Weiss Schnee

"So... why are we here again?"

"Ruby..."

"N-no! I mean... I get why you wanted to do this but... I don't see why I need to be here for this."

"Ruby-"

"Like, your good enough at this that I don't need to be here-"

"Ruby!" Ruby jumped with a squeak and it was so adorable that Weiss forgot in an instant why she had gotten worked up.

Vale certainly had a warmer climate then Atlas, however, it was starting to drop in temperature and Penny had notified Weiss that Ruby lacked winter clothing.

"We need to get you some warmer clothes before it starts to snow."

"Why? Dosent the workshop have heating?"

"What if you need to leave the workshop Ruby?"

"Ummm..."

"Don't tell me you-"

"Ok so just because I bunkered down in my old workshop every winter and didn't leave dosent mean I planned to this year!"

"... did you plan to-"

"-Yes I planned to this year..." Weiss tried, and failed, to keep herself from smiling. Ruby simply had a way at lighting up the princess's mood that Weiss hadn't thought possible.

Finally the tailor joined them and began taking Ruby's measurements, the girl seemed to be having plenty fun looking between the different angled mirrors in front of her as she let the gentleman work.

"So why can't we just go to any ol' place and pick up a coat or something?" Ruby was still looking at the mirrors and Weiss rolled her eyes, but kept her smile.

"Becuase, knowing you, if you had just any coat, you wouldnt wear it because it would get in the way of you cloak. We're here specifically because it's the best place in Vale to get Dust woven clothes. Some simple winter outfits with some Fire Dust woven in will keep you warm enough that you won't have to wear a coat and you can gallivant around with your cloak all you want." Weiss was checking her nails while she spoke, but glancing up revealed a sight that she burned into her memory.

Looking through the reflection of the mirror she could see the front of Ruby and the older gentleman working around her. He looked quite pleased, most likely happy to receive a compliment from a Schnee.

But Ruby, she was beaming at Weiss. Her smile so geniune that it made the princess feel weak.

"That's really thoughtful Weiss." Her words bounced around Weiss's head and filled her stomach with so many butterflies she thought she'd burst and confess her feelings right then and there.

"I-its nothing..." Her face was as red as Ruby's cloak.

The gentleman cleared his throat to get the girls attention.

"I have your measurements, and I already have the list of clothing from Her highness." He bowed to Weiss and she nodded. "O-oh but... Umm... I am sorry I won't be able to live up to your expectations." Weiss tilted her head.

"I was informed that this was the best place for magical clothing in all of Vale." He gave a small smile.

"I had believed so myself... but..." He turned to Ruby and held his hand to her cloak, though he seemingly refused to touch it. "After seeing this I can hardly call myself the best in Vale... truly it's... it's incredible. Where did you get it?" Ruby smiled at the question but looked away.

"My mum... she made it for me. Though she worked out of patch so dont worry, you've been the best in Vale for a long time." She shook her head to get rid of her sorrow and gave the man a weak smile, he nodded in response and took his leave at Weiss's gesture.

She was with Ruby the next second... sure, she knew Ruby could handle talking about her mother... but... well... she was comforting her friend. It was important.

"Any excuse to hug Ruby."

"Where to next?" Weiss raised an eyebrow in response.

"Well that depends. Have you thought any more on the invitation from your father?" Weiss watched as Ruby nearly fell from her seat and onto the floor of the carriage.

"Yang told you about that...?"

"And Blake. And Penny." She didn't need to add that Celica had also mentioned it.

Ruby winced.

"Yeah... figured... I swear sometimes that you talk to them more then me." Ruby giggled and Weiss pouted internally.

"That's cause your always working and I don't want to interrupt!"

"If you want to talk more I'd be more then happy to." Smooth Schnee.

"Nah, i dont want to interupt you, im sure your busy with princess stuff."

"Not more busy then you. To be honest, my father dosent delegate many tasks to me... your... actually one of the bigger things going on in my life right now."

Ruby blushed and Weiss's heart skipped a beat at seeing the red grace her features.

"Umm... is that a good thing..?"

"Yes." Weiss didn't hesitate. "Of course it is Ruby. Do you not want me around...?"

Ruby quickly shook her head.

"No way! I definitly want you around! All the time if you could!" She paused for a moment then blushed heavily. "I... I mean-"

Weiss shook her head.

"You don't have to explain Ruby-" She leaned forward and rested her head in her hands while staring at Ruby dreamily. "I understand."

Out of all the things Weiss could have expected from Ruby Rose... this hadn't been one of them. Ruby was currently reading a dictionary, on the floor but that wasn't important...

"I should get her a couch..."

Apparently Ruby had been reading this thing for three days now, it wasn't a fast process like all of her other research. She had to carefully consider each word and decide if it was a safe bet to ignore it or not. But... Ruby was humming.

