The cavernous lecture hall held its breath as the cage rattled, the growling within growing louder, like a storm pacing behind bars. The camera panned upward from the claw-scratched metal and over to Weiss Schnee—no longer in her pristine uniform, but in her trademark white combat attire. Her long hair was tied neatly, boots laced tight, her poise regal and exacting. She stood ready, one gloved hand outstretched and holding Myrtenaster steady. The thin blade shimmered faintly, chambers quietly clicking in preparation. Her stance was graceful, poised, like a duelist on a ballroom floor rather than a battlefield. Her gaze, however, burned with focus, icy and resolute.
From the front row, her teammates cheered in a chaotic chorus of support.
"Goooo, Weiss!" Yang's voice rang out, strong and proud, one fist raised in full encouragement.
Blake leaned slightly forward, calmly waving a small handmade flag with "RWBY" written in minimalist flair, her voice cool and controlled. "Fight well!"
And Ruby, wide-eyed and full of unfiltered energy, practically bounced in her seat. "Yeah, represent Teeeeam RWBY!"
At that, Weiss's concentration fractured for a heartbeat. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she lowered her weapon slightly and turned a sharp look to her right. "Ruby! I'm trying to focus!"
The young leader of RWBY blinked, sheepish and flustered. "Oh, um... Sorry..." She sank back in her seat, clutching her flag a little tighter.
Meanwhile, all the way at the back of the room, a single elegant hand waved with slow, practiced grace—Sese. Her pilot-smile, the one that could cut silk and carry ten thousand meanings behind it, widened by only a few degrees. She didn't need to shout. She just lifted her fingers with the kind of charm that only came from being born into nobility and trained to master performance as second nature.
Weiss caught the gesture from the corner of her eye. For a split second, her strict composure wavered, softened. She gave the faintest, reluctant smile—just a quirk at the corner of her mouth—and lifted her hand in return, waving it once before returning to stance. The moment passed like a leaf on the wind.
Professor Port's thunderous voice jolted the room back to motion. "Allllright!" he boomed, eyes twinkling behind his thick mustache. He stood next to the cage, wielding the massive blunderbuss-axe affectionately known as Blowhard. "Let the match... begin!"
He brought the weapon down with a decisive CRACK, shattering the old iron lock. The cage door crashed open, chains rattling like a storm breaking loose, and out sprang the creature within. It snarled, bristling with armor-plated tusks and thick, curling back-plates. The Boarbatusk.
It wasted no time. With a grunt like an earthquake, it launched forward in a spinning, grinding charge. Its armored body twisted as it somersaulted across the room, gleaming tusks pointed directly at Weiss. She pivoted with precision, bringing Myrtenaster forward in a delicate arc. A sharp flick, a calculated glyph beneath her boots, and she was airborne, barely avoiding the brunt of the beast's fury. She landed in a roll, springing to her feet as the Boarbatusk skidded to a halt across the floor, already turning for another charge.
From the sidelines, Port chuckled heartily, hands on his hips. "Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?"
Ruby leaned forward over the desk. "Hang in there, Weiss!"
Back row now, Team CDXS was visibly more engaged, their laid-back demeanor shifting with growing interest.
Doppel leaned forward, both arms folded on the seat in front of her, cat-like grin stretching wide. "Oh daaaang nyaaa! She is pretty good," she half-whispered, more to herself than anyone else, eyes gleaming in amusement.
Kumiko, her long black braid resting over one shoulder, gave a subtle but appreciative nod. Her tone was calm, but impressed. "Yoo, for real. As expected from the girl that helped fight the Nevermore back in the initiation, right?"
Cala Ad Lance said nothing at first. She sat with her arms crossed, a composed presence despite the mild stir from her teammates. She didn't give praise easily—she didn't need to. But her gaze, clear and golden, narrowed with a sharpness that cut deeper than words. It was a look of recognition. Quiet, but absolute. When she finally responded to Kumiko's observation, it was a soft, affirming hum. "Mhm..." Nothing more, but it said everything.
