Chapter 19

Weiss glanced at Blake, who was smirking as she sipped her tea. "When you began feeding, describe the state you entered." Glynda instructed.

"Euphoric...doesn't begin to scratch the surface." Weiss answered, shaking her head. "I was utterly lost in the sensation."

"Hmm...how much do you remember of what came afterwards?" Glynda asked.

"Ah...at this point...most of it...at least the uh...important details…" Weiss struggled.

"Such as the orgasm?" Blake suggested. Weiss sunk into her seat, lips pulled taught as she started at an empty corner of the room, skin notably blushed. "Because the orgasm was interesting."

"Yes Blake, the orgasm was indeed of interest." Glynda confirmed. "I knew that a first feeding can have pleasurable effects, but to that extent…"

"Can we please not talk about this?" Weiss sighed.

"Everything is important to note Weiss." Glynda declared. "Such as your fixation upon Ruby. Do you recall your mindset?"

"Infatuation, affection…" Weiss screwed her face up. "Loyalty, obedience."

"You obeyed when ordered to stop." Glynda noted. "Perhaps a minor enthrallment?"

"It was unsettling." Weiss shivered. "I wanted Ruby's approval. I needed Ruby's approval, and when she wasn't happy, it felt like bucket of water had been poured over my body...it didn't go away for an hour, and I think that's what sobered me up."

Glynda scribbled a note and hummed. "How do you feel now?"

Weiss handed her mug to Yang, and held her hands before her. They trembled slightly. "Energized...like...like I drank two pots of coffee. I want to run, I want to fight, I want to yell and scream with joy." Weiss grinned, clenching her fists. "I feel like I could take on an army. I feel like I could take on you, which is insane. This feeling is utterly delusional, and yet it remains."

Glynda wrote more notes, a troubled look on her face. "This is a very exacerbated rendition of the first hand accounts I have recorded. Euphoria, arousal and power are common sensations, but to this extent? Perhaps it is because you are a newborn, perhaps starvation enhanced the effects, but in addition to those I believe Ruby's blood has empowered you. Time will tell, but for now I feel this is a success." She shut her notebook and tucked it away.

"We can blow off some steam outside maybe." Yang suggested. "You wanted to get your hands on me after all." She teased.

Weiss sighed, scowling at Blake, whose smirk was borderline gleeful. "Perhaps later...after all, I need to resume training."

"Weiss, do not push yourself." Glynda warned.

"I'm not pushing myself, I'm regaining momentum." Weiss excused. "For almost three weeks now I have been laying around, hiding from the world, allowing everyone to treat me like I'm made of glass, and as pleasurable as it may be, it is not healthy for my career. I have responsibilities to attend to, and a hunt to head."

Glynda frowned, fixing Weiss with a worried gaze. "Nora and Ren are heading the hunt, with Ironwood's troops as support."

"And that excuses me to hide away?" Weiss scowled back.

Glynda did not falter, even as Weiss stood, crossing over into her office. "You were in recovery Weiss, physically and psychologically wounded, adapting to your condition, poorly." She retorted, standing herself. Blake and Yang exchanged a look, the former questioning, the latter amused. "You were in no condition to handle any sort of responsibility, let alone lead a hunt, and you still have a long way to go."

Weiss came from her office, Myrtenaster held in crimson gloved hands. "Cinder came to this island, my home, seduced me, stole my humanity, took my integrity as a huntress!"

"Your integrity rests on your ability to make wise decisions under duress, something you have proven incapable of." Glynda scolded, taking a sip from her mug. "What would you do if you met Cinder again, hmm? A blooded vampire, a pureblood, she is faster and stronger than you, this-" Glynda waved her hand, and Myrtenaster was tugged roughly from and indignant Weiss' grip, floating in the air in wispy purple strands. "...this toothpick won't protect you from a fist through your heart. I will not permit you to throw your life away!"

Weiss and Glynda stared each other down, the former twitching with barely contained rage, the other coldly glaring at the young vampire, until the sound of a door opening caused them to pause. "Glynda?" Pyrrha called, exiting Weiss' bedroom, Ruby in tow. "What is going on?"

"Why is Myrtenaster floating?" Ruby followed.

The sound of footsteps preceded the sword being plucked from the air, Yang holding it by the leather grip. "Because momma hen is clucking over Weissy's safety." She joked, attempting to ease the tension further. Glynda scoffed. "Look, vampires are nasty, yes, Weiss is out of practice, yes, and she's had a tough time adjusting, yes, but she isn't going into this alone." Yang handed the blade to Weiss, and slid her arm around her waist. "I'll be by her side from now on."

