Memento Mori
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY
"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time."
-Mark Twain
Chapter II
One would think that cafeteria food would be bad, but considering that Beacon was the most prestigious combat school in Vale it was a pleasant surprise to find it more than just edible. In fact, it was quite delicious. Especially breakfast.
Pancakes, waffles, eggs and bacon, biscuits and gravy, all was more than satisfying for the resident students.
Looking down at her own plate of blueberry muffins, Weiss couldn't help but be thankful that the food wasn't stereotypically bland.
Taking a bite of her modest meal, Weiss listened in on her teammates' conversation. Apparently Blake was trying in vain to persuade Ruby out of installing a ribbon similar to Gambol Shroud onto Crescent Rose while Yang failed to keep a straight face. How Ruby came to that idea was beyond her, but Weiss had never felt such camaraderie for the Faunus. After all, it would be Weiss who had to deal with the new abomination.
"Absolutely not!" Weiss decreed, taking another bite of her muffin.
"Ah, but Weiss," Ruby whined.
"No Ruby. You can barely lift Crescent Rose in scythe form as is. Trying to throw it would wear you out. Having it shoot back at you in return would be suicide. I forbid you from committing suicide, do I make myself clear?"
The half hearted grumbling and thankful look from Blake answered her question.
"I don't know, it could be fun," Yang goaded the three.
"Shut up Yang," Blake all but growled.
"Shouldn't you be more concerned about your sister's well being?" Weiss asked, eyebrow rising.
The blonde merely shrugged, before catching a grape in her mouth courtesy of Nora.
"I can lift Crescent Rose just fine," Ruby pouted.
Weiss sighed as she set down her last muffin. It was true that Ruby could lift the monstrous weapon as if it were a feather. Either way, Weiss had reservations about her partner's ability to throw and then catch it. She didn't even want to imagine what the recoil of the .50 caliber rifle would do in that situation. A sentiment shared by her cat eared friend.
It was moments like these that made Weiss glad she had decided to wait to reveal her illness. As soon as the others knew they would inevitably change.
Oh sure, Yang would continue to tease and make inappropriate comments, Blake would still hang back and add her comments when needed, and Ruby would remain blissfully innocent. But the illusion wouldn't fool anyone. They would constantly be watching her, dropping whatever they were doing if Weiss so much as tripped.
She loved that about her team, she really did. Still, she wasn't about to collapse any time soon.
Weiss shook her head. It had only been two days since the exam and already she over thinking things. An unfortunate nervous habit that she hadn't been able to break and probably wouldn't.
'Well, now that I've reminded myself,' she took out a small bottle and dropped two pills into her hand. She popped them into her mouth and took a swig of her water.
"Umm, Weiss?" Looking at the redhead, Weiss found that it had gone quiet at her table.
Ruby and Yang wore similar expressions, showing their shared relation while Blake simply looked between her and the siblings, as confused by the sudden change in atmosphere as Weiss felt.
"What?" she demanded.
"…" Ruby didn't answer but her eyes kept finding themselves on the bottle in the heiress's hand.
"Weiss, you uh, feeling okay?" the concern in Yang's voice would have been touching if it wasn't a tad insulting.
"They're iron supplements," she deadpanned, her tone icy. "Really you guys? Is it that surprising that some people here take supplements or vitamins with breakfast? Gods forbid."
Weiss shoved the bottle into Yang's hands, glaring all the while.
"Did you two really believe that Weiss would do something socially frowned upon like taking drugs? In front of everyone?" Blake glared at her partner, clearly unimpressed.
"Thank you Blake."
"Well, no, but you've been acting a bit strange," Ruby replied, voice subdued as she read over her sister's shoulder.
"It's true, ever since the physical you've been off. Yesterday you were off in your own little world. You didn't even react when Blake tried to tell you that she was pregnant with Cardin's baby," lavender eyes looked up apologetically. Yang handed back the bottle, satisfied that the pills were indeed iron supplements.
"So what's going on?"
