The massive shadow engulfed the brawler and fencer as they stared up at the roof that appeared endless.
This- this is her house? Where she grew up? Yang was in disbelief. She would get lost in there for sure. She peeked at her companion. Who is she exactly? Is Weiss the exception? The hospital let her go because they know she has a great doctor. The airship allowed my motorcycle on board when they're not normally. She holds a lot of influence around here. Is it like that everywhere?
Whatever the reason, Yang ultimately didn't care. This was the same ice princess she met less than twenty-four hours ago. After their brief flight to soar above the floating island in Atlas, the girls finally arrived. Vibrant greenery lead a path to the mansion. It was a well-kept garden with dozens of peach trees and flowers. The breeze rustled along the pathway as the girls walked. Some of the grass was taller than Weiss.
This is more like a castle than a mansion.
It was a little intimidating.
"You live here?" Yang asked in awe.
"An eyesore, isn't it?"
Damn, she must hate it here. Her Dad wants to kill her brother. If that's just one of her worries… what else is going on?
To cheer her up, Yang chirped. "An eyesore? Looks nice and modern to me, I like it. Although that streamer on the balcony is a little tacky."
Without missing a beat, Weiss replied with a chuckle. "It is, isn't it?"
"I hate to ask this, but…" Weiss breathed a sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Can you throw me again? I can't climb six stories like this."
"W-what? Now you're asking? I thought you didn't like being manhandled!"
Weiss only shrugged with a tint of red on her cheeks. "It's the most practical option," that earned a shit-eating grin, so she scoffed. "Just do it."
"Why can't we use the front door?" Yang asked like any normal person would.
"And let my Father know we're here?" Weiss asked. "I don't think so. I know where the one flaw in the security system is. Now, are you going to help or not?"
"Why'd I expect you to ask nicely?" Yang joked.
I might meet an attempted murderer, the blonde thought. That I know of. Qrow's done some pretty questionable things…
If Yang could avoid interacting with an attempted murderer, she would. Although, she partially wants to meet him, only to gain more of an insight into everyday life here. Specifically, Weiss' everyday life. If she was honest with herself, the brawler would love to meet him for a different reason. Not to pummel him into oblivion. Not at all.
If we run into Jackass, will I be able to stop myself?
Smoothly, Yang slid behind her companion in silent agreement and patted her back as an invitation. Weiss understood and leaned forward a bit when the brawler grabbed the back of her t-shirt.
"Aim for the balcony with the streamers," Weiss instructed and pointed. "It's only six stories up. We know you can throw almost fifty yards. Maybe hold back a little this time."
"I can control my strength," Yang reassured. Hours of movement classes made her have this skill more under lock and key than most people. "Ready?"
Weiss looked over her shoulder and gave her a smile. "More than ever."
After taking a step back, Yang winded back and sent her a wink even though she couldn't see behind her. When lilac eyes finished judging the distance, she aimed carefully.
"Go!"
With a cry, Yang stepped forward and launched her straight up to the sky. It couldn't be a more perfect pitch. Weiss moved smoothly and front flipped once. Her legs were able to latch onto the balcony by the back of her knees. She hung upside down a little too long for Yang's comfort.
She's doing flips with a concussion. Maybe I shouldn't have-
A couple seconds later, Weiss was able to raise and flip over the fence with immense leg strength. This stunned Yang as she watched her vanish out of view when she landed. A breath she didn't know she was holding released. The blonde waited patiently, not knowing what to expect to come get her up there besides climbing the wall. Maybe a helicopter?
Quickly, Weiss darted to the double doors with plants and vines growing around them. The left door flew open when she yanked on the knob. Weiss never locked that side. After all, who would climb six stories to get to her balcony and break in? She tiptoed inside and a blast of cold air hit her while she cautiously scanned the pristine white room. She was alone. With her adrenaline pumping, she locked the other door across the room. With urgency, she pulled out a suitcase that was under her bed. When she flipped the locks open, dust clouded her view. A thick rope sprang out and almost landed in her hand. She grabbed it and ran over to the balcony, tossing it below.
"Ice princess, throw down your-" a wad of rope smacked her face, which caused Yang to flinch. "- perfectly knotted rope."