"As will we, Yang, but the fact remains that...wait." Pyrrha yawned. "Sorry...what exactly were you talking about?"

"Perhaps we should have some more tea, and speak as a group." Blake suggested, still seated on the couch.

"I'll boil some water!" Yang chirped, spinning on her heel and spanking Weiss as she left.

Weiss gasped. "Yang!"

Weiss seemed unperturbed by the sun. It was a shock that came in the middle of their group discussion. Freshly caffeinated, Weiss had made the point of her strength of will by flinging open a set of curtains, bathing her in sunlight, however dulled by the perpetually overcast sky. She did not even flinch, though she did let out a relieved laugh when she did not find herself burning. It was decided that Weiss would, for the time being, train, to grow used to her newfound strength, which she discovered tended to throw her off balance, the once familiar weight of Myrtenaster barely a shadow of what it once seemed.

Glynda and Blake departed, the former irritated, but at least pleased Weiss was not going out into the forest to hunt Cinder herself, the latter with an everlasting smirk on her face, telling Yang to have fun before they disappeared. Weiss was left fuming, and blushing. Ruby was left a little confused. She thought they were going to train, not play games. Were games part of the training?

"You're slower than you used to be Pyrrha!" Weiss taunted, squaring off against her fellow huntress. They had begun with weighted training swords, but those had fared poorly against Weiss' vampiric strength, so they had switched to live weaponry. It added to the thrill for them both.

"Or maybe you, are, just, too, fast!" Pyrrha punctuated each word with blow after furious blow, each barely shifting Weiss' defense. The final blow was held by Weiss, who proceeded to rapidly fling it to the side, knocking Pyrrha just off balance enough that a stout shoulder charge felled her entirely, and Pyrrha found herself panting on the ground, looking down the point of Myrtenaster, and the Cheshire grin beyond its hilt.

"Perhaps a bit of both." Weiss teased.

Pyrrha groaned as Yang cheered with Ruby from a wooden bench on the sideline. "You got her Weissicle!" Yang clapped as Ruby ran from her side.

"Pyrrha, are you okay?!" Ruby cried, coming to kneel before her, helping her sit up.

"I'm fine Ruby...just…" Pyrrha huffed. "Out of my league. If Cinder is all this and more…" A worried look crossed her face, and she swallowed. "I need a rest."

"Let me heal you." Ruby offered.

Pyrrha waved her off. "No, not this time, let me feel mortal for a moment. Here." Pyrrha held up her sword, hilt to Ruby. "Have you been paying attention to how she fights?"

"Yes mistress!" Ruby beamed.

Pyrrha reflected it, handing Ruby the sword. "Then avenge your fallen mistress." She chuckled, allowing Ruby to help her up, nodding at an amused Weiss and hobbling off to join Yang.

"I won't be going easy on you." Weiss taunted, twirling her blade.

Ruby took a ready stance and grinned. "Neither will I!" And she lunged.

Pyrrha reached Yang in time to witness Ruby's offense, the sudden action and skill taking Weiss momentarily off guard, before she found her footing and began her defense. It was fascinating, seeing such a small and innocent looking girl take on a seasoned huntress so well, each meeting of their blades ringing high and loud. Ruby even imitated Weiss' flares. "You taught her well." Yang admired. "She's doing everything you did, but better."

Pyrrha could not decide if her pride was more wounded than swelling. Though as Ruby dodged and deflected a series of rapid blows, she found herself favoring the latter. "She is magnificent, besting me with little effort, keeping up with Weiss...it makes me feel...small." It pained her to admit it, but it was the truth. Glynda was a Master Witch, Blake an aspect of dark, Yang a goddess of flame, Weiss a vampire, and Ruby...whatever Ruby was, she so effortlessly surpassed her, it left her wondering what her purpose in life was.

"I've found myself wondering what my purpose was time and again." Yang spoke up, as if reading Pyrrha's mind. Perhaps she could. "Used to be my purpose to burn. Seemed obvious, aspect of flame and all...but every time I got summoned it just...felt less and less like a purpose and more like...my state of being. And that state was being abused by humans time and again."

Weiss swept her feet beneath Ruby's, but she turned her momentum into a roll, ending back on her feet in barely a second. They both paused to laugh at that, joyfully, playfully, before resuming their duel.

