Two months later…
Weiss sat in her father's office, well, her office now. She shifted through the various dispatches, letters from business partners and the like, all vying for her approval as the of the new leader of the Schnee family. The last two months had seen a lot of managing of her father's affairs, it had been exceptionally dull. She poured herself another glass of wine, she had been "testing" this vintage from one of her winery's quite frequently, the luxury of owning several vineyards. She knew it was a poor habit, she had seen the effects on Yang after losing Summer. Yang had stopped after 'that' night, she was busy helping her father restart his business. Now it was Weiss turn to drown her sorrows. She barely slept, her dreams being haunted by ghosts of her father.
"My Lady you have a visitor, they have requested an audience immediately." The servant peaked through the door, patiently awaiting her response. Weiss sighed, she was almost certain who this would be. "send them in," the servant disappeared behind the large oak doors. A moment later a well-dressed soldier entered the room. He stood taller than Weiss, messy blonde hair contrasting his impeccable red uniform. "Ironwood sent you I suppose, what is he demanding this time" her words holding a tad more sarcasm then she would have liked. Weiss however had had enough of Ironwood pestering her for the artefact. "U-uh, yes mam. I'm Ensign Arc, of his majesty's-"
"Yes, yes hurry it up,"
"S-sorry mam, General Ironwood enquires as to the letter he sent. Since you have not replied he fears it may have been lost in the post. So he has sent me to deliver this personally." He retrieved a letter from his pocket, hand shaking slightly as he handed over the message. Weiss grabbed the letter, tearing it open. It read as the last one did, subtly implying the General's need for the artefact, as a matter of national security. Weiss discarded the letter, staring at the soldier before her. "Tell your General, that I have no idea where his artefact is. Furthermore, I grow tired of his pestering. That is all." With a dismissive wave Weiss returned to her work. She heard the soldier leaving, thankful for the return to silence.
She had not lied, where the artefact was she no longer knew. Ruby had left over a month ago, seeking to hide the 'Piece of Eden' as she had called it. Weiss had tried to dissuade her, convince Ruby to let her come along, to help. Ruby however was set on her course, she had talked with her father, had learnt of something, somewhere in which she could hide the hourglass. It was a secret she intended to keep to herself. Weiss had accepted that, she had wanted to be rid of that thing since the moment she touched it. The device held such power, Weiss had used it unknowingly, and it had taken her back in time if only a few minutes. With those few minutes she had been able to save Ruby's life, and take her fathers for a second time. She could change the world, conquer kings and countries, yet she couldn't bear to look at the thing anymore. Ruby was right, it was too dangerous, too corrupting, to be allowed into mankind's hands.
The next day Weiss spent dealing with the shambles that was the Assassin order. Her father had left a divided cohort, most of the Assassin families had left the order due to her father's late obsession. She dedicated a lot of time to trying to repair those bonds that had been broken, to re-form the order. She had an eerie feeling that if she did not act soon the Templars would pounce. Neo was still out there somewhere, and so where the people that organised her involvement. Her most recent letter was too the Nikos family, one of the first to leave the order. They had moved from Greece many years ago, and had become some of the best Assassins in the order. Their assistance had led to the removal of the Templars from London, at least the majority of the enemy order.
Most of her letters went unanswered, and they few that were answered had not been positive. They condemned Weiss for her Fathers actions, they did not want a Schnee at the head of the order again.
She finished her letter, looking out to see the full moon hanging over the quiet gardens of the manor. It was her manor now, everything had been left to her by her father. She looked down at the many unopened letters that lay pilled on the side of her desk. They were all very eager now, left alone in this world with money and power, they all wanted a slice. Weiss had received many offers in the past, but since her training they had more or less disappeared, as she had from the public eye. Now she was the number one topic of gossip in high society, the lonely heiress. Suitors had come out of the woodwork all of a sudden, eager to control Weiss newfound wealth. Like the others before them, she tossed the letters into the fire.
