White Sun: Venting
Set after the Dance...
- - -
Weiss Schnee had worked very hard to cultivate patience. Patience went with control, and control was paramount. It had been a core part of her for her entire life.
Beacon had tested that control, severely. Every single one of her buttons was jammed, jabbed, and slammed on. She had had to re-evaluate herself in many ways. To change.
And as she stormed out of her dorm room out into the night, stomping and gritting her teeth, she felt like none of it had fucking mattered!
She used her incredible speed to get all the way out to a balcony near the unoccupied part of the dorms. She went outside, took a deep breath... And kicked the railing.
"Fuck Blake Belladonna!" She snarled, kicking the railing pillar over and over, until the pain made her stop. She leaned against the railing, gripping it and panting hard to regain her calm. To regain her control.
Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. She blinked furiously, tried to keep them back...
Someone offered a handkerchief. She took it without thinking, as though she was back in the family mansion in Atlas. She dabbed her eyes, careful to not further ruin her makeup.
"Th-Thank you," she said to her benefactor.
"No problem."
She lowered her handkerchief, and looked to her left. Perched on the railing was a familiar blonde monkey Faunus, still with his white shirt wide open. She blinked in confusion as Sun Wukong gave her a small smile.
"Wha-What are you doing here?" She demanded, pulling back out of instinct. He held up his hands.
"Hey, hey! Take it easy! I was just out for some exercise, Princess!"
Weiss opened her mouth to yell some more... Then she slowly closed her mouth and looked away.
"I... Sorry," she murmured, "It... I'm not mad at you. Really."
"Blake, right?" Sun asked. Weiss glanced back at him. There was... A knowing look on his face.
"Yes," she agreed. She sighed softly. "It's... Stupid. I don't have a problem with her as a Faunus. Not really. I promise."
"It's just that most Faunus you've met were part of the White Fang," Sun said with a nod. She stared at him, and he shrugged. "Am I wrong?"
"... No," she admitted. She closed her eyes and sighed softly. "I... I am sorry. But..." She opened her eyes and glared out at the night.
Sun leaned forward.
"You want to talk about it?"
Weiss glanced at him, and looked back out at the stars.
"I... I'm not sure if I can-"
"Hey," Sun said, spreading his arms wide with a smile, "I've got a thick skin. I can take it. Besides," He sighed, "I owe you for Neptune."
Weiss scowled deeply.
"No... No, those were his choices," she muttered, "I-I don't blame you for him being... Him."
Sun chuckled.
"Yeah, but... I could do a better job as team leader," he said, "Keep him from getting himself killed, at least. Anyway, enough about him. What about you?"
"Aren't you with Blake?" Weiss countered. "You sure you want me to talk badly of your girlfriend?"
Sun shook his head with a sad smile.
"She's not my girlfriend. She made that clear."
Weiss blinked, then looked away again.
"Oh... Sorry," she murmured.
"It's better to just get this stuff out, ya know?" Sun asked, scratching the back of his head, "Me, I'm live and let live. You need to vent? I'll listen. You don't want me around? I'll go."
Weiss licked her lips. She stared out at the stars again. Cold, distant, always beautiful. She sucked in a breath through her nostrils, and let it go.
"... She always acts like she's the wounded party, and I am never an equal," she started, "As if the White Fang didn't kill members of my family. As though they haven't tried to kidnap me and my family members. As if they haven't threatened..."
She trailed off, going pale. She shuddered. Sun reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. She started and looked at him. He didn't pull back. His face was compassionate.
"You're right. That's not fair," he said. "You didn't do the terrible things your father did."
Weiss opened her mouth, but her throat was choked with emotion. She blinked back more tears, and dabbed her eyes again.
"I... Thank you," she said quietly, "I-I... I don't approve of what he does. He's... He's a monster to everyone." She sighed. "I want to stop it. I want to change it. I just... I don't really know how."
Sun nodded, smiling warmly.
"That sucks," he said succinctly. She snorted in a most unladylike manner.
"It... Yes, quite," she managed. Sun leaned back, lowering his legs to sit on the railing. His tail wagged a bit as he smiled at her. She managed to smile back.
"She-She can be so self-righteous," she went on, "Like she didn't do bad things! I-I know she's trying to repent! I understand that! But she makes it so hard..."
Sun sighed and nodded.
