A/N. Fair warning, this one gets a bit, heavy with trauma mentions and descriptions.
Rhia stared at the contact info on her scroll, Weiss Schnee's name glaring back at her as if it were a direct link to her past—a past she had worked so hard to leave behind. The simple act of sending a message felt insurmountable, her fingers hovering just above the screen. Every time she mustered the courage to tap on it, her hands started trembling, shaking with a panic that rose from the depths of her mind.
"You can do this," she told herself, repeating it in her mind as if that would somehow make it easier, "I can do this!"
It was just a few days ago, when Weiss Schnee came to RUST's dorm to tell Rhia that she would like to be friends. Weiss admitted that she was wrong about her views of the faunus in the past and she wanted to be a better person. With some encouragement from Sin, Rhia agreed and Weiss left her scroll number for Rhia to contact her whenever she felt ready and comfortable enough to do so.
Rhia stared at the name on her screen. Her thumbs hovering over the virtual keyboard as she tried to type a message, but her trembling hands struggled to type a single letter. Her breath became shallow, and as she tried again, she was hit with flashes from her past. The crack of a whip. Harsh voices. The overseers shouting her name with anger. The cold, dark corners of the SDC's servant quarters. The memories were overwhelming, vivid as if she were right back in that place.
"Rhia!"
The sound of her own name was sharp and terrifying in her head—her parents' voices mixed with the cruel voices of the overseers. Her mother, her father, Overseer Mahomes, Supervisor Candie, Alena, all of these voices mixed together, each of them calling her name. The sound of her sister and her parents calling out to her in concern, the overseer and supervisor calling for her in harsh anger. She froze, and without realizing it, her knees pulled up to her chest. Her scroll slipped from her trembling fingers, clattering loudly against the floor, but she didn't notice. The world around her began to blur, her vision narrowing to that one, painful moment, and her chest tightened with a panic she could no longer control.
"Rhia..." Sin's voice, calm, but firm, cut through the air. He had entered the room quietly, watching as her breathing quickened. She hadn't even heard him come in.
"Rhia," he said again, taking a step closer. There was no teasing in his voice, no playful edge. Just concern.
But Rhia didn't hear him; her mind was lost in the depths of her fear. The flashbacks swirled around her, and as the voices in her head grew louder, she screamed, shrill and afraid as everything came back to her at once. The sound ripped through the room, and she curled up, retreating to the furthest corner of her bed, pressing herself against the wall. Her body shook, and tears streamed down her face as sobs wracked her fragile form.
"I can't do this... I can't do this..." Her voice was barely a whisper, broken and raw.
Sin rushed to her side, but instead of touching her immediately, he knelt in front of her, his presence calm, his words soft. "I'm right here, Rhia. Just breathe. I'm right here."
Minutes passed before her sobbing began to quiet, though her shaking didn't stop. Sin gently placed his hand on hers, grounding her. Slowly, she began to come back to the present, her green eyes blinking up at him, her eyes cracked with red and filled with tears.
"I... I can't," she choked, her voice weak.
Sin stayed quiet for a moment, as much as he wanted to say something, anything, he just felt that talking would make it harder right now. He sits next to her, letting her take as much time as she needs. He understood. There were no words that could make it better right now. The silence between them was enough, for the time being, as her breathing slowly evened out.
"I can't do it" Rhia said after nearly an hour of silence, "I think part of me wants to, but I'm terrified. Just seeing her name reminds me of everything."
Sin slides an arm around her, "It'll be okay Rhia. I think you can do it, but even if you can't I'll be here for you."
The two sit in silence once again before settling down for the night. Sin stayed with Rhia in her bed as she drifted to sleep. Their door opens and Brick and Alena return from their shopping, Alena's eyes growing furious when she sees Sin in bed with her sleeping sister. Sin quickly places a finger to his lips, gesturing for Alena to stay quiet as he slowly slides out of the bed making sure to not disturb Rhia.
"She had a panic attack" Sin tells them quietly, "At least I think she did. I'm not sure what one of those looks like, but I couldn't leave her alone and she asked me to stay close to her until she fell asleep."
Alena's fists clenched, her nails digging and biting into her palms, "I want to claw that girl's eyes out."
"It's not her fault" Sin tells her, "Blame her family and the company, but not Weiss."
Do not say her name!" Alena seethed, "She's no different than them, all of you humans are the same!"
Brick stepped forward, placing a hand on Alena's shoulder, "Alena, Zin is right. Veiss vants to pe ein kood berzon. Giffe her ein chance."
His hand was larger than her head, almost her head and her shoulder, but even with its size and weight Brick's hand offered her some degree of calming comfort.
"I'll give her a chance" Alena reluctantly agreed, "But she will not gain my trust until she proves her worth, and if she ever harms my sister" she turns to Brick and Sin, "Neither of you will be able to stop me."
Alena lays in her little sister's bed, wrapping her arms around Rhia who for a moment trembles and whimpers in her sleep, as if afraid of her touch before she settles into the familiar embrace.