Weiss let out a long sigh. She didn't want to be mad at them. She knew why they were concerned. After meeting their uncle Qrow, Ruby had explained that he and their dad had a bit of drinking habit. It wasn't a problem she had assured, merely that they worried. They didn't want either their dad or uncle getting killed by Grimm because they were too drunk.
And she had been out of it yesterday. She had spent the entirety of the day making, adjusting, and revising her current schedules. Not for school, but for her health. The iron supplements were a prime example of this. DAAD caused anemia, a shortage of iron in her blood, so naturally Weiss decided to take action. Iron supplements would help with that annoyance and it was better to get into the habit of taking them now as opposed to later.
She vaguely remembered something about Blake getting pregnant, but the statement was so ridiculous that she ignored it as a bad attempt at a joke. Really, Cardin? Who in their right mind would dignify that with a response?
"The doctor found that I have mild anemia, nothing serious. I just need more iron in my diet. I apologize for spacing out yesterday, I've been meaning to contact Winter and you know how I can get," Weiss bit out, hurt that the two would think she would stoop so low as to take narcotics. And it was true, she did have anemia, maybe not as strong as she was making it out to be but it would get there in time. She also spent a good four hours stressing over calling Winter but had ultimately avoided the conversation.
She really needed to call Winter.
"I told you she was fine," Blake stated. Weiss took pleasure in the heated glare she sent to Yang.
"Sorry Weiss, it's just you that you never take medicine. And then with yesterday and the exam before, I guess I over reacted," Yang apologized rubbing the back of her head.
"I'm sorry too," Ruby whispered looking down at her lap.
"It's alright, just please don't make such assumptions again," it was truly hard to be mad them when they looked so defeated. And she wasn't, how could she be when they so obviously cared.
It was a needed reminder though, that Weiss had to be more careful. If they were already getting worried after a bad day and a bottle of supplements, she didn't want to see how they would react when she told them all the truth.
'Not yet.'
"Come on, we're going to be late to Port's class," Blake stood up from the table.
"And that children, is how I was able to keep an entire cruise ship safe from a migrating flock of Griffons!" Professor Port exclaimed. "The captain was quite generous…"
It always amazed Weiss how so little people paid attention in Port's class. Peter Port was by far the oldest Huntsman that Weiss knew of, and while his stories were a bit self serving, they were full of valuable lessons. Little chunks of wisdom that could save a Hunters' life and true to the nature of Grimm Studies, revealed the most efficient ways of exterminating Grimm.
Unfortunately, Prof. Port had a tendency to go off on a tangent. Such was the case as he described the joys of a five star cruise liner. The bright side was that it afforded the students, those few who actually paid attention, a reprieve to focus on other matters.
Mostly Weiss simply used those times to get caught up on the day's homework or to look over notes for Dr. Oobleck's class. Now, however, she found her curiosity piqued. Looking around her she quickly found her gaze drifting to two individuals.
Perhaps it wasn't surprising to find that both Ren and Pyrrha were also aware of the true nature of Port's lessons.
Ren had always shown a greater awareness, both in combat and in academics. Having grown alongside Nora, it was easy to imagine that this was a skill well earned.
He was also among the few that Weiss would truly call a friend. Sure the two didn't speak to one another often. Then again not all friendships are dependent on conversation. Weiss would often seek Ren out at the library and vice versa. It wasn't Weiss's fault her team refused to use a library in an appropriate manner (Blake kept a small library in their dorm and only used the school's to spend time with teams RWBY and JNPR) and Nora often tagged along in the sisters' board games. And with Jaune's poor grades it was up to Pyrrha to get her team leader's grades up.
Speaking of the champion, it was more than likely out of simple respect. Weiss doubted that Pyrrha could be rude to an authority figure, even if she wanted. Needless to say, Pyrrha and Weiss often mirrored each other in simple terms of etiquette.
Out of everyone in Beacon, Weiss could say without a doubt that she considered Pyrrha Nikos her closest friend. It went without saying that she and Ruby were close, being teammates and partners meant you got to know each other pretty well. But the fact remained that she had more in common with the Mistral girl.
The two had met before Beacon, briefly exchanging "hellos" and handshakes at various conventions and other such 'high society' functions. True, the first time they spoke to one another was the day of initiation but since then they had often confided in one another. Weiss unburdening the stresses of her family, Pyrrha revealing the insecurities gained with her four championship titles.
