Chapter 20

The door jingled as it opened. Womp squeaked, and Velvet looked up from her work, smiling at the sight before her. "Weiss!" She cried, rushing around the counter to pull her into yet another hug. "Gods I've missed you." She crooned, pulling back to cup her face with a grin. "You look amazing!"

Weiss rolled her eyes. "Were you expecting jutting fangs and gaunt cheeks?" She teased.

Velvet managed to look a little guilty. "Fangs are interesting." She blushed, looking away. Then she noticed her companions. "Ruby hey, uh, hello?"

"Yang, Fire Goddess, nice to meet ya'!" She greeted, holding out her hand.

Velvet hesitated. "Fire?"

"She doesn't burn, don't worry." Weiss soothed.

Stepping aside, Velvet took Yang's hand. "Oh, you're really warm though." She giggled.

"That's why Weiss keeps me around." Yang laughed.

"Hush you." Weiss chastised. "How is my backlog Velvet?" She asked, reaching out towards Womp, only for the animal to scurry back.

"Lengthy, but they were all understanding." Velvet replied. "I told them not to bring perishable payments until you were on your feet."

"Womp...it's alright, I'm still Weiss, here…" Weiss lay her hand flat in the basket, making eye contact with the creature. It quivered, then calmed, slowly sniffing the air, then her finger tips, before slowly approaching and nuzzling into her hand. Weiss smiled, running her hand down Womp's ears gently once more. It's eyes closed.

"Weiss...Weiss?" Velvet called.

"Hmm?" Weiss jerked, noticing Velvet by her side once more.

"Are you alright?" Velvet asked.

"Yes, yes, I was just...Womp was a little put off by my scent I think." Weiss thought aloud.

"Oh, right, well your order list is here." Velvet reached over the counter, picking up a leather bound notebook. "And the empty jars and such are out back, so I'll get 'em when I'm done with Ruby. Now Ruby." Velvet beamed. "I'm nearly done."

"Already?" Ruby wondered.

"Yeah already." Velvet confirmed. "I've been doing it in my spare time, come have a look." She headed toward the back room, and Ruby hurried to follow, leaving Yang alone with Weiss, who scanned the latest page of the logbook.

"So, cosmetics huh?" Yang started, leaning against the counter.

"Hmm, lucrative, and enjoyable." Weiss nodded. "Fortunately the bulk of these I keep a surplus of."

"I've always been a fan of the more natural look personally." Yang noted.

"You can change your appearance at will." Weiss challenged.

"Yeah, I can, but I never really do." Yang allowed. "At least, not anymore."

"Hmm, how do you decide your appearance?" Weiss asked. "Do you take after your parents, do they decide for you?" Weiss speculated, turning to meet Yang's lilac gaze.

"Bit of both really, depends on the parents." Yang explained. "Mom wanted me to look more like dad. It was only fair considering she wasn't the type to stick around." Yang's smile faded. "I used to change things however I felt, but in the end I chose to honor the face of my father, and the idea of my mother." Yang ran a hand through fiery locks.

Weiss closed the logbook, laying it on the counter and sliding her hands around Yang's arms. "They must be beautiful."

"Yeah...but not as beautiful as you." Yang murmured.

Weiss laughed. "Impossible, and cheesy. I can't compare to gods Yang."

"Of course you can, in ways we can only imitate." Yang caressed Weiss' cheek, planting a kiss on her forehead. "We make ourselves as we wish to be. Appearance can be as meaningful or meaningless as we desire...but humans?" Yang cupped Weiss' face with both hands. "You're born as you are, and can only hope for the best, making do with what nature gives you...and you Weiss, of all the humans I've met…" Yang pulled her into a kiss, short but no less searing. Weiss chased her warmth as it ended, but Yang held her firmly, smiling lovingly down into her eyes. "You are perfection to me."

Weiss' lip quivered, Yang allowed her to look down, taking a shaky breath, and leaning into Yang's warmth, burying her face in her chest. "My Sunlight."

Yang planted another kiss on her head. "My Snowball."

Following Velvet into the back room, Ruby found her fussing over a dressmaker's dummy, blocking it from view. "I found some lovely grey wolf pelt to trim it with. I think I was saving it for something special...I can't remember what, but oh well, what's more special than new friends?"