Sin helps Brick put their groceries away in the dorm's kitchen before returning to his own bed to sleep for the night. Brick as always, due to his size, sleeps on a foldable mattress on the floor. The night passes in a stressed silence, occasionally interrupted by Rhia's fitful sleep, in her dreams she becomes that scared, abused and traumatized little girl again.
The next day, Rhia found herself sitting on a bench in the courtyard, hoping that the quiet buzz of the other students passing by would drown out her own thoughts. She had asked for space, and Sin, as always, had respected it, promising to be at her side within moments if she needed him, but here, in the calm of Beacon's grounds, her thoughts refused to settle.
"He's always there for me," Rhia thought, her hands resting on her lap, her fingers slightly trembling. "Ever since we met, he's never left my side. He's been there for both of us. Even with his antics, even when he makes me laugh when I don't feel like laughing—especially since we arrived at Beacon. Why is it so easy to feel safer with him? Why him... and not Alena?"
That thought gnawed at her, ate at her.
"Alena's my sister. She's always protected me, she's always been the one I trusted, but... it's different with Sin."
She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because Alena's comfort came wrapped in the same trauma they both carried, shadowed by the hate Alena held toward their past and toward humans. Alena's embrace always felt like it came with weight—a reminder of what they'd been through, of all the suffering they had endured together. A shared burden. With Sin, it felt... lighter. Different. He had no hatred for her past, no anger toward what she had been through. He just wanted to be there for her. For her, and no one else.
That made it easier, didn't it?
But it also scared her.
"Maybe, when I'm with him I don't have to carry his pain and mine," she realized. "I don't have to see my past reflected in his eyes. Maybe that's why..."
Her breath hitched as her thoughts spiraled, confusion clouding her emotions. "Why can't I let Alena be that person for me anymore? Why does Sin make it feel... different? Safe?"
The more she thought about it, the more conflicted she became. She loved her sister, but Sin's presence... his lighthearted jokes, the way he always seemed to know how to make her feel calm in a world that was anything, but—it made her feel more grounded, more herself. With Alena, everything was tied back to their shared suffering. With Sin, she could almost pretend that part of her didn't exist, at least for a little while.
"What does that mean for me? For us?" she thought, staring down at her trembling hands, unsure if she would ever have the answer.
As Rhia swam through her thoughts, trying to make sense of them, Blake Belladonna, the faunus member of Team RWBY found Rhia sitting alone at the edge of Beacon's grounds. It had been by chance that their paths crossed—Blake had gone out for some air after a long study session, and there was Rhia, staring out at the city below.
Rhia sensed her approach and glanced over her shoulder. "Blake," she greeted softly.
Blake offered a small smile, though her usual guarded expression didn't change much. "You seem troubled."
Rhia sighed, hugging her arms to her body. "I guess you could say that. I've been thinking about Weiss."
Blake nodded. "You haven't reached out to her yet have you?"
Rhia hesitated before responding. "I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can do it." Her voice wavered with uncertainty. "Weiss... she seems sincere, but every time I look at her, I see them. The people who treated me like I was less than nothing. It's not her fault, I know it's not, but..." Rhia trailed off, struggling to find the words.
Blake hesitated for a long moment as she sat next to Rhia, her amber eyes flickering to the horizon. The silence between them was thick, almost oppressive, but she knew that if Rhia were going to trust her, if they were going to have this conversation, Blake would need to show a side of herself she rarely did.
"I've been where you are," Blake finally said, her voice soft, but carrying a weight that instantly caught Rhia's attention. "Not exactly the same, but… similar enough."
Rhia turned to her, curious, but unsure what Blake meant. Blake's hands tightened in her lap as if she were trying to find the right words, her usual composed demeanor slipping for just a moment. "You know, I haven't always been so… neutral when it comes to humans. I wasn't always trying to be this balanced, thoughtful person. I never hated them, well maybe I did a little, but I was mostly angry at them. Really angry."
Rhia watched as Blake's expression hardened. She could see the memories playing out behind Blake's eyes—memories that still stung, even now.
Blake took a slow, deliberate breath, her fingers brushing against the bow that concealed her faunus ears. "I was part of the White Fang."
Rhia blinked, clearly shocked by the confession. "What?"
Blake offered a sad smile, her eyes dropping to the ground as if she couldn't meet Rhia's gaze. "I thought the White Fang were doing the right thing… at first. We were standing up for faunus everywhere, for people like us, people who were oppressed, treated like dirt. And for a long time, I believed in what we were doing. I thought it was the only way to make things better."
The hesitation in Blake's voice was palpable. She swallowed hard before continuing. "But the White Fang changed. We all did. Anger became the fuel, and that anger turned into something dangerous. We started hurting people… a lot of people. And when I realized where we were headed—" she paused, her eyes tightening as the image of Adam Taurus flashed through her mind, "—I left. I couldn't be a part of it anymore."
Rhia's eyes were wide with a mixture of shock and confusion. She hadn't been at Beacon long, and knew Blake for an even shorter time, but she felt like Blake was calm and collected, someone who had already found peace with herself, but to hear that Blake had walked a path not that different to her own—it left Rhia reeling.
