Chapter 5: Together Again
Ruby was the first to return near the end of summer break. When she first arrived, her hair had grown into a shaggy mop that needed to be cut. She was grungy, and reeked of dried river water. A product of bathing in whatever stream she could find. Mud caked her boots, and the extra inch she had gained foretold of what would probably be her final growth spurt. The road had treated her well, considering it's harsh condition. Blake arrived a few days after that, more than happy to retun to life in the dorms.
Yang could only be amused at the reunion of Blake and Ruby, who seemed to stick to each other like glue during the final days of vacation. They tried to include Yang, of course, but the blonde couldn't help be feel like she didn't quite belong. Finally, the dorm was starting to feel like home again, and yet it seemed so out of place. Yang doubted anyone noticed, and truth be told, she didn't want them to. Instead, she counted down the final few days until their team would be reunited in full.
Weiss would be the last to arrive, as always.
Finally the day came. Wises would be flying to Vale in a first class atlesian vessel. The eager team members decided to go down to Vale's docking station and wait for her to arrive.
"Okay, so do we all remember the plan?" Ruby asked as she practically skipped her way down the long, bustling hallways.
"It's not hard to remember, Rubes." Yang chuckled as she cracked each of her knuckles. Her long legs easily keeping pace with her rambunctious sister. "We just need to get Weiss, and beat Team JNPR back to Beacon before they have all the fun without us. Those first year students are going to piss themselves if they see us riding through the forest on a pack of White Grimm."
"I still think this is a bad idea…" Blake trailed off, knowing her rationality would fall onto deaf ears.
"Don't forget, we have to do it without getting caught." Ruby pointed out as she turned on her heel. "Besides, I think it'll be fun. Nora's probably at the spot already."
"Wouldn't put I passed her." Yang grinned.
The cat Faunas among them sighed long and hard as she followed after her red hooded girlfriend. She loved the girl dearly, but Ruby had always been excitable by nature. "I'd like to think that Weiss will veto this very idea before you put it into practice."
"She'd have to stop us first." Yang said.
"Or, simply refuse to summon any Grimm for you to ride in the first place. That would put a stop to it." Blake deadpanned. "Even if she does decide to humor you, I am not riding on a Grimm through Forever Fall."
"Not that it really matters if she says no." Yang shrugged. "Though if she does, someone's going to have to keep Nora from going to find a real ursa again. Actually…that would work too."
"What is it with you and Nora, anyway? Every year, you two chuckleheads want to re-live our initiation." Blake sighed, slapping a palm to her forehead. "Goodwitch will be expecting us this year for sure."
The three teammates collided when Ruby came to an abrupt stop. Silver eyes blinking thoughtfully and Yang pushed herself up from the ground. "Damn it, sis, what gives?"
"It feels like we passed this cross kingdom check-in before." Ruby said, pointing up towards the sign. "That looks familiar."
"I think that's because we did pass it." Blake murmured. "The Atlesian docking stations are made in a big circle."
"Did we really come by this way before?" Yang asked, obviously clueless. "I was sort of just following you guys."
"Three times, in fact." Blake said, gesturing back to the way they came. "All the docking stations coming in from Atlas are back that way." She said pointing over to the long strip of hallway they just came down.
"Yeah, but Weiss said they're coming in on Winter's private ship." Yang protested. "Maybe she'll be somewhere else."
"They'd still be docking in the Atlas side." Blake said with a shake of her head. "The ship has atlesian license plates, and an atlesian pilot."
"This is stupid, I feel like ever since they made that new addition this place feels like a maze." Yang grumbled. "What was wrong with the way it was before?"
"Be glad you've never seen the one in Atlas then." Blake grumbled. "I was lost for hours trying to find a friendly face to take me to my hotel. I don't know how common commuters stand it."
"They probably just get used to it." Ruby mumbled thoughtfully, eyes still fixated on the large white and blue banner. She seemed to consider it, pursing her lips with a soft hum. "Instead of wandering around, maybe I should just ask for directions. I'll be right back."
The hooded girl walked towards a desk with a woman sitting behind it. Meanwhile, the two partners stood side by side in comfortable silence. It was the first time the two of them had been alone together since Blake had arrived. Normally, Yang wouldn't have thought twice on the matter, but she was compelled to regard the cat Faunus beside her. She trusted Blake, and she'd never doubt her in the slightest. Yet, that was part of the problem. There was one question, and it served to addle Yang's mind until she found the courage to ask.
"So, uh, Blakey…" Yang trailed off, noticing the way that amber eyes flicked to her. It was more awkward than she suspected as she looked down at her feet. Twiddling her fingers as she broached the somewhat tender topic. "How did things go? Did you tell any of the elders about Ruby?"
"I didn't." Blake said, biting her lower lip, nibbling on it lightly before scowling. "I'm supposed to wait. You know that."
"I do, but, I just thought that you might make a hint or something." Yang said. "You know, test the waters. See how things go?"
"It wasn't like the idea didn't cross my mind, Yang." Blake said, the ears atop her head flicking back nervously. "To be honest, I'm more worried about my dad than the White Fang right now. He doesn't mind Ruby, but he's made it clear that he doesn't see her as a suitor for me. He gets a little grouchy whenever I bring it up."
