Ruby Schnee
The Rose Dragon was unique among Dragons in that its abilities and requirements had never been recorded. Ruby was only the second ever bearer of the title afterall.
Titles were semi predictable. The ones that had been around for a long time had recorded conditions for acquiring them.
For example, the Harbinger of Death had probably one of the most difficult requirements before it could be acquired.
Kill another bearer of a Harbinger Title.
The assumed conditions for the Rose Dragon was being a part of the Rose Bloodline, as well as possessing Silver eyes. But it wasn't exaclty easy to check that without seeing more bearers.
The Schnee family though? They had gone through plenty of Dragons, and plenty of titles. Apparently, even though Dragons can live forever, the average lifespan of a Schnee Dragon was lower then your average Vampire... When Ruby had asked about why, Weiss simply replied with 'politics'.
There were three titles in particular that appeared most commonly in the Schnee bloodline. 'Most commonly' in this instance simply meant that whenever one of these titles was available, the next Schnee baby nearly always had it. Though exceptions had been recorded.
The Snow Dragon had been the least likely of the three.
Weiss had been hoping for the Ice Dragon. The Titles named after straight elements apparently recieved a bonus Affinity towards it. Meaning if Weiss had gotten it, she would have had a triple Affinity for Ice.
Though, the Frost Dragon title she did get isn't exactly bad. None of them are. Her title allowed her to generate a summons body with ice magic, allowing her to use her Affinity to maintain them. It wasnt exactly helpful that Weiss didn't have any summons.
Her scales glistened with the sunlight pouring in through the windows. The training room had solid walls up to about seven metres, then there were large windows to illuminate the room till the ceiling.
Her wings were actually a bit thinner then Ruby's own when she transformed, though that matched the more elegant proportions of Weiss's Full Dragon form anyway. She also lacked the wing claws that Ruby sported, instead having a single hook-like spike where Ruby had her clawed hands. So logically Weiss was actually down a pair of limbs from Ruby.
Her horns were also a bit different, they leaned back more then Ruby's did, angeled at closer to a thirty degree angle.
All in all, Weiss was actually less bulky then Ruby's Dragon, though, if they were actually to compete in a bout of strength, Weiss would win... she could use magic afterall.
"Since... since when has-" The blonde apparently was at a loss for words.
Ruby looked at Yang again.
"Our wedding night. We called Penny to sober me up, then i cast the ritual and we went to bed... she admittedly umm... did want to... do it... but I said no." Weiss had been rather excited after transforming for the first time but... Ruby had been sort of upset at how much control Weiss seemed to have over herself while transformed.
She was still pretty upset about it actually...
"Wow... only slightly less exciting then my wedding night." Ruby gagged.
"Is... is that necessary...? y-your Highness." Apparently Cardin hadn't been aware of the Queen being a Dragon either... Ruby had to wonder who actually did know.
"I want you to really think about what you just said." Weiss's voice was still incredibly calm, it was like she hadn't suffered any of the effects Ruby had while transforming... So Ruby answered Yangs question before she asked.
"She gets it too... the whole, numbing of inhibitions and overconfidence thing."
"Then how is she-?"
Ruby cut her sister off with a sigh.
"She's just that much better at controlling herself then me I guess..." Talking about this wasnt making her any less jealous.
"Yang. Signal us to begin please." Weiss readied her stance, her wings outstretched behind her as she crouched slightly.
"Uhh... begin?" The instant she finished saying the word, Weiss had dashed forward.
The tip of her blade met the handle of Cardins mace midswing and he was thrown off balance as the force passed into it. Weiss then stepped into his space and moved her offhand closer to his chest, before a giant block of ice formed around him from it.
The block of frost left only his head exposed as he grunted with pain. His eyes widened as Weiss pulled her rapier back once again, before thrusting with her whole body and shattering the structure in one stab, sending the man flying back with the pieces of ice that remained intact.
"Apparently Weiss was a really good fencer already? And her family was rich enough to afford Sigils so... she's already had plenty of practice with magic." Ruby's voice was growing more tired as she watched the 'fight'.
