Weiss Schnee
She felt jittery to say the least. She kept looking across the sky, hoping to spot the airship... still nothing though. Were they alright? They didn't get attacked right?? No... no. Qrow was with them now... even if they did get attacked over the ocean... he could handle it... then again, some of the Grimm that dwelled in the ocean were the most dangerous! She should call again to check on them... just in case!
A hand placed on her shoulder kept her from reaching for her Scroll.
"Weiss. You need to calm down."
"I am calm! Why wouldn't I be calm??" Winter raised an eyebrow.
"You know how it looks right? The princess this worried about a commoner returning?"
"I am not waiting for a commoner. I'm waiting for the return of my chief magic researcher and three of the finest Hunters in Vale." Weiss crossed her arms.
"Chief researcher? She's your only researcher."
"That makes her chief by default."
"She's affecting you in the strangest ways..." Winter mumbled as she looked up into the sky.
"What do you mean...?" Winter smiled but didn't look at her.
"All good changes, I promise." She gestured to the sky and Weiss saw the airship. They had been waiting near the castles private dock for twenty minutes now. Normally an airship would return to the public dock but... well, this was Weiss's personal ship.
It landed in less then a minute after spotting it and the passengers came out one by one. Yang and Blake were the first out, there kids followed behind, Celica had the cutest bow in her hair. Qrow was next and he eyed her carefully... then Ruby.
She stretched her arms out when she stepped off and didn't even see her at first... so Weiss went over.
Winter hadn't notice her move either until she was half way there and applied a "subtle" usage of her magic to speed over before anyone saw she had lagged behind the person she was guarding.
Ruby saw them come over and waved with a great big smile and that was exactly the moment Weiss started running. She wrapped the girl in a massive hug, her heart going so fast it felt like it would beat out of her chest but... she had Ruby back, safe and sound.
Ruby returned the hug, not nearly as tight however.
"Hey."
"Thank goodness your safe..." Weiss mumbled it out so no one could hear her, but she was fairly certain everyone was watching them. She managed to pry herself away from Ruby after what was probably too long and cleared her throat, hoping everyone had the decency to ignore her blush.
One glance at Blake, Yang and Qrow proved her hopes a distant dream... Winter was smirking too.
"They made it home safe."
"Good... I'm glad Ruby agreed to it for now..."
"Agreed? You didn't give her a choice." Qrow chuckled as he fiddled with his flask and Weiss frowned.
"Would you rather her stay at the workshop tonight?" Qrow winced and grumbled something inaudible in response and Weiss let out another sigh.
"Ms Schnee... I'd ask that next time you call me to the garden you at least have the decency to change these flowers... I can only look at them so many times." Ozpin was full of as much sas as usual, one look at Winter and Weiss guessed he had been making comments the whole walk.
"I'll ask someone about it if it's annoying you so much."
"Where is Ms Rose?"
"She's staying with her sister for the night. Penny was doing some work while Ruby was away so there's no point in going back to the workshop until there both able to show."
"Ms Pelladonna is currently helping her father with something." Winter added as Ozpin sat. The only one still standing was Winter, positioned a bit off to the side behind Weiss, classic bodyguard.
"So... the princess has summoned us. I believe that means she must talk first." Weiss rolled her eyes but nodded.
"First I would like to apologise for disclosing to my father-"
"I'm gonna cut you off there Snow-flake. You don't need to apologise."
"W-what?" Qrow sighed.
"Your old man is many things... a straight up murderer probably being one of them now that I think about it. But he's smart... mostly. Right now he knows Ruby has silver eyes, he knows what silver eyes can do, he knows Rubys last name is Rose, and he knows that Ruby has three Phrases of the Dragon Formula. Taking all that into account, what's the most likely thing he'd do?"
"He'd have Ruby killed." Weiss said it with a more steady voice then she expected... even if he made that decision, she would never let it happen.
"Sure, if Ruby was anyone else. How much damage do you think I could do to this castle before I was stopped?" Weiss was stunned for a moment but took it as a serious question... if he was just talking pure destruction...
"Youd level the castle and city." Qrow laughed in response and even Ozpin chuckled.
"Eh, maybe in a vacuum. But the second I started killing innocent people? I'd have Hunters and worse on my ass. Glynda could probably do some serious damage to me on her own, but there are other powerful Hunters in Vale, not to mention Conquest is running around the city somewhere." Weiss tilted her head.
"I don't get your point."
"There are too many factors, Ms Schnee." Ozpin took a sip from his cup.