The battle raged on, Weiss dancing across the floor in a display of elegant combat. Every move was deliberate. Every glyph that shimmered beneath her was placed with precision. She controlled her space, not just reacting but directing the flow, almost as if she were orchestrating the Grimm's fury like a conductor guiding an ensemble.
And in the silence between the cheers, the clash, and the whirling spins of the Boarbatusk, the quiet respect growing in the back row was unmistakable.
Weiss moved like a blur, a streak of white speeding headlong into the path of the rampaging Boarbatusk. Her eyes locked on the creature's skull, her grip on Myrtenaster tight, steady, unwavering. In one swift, precise motion, she drove the tip of her rapier forward—straight for the beast's armored head.
But the Boarbatusk, fueled by brute force and blind rage, twisted at the last second. Its massive tusks snapped shut around the blade, catching it mid-strike. The weapon jammed in place. Weiss grunted, clinging to the hilt with both hands as the monster thrashed violently. Her boots scraped across the floor, heels dragging through dust and sparks as she was whipped around like a doll, refusing to let go.
"Bold, new approach," Professor Port mused from the sidelines, hand on his chin with a chuckle. "I like it!"
Ruby leaned forward, gripping the desk edge tightly. "Come on, Weiss, show it who's boss!"
Weiss, in the middle of being flung from side to side like a streamer in the wind, somehow found the clarity to shoot Ruby a scathing glare—a flash of pure indignation and restrained fury.
That second cost her.
The Boarbatusk jerked its head with a guttural snort, and Weiss lost her grip. Myrtenaster was wrenched free from her hands, spinning through the air before clattering across the floor, far out of reach. The next moment, the beast's tusks crashed into Weiss's side, sending her skidding across the polished floor.
At the back of the room, Sese's ever-serene expression tightened just slightly. She looked between Ruby and Weiss, her usual smile barely faltering—but a keen observer could see the concern behind her eyes. She said nothing, but her posture stiffened, a small shift in an otherwise perfectly composed exterior. She knew Weiss's temper, and more importantly, she knew how it burned most when pride was at stake.
"Oh-ho!" Port's voice boomed. "Now what will you do without your weapon?"
Weiss's breath came in short, sharp bursts. She looked up, eyes widening as the Boarbatusk spun again, tusks gleaming and pointed straight at her. With no time to spare, she rolled hard to the side, barely dodging the charge as it crashed into an empty desk, splintering it into pieces.
She didn't wait for it to recover.
With a burst of speed, Weiss sprinted across the floor, sliding on one knee toward her rapier. Her hand stretched out, fingers brushing cold metal—and in a flash, Myrtenaster was back in her grasp.
Ruby's voice rang out, filled with urgency. "Weiss! Go for its belly! There's no armor underneath—"
Weiss, still struggling to regain her composure after being thrown across the room, turned sharply to glare at Ruby. "Stop telling me what to do!" Her words were like ice, cutting through the atmosphere. Ruby's face fell, her enthusiasm deflating instantly. She hadn't meant to upset Weiss—she was just trying to help—but it was clear that her words had struck a nerve.
The Boarbatusk, undeterred by the verbal exchange, suddenly lunged into action. With an earsplitting grunt, it leapt into the air, curling into a ball as it spun rapidly. The beast's body began to accelerate as it spun faster and faster, its tusks pointing outward like deadly projectiles. It landed with a crash, shaking the ground beneath it, and immediately began rolling again, its speed increasing with every second. It was coming straight for Weiss, relentless and unstoppable.
Ruby's eyes widened. "Weiss, look out!"
Weiss didn't wait for Ruby's second warning. With a swift motion, she activated one of her glyphs—a blue-white circle forming beneath her feet. The Boarbatusk's spin collided with the glyph, sending a shockwave through the room. Weiss used the force to propel herself into the air, her blade raised high. As she soared upward, the glyph transformed, turning from blue-white to a brilliant, icy blue, the snowflake symbol glowing fiercely. In mid-air, Weiss brought Myrtenaster down with all her might, plunging the blade deep into the creature's underbelly.
The Boarbatusk let out an agonizing squeal, a high-pitched screech that echoed through the room as it flopped onto the ground, now motionless. Weiss landed gracefully, breathing heavily but with a sense of victory flashing across her face. She stood up, her back straight and her posture proud, as the creature lay silent at her feet.