"I got really low once." Yang continued. "Thought maybe...maybe I should just let go, pass on my essence to another generation...but Ruby found me again, and even though she couldn't speak, she tingled in just the right way that I chose a different path. And here I am, with new purpose." She gestured towards the fighting couple, who were now circling each other, stopping to twitch at one another before continuing. "And she is beautiful." Yang purred, gazing lovingly at the ivory vampire, fangs bared in a playful snarl.

But Pyrrha found her gaze squarely on Ruby. Her form perfect, her grip sure, her gaze firm, she looked every bit the huntress Pyrrha once sought to be, poised to leap at danger fearlessly, without hesitation, without mercy. "I think I know my own." Pyrrha said shakily, eyes stinging, pride and affection welling in equal measure.

Pyrrha found herself brought back to her early days of training. Coral and Helia would constantly challenge each other, fighting tooth and nail, sometimes literally, until one came out on top. It was neck and neck the entire time she knew them. One would have thought them mortal enemies, but no...off the training field, they were the exact opposite...she really should reach out to them. They had reached out to her, after they said their goodbyes, but Pyrrha had never felt right responding. She had failed them, just as she had failed Jaune.

"Pyrrha?" Yang's voice snapped her from her reverie.

Pyrrha plastered on a smile when she saw Yang's worried gaze. "Just old memories Yang, I'm fine."

Yang chuckled, sadly. "The old memories hit the hardest." She commented. Pyrrha could not help but agree. "Oh damn!"

Pyrrha followed Yang's gaze back to the fight to see Ruby had sliced open her wrist, summoning forth a tendril of essence. Weiss seemed entranced at first, but shook her head free, just in time for the tendril to whip forward, wrapping around her wrist. She and Ruby locked eyes for a moment, then Ruby yanked, and Weiss found herself flung off her feet and onto the ground.

"Hah!" Ruby cheered, jumping up and down as her essence returned to her body. "That's for Pyrrha!" She turned to the audience, beaming. "I did it Pyrrha!"

"Good one Rubes!" Yang encouraged.

"Well done Ruby." Pyrrha praised.

"You little cheat!" Ruby was taken off guard by Weiss suddenly slamming into her. "I don't have blood tendrils to play with!"

"Aaaah I'm sorry Weiss!" Ruby squealed as Weiss mounted her, twisting her arms behind her back.

"You're lucky I'm well fed you little bloodbag!" Weiss hissed.

"Perhaps we should step in." Pyrrha worried, despite Ruby's apparent indestructibility.

"Nah, let the kids have fun." Yang laughed. "Weiss'll figure out she can't actually do anything and then...well I'll teach Ruby what I know."

After the training session died down, Weiss expressed her desire to go into town. It had been too long since she had visited the populous. Their floral gifts had touched Weiss, still unused to appreciation for her work. She did what was expected of her, what she had vowed to do. Weiss was a servant of the people, a blade to be wielded against those who sought to harm the innocent. A simple thank you left her satisfied. But the people of Patch were gracious, and as time went on Weiss found herself the recipient of assorted baked goods, artworks of various mediums, and most importantly, commissions.

It had started as a hobby. Between studying the arts and honing her skills with Myrtenaster, Weiss brewed and mixed cosmetic potions, balms and salves. Many healing ingredients had a multitude of cosmetic applications, so it doubled as practice for more important concoctions. Initially it had been entirely personal, but after compliments from Velvet on how pure her skin was, Weiss had offered to share her stocks in exchange for discounted clothing. When Blake learned of this, she suggested making a business of it, as the people of Patch had to import products of such quality, ramping up the prices.

Velvet agreed to display a selection of Weiss' stock, a local glass blower supplied her with the needed jars, and within a month, Weiss found herself frequently visited by the island's many women, and even some men, asking after the extent of her practice. The initial boom was very profitable, if not in lien, but goods and services, and though over time commissions died down, she had earned many customers for life, and in the process found the majority of her needs taken care of. Eggs, milk and cheese from the island Dairy, honey and wax from the Apiary, bread and flower from the mill, anything she ever had need of had been traded for. All for the simple price of beauty. Vanity had never been so profitable.

But several weeks of bedrest had probably left Weiss with a laundry list of replenishments to fill, so Velvet would be the first stop for her trip to town. Pyrrha had retired, wishing to recover from the morning's training session, but Ruby elected to accompany Weiss and Yang, and so the multicolored trio made their way into town, Weiss wrapped in her hooded cloak. Though the sun may not pain her, she still felt the need to take precaution, better to be safe than sunburnt.