"Weiss is just trying to embarass him... she could've won immediatly..."
The half giant rolled as he landed, looking up suddenly, as if expecting another attack... but Weiss had yet to move again.
"I believe I told you to use your full power." She let out a sigh. "Is this all a Hunter is capable of?"
Cardin gripped his weapon tighter and grit his teeth. With a surge of strength he started to grow as he entered his full form.
Giant's were one of the few species who's transformations naturally effected there clothing and weapons. It was only really a simple size change, so it wasn't the most complex magic in the world.
Weiss sheathed her weapon and nodded at his change.
"Oh great... she's going that far..."
"That's better... but still not enough."
Her skin formed a layer of ice that suddenly grew exponentially, a giant frozen shell that glistened and couldn't be seen through had formed around her. In the next instant the glacier shattered and Weiss was revealed.
"Yang... meet the Frost Dragon." Ruby waved her hand towards the magnificent creature lazily.
Between Yang's face of pure awe and Ruby's tired expression, they both equalled out to form a rather tame reaction.
She stood at the same size as Ruby, shorter then the full giant, but clearly bigger. She gave off a much more controlled and elegant aura then Ruby's own Dragon. Her tail also ended in a long blade, the whole creature looked like it could disappear into a snowstorm with ease, and while Ruby's wings seemed to resemble more of a cloak even while unfolded, Weiss's own somehow resembled a dress of sorts, her wings looked like they would drape over her body if she folded them in.
Cardins fear was evident as the Dragon glared him down, the only sound and movement coming from the creature was the swishing of it's tail moving back and forth slightly.
"Oh... she's gonna do the thing..." Ruby sighed and Yang raised an eyebrow, but didn't look to her sister, instead keeping her eyes on the show.
The Giant went to move and that's when the Dragon acted. It's head and long neck reared back, and with an almost growl like roar it unleashed its signature attack.
The light that leaked from its jaws was the formation of the magic, the beautiful glowing Light blue extended into a stream of a solid version of the same colour. The 'laser' didnt seem to carry any travel time as it struck its opponent, freezing anything it hit and forming a large layer of ice. With another pulse from her head, the beam widened and expanded, going from a straight line to a cone that covered the entire side of the room Cardin had been on.
With another grunt from the creature, it's breath weapon ceased and it rested into a more steady pose.
Breath weapons were Ingrained Spells. Magic that didn't require any effort or training to cast, and formed by the World rather then your soul. Ingrained spells were so efficient in mana usage, they matched the strength of an attack with a Penta-Affinity.
"Not that anyone in known history has ever had a Penta-Affinity."
The theoretical limit of how high an Affinity to a single element could stack, the closest anyone had come in 'recent' times was Qrow and Raven Branwen's father. A Roc with a natural Affinity for Wind, that also bore the War title, giving him a Quad-Affinity for Wind magic. The only way he could have reached the final stage was through intense training.
It was possible to develop an elemental Affinity. Even one you already had, but the shortest amount of time anyone had ever done that in was a century of solid training.
Suffice to say, Cardin was... well, a block of ice. He shared that fate with the rest of the room that had been unlucky enough to have Weiss pointing at it.
"Is he... dead..?" Ruby couldn't tell if Yang wanted him to actually be alive in there or not.
"He's alive." Weiss's voice rung through both there minds as the Dragons head turned to them. "Yang, get him out of there and clean up the ice would you?"
"What!? How is that fair??" The Dragon turned fully to them and stomped loudly on the ground as it took a step closer.
"Because. You let him hit my wife." She let out a small growl before rearing back, her body seemingly turning to ice before shattering and revealing her base form from underneath.
"Well, she's still a little aggressive... but she can at least control it." Yang hadn't meant any jabs at Ruby by saying that... but she couldnt stop herself from thinking it anyway.
"Weiss seemed to be pretty angry already when she transformed... and she didn't kill him. I've attacked people I care about multiple times just from being slightly annoyed..."
Weiss Schnee
She had probably gone a little too far... but she was working through some stuff at the moment.
Besides, she had been defending her wifes honour!