Blake noticed Rhia's reaction and offered her a weak smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It took me a long time to realize that staying angry only made everything worse. I thought we could fight our way to equality, that by hitting back, we could finally make them see us, but all it did was make the hatred grow. And the White Fang—" Blake's voice faltered for a moment, her thoughts drifting to Adam again. "—it wasn't just the humans who were the problem. There were faunus, too, who took advantage of that anger, who manipulated it. People I trusted."
Rhia listened, absorbing the weight of Blake's confession. She saw a different side to her now—one that wasn't always calm, wasn't always in control.
"I didn't trust humans for a long time after I left the White Fang," Blake continued, her voice quieter now, more introspective. "I thought I could stay isolated, but then I met people… people like Yang, like Ruby. And I realized not everyone was like the ones who hurt us. It's not easy, and it won't be for you either. You'll always have doubts. There are still times when I have to remind myself that not every human is my enemy, but I think that's the challenge, Rhia. It's not about forgetting what happened to you, or pretending the pain isn't there. It's about choosing not to let it control you."
Rhia looked down, feeling the weight of Blake's words settling over her like a blanket. "It's hard… it's so hard to let go. Just thinking about it for a second brings all of it back."
Blake nodded, her expression softening. "I know. It's not about letting go all at once. It's about taking small steps. Weiss—" Blake hesitated, glancing at Rhia to gauge her reaction to the name, "—Weiss wants to change. I'm not sure if it's hard for you to believe that, but I've seen her try. And I know how hard it is to make that first step. And I also know how hard it was for her to."
Rhia looked out at the city again, her arms wrapping tighter around herself. "I don't want to hate her, I don't hate her, I don't think I do" she whispered. "But every time I see her face, I just…"
"You don't have to stop feeling what you feel right now," Blake said, her tone gentle, but firm. "You're allowed to be scared. You're allowed to be angry, but try to remember that you're not alone in this. You've got your sister, your team…And if you like, you could have me as well. Weiss—she's not perfect, but she's trying. You don't have to force anything. Just... take it one step at a time. I'll be here for you, and so will my friends and your team. You're not alone."
Blake's hand rested lightly on Rhia's arm, a small gesture of solidarity. "You're not as alone as you think."
"Thank you, Blake," Rhia whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of fear, but now carrying a second, fragile light of hope within it. The doubt still loomed, but Blake's words had added a faint glow to the one Sin had already given her. It wasn't much, but it was enough to hold onto—enough to remind her she wasn't alone.
Rhia watched Blake leave, her heart a little lighter as the cat faunus offered one final, tender squeeze on her shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered again, her voice quiet, but genuine. Blake smiled softly in response before turning away, leaving Rhia with her thoughts.
Alone once more, Rhia's gaze drifted back to her scroll. Weiss' name and contact stared back at her, almost taunting her with its presence. Her heart rate picked up as her fingers hovered over the screen. Her breath quickened, and she tore her eyes away, feeling a surge of panic bubbling up, "Not yet… I'm not ready yet."
She exhaled, trying to steady her nerves, and pocketed the scroll. For the rest of the day, Rhia tried to prepare herself—tried to steel her heart against the flood of memories and fear, but it wasn't easy. Every time she thought of Weiss, the past threatened to swallow her whole.
That night, as she sat alone in the dorm, her hands trembling, she finally opened her scroll once again. This time, she forced herself to push past the fear. She typed quickly, her fingers shaking as the words appeared on screen:
"Coffee? Tomorrow afternoon? If, that's okay with you."
Her thumb hovered over the send, button, heart racing as if it would leap out of her chest. With a deep breath and closed eyes, she finally pressed it, the message sent.
Now, all she could do was wait.
Rhia stood outside Vale's famous coffee shop, Café LeBlanc Cinquième, her heart pounding in her chest. She had taken Blake's advice and reached out to Weiss, but as the minutes ticked by, doubt began to flood her mind. She could still walk away, couldn't she? Just turn around and tell Weiss something came up, but no. She had to try.
Sin stood a short distance away, leaning against the wall, giving her the space she needed, but staying close enough in case things went wrong. His presence was steady, as always—a quiet reminder that she wasn't doing this alone.
Her scroll buzzed, snapping her back to the present. Looking up, she saw Weiss approaching, a hopeful smile on her face. The heiress moved with a slight nervousness in her step, her mind racing through what she would say. She thought back to her first rocky conversations with Blake—the mistakes she made then—and was determined not to let history repeat itself.
Rhia's stomach twisted. Seeing such a warm expression attached to the Schnee name conflicted with the memories of her past, and she instinctively glanced over at Sin. He gave her a reassuring nod, his eyes silently promising that he'd be there if she needed him.
Weiss reached her, smile still intact, but eyes full of questions. "Hey, Rhia," she greeted, her voice soft, but friendly.
"H-Hi," Rhia stammered, her fingers twitching at her sides.
