Chapter 12

When Weiss awoke the next morning, she decided it was time to stop laying around. First, she asked Yang to fetch Glynda, who arrived almost immediately with a fresh bloodpack. Then, after asking her several questions about her heath, Weiss came out with it. "I want to see the sun."

Glynda and Yang both stared at Weiss. "It's too early." Glynda warned.

"It's been two days." Weiss argued.

"And you nearly burned half your face off." Yang noted.

"And I'm prepared to do so again." Weiss stated firmly. She reached for Glynda's hand, taking it in her own. "I know you're worried, but I'm tired of staying cooped up in here. I need to go home."

Weiss held Glynda's gaze, until the witch let out a weary sigh. "Give me some time to prepare. We should do this slowly, to avoid another incident."

Glynda left the room, but Yang remained, continuing to express concern. At first she mixed in some humor. "If you wanted to be incinerated that bad you could just ask me nicely." Then worry. "What if you can't heal properly this time?" Both were waved off with a chuckle and a huff. Weiss was worried - how could she not be, a face full of sunlight, even muted by the clouds, had been like dunking her face in a pot of boiling water - and now here she was two days later asking for it again, in hopes that maybe, just maybe, she could get away with a tan. It was a risk she was willing to take. Any longer in this room being pitied and she would go stir crazy before she had the chance to go rabid.

Not half an hour later, Glynda returned. The hallway was nearly as dark as her room, and when Weiss followed Glynda out, IV stand in hand, so was the rest of the home, except for the gentle lamplight illuminating the way. It was as if it was day, but at the same time, clearly not. The vampire's perception was a disorienting thing. She stopped to test a theory, turning to directly face the flickering flame. A part of her screamed as pain flared in the backs of her eyes, but she smirked them away. No, the light did not her her eyes, not truly, her eyes confused her brain, and that confusion manifested in pain.

"Weiss, are you alright?" Yang asked.

"Perfectly." Weiss smirked, continuing onward. When the group reached the living room, it was to find the place slightly rearranged. The couch had been moved to the side, and a single armchair now faced the heavily curtained window. Ruby, Pyrrha and Blake were in attendance, along with an...an Atlesian automaton in a dress? "What is this?"

"Salutations!" The automaton chirped, loudly, eloquently, if overly cheerful for Weiss' tastes. "My name is Penny."

Weiss blinked, shooting a look at Blake, who seemed as bemused as always. "Very well then." Weiss sighed, taking her place in the empty seat and looking around. Glynda walked past to stand at the curtain, and Weiss felt Yang's warm presence behind her.

"Weiss, are you absolutely certain?" Glynda pressed.

"Without any doubt." Weiss confirmed.

Glynda reached into her pocket and pulled forth some shaded goggles, normally meant for use during volatile experiments, today to be used to protect Weiss' vision should the sunlight still burn. "Blake will fade the curtain slowly, bit by bit. Each time you are ready, say green to continue." Glynda explained, handing over the goggles. "If the pain is too much you are to say red, and I expect you to do so Weiss. I will not watch you burn yourself alive out of stubbornness. Am I clear?" She insisted sternly.

Weiss buckled the goggles around her head, adjusting the fit for comfort, before looking around. Her vision barely seemed affected. Ruby held back a giggle when she looked her way, and Weiss found herself smiling. "Crystal."

Glynda nodded, turning away to take a deep breath, then moving to stand opposite Blake by the window's side. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Weiss gripped the armrests firmly.

Glynda met Blake's gaze and nodded. "Begin."

The curtains faded, and a dim light began to fill the room. For the rest it was barely enough to match the lamplight, but to Weiss it was as if the room had suddenly become rather stuffy. Her skin felt uncomfortable, an urge to shudder prevailed. "Green."

Another wave of heat suddenly filled the room. Now Weiss' skin started to tingle, not all over, but for a brief moment she flashed back to her last encounter, seeing the outside world for the first time, before the pain filled her existence. But now the tingling was random, and in spite of the discomfort, the warmth was almost pleasant. "Green."