For a moment, the class was still. Then, Professor Port's hearty voice boomed in approval. "Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training!"
Weiss, still panting from the exertion, nodded stiffly. She couldn't help but feel a rush of relief flood her. The fight was over. She had done it.
Ruby, however, was still watching her intently, but the usual excitement and pride on her face were now replaced with a slight frown. Weiss hadn't seemed to appreciate her earlier encouragement. The silence between them grew for a moment before Professor Port spoke again.
"I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and... stay vigilant! Class dismissed!"
The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson, but the mood in the room was still thick with the tension from the battle and the undercurrent of dissatisfaction Weiss had left behind. As the students began to file out of their seats, Doppel's grin broke the silence, her voice loud and bright. "Loved it! Ten out of ten, would nap again."
Sese adjusted her hair with a dramatic flick of her hand, her usual elegance unshaken. "It was... informative." Her tone was matter-of-fact, though there was a hint of amusement behind her words. She wasn't one for excessive praise or disdain, but the fight had served its purpose.
Kumiko, sitting next to her, snorted in amusement. "It was a coma with extra steps," she muttered, her eyes already flicking toward the door as she stretched her legs out in front of her, preparing to leave.
Cala, as always, had little to say. She was already striding towards the cafeteria, her pace steady and determined. Her stomach was telling her it was time for some well-earned sustenance after the eventful morning. Despite the drama that had unfolded, her priorities were clear.
As the group began to move toward the door, Weiss's hurried exit didn't go unnoticed. She stormed past them, her expression a mix of frustration and exhaustion. The other students barely registered her departure, too distracted by their own plans for the day. However, Sese, ever the perceptive one, caught the briefest flicker of Weiss's expression as she passed. Her childhood friend was in a rush, clearly trying to escape the weight of the moment.
Sese's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than the others before she turned to face her team. "You, my dear friends, head off first. I'll catch up with you all later," she said, her tone smooth and composed, though there was a faint edge of concern in her voice. Without waiting for their response, she moved swiftly toward the door, her steps light and fluid as she followed Weiss out of the room.
Doppel, always the curious one, called after her, her voice full of mock concern. "Hey, nya! Where are you going, nya?!"
Cala, who had been about to leave with Kumiko, paused just long enough to glance at Sese's retreating figure. "She will follow," she said, her voice a quiet understanding.
"Let's just eat." Cala wasn't one for excessive commentary, but even she understood the unspoken bond between Sese and Weiss. It wasn't a matter of friendship in the traditional sense—Sese was driven by a deeper, perhaps more complicated sense of responsibility.
Kumiko, who had already been thinking about her next nap, spoke up with a mock pout. "Finally, I'm starving. I'll definitely need a nap after this." She stretched exaggeratedly, her eyes scanning the door as she waited for the others.
Doppel blinked and turned her head to Kumiko with a puzzled look. "But... you just did, nya..." She raised an eyebrow, clearly unable to resist pointing out the irony.
Kumiko shrugged, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "What can I say? It's a lifestyle." She threw a playful wink toward the others before shuffling towards the door.
Sese, meanwhile, was already on her way down the hallway, her gaze fixed ahead, her footsteps swift and purposeful. She didn't need to say anything—her intentions were clear. She was going after Weiss, not out of obligation, but because she understood. No one else knew what it was like to bear the weight of a name like Weiss's—no one except Sese herself. And while she may not have been the best at showing her affection, she knew how to be there when it mattered.
Weiss stormed through the wide, polished hallways of Beacon, her boots striking the floor with brisk, sharp steps. Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, her breath short and heated with frustration. The gleam of her rapier, sheathed at her hip, bounced in the sunlight streaming from the tall glass windows, but she hardly noticed. All she could think about was the sting of humiliation and the gnawing irritation rising in her chest. The battle had been won—but not without interruptions. Not without her.
Then, just around the corner, Ruby appeared, jogging to catch up.
"Weiss!" Ruby's voice was breathy but firm, calling out after her.
Weiss turned on her heel abruptly, eyes narrowed. "What?"