"Yeah. She keeps lecturing about how the White Fang wasn't supposed to be like this. Well, nobody put guns to their heads to bomb trains. Nobody made them bully Faunus who didn't go along with their bullshit."
"They-They do that kind of stuff to Faunus too?" Weiss asked. Sun nodded.
"Yeah. Lot of assholes will take any excuse to hurt people and feel justified," he snorted, "My best friends are humans. When I was orphaned in Vacuo, a human monk is the one who found and raised me. White Fang members thinks that makes me a bad Faunus. So screw 'em."
"What happened to your parents...?" Weiss asked, then winced. "Sorry-"
"No, it's okay," Sun sighed, shrugging. "Tang-That's the monk-found me in a village hit by Grimm and bandits when I was a baby. Everyone else was dead."
Weiss stared at him in sorrow. He smiled wanly and shrugged.
"Could have been worse," he said, "Tang raised me like his own, with some other orphans he had found. We went around collecting alms for the poor, tending shrines, teaching martial arts. He trained me and my bros, Zhu and Sha. We were all Faunus kids, but he didn't care; He loves us all, and we love him. He had wanted me to become a monk too, but..." He chuckled. "I wanted adventure. He had an old friend at Haven Academy, one of the teachers, and got me a scholarship. So, here I am, all thanks to a kindly human."
"I... I'm really sorry," Weiss murmured. "I... It's amazing that you're still able to laugh and smile after all that."
Sun beamed at her, his tail forming a curl.
"Tang's like the best dad a boy could have ever had! And I grew up with two great brothers! I got to go see the world, meet some great friends, and have great fights!" He winked at her. "And meet some pretty girls, too."
Her cheeks burned red. She shook her head.
"I-Don't flirt, please."
Sun blinked in confusion.
"Who's flirting? I'm just being honest," he said. Weiss sighed and looked away.
"Ugh, do you have to do that?" She grumbled.
"It's my honest feelings," he said firmly with a nod.
"Well... Thank you," she said. She turned and smiled shyly at him. "It... It occurs to me I haven't really talked to you before. I'm sorry about that."
Sun waved his hand.
"Nah, don't worry about it," he said. "I'm just glad I can talk about Blake. I mean... I really like her and all, but..." He sighed and shrugged. "She doesn't seem to like me the same way."
"Then she's an idiot," Weiss stated firmly. Sun glanced at her, and grinned.
"Sure you're not just saying that because of my abs, Princess?"
"I'm sure, and stop calling me that!" She retorted. Sun chuckled.
"As the Princess demands."
"Ugh!" Weiss grunted. "You're so..." She scowled. "You're not very polite for a boy raised by a monk."
"I never said I was a great student," Sun replied with a laugh and wink. Weiss fought another smile.
"I suppose that's fair..."
They talked a little bit more after that. If it wasn't for her team, Weiss didn't think she could have opened up to Sun at all. But he did tell amusing stories, and he really listened to her problems. She found herself losing track of time during the conversation, a complete rarity for her.
"I... I need to get to bed," she said, with a shocked glance at her watch, "I'm sorry. It was... It was great. Really."
Sun yawned theatrically, which turned into the real thing. He rubbed his face.
"Yeah, same. And it was nice," he smiled at her.
"Could... Could we talk again?" Weiss asked shyly. "Just... You know, the two of us. Privately?"
Sun nodded.
"Sure!"
"It's not an imposition-?"
"If it was, I wouldn't do it," Sun said with a nod. "I mean... I liked talking to you."
"Really?" Weiss gasped. "I-I'm not too... Um..."
"Snooty?" He asked. He tilted his head in thought, then shrugged. "Well yeah, you are snooty."
"Thanks a lot," Weiss scowled. He kept beaming.
"But snooty is fine when it's you," he decided.
A furious blush on Weiss's face was his reward.
"I uh... Thank you," Weiss managed, looking away from his. She scowled. "I'm still angry with Blake, but... You helped a lot."
Sun beamed.
"Always happy to help a friend," he said.
"That... That's what we are now?" Weiss asked, uncertain. He grinned.
"Sure! If you want to be?"
"I... I would like that," Weiss decided, after a few minutes of thought. She then gained a truly wicked grin.
"You know... There's another way for you to help me. With Blake."
Her idea was very petty, she would admit it. But she didn't mind Sun's company too much, and he had his own issues with Blake. It might be good for both of them.
Of course, it all depended on whether or not he agreed.
Sun hummed.
"How so?"
She told him. And he laughed.