"Your father cant act safely unless he's sure of the result. That's the nature of being Human in this world... Any wrong move and it wouldn't be difficult for someone to just run up and stab him. Or tear him in half."
"So why the marriage...?" Winter finally spoke, she was more worried about that then Weiss was...
"Perhaps it just hasn't hit me yet..."
"The Arc boy is still Human. The power of the Hero is great, but it's more difficult to explain then normal. There family are technically Human, but they can use magic. They simply can't transform into there half, full, or mastery state until they have 'Awakened'." Ozpin looked annoyed at this topic.
"And what's that?"
"I still have no clue." Ah, that's why it annoyed him, with what Weiss knew about him so far it seemed that he liked knowing everything. "Anyway, he hasn't Awakened yet, and that gives the king a chance. If the Arc boy dosent awaken before the wedding, Jacques could call off the event if he wanted to, and if young Ruby has become a Dragon by then, then suddenly she becomes the most eligible suitor for you." Weiss blushed at that last part.
Qrow eyed Weiss, his stare was intense and she knew why... he was judging her, testing her worth.
"So you like my neice?"
"I believe Weiss used the word 'love'."
"W-Winter...!!" Weiss practically bawled the word out and Qrow started laughing, even Ozpin chuckled.
"Well, you clearly value her safety. If she likes you back, who am I to judge." He took a swig from his flask... Weiss guessed that was the closest she would get to his approval.
"Wow I am really aceing step two..."
"So the wedding is just a threat to keep me in line?"
"Most likely. But a threat he will carry through if Ruby fails."
"She won't." Qrow and Weiss spoke at the same time and they both smiled after a moment.
"Anyway Oz, you looked into this Neo chick any?"
"If your referring to the information you sent me then yes... a Hydra is rare indeed. But these Pink eyes... I finally found something. I heard a report from about a century ago. A noble family that managed to apply a new curse to there Affinites, similar to the Beserker eyes. One of good fortune. The colouring wasn't mentioned, but apparently the whole family was wiped out."
"So much for good fortune... So this Neo chick is a surviving member... if the curse is hereditary like the Beserker eyes then i hope your wrong."
"Why is that?
"Well if she is a Hydra that can generate new souls with each head she grows... Most of them would carry the curse. Meaning she might have way more Affinites then I thought." Weiss was barely following the conversation... she knew that this 'Neo' was the one Qrow fought at the festival, but her being a Hydra? Pink eyes? It was a lot to take in, one glance up at Winter showed she felt the same way.
"If i may-"
"Umm.. e-excuse me." A servant? Weiss had to do a double take, no one had noticed her show up... how long had she been standing there?? "Your highness? The king has requested that you meet with him in his office." She was extremely nervous.
"Thank you, I'll be right there, you may go." She nodded and practically ran away.
"What had her so spooked?" They turned to Qrow and the man had a crow made of a dark liquid sitting on his shoulder.
Ozpin and Weiss face palmed at the same time.
"Father? May I enter?" She heard a grunt of affirmation and walked through the door with Winter in tow. She had never been in here before.
The office was clean a distant. The furniture was an old stained wood, the floors and walls were all white, and there was a large window behind him. He was sitting at the desk reading some papers and Weiss had to wonder how he could enjoy this room. No paintings, nearly no colour...
"No life."
"Sit." She complied and sat in front of the desk, the chair felt purposefully uncomfortable. "The Arc boy is entering the next Hunter exam. You will go and show him your support."
Weiss tilted her head. The next Hunter exam was... the one Ruby was in? She was already going to that anyway.
"Of course father... but, may I ask... why is he going through the Hunter exam? Will he not be the next King of Vale?"
Her father flipped through some more papers and the room sat silent for a minute or two.
"He is attempting to undergo training."
"He wants to awaken then? He can really screw things up if he does..."
This was becoming an issue after all. She needed to show Ruby her support, but also convince him to stop trying? This was going to be annoying.
"I see. When will you begin tutoring him for the throne?"
Her father raised his head and glared at her, she kept her expression unreadable... well, tried to anyway. Her father had a way of making her feel small with just a look.
"That's none of your concern."
"So never then?"
She was proceeding with the notion that Ozpin was right... if he wasn't however... her actions would do more harm then good.
"Winter. You are needed in Atlas. I expect a call from Ironwood within two days informing me of your arrival." Winter went to protest but stopped when Weiss glanced at her.
She could handle things here on her own... though, in a way she wasn't on her own anymore. Ozpin had proven himself an ally.
"Though perhaps that's his goal. Without the necessary tutorage the Arc heir won't be able to fulfil his proper duty's as king... and if I marry Ruby, I'd most likely be the ruler. Either way, Ozpin wants my ear..."