Ruby stopped a few feet short, the weight of Weiss's tone making her falter. "What's wrong with you? Why are you being—?"
"What's wrong with me?" Weiss snapped, her voice rising. "What's wrong with you? You're supposed to be a leader, and all you've been so far is a nuisance!"
Ruby's brows drew together in disbelief, her voice hitching slightly. "What did I do?"
Weiss didn't hesitate. "That's just it—you've done nothing to earn your position!" Her words were laced with ice, honed sharp by long hours of expectation and pride. "Back in the forest, you acted like a child, and you've only continued to do so!"
Ruby flinched, her face flushing with hurt and confusion. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out at first. "Weiss, where is this even coming from?" she asked finally, softly. "What happened to all that talk about 'working together'? I thought you believed in acting as a team."
Weiss looked away, the corner of her lip twitching. Her shoulders tensed. "Not a team led by you," she bit out.
Ruby's heart sank, her hands limp at her sides. Every word landed like a stone in her chest.
"I've studied and trained," Weiss went on, voice still biting, though quieter now. "And quite frankly, I deserve better." She turned her back, took a few steps, then hesitated. Her hand lifted, just barely, as if she wanted to say something else—something softer—but it dropped uselessly at her side.
"Ozpin made a mistake." And with that, she walked away, leaving Ruby standing alone in the echoing corridor, eyes downcast, blinking rapidly to fight the sting behind her eyes.
A soft clack of a cane interrupted the silence behind her.
Ruby turned quickly, surprised.
There stood Professor Ozpin, as composed as ever, a porcelain cup of coffee in one hand and his ornate cane in the other. His gaze was thoughtful, lips curled into a small, knowing smile.
"Hmm... Now that didn't seem to go very well," he said mildly.
Ruby blinked at him, her voice tight, almost trembling. "Is she right?" she asked. "Did you make a mistake?"
Ozpin let out a soft, almost amused chuckle. "That," he said, his eyes twinkling ever so slightly over the rim of his cup, "remains to be seen."
Weiss's heels clicked angrily against the marble floor as she stormed down the hallway, her uniform's white skirt flaring with each furious stride. Her temper flared like hot steel, her heart thudding in her chest, and she scarcely noticed where she was going—only that she had to put distance between herself and Ruby's wounding words.
Just as she rounded the corner, a calm, familiar voice drifted after her. "Weiss." It was Sese Lenya Ban Von Fitzgerald Livingstone Cunningham Dragoncrest Chatterton Abercrombie Duskhollow Frostbloom Belsonavenolairequintaple the X, her tone measured, yet tinged with an uncommon warmth.
Weiss skidded to a reluctant halt, shoulders rigid, and whirled to face her childhood friend. "Sese—not you too—"
"I observed your actions with Ruby near the corridors," Sese continued, folding her hands in front of her pristine uniform. Her blue eyes, usually reserved, held genuine concern.
Weiss's cheeks flushed. "Well, I was trying to give her a piece of my mind!"
Sese sighed softly. "Ah, there you are, once more. Your temperament invariably leads you to behave thus." Her voice was gentle, but the truth stung like frostbite.
Weiss bristled. "So!?"
"What I wish to convey is the necessity for you to comprehend that we cannot replicate the same actions in Atlas." Sese's brow arched slightly as she crossed her arms, elegance in motion.
Weiss threw up her hands. "No, I know that—but the point is," she gestured wildly, eyes glinting with frustration, "I have been training, studying, and working my life as the perfect heiress in SDC! I have been my butt off for this! And I have this 'leader' who does nothing but annoy me!"
Sese's expression softened. "Weiss, your ire has obscured your discernment."
A weary groan escaped Weiss's lips as she crossed her arms and looked away, jaw clenched.
Sese exhaled, the gentlest sound of resignation. "Every time... you know there is a saying: 'Humility precedes honor.'"
"I have been humble since before coming here," Weiss muttered, her voice tight.
Sese raised a single brow, unimpressed.
Weiss's eyes flicked back, defiance still burning bright. "I do! It's just... a few times."
