Chapter 26

"You don't seriously intend to go lingerie shopping, do you?" Weiss balked at the store before them, front windows featuring dummies clad in skimpy lace.

Blake stared appraisingly at a crimson number. "Maybe, maybe not. You seem about Ruby's size. Do you think she would like these?"

"Don't tell me you're taking another lover." Weiss scoffed.

"Why?" Blake asked. "Intend on taking her for your own?"

"No!" Weiss protested.

"Then answer the question." Blake pressed.

"I don't know!" Weiss exclaimed. "I try not to think of other people's tastes in lingerie."

"A shame, I find it helps ground my views of others." Blake shrugged. "You look delicious in pink by the way."

"I prefer green, and I would rather continue with the purpose of this lovely day together, not waste time looking at cheap lace." Weiss grumbled.

"Well I do need to pick up some groceries, but I assume you have a servant do that for you-" Blake started.

"I don't have servants!" Weiss protested. "And I'm not talking about shopping."

"Nothing's stopping you from talking and walking." Blake shot. "If you have something of worth to say, say it."

"Do you want specifics?" Weiss asked.

"I want to know the divergence." Blake specified. "Why did you turn out so different from your father? Reports said you were next in line, turning around the FOP as some sort of rite of passage."

"It was more than that, though father rationalized it as such." Weiss rolled her eyes. "No, I took over because I wanted to do something, because I'd spent too long focused entirely on my studies and was finally at an age when I could at least try."

"You couldn't try before?" Blake asked.

"I was too young, too young to do anything, too scared to try anyway." Weiss explained. "My life wasn't sunshine and roses Blake, by any stretch of the imagination. I grew up with a drunk of a mother and a tyrant of a father, who spent his time at the SDC painting targets on our backs. My mother and I nearly died because of the Fang's actions, and my experience is the sole reason we are standing here today."

Blake paused at that, her bow flicking once more as she turned to regard Weiss with a look of measured surprise. "I heard nothing about your being attacked." She expressed softly.

Weiss scoffed. "Because Father kept it buried, for various reasons."

Blake held her gaze for several moments more. It unnerved Weiss, seeng Blake so seemingly unnerved herself. Finally the Faunus blinked, looking around briefly before leaning against a nearby wall. "What happened and when?"

Weiss blinked, glancing around for eavesdroppers before stepping closer. "There was a kidnapping attempt, I was fourteen." She admitted. Blake's bow lowered slightly. "My life at the time had been stifling. At school I was expected to sit quietly, work hard, and only associate with desirables." She explained. "Upon returning home, I was expected to do exactly as Father instructed. Even on the rare occasions when I could venture away it was under armed guard, and even still only to approved locations, at sanctioned times, with specific people. So I decided to get away from it all, if only for a short while."

Leaning against the wall beside Blake, Weiss paused, crossing her arms. "I went into a store, took some clothes to the dressing room and waited. When the guard's attention lapsed I slipped away, hailed a cab and took it to a neighborhood where some of the…less privileged students from my school lived. I wanted to experience a sense of normalcy, pretend maybe I didn't have so much pressure on my back for a time. It was stupid, I didn't realize how dangerous it was, I didn't expect to be followed."

Schooling her expression, Weiss took a shaky breath. "I was walking along when a van pulled up beside me. Several men in ski masks jumped out and...everything was a blur. I remember claws digging into my arm, one of them saying my name, and it struck me what was happening...the White Fang had come for me, like they came for Mother before me. So I fought, blindly kicking and screaming. I think I bit one of them. He dropped me. I later found out he'd stomped on my chest...but all I could feel was pain and fear."

Weiss paused to pull a handkerchief free from her pocket, using it to dab at her watering eyes, taking care not to smear her eyeliner. "Then a miracle happened. A man came to my rescue, big, strong and angry...when I could see clearer he was wrestling with two of them. The third must have been unconscious...I guess they weren't expecting any resistance, so they had no real weaponry, or maybe they just didn't plan properly...either way, they cut their losses and fled."