- - -
The next morning, Blake was with most of her team in the cafeteria, picking at her food in distraction. Weiss wasn't there and neither was Sun. And both were on her mind.
Maybe I should apologize to Sun. I need to explain I'm not looking for a relationship right now, not after what happened with Adam. Maybe I was... Too hard on him, She thought, And maybe I should go a little easier on Weiss. She doesn't mean to be insensitive, but-
She looked up from the breakfast table and sees Sun walking with Weiss hanging off his arm. The entire cafeteria went silent, all eyes on the apparently couple.
"What...?" Jaune mumbled. He had given up hitting on Weiss, but this was a shock to him.
"The fuck?!" Blake hissed, clenching her hand around her fork as hard as she could.
Weiss looked around the table, smiling prettily at her team.
"Good morning, Ruby! Good morning, Yang!" A smirk developed on her face as her eyes came to rest on Blake. "Good morning, Blake. How are you doing? I was just talking with Sun. He was kind enough to escort me to breakfast."
Blake grit her teeth.
"Was he?" She hissed.
Sun beamed happily.
"Yup! We're friends now!"
"Very good friends," Weiss said, practically purring.
"Ooh, plot twist!" Nora gasped over the rage pounding in all four of Blake's ears!
Weiss turned to Sun, and stood up on tiptoes.
"Thank you, Sun." She gave him a peck on the cheek. "Have a good day!"
Sun smiled back, a mild blush on his tanned cheeks.
"Thanks Weiss. Appreciate it! Later!" He turned and waved, heading to his team's table. Neptune was staring daggers at Sun, which the monkey Faunus didn't even seem to notice!
The Schnee heiress sat down next to the gaping Ruby, somehow looking more smug than the actual catgirl.
"So! What's for breakfast?" She asked brightly.
"You-Wha-Why-?!" Blake tried. Weiss's smirk became positively deadly.
"Well, you're always telling me to be more open-minded," she said, almost sing-song, "Aren't you glad I'm expanding my horizons?"
"Good on you, Weiss!" Ruby cheered.
"But you... He... You...!" Blake sputtered.
Yang patted Blake on the shoulder, but clearly was trying not to laugh.
"Snooze you lose, Kitty Cat."
- - -
Weiss Schnee had worked very hard to cultivate patience. Patience went with control, and control was paramount. It had been a core part of her for her entire life.
Beacon had tested that control, severely. Every single one of her buttons was jammed, jabbed, and slammed on. She had had to re-evaluate herself in many ways. To change.
And as she stormed out of her dorm room out into the night, stomping and gritting her teeth, she felt like none of it had fucking mattered!
She used her incredible speed to get all the way out to a balcony near the unoccupied part of the dorms. She went outside, took a deep breath... And kicked the railing.
"Fuck Blake Belladonna!" She snarled, kicking the railing pillar over and over, until the pain made her stop. She leaned against the railing, gripping it and panting hard to regain her calm. To regain her control.
Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. She blinked furiously, tried to keep them back...
Someone offered a handkerchief. She took it without thinking, as though she was back in the family mansion in Atlas. She dabbed her eyes, careful to not further ruin her makeup.
"Th-Thank you," she said to her benefactor.
"No problem."
She lowered her handkerchief, and looked to her left. Perched on the railing was a familiar blonde monkey Faunus, still with his white shirt wide open. She blinked in confusion as Sun Wukong gave her a small smile.
"Wha-What are you doing here?" She demanded, pulling back out of instinct. He held up his hands.
"Hey, hey! Take it easy! I was just out for some exercise, Princess!"
Weiss opened her mouth to yell some more... Then she slowly closed her mouth and looked away.
"I... Sorry," she murmured, "It... I'm not mad at you. Really."
"Blake, right?" Sun asked. Weiss glanced back at him. There was... A knowing look on his face.
"Yes," she agreed. She sighed softly. "It's... Stupid. I don't have a problem with her as a Faunus. Not really. I promise."
"It's just that most Faunus you've met were part of the White Fang," Sun said with a nod. She stared at him, and he shrugged. "Am I wrong?"
"... No," she admitted. She closed her eyes and sighed softly. "I... I am sorry. But..." She opened her eyes and glared out at the night.
Sun leaned forward.
"You want to talk about it?"
Weiss glanced at him, and looked back out at the stars.