It suprised Weiss to say the least, Ruby was usually quiet while she worked, like she wasn't a part of this world anymore. Suffice to say that Weiss was staring... and it wasn't subtle.

"She's having trouble with it." Penny set down some coffee in front of Weiss and joined her at the table. They sat in silence for a moment before Weiss managed to tear herself away from Ruby and glanced at Penny.

"Do you know why?" Penny shook her head.

"Everything else was so easy for her... its funny, usually people would find magic being the hard part of research..."

"What?"

"Well, this is the first time I've seen Ruby work on something that dosent involve magic." Weiss blinked and went back to staring at Ruby... was it really that simple?

"I don't exaclty know how to include magic into this." Penny giggled and Ruby let out a groan. "Sorry, are we being too loud?"

"No... no... I just..." She held the book up and stared at it like it had just slapped her. "This is so boring!!"

"Only you could say that something new is boring after doing the same research for five years." Weiss wasn't usually one for teasing, but she loved seeing Ruby pout.

"And? I like my research."

"Aww, she didnt pout..."

"I mean... everyone keeps asking me what I'm gonna do after all of this-" Weiss mentally scolded herself for starting a conversation that by the looks of things, Ruby didn't want to have. "But... why is that so important? I mean... I know it's important but... I like what I'm doing now. My research is fun... I know how weird that must sound to you guys but..." She groaned. "I cant find the right words..."

"You enjoy what your doing now so you don't like it when people imply or just say that what your doing is boring or just work?" Penny helpfully chimed in.

"Y-yeah! That!" Ruby grinned and Weiss looked down at her drink... she had to wonder how many times she herself said that to Ruby. A glance up at Penny showed that familiar look of worry on her face.

In a way, Penny was her rival... but they weren't enemies. They both cared about Ruby, they both wanted her happy... but as far as Weiss was aware, they both wanted to be the one standing next to her in the end.

"But if Ruby wants to enjoy the journey more then the destination..."

Weiss could only be with Ruby after she was finished... if Ruby didn't want to finish, that was bad news for Weiss... especially since Penny likely wouldn't be spending as much time around Ruby once she was done... Penny and Ruby wanted similar things then, just for different reasons. What did Weiss have that could compete with that? Her money?

"A bit of a low tactic... but she can't exaclty continue her research without me... unless she turns to Ozpin... or Yang... or Qrow... or-"

She shook her head, Weiss needed to change the topic... mainly to get her mind off of this.

"I heard that my sister finally tracked down your uncle." She took a sip of her coffee and felt that the conversation change was rather sly.

It wasn't.

"Oh yeah... that was here."

"What."

"Yeah, uncle Qrow came to visit and Winter showed up... I think she had been following him." Ruby giggled a little and Weiss looked to Penny for clarification.

"Ruby's uncle arrived and shortly after so did Winter. She seemed to be pretty angry at him so they engaged in a short fight. You don't have to worry though Weiss, I made sure Ruby and her research was safe." Penny gave her a knowing smile and Weiss felt her cheeks grow red... she wasn't that obvious... right?

"Oh! That reminds me! I need to get Uncle Qrow to finish telling me about those eyes!" Ruby stood so quickly that Weiss was sure she wouldve leaped straight up into the roof.

"What eyes?"

"Ruby's uncle was telling her about a lady with Golden eyes when Winter interrupted." Weiss would have to thank Penny somehow for always explaining things.

"What woman- wait, do you mean Yellow eyes?"

"I said the same thing! Apparently Gold eyes are like... extra special! Part of the big four Affinites or something like that... well that's what Uncle Qrow said." Weiss had never heard of something like that... Golden eyes? What could that mean-

"Ruby's eyes..."

Weiss slowly turned to the girl... everyone always said Ruby's eyes were silver... including Ruby herself and even Weiss had recognised the colour but... they were just Grey eyes right? The same Affinity in two different people could result in a different shade of the same colour after all... so Weiss had just assumed...

"Ruby... what colour are your eyes?"

"Hmm? Silver. Well... Grey, but my mum always said they were Silver so... that's what i tell everyone." Weiss nodded... Was the Silver colouring just a coincidence then? Ruby was human so she couldn't cast magic, so there wasn't exaclty a way to test her Affinity. Grey eyes were the Affinity for Physical Enhancement magic, while Ruby was pretty hyper, did that really match with her personality?

"What colour were your mother's eyes? If you don't mind me asking."

"The same as mine." Ruby returned to her book and Weiss brow furrowed. If Ruby's mother had Silver eyes too... that just added on to the theory.

She turned to Penny.

"Did Qrow mention any of the other 'Big four'?" It was a whisper, she wanted to keep this away from Ruby before she was sure.