The tingling came back in force, covering most of Weiss' exposed skin, and some that was covered. The urge to hide away struck her, but she bit down, taking a long, deep breath in and out. She grinned. "Green."

The tingling intensified, then in some strange transition, faded into an almost numb sensation. It was as if her skin was being buffeted by fine, hot sand. It was tolerable, if irritating. "Green."

This time nothing changed. "That's it Weiss." Blake grinned. "You did it."

"That's it?" Weiss asked. "I-I'm fine?"

"Way to go Weiss!" Ruby cheered as Penny clacked her metallic hands together.

"Congratulations Weiss." Pyrrha sighed in relief.

"Remind me to bring dad a gift basket." Yang joked.

"How does it feel?" Glynda asked, approaching and taking Weiss' hand to inspect it closely.

"Like a hot sand bath." Weiss described. Glynda's touch felt muted. "Everything is almost numb, but it's bearable."

"And how did it progress?" Glynda released Weiss' hand, pulling a notepad and pencil from her pocket to scribble down the answers.

"It was uncomfortably warm, then a little tingly, then very tingly, then numb." Weiss explained.

Glynda wrote as Weiss spoke, nodding, looking relieved, grinning. "Well, now all that's left is to go outside. It's still overcast, so no direct sunlight yet, but with luck by then you will have become more resistant."

"Good." Weiss stood, stumbling a bit, suddenly feeling oddly drained. "Oh gods." Weiss felt herself supported by both Glynda and Yang, and returned to her chair.

"Don't get too far ahead of yourself." Glynda warned. "The sun might not burn, but it still cripples. Blake." Glynda looked to Blake, who summoned the curtain back into existence.

Weiss felt like a massive weight had suddenly been lifted from her chest, and she gulped down air she did not realize she was missing. "Ugh, fine...just stick me in a box or something." She slurred, feeling a sudden headache.

Glynda sighed wearily. "Yang, take Weiss to pack her things. When you're ready, I'll teleport you myself."

"Thank you Glynda." Weiss smiled.

"I'm prodding you extra hard when you assist me with my research." Glynda grumbled, leaving the room. Blake chuckled, shooting Weiss a grin as she followed.

"I'll help you pack!" Ruby offered.

"I will...attempt to assist." Pyrrha added.

"I will...I don't know what I can do, but I am ready to help!" Penny announced.

"No, no, it's alright." Weiss waved them off. "Yang and I can handle it. Just...give me some privacy please. Yang?" Weiss held out her hand and Yang grasped it, helping her up. "We won't be long."

Weiss held Yang's hand even as they reentered her room. She stopped, breathing slowly, Yang stepping close once more, wrapping her in a heated embrace. Weiss leaned back into her, head lolling onto Yang's shoulder. "Are you okay?" Yang murmured.

Weiss hummed. "Did you stay in the fireplace of my home?" She had not thought about what Yang did in her home. Ruby said Yang liked to stay in Glynda's fireplace, so she made the connection herself.

"Yeah, it was pretty roomie." Yang replied. "Before your sister bitched me out."

Weiss hummed again. "Will you come with me?" She whispered, as if scared of the answer.

"Of course I will." Yang stated as if it were obvious.

Maybe it was, but Weiss never liked to take things for granted. "You're not obligated to."

"I'm not." Yang nodded.

"I'm high maintenance." Weiss warned.

"I'm persistent." Yang assured her.

"You don't have better things to do?" Weiss challenged.

"I have an eternity Weiss." Yang noted. "My time is worthless, yours is precious."

Weiss laughed at that. "That sounded better in your head."

"Oh yeah, totally." Yang chuckled. "But still, I've got nothing better to do. You're my priority."

Weiss merely nodded, humming once more. Yang raised her temperature a few more degrees, and the vampire sighed. "I suppose I had best begin. Though there isn't much."

"Hmm." Yang hummed.

"That means you need to let go." Weiss observed.

"Hmm, you don't want that." Yang surmised.

Weiss felt a grin tug at her lips. "I don't want a lot of things."

"Well, why don't we get Ruby in here then?" Yang suggested.

