"How was your weekend?"
Ms. Goodwitch asked the class since there was a notably relaxed atmosphere. Her students participated more today, so she searched for hints as to why.
It was then that Neptune said aloud. "It was great," he twisted into a kissy face as he gazed lovingly at Jaune. "Muah, muah, you sly dog."
Several giggles erupted from the comment. The party was not without consequences. At last, the school knew about Jaune and Pyrrha's relationship. More students made duck faces at Jaune, who yelped and told them to stop. When they directed their attention at Ren and made kiss noises, he merely blushed and tried to ignore their antics.
"Alright, settle down," Glynda said in amusement. "I didn't mean to start a war."
At last, class ended when the bell rang.
The girls were beyond grateful that now it was time for their club activities. They could focus properly now that they've recovered from their hangovers. Before they could leave the room, Neptune approached them.
"You ladies don't look deceased. That's a good sign."
Blake's face contorted when she recalled how she felt. "We spent all day yesterday recovering."
Hesitantly, Neptune asked. "Was the jungle juice too strong?"
Weiss chimed in and shrugged. "A little," she didn't have much but it was enough for a world of pain.
Yang dismissively waved her off, noting her small size. "Any alcohol might be too strong for you."
"That's fine with me," Weiss admitted, not wanting to become her mother. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, Whitley's earlier words stung. She faced the dolt. "Let's go, Ruby. We have a drone to finish."
Blake looked shocked by the news since her girlfriend loved that drone. "You're done with it today?"
"With a week to spare," Ruby chirped happily. "We'll use that week to tweak it."
Firmly, Weiss grabbed her red hoodie and dragged her out of sight and down the hall. They couldn't tell if she was eager to finish or impatient. Maybe both. Ruby's yelps could be heard through the halls as many students dispersed.
In no time, they pulled out the remaining robotic parts and set them on the table.
"Are you ready for the final piece?" Ruby asked gleefully.
Some students watched them in curiosity. Their drone would be the first to be complete if they stayed on track. Other drones were mostly put together but needed a little more time.
Knowingly, Weiss smirked. "Give me the ground control station."
After Ruby plopped it on the table, Weiss handed her their tiny drone.
Ruby took a moment to stare at the sensors. "I charged the control station earlier…"
With the go-ahead, Ruby tried to pair the drone to the laptop in front of them. The top of the screen blinked rapidly until three dots remained. In unison, the pair gazed at the drone that previously flashed green, then settled with the similar three dots.
"Yes!" Ruby cheered and stood.
At the same time, Weiss stood. "We did it!"
Together, they gave each other double high-fives for their mini-celebration. Some students looked over and smiled at their accomplishments and how proud they seemed.
"Aw…" Ruby cooed at the tiny drone. "It's so cute. A little baby. What do we name it?"
Briefly, Weiss thought that was a strange question. Then she remembered this was Ruby. Of course she'd name something she was attached to. Ruby and her deceased father once made a drone together, so this must be a big moment for her. Knowing this, Weiss cut her some slack.
"I… I don't know," Weiss replied, mind blank. "I've never named a drone before."
"Brutis."
"So quick!" Weiss yelped from how unexpected that was. "Why that? It's not fitting."
"It's funny," Ruby shrugged, indifferent. "Brutis is tiny but mighty," when Weiss gave her a perplexed expression, she yelped. "It's a good name, okay?!"
Weiss quirked an eyebrow. "We're gendering drones now?"
Before Ruby could reply, a new voice interjected.
"Sal-u-tations!"
In unison, the girls yelped from the unexpected arrival.
"Penny!" Ruby scolded in exasperation. "You've gotta stop doing that!"
"I do not know what you mean," Penny replied like she was genuinely oblivious. "Ren and I would like to examine your project. May we?"
"Of course," Ruby permitted. "This is Brutis. He's a little shy, so be careful."
"Brutis is quite the specimen," Penny commented as she checked the propellers.
From the name, Weiss sighed. It seemed the name would stick whether she wanted it to or not. Even a stranger had accepted it. Then again, this was Penny. She was strange in the best way.
Ren put a hand under his chin and lightly wiggled the top. "Wow, you screwed the props on tight."