"I... I'm not sure if I can-"
"Hey," Sun said, spreading his arms wide with a smile, "I've got a thick skin. I can take it. Besides," He sighed, "I owe you for Neptune."
Weiss scowled deeply.
"No... No, those were his choices," she muttered, "I-I don't blame you for him being... Him."
Sun chuckled.
"Yeah, but... I could do a better job as team leader," he said, "Keep him from getting himself killed, at least. Anyway, enough about him. What about you?"
"Aren't you with Blake?" Weiss countered. "You sure you want me to talk badly of your girlfriend?"
Sun shook his head with a sad smile.
"She's not my girlfriend. She made that clear."
Weiss blinked, then looked away again.
"Oh... Sorry," she murmured.
"It's better to just get this stuff out, ya know?" Sun asked, scratching the back of his head, "Me, I'm live and let live. You need to vent? I'll listen. You don't want me around? I'll go."
Weiss licked her lips. She stared out at the stars again. Cold, distant, always beautiful. She sucked in a breath through her nostrils, and let it go.
"... She always acts like she's the wounded party, and I am never an equal," she started, "As if the White Fang didn't kill members of my family. As though they haven't tried to kidnap me and my family members. As if they haven't threatened..."
She trailed off, going pale. She shuddered. Sun reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. She started and looked at him. He didn't pull back. His face was compassionate.
"You're right. That's not fair," he said. "You didn't do the terrible things your father did."
Weiss opened her mouth, but her throat was choked with emotion. She blinked back more tears, and dabbed her eyes again.
"I... Thank you," she said quietly, "I-I... I don't approve of what he does. He's... He's a monster to everyone." She sighed. "I want to stop it. I want to change it. I just... I don't really know how."
Sun nodded, smiling warmly.
"That sucks," he said succinctly. She snorted in a most unladylike manner.
"It... Yes, quite," she managed. Sun leaned back, lowering his legs to sit on the railing. His tail wagged a bit as he smiled at her. She managed to smile back.
"She-She can be so self-righteous," she went on, "Like she didn't do bad things! I-I know she's trying to repent! I understand that! But she makes it so hard..."
Sun sighed and nodded.
"Yeah. She keeps lecturing about how the White Fang wasn't supposed to be like this. Well, nobody put guns to their heads to bomb trains. Nobody made them bully Faunus who didn't go along with their bullshit."
"They-They do that kind of stuff to Faunus too?" Weiss asked. Sun nodded.
"Yeah. Lot of assholes will take any excuse to hurt people and feel justified," he snorted, "My best friends are humans. When I was orphaned in Vacuo, a human monk is the one who found and raised me. White Fang members thinks that makes me a bad Faunus. So screw 'em."
"What happened to your parents...?" Weiss asked, then winced. "Sorry-"
"No, it's okay," Sun sighed, shrugging. "Tang-That's the monk-found me in a village hit by Grimm and bandits when I was a baby. Everyone else was dead."
Weiss stared at him in sorrow. He smiled wanly and shrugged.
"Could have been worse," he said, "Tang raised me like his own, with some other orphans he had found. We went around collecting alms for the poor, tending shrines, teaching martial arts. He trained me and my bros, Zhu and Sha. We were all Faunus kids, but he didn't care; He loves us all, and we love him. He had wanted me to become a monk too, but..." He chuckled. "I wanted adventure. He had an old friend at Haven Academy, one of the teachers, and got me a scholarship. So, here I am, all thanks to a kindly human."
"I... I'm really sorry," Weiss murmured. "I... It's amazing that you're still able to laugh and smile after all that."
Sun beamed at her, his tail forming a curl.
"Tang's like the best dad a boy could have ever had! And I grew up with two great brothers! I got to go see the world, meet some great friends, and have great fights!" He winked at her. "And meet some pretty girls, too."
Her cheeks burned red. She shook her head.
"I-Don't flirt, please."
Sun blinked in confusion.
"Who's flirting? I'm just being honest," he said. Weiss sighed and looked away.
"Ugh, do you have to do that?" She grumbled.
"It's my honest feelings," he said firmly with a nod.
"Well... Thank you," she said. She turned and smiled shyly at him. "It... It occurs to me I haven't really talked to you before. I'm sorry about that."
Sun waved his hand.
"Nah, don't worry about it," he said. "I'm just glad I can talk about Blake. I mean... I really like her and all, but..." He sighed and shrugged. "She doesn't seem to like me the same way."