They entered the shop together, ordering their drinks before finding a quiet table in the corner. The café was nearly empty, the soft murmur of background music blending with the distant hum of the espresso machine. Large windows framed the far wall, allowing the golden light of the setting sun to pour in, casting a gentle, orange hue over the space. The rays of sunlight stretched across the polished wood floors and sleek, minimalist furniture, filling the room with a calming warmth, as though even the sun was trying to soothe Rhia's frayed nerves.
The few other patrons scattered across the room spoke in hushed tones, adding to the peaceful ambiance. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, rich and inviting.
Sin lingered at the bar, keeping his distance, but ensuring he was within eyesight. He glanced over occasionally, his relaxed posture a reminder that he was nearby if Rhia needed him. The barista, noticing where his gaze lingered, raised an eyebrow.
"So, Weiss Schnee—heiress to the SDC—sitting alone with a faunus girl, huh?" the barista remarked, wiping down the counter. "Guess she's into girls then?"
Sin blinked, startled for a second by the comment. He suppressed a shuddering laugh in his throat, glancing at the barista with a smirk. "Please don't put ideas like that in my head," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "I only have enough blood to power one brain at a time."
The barista snorted, shaking his head. "Fair enough, man."
Weiss started into casual conversation, discussing the upcoming Vytal Festival and Beacon's training regimens, trying to keep the atmosphere light. She kept her tone upbeat, but inside she could feel her nerves rattling. "Don't screw this up," she thought. "You started off really bad with Blake, let's start this one off right."
As the conversation continued, Rhia's hands tightened in her lap, her fingers digging into her palms. Weiss was getting more comfortable, the conversation becoming increasingly one-sided as she delved into her life, talking about Beacon, her training... and then her family. The moment Weiss mentioned the Schnee name and the company, Rhia felt herself slipping further into a familiar darkness. The sound of Weiss' voice began to distort, twisting in her mind, as if the words were no longer hers, but those of the overseers she once feared. Her breath hitched, and she could feel her pulse quicken, each mention of the company pulling her away from the present and back into the trauma she'd tried so hard to escape—back to those cold, unforgiving rooms, back to the whips and the screams.
The voices crept back in—the overseers' cruel orders, the crack of the whip, the cold and empty rooms. "You're nothing," they whispered. Her breathing quickened, and her vision blurred.
Weiss, still speaking, finally noticed the shift in Rhia's expression. "Are you alright?" she asked, genuine concern lacing her words as her hopeful demeanor began to falter.
But Rhia couldn't hear her. Not really. Her breathing had become shallow, ragged—each breath a desperate gasp for air that wouldn't come. Her chest felt as though it were collapsing inward, the crushing weight of panic constricting her heart and lungs, squeezing tighter with every second. The sound of Weiss' voice twisted in her mind, morphing into the sharp commands of the overseers, their hostile orders echoing in her skull like a symphony of cruelty. "Move faster. You're worthless. Do as you're told bitch!"
Rhia's ears rang violently, blocking out the present, the voices of other patrons, even the soft hum of the café. All she could hear were the memories, the endless barrage of threats and insults that had been drilled into her, ripping her apart from the inside. Her throat constricted, suffocating her. The walls of the café felt like they were closing in—turning into the cold, stone confines of the SDC facility where she'd spent years trapped in servitude.
Her hands began to tremble uncontrollably, her vision blurred with tears she didn't even know had formed. She felt small again, powerless. The girl who had spent years under the heel of the Schnee company's cruelty.
"I-I'm sorry, I have to go," Rhia choked out, her voice barely a whisper, trembling with fear. She shot to her feet, her chair screeching across the floor like nails on a chalkboard. The noise made her flinch, pulling her further into the nightmare her mind had trapped her in.
The room was spinning. Her breath was a staccato rhythm of hyperventilation. Her chest felt like it would explode from the pressure building inside her—every heartbeat a thunderous drum against her ribs. Every step Weiss took toward her felt like another overseer marching forward, ready to strike.
Without thinking, without even realizing what she was doing, Rhia bolted from the coffee shop. Her legs carried her on instinct, fueled by raw terror. She stumbled out into the open air, gasping for breath as though she had just escaped from drowning.
Sin immediately followed, his senses sharp, his eyes trained on her as he rushed outside. Weiss was right behind him, calling Rhia's name in desperation, guilt written across her face as she realized something had gone terribly wrong. They both reached the entrance just in time to see Rhia stumbling down the street.
"Rhia, wait!" Weiss shouted.
But Rhia was too far gone. The world around her had dissolved into a blur of fear and panic. At that moment, all she knew was that she needed to escape. Needed to run.
As Sin called after her, Rhia's semblance flared to life. Decoys—perfect copies of her—began to split off in every direction, sprinting down alleyways and disappearing around corners. Each one moved with her same frantic pace, scattering like the wind. The sudden, disorienting effect forced both Sin and Weiss to pause, momentarily thrown off by the appearance of multiple Rhias fleeing in different directions.
"Dammit," Sin muttered under his breath, recognizing the strategy. She was using her semblance to confuse them, to throw them off her trail—just like she had been trained to do in moments of danger.
