Over there.
Yang pointed from behind the edge of the alley way, her arm bandaged every two inches or so. Her face sported a bandage over her cheek and her left eye was bruised. Not to mention, her hair was even more unruly than usual and her rider jacket was sporting a few cuts and scraps. That was usually what happened when she gets into fist fights.
She was pointing at a deceptively quiet-looking house.
I wish you would have just asked me to help to begin with. Weiss scolded, stepping out onto the sidewalk and strutting towards the house. It would have made this so much easier.
Well sorry, Yang whined sarcastically following suit. In her mind, she admitted that getting Weiss to handle it would have probably been the smarter choice. But she was the older one! She was supposed to be able to handle things. She was supposed to be taking care of Weiss, not the other way around. Yang sighed. Guess the genetics worked out differently. Weiss had her mother's tactical cunning. Yang wasn't born with any of that.
Weiss knocked on the door of the house and waited. No one answered.
Well, now what? Yang asked, deferring to Weiss.
We invite ourselves in. Weiss stated confidently, making a motion with her hands around the doorknob. The knob iced over and fell off, shattering into shards. Weiss pushed the door open and stepped in like she owned the place.
Yang rolled her eyes and Weiss' sense of entitlement, then followed suit.
She should have expected the sight that greeted her.
Russel, Dove and Sky were playing cards at the table. They were obviously drunk — beer bottles were cluttered everywhere and generally speaking, the whole house was a mess. That was all fine. What wasn't fine was the fact that Russel held Velvet firmly in his lap. Velvet, who was wearing nothing but a black bra and black underwear, had her eyes closed and looked as though she was about to cry. One of his hands were on the table holding his hand of cards. But the other, Yang didn't want to think about where it was.
Yang went into a rage. Before she even knew what she was doing, Ember Celicia was armed. Yang registered Russel standing up and yelling "You!" before pushing Velvet into the ground and launching towards Yang.
Yang didn't even get a shot in. She suddenly couldn't move. Looking down, she realized her feet were encased in ice.
Weiss? Yang turned around to look at her sister. Only to be greeted by a hard slap to her face. Wounded and betrayed, Yang looked back at Weiss, her cheek stinging amplified by the already present injury.
Weiss ignored Yang. I apologize for her rudeness. Her mother didn't teach her any manners and our father is a pushover. I'll make sure she's properly educated when we get back. Weiss spoke to Russel, sheathing Myrtenaster.
Russel was still frowning. Yang thought that she could see steam coming out of his ears. See to that. He responded curtly. What are you doing here? I thought the door was locked. If this is about the rabbit, you are out of line telling me how to treat my pets. To emphasis his point, he dragged Velvet off the ground by her ears. Isn't that right? he asked her.
Velvet nodded weekly.
See? Russel smiled deviously. Throwing Velvet back onto the ground.
Yang tried lunging herself at him again, only to trip over her ice encased feet. Yang glared at Weiss back, not understanding.
I'm not here about your pets, Weiss rolled her eyes, her tone condescending. Like I care what happens to those beasts. Weiss continued, shocking Yang out of her mind. I'm here on business. Weiss declared, throwing a case at Russel who caught it easily. I heard you've been looking for this.
Russel narrowed his eyes at Weiss, but opened the case nonetheless. After a glance, his expression lightened. Quickly, he set the box on the table and took out the contents. Are these? he breathed.
Grimm Daggers. Weiss explained. Made with pure tamahagane and lined with gold plated designs. Jagged cut. It was made by Master Crow himself. Weiss shifted her stance, crossing her arms.
Russel tore his gaze away from the weapon with difficulty, but kept the weapon in his hands, as though he couldn't bear to part with them. How did you find this?
Weiss smirked. I have my ways.
How much? I might not be able to pay it all right away, but I'll definitely get the money to you somehow. Russel explained breathlessly, desperately.
500 lien. Weiss stated, with no room for debate. Up front or not at all. I do have other buyers you know. Rare commodities like these sell fast.
Russel's eyes widened. I— I don't have that much. Could we maybe work something out?
Sorry, Weiss replied curtly, snatching the daggers out of his hands and placing them back into their case. We'll just be off then. Weiss said, stepping deliberately around Velvet.
Wait, Russel exclaimed. The rabbit. Your sister wants her. I'll give her to you and 250 lien. I can do that right now. Would that be okay?
Weiss scoffed. I don't want her, Weiss spoke incredulously. And that'd just be—
Weiss! Yang spoke up then, looking at Velvet who lay still on the floor. Please. I'll pay back the rest of the 250 lien. Just, Velvet, please.
Weiss seemed to purse her lips. Then finally, she sighed. Deal.
Why'd you have to do that? Weiss snapped, as soon as they were home.
What the hell was with your attitude?! Yang snapped back. We went there to save her! Not do business! You just let him slap her around! What is wrong with you! Yang screamed back at Weiss, holding Velvet, sporting Yang's collar and jacket, protectively behind her.
Are you stupid? Weiss bit out. Of course we went to save her! If you had stayed quiet for a minute longer he would have payed the dagger in full and have given us Velvet for free! You think if I let you just kick his ass around he would have sold her to us at all?! Do you think if I just asked to buy Velvet from him we would have gotten a fair price?! Everything I did today was for you! You stupid brute! Weiss yelled back, pushing Yang away then turning around and stalking away.
Jesus, Weiss, Yang ran up to her little sister. I'm sorry, you could have told me.
Weiss shook off Yang. And you could have trusted me.
Weiss, Yang tried again, grabbing Weiss' arm.
Don't touch me. Weiss snapped.
Please, a timid voice spoke out, causing both Weiss and Yang to turn. Don't fight. Velvet pleaded, her ears drooped and her hands in front of her.