Weiss gave a sigh as she started to walk over to the girls. Spending time in her transformed state had given her the courage to ask Ruby again. They needed to have this conversation... but more importantly... she was worried about Ruby avoiding her.
"Weiss, you know I'm pregnant right? You really gonna make a pregnant woman clean all that up?" And Yang had pushed her over the limit again.
"Pregnant, pregnant, pregnant!!"
"Fine!" She let out a growl and raised a hand to the giant block of ice, unleashing a simple yet devastating fire spell... nearly any spell was powerful with enough mana poured into it.
The fireball slammed directly into the ice, melting a good portion of the frost and allowing the coughing giant to drop to the floor.
"See, he's fine. I didn't have to melt it anyway."
Weiss took a deep breath to try and calm herself and turned her vision to Ruby. Yang had turned to Ruby with a worried look and Weiss felt confused as Ruby stared at her with...
Was Ruby crying...?
Weiss immediatly took a step closer, but Ruby zipped out of the room in a cloud of rose petals before she got the chance to get closer.
"What-" Yang facepalmed and let out a sigh which interrupted the Queen.
"Weiss... that was the same spell Ruby's been trying to cast for a month now..."
"...of course it was..."
Now they had another thing to talk about once she tracked her wife down... well, she probably wouldn't be able to. Ruby didn't even know where she was going in this place, there's no way Weiss would know where her wife had flown off to.
Besides, she unfortunately had a council meeting to get back to anyway... in there short recess she had wanted to check in on Ruby... a lot of good that had done.
"Maybe I'm lucky and she's decided to join us there for once..."
That wasn't fair, Weiss knew that. Ruby had made sure plenty of times that she wasnt expected to join the meetings unless Weiss requested it... sure, the Queen could just request Ruby to show up now but... well...
"She'll talk to me when she's ready..." Weiss muttered the words... that was the hope anyway.
Weiss turned to leave as Yang moved over to Cardin, kicking the giant in the foot.
"Yo. You still breathing?"
Weiss gave a small sigh as the door closed. With the council room shut off from the rest of the world, she didnt have to keep holding the full royal persona at the moment... there were no servants allowed in the meetings, only the council members and specific invited guests.
Today's roster... The Queen, her most trusted advisor, the stand in Royal Wizard, the treasurer of Vale, and a representative of the Arc Family... that last one always felt tacked on when she thought about it.
Ozpins role was meant to... well, to be honest? He was meant to be doing nearly all of the paperwork Weiss had been stuck with for the last month, as well as offering advice and council when needed. The paperwork was just practice for now... but Weiss was about ready to say she was good enough at it by now.
"The current situation between Ruby and myself probably isn't being helped by all that paperwork..."
Glynda looked uncomfortable being here. She barely ever offered advice because of her role simply being a stand in until Ruby was trained... Weiss realised that Glynda might be able to shed some light on what was going on with Ruby... besides the obvious.
Oobleck was actually a pretty quiet man. Until he started talking of course. It was like he had an on and off switch somewhere on him, the second he opened his mouth? He just wouldn't stop.
And Saphron. Jaunes eldest sister... she was here.
"So, what's on today's agenda?" Ozpins sass was always appreciated, it definitely kept the meetings more interesting.
"I've recieved word from the King of-" She sighed, she couldn't do it today. "My father called earlier today. He expects me to acquire an heir as soon as possible." There were less remarks after that then expected... in fact, everyone looked mostly-
"So... you're already good in that department?" Saphron always managed to annoy her like that...
"Why does everyone seem to think that me and Ruby have-"
"Mostly because of Rubys older sister." Ozpin took a sip of his drink and Weiss groaned.
"Of course..."
"So, when can we expect the news of the Queens pregnancy?" Weiss raised an eyebrow at Ooblecks words.
"I'm right here you don't have to call me that."
"I was referring to the Queen Consort." He elaborated.
"Oh. I will bear the child." That got a reaction.
"I can't agree with that proposal." Ozpin was blunt for once... probably not a good sign.
"It wasn't a proposal, but why?"
Saphron sighed.