Another day passed, another day spent trying to fix all the problems that appeared around her. Workers disputes at one of her factories, another refusal from the Nikos family, and Weiss had run out of wine. She rubbed her temple, trying to force away the headache that was building. She cast aside her work, she needed fresh air. "Doughty, I am leaving for the night. Please have a meal ready for nine o'clock when I return."
"Of course Miss." Doughty was always just within earshot of Weiss, waiting for any orders that may be issued. Weiss dismissed him, quickly activating the hidden switch in the office. She climbed down into the secret room underneath the office. In the corner sat her Assassin gear, the white hood placed over the head of the mannequin.
She changed quickly, fixing her rapier to her right side, only taking a single pistol of the two she usually used. Strapping on her vambrace she headed out the passage through the sewers.
She headed towards the docks, an easier part of town to traverse due to the lessened presence of constables and soldiers. She exited the passage and spied the setting sun in the distance, the final rays of sunlight sending warmth onto Weiss' skin. She raced up onto the rooves, as to remain unseen by the general populace. She dashed around the area, stretching her legs, flexing her arms as she pulled herself up onto higher rooftops. She felt refreshed, she moved with a lithe grace free from the uncomfortable wooden desk she had been trapped behind for many days. The sun had set now, and the sounds of the night had begun. Boisterous cheering from the many taverns in the area, the smell of food wafting from many homes.
They lived a simple life down by the docks, but they all appeared to be much happier than Weiss. She was envious of their freedom, they did not have to put up with the pressures that gnawed at her. Yet she was no fool, she recognised the luck of her birth. She sighed, the grass is always greener on the other side. She was content to watch tonight, watch as the people lived their lives. She heard movement behind her, her hand reflexively moving to her sword. "Relax it's just me. I saw you running about and thought you could use some company." Blake sat down next to Weiss, both now looking out over the streets of London.
"How have you been, I haven't seen you recently, been holed up in the manor?" Weiss sighed at Blake's question. "Yes I have had a lot on my plate recently, dealing with my father's affairs has kept me very busy."
"How are you coping?"
"Fine, just fine," Weiss voice quivering ever so slightly
"Doesn't sound like it." Blake offered a reassuring hand, rubbing Weiss shoulder. She feigned from the touch, looking away from Blake. "Weiss, I know it's been tough. No one should be forced to do what you had to do. But it's over now, your future is in your own hands,"
"But it's not, I have to fix the order, I have to maintain my father's business ventures. I can't do it all, and the world knows it. The amount of letters I get about people wanting to marry me, to take over my life… I'm so sick of it, I am beginning to realise the benefits of being the girl that father hid form the world. Blake shrugged, "I can only imagine how hard it is, but this is how things are, you have to deal with it. I'm sure the men are not so bad, there must be one that is worthy of your love. At the same time, I believe that you don't need anyone's help in that way. You have me, Yang and Ruby, we will do everything we can."
"I just hope it's enough… Have you heard any word from Ruby?" Blake shook her head in response, staying silent. "Where is she, she has been gone for too long. Maybe I should go out and look for her, yes I think she probably requires help. I will get the carriage-"
"You can't run away from all of this, not yet at least. Ruby is fine I'm sure, you trained her after all, or do you not believe in your abilities as a teacher?" Blake knew how to push Weiss' weak points, the white haired girl responding with a mean scowl. "I know she will be fine. I just…."
"You what?" Blake stared at Weiss, Weiss after several quiet moments responded with a whisper
"I miss her…" Blake just smiled. She had seen it coming, the two had grown surprisingly close over the small amount of time they had been together. It was a friendship forged in the fires of adversity if ever Blake had seen one. More so, she now suspected that there may be something more there. She could start to understand Weiss frustration with the letters she had been receiving. "Weiss, I'm sure she will be back soon. Try to focus on the problems at hand, keep your mind off her."