Blonde eyebrows lifted before furrowing in concern. "Oh… What makes you think he's not okay with it?"
"Ruby's a human." Blake murmured sadly. "Or maybe it's because she's a girl. I'm not quite sure. He's never made it clear. Then again, knowing my dad, it's probably something more abstract."
"Uh, maybe it's because he's your dad…" Yang said with a hint of humor in her voice. "Ever think he's just worried about you? Doesn't want you to put your heart out on the line too fast and end up getting hurt?"
"Maybe…"
"Blakey, use your head a little here." Yang told her. "Your dad's a gigantic cat Faunus made of muscle, and claws. He could rip Ruby in half if he really wanted her gone."
"That's..." Well, Blake couldn't deny it, even if she wanted to. "That's true..."
"When it comes to you and your mom, he's just a big standoffish ball of purrs and cuddles." Yang said then. "Sound like anyone else we know?"
"Shut up." Blake groused, her ears flattening entirely as she glowered at her friend.
"Lova ya too, future kitty-in-law." Yang teased gently, patting Blake on the head for good measure.
"Don't make me throttle you." It was an empty threat, and they both knew it, but Blake still swore by it anyway. She kicked a wad of litter off to the side, eyes fixated on that crumpled mass of paper. The rumpled and dented face on the side was indistinguishable, but for some reason, that agitated her more. "I hated going to all those ceremonies by myself. Since none of the White Fang leaders know about my relationship with Ruby, I was introduced to a lot of young men…it was horrible."
"You know, if it was that bad, you should have said something over the scroll when we talked." Yang told her, sympathy dripping into her voice. Concern lingering at the edge of pity. "I know it wouldn't have changed anything. Still, I would have listened to you vent, you know that."
"I didn't want to cause a scene. I was there to represent my family, nothing more." The cat Faunus let out a sigh as she let her golden eyes gaze swing back to Ruby, who was still talking with the receptionist. "Sienna Khan, the high leader from the Mistral was there. She brought Adam with her."
"The bull Faunus?" Yang asked.
"Yes, that's him." Blake nodded, glad that Yang actually did pay attention when Blake complained about White Fang related gatherings. "Since he's her protégé, he's always with her. He was there looking for that special someone. He set his eyes on me, and let's just say, it didn't go well. I turned him down as politely as I could. He didn't really like that and kept pushing, so I pushed back. Adam and I don't always see eye to eye about…well, anything...not really."
Yang smiled almost ruefully. "And here I thought that you didn't want to make a scene."
"I didn't want to. It just happened." Blake hissed, eyes flicking over to Ruby. She never wanted that sweet and gentle soul to ever doubt her. Blake had worked hard to earn the trust of her team, and now that she had it, she clung to it like a vice. The idea that Ruby might see anything as a betrayal terrified her. "It was such a mess. My dad had to call Sienna and smooth things over."
"I can see why that would be a pain in the butt…" Yang nodded.
"I'm just glad to be back in Vale." Blake said quietly. "Being away from Ruby was difficult. More than I thought it would be." Blake narrowed her gaze thoughtfully. She had no idea how to describe her feelings, her expression growing stern. "They say when a Faunus truly bonds to someone, they do it for life. I feel like the more I'm away from her, the more I understand why. It scares me to think that Ruby might not have the same attachment to me, as I do to her."
"You're joking right, that little tornado of cookies and clinginess?" Yang said, nodding over to her sister. "She doesn't know how not to get attached to people…"
Snowstorms in the north had caused more than a few delays. The three teammates had to kill some time at a nearby food court. Ruby indulged in some sweet treats while Blake sipped at her tea. Yang's indulgence in a gigantic beef burger promised indigestion later. They all huddled around the small and uneven table, three sets of eyes watching the clock eagerly.
"I thought I might find you here…" Their long sought after forth member called. Her impressive lung capacity commanding her delicate voice/ It echoed in a way only a singer's voice ever could. Weiss jogged down the long hallway that the trio had come from hours before. A servant followed after her, carrying two white suitcases and a duffel bag. The poor man looked terrified, as if he had never once left the safety of the Schnee family shadow.
"Weiss!" Ruby shouted with glee, as she charged at her partner. The table nearly upending from the force of her semblance. A flurry of rose petals littered her path as Ruby launched herself at the shortest of the team. The speed nearly bowling both of them onto the hard stone floor. "You came back." Ruby said happily, quite content to continue hanging off of her partner.
"Of course I came back you dunce, classes are about to start." Weiss indignantly demanded, her vision completely blocked by the red garment her partner wore. With one free hand, she peeled back the red hood out of her eyes. "Now get off of me this instant."
"Hmm, Nope!"
"Off, I say!" Weiss shouted, but that tactic only encouraged Ruby to cling more tightly. "Now this is just ridiculous. Get off of me before I freeze you to the floor." Weiss grumbled as she pried her leader off of her, dusting the dissipating aura petals off of her clothes. "Do not jump on me again. Really, Ruby, we're in public. Show a little decorum, would you?"