Velvet stood aside and Ruby gasped in wonder at the sight before her. "Beautiful!" Ruby whispered. "Oh, it's so fluffy!" She rushed forward, stroking the grey fur lining.

"Fluffy is always in style, come on, turn around and let's make sure it fits." Velvet unclipped the cloak from the dummy, and Ruby obeyed, bouncing on her heels as the thick garment was draped around her neck and pinned in place. "There, how is it?"

"I love it!" Ruby chirped.

Velvet chuckled, turning her body towards a nearby standing mirror. "How does it look?"

Ruby beamed, looking at herself in the mirror, swirling the cloak about. It hung to just above her ankles, low enough to protect against the elements, but just short enough that it would not trail in said elements. "It's nice and warm, and soft! I love it! I'll take good care of it, I promise!" She spun around, wrapping Velvet in a tight hug.

"Ooph, gods you're strong." Velvet grunted. "I know you'll take good care of it, but you're bound to get into some trouble eventually." Velvet hugged her back, then bent down when her grip loosened. "It's okay if it gets damaged. It's a cloak, they're tough, but it'll wear and tear, and when it does, you bring it back here, okay?" Ruby nodded rapidly, excitedly grinning all the while. "Good girl, now." Velvet flipped the hood over Ruby's head, standing up straight. "Let's go show off to the others."

Ruby giggled, twirling around a few more times as Velvet left, before turning to follow. "Weiss, Yang, look it's done!" She yelled as Velvet pushed through the curtain, freezing at the sight before her.

Weiss and Yang were entwined, or rather, had been entwined, shocked out of their embrace by Ruby's outburst, but the evidence was there. Weiss' hand was buried in Yang's hair, Yang's hand cupping Weiss' cheek, which blushed, even as a gleeful grin spread across Yang's face. "Lookin' good Rubes! I think you pull it off better than Weissicle here." She pinched Weiss' cheek.

Weiss flushed even deeper, scowling. "Just because she's cute and adorable...I resign myself to looking dignified, and noble, and-"

"There's a hickey on your neck Weiss." Velvet smirked.

"What?!" Weiss squawked. "Where?" She pulled away from Yang, hurrying over to one of the standing mirrors, only to snarl in frustration when she was confronted by her own lack of reflection. "Fucking gods damnit Velvet!"

Ruby tilted her head in confusion. "What's a hickey?"

After Weiss had calmed down a few shades, she provided Velvet with a commission list. It included several hoods of varying shades, matching face scarves, and a leather overcoat. It was no simple overcoat either, complete with detailed sketches and diagrams, it seemed inspired by her elder sister's battlecoat, but less dressy, with knee length tails and tighter sleeves. Weiss stated her days of hunting in dresses and skirts were over, that her vanity could take a back seat in favor of practicality. Both Velvet and Yang seemed saddened by that.

With Yang laden down with a crate of empty cosmetic jars, the group made their way to Port's Forge, oddly empty and silent for once, yet no less sweltering, which was pleasant in the chilly weather. "Knock knock?!" Yang yelled as they entered. She jabbed her free hand into a nearby brazier with a contented sigh.

"I'll be but one moment!" Port's voice hollered from inside the building proper. Weiss pressed onward, reaching the partially open door and pushing it aside. The interior resembled Weiss' own office, only with far less paper and glass, and far more steel and wood. A myriad of tools and weaponry hung on various racks capped off with a minotaur head mounted above the hearth. Port himself sat behind a table by the door. His workspace was smattered with various tools and objects, including a wheel of cheese and a bottle of mead. Currently his attention was trained on a magnifying glass, which focused on an ornate carved piece of silver. "I'm just finishing up and…" He glanced up from his work. "Miss Schnee!" He burst.

"Hello Peter." Weiss greeted as the blacksmith rushed around the desk.

"It is a great relief to see you alive and well in person." Port grasped both of Weiss' hands in his own. "Ah, this is a familiar temperature. How are you adjusting to your state of being?"