"Because one aspect hanging off of me is more than enough." Weiss tried to snap, but the fondness tinting her voice rendered it moot.

"You don't mean that." Yang chuckled.

Weiss sighed. "No, no I don't."

Weiss had only been teleported by Glynda once before. It had been during an emergency. A storm was coming, protective wards needed to be reinforced, shelters needed to be staffed. Glynda had suddenly appeared in her study, nearly giving Weiss a heart attack in the process. In the middle of a lecture about knocking, Glynda had taken her hand, and suddenly she was weightless. It reminded her of free-falling, having jumped off a diving board high up, nothing but air rushing by, but this time from all directions. Her sense of direction was lost, and then the ground slammed into her feet, and she found herself staggering, nearly falling before Glynda steadied her.

The rest of that night had been a slog. The wards were extensive, the people panicky and afraid, and all the while Weiss never really shook the alien feeling of teleportation. It clung to the back of her mind like a stain. She found herself lost in thought at times, going over the experience, brief as it was, trying to recall what she saw, like a dream escaping her mind's grasp. It had frustrated her for days afterward, until she finally snapped, visiting Glynda and asking just what the hell had happened when they teleported, and why she could not stop obsessing over it.

Glynda had hesitated, at first displeased that her work had been interrupted, and then worried and uncertain. "Do you value your soul Weiss?" She had asked. Weiss had been taken off guard by such a question. Of course she did, what an obvious thing, and she said as much. "Then you will listen well when I tell you that this magic, when handled improperly, can and will fragment your mind and soul, and that's if you survive the journey without becoming lost in the void."

Glynda explained what exactly teleportation was. Weiss had never learned. It was considered forbidden by her father's sect of the Templar Order, and according to Winter, used only in emergencies by Ironwood. That was because teleportation involved opening a portal to the inbetween, the realm between realms, the Great Void.

Static teleporters were safer, but stricter, requiring power from an external source and constant maintenance by skilled practitioners. They created a secure bridge between locations. Glynda described her teleportation as throwing a grappling hook across a gap. It worked, but required more skill and effort, and it took a toll on her soul. The Void hungers, tugging at all who pass through, and while most aspects would not be affected by this, the unique relationship between human body and soul was far more delicate. A tug would mark a human, like a bruise, or a scratch, itching as it healed, nagging at the mortal mind and body, as it was doing to Weiss.

Glynda was fortunate. Her relationship, her bond with Blake meant she was more resilient to the effects, and should she make a mistake, could rely on Blake to ensure her safety. But others were reliant on her protection too, and it seemed in her haste, Glynda had neglected to extend such protection to Weiss. So she experienced the full effects of the Void's toll. Glynda apologized, assuring Weiss that the discomfort would pass, offering her a tome on the subject. Weiss had refused, much to Glynda's evident shock, and less obviously, her relief.

There was good reason the Templars forbade teleportation, Weiss reckoned. If even Glynda could be at risk of losing herself, if even Glynda was genuinely afraid of it, Weiss was in no position to take such a risk. At least not yet, not until she was far more knowledgeable.

And now here Weiss was, travelling the Void once more, and she could not help but wonder if her soul still held value, if the tattered, cursed remains would even withstand the journey. The experience felt distinctly different. She was prepared this time, holding Glynda's hand securely in her left, and Yang's in her right. She either did not feel fear, or did not care for the danger. And before Weiss knew it, they were surrounded by the dimly lit interior of her home.

Pyrrha had refused to join them, plastering on a smile and stating that she preferred the exercise. Ruby and Penny would walk along with her. Blake had left in advance on Glynda's instruction, to ensure the house was dimmed for Weiss' arrival. The interior felt at once familiar and alien. So much had changed since she had left, and yet so little. Between Yang and Winter, every surface had been cleaned and tidied. Heavy drapes had been installed over every window, and...the mirror…

"Weiss?" Yang called as Weiss walked forward, staring for the first time at her reflection, clear as day, gaunt, pale, but still...her.

"We found aluminium replacements for your silver mirrors." Blake noted, emerging from the study. "It'll help you adjust, being able to see your own reflection."