"Dear Weiss," Sese began, her tone warm but firm, "as a friend, I understand your pride may feel wounded. However, this situation is not akin to Atlas; we mutually agreed upon our enrollment in this distinct environment. Our accustomed ways here are indeed foreign to the other side."
Weiss's shoulders sagged slightly, but her gaze remained on Sese, defiant. "I'm doing perfectly as always, you know that, Sese."
Sese tilted her head, her hair brushing her shoulder, gaze steady. "Uh-huh..."
Weiss's lips pressed into a pout, anger flaring anew.
Sese sighed, stepping forward. "Look, why don't you just accept that your pride is hurt? It doesn't really matter—we are all students here, all learning the same. We are not here to demand what we deserve, but to let our work and efforts speak for us. They don't know you yet. Sure, we are both from Atlas—old money, nobles—but you have to think about it—"
Weiss cut her off with a sharp "Ugh!" and spun away, storms of emotion swirling behind her back as she walked off down the corridor.
Sese hesitated. "Weiss, wait..." She shook her head, serene and regretful.
Before she could pursue, Professor Port's voice echoed from around the corner: "Is there something wrong here?"
Sese straightened instantly, turning to him with a graceful bow. "Ah, Professor Port! It's nothing—just personal matters."
Port glanced after the retreating Weiss, humming thoughtfully. "Hmm..."
Few minutes later
The golden light of the sunset bathed the corridors of Beacon Academy in a quiet, calming warmth. The air held the scent of old stone, the hush of the evening settling in, interrupted only by the soft click of Weiss Schnee's shoes against the polished floor. Her stride was still stiff with frustration, her thoughts looping endlessly, until her wandering brought her to a wide-open balcony. There, silhouetted against the deepening sky, stood Professor Peter Port, arms folded behind his back as he gazed out over the academy's rooftops like a sentry lost in nostalgia.
Weiss hesitated only a second before approaching, gathering the hem of her skirt slightly with her fingers in practiced etiquette.
"Professor Port!" she called softly, her voice carrying into the breeze.
The man turned with a warm smile beneath his bushy mustache. "Ah, Miss Schnee! And to what do I owe this fine pleasure?"
Weiss walked forward, her expression composed but eyes uncertain. "I... I enjoyed your lecture," she said, lifting her chin just a touch higher than needed.
Port chuckled heartily, thumping his chest once. "Of course you did, child; you have the blood of a true Huntress in you."
The compliment warmed her, pulling a smile from her lips. But it faded quickly, her gaze lowering, fingers curling slightly at her sides.
"You really think so?" she asked quietly.
"Most surely!" he declared with confidence, though his keen eyes didn't miss the subtle shift in her posture, the flicker of discomfort behind her polite front. "Hmm... something's troubling you."
Weiss bit her bottom lip, hesitating for only a moment before nodding. "Yes, sir..."
Port stepped away from the railing, eyes suddenly filled with the theatrical flair that so often defined his speeches. "Dear girl, confess to me your strife!"
She drew a slow breath and spoke with honesty that surprised even herself. "Well... I-I think I should have been the leader of Team RWBY."
A long pause followed. The professor's mustache twitched.
Then, with all the boisterous force of a man declaring war on nonsense, Port proclaimed, "That's preposterous!"
And the wind seemed to pause along with Weiss, the moment hanging in the air like an unanswered question.
—
The day's golden glow had begun to wane, casting long shadows through the quiet corridors of Beacon Academy. The hush that followed the end of class was interrupted only by soft footsteps, echoing in the stillness. Ruby Rose stood uncertainly before Professor Ozpin, her crimson cloak fluttering faintly in the hallway's breeze, eyes wide with questions.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice smaller than usual, tinged with confusion and vulnerability.
Ozpin, ever the enigmatic figure, looked down at her with a soft smile behind his mug of coffee. "I mean, it's only been one day," he said gently. "Ruby... I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet. But at this moment, I would not consider your appointment to leader to be one of them."
He leaned down, just enough to meet her eyes more directly, his expression kind but firm. "Do you?"
Ruby blinked, caught off guard by the question. Her lips parted, but she found no immediate answer.
