Chapter 35
Neopolitan was finally cleared to leave the infirmary after three very long days, but she wasn't to spar or go on any missions for at least the next two weeks. Fortunately, after their mission to deal with Cinder and her associates, Ozpin pulled RWBY's weekend field trip. Neo was looking forward to a lazy weekend to catch up on all of the assignments she missed this week.
Ozpin came to see her the day before and let her know that her appointment to Team RWBY was finalized at the unanimous request of all current members and with the support of a number of the Academy's professors.
"Thank you, Ozpin. For accepting me as a Huntress-in-training and for the immense kindness everyone has shown me since coming to Beacon."
He sat on the edge of her bed and spoke softly, "I cannot imagine what you must be going through right now. Over a third of your life has been spent trying to extract revenge on a very evil individual. Likewise, I cannot overlook my role in placing you in that situation."
"I wanted to do it."
"Yes, you were adamant about that, but as a Huntsman, I should have known better and dissuaded you from that path of hatred and evil. I only hope you can forgive me for failing you so." Sadness washed over Ozpin's face as he touched Neopolitan's hand.
"I wanted to do it…" Neo reiterated. "You didn't do anything wrong. And even if you did, I would forgive you in a heartbeat."
"Thank you, Neopolitan. That really does mean a lot to me." He stood up, "And give my regards to you teammates. Miss Schnee is on her way up, I will leave you two to enjoy your time together."
Ozpin slipped out of her room and left Neopolitan alone for a brief moment before Weiss entered. Neopolitan scootched to the edge of the bed to wait for Weiss as she patted the bag next to her that contained all of her personal items from her stay.
When the girl arrived, she wore a broad smile and her hair in a neat up-do with her gorgeous strapless, white dress. Neo enjoyed the sight, immensely.
"I wanted to make sure I looked good for you." Weiss self-consciously mumbled as she saw Neo stare at her. "And, you know, if you feel up to it, take you out. After all, our last date was pretty rudely interrupted."
Neopolitan slipped off the bed and into her shoes, stepped over to Weiss and passionately kissed her as she took the girl's hands into her own. Weiss's arms automatically wrapped themselves around Neopolitan's waist and held the girl as close as she could, as if trying to protect her from everything in the world that could possibly harm her.
About an hour later, the pair stepped out of their dorm and began their now familiar walk into Vale. Both women were obviously taken by the other's beauty in their dresses. Neopolitan's jade green dress with the black stitching was even more dramatic with her coal-black hair and stunning green eyes.
Weiss could hardly keep her eyes off of her girlfriend.
Neopolitan understood that feeling all too well; her eyes were glued to the white-haired beauty with an arm looped through hers as they strode off campus and into the city.
The two passed under the arch of the gateway onto campus and Neopolitan laughed to herself.
"Yes, dear?"
"It's stupid…" Neopolitan chuckled, "I just can't believe it's taken us nearly two weeks to finally have our first silly date."
"I can't believe it, either… Two weeks ago, I wasn't a lesbian. My worldview was solidly intact, even though it was a lie. Two weeks ago, everyone but me knew that I was probably interested in my team leader." Weiss stopped and pulled Neopolitan's hand, turning the girl towards her, "Two weeks ago, you weren't in my life and I wasn't happy."
"And now, Miss Schnee?"
"Now you're in my life and I'm happy. But terrified. I nearly lost you a few days ago. Right as we were starting to, well, whatever it is that we're starting to do…"
Neopolitan leaned in and kissed Weiss softly before she took her hand and guided them back towards their path with a gentle tug. "Want to walk past the canals?"
"Yeah, it'll take a little longer to get there that way and we can keep chatting."
"Now that you know I can talk, you don't seem to want to let me stay quiet."
Weiss smiled at that, "Did I ever tell you that I'm a somewhat accomplished singer?"
Neopolitan shook her head, although she wasn't surprised. Weiss had a melodic voice that she seemed competent at projecting when needed.