"With some difficulty." Weiss admitted. "Thank you for donating to me. Truth be told I was surprised. I don't recall you speaking of vampires fondly, let alone of befriending one."

"I am sure I've mentioned Dr. Oobleck at least once, but it might have been brief." Port thought aloud. "Most of our interactions are brief after all." He laughed, releasing her. "And unlike him, you don't have students to feed off of, not that I particularly approve of such a method, but it is far more respectful than those ghastly monsters and their servants, bah!" He flung his hands up dismissively, just as Ruby poked her head around Weiss' back.

"Hello Mister Port!" Ruby chirped.

"Oh, hello there Little Ruby." Port greeted. "I believe I have something for you!"

"You do?" Ruby asked with anticipation.

"Yes, you too Miss Schnee." Port circled his table once more to reach the shelves and drawers behind it, opening one to pull forth two small bags. "I cast your new broach from platinum, it finally gave me use for the odd scraps I've collected." He dropped said bag in a shocked Weiss' hand.

"I didn't expect a replacement-" Weiss started.

"Consider it a welcome back gift." Port insisted. "Something so vital as your survival deserves celebration." He ended with a smile. Weiss opened the bag, pulling forth the newly forged broach, identical in every way to her silver one, which Ruby was pulling from her own bag, examining the newly scribed initials.

"Ruby Nikos, not entirely inaccurate." Port noted. "Summons are soulbound after all." He mused.

"Thank you Mister Port!" Ruby cheered.

"You're very welcome my dear." Port bowed.

"Would you tell me more about this Oobleck?" Weiss requested, replacing her temporary cloak pin with the new broach. "You say he feeds upon his students?"

"Yes indeed he does." Port sighed. "You see, my dear friend Oobleck is a scholar of some renown. Naturally this draws students and assistants. In exchange for knowledge they provide him sustenance."

"Oh, that seems...fair." Weiss managed. Truth be told, the idea had its appeal, at least now that she understood how it felt to feed. It was violating humans rights that sickened her, in addition to a simple fear of the alien, of losing more of herself to the curse. Thankfully that had not happened.

"Yes, that would indeed be the kindest term for it." Port allowed. "At the very least it's more admirable than those monsters in Southern Atlas." Weiss shivered, reminded of the victimization that so scared her.

"What monsters?" Ruby asked innocently.

Weiss glanced at Ruby, then at Port, who seemed morose. She could not blame him. The subject had always been a dark one, drilled into her from a young age as something to be despised. "Vampires Ruby, the majority of which live in the Southern Atlas Mountain Range."

"They dug themselves in some centuries ago, and fought the Templars to a standstill, forcing them to strike a treaty." Port explained.

"They essentially exist as their own state." Weiss added. "Numerous covens and their human slave class."

"Slave class?" Ruby inquired.

Weiss sighed. "Even that is putting it lightly...Ruby, to most vampires, humans are a food source, first and foremost. They look down upon...them, as lesser beings, weaker, slower, easy to manipulate...there are many humans who seemingly agree with this belief themselves."

"But why?" Ruby pressed.

"Humanity has a tendency to seek out the strong for protection." Port noted. "Gods, soldiers, warriors, and seemingly greater beings. The world is a dangerous place, and the people wish to live peaceful lives."

"And vampire covens offer that peace, in exchange for their lives." Weiss said.

"So they stay with them as food?" Ruby asked.

"In part." Weiss confirmed. "Food, labor...other purposes…" She scowled. "There are entire families that have been living as human livestock for generations. They even breed us like cattle for the best taste, ugh." She sighed. "The idea is sound, but the stories, and what Glynda copied down for me are just...it's a sad way to live Ruby. It's something I wouldn't want to inflict upon anyone...if you ever start to feel like I'm using you…"

"You won't use me Weiss." Ruby soothed, wrapping Weiss in a hug. "You're my friend, and I'll support you as long as you let me."

Weiss chuckled, patting Ruby on the back. "Thank you Ruby."

"You fed upon Ruby?" Port questioned, surprised.

"It was experimental, and I am very fortunate it worked out." Weiss nodded.

"Fascinating!" Port exclaimed. "Oobleck would positively adore hearing this. Feeding upon an aspect! Revolutionary he would call it. I should really put you in touch with him…"

"Yes, but perhaps first you should update me on my commissions?" Weiss suggested.