"Then she's an idiot," Weiss stated firmly. Sun glanced at her, and grinned.
"Sure you're not just saying that because of my abs, Princess?"
"I'm sure, and stop calling me that!" She retorted. Sun chuckled.
"As the Princess demands."
"Ugh!" Weiss grunted. "You're so..." She scowled. "You're not very polite for a boy raised by a monk."
"I never said I was a great student," Sun replied with a laugh and wink. Weiss fought another smile.
"I suppose that's fair..."
They talked a little bit more after that. If it wasn't for her team, Weiss didn't think she could have opened up to Sun at all. But he did tell amusing stories, and he really listened to her problems. She found herself losing track of time during the conversation, a complete rarity for her.
"I... I need to get to bed," she said, with a shocked glance at her watch, "I'm sorry. It was... It was great. Really."
Sun yawned theatrically, which turned into the real thing. He rubbed his face.
"Yeah, same. And it was nice," he smiled at her.
"Could... Could we talk again?" Weiss asked shyly. "Just... You know, the two of us. Privately?"
Sun nodded.
"Sure!"
"It's not an imposition-?"
"If it was, I wouldn't do it," Sun said with a nod. "I mean... I liked talking to you."
"Really?" Weiss gasped. "I-I'm not too... Um..."
"Snooty?" He asked. He tilted his head in thought, then shrugged. "Well yeah, you are snooty."
"Thanks a lot," Weiss scowled. He kept beaming.
"But snooty is fine when it's you," he decided.
A furious blush on Weiss's face was his reward.
"I uh... Thank you," Weiss managed, looking away from his. She scowled. "I'm still angry with Blake, but... You helped a lot."
Sun beamed.
"Always happy to help a friend," he said.
"That... That's what we are now?" Weiss asked, uncertain. He grinned.
"Sure! If you want to be?"
"I... I would like that," Weiss decided, after a few minutes of thought. She then gained a truly wicked grin.
"You know... There's another way for you to help me. With Blake."
Her idea was very petty, she would admit it. But she didn't mind Sun's company too much, and he had his own issues with Blake. It might be good for both of them.
Of course, it all depended on whether or not he agreed.
Sun hummed.
"How so?"
She told him. And he laughed.
- - -
The next morning, Blake was with most of her team in the cafeteria, picking at her food in distraction. Weiss wasn't there and neither was Sun. And both were on her mind.
Maybe I should apologize to Sun. I need to explain I'm not looking for a relationship right now, not after what happened with Adam. Maybe I was... Too hard on him, She thought, And maybe I should go a little easier on Weiss. She doesn't mean to be insensitive, but-
She looked up from the breakfast table and sees Sun walking with Weiss hanging off his arm. The entire cafeteria went silent, all eyes on the apparently couple.
"What...?" Jaune mumbled. He had given up hitting on Weiss, but this was a shock to him.
"The fuck?!" Blake hissed, clenching her hand around her fork as hard as she could.
Weiss looked around the table, smiling prettily at her team.
"Good morning, Ruby! Good morning, Yang!" A smirk developed on her face as her eyes came to rest on Blake. "Good morning, Blake. How are you doing? I was just talking with Sun. He was kind enough to escort me to breakfast."
Blake grit her teeth.
"Was he?" She hissed.
Sun beamed happily.
"Yup! We're friends now!"
"Very good friends," Weiss said, practically purring.
"Ooh, plot twist!" Nora gasped over the rage pounding in all four of Blake's ears!
Weiss turned to Sun, and stood up on tiptoes.
"Thank you, Sun." She gave him a peck on the cheek. "Have a good day!"
Sun smiled back, a mild blush on his tanned cheeks.
"Thanks Weiss. Appreciate it! Later!" He turned and waved, heading to his team's table. Neptune was staring daggers at Sun, which the monkey Faunus didn't even seem to notice!
The Schnee heiress sat down next to the gaping Ruby, somehow looking more smug than the actual catgirl.
"So! What's for breakfast?" She asked brightly.
"You-Wha-Why-?!" Blake tried. Weiss's smirk became positively deadly.
"Well, you're always telling me to be more open-minded," she said, almost sing-song, "Aren't you glad I'm expanding my horizons?"
"Good on you, Weiss!" Ruby cheered.
"But you... He... You...!" Blake sputtered.
Yang patted Blake on the shoulder, but clearly was trying not to laugh.
"Snooze you lose, Kitty Cat."