"I hadn't thought of that." Weiss murmured, opening her mouth in a snarl, baring her fangs. It was strange, seeing her canines so long and so pointed. She should have felt repulsed. But to her surprise, she found the sight almost alluring.

"I know I wrote a page on the subject somewhere, but I think it occurred to me late, so it was out of reasonable order." Glynda explained. "I apologize."

"You have nothing to apologize for Glynda." Weiss chuckled, shutting her mouth and turning to face the witch. "I can't thank you enough, for everything."

"You can thank me by taking your time." Glynda noted. "Wait at least another week before you start going out during the day. Try ingesting blood orally instead of intravenously." She stepped forward and met Weiss in an embrace. "And come to me if you need anything. I mean it."

Weiss nodded, burying her face in Glynda's collar, trying to ignore the loud beating evident within, or the sudden power of her scent. "I promise." Weiss vowed as she pulled away, turning to regard the room, stepping close to the fireplace. "Yang, you've more than earned a rest." She smiled softly at the aspect.

Yang beamed, and with a flash of flame, shot into the hearth, her face rematerializing among the incensed flames. "Feels comfier than last time." She admired.

"I threw some fire salts in there." Blake said.

"Ooh, my favorite!" Yang cheered.

"I need to sort my jewelry, and silverware." Weiss noted. "Gods there's a lot of silver in this house."

"Winter already did so." Blake gestured to a box by the door. "But she wasn't here when I arrived."

"She'll be with Ironwood I suppose." Weiss guessed.

"Ooh, forbidden love." Yang mocked.

"Yang." Glynda roused as Blake snickered.

"She wishes." Weiss casually commented, setting her bag on one of the tables. "But I didn't say that." She turned to point at Yang. "And you will not repeat it, am I clear?"

Yang rolled her eyes. "I'm snarky, not cruel." She defended.

"I know...it's just that Ironwood, despite how callous he can be, is the closest thing to a father Winter has." Weiss explained. "He saved her from our blood father, and when I was persecuted, he saved me in turn."

"Persecuted?" Yang questioned.

Weiss chuckled. "It's a long story Yang. I'll tell you another time."

"Is this one of those I need time things?" Yang asked.

"It's one of those I need a block of chocolate things." Weiss joked.

"Oh, okay then!" Yang chirped.

"Port will be making his rum balls soon." Blake noted.

"Oh gods, I always forget about those." Weiss very nearly moaned. "Thank gods vampires can still eat."

"I imagine once word spreads of your recovery, you will receive many gifts, in addition to the goodwill gifts we usually receive." Glynda observed.

"Should we tell them to avoid garlic?" Blake smirked.

"I'm still unsure how to handle that." Weiss worried, leaning against the table. "On one hand, with the full story they should be accepting, after all I have done for this town, and the reasons many came here...but there's still that worry that they will reject me regardless. A friendly pa...a friendly vampire is still a vampire." She sighed, pushing off the table, crossing the room to pick up the box of silverware. "I should take this to Port. He can melt it down and cast daggers-"

A sudden knocking interrupted Weiss, and Glynda brushed through the curtains covering the entrance nook. A few moments later, the door opened and Pyrrha stepped through. "Ruby is walking Penny back to her camp, so she'll be here later."

"Does Velvet have any combat training?" Weiss suddenly asked.

"I...don't believe so, why?" Pyrrha inquired.

"I'm going to have Port forge her a silver dagger." Weiss explained. "I'll need to train her in its use."

"Oh-" Pyrrha started.

"You should train Ruby too." Weiss advised. "Regardless of what she is or what she may be capable of, I don't like the idea of someone trying to hurt her, even if it does no real harm."

"I don't think Ruby is the type for violence Weiss." Pyrrha noted.

"The world doesn't care what type we are Pyrrha." Weiss scoffed, dropping the box on the table with a little more force than was needed, the crash making everyone in the room flinch, even Yang. "Ruby is your summon. It's your responsibility to keep her safe. Either ensure she can defend herself, or never let her out of your sight."