For now that would result in his being helpful... so she'd continue accepting his aid. If he expected something for it in the future, well, that was a bridge to be crossed once it was here.
"Is that everything Father?" He waved them off and Weiss stood, with a bow she turned and left, Winter still following.
The second the doors closed behind them, Weiss started making a beeline for her room.
"Everything hinges on Ruby finishing the Formula before the wedding or before he awakens... I can attempt to lower the chances of the awakening but the wedding will prove a hard time limit." She was biting her finger as she spoke, everyone they passed had to move out of her way as she was deep in thought and took no notice of them... she was also the princess so they probably would have moved anyway.
"I believe your forgetting an important step sister." Weiss stepped into her room and moved over to her bedside table as Winter spoke.
"And what's that?"
"You have to make sure Ruby actually wants to marry you." Weiss froze and stopped what she was doing... Winter was right. How could Weiss just forget that??
"Winter I..." She had a blush, but put on a determined face as she turned to her sister. "How do I... woo... Ruby...?"
It was Winter's turn to blush.
"I... well umm... I don't have... too much experience in... that area... but.."
Well Winter was a bust... who was plan B...
The only person she knew of that was in a stable relationship was Yang and Blake... and those two had both liked each other when they stated dating so no help there.
"It's not like Ruby hates me... she certainly thinks of me as a friend but... how do I push it beyond that..."
She put her hand on the Scrying Orb.
"Pietro Pelladonna."
For now, she needed to see if anyone could help Ruby with the Formula. Ruby was naturally better then nearly any other wizard with technical magic... but some of them had spent centuries trying to bridge that gap. They were bound to have methods and techniques she could benefit from learning.
Well this wasn't what she had been expecting. The test was taking place in what was akin to an arena of sorts. Circular stadium like chairing around a centre fighting pit. She was certain that this structure was actuall bigger then the Hunters Headquarters... which, she had never actually been to.
She wasn't In the greatest of moods. Pietro had proven a dead end for now, his work was keeping him too occupied but Weiss had set up a meeting between him and Ruby in a few months.
For now... she had an important goal today. She had to simultaneously encourage Ruby, while making Jaune Arc believe he couldn't amount to anything!
Ok maybe not go that far, she was just proud of herself for finally learning the boys name.
There were other people in the stands watching. Mostly family members here for people taking the exam today trying to show there support.
She was sitting with Blake and Yang, apparently Sun and Celica were in classes today. When Weiss had asked how there tutoring was going, Yang had given her a rather drab lecture on what a school was. She had already known! She just expected them to have private lessons with there parents salary... though she hadnt seen Yang or Blake take a job in a while... when she asked, they had told her they were looking into taking another soon.
When you take all the biggest jobs, apparently you don't have to work too often.
"May I sit here?" Weiss was pulled from her thoughts and turned to the stranger...
She was quite a beautiful lady. Weiss had no clue how old she was but if she was human she looked in her early twenties. She had a figure Weiss would kill for and beautiful pure red hair. Her eyes were a kind Green that promised she would never hurt an innocent soul, and she was dressed in rather comfortable clothing.
All in all, an entirely normal, albeit beautiful lady.
That's why Weiss suffered such astronomical whiplash.
Weiss could feel it. Not just in her soul, but her body, her mind. The pure pressure coming from this woman's body... it made her want to drop to her knees and beg for her mercy. The pure power coming from her... it wasn't the taste of mana... this was something completely different. It was terrifying... like what she had experienced with Qrow when she had seen his form of Death but... it was so different. It wasn't just fear... it was... subjugation. Her presence demanded servitude and praise.
Weiss put on the strongest smile she could at the moment and shakily nodded her head.
"O-of course... My name is Weiss Schnee... what's yours?"
"Oh, how rude of me-" She offered a hand to shake and Weiss felt like touching her was the last thing she wanted to do. "My name is-"
"Pyrrha!" Yang stood and smiled brightly, moving over and wrapping the woman in a bear hug.
"Pyrrha...? Where have I heard that name- Oh fuck this is Conquest."
Well that explained a lot.
"Hello Yang." She said it with a laugh and returned the hug, she shared a nod with Blake who responded in kind, they knew each other well Weiss guessed.
"Oh Pyrrha? Can you keep it in your pants please? Weiss here is human." What had Yang just said??
"What are you referring to- Ohh... oh! I'm so sorry!!" Her blush was now for a different reason, she took a moment and concentrated with all her might... well that's what it looked like.