"Miss Weiss!" A high pitched voice cried as they entered the town square. Weiss halted, several heads turned towards her in surprise, and a young brunette girl pattered over. "You're back! You're okay!" She cried, jumping forward and wrapping her arms around Weiss' waist.

Weiss sighed, ruffling the girl's hair. "Hello Bethany, yes, I'm okay." She soothed, exchanging a look with Ruby and Yang, who were surprised and amused respectively. A woman came hurrying over, hair a deeper shade of brown, but a familiar resemblance. "Good morning Octavia, how do you fare?" Weiss greeted warmly, holding out a hand to shake.

"I-I'm fine, how are you?" Octavia clasped Weiss' hand in both her own. "We heard you were wounded, but not how badly. The whole town's been worried sick."

"I appreciate your concern Octavia, and the flowers." Weiss smiled. "I take it the lavender was yours?"

"They were, your wards are running strong." Octavia admired, unclasping Weiss' hand. "Will we be seeing you more often? You look well."

"I am recovering, and well enough to resume my duties." Weiss replied.

A small crowd was gathering about them, murmurs of excitement and joy filling their ears. "Huntress Weiss, it is good to see you alive an well!" A man greeted.

"May we ask what befell you?" Another asked.

Weiss closed her eyes and nodded. She felt the warm weight of Yang's hand upon her shoulder. "It is good to see you Gregory, and yes Theo, you may." The crowd fell silent, and Weiss continued. "Let it never be said that I am a perfect protector, for I was taken off guard by an unexpected enemy. My wounds were difficult to recover from, and I am still not entirely healed, but I have faith that in time I will be more capable than I ever was before. So long as I live and learn, I will continue to protect you with my life...and provide you with quality cosmetic products. Hopefully I will have replenished your stocks by the end of the week. You can stop worrying Gloria." Weiss joked, one of the women in the crowd blushing. "Now, if you would excuse me, I have errands to run. You too Bethany, I need my waist back."

Weiss petted the girl's head once more, and she giggled, pulling away. "Okay Miss Weiss" Bethany returned to her mother's side, taking her hand.

The crowd bid her farewell and went along their way. "Thank you for your service Weiss." Octavia smiled. "We wish you the best."

"Likewise Octavia, take care." Weiss bid, and watched as mother and child walked away.

"Inspiring." Winter's voice called from behind them.

Weiss spun around. "Winter." She gasped. "How fares your hunt?"

"Poorly." Winter frowned. "How fares your health?" She looked to Yang, whose jaw clenched.

"After some difficulty adjusting, I feel I am progressing." Weiss answered, reaching for Yang's hand once more.

"How is Penny?" Ruby chimed in.

"Chipper, and helpful, she speaks of you often." Winter quirked her head. "It's...odd hearing such an innocent voice come from such a conflicting form."

"Can I see her later?" Ruby requested.

Winter sighed, suppressing a smile. "So long as Ironwood approves, and I don't doubt he will." She shook her head. "But for now I must be on my way. I only came to town to retrieve my cloak from Velvet." She indicated the garment draped over her shoulders. "She asked after you Ruby, I believe you have a commission of your own in the works."

"Oh yes!" Ruby cheered. "She's making me a cloak, and in exchange I have to model for her in the community markets."

"She roped you into that?" Weiss chuckled. "Pyrrha and I agreed during my first year here. Let's just say Velvet's personal line is a tad...risque."

"Oh?" Yang grinned. "I'm liking the sound of that."

Weiss smirked, elbowing Yang, who wrapped her arm about her. "I still have it somewhere." Weiss continued. "Skimpy barmaid sounds pleasurable, but it showed far more skin than I am comfortable with."

"Maybe you should model it for us." Yang innocently suggested. "So Ruby knows what she's getting into."

"Ooh, will you?" Ruby asked.

"Perhaps you should attempt to retain your modesty." Winter deadpanned, exhausted, pinching her brow. "What little remains."

"Why are all humans so obsessed with covering themselves?" Ruby wondered aloud. "Our forms are so beautiful! Pyrrha's skin is so smooth and he-"

"Good day sister." Winter firmly interrupted, pulling Weiss into an embrace. "Do take care. Resist corruptive influences. Wash behind your ears and all the good sisterly advice I failed to instill upon you as a child."

Weiss laughed, returning the hug. "I love you too sister." She mumbled fondly. "Take care."