Weiss quickened her pace. Being smaller than her big sister was one thing; being recently injured and trying to keep up with her because she was walking at her usual long-legged pace was another.

She wanted to tell her to slow down, but first she had to catch up to her. Thankfully, she had and had also almost ran into her as she stopped in front of a very specific door. They had gone a little past Yang's door, which was the thing that had caught Weiss's attention.

Her memory vaguely replayed the scene when she had finally seen Yang. A slight blip of her collapsing with pitied and worried looks about her entered her mind. She scrunched her face in disgust at the thought.

"Before we go anywhere, Weiss, I thought you might want to see how Pyrrha is doing." Winter knocked on the door before her.

Weiss looked up at Winter, her brows furrowed. How did she know Pyrrha was here? Before she could ask, the door before them opened.

It was Jaune. A sorrowful and somber looking Jaune, at that. "Oh, hey Weiss… and Winter, was it?" He gestured for them to come into the room, seemingly not wanting to leave it. The two sisters walked into the room, where Weiss had finally seen Pyrrha.

She looked decent. At least for a car accident. That hadn't meant there wasn't any damage, however.

Another thing that Weiss had noted, was that Jaune seemed to know Winter. Weiss looked over at Winter and begun to sign, "How does he know you?"

Winter turned back to her. "I ran into him and a group of your friends on the way to see you. They all thought you were me for a split second. Though, they were all relieved to find out I wasn't you." She paused. "It's kind of how I learned about you being… a bit reckless." Winter seemed to hold a small smirk.

Jaune seemed to nod along. "Either way, Weiss, it's good to see you up and moving." He sighed, now looking behind him to a sleeping Pyrrha. "The same can't be said about her, though." He buried his face in his hands. "We don't know when she'll wake. Or if she will." His voice began to tremble as he continued, "I believe that she will. She has to. But… even if she does wake up, we don't know how much she'll remember, or if she'll even be able to walk."

Weiss seemed to frown, her own thoughts starting to get the better of her. It seemed like Pyrrha had gotten the worst of it all. She was in a coma, and from the sounds of it she would be in one for a very long time. Weiss had of course blamed herself once more. This was her fault. How could it not be?

Jaune's hand ran down his face, wiping away a few tears in the process. "I'm sure you've seen how Yang is. I'm thankful you all didn't end up like Pyrrha. I should… probably get back to watching her. It was good to see you, Weiss… and Winter." Jaune seemed to wave them off. A quick visit, and nothing more. It seemed like Jaune wanted nothing more than to spend time alone with the unconscious Pyrrha. Weiss would've probably done the same for Yang.

As soon as they had come, they had left. Now standing outside of the room, Weiss had just about seen all that had happened. Yet, seeing Pyrrha had only filled her with more guilt. Just why had Winter brought her here?

Before Weiss could even begin to ask, Winter had began to move again, this time they past Yang's room a second time as they went towards the elevators and entered an open one. Winter seemed to consistently avoid the gaze of Weiss. Knowing that as soon as they made eye contact, Weiss would probably try to initiate conversation. Weiss fully knew what she was doing — a tactic that had been done before several times — but not maliciously, as it was used to make Weiss wait.

The elevator had dinged once more, they hit the ground level. Winter once more lead the way throughout the bustling hospital. They made several turns and went through a pair of double sliding doors that led out to a very interesting space.

They had seemed to have made their way to a special part of the hospital. To its garden, where there was plenty of greenery to be seen. Flowers bloomed off the pebbled path, bushes in need of a trim poked the walkway, and the trees swayed ever so gently in the light wind.

There were several porch swings, all of which were being used by patients and their families. A few small were tables set up with games of chess or mahjong that were neatly lined up for anyone to use. A gazebo in the center of the entire garden took up the central point.

But Winter and Weiss went a little further beyond that. Winter led Weiss into the grass where a simple park bench was placed underneath a tree. Winter took her place on the other side of the bench, then patted the space in front of her indicating where she had wanted Weiss to sit.

