Weiss Schnee
She was tapping her foot. She never tapped her foot. Though, she had never been in this situation before. Was she ok? Was she safe? Happy? Was she thinking about her?
She let out a groan.
Ruby was in Patch. As was Yang, and Blake. Penny also decided now was a good chance to go an spend some time with her father so for the first time in three months, Weiss Schnee was reminded of what it was like to have no friends.
"Maybe I could hire some people to spend time with me..."
"That's hurtful. Is my company that bad?" Weiss looked up immediately, finding Winter sitting across the table from her.
"W-Winter?? When did you... how long have you been sitting there?"
"About twenty minutes."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"You seemed quite interested in that report." Weiss blushed, she didnt often have to read Ruby's reports, they were only a formality anyway. Weiss usually just got the updates straight from the girl... but in her absence, Weiss had found herself reading through all of them... and after that had only kept her busy for a few hours, she re-read them. This pattern persisted for... well, she hadn't stopped yet.
"It's... a well written report..."
"That's one of Rubys reports is it not?"
"...yes..."
"Then I doubt it." She wanted to defend Ruby but Winter was right, they were poorly written at best, but the girls energy somehow managed to translate into the paper. Weiss would rather read this then any novel.
"It's... been lonely. I feel like I'm at a loss for what to do... I miss her..." Expecting comfort, Weiss looked at her sister again and was shown... confusion? Her sister was looking at her like she was an idiot.
"Weiss... she left this for Patch this morning." A red flush spread across Weiss face at that, she stammered for a moment to try and find a defense, but Winter's chuckle kept her from speaking. "You truly are smitten. It's quite adorable."
"Y-you...!"
"Me?"
"You're being... very rude!" Winters laughter picked up and Weiss wanted to crawl into a hole and die. The elder Schnee never laughed, yet apparently Weiss's plight was that entertaining.
"Well, how about I make it up to you? What would you like to do to take your mind off of it for the next few days?"
"Shouldn't you have returned to Atlas by now? General Ironwood left nearing on a month ago."
"Ironwoods presence was needed there and mine is yet to be called upon. Besides, if I truly needed to be in Atlas, I could fly there by tommorow." Weiss knew that Winter wasn't talking about an airship.
"Flying at that speed would use a lot of mana... if you were required there it would be a waste to travel like that."
"And? If that's what I have to do to remain here for as long as possible and make sure your alright? I'm sure I won't regret it." Weiss was touched, but, she knew her Sister would definitly regret it in the moment after such a long flight.
"I... thank you... Winter."
"You don't need to thank me Weiss. I'm your sister, you can always count on me."
Despite what Winter had said, she didnt have all the free time in the world. She had to leave not shortly after that, Weiss didnt ask for the details, but apparently there father had called her.
Weiss had decided to go look for a gift for Ruby. She didn't intend to purchase anything today, rather just try and find her something that would be nice. The Hunters exam would be happening in about a months time, and Weiss wanted to find something to congratulate Ruby with when she passed.
"There's no way she wouldn't pass after all."
As her carriage moved down the street, she noticed some snow flakes drifting through the breeze. Vale was finally reaching that time of the year it seemed, Patch would be a little bit warmer, so Ruby probably wouldn't see much snow until she got back.
"A Schnee is always most comfortable in snow..." She echoed her fathers words and furrowed her brow. She was suprised he was still here, surely she had thought that he would have gone back to Atlas by now to continue educating Whitley. What was he still doing here?
"I'm the princess of Vale... and yet he hasn't tried to council me at all... why?"
Weiss knew her father planned to marry her off to someone eventually, it was inevitable. But would he really make someone that married into the family the crown King of Vale? Well... he married into the family after all. The thought filled her with anxiety, if he was planning to make her future husband the ruler of Vale then she may have less time then she first thought... she could only save herself from that fate so long as Ruby-
The carriage stopped and she let out a sigh of relief. No more with that thought process for now. She had a goal today afterall.
"Ruby dosent really have need of a magic weapon... I don't even know what weapon she would prefer... actually... does she even have training in any weapons?" Weiss had been to ar least five different places by now. First a book shop before she realised she didn't know what Ruby liked to read, then a magic item shop before remembering that Ruby could probably make any item she needed with Weiss's resources... she next tried looking into getting Ruby a horse but remembered Ruby practically never went anywhere. A magic carriage like her own? Ruby would probably hate the attention. And finally here, looking at different weapons for one Ruby might like.
"If she wants to be a Hunter after all this... she might want a weapon right? Would a Dragon even need a weapon?"
She looked at every single one to try and spark some kind of an idea. Something, anything.
Swords seemed to bland, she wasnt sure if Ruby would like using a bow, spears might be the right kind of style... mace, morning-star, wands, flails, whips? No... there had to be something.