"Yes. Gold, Platinum and Bronze... he didn't say the last one but..." She glanced at Ruby. "I think we have the same idea..." Weiss was glad Penny had whispered as well.

"I'm going to look into this... Do not tell Ruby... not yet." She stood with a sigh, Weiss didnt want to keep things from Ruby... but she knew better then to tell the girl that her eyes might be special before she was sure.

What was in that cup... she had sworn it was coffee, but after trying so many different kinds while being around Penny and Yang she couldn't compare it to any of her past examples... maybe he secretly drank tea.

Or considering the reason they were here... maybe alcohol.

"I was curious when you called... but now that im here i must say I'm even more intrigued." He had a way of sounding smug without actually having a smirk... it was annoying.

"Can you contact him or not Ozpin?"

"You know, most people aren't as keen as you are to meet Death." He took another sip but before Weiss could respond he drew a rolled up piece of parchment from his coat. "But who am I to deny the command of the princess of Vale?" He casually held the parchment out and Weiss watched it erupt into flames, the ashes hitting the table as it burned into nothing.

"The gardens could do without the ash..."

"Your making me summon Death in the royal garden and your worried about a little ash?"

"Stop making it sound so dramatic. It's not like he's the actual Grim Reaper, your 'summoning' Ruby's Uncle." She quite frankly, had had enough of Ozpin treating her like a child... though she wasn't actually sure how old he was.

"He's still a Harbinger... and as odd, poorly mannered and well... drunk.. as he may be. He still deserves the respect that title demands." With that, he stood and turned, looking out towards the fountain with a smile, Weiss begrudgingly joined him.

Nothing happened for a few seconds... quite frankly, Weiss still didn't understand this situation. She knew Harbinger's were dangerous... But Winter had apparently fought him evenly, she had a natural Affinity towards Ice magic and was an Ice Elemental, which while making for a very powerful combination... she had frankly expected more from one of the four 'Horsemen of the Apocalypse'.

The sudden cawing of a bird made Weiss jump more then she'd like to admit. The corvid landed in the courtyard just in front of the fountain, on closer inspection, a crow... how original. Then... it moved.

Not how a crow or any living thing should move... it... melted? It's feathers shed into droplets of a dark liquid... it almost resembled a Grimm as it collapsed slowly and... seemingly painfully into a grotesque puddle... a puddle that refused to spread out like any collecting liquid should, no it... it was like it was standing to attention. Aware.

Another crow followed. This one melted before it even hit the floor, not landing in the exact same spot, it collided with the ground with a horrible splat. She watched in horror as the dark remains of the bird moved over to join the last 'puddle'.

Then another... another... another. Two at a time, three at a time. All of them landing within a 2 metre radius of the initial bird. More, faster, too many to count. A constant stream flooded from the sky and into the paved stone, she couldn't see where they were coming from, and there were so many now that she couldn't see the large fountain behind them. It was like a wall of feathers that was being poured from an invisable jug in the sky. The dark waterfall... no, not water. They were liquid afterall.

The birds continued... the initial puddle was now the size of a person. It had to be no bigger then two feet in diameter at the bottom as it raised from the ground like a spire of rock. The birds kept slamming into the ground, it was like a rain of...

"Death..."

The front of the spire opened... like a double door being opened it split right down the middle, and the dark liquid settled into a cloak and hood... it was being worn by someone.. something! It had glowing eyes underneath where a face should be, but what colour? No matter how much she stared in horror she couldn't make it out... like it was something her mind... her soul simply couldn't understand.

She took a step back... her body reacting on pure instinct. This being in front of her was a good ten metres away... she knew she couldn't escape if she ran... it was too fast, she knew that. But anything for even a millisecond more of life, the instincts of a human.. no, as a living creature, were screaming at her that this... thing... in front of her was the opposite of her existence... and yet, what she would inevitably become.

Before she could run, before she could try in vain to escape... an arm moved around her shoulder, holding her in place. A radiant warmth spread from it, and both of her hands moved to the one now resting on her right shoulder... any comfort... any warmth... any Lie she could try and believe right now that she had any chance of survival. She had to cling to it.

"Calm yourself Weiss. He dosent mean you any harm." That thing didn't need to mean any harm to anyone... just existing was enough. She was staring at the end of life, the inevitable end of all, and she was being told to calm down?? "Qrow. That's enough." Ozpins voice was angry... she could barely register that as the figure started moving.

It's walking... if it could even be called that, was grotesque... like a shambling mound... it shouldn't have been able to move... it had no legs she could see, it had no body she could make out except for those eyes...

And then it tripped and fell flat on its face.

