Act IV: Menagerie of Mad Maidens
Chapter 76: Storm's Eye
One week later
"Now, it is important to remember that while an Alpha Grimm is recognizable by its increased size, it is, in fact, its increased intelligence that makes it a more formidable foe. They are, simply put, leagues smarter than the average Grimm. To approach them as you would a normal Grimm is the quickest way to lose life or limb. Why, I recall the time…"
Ruby pouted as her hand flew across the paper in front of her, fighting back a whine as her fingers throbbed. She instead let out a deep huff, blowing away the rose petals that continue to pool around her page. She wasn't entirely sure if she was actually allowed to use her Semblance to help her note-taking, but she was going to do it until told otherwise. It was the only way she could keep up and write down every word Professor Port said.
Even if her handwriting suffered for it.
She didn't bother looking up when she Felt the Concern for her behind her, nor the sudden Surprise-then-Exasperation. She didn't need to to know Yang, just awoken from her mid-class nap, was giving her a sleepy look halfway between annoyance and pride, or Blake watching her with sad eyes as her cat ears dipped. Not to mention the half a dozen others throughout the room, alternating between sympathetic glances and confused looks.
She didn't have to look up to know they were there. She'd already seen them before. There was no point looking up from the pages of notes she had to write. She didn't have to look at Professor Port to copy down his words.
She could manage without looking up from her desk.
It had nothing to do with the empty seat she'd see if she did.
Nothing at all.
Sunlight filtered through the trees.
This still seemed odd to her.
Had there always been sunlight in this forest? She couldn't remember. The colors certainly hadn't been as vibrant, the dreary grey that had once tinted the trees and foliage now lifted.
Her nose twitched as she padded across the forest floor. She fought back the growl building at the back of her throat. The Beast was gone, but its scent lingered. She tried to ignore it as she retraced her steps. A new scent soon filled her nose, one that made her quicken her pace.
Breaking through the brush, she stepped tentatively into the clearing, her bushy tail swaying contentedly as she took in the sight before her.
The ground was a mix of thick grass and rich red soil. Flowers dotted the area, some familiar to her and others almost alien with their rich colors and exotic structure. The trees were smaller here, allowing the view of snowcapped mountains far, far in the distance.
A small huff of breath drew her attention away from view, her ears perking up as she looked to her right.
Lavender eyes greeted her.
In the shade of a fallen tree lay a lioness, its golden fur shimmering in what little light shown through the trees. A panther slept against its side, the black cat's head propped up across the back of a slumbering wolf with red-tinged black fur.
The lioness huffed again, blinking sleepily. It made a deep growl at the back of its throat as it stared at her, sounding… annoyed.
She got the message. She padded over to the three larger animals, cuddling up between the wolf and lioness. A paw almost as big as she was coming down next to her as the lioness put its head down, letting out a massive yawn. Within seconds, the golden beast was asleep.
Surrounded by the other's warm bodies and strong heartbeats, she could feel the lull of sleep herself. She put her head down beside the wolf's, letting out a contented sigh.
But before she drifted off fully, she could feel something at the back of her mind. Wasn't there something she'd meant to do? Something… she wanted to… to check? Or… or…
...beep… beep… beep...
Blue eyes blinked open blearily, struggling to make out the beige ceiling that slowly came into focus. They slowly drifted to the left, towards the incessant beeping that had pulled their owner back to consciousness.
Weiss narrowed her eyes at the heart monitor, then winced as her chest burned. She slowed her breathing to a crawl as she'd been told to, each shallow breath feeling just as raw as the last. The pain slowly faded but never left.
She was starting to wonder if it ever would.
She slammed her eyes shut at the thought, shaking her head as much as she could to banish it.
Surprise. Worry. Calm. Care.
Weiss let out a shaky sigh, ignoring the ache it caused. Thanks, girls, she thought back at them. If she tilted her head up a bit, she could just catch a glimpse of the colored auras off in the distance, looking back at her from across the Void. I'm okay. Focus on your classes.
As her girlfriends reluctantly turned their attention away from her, Weiss took stock of her surroundings. It took her longer than it should have to remember where she was: a private room in Beacon's infirmary. It still disconcerted her that she had no memory of being moved there, just closing her eyes on the Atlassian flagship one moment and awaking within Beacon's familiar architecture the next.
Time was starting to lose meaning as she constantly slipped in and out of consciousness, hours seeming to pass with a mere blink. One moment she'd be listening to Ruby ramble on about classes, then she'd be all alone in the middle of the night, only to find herself being awoken in the morning by Kali running a gentle hand through her hair.
I wonder how long I'll stay awake this time, she thought morosely. I don't feel as exhausted this time, at least.
Despite her frustrations, her state of constant slumber had confirmed something for her, even if it gave her a whole slew of new questions: Something was happening with her dreams.
She'd had them intermittently ever since her team became Mates, but hadn't given them much thought at the time. They were just dreams, right? Ones that her memory of faded when she woke up, just like any other dream.