"Right!" Port remembered. "Yes, well here I may have gotten a little ahead of myself. This is a portion of the sheath for Miss Scarlatina's dagger, which is currently with the others being silver plated." He pointed at another door. "Forging the daggers was child's play, but it would help to know how many you will need."

"Ultimately?" Weiss asked. "One for every household in Patch."

"Oh?" Port quirked his brow. "Arming the people. A noble idea, though stakes would have a more striking appeal to them…"

"Practicality Port." Weiss countered. "A stake is clumsy and heavy, a stiletto could be wielded by a child."

"You don't expect as much, do you?" Port pressed.

Weiss chuckled humorlessly. "Better to be safe than sorry."

After the visit to Port's, Weiss and Yang decided to return home, hugging Ruby farewell before she made her way out of town and towards the Templar encampment. It was only just passing midday, the grey sky calm, threatening little more than scattered showers. Ruby enjoyed the rain, the feeling of it pattering across her skin was soothing, and the cold did not bother her, but neither Pyrrha nor Glynda appreciated Ruby's soaked form walking through the house. So she rarely got to enjoy it to the extent she wished. The sky gave way to tree tops, and Ruby followed the rough forest path toward the encampment clearing, until the entrance checkpoint came into view, and with it…

"Hello friend Ruby!" Penny called, waving from beside the guard before rushing forward.

"Hello Penny!" Ruby managed before being swept off her feet. "Whoa!"

"I realized I did not hug you when last we parted." Penny explained. "And hugging is very important to close friendships!" She squeezed, and for the first time Ruby felt just a tiny bit of discomfort.

"I should have hugged you too!" Ruby squeaked. "I love hugs!"

Giggling, Penny released her, waving to the guard before taking Ruby's hand in her own and beginning down the path. Penny explained that Winter had informed her of Ruby's impending visit, and so she had asked General Ironwood for leave. Technically, she was to patrol the coastline near town, somewhat pointless, as plain-clothed Templars already kept an eye on it, but it was Ironwood's way of allowing her leave while maintaining an air of professionality.

And so Ruby and Penny made their way back towards the town, chatting all the while. Their last meeting had been spent mainly talking about their creators, or in Ruby's case, summoner. According to Penny, her "Father", Professor Polendina, once had a daughter, flesh and blood. But after an unfortunate accident, she had been rendered braindead, and in a bid to save her life, Polendina had attempted to transfer her mind and spirit into an automaton control matrix. The experiment was a partial success. Penny awoke, and Polendina had been overjoyed, at least until Penny expressed confusion. She did not know where she was, who she was, or what she was, let alone who Polendina was. It seemed the process had wiped her of all memory. Ruby had sympathized, awaking for the first time to find your creator disappointed, not in your existence, but in the absence of another. For Penny it was worse, according to the professor. She sounded identical, and had here same upbeat attitude toward life, but she was not truly Penny. She was a new person, a second chance so to speak, and though her memories may be gone, her soul persevered.

And Penny intended to make the most of her existence, strange though it was.

"I think Miss Schnee is beginning to come around." Penny declared. "She seems kinder, more respectful of my identity. She no longer seems uncomfortable when speaking with me."

"I feel the same." Ruby nodded. "She really didn't like me when we met. She said because she didn't know what I was, she didn't trust me, and wanted me to stay away from Weiss. But I like Weiss, and Weiss likes Winter, so I just tried to be nice to her too. I think it's working."

"Miss Schnee is a very...emotional individual." Penny observed.

"So is Weiss, but she tries not to show it." Ruby added.

"Very much like Miss Schnee." Penny noted.

"Maybe if Winter had a good friend, she'd be happier?" Ruby suggested.

"Perhaps, I could try, but most of her time is spent with General Ironwood." Penny explained.

"Is he Winter's friend?" Ruby asked.

Penny hesitated to respond. "Not to Miss Schnee's preference. General Ironwood is more of a...mentor."

"Oh, like Glynda and Pyrrha!" Ruby exclaimed.

Penny hesitated once more. "Possibly."