Taking several deep breaths, the tremor in Weiss' hands slowly abated. "The man...he was a Faunus. I could see his claws, and if I weren't so paralyzed by fear and agony I would have fled...but he knelt down and spoke to me softly, assuring me he wouldn't hurt me, that he would stay and make sure I was okay. He called the police, sat by my side and told me his name...Tukson. I think he was the first Faunus to ever willingly speak to me...a-and he knew who I was, I was a human and a...and he didn't care, he didn't care at all. He didn't look down on me, he didn't gloat or take advantage he just...he saw me for what I was, a girl in danger, terrified and shaking...and he risked his life to save me."

Weiss leveled a watery glare at Blake. "Yes, before then perhaps your assumptions about me would have been correct. I was my father's daughter. My exposure to the Faunus beforehand were servants bowing to my every whim and the White Fang attempting to assassinate my parents. I thought very little of your kind, but that day opened my eyes to reality, even if by force...and here I stand before you, the result of that day. Are you satisfied now?"

Blake's stare was unfocused, distant, passing straight through Weiss. Her lips moved in silent, subtle whisper, but no words came out. Eventually amber cleared once more and a look of genuine sorrow crossed the Alpha's face. "I was never told...I didn't...I didn't know we'd stooped so low as to target children."

"The adults did not bother you?" Weiss frowned.

"I rationalized them...as I did many of the Fang's actions...most of the time." Blake admitted.

"How?" Weiss asked.

"For the good of our kind." Blake replied.

"And what good would have come from taking me?" Weiss pressed.

"I don't know Weiss." Blake sighed. "I didn't know, and if I did I don't know what I would have done. I was a different person then, angry and devout. Maybe I would have rationalized that too. Maybe it would have brought me to my senses much earlier. I don't know, it's too late to wonder what if. It's always been too late."

"So why did you leave then?" Weiss inquired.

Blake's jaw tightened, her already pale complexion draining of color. She stared wide eyed for a long and painful moment before pushing off the building. "Good reason." She spoke, continuing down the street.

Weiss let out a breath she had not realized she was holding. Blake's expression had shocked her. She had looked so...sickened. The images of Fang murders sprung to Weiss' mind, and she shuddered. Perhaps she had not been the only one disturbed by them. But even so, how long had she stood by as the Fang committed such atrocities? She had more questions for the Faunus, but it seemed that for now they would have to be put to rest, if only to avoid incident. After all, there was still shopping to be done.

Blake tapped her foot as she witnessed a truly depraved sight - Weiss Schnee, CEO and billionaire, comparing the price of toilet paper. Toilet paper of all things! She had been at it for two minutes. Blake had already traveled up and down the aisle in wait, and still the white haired woman stood in thought. It brought forth that irritated twitch in her ear. "Sometime this century."

"No one is keeping you here." Weiss shot back.

"We're supposed to be hanging out." Blake noted.

"You have an incredibly warped perception of such a phrase." Weiss scoffed.

"You have an incredibly warped perception of pricing." Blake countered.

"I'll not waste money." Weiss refused to budge.

"It's six lien!" Blake exclaimed.

"And it's four lien at my usual store." Weiss insisted.

"A company worth nine hundred billion lien and you're griping over two." Blake grumbled.

"My family did not build the company without due griping." Weiss stated.

"Thank fuck we left the frozen food for last." Blake complained.

"Oh fine." Weiss huffed, dumping a twelve pack of rolls into her cart. "Rest in peace my hard earned two lien." Blake scoffed. "What? You try being in my position. One day Blake, one day in my chair and you'd lose you bloody mind. The amount of stupidity, bigotry and incompetence I have to sift through to get shit done…" Weiss sighed. "I value my money because I work hard for it. Surely you can sympathize."

"I love my job." Blake deadpanned. "It's like a tea party, but I can punch someone if they deserve it."

"Isn't that the bouncer's responsibility?" Weiss asked.

"Security can't handle everything." Blake shrugged. "And I like punching people, good for the soul."

"I feel Pyrrha might disagree." Weiss noted.

"If Pyrrha is like other Mistrali I've met, I'm sure she'd agree." Blake countered.

"Pyrrha wouldn't hurt a fly." Weiss declared.

"Pyrrha and Ren had mandatory military training, surely you know that." Blake argued.

"And I have had basic self defense lessons, but I don't want to just punch people...usually." Weiss muttered, turning into the body care aisle.

"You should give it a shot." Blake suggested. "Might help you sleep at night."

