(May 8, 2016)

Chapter 15. The Stepsister's Restlessness

For the first since they met, Bruin noticed that Nicandra was not focused on their studies. Meeting with Canard few weeks ago has made the girl confused about the whole situation regarding him. Despite his best efforts, Bruin wasn't able to have Nicandra focus on anything else. Zelony and Rouge were curious of what is occupying the blue-haired girl's mind. They asked Bruin about it but he said it's up to Nicandra to fill them it since it's a very personal for her. Teachers also noticed this change in her as her grades started to suffer.

Now they were having History with Dr. Oobleck, discussing the peace negotiation which took place on the island of Vytal at the end of the Great War. Normally Nicandra would be very attentive and would even ask interesting questions, but now she was in a deep thought process, clearly not paying attention to what happened around her.

"Miss Nepal," Dr. Oobleck suddenly asked in the middle of the lesson, "you've quite inattentive the past few weeks and your grades have lowered as well. Is anything the matter?"

Nicandra haven't responded, so Bruin who was the closest one to sit next to her poked her. She then flinched.

"Yes, what happened?" she asked confused.
"That's what Professor Oobleck would like to know," Bruin whispered.
"Doctor," Oobleck corrected him. "But back to the question, is there something on your mind that results in you failing your studies so much, Miss Nepal?"
"N-no!" she rushed her answer. "I'm just a bit tired, that is all."
"I am not so certain of it. Miss Schnee, would you be so kind as to accompany Miss Nepal to the infirmary?"
"Why me?" The whole class was looking at her like she swore. "Can't Rhodolite do it? She's her partner after all."
"Trust me, Miss Schnee, I am fully aware of my choice. Now please take her to the infirmary."

Weiss was annoyed, that much was clear judging by her expression. She packed her things and approached Nicandra and together they left for their destination. Bruin looked with sadness after the closing door, worried for his teammate, even more so that Weiss was accompanying her, the so-called "Weiss of Ice."

At first they were silently walking, Nicandra slightly lagging behind Weiss. The heiress was slowly growing more and more irked, staring threatening at her companion. The heaviness of Weiss's glare was scary and intimidating, her cold eyes didn't show even a single trace of worry.

"Care to tell me why Oobleck chose me to walk you? I'm sure your partner would do just fine," Weiss complained. "But seriously, your behavior is annoying."
"This is nothing pertaining to you, I assure you," came Nicandra's silent reply.
"Ungh, you insufferable little— Could you move faster? I just want to get you there and make it back to the lesson."
"Why do you care about the lesson so much? You will be able to catch up with the material with no problem," Nicandra said.
"You know what? I don't!" she shoot her hands up. "Now get a move on!"

With no more words to say, Nicandra turned around a corner, sped up and started to escape from Weiss. Well, she didn't really need to: the heiress just considered it a blessing and returned to class.

When Weiss entered the classroom, Bruin noticed she was alone: the heiress would either return with Nicandra in case it was nothing major or would stay with her if it would turn to be so. He quickly packed his things and run out of the classroom.

"Mr. Bruin—" Dr. Oobleck noticed after a moment. "Oh," he then caught Weiss with his eyes, "is everything all right with Miss Nepal?"
"She… said she needed some time alone," was her reply.
"Should we follow Bruin?" Zelony whispered to Rouge. "He seemed awfully concerned about Nicandra."
"Yeah, especially since I'm her partner and all. Her moodiness is getting frustrating more and more."
"We're sorry, Professor, but we need to leave early," Zelony announced and together with Rouge left the classroom.

After they left the lesson, Zelony called Bruin on his Scroll. His partner picked up and said to meet them in the gardens.

Bruin was waiting for them at the entrance to the gardens. His two other teammates wondered how was he able to find Nicandra so quickly, so he said that as a team leader his Scroll has few more functions than an average student's, allowing him to pinpoint whereabouts of his team members close to his Scroll.

"So, what's with Nic? She's been off for a few weeks, she doesn't even scold me like she used to," Rouge asked. "I kinda miss it." And silently added, "Reminds me of home."
"Remember that time after our training with Pearl and Maize we left? It's about that," Bruin revealed. "But like I said before, it's very personal to her and it wouldn't be nice of me to be talking about it."
"Okay. So what are we gonna do?" Zelony asked.

That was a good question. Nicandra was pretty silent since meeting with her stepbrother, not even the annoyance known as Team CRDL couldn't get much of a reaction from her. What would they tell her? Bruin, who was more informed of the situation, didn't think that saying "everything's gonna be alright" and such would do much good. Rouge and Zelony could only ask what's going on, but they weren't certain she'd be willing to share her thoughts.

Then Bruin first left their little group and approached Nicandra who was sitting on a bench at a small square. She didn't even raise her eyes, she just sat deep in thoughts. He sat down next to her and didn't even say a word. Few moments later, Zelony and Rouge also joined them: Zelony sat on the other side of the bench, while Rouge sat down on the pavement.