Except she kept having them. And ever since her injury, it was all she dreamed. To the point that she was starting to retain details.
And she now had suspicions that the rest of her team were having the same dreams she was, given their reactions to Adam's words the night of the ambush.
Cat… wolf… fox… lioness…
Which of course led to the glaring, terrifying question: how could he possibly know about their dreams?
Weiss groaned in frustration, forcing the thoughts away. There was no point in letting her thoughts cycle like she was. She would just have to speak with her girlfriends about it as soon as she was able. And they would have that conversation. She'd make sure of it.
Movement in her peripheral caught her eye. A TV was tucked into the upper corner of the room, playing on mute. Weiss's eyes widened when she saw Blake's father on the screen standing before a crowd of reporters with Ironwood and Ozpin flanking him. Behind them stood an odd collection of Atlassian soldiers and Vale Hunters, as well as Winter, Kali, and, most surprisingly, Ilia and Penny. Ghira gesticulated with every word, and while Weiss wished she could hear what he was saying, the news banner at the bottom of the screen gave her the gist of his speech:
Last Saturday: White Fang of Vale Disbanded/Arrested. Chief of Menagerie Calls Out To Other Branches
As she watched, the banner flashed before changing to a different headline.
Ironwood Pledges Support For Faunus Rights
Weiss watched the broadcast in awe, mesmerized by the sight of the Leader of all Faunus standing with his counterparts of both Vale and Atlas at his back. But the longer she watched, she started to notice something odd. At Ironwood's right, Winter's eyes kept darting to the side. Weiss thought her sister was looking towards Ghira at first, but the closer she looked, she realized it was, in fact, Ozpin Winter kept glancing at. And… did Ozpin have a black eye?
"Weiss?"
Weiss jumped at the sudden voice, her throat bobbing as she fought off the threat of a coughing fit.
Winter looked apologetic as she stepped into the room, closing it softly behind her. "Sorry," she murmured, coming over. She sat down in the seat next to Weiss's bed, looking her sister over with concerned, critical eyes. "How are you feeling?"
Weiss took as deep of a breath as she was willing. Wincing at the ache in her chest, she tried to compare it to her earlier pains. "Better," she murmured honestly. Taking a chance, she tried to sit up. To her surprise, her chest didn't feel like it was filled with shifting knives as she sat up fully, meeting her sister's wide eyes with a reassuring smile.
Winter nodded, her eyes darting from Weiss's face to her chest. Her lips twitched with unsaid words, the struggle clear on her face as she searched for what to say.
Weiss felt the corner of her lips lift as she watched her sister fidget. Winter did this every time they were alone like this, a lifetime of being cold and detached warring with the desire to be kind and comforting. Weiss wordlessly moved her hand from her stomach, turning her palm up.
Winter's brows lifted slightly. She let out a sigh before taking Weiss's hand in her own, squeezing it tightly.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, time ticking by slowly, but not uncomfortably.
"Mother called."
Okay… now it was uncomfortable.
Weiss's eyes shot wide, her mouth parting in surprise. "She… she did?"
Winter nodded slowly, a sad understanding in her eyes as she took in the look on Weiss's face. "She heard about your injury, and called asking if you were okay."
"...Oh." Weiss could say little more as she tried to think of an appropriate response. "That was… kind of her."
Winter inclined her head, giving Weiss a long look. "You're… surprised?" she asked, though her voice held little shock.
Weiss swallowed, calming herself as Winter's thumb traced the side of her palm. "Mostly that she was… aware enough to bother."
Winter inhaled slowly, holding Wiess's hand tightly. "Yes, well… she sounded like she was having one of her better days."
Weiss could only nod, and Winter didn't push for a response. They both understood each other in this, knowing there was little else to say.
Before the silence could grow too tense, Winter spoke, her voice a bit brighter. "The doctors say you can leave tomorrow."
Weiss's head perked up, a spark of hope lighting in her chest. "Really?"
Winter nodded. "You can breathe without the mask and the nanites have… done all they can."
Weiss grimaced. That didn't sound promising.
Winter continued regardless. "You're not fully healed yet," she clarified. "You'll still have to take it easy. You can't strain yourself, but you can go back to classes on Monday if you're up to it." Her gaze turned stern. "Barring Combat Class. You cannot participate in battle until you are fully healed. Too much strain too soon could undo all the healing you've done, if not make things worse."
Weiss nodded slowly. It made sense, even if it wasn't quite what she wanted to hear. A smile crept across her face as a thought struck her. "So… I'm not Combat Ready?"
Winter blinked, then gave Weiss a thoroughly unimpressed look.
Weiss just stared back, looking completely serious.
After a moment, Winter rolled her eyes, letting out a scoff that couldn't possibly be mistaken for a snort. "Not quite yet," she confirmed, her lips lifting slightly. "But soon."
Weiss laughed lightly before a cough caused her to stop. Winter leaned forward to rub her back soothingly. Weiss sighed at the feeling as they fell into silence. Then the memory of the broadcast resurfaced, making her turn curious eyes on her sister. "Winter?"