Yang held back a smile as the commotion continued, nudging the Faunus beside her. The two of them made the short distance to the rest of their team, but Yang was the second to extend a greeting. "Yeah, sis, if you want to give a hug, you got to do it the right way. Like this…." Yang said, scooping Weiss up into one of her famous bear hugs, the strength of which Weiss didn't even try to argue against. "We missed you, ya know."
"I can see that." Weiss merely rolled her eyes as her feet lost contact with the floor. Yang would have carried her round all day if Weiss even thought to allow it. Her exasperation was evident, but her next words were spoken more gently than the last. "I missed you too, but please, put me down…"
"Do I have to?"
"Yes…" Weiss ordered. "Stop being difficult."
Yang was reluctant to do so, but gently eased Weiss back onto her feet. It was then that Weiss could finally exchange a much more subdued greeting with Blake. The one armed hug they shared was quick, but welcome.
"Well, if it isn't the infamous team RWBY." Winter said as she finally made her way to the group, a case of special dust in hand. Two more servants flanked her side. "I trust that you all stayed out of trouble during your vacation."
"Define trouble." Ruby said slowly with an impish grin.
Winter merely sighed. The action speaking for itself. "You were with that blasted uncle of yours. His unmitigated recklessness rests as a foregone conclusion. I was talking to the rest of your team, the ones much less likely to have blown anything up."
"Speaking of which, Ruby, stand back." Weiss said, putting another few inches between Ruby and the case Winter held. "I don't trust you anywhere near that dust. It's extremely volatile when jostled, and completely experimental."
"What's it do?" Ruby asked.
"That's what we're not sure of." Weiss said. "Believe it or not, a newly discovered dust can take years to study. All we know for sure is that it doesn't seem to by instantaneously dangerous to handle with care. The jury is still out on the long term effects, though. For all we know, it could be deadly with long term use."
"Deadly…" Blake balked. "And you pulled that out of one of your family's dust mines?"
"Of course we did…well, Winter did." Weiss said, laying a hand on Blake's shoulder. "How else are we to determine the safety of the miners? My father's ill-advised practices aside, the Atlesian military would never want bodily harm to come to its citizens."
Winter smiled softly as Weiss navigated the subject of dust miners in Atlas.
It was all the proof Winter needed that things were headed in the right direction. Her little sister had fundamentally changed during her time at Beacon. The difference was night and day. Interestingly enough, she had been influenced by those that were the least qualified to groom an heiress to succession.
Although, that in and of itself had produced some interesting results.
Winter recalled several phone calls over the last few years. At first, she had been shocked and awed by the idea that Weiss had a Faunus teammate. A Belladonna at that. It was nothing compared to when Weiss began openly ignoring her father's calls. An action that had caused Weiss the loss of her allowance. Weiss hadn't been intimidated, but, instead she had been emboldened by her father's anger. Over time, the team's positive influence had even managed to encourage Weiss to relinquish her inheritance entirely.
Winter had fully supported the decision, and continued to put Weiss through combat school.
Once her little sister graduated though, Weiss would be on her own. Then it would be anyone's guess how she would choose to support herself. Though, with the rest of the girls at her side, Winter doubted that her sister would choose a life of military servitude. It was a hard life. Somewhat lonely, and always difficult. Looking upon the four girls only served as a bitter reminder of the path Winter could have chosen for herself. One that was warmer than a slew of cold missions, and thankless servitude.
Still, her smile was genuine, even if it was small. "As refreshing as it is to see you all again, I should be going. I have to get these samples distributed to the proper authorities." Winter replied, holding the box more securely as she protected the contents inside. "Weiss, I trust you'll stay out of trouble and continue to achieve your exemplary marks."
"Yes, Winter." Weiss said with a smile.
"We need to get going anyway." Ruby chirped all too happily. "It's initiation day! We have to go meet all the first years...I wonder if Nora's found that nevermore yet."
"Nevermore?" Weiss asked, only to be pulled into a rough sideway hug by her blonde teammate.
"Only one way to find out!" Yang grinned. "See ya around, Winter!"
"Oh no, not this again…" Weiss sighed as she was all but dragged away by the enthusiastic blonde. "Yang, you can't be serious."
It was an odd sight to see, truth be told. Winter had seen many impossible things in her life, but few were as uncanny as the three women surrounding her sister. A Faunus, a Branwen, and an overactive young scythe wielder. The last of the three had even been trained by the most socially inept person that Winter had ever met. The older Schnee sibling only shook her head as Weiss was unceremoniously dragged away by Yang.
It was even more comical when she realized Weiss only spouted halfhearted protests when it came to the blonde's actions.
"Well, I certainly don't claim to understand the appeal of that." The older woman murmured thoughtfully to herself as Weiss and her team rounded the corner. The servants flanking her side softly agreeing. "Although, on the other hand, when it comes to suitors, I suppose that Weiss could do far worse." One again, the servants agreed. Although they looked human, they were most certainly robots. They'd always agree no matter what. "Right then, as the old saying goes; what shall be, shall be…"