Weiss looked between the decoys, her expression stricken with worry. "Which one is the real her?"
Sin's eyes narrowed, the world around him slowing as he activated his semblance. His perception shifted, heightening his awareness of every movement, every subtle detail in the chaos of fleeing Rhias. As his surroundings fell into slow motion, he watched carefully—each decoy moving in perfect synchronization, save for a single second delay in one of them.
"There," Sin muttered, his gaze locking onto the real Rhia. Her decoys moved almost identically, but the faintest hesitation in her step, the tiniest beat where she lagged just behind, gave her away. "I see her."
Without waiting, Sin took off in a full sprint after her, his body a blur as he moved with the speed his semblance allowed him to process. Rhia's decoys flickered out of his vision, their purpose served, but he didn't falter. His focus was entirely on the real Rhia, her fleeing form just ahead, heart racing in panic.
Weiss watched him move with sudden purpose and, though not entirely sure what had just happened, trusted him without hesitation. "Wait, Sin—I'm coming with you!" she called, her legs springing into action as she ran after him. She wasn't about to let Rhia go through this alone, not after everything.
The two of them pursued Rhia down the narrow streets, dodging passersby and weaving through alleys. The golden light of the setting sun cast long shadows across the pavement, but Sin's vision remained sharp, every detail illuminated in his heightened perception. Rhia was fast, her movements erratic with fear, but Sin was determined. He wouldn't lose her.
"Rhia!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the growing distance between them. "Rhia, stop—it's me!"
Rhia didn't respond. Her mind was too far gone, trapped in the swirling storm of memories and terror. Every footstep felt like an overseer chasing her, every sound an echo of a life she desperately wanted to escape. She kept running, unaware of the world around her, driven by pure instinct to run, to escape in order to survive.
Weiss, struggling to keep up, but refusing to give up, felt her chest tighten with worry. She could barely see Rhia now, but she could see Sin, still closing the distance. The desperation in his voice pushed her to run harder, to reach Rhia before it was too late.
Rhia's frantic breaths grew heavier, her vision blurring as tears welled up. Her legs burned from the effort, but her mind screamed for her to keep moving, to escape the looming shadows of her past. She sprinted through the narrow alleyways, heart hammering in her chest, the world around her spinning in chaotic disarray. Every turn felt like another corner of her cage, each heartbeat a reminder of her helplessness.
But her body could only take so much.
Her breaths turned shallow and ragged, her pace faltering as her strength finally gave out. She stumbled, her legs giving way beneath her as she collapsed behind a row of buildings, hidden from the eyes of the world. Her hands clutched her chest, gasping as if the very air was poison. Her throat tightened, choking her as the weight of her memories crashed over her like a tidal wave.
Her head drooped forward, too heavy to lift as the sheer exhaustion from her panic attack dragged her down. She was too tired, too scared, and too broken to run anymore.
That's when Sin found her.
"Rhia, hey, it's alright. Breathe," he said softly, stepping in front of her to block her path, but making sure to give her space. His voice was calm, the kind of calm she could rely on.
Tears pricked the corners of Rhia's eyes as she clutched at her chest, fighting to regain control of her breath. Sin gently guided her to a nearby bench, keeping his hand steady on her shoulder.
Weiss had finally caught up, a look of guilt and frustration etched on her face. "I'm sorry, Rhia, I didn't mean to upset you," she said, her voice wavering as she approached, stopping a respectful distance away. Her hopeful smile from earlier had faded, replaced by worry and self-doubt.
Sin shook his head slightly, giving Weiss a look that told her this wasn't her fault. "It's not you, Weiss," he said quietly. "It's not your fault. It's what your family did…, but it's not you."
Weiss swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her family's legacy settle on her shoulders once again. "I just… I just want to help," she whispered.
Sin gave her a nod, appreciating the sincerity in her words. "I know," he replied. "And so does she. This is just… gonna take some time."
Weiss kept a respectful distance as Sin helped Rhia back to Beacon and to RUST's dorm. He carefully helped her into her bed, opening the windows and leaving the door ajar to lessen the feeling of being trapped. As Rhia curled into her bed, she quickly succumbed to the stress and exhaustion. Tears squeezed through her closed eyes, her body trembling, and her light snores were mixed with quiet whimpers.
Weiss knelt beside her, guilt washing over her. "I'm so sorry. This is my fault. I pushed her too hard."
Sin shook his head as he crouched beside her. "It's not your fault, Weiss. This... this is what your father did. What the SDC did. She just needs time."
Weiss swallowed hard, her eyes darting away as her throat tightened. "But... I'm trying to change that. I don't want her to feel like this. I want to help, but...Maybe I'm just making it worse."
Sin glanced over at her, his voice soft, but firm. "This isn't something that can be fixed right away. You are helping. Just by trying, you're showing that. You don't have to fix everything at once. It's not on you."
Weiss nodded slowly, though the weight of responsibility still hung heavy on her shoulders. "Thank you... for saying that, but it is on me. If I don't restore my family's name and make up for what our company has done, then who will? It has to be me."