Weiss took her place, and aptly stared at Winter who seemed to be preparing herself. Winter softly cleared her throat. "Weiss, I have to admit I was wrong."

Weiss tilted her head at the statement, but didn't raise a hand in question — so she let Winter continue. "I had thought that with you and Mother moving to Vale, that you'd just be running away from everything. Avoiding things, like you had with… well, you know. I didn't think that here, you'd be growing."

Weiss now began to sign, "What do you mean?"

"What I mean, Weiss, is that I'm glad to see you're growing. Simple as that. When you called me that time when you were at that girl's house because you decided you would go, I was shocked. Weiss, you know very well that in Atlas, that even leaving the house would mean having an anxiety attack for you." Winter paused and cleared her throat again. "The fact that you're making the effort to go out and make… so many friends! I'm just… really proud of you."

Weiss held a faint smile upon her face, her sister had never doted on her like this before. It was something that Weiss had greatly appreciated from her sister — and her only supportive family member.

"But…" Winter added, causing Weiss to once more tilt her head, her brows slightly furrowing, "it's not good enough," Winter stated bluntly, her eyes now narrowing on Weiss.

Weiss sat up a little straighter. "What?" she signed, looking a little offended.

Winter huffed, her hands now lifting up as she silently began to sign — indicating that their conversation was about to become much more private than Weiss had originally anticipated. "Last night, after you passed out, I came in, not too long after. Your friends told me a lot about you, about these past few months."

Winter seemed to pause, finding the right way to go about this. But with Weiss, the only way Winter knew how to speak to her was with outright honesty. "Blake, Sun, Ruby, Tai, and even Jaune spoke so… highly of you. Blake and Sun told me about how you, from time to time, joined them at lunch. They told me about how good it was you started to break out of your shell, even after the pool incident, and how you and even the boy in question, Neptune, became friends."

Weiss now began to sign, as soon as she saw the opportunity to. "They talked about me? What? Why?"

"Because I asked, Weiss! And because they're your friends. They care about you as much as they care about your friends, Pyrrha and Yang! Who I've also learned a lot about. When I spoke to Jaune, he spoke so highly of you. He spoke of how you, Pyrrha, and Yang are probably the smartest students in the school. You've been working so hard, and I've only just found out about all of this. About you." Winter's signing motions were fluid and silent. Her face went through many strong and visible expressions as she had signed.

Weiss raised an eyebrow. "O-okay, I guess that makes sense, but what did you mean it's not good enough? Didn't all my friends just tell you how well I've been doing?"

Winter nodded, but she continued with her silent signing as Weiss had. "It was only when Ruby and Tai had spoken to me about you and Yang, that I realized it's not good enough. Ruby told me about how many hours Yang had spent for you. How many hours, days, nights and weeks she sits down to learn RSL for you. Even with her studies, she had managed to do that all of that for you. Tai told me about how happy Yang had become, but how busy she was, too. You're the talk of the town, Weiss. And for Yang? You're her world."

Weiss's eyes widened. "What?"

"I'm not going to repeat myself. But, I will ask you this — what have you done for her? For Yang?" Winter's expressions suddenly became a little… hard. "She has spent weeks for you, learning how to talk to you. I'm sure it's been wonderful for the both of you, but have you thanked her? What exactly have you done for her?"

Weiss shook her head, not really understanding what Winter was trying to get at. Weiss and Yang were friends, wasn't learning something new something you'd do for a friend? "We're friends? Isn't that enough? She seemed happy about learning RSL, what's the big deal?"

Winter's eyes furrowed. "What's the big deal?" she seemed to repeat back, mimicking Weiss's own signing. "The big deal is that she won't be able to sign to you anymore! She's missing an arm!"

There it was. The elephant in the room, the one Weiss was still trying to deny. The thing that had caused Weiss to blame herself. Weiss seemed to stutter with her movements, wanting to argue — to talk back — but instead, she lowered her eyes, a somber look taking over as she sat there and quietly let Winter speak.