"Hmm?"
"Is everything okay? You looked… stressed on TV."
Winter's eyes shot wide in an instant, her hand pausing in their movements. Her eyes darted to the TV, the news broadcast having moved on to the weather reports. "Oh. You… saw Chief Ghira's announcement."
Weiss nodded slowly. "It was muted, but I got the gist of it. But you… are you okay? You kept looking at Professor Ozpin…"
Winter tensed, pulling her hand away from Wiess's back, though thankfully not letting go of her hand. Weiss watched in shock and concern as Winter visibly struggled to find her words.
"Professor Ozpin…" she started slowly, her voice tight. "He told me, along with General Ironwood and Deputy-Headmistress Goodwitch, of a secret he has been keeping. One that… I was unknowingly involved with."
Weiss blinked in surprise. "Really? What was it?" She regretted asking when Winter shot her a weak cool look.
"You know I can't tell you the Headmaster's secrets." She then sighed deeply. "Though, you likely only need to be patient. I'm sure he's going to inform you and your team shortly anyway… along with everyone else in our odd coalition." She finished her words with something shockingly close to a pout.
Confusion swirled around in Weiss's head, enough so that she could Feel her teammates poking against her aura curiously. "Is it… something bad?" she asked, unsure how to ask more succinctly.
Winter hesitated. "Not… necessarily," she said eventually. "Not bad. It just… changes things. Rather significantly." She took a deep breath, her voice gaining an edge. "And informed me that he could have changed several things for the better, had he only come forward sooner."
Weiss's brow raised at her sister's hard tone. Something else from the broadcast came to mind. But… no, it's not possible. Winter wouldn't… "Winter? Unless I'm mistaken… did Professor Ozip have a black eye during the Chief's announcement?"
Winter blinked back at her. Her eyes slowly slid to the side, away from Weiss's. "I… believe he did."
That… was far too vague of an answer. Weiss's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you know how he got it?"
"... most likely."
Was… was Winter blushing?
"Winter," Weiss said slowly. "How mad did this secret make you?"
Winter was quiet for a minute, not meeting Wiess's eyes.
"...I understand why he kept his secret," she finally said, her voice all business as she held her head high. "I even agree with his reasoning, and that he had little other choice. There was every chance he could have made things even worse than they already are." She paused, chewing on her lip. "That being said… knowing how things could have been… I may have gotten… just a tad... heated."
Silence stretched on as Weiss tried to piece together everything her sister wasn't saying. Even as the pieces came together, she wouldn't believe it until she outright asked. "Winter... Did you punch Professor Ozpin?"
Winter was deathly silent as she slowly turned back to Weiss, her face a hard mask.
"...I admit to nothing."
Weiss's mouth fell open. "You did…" She breathed. She let out a hard breath that made her chest ache. "You punched Professor Ozpin!"
Winter's mask was ruined as her face slowly started turning pink. "I admit to nothing," she repeated with emphasis.
"You punched-" A sudden wheeze passed Weiss's lips, quickly turning into a harsh coughing fit, buckling her at the waist.
"Weiss!" Winter dropped the act as she rushed forward, her arms hovering around her sister. "What happened? Are you-"
"... hehe*cough*hehe*cough, hic*, hehe…"
"Are you-" Winter blinked rapidly. "Are you… are you laughing!?" Her voice reached a near screech at the end of her words.
Weiss lifted her head, a beaming smile on her face even as her eyes wet from pain. "You… you punched… gah!" A sharp cough wracked her body, cutting off her words, but this somehow just made her laugh even harder. Weiss descended deeper into her laughing fit, her coughing reducing her to squeaky, hiccupping giggles as the two fought for dominance. Her chest burned from the pain it caused, but she found she could ignore it, if only for the moment.
Winter scoffed, wrapping an arm around Weiss to keep her from falling back, a fond half-smile on her lips. "Well, I'm glad you find it so funny. General Ironwood was right there. He could have court-marshaled me for striking a Vale official without provocation. Do you have any idea how mortified I was when..."
Weiss gave a very unladylike snort, trying in vain to get her laughs under control as Winter continued on. The Confusion buzzing at the back of her mind didn't help matters, as her Mates were no doubt wondering what was causing Wiess to lose her mind to a laughing fit.
Though it was nice to Feel Ruby's Guilt lift for the first time all week.
A/n: Okay, I'm back!
Shorter than usual, I know, but the next few are probably going to be as well. I'm still trying to get a groove for this Act and how it's going to go. So expect a couple of chapters just catching up on what everyone is doing before we jump too deep into the plot.
And for everyone who's wondering about what's going on with Ozpin and Winter, all I'll say is… one of the reviewers already guessed it right. And to that individual, I tip my hat to you sir/madam/appropriate-other.
Next chapter: We check in with Ilia, Roman, and (maybe?) Team STRQ. We'll see how the writing goes.