Get her some clothes, you brute, she can wear something of mine until Glynda can get her fixed up. Weiss said finally, elbowing Yang. I'll show her the shower.
Right. Yang nodded, walking away.
When she was almost out of hearing range, she heard a quiet, melodious voice.
Thank you.
I gave her the room next to mine. Weiss briefed. She's already in bed, I let her use one of my pajamas.
Oh, okay. Yang responded. She could have slept in my room.
Weiss narrowed her eyes. Yeah no, well maybe. You can ask her tomorrow to see if she'd be comfortable with that.
I got her clothes like you told me to.
Great, just leave them on a desk or something.
Okay, cool.
Oh, I'm going to get Neptune to train her. Weiss mentioned, walking away.
What? You're making her fight? Yang asked incredulously.
She's built for it. She has the body for speed. Weiss explained. And I'm not teaching her to fight, I'm teaching her self-defence. It's a good skill to have.
Right, yeah, got it, I agree.
But Velvet would never have to fight, self-defence or otherwise, Yang thought to herself. Yang would make sure she was there to protect her.
Gah! Yang exclaimed, barging into Velvet's room. I can't believe her! Can you believe her?! Yang asked, pacing around.
Velvet looked up from her drawings. Weiss had bought her a whole new painting set. She couldn't be more grateful. I take it we're talking about Weiss?
Of course we're talking about Weiss! Who else is this annoying?!
Weiss isn't annoying, Velvet smiled, You and her just have different ideas about everything.
Yeah well, this time I'm right and she's wrong. Yang huffed.
What did she say?
She said that my fighting needs practice! Can you believe her?! Yang paced furiously. I could punch a hole through this wall! She fights like a freaking ice skater! And ice skaters can't fight!
I think she meant to say that your fighting lacks finesse, Velvet corrected. And Weiss only fights like an ice skater if by that you mean that Weiss' fighting style is very graceful, almost like a dance.
Yeah but it doesn't matter if it's graceful if her hits don't do any damage!
It doesn't matter how hard you hit if you can't land a punch, Velvet shot back.
Yang frowned. Why are you always on her side? she pouted.
I'm playing devil's advocate. Velvet teased.
Yang groaned. It's not fair! Why is Weiss good at everything?! Yang whined, plopping herself down onto Weiss' bed. Yang buried her head into Velvet's pillow, inhaling the scent, trying to stuff the tears back down to where they came. Yang took a breath. Dad's going to make her the heir instead of me, she said angrily. And I'm his real daughter! She's just the adopted one!
Oh Yang, Velvet cooed, quickly moving to sit by Yang on the bed. You don't know that.
Yes I do, Yang shot out. And it makes sense! Even I wouldn't make myself heir when there's Weiss. I'm not good at business like she is. I can't read people like she can. Studying doesn't come easy to me. All I had was my fighting, and somehow, that little stick bested me in that too.
Yang, Velvet sighed. You are good a fighting, it's just that you're impatient. There's nothing wrong with your technique and if it came to brute force, you would probably beat Weiss. And as for the business savvy stuff, you have other talents. You can charm any guy or girl into your bed — that requires reading people somewhat. And you're so earnest and honest. Don't compare yourself to Weiss, you guys are different people.
Yang was quiet, relishing the feeling of Velvet running her tiny hands through her hair.
You made a really good first impression on me, if that counts for anything. Velvet grinned at Yang.
I did? Yang asked, looking up at Velvet.
Yeah, Velvet smiled. The hero that burst in out of nowhere, beating up my captor. You were outnumbered too and yet you were winning right up until the very end, when they took me hostage. I thought you were very dashing.
Yang grinned for a moment, then deflated. But I still needed Weiss to save you for me.
It's the thought that counts. You made me feel safe when Weiss was negotiating. I understand why she was so cold now, but back then, I was really scared of her.
Really?
Really.
Yang sat up, looking intently into Velvet's eyes. Weiss could have everything else, Yang decided.
Wh-what? Velvet stuttered, shy all of a sudden.
Yang kissed her, passionately, deeply, pushing Velvet down onto the bed. Panting, she broke away only after exhausting all of her air.
Yang? Velvet squeaked out. I'm not, you aren't—
You don't find me attractive? Yang asked, beaming down at Velvet.
I do. Velvet admitted. I'm not blind Yang, and I admit, I have had… fantasies. I'm not worried about that.
Then what? Yang blinked curiously, still bent over Velvet.
I'm not in love with you. Velvet said.
Yang froze. That was awfully brave of you to say. I could kick you out onto the streets you know.
Velvet looked away. It had to be said. And I trust you.
Yang paused. Who said I'm looking for anything serious? Don't you know my reputation around here? Yang grinned cheekily, starting to neck Velvet.
Velvet gasped. Yang, please. Velvet pushed Yang gently off of her. We need to talk about this. I don't want to hurt you. Or Weiss.
Yang growled. What does Weiss have to do with this?
Velvet gave Yang an incredulous look. Weiss is so lonely. You know we're her only friends. I know you can see that.
She's perfect. Everyone wants to be her friend.
Yang, just think about what this'll do to her. The only two people she cares about hooking up?
Why do you only think about Weiss? Yang said, louder than she meant to. My mother was poisoned and died and was replaced in less than a month by this random other woman who brought along this angel of a child who is replacing me in my father's eyes! What if I'm lonely too?! Yang yelled, tears brimming on the edges of her eyes.
Oh Yang, Velvet soothed, pulling the blond girl into her. Gently, Velvet kissed Yang's lips. Yang responded eagerly.
Yes, Yang decided, Weiss could have everything else.