"Weiss, Yang isn't like me. I don't want her to be. I've let you live the way you want to, I won't force you to go in any other direction, but you need to consider this. Yang might not stay forever." Winter's movements were still ever-so-fluid and serious.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Weiss quickly signed in response.

"I don't know her, but she had a very obvious reason to get to know you. She wanted to see things the way you do. The way I do. Now, with one arm, that's not so easy. Yang can't speak to you, in your voice. In your language. But unlike most people that communicate this way, you can still listen. You… can still... talk." Winter's fingers scrunched up, almost in a stretching-like manner. She hadn't spoken to Weiss like this in awhile, and it showed. "You still have the ability to make yourself heard. Let someone hear you for once, and not like this! I'm not saying RSL is bad, by no means is it bad, but don't let Yang become… me to you. Because she is worth so much more than just unspoken words and emotions that I know you're capable of."

Parts of Winter seemed to be breaking down, Weiss could tell that Winter wanted to say so much more. That there was hidden pain behind her eyes, and through her unspoken movements and expressions. "I'm sorry if I seem forceful. But in the end, all of this is your decision. No one here is out to get you, that much you're well aware of. All I'm asking is for you to take that leap. I can guarantee Yang will catch you." Winter seemed to audible huff. "Take things at your own pace, like you always have. But don't fall behind, because not everyone will wait for you to catch up." Winter seemed to stop her movements completely, her face showing hints of sorrow.

There was an unspoken jealousy within Winter. One that she was unsure if she should share with Weiss. When Winter had spoken to Weiss's new friends, she learned just about everything that Weiss had done. Winter had just wished she was the one who could've helped her, as she ultimately had felt useless to her sister. But if it meant that Weiss was improving in the littlest of ways, she couldn't help but find ways to be happy for her younger sibling.

Winter just hoped that Weiss was up for the challenge, and it had seemed like, lately, she was.

Weiss had simply signed back, her own melancholy look about her, as she took every word from Winter to heart. "I'll try. I love you."

Winter weakly smiled at her, and had nearly begun to sign back as she noted a blue-haired menace walking up from behind Weiss.

"Uhh, hey. That was some intense… talk you guys had. Yep..." Neptune awkwardly clapped his hands together, nodding as he grabbed the attention of Weiss. "Good to see you're okay, by the way. I, uhh… just came down to tell you Yang is kind of awake." Neptune scratched at the back of his head. "She's a little drugged up, but awake."

Weiss's eyes widened, her head turning to Winter. Winter simply nodded, now showing a genuine smile. Weiss now stood up, but before she could, she heard her name. "Weiss," her sister called out, "I love you too."

Weiss smiled at her, walked around the table, and wrapped her arms around her big sister. A warm feeling encompassing her, there was nobody in the world like her sister… and she was glad about that. She loved her with her entire being, and the fact that Winter was always about Weiss's comfort, and about pushing her to newer strengths, was something that Weiss would always admire about her big sister.

They held each other in their embrace for a short time, before Weiss finally pulled away and sweetly smiled at her sister. Now turning, Weiss faced Neptune who had been standing there for quite some time.

His eyes seemed to be obviously wandering elsewhere as it had looked like he was offering the two their privacy. But with Neptune, Weiss knew very well that wasn't the case. It seemed like everyone had their bad habits. Weiss walked up to him with a nod.

"Oh, so you're ready to go?" He now turned heel, leading the way back inside. "Weiss, I have to..." he seemed to weirdly choke on his words, "apologize. I never should've let you drink so much. I've honestly been nothing but trouble to you." Neptune walked side by side with Weiss, who listened carefully. They made it inside and headed toward the elevator. "I just wanted to help you get with Yang. Or, at least, help you like she has. Like, getting comfortable in your own skin, y'know?" They stepped inside the elevator, now pressing the floor they needed to get to.