It could have been because they walked in similar circles or may haps they were simply kindred spirits, either way, Weiss was glad to call Pyrrha her best friend.
"Now who would like to demonstrate?" the question bringing Weiss out of her thoughts.
"I'll go!" Yang jumped up, life returning to the previously comatose girl.
"Excellent! Take your position," Port moved to bring out whatever Grimm he had managed to capture.
As it turned out, Yang would get to kill the subject of today's lesson. A Griffon.
Resting her chin on her hand, Weiss watched as Yang battled the bitter creature. Yang, while stubbornly carefree, was by far the most perceptive individual she had ever met. Granted she could be obtuse, oblivious to the obvious though after a year together, Weiss had learned the truth of her blonde teammate. It was all a façade, for the most part.
Ruby may have been team leader but Yang was most definitely team mom. She might not pick up on things right away, but give it a day or two and she would know something was amiss. And she could be frustratingly patient too, when the need arose. More often than not, she simply waited long enough to corner you and confront you on your strange behavior.
It was Yang that Weiss feared most of all. She probably already had her suspicions, and the family excuses would only last so long. Good thing that Weiss was good at acting. Not that she needed to, she was fine!
The fight, if it could be called that, was over in a matter of seconds. Usually these encounters lasted a few minutes but Yang had expertly defeated the Griffon, firing a large concentrated blast of explosive Dust into the beast's mouth. Just like Prof. Port had revealed in his lecture, the same lecture that Yang had slept through.
Weiss felt a chill run down her spine.
She would need to keep an eye on her.
"Well done Ms. Xiao Long," Port beamed, proud to see his students taking his lessons and applying them proficiently. "I believe we have time for a few more demonstrations, any volunteers? Mr. Arc! Glad to have you participate."
"Miss Schnee, would you stay after class for a moment?" Port called out as the classroom emptied.
"You guys go on ahead," the heiress told her team as she walked over to Port's desk.
Various calls back answered her and soon enough it was just her and the professor.
She had a feeling what this was going to be about. How could it be anything other than her illness? All the staff had been informed or would be within the day. Fortunately, she wasn't concerned about hiding anything from her team by staying behind. She usually did, after her petty tantrum in first year about not being made team leader; Prof. Port had achieved a level of respect that she reserved for only a few people. In fact, only Winter shared the pedestal that Port had been placed on.
"Yes professor?" she looked up at the unusually solemn man.
"I've heard of your condition, Miss Schnee. Dust and Aura Abnormality Disorder is a serious disease," he sighed.
Weiss widened her eyes at that. Yes she was expecting this conversation to be about this, but she wasn't expecting to see the honest concern and understanding all but radiating from him.
"You know what it is," she breathed, more of a statement than question.
Port nodded his head. "I've lived a long life and met many promising Huntsmen. Of those, only two had ever been afflicted with your curse. Both have since retired, unfortunately, my good friends are no longer of this world."
There was a brief moment of silence after that. It was somber and profound, a sobering reminder of the severity of Weiss's situation.
"I want you to know that if you have any questions or concerns that I shall be here for you. You don't have to shoulder this burden alone. My door is always open Miss Schnee," Port squeezed her shoulder, reassuring her.
Weiss blinked backed a tear or two, refusing to cry. She didn't know why she was shocked by his admission, she knew it was a possibility that at least one of the teachers would know of DAAD and what it entails and yet it was so rare that she didn't even know of it until she was diagnosed. She was also glad to hear Port give her his unyielding support.
She already knew that she could go to him, but to hear him reaffirm this was most welcome. In many ways, Peter Port was more of a father to Weiss than Jacques Schnee had ever been.
"Thank you, professor. I'm sure you'll see more of me in the future," she beamed.
A/N: Initially, this was going to be longer, but I found that everything else I had intended to add to this chapter fit better in another chapter. Sorry. Thanks to everyone who followed, favorited, and reviewed. You guys are amazing. Stay classy.
Edited to have Jacques' name match with cannon.