Her fear vanished in an instant and all she was left with was suprise... the seemingly endless flood of birds had stopped, and the dark liquid cloak settled into a black silk like substance, now clearly being worn by a man, though his hood was still up so she couldn't see his features. He let out a groan as he stood, Ozpin let Weiss go and sighed as the man flicked his hood off of his head... and burped.

"Man, I really shouldn't drink and fly."

"Is he... drunk...?" Ozpin let out an even bigger sigh and nodded.

"Qrow... you make it so hard to respect you..."

"Ayy, good to know you respect me Oz!"

"When was the last time you used that much Death magic anyway?"

"Was that a large amount of his power..?" Weiss almost said it hopefully.

"No... he just never uses any of it because-" Ozpin was cut off by the man in question hiccuping. After an awkward silence, Qrow continued.

"Cause if your strong enough to earn the title of a Harbinger in the first place, there aren't many people that can keep up with ya... also, when was the last time you used the emergency summon, huh Oz?? That's why I went all-" He started making ghost noises after that and Weiss wasn't sure if this whole experience had made her respect him more or less...

More, definitly more, even after all this... that power was-

She shivered even just remembering it.

"So... why am I here?"

"That's a great question. Your highness?" Ozpin turned to Weiss and she sighed.

"Let's sit down before he collapses..."

After downing frankly too much water, Qrow was finally somewhat sober... the healing magic helped too.

"Penny and Ruby tell me that you mentioned something called the 'Big four Affinites'. I wanted to ask you about that." Qrow blinked and looked at Ozpin with a questioning glance.

"You coulda answered that."

"I didn't know that's what she wanted to ask you to be fair."

"Wait... you know about this too??" The exasperation reached Weiss's face and voice.

"While the big four aren't well documented, if you live long enough or simply go looking, you can find them."

"And what are they?" Qrow raised a hand.

"Oh! I can answer this!" Weiss had to wonder if this is where Ruby got her childish nature from... though they weren't actually related. "See, people tend to rank Affinities based on how broad they are. Commons are your single elements, Hybrids are usually dual elements. Then you got your specifc magic types like Illusions and Support magic, which are more broad then just your elemental ones so people say there better. The big four are the most broad Affinites. Platinum is the Affinity of mana itself, Gold is-"

"Wait... Platinum is for mana?? Dosent that mean that you would have an affinity for-"

"All magic essentially. Though it's not as simple as that-" Ozpins voice was much calmer then either Weiss or Qrow. "Affinity is more then just how well you can cast spells. Your Affinity is what your soul speaks to, what your mind works well with, what your body readily accepts. An Affinity for fire for example. Someone will not only be able to cast much stronger versions of fire element spells, but they will also be able to understand and use said magic much better then anyone without that Affinity could. So while having an Affinity for mana does give you access to more powerful versions of... well, all magic. You don't gain the understanding and ease of practice and use of said magics." Weiss nodded. She knew... at least some of this.

"Gold is your Affinity for Practical Magic. Basically, actually casting spells. It's more of what you thought of Platinum eyes before Oz explained it."

"Many people consider Gold to be the most powerful eyes... any spellslinger with Gold eyes may as well have an Affinity in all magic."

"Bronze is the Affinity for summons."

"Most people consider it the least practical..." Ozpin sighed and Qrow snickered.

"Yeah, till they fight someone with them. Normal summoners are already really strong, just wait till someone with Bronze eyes summons a literal army to beat you up." Weiss shuddered at the thought.

"And then one your most likely here for... Silver eyes. The Affinity for Technical Magic." Weiss eyes widened as she turned to Ozpin.

"You knew..."

"Yes. I knew." Qrow seemingly didn't get the memo, as he continued talking.

"Silver eyes are about as broad as Gold eyes... rituals, enchantments, curses, magic items, magical clothes, all kinds of shit..." He took a swig from his water, seemingly forgetting it wasn't alcohol.

"Bronze seems to be the odd one out if I'm honest..." Weiss shelved the conversation with Ozpin for later.

"That's cause summoning is the most powerful kind of magic." Qrow burped out.

"That's a rather bold claim." Her eyes furrowed at his words but he just laughed.

"There was a woman once, she was a Hybrid, had Silver and Bronze eyes..." He took a drink, this time from his flask. "She was also the Harbinger of Death at the time."

"Breifly..." Ozpin added.

"She sounds... incredibly strong... why aren't there any records of a woman matching that description? Surely I would have heard of her."

"Because those records were burned... along with any history from before she was born." Ozpin had a dark look on his face, and Qrow seemed set on finishing his flask at the sudden turn the conversation had took.

"...Why?" Weiss summoned the courage to ask, which Ozpin sighed to.

"Because-" Qrow handed Ozpin his flask and he took a shot from it. "She created the Grimm."