Weiss slumped over her cart. "I'm not going to hurt someone just to make me feel better Blake. That might appeal to you but my family has caused enough careless suffering." Standing tall once more, she turned to regard the items before her, picking up a box to examine - a pregnancy test.

"Pregnancy is a great excuse to punch people." Blake suggested. "You can just blame it on the hormones."

"I'm not pregnant you dolt, it's for Pyrrha." Weiss growled.

"For now maybe, but how long until that little belly is swelling with another Mistrali-" Blake started.

"Stop being so vulgar!" Weiss hissed, features tinting red at Blake's leering. "That would neither be practical nor appropriate. I cannot afford to be in such a state. I am not fit to be a mother, and Ren is not my fiance."

"Why does it matter?" Blake asked. "You love him don't you?"

"Of course I love him." Weiss replied. "I love both of them, but I am not engaged to be married. I am simply a dear friend."

"A dear friend they have threesomes with, delicious." Blake smirked.

Weiss grit her teeth, forcing herself to take a deep breath. "I had already been involved with them for some time." She bit. "At a certain point engagement was discussed, and I chose to distance myself for their safety." She turned around, meeting Blake's almost bored gaze with a glare. "Ren was far more understanding, but Pyrrha has never accepted my isolation, even now she just keeps…" Weiss huffed, biting her lip. "All signs point to our relationship causing harm to them in the future, but I'm tired of being alone in this."

"Life doesn't hand people like us happiness on a platter." Blake mused. "Self hatred or no, you have to take it where you can...sometimes it needs to be forced on you until you understand that."

"But what if I'm right?" Weiss pressed. "What if they become targets?"

"Then take care of them." Blake answered. "Throw your money around, lock them up if you have to. You have the power, use it, abuse it, whatever it takes. Protect your family Weiss, no matter the cost, and let them make you happy, even if you hate yourself for it. Gods know I know that."

With that admission Blake pushed her cart away, leaving Weiss to her thoughts once more. They were familiar thoughts, old friends and foes alike, warring in her head for dominance, one side never truly winning for long. So many dangers, so many risks, so much to lose, and such great desire to indulge regardless, she was truly tired, body and soul. Pyrrha and Ren would do anything to heal her ailments, even if it meant death. That scared her, as much as it warmed her heart. She could not stand to lose her lovers, she could not stand to lose her friends, but someday, something would give, and until that day, Weiss would fret and fear.

Until that day...she had to enjoy what she could.

That curiosity killed the cat was an often used phrase, turned against the Faunus to the great amusement of many humans. Many of those humans would come to pay for their careless jeering, one way or another, just as Blake came to pay for her curiosity. Never an open eye went unblinded. Weiss' story shook a part of Blake she had hoped to leave in peace, if only for a little longer. Those long festering doubts that fueled her departure from the organization suddenly reared their ugly heads. Years of self justification and willful ignorance, of telling herself they deserved it, that the Fang needed to escalate, that her actions were justified. Humans had abused and subjugated her kind for centuries.

Even then, in the great age of ethics and political strength, the Faunus were still used and abused as pawns by humanity. Peaceful protests had accomplished much, but it had taken far too long. Humans had grown complacent, progress had slowed. When Sienna took charge, the wheels began to turn once more, and so Blake had made her choice, going against everything her father had taught her.

Time had proceeded to prove her wrong, and wrong, and fucking wrong with every step she took. By the time she admitted as much, it was too late. She had lost parts of her soul that could never be reclaimed, and the frayed edges never seemed to heal, scabbing over only to come apart at random. Sun dulled the pains, but he would never stop them. One day she would have to admit that to his face, probably before going on the run. It was a miracle the Fang had not located her by now. Maybe they truly thought her dead. Maybe Adam knew where she was and it was only a matter of time before the hammer fell. Or maybe the Maidens had granted her mercy. Her mother would never have stopped praying for her. She missed her more with every passing day.

Blake paused in the apartment hallway to clear her mind, taking in the smells around her. The air was frigid, the slight tinge of cleaner upon it. The landlord may have been questionable, but he was reliable, accepted cash and didn't skimp on the cleaning. Combined with the occasional favor and Blake secured herself the privacy and safety she desired, and had done so for four years without notable incident.

Dropping several bags in front of the door, she smelled the scent of fresh popcorn escaping the crack beneath and heard the television blaring some random action movie of Sun's. Of course he and Ruby would take advantage of her absence to do something like that. She unlocked the door, shouldering it open before picking up the groceries once more.