She kept moving through the glorified weapon shop. In truth, they only really had display weapons in the front of the store, this place only dealt in custom orders. At this point, she had moved onto strange weapons, things that weren't often seen in actual combat... and one actually caught her eye.
"A scythe..." She could picture it oddly enough. Ruby swinging around a weapon larger then herself, for whatever weird reason this seemed to speak to her. Definitely the best option out of the weapons... but...
"I can do better then this..."
She sighed as she walked out of the door.
"Come on Weiss..." She pulled the carriage out of her Scroll. "-What had Ruby shown interest in-" She blinked as she stared at her Scroll.
"Oh."
She hummed happily to herself, the carriage was heading back to the castle, and she had a small bag in her lap.
"I'm sure Ruby will like this."
"Suck it Penny."
She didn't like that she kept having to resort to her wallet to get one up over Penny, but in a way perhaps that was all she could offer for now.
She took the Scroll out of the bag and looked it over, it had the same number of slots as hers, and three empty charges in it, Ruby would need to find things to store in it, perhaps a Scrying Orb? Weiss should really put one in her own.
She sighed as she held it to her chest. This really was all she could do. Penny was available now... Weiss would take a lot more effort for Ruby to be with... and for what?
"Its not like im nicer then Penny... then again, who could be?"
She hated that her thoughts always returned to this, but once again, she was 'saved' from having to dwell on it. The Scrying orb on the carriage was letting out a soft hum, and it pulsed a bright blue every second or so. Weiss put the Scroll back in the bag and pressed her hand to the top of it.
"...Father?"
"Weiss. Return to the castle now, I have something I must discuss with you." He ended the call right after that and Weiss sighed.
"I was already heading there anyway..."
"Father? May I enter?" She recieved a grunt of affirmation that could be heard through the slightly cracked door, she sighed and entered, closing the council chamber door behind her and making sure it clicked shut and locked. Looking to the table, the only other people were her father... and her sister? "Winter?"
"Weiss, sit." Her fathers words were quick and to the point, as usual. Her sister looked worried... his presence tended to stress them both out.
She joined them at the table, having sat near to Winter. They were opposite to there father, it had always felt like that in a way... but as always, this was the chair her father had gestured for her to sit at.
"Father... whats going on?"
"Weiss. You have a duty to this family. So far in all you've done since coming to Vale is mess around and waste money. I know your supporting some researcher with financing and frankly I don't care for the details. Continue that for all I care, however. You will also have to uphold your duties." Every one of his words made Weiss feel more and more anxious.
"If you wish for me to recieve tutoring on how to go about ruling Vale, I can easily attend as many-"
"That isn't what I'm saying Weiss. Your smart enough to know that." His arms were crossed, and Weiss could practically hear Winter clenching her fists under the table.
"Spell it out for me, Father." Weiss tried to hold some kind of strength in her voice, but it felt like an uphill battle.
"If I must. Our family has remained weak for too long. You will do your duty to our family and erase the human blood from our veins. I've recently found out that the Arc family has a male heir that is of age to wed. As the crown princess of Vale, you are currently the most eligible for-" Winter's hand crashed into the chair next to her, the furniture flying back towards a wall and collapsing as it slammed into it had been made from sticks. "Do you have something to add Winter?" He looked unfased.
"Yes-" Her teeth were grit. "I will be leaving the military. As your eldest daughter Vale is my right by blood, therefore-"
"If you are suggesting I make you the crown Princess of Vale, save your breath. You lost the right to this kingdom after you became that." He spat the words out with venom, Weiss was trying to calm herself, trying to keep herself from hyperventilating. "Besides, your children would have an equal chance of inheriting your tainted blood over gaining the power of the Hero."
"There hasn't been a single one of them in generations that has awakened magic!" Winter had turned this into a screaming match.
"Then Weiss shall have to do her duty as a mother and make her children awaken it!"
"Whatever happened to wanting to return this family to the glory days of our Dragon ancestors!?"
"The Dragons are dead and gone! Not a single on of my Wizards has even been able to start approaching a theory on how to uncover that blasted Formula!"
"We have a researcher that has three of the Phrases!!" As Winter yelled the room dropped in temperature.
"Don't make me laugh Winter! You expect me to believe you can just pull that out of thin air?!" He had stood at this point, Weiss needed something... anything she needed to speak, needed to convince him to hold this off...
"It's the truth father! Just give us more time! The researcher can finish it! One year! All we need is one more year!" Winter was desperate, Weiss was glad she was fighting on her behalf... she hadnt managed to say anything yet...
"No. I will not have my children waste another year of my time. I must return to Whitley in Atlas. Once the wedding is done and through, then gallivant around with fake Formulas all you want for all I care!" Anything... something...
