Chapter 5

It was a pretty typical early Autumn day in Vale, comfortably warm with a light breeze and a good amount of sunshine, so Weiss decided that enjoying the weather and walking into town would be a good opportunity for them to spend some time together.

Her plan was pretty simple, take Neo into town and hit up the general stores for essentials then take her dress shopping. Weiss knew where she liked to shop, but had a feeling that none of those stores would be to Neo's taste. Fortunately, there was a particularly fashion forward second year in Weiss's contact list, so she tapped out a quick message on her scroll.

*- Hey, Coco. I'm heading into town to take a friend shopping. Where do you recommend?

*- HA! Tell your 'friend' that Shannel is pretty hip & stylish. Nice to see you finally coming around, Ice Queen. ;-)

The pair exited Beacon's main gate and started towards the city center.

"Well," Weiss began, "We're going to need to stop at a few different shops. We should probably pick up a pillow or two and maybe an extra blanket just for you. Some toiletries, pajamas, you know, just the basics, really."

Neo halted. Sure, the books and uniforms were covered in the deal of becoming a student at Beacon, but all of these extras? She didn't have any Lien of her own. Everything she needed in the past was either stolen or provided by Cinder or Roman.

Weiss, having realized that Neo was no longer at her side, turned and saw the small woman standing still, looking at the ground and softly shaking her head. Her eyes were alternating between pink and brown with every blink.

"You're not worried that we're going to run into Torchwick, are you?" Weiss asked as she walked back towards her charge.

Neo shook her head 'no' just once. Gaze still towards the ground, her eyes fixed pink and she turned out her dainty, empty pants pockets.

Weiss chuckled at the small woman. "Even if you had Lien, I'd be afraid that you stole them and wouldn't let you use them anyhow. Besides," Weiss paused and flashed a stack of Lien from the little satchel at the small of her back, "You know I'm good for it!" She winked at Neo as she stuffed the Lien back into the satchel and locked it.

Turning away from Neo as soon as she said that, she hoped the small woman didn't see that wink. Did I seriously just wink at Neo? What is wrong with me? Weiss chided herself as she resumed walking.

Neo quickly caught up to her and wrapped her hands around Weiss's left bicep and laid her head on Weiss's arm, clearly catching the girl off guard. Quickly, she released her grip and took a step away from Weiss. She then her hands up, palms forward before crossing them over her heart and nodding to Weiss with a meek smile.

"Umm, yeah, I know. You're welcome, Neo. It's umm, well, just." Weiss sputtered, she thought she should say something, but was unsure as to what she should actually say. "I am, you know, responsible for you. It's my duty to make sure you're well taken care of."

Neo took half a step back, almost as if she had been unexpectedly slapped. Hoping the flash of hurt didn't show on her face, she swiftly recovered and continued on their original course.

Weiss, not missing Neo's body language scolded herself. No, you dolt… Why couldn't you just be nice to her and stop at 'you're welcome, Neo'? Head slumped; she followed a step behind Neo as they continued towards the city center.

After several minutes, Weiss lightly touched the back of Neo's right arm, smiled and indicated that they were turning up ahead as they made their way towards the shopping district. "I'm not sure how well you know Vale, but I don't mind playing tour guide. Even if you know your way around."

Nodding at Weiss, Neo made a sweeping motion with her right arm, indicating that the heiress should go ahead and lead the way.

After another twenty minutes of somewhat uncomfortable silence, they arrived at their destination.

They made their way through the shops somewhat quickly, picking up a few necessary items from each. It wasn't long before Weiss realized that Neo seemed more than a little uncomfortable with her making all of the purchases. No, that's not quite it… Weiss sensed that there was more to it than just that, but she couldn't put her finger on it yet.

As the day wore on, the pair finished ticking off the items Weiss identified as 'essentials' for Neo. Pulling out her scroll to check the time, Weiss was relieved to see that it was still pretty early for a Saturday. Checking her messages quickly to make sure she wasn't needed back at Beacon, she immediately saw Coco's message from earlier. A broad smile crossed Weiss's face and she spun to Neo. "Hey, there's actually one more place I'd like to go before we head back."

Neo looked at all of the bags hanging from her hands, filled with more 'essentials' than she had to her name in years, then nodded to Weiss, careful to avoid catching her eyes. What more could I possibly need? Weiss has already spent so much on this stuff. She has to be trying to buy me off. They walked a few blocks and Neo started to notice that the shops were beginning to take on a much more expensive flair. Weiss stopped in front of Shannel and turned to Neo, who was still studiously avoiding Weiss's eyes.