Neptune seemed to sigh as the door closed, with a respectable distance between them, Neptune teetering on his heels. Weiss quietly stood with her head down, waiting for him to speak more. If at all.

While Weiss had appreciated the apology, she didn't blame him for everything. Though it had lifted a partially heavy feeling from her shoulders, it didn't take away all the pain she kept on herself. Whether she deserved it or not. She could only care to seek forgiveness from the person she wanted it from the most.

"Yang's just better at it, I guess. She's better at a lot of things. Just not at relationships," Neptune continued. "Y'know, she had a crush on Blake once — I'm pretty sure. Though, I don't think she ever admitted it, and she hides a lot of things. She thinks I don't know, but I do. Yeah, I'm that friend. The friend who snoops and gets into everyone's business, but you probably know that already." He scratched the back of his head, the elevator's low hum seeming to fill the silence in between. "I didn't think this would happen. I mean, how could I know, though? I was just hoping you and Yang would finally… Honestly, I don't know what I expected from that either."

Neptune's tone seemed to grow a little more despondent, his eyes seeming to linger on the ground. "Just promise me that whatever happens, you won't leave her side. Even if you're just her friend." The elevator had finally dinged, indicating they had made it to their floor.

Neptune's sudden sadness had dissipated as the doors opened. "Looks like we're just about here!" The duo stepped out of the elevator and made their way to Yang's room.

Weiss thought about everything Neptune had said, and again, while she silently forgave him, she didn't fully blame him. He had tried to help Yang. He had tried to help Weiss. The effort, although in good spirits, had failed, it seemed. At least his heart had been in the right place. Weiss could relate to that.

Weiss lagged a little behind Neptune as he led the way to the room. Upon arrival at the door, Neptune stopped himself.

"I think… I'll let you two talk it out." He grabbed the door handle, beginning to open it for Weiss, yet he seemed to hesitate. "Just... take it easy, okay? If time is what you both need, then take that time to figure out… whatever. Nothing has to be immediate, so don't force yourself, and I guess let the chips fall and see where they land." Neptune seemed rather genuine in his words, though he seemed a little lost, as there was a noticeable look about him as he tried to muster up the right kind of words for this situation.

For once, Weiss took his words to heart. Maybe this was what it was like to be a friend. Nothing was ever perfect in every friendship. To forgive and forget was something she needed to learn. She knew Neptune was nothing like… him.Neptune was able to apologize, empathize, and recognize his mistakes. And Weiss... could appreciate that.

With a simple nod, Weiss indicated that she had understood.

Neptune, now nodding back, opened the door for Weiss, allowing her to step through the door.

It lightly closed behind her, and for the moment she looked back. Neptune offered her a knowing wink before the door finally shut between them.

In front of her laid Yang, who seemed to lightly stir. She was clearly awake, but she didn't look quite all there. She had been looking at the missing piece to her. Trying to understand what exactly had happened.

Weiss walked a little bit forward, letting her steps hit the ground a little hard to grab Yang's attention.

Yang looked up, her eyes momentarily lighting up — then dimming back down as she laid her hands to her side. "Weiss?"

Weiss lifted her hand, as to begin signing, but stopped.

Maybe she could start this out slow, but… she wanted to give her something. Some piece of hope, something to look forward to. That all was not lost. That losing an arm, wasn't the end of things, but a new beginning.

Her mind began to race, that maybe it was the wrong way to go about things. What if Yang had never lost her arm? Would she ever consider this? Would Winter even try to talk it out with her like she had? Would Weiss even attempt the crazy thing she was about to do, had none of this happened?

She couldn't think about it now, no, not now. This was the present, and all Weiss wanted to do was give Yang a modicum of hope. That things between them weren't going to end. That progress wouldn't be halted. That Yang would still get what she wanted.

She would know everything about Weiss Schnee, when the time was right.

But this was truly the first step.

Weiss swallowed down her nerves, and opened her mouth.

"Yang."