She stood up, her fingers trembling as she wiped her eyes. "I have to be the one to do this," she continued, her voice firmer now, carrying the burden of a legacy she didn't choose, but felt obligated to correct.
Sin watched her quietly, letting the silence hang for a moment. "You're doing more than you think, Weiss," he said gently, his tone carrying the weight of sincerity, his words meant to reassure her.
Weiss offered a small, appreciative nod, but didn't trust herself to speak. She glanced one last time at Rhia, then back to Sin. "I'll give you both some space," she said softly before turning to leave, the determination in her step tempered by the heaviness of what still needed to be done.
As Weiss walked away, Sin stayed with Rhia until her breathing calmed, his presence steady and reassuring.
A week had passed, and Rhia, having recovered from her previous breakdown, was ready to try again. This time, she extended an invitation to Weiss to join her in one of Beacon's private training rooms, hoping that the familiar routine of combat practice might ease the tension between them. Despite her previous optimism, Weiss hesitated, now more worried than ever that engaging in combat—even in a controlled environment—might only worsen Rhia's fragile state, but Rhia, communicating through Sin, remained insistent. She wanted this chance, and eventually, Weiss agreed.
Now, Sin stood outside the door to Professor Goodwitch's office, his hands resting in his pockets as he glanced at Weiss. She stood beside him, her posture stiff with nerves, though her face showed her determination. She had insisted on accompanying him to speak with Glynda, while Rhia, still too anxious and uncertain, stayed behind in the dorms.
Sin glanced at Weiss, noticing the tension in her face, and gave her a small nod before knocking on the door. A moment later, Glynda's calm, authoritative voice called from inside, "Enter."
Pushing the door open, they stepped into the office. Glynda Goodwitch sat behind her desk, papers neatly arranged before her. The office itself was a reflection of her personality: immaculate and organized. The large, ornate desk held carefully stacked papers on either side, with a few elegant yet functional decorations. The walls bore minimal, but tasteful artwork, including a framed Beacon Academy crest. Heavy curtains were evenly drawn back, allowing the warm light of the afternoon sun to filter in, giving the room an inviting glow despite Glynda's usual stoic presence. Every aspect of the space was composed, professional, and subtly welcoming, a contrast to her often stern demeanor.
Her eyes flicked up from the document she was reviewing, settling on them with her usual calm, analytical gaze. "Mr. Sabre, Ms. Schnee. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Weiss took a deep breath, but it was Sin who spoke first. "We wanted to ask for your help. There's a situation with one of my teammates—Rhia."
Glynda leaned back in her chair, folding her hands neatly on her desk. Her eyes flickered between the two students, her expression unchanging, but clearly interested. "Go on."
Weiss shifted, her hands clasping nervously in front of her. Then, she spoke, her voice weighed down with guilt. "Rhia... she's been struggling with trauma from her past. It's related to the Schnee Dust Company," she admitted, despite Sin's repeated assurances that she wasn't at fault. The guilt was evident in her voice. "And it's been difficult for her to even be near me."
Glynda's eyes softened slightly, though her expression remained controlled. "I see," she said thoughtfully. "And you are asking for my assistance... in what way?"
Sin continued for her, his voice softening with uncharacteristic care. "She's trying to work through it. She even asked Weiss to train with her—to face it head-on, but after what happened last time..." He hesitated, the memory of Rhia's breakdown flashing through his mind, his usually confident posture faltering for a moment. "She had a breakdown. We had to chase her through the streets because she was so...terrified."
"I'm worried," Weiss added softly, her words filled with the heavy guilt she'd carried since learning of Rhia's past. "I want to help her. I really do, but I also don't want to make things worse."
Glynda's gaze sharpened, her eyes narrowing as she leaned forward. "You mentioned the Schnee Dust Company... So her trauma stems from her treatment there?" There was a controlled calm in her tone, but the slight hardening of her voice revealed her disapproval—both of the SDC's practices and the painful truth that had been revealed.
Weiss nodded, her eyes cast downward as though the floor could somehow absorb the shame she felt. "Yes. She... she was more than just a worker. A servant, no..." She hesitated, the word stuck in her throat, almost too painful to say. "She was a...a slave." The word felt jagged on her tongue, cutting her deeper than most others ever could, each syllable stinging as it left her lips. It wasn't just a weight on her shoulders anymore. No, that burden had sunk deeper, pressing hard against her heart, filling her chest with a new kind of ache—a darkness her family had created, and now it stained her too. It threatened to suffocate her.
There was a pause, a brief moment of silence that filled the room with a heavy tension. Glynda's expression remained stoic, but her posture stiffened. Her eyes bore into Weiss and then Sin, with a sharper, more calculating scrutiny. "And you believe combat training will help?" she asked, her voice steady, but laced with skepticism.
Sin shifted his stance slightly, glancing at Weiss before answering. "It's what Rhia thinks," he admitted, his tone edged with concern. "She believes if they're doing something familiar—something like training—it'll make talking easier, let her focus on something other than her fear, but..." He hesitated, running a hand through his hair, clearly torn. "I'm worried it'll backfire, that it'll just make everything worse. Still... it's what she wants to try, and I want to support her."
