𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 [ʀᴡʙʏ x ᴍᴀʟᴇ ᴏᴄ]

Chapter 26

Weiss POV

The sky was painted with streaks of orange and purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. My heart raced when I spotted the distinct silhouette of an Atlesian airship gliding through the sky toward Beacon. Winter. She was here.

For a moment, all I could think about was seeing her again, telling her about everything that had happened, and how much I had grown. Maybe, just maybe, she’d finally see me as an equal, someone worthy of her respect.

Ruby: (running to catch up with her partner) Weiss! What is the big deal!? Who is it? Who is she!?

Weiss: (as she stops and smiles at the sight of...) Winter.

As the airship descended into the courtyard, its engines humming loudly, I came to a stop. My excitement bubbled over as the ramp began to lower. I run up to the ship as my sister steps foot in Beacon

Weiss: (cups mouth) Winter! (the two then run up to the elder Schnee as she turns to see them) Winter! I'm so happy to see you! Oh... (suddenly curtsies) Your presence honors us.

Winter: (looks around as she approaches them) Beacon... It's been a long time. The air feels... different.

Ruby: I mean it is fall, so, eh, it's probably colder.

Weiss: (punches Ruby in the shoulder, causing her to gasp in pain before turning back to her sibling) So, what are you doing here?

Winter: Classified.

Weiss: Oh, right. Well, how long are you staying?

Winter: Classified.

Weiss: Of course. (nods and smiles in understanding)

Ruby: (looks pensively around in the silence) Well... this is nice... I think.

Weiss: (excitedly) You're going to love it here! I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlus! (discreetly whispers) Vale, too. The government and school are completely separate! Can you believe it!? I-

Winter: I'm more than familiar with how this kingdom handles its... bureaucracy. That is not why I came.

Weiss: Right! I'm sorry!

Winter: Nor did I come here to watch my own blood fail so miserably in battle. But it appears that I have no choice in the matter.

Winter’s words hit me like a punch to the gut. I could feel my smile fading as I looked down, unsure of how to respond. I could feel the weight of her disappointment hanging in the air.

Klaus walked toward us, I noticed the subtle shift in his posture—his presence seemed to fill the room, pushing the tension aside, at least for a moment. He moved closer, discreetly taking my hand in his and gave me a small smile.

Klaus: Oh, don't be so hard on her, Winter. You were just like her all those years back. I think Weiss is progressing much quicker than you.

Winter: But it doesn’t excuse—

Klaus: Yes, it doesn't, but you also came from the same place. Remember the good old days?

Winter: You know what I’m talking about, Klaus. You may have fought alongside me in the past, but things are different now.