Weiss felt the presence of... whatever it was... Conquest she guessed... Fade and blur until it was just a light tingle. Pyrrha looked exhausted and sighed.
"I'm sorry, that's as low as I can push it." She gave a soft smile of apology that hid no lie.
This woman was terrifying.
"So Pyrrha, are you here to support Ruby as well?" Blake had piped up as Pyrrha sat next to Weiss.
"Oh? Ruby's here? I'm sorry, I'm here for a different friend. But I promise I'll cheer for Ruby as well!" She smiled brightly and Weiss nearly frowned.
"She's here for Jaune... Ruby mentioned Conquest was helping the Arc heir... but this...? I have to try and get him to quit while she's supporting him... this just got a lot harder."
"Looks like there's some other Hunters here as well... I wonder who Coco is supporting..." Yang pondered out loud and Pyrrha turned to Weiss.
"So Weiss, who are you here for?" The question felt like it had an underline but Weiss wasn't too sure why she was asking...
"I'm here for Ruby. She's a close friend." Weiss decided to play nice for now and gave her a soft smile. If Pyrrha did now about the wedding, Weiss could simply brush it off and say she wanted to keep it quiet until it was publicly announced.
"Oh? I see." Pyrrha turned back to the arena and Weiss frowned... not the answer she had been expecting.
The exam started not long after that.
The first stage of the exam was taken place today, mana level and magic was irrelevant, and Anti-magic runes were set on the arena to dull any passive abilities. With Glynda as a supervisor, any cheaters would be weeded out quickly.
The first part involved some basic combat tests and problem solving. A simple spar with a Golem that had a randomly assigned weakspot.
The golem itself was humanoid in shape and no taller then Yang, it wielded no weapon and it had been adjusted to fight at a human level. A few contenders went through before anyone interesting showed up. People going through the test were allowed a simple longsword, it was meant for deflecting the attacks more then anything, and hitting the weakspot.
Finally someone interesting arrived... a Faunas with long rabbit ears sticking up out of her head. She was quite adorable, even excluding the rabbit features. She looked quite timid as well, which made Weiss feel bad for her when-
"C'mon Velvet!! Kick some arse!!" A woman who had been sitting no far from them up until a moment ago, was now standing as close to the arena as she could without leaping from the stands, with one foot on the raised ledge and a fist in the air. She was wearing some clothes that probably matched Weiss's own in price, and a set of sunglasses. Weiss herself felt she could have brought a pair... the arena and stands had no roofing to speak of...
The poor Faunas girl, apparently named Velvet, practically shrunk in on herself. Her ears dropped and she glanced around at the rest of the stands before Glynda urged her to continue.
The fight was... one sided. She had figured out the Golems attack patterns incredibly quickly and at the point it had come down to her poking it with her sword until she finally hit the weakspot. This exam felt... rather lacklustre. Perhaps the later challenges would be more interesting, this was only the first event of the day afterall.
Velvet rushed out of there the second Glynda had allowed it, the woman from earlier cheering so loudly that Weiss was sure the sound was bothering at least half the city.
"Coco really dosent know how to keep it in huh?"
"She's always been rather... forward." Yang chuckled at that and Weiss tilted her head.
"If i was allowed to... would I cheer like that for Ruby...?"
She knew the girl was rather bad with crowds so... she'd probably spare her the embarrassment.
Though that wouldn't stop Yang.
"Next entree... Jaune Arc." Eight women all with blonde hair immediately jumped to there feet and started cheering for him, they were all sitting in a row about ten metres away on Pyrrhas side of Weiss. Pyrrha herself was holding a smile and Weiss tilted her head.
"Jaunes sisters... and mother."
"Ah."
The man himself stepped out into the arena-
The boy himself stepped out into the arena. Well maybe that wasn't fair. He wasn't... scrawny exactly. He just looked... unremarkable. Certainly handsome, if a little pathetic maybe.
Weiss wasn't exaclty unbiased however... she had grown to not like the boy before even meeting him. Perhaps calling him boy was wrong though, he was at least her age.
He waved up to his sisters with a smile, which grew once he saw Pyrrha. Pyrrha smiled and returned the wave, but the boys face exploded with joy once he saw Weiss.
"So he knows who I am..."
Weiss noticed Pyrrhas hand drop as she stopped waving... apparently she had noticed him see Weiss as well. The princess got a closer look at the Harbinger of Conquests face... the woman was... disappointed? Upset? By why would she-
No. She recognised that look. She had made it herself way too many times.
"Everytime I see Ruby and Penny together..."
So, Pyrrha liked Jaune?
Weiss could work with that.