"If you pissed off the neighbors I'm not apologizing to them." Blake called out as she walked in, kicking the door shut and heading for the kitchen. She paused to look over the couch. Ruby and Sun were not sitting as the movie played, instead only Sun was visible, kneeling beside the couch. Nearby a bowl lay on the ground, popcorn scattered across the coffee table and carpet. "What happened?" Blake asked, lifting the bags onto the kitchen table.

"Ruby hit her leg on the table and the pain isn't going away." Sun explained. "We've got it on ice, but I think she needs to get it looked at, now she won't talk to me." Ruby mumbled something into the pillow. "If it was fine it wouldn't be hurting all the time. Come on Ruby, you can't keep ignoring this."

"Sun...help me unpack the groceries." Blake ordered with a sigh. Sun grimaced but obeyed, ensuring Ruby's ice pack was still in place before heading over. Blake rummaged through the cupboard above the fridge. "Does she have any allergies?"

"Uh...I don't think so, why?" Sun wondered. Blake pulled down a blank tin and he understood. Blake had never told him exactly what was in the soothing cream, but the effects spoke for themselves, as did her sparing use of the potent substance. "Are you sure that's healthy for humans?"

"Most likely." Blake shrugged, placing it on the bench.

"Most likely doesn't inspire confidence." Sun frowned. He knew the cream would work, but it was from Menagerie, for Faunus. Who knew what effects it would have on a human.

"Just pack away the groceries and let me worry about this." Blake instructed, pulling down a box of surgical gloves. "Unless you want to rub your hands all over her bare leg.

Sun tossed his hands up in defeat, beginning to sort through the bags. Taking the tin, Blake made her way back to the couch, wrinkling her nose at the mess of spilled popcorn as she knelt before the smaller roommate. Ruby was still clad in pyjamas, the ice pack sitting on her right hip.

"Ruby." Blake murmured. "Look at me." She opened the tin, taking a smell of the contents. They were still fresh, as expected. Menagerian goods were always made to last. Ruby inched the pillow down to reveal red-rimmed eyes. "On a scale of one to ten, rate your pain."

"Three." Ruby's still muffled voice came. Blake leveled an unimpressed glare at the girl, lifting the ice pack to receive a whimper of pain. "Eight!"

"I can make it go away." Blake held the tin for Ruby to see. "If you promise to see a doctor about this."

Ruby paled even more so than she had already. "I don't wanna'." She whined.

"Do you want to be in pain?" Blake scolded. Ruby mumbled inaudibly. "Ignoring something doesn't make it go away. You of all people taught me that."

"It'll stop Blake, it always does." Ruby insisted.

"Is it always this bad?" Blake pressed. Ruby remained silent. "Don't be a twit. You should have had checkups for this kind of injury."

"I was busy." Was Ruby's excuse.

"No one is too busy for an hour long doctor's appointment." Blake countered. "You're just scared."

"Of course I'm scared!" Ruby growled into her pillow, eyes watering. "I don't know what's wrong. The last time I talked to a doctor they were telling me my life was over…"

"And look at you now, living strong." Blake soothed. "Are you going to throw that away because something might be wrong and you don't want to face it?" Blake placed the tin aside, gently grasping Ruby's pant leg and pulling it up, revealing the scars beneath and the discolored skin surrounding them. "Ruby, either you make an appointment yourself or I'll make one for you." Ruby stared wide eyed at the bruising, white knuckled grip upon the pillow. "This cream will numb you for a few hours. Afterwards sensations will still be dulled." The Faunus sighed, pulling free a pair of gloves from their box, snapping them on. The sound made Ruby jump. "You may experience a high."

"What is it?" Ruby asked.

"An herbal mixture from Menagerie...you aren't due for drug testing, are you?" Blake inquired. Ruby blinked in confusion, then shook her head. "Good. It shouldn't matter, but some ingredients might...raise questions." Scooping some of the cream into her gloved hands, Blake rubbed it evenly across her fingers and palm. "This will hurt at first." She warned before gently laying her hands upon the limb. Ruby tensed, clutching the pillow tighter, gritting her teeth as the touches grew firmer. "Just a few minutes and it'll all go away."

Ruby buried her face in the pillow and shuddered.