—
High above, on one of Beacon's open balconies, the sky stretched out in fiery hues of orange and crimson. Weiss Schnee stood at odds with Professor Port, her fists clenched at her sides, frustration radiating from her like a brittle aura.
"Excuse me?!" she snapped, disbelief sharpening her tone.
Port met her anger with composed resolve. "I've believed in Professor Ozpin for many years, and the man's never once led me astray!"
Weiss stepped forward, her voice rising. "So you would just blindly accept his decision even after seeing how exceptional I am?"
Port didn't miss a beat. "With all due respect, your exceptional skill on the battlefield is matched only by your poor attitude."
Weiss froze at that, stunned, her mouth agape before a scowl tugged at her lips. "How dare you!"
The professor merely raised a brow. "My point exactly," he said calmly, folding his arms behind his back again. "I see a girl before me who has spent her entire life getting exactly what she wanted."
Her arms crossed defensively, Weiss turned away. "That's not even remotely true!" But under his watchful, knowing gaze, her words faltered. Her shoulders dropped slightly as memories flickered—Atlas, expectation, privilege, and Sese's maddening, gentle truths. She sighed. "Well... not entirely true."
—
Back in the corridor, Ruby was still rooted in place as Ozpin's words echoed through her mind.
"Being a team leader isn't just a title you carry into battle, but a badge you wear constantly," he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "If you're not always performing at your absolute best, then what reason do you give others to follow you?"
The weight of the responsibility was immense—but in his voice, Ruby heard not judgment, but encouragement. Slowly, her expression shifted. Determination bloomed behind her silver eyes, and a small, appreciative smile touched her lips.
—
On the balcony once more, Port had softened his tone. "So the outcome did not fall in your favor. Do you truly believe that acting in such a manner would cause those in power to reconsider their decision?"
Weiss, now quiet and reflective, looked up at him again. There was no lecture in his voice now, only wisdom passed down through years of trial and error. "So instead of fretting about what you don't have," he continued, "savor what you do. Hone your skills. Perfect every technique. And be not the best leader—but the best person you can be."
The words echoed, pulling at something buried in Weiss. A familiar sting rose in her chest—an echo of Sese's earlier admonishment, that ever-irritating truth her childhood friend often wielded with grace and gentleness. Weiss hated when Sese was right. But a smile tugged reluctantly at the corners of her mouth.
—
Ruby, now composed, walked quietly through the corridor and out onto the balcony. She saw Professor Port retreating with his hands behind his back, his silhouette fading into the interior shadows.
Weiss stood alone, the cool evening breeze tugging at her hair, but when she turned, she found Ruby approaching—silent, soft-footed, with a small smile that matched her own.
No words were exchanged yet, but something in the air had shifted. There was no longer a wall between them—just space. And maybe, just maybe, the beginning of understanding.
And thus, that Night...
The full moon hung high over Beacon Academy, its silver light washing the grounds in a soft, ethereal glow. From the towering spires to the quiet stone pathways, everything was bathed in a serene, dreamlike shimmer. Inside the dormitory, the green lights of the Academy pulsed gently outside the windows, casting dancing shadows across the interior of Team RWBY's room. The door creaked open with a muted groan, revealing the silhouette of Weiss Schnee framed against the dimly lit hallway. She stood for a moment, hesitating, before stepping inside and quietly closing the door behind her.
The room was a picture of youthful exhaustion and chaos. Blake lay curled under her blankets, her long black hair spilling over her pillow as she slept soundly, the faint rise and fall of her breathing the only movement from her bed. Across the room, Yang sprawled across her own mattress, limbs flung wide in all directions, her head turned awkwardly to the side as she snored without the slightest hint of shame or self-awareness.
Weiss's steps were careful, barely making a sound as she made her way to Ruby's makeshift study fort. She lifted the corner of the blanket draped over Ruby's small study area, expecting to find her awake and hard at work. Instead, she found the younger girl slumped over a scattering of notes and textbooks, her silver eyes closed, a pencil loosely grasped in her hand. Books lay open in haphazard piles around her, ink smudged where her cheek had pressed into her work. For a long moment, Weiss just stared, the stern lines of her face softening into an expression of something close to amazement—and a hint of guilt.
