirt and cloak back on.
"Do you need anything?" Weiss asked as she moved to the fridge, getting a bottle of water for the girl. Ruby initially declined the drink, but eventually took it as Weiss persisted.
Ruby took a long drink and sighed, tired and weak. She felt horrible still, yet... perhaps a little bit better.
"No..." Ruby spoke. "Thank you..."
Weiss nodded at the quiet voice of Ruby.
"Listen, I'm going to stay here while you get some rest. I'll keep watch, don't worry." Weiss decided as Ruby raised a brow, protesting.
"Class...?" She asked. Weiss waved it off.
"What is more important? You, or class?" Weiss asked.
Ruby didn't answer.
"Here, let me tuck you in." Weiss offered as she placed a hand on Ruby's leg, the girl smacking it away suddenly.
Weiss retracted, looking somewhat hurt. Ruby opened her mouth to say something but decided against it, looking down at the floor.
"Sorry..." Weiss felt the red mark on her hand, realizing she overstepped her bounds.
Ruby rolled over in the bed, struggling to get her blankets to comply. She wanted to do it herself. She wasn't that weak. Yet as much as she tried, she came up short. She was just about to give up on the prospect when Weiss stood up, holding her still gently. The Schnee heiress straightened the blankets and tucked them in beneath the girl, running her hands across her blanket-covered frame as she worked. Ruby felt her face change hue as Weiss did as she pleased, finishing her work and standing up.
"Did you fall out of bed last time?" Weiss asked as she picked up Ruby's Scroll, the screen cracked slightly.
Ruby looked away, confirming Weiss's worry.
"How did you fall?" Weiss asked, not really expecting an answer. But she had to try. She had to try for Ruby.
Ruby looked at the floor. "I tripped." She lied.
Weiss felt awful. "Here, just stay in bed and if you need anything, just let me know, okay?"
"I can take care of myself!" Ruby suddenly screamed out, glaring at Weiss before she realized what she had just done. The girl contracted into her blankets, not talking any longer.
Weiss looked away and walked over to her desk. The least she could do while she was in here was work on her own homework assignments and pray Blake took some sort of notes. The heiress looked back at Ruby one last time, seeing as she was focused intently on the pattern of her blanket. Weiss sighed deeply and went to work, getting her academics in check.
Ruby drifted off again into sleep, knowing full well she would end up back in her nightmare.
Weiss decided to wait for several minutes before checking back up on Ruby to see how she was doing. The heiress was very surprised to see that Ruby was shaking violently, quite so in fact. The heiress was relieved that she wasn't suffering from any sort of physical condition, realizing between her various murmurings that she was in fact having a nightmare of sorts. Weiss slowly walked over to the bed and knelt down to the floor. The heiress hesitated before gently placing a caring hand against Ruby's cheek. The white haired girl carefully caressed the side of her leader's face in an effort to soothe the girl in her troubles.
Inside of the dreamscape, Ruby was just about to be forced to fire the gun or be shot. She didn't want to do this. She didn't want to. She just wanted free. Free of this nightmare.
Suddenly Ruby felt a strong tug on her very being, watching as the White Fang operative was shot backwards by a Glyph, knocking him out of commission. Ruby looked to his body as it disappeared, feeling the gun in her hands fade away. Ruby turned back to see Weiss standing there, looking confident and calm. The heiress quickly pulled Ruby into a tight hug, holding her close. As she was suddenly free from this world, everything around her faded to white as she was sent into a deep, blissful sleep.
Weiss watched as a small, calming smile formed on Ruby's face. Her breathing slowed to normal pacing, and her restlessness ceased. She was back to normal, and looked almost... beautiful to the Schnee.
"I'm here, Ruby." Weiss spoke quietly to the girl. "And I will always be."
Ruby shifted and pulled Weiss's soft hand close to her heart. Weiss held in the urge to make sound out of the surprise she felt, trying her best to ignore the feeling of Ruby's being as her hand was pulled into her chest, allowing Ruby to sleep comfortably. Weiss, seeing no way out of this situation without waking the girl, gently rested her head beside Ruby's own. She was tired as well, and a nap could do her good. The heiress yawned silently as she too drifted off to sleep, joining her leader and best friend in a peaceful slumber.