"Climb up," Weiss said down to her, not yelling. "I can hold the rope, but that's it. You're going to have to do all the work!"
"Man, this would suck for a person that doesn't hit the gym."
Glad for her physique, the brawler popped her knuckles and stretched to prepare. Meanwhile, Weiss dragged the rope over to her room and turned a corner. The rope was at least seventy feet long. Somehow, Weiss crafted it in a single night. She was able to leave her room when grounded, which was depressingly often. She knelt and braced herself for a fight and struggle, only for little shakes to only affect her. After a couple of minutes, Yang wandered inside the room since the door was open. Weiss stood and reeled the rope in.
"I thought that would take you a few more minutes. How'd you do that?"
"Your confidence in me is contagious," Yang said with a wide grin and yanked the rope along to help her. "I may or may not do a little rock climbing."
"A lot of rock climbing," Weiss corrected, clearly impressed by her strength.
"You're such a rebel," the brawler suddenly said, which made Weiss confused. "You use that rope to sneak out, don't you? Here I thought you were a rule follower."
After Weiss rolled it into a neat ball, she shoved it into the suitcase. "Shut up," Weiss said no more, which proved true to Yang. "Here," Weiss offered a white wire. "You can charge your phone."
Grateful, Yang accepted the charger and plugged it into an outlet with a convenient chair next to it. While she updated her uncle and the rest of her family, Weiss opened her nightstand. She grabbed what looked like a burner phone.
"Your room's huge," Yang observed and met her eyes. "I love the red accents."
Weiss smiled at her and clicked on a contact on the screen. It rang once before Yang could faintly hear a feminine voice on the other side.
"I have the herbs," Weiss said softly. "Come to my room. Three knocks."
The voice on the other end was loud enough for Yang to hear. "Whitley will be okay?!" Weiss recoiled away from the phone from the loud shout. "You did it! Coming now, Ms. Schnee!"
Weiss hung up with a beep and tossed the phone back into the nightstand. She grabbed a different cell phone and briefly checked the time.
"You have two phones?" Yang asked.
"Three," Weiss replied, which almost caused Yang to gasp.
"Why so many?"
"When your father is an attempted murderer, you don't want him to find out what you're up to," Weiss said ominously and fiddled with the white bandage around her head. "I'll make him pay. Maybe not tomorrow or the day after, but one day he'll pay."
"I like your ambition," Yang grabbed her arm to stop her from tugging on the wrap. "The doctor said it needs to stay on for another day."
When Weiss noticed her concern, she sighed. The bandage was firm and her stitches itched. It took willpower, but she lowered her arm to make her companion happy.
"Do you have a hat?" Yang asked suddenly. "You don't want Whitley to see you with that, right?"
"Good idea," Weiss replied, shocked she noticed her true intentions.
Their siblings always come first. And they understood that. Weiss stepped inside her dark closet and emerged carrying a sun hat. She stepped in front of her friend and put it on.
"That's perfect," Yang said when Weiss put it on.
It was hard to tell she was injured since the wrap was white and blended into snow hair.
She can pull anything off, Yang thought with a blush. "You're adorable. Maybe throw on some sunglasses, too? Aren't I too bright to look at directly?"
"And there's your healthy sense of modesty," Weiss said softly. "It was a matter of time before it came back."
She went from ignoring my flirting to flirting with me?!
"You know me so well already," Yang winked, taking note her companion didn't mind her being in her personal bubble. To give Weiss the option to reject her, she whispered. "Can you guess what I'm thinking right now?"
After a couple beats of silence, Weiss raised on her tiptoes. As she rose, Yang was frozen as her heart raced a million miles an hour. When Weiss was on the same level as those lips, she leaned in. With ease, Yang bent her knees very slightly and closed her eyes.
She's making a move? Yang thought. How bold.
Lips almost met, but then three knocks rang out. Flustered, they jumped apart with red faces.
"Ugh," the blonde muttered, shocked by how rosy Weiss was. That she could cause that to happen to another person. It never got old, much to Weiss' dismay.
Weiss nervously looked away and focused on the doors.
Stay dandy,
~Toto