"For one, you're the reigning Queen. You need to be available for council and the likes, not to mention you're stronger then your wife. You'd do a better job at protecting her then she would protecting you."
"Ruby simply just needs more training. If need be, I can simply request a Knight from Atlas to station here temporarily. Or better yet, I could ask for Pyrrhas assistance." Weiss was ignoring for now that Ruby might find that insulting... one problem at a time.
"It would also give us time to educate Ruby on the ways of the court." Oobleck was trying to be helpful and Weiss appreciated that... but it was unlikely Ruby would be ruthless enough in the council to properly govern.
"I understand you wish to allow Ruby to become a Hunter as she seems to be aiming for... but this would be a temporary setback on that goal. What's nine months compared to an eternal life?"
"Nine months? You don't know much about motherhood Ozpin." Saphron actually being helpful for once, go figure. "Once that child is born, I don't expect the Queen Consort to leave their side for quite a while."
Weiss needed someone on her side...
"Glynda. You've been awfully quiet." She swear she saw the woman jump.
"I'm only a temporary member of the council, my word is less important-"
"Trying to hide your opinion isn't helpful." Weiss really needed someone's help.
Glynda let out a sigh.
"I believe... both sides have merit. However, the most logical choice is for Ruby to bear the child... just... not right now." Weiss raised an eyebrow, this was her chance.
"Glynda. Are you not telling me something?" This time she definitely saw the woman jump.
"I believe that is business between you and your wife."
"If you know something, then you're now involved in said business." Oobleck, Ozpin, and Saphron all shifted there seats away from the pair.
"It isn't my place to share the Queen Consorts secrets."
Weiss narrowed her eyes.
"So she does have secrets from me?"
Glynda winced, Weiss watched the struggle play out on the woman's face. What would it be? Betray Ruby's trust, or piss off the Queen in front of her?
"...In the interest of Ruby's safety... I have to say yes."
An awkward silence filled the air as Weiss took that in. She then took a deep breath, held it for a moment... and exhaled.
"Keep in it Weiss. Don't let it get to you. Take deep... calm breaths... just relax-"
Nope, she couldn't do it.
Her wings exploded out of her back and nearly knocked both Ozpin and Glynda in the head, her scales growing as a layer over her skin and clothing, and her horns sprouting from her head.
"I believed I had been ready to hear your answer Glynda. However... knowing now that this is an issue of my wifes safety. I am unsure of how to contain myself."
The awkward silence grew on the backbone of the tense feeling dominating the room. Out of all of them, Saphron looked the most scared... simply because she was the weakest person in the room.
"I'll ask a servant to locate the Queen Consort." Ozpin helpfully and calmly spoke as he stood.
"I believe that would be for the best."
The door slowly opened and she slipped in without a word, closing it shut behind her and taking a few seconds to make sure it was properly sealed before turning and stepping over to the table. Her seat was usually right next to Weiss... though the tension in the room practically demanded she sit opposite the Queen.
The rest of the council had already been excused... rather, they had all fled the chamber the second they could. This was a very civil matter, even if Glynda was involved by knowing whatever secret Ruby was keeping.
"Glynda was outside." It surprised Weiss that Ruby spoke first. "She apologised in advance... I can guess why but..."
Weiss had returned to her base form by now... she didn't need to strike an intimidating presence for Ruby. She needed to make her talk sure but...
"Not like that."
"Ruby? Before we... begin... I just want to say that i love you." Weiss gave a small smile and Ruby tried her best to reciprocate her own.
"I love you too Weiss."
"Now... please... tell me what's going on Ruby."
"Weiss... it's... I'm handling it. You don't have to worry-"
"I'm already worried Ruby. You're not letting me in... you're not letting me help you."
"I don't always need-"
"Is that what this is about? Maybe you don't think you always need help Ruby... but I do."
"You think I always need help??"
"I always need help." Ruby paused and blinked in confusion. "You help me more then you know Ruby... do you think I could sit in that office for hours, signing papers that barely matter... without knowing you're there when i need you?"