"Father forced me into it so, obviously, I don't do it anymore." She laughed, "But, I know a great voice when I hear one. And I would be happy to listen to yours all the time. Plus, now we can really get to know each other with out any charades or pantomiming necessary."
"I'd like to hear you sing sometime. If you're okay with that, Weiss."
"Maybe…"
"Only if you want to, of course."
Weiss's smile faltered a little and the two walked in silence.
"Why are you training to become a Huntress? I mean, you must have so many other options available to you. Your family's business. The Atlesian Army. Anything you want, probably."
"I could have. But I'm an exceptional swordsman. It's not exactly a skill set that would serve me as the head of the board of directors. Well… Actually, I suppose it could… Besides, so long as Father is running the company, I'll never be able to return it to the respectable and honorable company it was before. Before his leadership dragged the Schnee name into the moral grey area it's been operating in for the past couple of decades. I need to show the world that not every Schnee is like him. Winter's a skilled public servant in the military and I'm looking to benefit others with my service as a Huntress. When I take my place as the head of the company, I will come in with a personal history of doing what's right, protecting the people, and honor. All of my own making, without being tainted by him or his actions."
Neopolitan nodded her understanding, even though she couldn't imagine the life Weiss must have lead that would lead her at such a young age to relentless fight for the opportunity to attend Beacon, despite not having gone through the traditional path of combat schools.
"You?"
Neopolitan laughed at the girl's question. "Well, you basically implied that you'd kill me if I didn't, so… Here I am!"
Weiss took a step into her and bumped her off her path. "Seriously, you dolt! Why?"
Neopolitan looked around the cityscape for a long time as she thought about her response. She saw the nearly set sun's rays cast beautiful reds and pinks and yellows across the sky. The canal reflected the lights of the city. Weiss's icy blue eyes twinkled in the encroaching twilight. The girl's hand felt warm and perfect in her own.
With a genuinely happy smile, Neopolitan realized that she had friends now. A family, of sorts. A kind of weird and dysfunctional sort, but it was great. It's what she always envisioned having a family would be after all these years of loneliness, buried in crime in her pursuit for revenge.
"You." Neopolitan pulled Weiss closer to her and put an arm around her shoulders. "You're why I'm going to become a Huntress. You've shown me that taking a chance on someone, showing them a bit of mercy, and a core belief in doing what's right can open so many doors in a person's life. It can save them from almost anything." She paused to kiss Weiss's temple and stroke her neck and shoulder, and continued after a moment, "You gave me a team; the family I didn't have after Cinder took mine. You showed me kindness and love. You and Ruby had this innate belief that I, of all people, wasn't beyond hope and you welcomed me into your lives."
"I have a lot I need to make up for. Even though it was cover as a criminal, I actually did those things. Some of them were horrible and made me wonder if I was really a good person anymore… I can only hope that something I do from here on out with my life can offset some of those things. But for now, I'm just going to take up the mantra of 'pay it forward' and hope that, someday, I can prove to you and Ruby, and everyone else, that I deserved the generous chance you gave to me."
Weiss nodded somberly and slipped her hand around Neopolitan's waist. "I'm going to hold you to that, Neopolitan."
"I would expect nothing less from a Huntress." Neopolitan paused and smiled as she bumped her shoulder into Weiss' "… In training."
The two continued on and held each other close. Remnant was a huge world, and it waited for them. A world, unfortunately, filled with people like Cinder and Torchwick. A world with immense darkness. A world filled with the creatures of Grimm that fed on the sorrow and suffering that people caused one another. A world that was unjust and unfair. A world of suffering and grief. A world where some would hate them.
But tonight, neither Weiss nor Neopolitan thought about the darkness and evil in their world. Rather, they thought about the joy and happiness possible from their new relationship. A small light to stand against the darkness. And it gave them hope. The hope that all Huntsmen and Huntresses needed to believe that they could triumph in their war against the darkness.