What did she know that Winter didn't...? What could she say to-
"Ruby has silver eyes..." She muttered it, more thinking out loud then actually meaning to speak, but her words got both of there attentions... and her father looked shaken.
"What did you just say...?"
"Ruby. The researcher under Weiss's contract. She has silver eyes." Winter clarrifed in Weiss stead, even if she didn't know why it was important.
Jacques sat down once more and fixed his collar, his mood had shifted. Weiss recognised this look, she had seen it before. He was getting ready to bargain.
They had something he wanted.
"Your positive her eyes are silver?"
"I've seen her work. There's no doubt in my mind." Weiss was finally speaking, her father had practically handed all the power in the room over to her.
"And she is under your employ?"
"She is under my employ in the form of a binding contract. She is unable to disclose any information about her research unless it as at my discretion." She put her hands on the table and gently clasped them, she had control now. He was following her lead.
She watched his mind work, the cogs in his brain turning as he tried and failed to come up with a way to turn this around.
"This researcher... you said she has three of the Phrases? How long did it take her to do this?"
"She has been working constantly for the last five years. She's a human of eighteen years of age." It sounded unbelievable when she said it out loud, and Winter grew nervous as Weiss spoke... But if there father really did know what Silver eyes were... it was more convincing rather then less.
"She's young enough then..." He adjusted his collar once again, he was ready to make an offer. "I'm sure we can work out an arrangement. This 'Ruby' would make a suitable suitor for Whitley, what are your terms?"
"My terms are simple. You allow me to do as I please and wed who I please. If Ruby returns my advances? Then it will be her. Ruby will not marry Whitley, and only if i believe you have done everything I've asked, ill allow you to become a Dragon." She wasnt stupid enough to say he could have the Formula... no, Ruby could cast the ritual for him, and there was a good chance he wouldn't earn that right anyway.
He looked like he wanted to sweat... but... he was out of options. He held the entire deck in his hand baring one card... but one look at his face showed that he would trade all of it for Weiss's Ace. They had won.
Her breathing returned to normal, a calm, cool air filled the room as Winter seemed to also realise there victory. All was good.
"Well... there's no reason we have to work out the exact parameters of our deal now. We have surely at least a year for the last two Phrases? Then Weiss can focus on her efforts of pursuing this Ruby...-" He waited for a last name and Weiss just smiled to herself. This was the best case scenario. Her father was actually encouraging her to chase after Ruby's heart!
"Nothing stands in my way now. Not Father, and now that I know my hand is mine to give away, not even Penny will be able to compete with me for long."
"Rose. Ruby Rose." Winter also had a smile as she answered there fathers unanswered question.
Weiss felt her heart clench. There fathers face turned sour immediately, like he had bitten into cake to find it was made of rotting flesh on the inside. His pale skin turned a flushed and angry red, the veins on his forehead looked ready to burst and his eyes were approaching bloodshot. Weiss watched as her father seemed to undergo such a shift in mood that it resembled a transformation.
She actually felt the rope slip from her hand. The final lifeline... the string that lead her to Ruby's heart... she watched it disappear from view as she plummeted into the abyss.
Her fathers screams barely reached her ears, the second she had seen that expression, she knew he had changed his mind immediately... but why...? She checked in just in time to hear it...
"Father I don't understand!! You were agreeing with us just a moment ago-" Winter's plea's fell on deaf ears.
"I will not allow you to invite that cursed name back into our family!! My father and his father barely survived those things last attempt at our throats!!"
"Father what are you talking about!?"
"The Rose Dragon!! That damned abomination that slaughtered most of our family and ended all Dragons!!"
"What...?"
Ruby's family... her blood that stemmed from her mother... her ancestor was the that had made Dragons extinct to the known world? Someone with the Rose last name...?
"This girl is a lier and a fake!! Her vile, disgusting blood shall never touch our family!!"
"Ruby is a sweet girl who means no one any harm!! I can assure you that she's nothing like-"
"The man that slaughtered our family and ended our Draconic blood was just as charming and seemingly innocent!! His toxic nature lay hidden just long enough for him to become a part of our family and for us to share the Dragon Formula with him and make him one of us!! He tore us apart less then a day after that!! Taking all traces of the Dragon Formula with him as he was slain!!"
Weiss felt numb... well, not exaclty... she wanted to throw up. She hadn't said a word since his expression had changed... this yelling wasn't helping. She felt dizzy, light headed... how had she never heard this story...? If she had known.. if Winter had known... they would have known not to say her last name... Weiss didn't doubt Ruby was genuine for a moment but... if only she had known... if they had just not said that one name... Weiss would have her victory...
"Weiss!! You will marry the Arc heir within the year!! You will forget about this stupid infatuation!! I will not hear anything else about it!!"