The dark pink-haired girl opened her mouth as if to say something, but quickly closed it. She wanted to say something, anything, but didn't know what. She hated silence: back at home it meant a storm coming. She chose to deeply sigh instead, earning a threatening gaze from Zelony.

Seconds passed, then turned to minutes, hours, days… The wait was agonizing for Rouge. Then Nicandra slowly raised her head.

"Thank you, everyone."
"Finally! She speaks!" Rouge exclaimed.
"Hush!" Zelony silenced her. "She's having a hard time, I don't know why," he looked at the blue-haired with a questioning look, "but she does." He then turned to Rouge, "Don't push her."
"Guys, calm down," Bruin said. "Nicandra is having problems and we should help her, not give her more worries."
"Thank you," Nicandra repeated. "You are all really kind," she turned to her team leader, "and I am grateful for not talking about the events from few weeks ago. I owe you all an explanation."
"You don't have to say anything, if you don't want to, you know," Zelony said.
"I insist, but please, let's talk about it at our dorm."

The team then went in silence to their dorm, well, mostly. Rouge tried to initiate a conversation with any member of her team but to no avail. When they entered the room, Zelony and Bruin sat down on a bad and Rouge chose the floor. Nicandra opted for a chair. She fixed her bangs and pulled out her Scroll.

"I was around five then," she started her story. "I was the only child my parents had, my mother haven't borne any child before or after me. At first I was showered with a lot of love and presents, my parents were very loving people as well as my other relatives. But as I slowly grew older I began to feel empty, I wanted a brother or a sister with whom I could share me experiences. Children back at kindergarten didn't really grew close to me. So I told my parents about that."

"So your parents decided to adopt a child, to give you company?" Zelony asked.
"Yes, my mother was not at an appropriate age to give birth to another child, so they decided adoption is the best choice. And that's how Canard became my stepbrother," a small smile crossed Nicandra's face. "At first he got quite some attention, it made me a bit jealous, but gradually we were both treated with the same level of attention."
"So is this Canard guy related to your little disappearance a few weeks ago or what?" Rouge asked.
"Rouge," Zelony threatened her.
"I'm just curious, jeez!"
"Yes, it is related. Bruin and I fought him, actually." A tear escaped Nicandra's eye.
"He has changed so much since then?" Zelony asked curious, maybe even slightly angry.
"I don't know. His Semblance has just gone wild and h-he turned into a..." she hesitated for a moment, she didn't know how Zelony and Rouge would react to the news, but still, she decided to be straightforward with them, "monster. All black with eyes as red as blood. He could even turn himself into a Grimm."
"A Grimm? You're kidding, right?" the green-haired man was surprised. Was his teammate joking? "How Semblance can do so?"
"We don't know," now it was Bruin who spoke. "He run shortly after our fight. We hadn't contacted each other since then."
"So what are you waiting for? Act before it'll be too late," Zelony suggested.
"And what would we do? Ask him about that? Or maybe just straight tell the authorities, that'll do the trick!" Bruin replied.
"Aren't you going a bit too far with that last statement?" Nicandra asked, her voice serious.
"Well, wouldn't you? I hate to say it but with a Semblance like his, maybe that would be a good choice, but I don't really know."
"Judging from this heated exchange of words I doubt we can help him much right now," Rouge said. "If it's any comfort we can have some tea later in Lilium Terrace, after all it is Friday," she proposed.
"Rouge, we are talking about a serious problem now," Zelony said. "A man with strange powers is on the loose and you propose—"
"I agree with Rouge," came Nicandra. "I think I've been focused on Canard way too much for the past few weeks. I need a rest from it."
"Then let's invite Team PLTM. I'm sure they could use some off time from studying," Bruin suggested. He then quickly typed a message and sent it to Pearl.
"Isn't that taking things too far?" the green-haired boy wondered.
"Come on, you Greenie Meanie, we deserve some break from time to time," Rouge purred.
"'Greenie Meanie'!?" Zelony gasped. "T-that's outrageous! I'm not mean, not in a slightest!"

Then Bruin's Scroll announced text's arrival. It was Pearl: she said that she'll come with Thistle as Larimar and Maize have some project due Monday. It was decided: they would spend some time together with Pearl and Thistle of Team PLTM.

Hopefully, that afternoon would be full of peace and quiet while drinking martagon tea and eating hansonii cookies.

Author's Notes

It's been nearly three months since last update, but that was mainly because I didn't have much idea for a filler chapter which is this one. The next one will definitely take place during "The Stray"/"Black and White" where an/the (not sure really, I make things up as I write ;P ) antagonist for the the story's protagonists will be properly introduced.

There is a certain reason why Oobleck decided to assign Weiss to assist Nicandra to the infirmary, but I won't disclose it for now.

Like always, is there anything you think I should change and/or improve upon? Feedback is greatly appreciated.