"I don't need to keep my mind off that dolt, I already have plenty of things to occupy myself. Not that I need occupying or anything, or, like, uh, I'm rambling like her. How are you so good at that, making me make a fool of myself?" Blake chuckled, standing and stretching as she did so,
"I have known you for quite a while now, it's surprisingly easy." Blake chuckled again, "and surprisingly fun." Weiss looked up at her, the scowl firmly set on her features.
"Where are you of too?"
"Sun's supposed to be arriving sometime tonight, and he's supposed to be staying in town for a lot longer than usual." The last part brought a smile to Blake's lips, she couldn't hide her excitement. Weiss sighed, "Off you go then, go and see your wonderful sailor boy." Weiss last word being met with the sound of Bake leaping onto another roof.
Weiss made it back home eventually, her mind still a mess of worry. Her body was at least tired, meaning she hopefully would be able to get some sleep tonight. Her meal of soup had been lukewarm, she was slightly late. Once again she sat in solitude and ate her meal. The servants had been dismissed for the night, she could call upon them if needed of course, but she rarely did.
Finishing her meal she retired to her bedroom. She had not taken over her father's room, some things were just too uncomfortable. She flopped down onto the bed, lying face first in the sunken quilt. She heard the sound of movement as she lay down, her instincts kicking in she jumped up hand diving for her rapier that lay resting on the wall nearest her bed. The figure at the other end of the room held its hands up, hidden by shadow. Weiss reached her sword, pulling it free from its scabbard. "Weiss it's me, Ruby!" The figure stepped forward, hands still in the air, red hood covering her forehead. "Ruby! What is the matter with you, scaring me half to death like that!"
"uh, sorry about that. I wanted to surprise you, so, um, surprise" Ruby winced as she finished her sentence, expecting another tongue lashing from Weiss. Instead there was only silence, she looked at Weiss, who seemed to be conflicted about something. Her arms made moves to hug her, but were held back. Ruby smiled and brought Weiss into a hug, finishing what Weiss could not. "Welcome back Ruby, when did you arrive back in London."
"I arrived this morning, I spent the day catching up with Yang and Dad."
"You didn't care to notify me of your return?" Weiss slightly hurt by Ruby having chosen her family over her. Something that any normal person would do, she reminded herself quickly. "Ah, sorry about that, I wasn't really thinking. I just wanted to see Dad again, I hadn't seen him on his feet."
"Don't worry about it, it's fine." The image of Ruby's father was quickly replaced by an image of her own in her mind, lying dead. Ruby picked up on this as Weiss turned away, looking down at the ground. "How have you been holding up?" Ruby sympathetically laying a hand on her shoulder. Weiss looked back at her, tears glinting in the soft glow of the moon that illuminated the room.
Weiss composed herself, "I'm fine Ruby, it's just good to see you." No I'm not, I'm a mess who can't sleep, can't stop worrying. Ruby beamed at her, "It's good to see you too Weiss, I missed you while I was out there. Oh oh, I have some awesome stories to tell you though." Ruby's childlike demeanour calmed Weiss, if only I could stop caring everything would be so much easier. Ruby went on about her stories, adventures, battles, new friends, she had quite the tale to tell. Weiss was content to listen, keeping her mind of all the things that haunted her.
Ruby noticed Weiss starting to tune out, gazing off absentmindedly, her soft smile slowly fading. "What's up Weiss, you still look worried?" Weiss let out a deep sigh,
"A lot of problems have cropped up while you were gone Ruby. It's been a tough few weeks."
"Well don't worry about any of that, I'm back so I can help out with all that."
"I'm sure you will, but I need to rest so goodnight Ruby,"
"Aw but I wasn't finished telling my story," Ruby pouted. Weiss shook her head,
"I can hear the rest of it over breakfast, now let me sleep you dolt."
Weiss lay in her bed, eyes slowly drifting shut. Hopefully she would be able to get some sleep tonight, she needed it. She was happy that Ruby was back, maybe with her help she would be able to sort through some of her problems. Not all of them, there is a lot she can't do, that we can't do. Weiss drifted off, the longing in her heart only growing stronger, why is it so unfair?