"But you don't ask for-"
"I ask you to spend time with me Ruby. I call to see if you'll join me for lunch, I invite you to every meeting I can without interrupting your training... you've never once refused."
"That's just what I'm meant to do... i don't see the big deal in that."
Weiss stood and walked around the table, stopping when she reached Ruby and sighing.
"Then why is it such a big deal for me to help you...?" She hugged the girl tightly, pulling her head into her with a sigh.
"Weiss i-"
"Ruby... I know you're frustrated about your powers... I know that... you're frustrated that I figured mine out already... but you've never once asked me to help with that... never once asked for advice..."
"Why should I need to...? Shouldn't I just... be able to figure it out..?" Weiss kissed the top of her head gently, then moved back from the hug, holding Ruby by both shoulders.
"We're a team... aren't we?" Ruby nodded. "Help me by letting me help you..." She pulled her in tight for another hug, this time resting her head on the girls shoulder. "Please..."
"I'm... I'm fine Weiss... I... I can do this... you don't need to-"
"Glynda told me you might not be safe Ruby... please... I'm... I'm scared."
"Please..."
Ruby let out a small shudder and her hands slowly crept around Weiss. She was nervous... scared maybe. Weiss could feel it. She could sense Ruby's state of mind... it was...
Weiss hated it. How could she have let Ruby get like this...?
"Weiss I... I'm..." She was struggling to speak.
"Go on... it's ok. I promise."
"I'm... I'm not ok Weiss... I think... I think I might lose myself..." Weiss was silent for a minute, waiting for Ruby to continue... she only did through tears. "My power it's... I'm getting memories... from... the first Rose Dragon..."
"...What...?"
Weiss hugged her tighter... she wasn't sure what to say. She needed more details... no, she needed all of the details. Why was this happening...? Was it really that bad??
"Tell me everything Ruby. I promise... we'll work this out."
It had been a lot more for her to take in then she had been expecting...
Ruby and Weiss were sitting in chairs right next to each other now, though they had been turned to face one another, and both girls were holding each other's hands.
"Two sets of memories fighting for control... vivid dreams... no... visions... the First Rose Dragon... Rory Rose... Eirwin Schnee..."
It was maybe too much to take in... but... It was even worse for Ruby. Weiss only had to listen to it, it was actually happening to the other girl...
"Glyndas theory is that it's happening because the Rose Dragon has only had two bearers... she's never encountered a title that's gone through such a small group of people... so... the title might think I'm actually Rory or something like that..." Weiss nodded along... it... made sense..?
Nothing like this had ever been recorded... and even if it had been, it was probably destroyed.
"When you wake up... what can you remember?"
"Bits and pieces... I can vividly remember all of the scenes of Rory's life I've been shown so far... and... certain parts of my life are pretty clear too... but... there are gaps all over the place in both sets... and... anything after our wedding completely disappears before I choose a set.." Ruby wasn't crying anymore, she was just... Weiss got the impression she was simply done crying for now.
"We need to set up an alarm system... whenever you panic or something while we're in bed, I want to be notified." Ruby's eyes snapped to Weiss's own.
"Weiss that's... we can't do that...! You're a Queen and... and... you need your sleep..." She had said that last part much quieter.
"Do you think my beauty sleep is more important to me then the possibility of losing my wife?" She nearly wanted to slap the girl at the notion of it.
Ruby slowly shook her head... too slowly in Weiss's opinion.
"I... I'm worried I'm gonna choose wrong Weiss..."
"Ruby. I promise. I won't let that happen. I'm pretty sure it'll be obvious whose memories are right when I'm telling you what your name is." She gave the girl a small smile.
Weiss was still really good at lying. She was freaking out internally. She was terrified. But... she had to be strong for Ruby right now...
"Though if Ruby can sense my mental state as well..."
Even if she could, Weiss still needed to put on a brave face for now.
"We're gonna go see Glynda. I want to get ahead of this."
Ruby tilted her head.
"What do you mean?" Weiss tried to smirk but... well, it came out as a small smile.
"We're gonna figure out what's happening."
"Children can wait... nothing else matters untill I know Ruby's ok."