"Neo. I, umm, well… I would really like to buy you something completely impractical but absurdly nice. I know it can't be easy for you to have had your whole life turned around on its head like this, and, well… I just want you to have something really nice that you can look at and know that you have a friend, someone that will be there to help you through this. Someone that believes in you."

Shocked at Weiss's sudden outpouring, which seemed rather heartfelt, Neo wasn't sure how to react. I mean, she could still be trying to just buy me off. She seems sincere, I guess? Unfortunately for her, the tear trickling down her face gave her feelings away. Cinder was nice as well, sometimes. Mostly when she needed a 'problem' handled. Or after beating me for something I allegedly did. Roman tried buying me off a few times as well. Probably thought I wouldn't do my job if he didn't. And now Weiss. Probably trying to buy my loyalty. Typical of the wealthy ones. Just buy out your problems. Probably just an empty apology after hurting me yesterday. Neo's tears were flowing much more freely now.

Weiss froze, shocked at Neo's reaction. She had no idea how to respond. Winter would have just walked away from her. Father would tell her to grow up. So, that left her with: "What would Ruby do?" The answer immediately jumped out at her.

Swiftly closing the distance between them, Weiss threw her arms around Neo and hugged her tight. "Now listen to me, silly. I'm going to be the best teammate I can be and, more importantly, the best friend you've ever had. When you're down and crying, I'll be here for you. When you're celebrating, I'll be cheering next to you. When you're scared, I'll be in front of you to help you through." Neo's arms, though weighted with her bags, were flailing underneath Weiss's grip, but the heiress kept a tight hold on her. Finally, Neo stopped flailing. Weiss stepped back and took the small woman's shoulders in her hands and looked at her.

"Hey, please look at me." Weiss implored. "I'd like for us to really see each other." After a moment's hesitation, Neo wiped her tears, looked up to Weiss, and nodded for her to continue.

Weiss was convinced that Neo was going to run away, so she continued as fast as she could, "Look, I'm not good with people. I know you've picked up on that; but I'm really trying here." Weiss sighed deeply before continuing. "We've had some similar experiences even though our lives have been completely different. We haven't known each other long enough for me to really know much about your history, and I worry that I never will know as much as a friend should."

She paused and caught her breath, still hoping that Neo wasn't going to bolt. "This is a strange situation that the Fates have put us in together. But, as a Huntress, I want to help people by making the world a safer and better place. This situation makes me feel like I'm helping someone specifically, you. Maybe, by playing a part in your transformation from, well, a less than honorable career, to becoming a Huntress, I can see the world becoming better, at least for you. And if we're able to do this, finish our training together, we'll be two more Huntresses out there. Two more people trying to help others."

Weiss smiled a genuine smile. Honest and heartfelt. "Neopolitan, I want you to succeed. I'm willing to use any resource available to me to make that a reality. While I know you have no reason to trust me, I'm asking that you do, and that you please come to me with anything that you need."

Neo was more than a little shocked at this outpouring. Was it really possible that this privileged heiress actually cared about my 'success'? She wasn't merely trying to buy me off? She didn't think I was just a charity case to be pitied? She saw that the girl's bright blue eyes had a watery shimmer to them, almost as if the emotional speech put her near tears. She seemed heartfelt in everything she said, even though there were some things she said rather poorly. Maybe she really is just bad with people and kind of awkward.

Neo cocked her head to the left and appraised the girl across from her. They were both skilled fighters with varying degrees of trouble in their pasts. After everything she had been through, the losses she suffered, Neo never wanted to be a criminal. Much less end up under the thumb of Cinder or Roman or any of their ilk. She just did what she felt she had to do. Was there really a chance for a fairy-tale ending standing right in front of her?

Neo carefully fixed Weiss's gaze. She saw no sign of deception in those icy eyes. Nodding twice, she dropped her bags and stepped up to Weiss and wrapped her arms around the girl's waist and pulled them together. Weiss affectionately wrapped her arms around Neo's shoulders. Placing one hand on the back of her head, she held Neo close. "I promise you ~ I'm right here for you. Next to you. And in front of you."

With that assurance, Neo felt truly comfortable in Weiss's arms and Weiss relaxed into the feeling them wrapped in each other's embrace.