Clearing her throat quietly, Weiss leaned down and gently shook Ruby's shoulder. Ruby bolted awake with a sudden, panicked flailing of limbs, knocking papers askew in her scramble.
"Weiss! I-I was studying, and then I fell asleep! I'm sorry—" Ruby's words tumbled over each other in a desperate rush, her voice louder than the stillness of the room could afford.
Without a word, Weiss placed a hand firmly over Ruby's mouth, silencing her. She pressed a finger to her own lips in a universal gesture for quiet. Ruby's wide eyes blinked rapidly before she nodded in frantic understanding. Only then did Weiss lower her hand, her attention catching on something near Ruby's pillow—an empty Beacon coffee mug, tipped on its side among the mess of papers.
"How do you take your coffee?" Weiss asked, her voice low but no less commanding.
"I... I don't..." Ruby faltered under Weiss's intense stare.
"Answer the question!" Weiss demanded, irritation flickering.
Ruby stiffened. "Uhh, cream and five sugars!" she blurted.
Weiss sighed as if the answer pained her on a fundamental level. "Don't move." With practiced grace, she ducked under her own bunk bed and reemerged seconds later, carrying a fresh, steaming cup. She offered it to Ruby with a certain aloof dignity.
"Here."
Ruby stared at the cup like it was some kind of sacred artifact. "Um... Thanks, Weiss," she said, voice small.
Weiss smiled—an actual, genuine smile—and her features softened even more. She hesitated, as if choosing her next words with care. "Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader," she said at last.
Ruby's face lit up, a small, appreciative smile tugging at her lips.
"But just know," Weiss added quickly, her confidence returning, "that I am going to be the best teammate you'll ever have!"
The two girls shared a rare moment of understanding, a fragile bridge forming between them. Weiss nodded once, satisfied, and ducked under her bunk once again. A second later, she popped up, her finger jabbing toward one of Ruby's messy papers.
"That's wrong, by the way," she said matter-of-factly before disappearing back under, her voice floating from the doorway now. "Hey, Ruby?"
Ruby looked up, eyes curious. "Uh-huh?"
Weiss stood framed in the doorway, hand on the knob, the hallway light behind her painting her in a faint golden halo. She smiled, almost sheepishly. "I always wanted bunk beds as a kid," she said.
Then, with a final, soft click, she closed the door.
Ruby sat for a moment, stunned by the quiet camaraderie now forming between them. A slow, wide grin spread across her face as she turned back to her scattered notes, a little more determined than before.
Unbeknownst to them, just outside the door, two other figures lingered in the shadows of the corridor. Sese Lenya Ban Von Fitzgerald Livingstone Cunningham Dragoncrest Chatterton Abercrombie Duskhollow Frostbloom Belsonavenolairequintaple the X—known mercifully as Sese—stood there with an elegant, composed smile, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She had been listening, not out of rudeness, but out of genuine concern and quiet fondness for her childhood friend. Seeing Weiss take her first steps toward growth warmed her heart.
Meanwhile, above her, a pair of mischievous golden eyes gleamed from one of the vents. Doppel, the resident gremlin of the dormitory and proud vent dweller, peered through the grating, her catlike pupils flashing in the low light.
"You really have a very troublesome friend there, nya," Doppel whispered, her voice laced with amusement.
Sese merely sighed, the action graceful even in exasperation. "What can I say? She is my dear friend," she said, casting an amused glance upward. Then, tilting her head in a mock sternness, she added, "Also, didn't we have that vent installed to connect only to our dorm room? Get back inside."
Doppel giggled, a sound somewhere between a mischievous purr and a child's laugh. "Alright, alright, I'll be a good cat just this once, nya," she chirped, her glowing eyes fading from view as she wriggled backward into the duct with all the ease of someone who had long since claimed the ventilation system as her personal kingdom.
Sese shook her head softly, her golden locks catching the moonlight, and turned away, her heart lighter than before. The night at Beacon settled into a deeper peace, and somewhere within the walls of the Academy, bonds of friendship quietly, stubbornly grew stronger.