Weiss cleared her throat and swallowed her pride. "Brutis will have to fight to be able to fly since he's so small. We have yet to take him for a test drive."
From her words, Ruby grinned ear-to-ear. She was grateful that Weiss was going along with the name. That made it a lot easier rather than arguing.
While the group discussed the drone, Weiss stared at one part in particular. The part that acted as a GPS. A plan hatched in her mind. With everything that happened over the weekend, she needed to take some extra precautions because of her brother.
When no one was looking, Weiss slipped the tiny GPS tracker chip into her stocking.
Sorry, Ruby, Weiss thought as she watched her speak a million miles a minute. Maybe we'll get another one.
Ultimately, Weiss felt guilty for technically stealing no matter how justified it was. In the grand scheme of things, this little tracker- this stolen sacrifice- could be a key player in a dire situation. With Whitley around, Weiss didn't want to take any chances.
I don't want Ruby to get involved, but they are already. This will give them a genuine choice. Save themselves, or help me. Either way, I'll understand.
This one little piece of technology could very well mean the difference between life and death. It sounded dramatic, but Weiss knew her so-called family. With anxiety blooming, she sank into her seat. The arrival of her brother meant she didn't have much time at Beacon left.
I love them, Weiss thought, bluntly honest with herself. I don't want them to get hurt, but they love me, too. They would do anything to protect me…
Weiss leaned down to feel the bump in her stocking.
This will give them a chance to help me. And if they pull it off, maybe there is hope for a future here. I could excel and not be average. I could expand my horizons even more. I could live…
With this, at least she had a chance to look forward to the future.
This world that I unlocked… was made for me. For us. We must protect it.
"I found her, mother."
On the other side of the line, Willow fell silent. She felt like she lost any tiny grip she had on the situation. Now that Jacques 2.0 had some leverage, he was going to use it. A pit of dread welled-up in her stomach.
Whitley impishly grinned from the burst of power and propped his feet up on the table. He spread his arms upward like he didn't have a care in the world. A stark contrast to his frantic, but quiet mother.
At last, Willow asked. "Are you going to tell me where she is?"
Momentarily, Whitley fiddled with the phone and sighed. He answered a different question since he knew this is what she genuinely cared about.
"Don't worry, father doesn't know yet."
"Let's keep it that way," Willow replied, hoping her son agreed. "Where is she?"
"I might tell father," Whitley said, knowing he would, no matter how this conversation played out. "Who knows."
"Whitley- don't," Willow almost pleaded. "You don't want to be an only child, do you?"
Apparently, that was the exact wrong thing to say when he scoffed.
"Sounds ideal to me," Whitley said coyly. "That would allow father to properly focus on The Dusts instead of dear sister of mine."
"Whitley, I will do anything you ask," Willow replied, sounding stoic but her voice almost broke. "Please don't put your sister in danger."
"I want more money."
Negotiation was not ideal, so Willow internally cursed. Her son was a clone of Jacques. The financial and emotional abuse mirrored those two.
With a plan, Willow said. "Only your father has control of those accounts."
"We both know you have your own account. Without father's name on it. He doesn't even know, does he?"
Willow swallowed a growl. How- when did Whitley find out? She had that account since her husband was financially controlling. The account was there in case she one day had the courage to leave him. Without that money, she was eternally tied to him.
"Fine," Willow conceded, knowing she had to do anything to protect her last daughter. "Take what you want…"
"Don't feel bad, mother. You're doing the right thing. Weiss is in Vale and attends Beacon Academy. It's not nearly as elite as the schools in Atlas."
From the information, Willow almost smiled. Almost. That's all she wanted. Her daughter needed to live. If only for a little while.
"Is she okay?"
"Let's put it this way," Whitley said ominously. "She was exactly like you."
Whitley trailed off on purpose, leaving her to guess. He would elaborate, but this forced her to look within.
Weiss- that red face, her breath reeked of alcohol, the way she swayed…
"She can do better," was all Willow said.
"It's poetic. Don't you think?"
Lyrics from Redo: "Though we may end up fighting our way against fate, but I haven't given up just yet!" "This world was made for us." "If I can change my tears into strength and power, surely I'll find the future I see in my mind- bring it to life!"
Stay dandy,
~Toto