He paused, his eyes locking with Glynda's, his voice firm, but sincere. "That's why we want you there. Just in case."
Glynda considered their request, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk. "This is a delicate situation. Emotional trauma of this depth doesn't simply disappear, even with the best intentions. Exposure to combat could make it worse, and if she's already associating Ms. Schnee with her past trauma..." She paused, the concern now evident in her usually composed voice. "The three of you are taking a grave risk."
Weiss swallowed hard, her throat dry. "I know.., but after seeing how bad it is, how scared she is just by hearing my family's name—" Her hand moved to cover her chest. "I can't stand by and do nothing. I have to help her. I have to."
Glynda exhaled quietly, leaning back in her chair. "I understand your reasoning, Ms. Schnee, but I want to be very clear—this isn't something that can be resolved in a single training session, nor is there a guarantee it will help. Trauma, especially of this severity, is not a simple enemy you can fight and defeat. It's complex, and it's persistent."
Sin, who had been quiet, finally spoke, his voice softer than usual, tinged with frustration. "Believe me, I know," he said, his tone heavy with the weight of his own helplessness. "I wish it was an enemy that simple. If it was, this would be over already because I'd have beaten it into submission for her." He paused, his usual bravado gone. "But it doesn't work like that."
She glanced between Weiss and Sin, letting out a resigning sigh before continuing, "I can appreciate your willingness to support your teammate. If you're both prepared for the potential consequences, I will attend and oversee the session. However, if I see any signs that this is doing more harm than good, I will step in and end it immediately. Is that understood?"
Both Weiss and Sin nodded, their gratitude evident.
Weiss bowed slightly. "Thank you, Professor Goodwitch."
"Yeah, thank you," Sin echoed, but his gaze held Glynda's a moment longer. "Glynda."
Glynda's stern expression softened, if only for a second. He wasn't just thanking her as an instructor, but as a person. She adjusted her glasses, a small nod of acknowledgment in return. "Very well. I'll see you both at the training room tomorrow. Let's hope this helps."
Sin and Professor Goodwitch observed from a safe distance, giving space to Weiss and Rhia while ensuring that things didn't get too intense.
At first, everything seemed to be going well. They practiced attacking the training dummies, focusing on precision and strength, their movements smooth and coordinated. A few times, they even fell into a rhythm, attacking in near-perfect harmony, but as Weiss moved with her signature grace, each precise strike executed with calculated control, something shifted in Rhia's mind. The way Weiss pivoted, the fluid slashing motion—it mirrored Overseer Mahomes, the man who had tormented her. His movements had been just as quick, just as sharp.
With every strike Weiss made against the target, Rhia's vision twisted. The dummy blurred, the sound of the hits warped into the harsh crack of a whip. She could see them—her abusers—standing where Weiss stood, their faces sneering at her from the shadows. Her pulse quickened, breath hitching, and panic gripped her heart.
Weiss turned, noticing the change in Rhia's demeanor. "Rhia? Are you okay?"
There was no answer.
Rhia's eyes were wide, unfocused, her breathing turning rapid and shallow. The world around her faded as her mind was consumed by terror. She was no longer at Beacon. She was back in the dark, cold halls of the SDC, surrounded by the faces she had fought so hard to escape.
"Rhia?" Weiss's concern deepened as Rhia's tonfa clattered to the floor, the sound barely registering in her ears.
Weiss rushed toward her. "Rhia!", but Rhia didn't hear her. Her body was stiff, her eyes glazed over, and then her knees buckled. She crumpled, consciousness slipping away as her body collapsed under the weight of her panic.
Weiss reacted in an instant, summoning a glyph that appeared just in time to catch Rhia before she hit the ground. She fell to her knees beside her, lifting the faunus into her arms. "Rhia! Please, wake up!"
Sin and Glynda were at her side in seconds, the urgency in their movements mirroring the rising fear that was evident on Weiss's face.
Weiss's voice cracked with desperation as she cradled Rhia close. "Rhia, please…"
Hours passed before Rhia's vitals evened out, her still form lying in the infirmary bed. The steady beeping of machines was the only sound, punctuating the tense silence that filled the room. Sin sat at her bedside, his usual carefree expression replaced by one of deep concern. Weiss stood off to the side, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, a weighty guilt pressing down on her chest. Brick stood quietly, ever the silent pillar of strength, while Alena paced near the foot of the bed, her face a storm of barely-contained fury.
Suddenly, Alena whirled on Weiss, her voice low and venomous. "This is your fault."
Weiss blinked, startled by the sudden attack. "I—"
"You're no different than the rest of them!" Alena's voice rose, her anger boiling over. "You think I don't see it? You're getting some twisted pleasure out of this, aren't you? Watching my sister suffer, pretending to help just so you can see her break down again."
Weiss's face paled, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to find words. Tears welled up in her eyes, but the crushing guilt she felt held her back from defending herself. Maybe her presence really was only making things worse from the start.
"That's not true!" Sin cut in, stepping between them to shield Weiss from Alena's wrath. "Weiss has been trying to help Rhia. You know that."
Alena's eyes flashed with rage as she turned her fury on him. "And you! You're no better! You let this happen, Sin. You put her through this week of hell. All you humans are the same. All of you." Her voice cracked, but her anger remained unrelenting.
Sin held his ground, meeting her glare. "I am nothing like them" he seethed at the accusation.
Alena took a step forward, fists clenched. "Then why is my sister lying in that bed? Why did you let her go through all of this when you knew how much she was suffering?"
Before the tension could escalate further, Brick gently placed a large hand on Alena's shoulder, his touch heavy, but soothing. "Zis von't help, Alena," he said quietly. "Rhia vanted to try. Sche's schtronger zan vu zink. Put zis rage–zis hate–vill only hurt her more."
Alena's chest heaved with emotion, but she said nothing, turning her back to them as she sat down beside Rhia's bed. She took her sister's hand, her expression softening slightly as she looked at her, but the anger still burned beneath the surface. "Get out," she spat, her voice quieter, but no less venomous. "Both of you."
Weiss, tears spilling from her eyes, bowed her head. "I'm... I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling as she turned and hurried out of the room.
Sin hesitated, his eyes lingering on Alena and Rhia before he turned to follow Weiss. He walked out into the hallway, catching up to her as she frantically wiped at her eyes. "I'll walk you back," he said gently, his voice low, trying to offer whatever comfort he could.
Weiss didn't argue. She couldn't. The guilt gnawing at her heart was too overwhelming, and Sin's silent presence was all that kept her from falling apart completely.
The trip back to Team RWBY's dorm was quiet save for Weiss' gasps as she struggled to hold back her tears. Standing outside her team's dorm she apologized again.
"We should stop this," she said, her voice trembling as she wrung her hands together, guilt evident in every inch of her posture. "I promise to keep my distance from now on. I'll only make it worse."
She froze when Sin's hand cupped her cheek, his fingers warm and steady against her tear-streaked skin. His touch was as soft as his voice, "Weiss," he began, his thumb brushing delicately under her eye, wiping away the tears, "Don't give up. None of this is your fault."
Hearing those words from him, so soft and confident made her want to break down right there in the hall, "Isn't it? If I just kept my distance in the first place instead of trying to insert myself into the issue then Rhia wouldn't…Face it Sin, I'm making it worse."
"I don't think you are" he tells her, once more his voice is warm and soft. His thumb running under her eye once again to brush the tears away, "You have a good heart Weiss, I can see it."
Weiss leaned her head into his hand, the tender warmth easing the ache in her chest, but as her fingers lightly brushed his, seeking more of the comfort he offered, he stepped back. "Your heart is almost as pretty as you are," Sin added with a smirk and a wink before stepping back and turning to leave.
Weiss froze, his words echoing in her mind, louder with each passing second. He was just a shameless flirt, right? He had been since they met, one she had always brushed off. Always confident, always bold, always quick with a quip or a playful remark, but now, after the way he defended her—stepping between her and his own teammate, walking her home, and comforting her when she felt completely lost…
Why did this one feel different?
Sin paused and looked back over his shoulder, his eyes locking with hers. "I'll see you tomorrow, beautiful." His voice held more than just flirtation. It was a promise—but what kind of promise? Did he just mean he'd check on her after she rested? Or was there something more, something deeper?
Weiss opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. Her breath froze in her throat. For the first time, she couldn't dismiss his words as casual banter. This wasn't like the empty compliments she had grown used to from boys interested only in the perks of her last name. There was weight behind Sin's words—a sincerity she hadn't expected.
Could there really be something more behind them?
Her heart fluttered, unsettled by the ambiguity of his words. Sin's usual teasing never affected her like this. No one had ever made her feel this way—not even her sister Winter had been able to comfort her so easily, so completely. And now, she couldn't tell if Sin was just being his playful self or if there was something more to his promise.
Was he promising to see her again because he wanted to, or because he wanted to make sure she was alright?
The uncertainty of it all left her feeling both comforted and conflicted, the weight of his words hanging in the air between them. As he walked away, Weiss was left with one thought that refused to leave her mind: What did he mean by "beautiful" this time?
Hours passed, it was well into the night before Rhia woke up. Her sister sitting next to her bed, leaning over her legs, Brick sitting in the corner, also asleep, but Sin wasn't there.
"Maybe he's back in the dorm, or still with Weiss" she thought, remembering how worried Weiss has been for her this past week.
Seeing her scroll on the table next to her bed she picked it up. Her hands started to tremble again as she selected Weiss' name in her contacts. She began typing her message, taking multiple breaths to steady herself as she hits send.
"Thank you, Weiss. I'm sorry I'm struggling so much, but I do believe you meant it when you said you wanted to be friends. And I still want to try."
Weiss' response was almost immediate.
"You're doing great. And I'm sorry too, but if you're willing to keep trying then so am I. I'm here for you. And always at your pace."
Rhia smiled softly, a sense of peace finally settling over her, even if just for a moment.