Weiss pulled the hood of her cloak up as she walked through the busy streets of Vale, her senses bombarded by the sounds and smells of the faire. The smells of fried meats and bread filled the air, almost making up for the music and sounds that were just too loud for her. Though, it wasnt like she hadnt realized what would happen when she made her way into the kingdom. Afterall, she’d spent years listening to the festivities outside the walls of the kingdoms, only ever catching glimpses of the food and costumes as she lurked in the shadows.
And now, here she was, finally among the people she had watched. For the first time in years, she felt free. Able to be herself without worrying about becoming a monster or causing problems. At least… until she bumped into someone and heard the all too familiar sound of steel clattering against the ground. Weiss’s body froze as she slowly turned around. “I-I’m sorry-”
“Its fine,” a woman said with a smile. “I should’ve been watching where I was going.”
All Weiss could do was watch as the woman picked up her folded weapon. Silver eyes stared back at her through red streaked black hair. A blush crossed her lips and she offered a hand to the woman. “I-I think it was my fault this time. I’m… I’m Weiss.”
“Ruby,” Ruby answered as she took Weiss’s hand. “Did you travel far to come for the festival?”
“S-sort of,” Weiss answered back, unable to pull her eyes away from Ruby. She wasnt sure if it was the silver eyes that captivated her, the red cloak that practically draped down her shoulders, or if it was the kindness that she received, but she knew this girl was going to be important to her. “I’m from a small village. Though, I should be leaving soon.”
“You should stay for the festival. If you’re from that far away, who knows when you’ll be able to come back.”
“I guess I could stay-”
“Great! I know exactly what you should see!”
Weiss felt herself get pulled down the street by Ruby, unable to escape her grip as pulled deeper into the festivities. Stalls lined both sides of the streets with different masks, costumes, foods, and trinkets available for purchase along with a few children’s games for people to play. But none of that mattered as she watched Ruby keep a smile on her face as she started to slow down her pace, talking about each stall that she enjoyed. Not that Weiss caught a word of it, still a bit too overwhelmed by the noises around her to really focus on Ruby’s words.
“-and you get some fried fish from over here.” Ruby paused for a moment and slowed down. “Are you okay?”
“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” Weiss said quietly as she moved a bit closer to Ruby, eyes still glued to the stalls along the street. Her senses were becoming overwhelmed from the smells of the food and the sounds of the music and people chatting around. “C-can we get somewhere quieter?”
“Sure, but that would take us out of the festival-”
“That’s fine. I-I uh… didnt realize how loud it was going to be here.”
“Yeah, sure, we… we can leave for a bit.”
Weiss relaxed a bit as she followed Ruby out of the festival. Though, as she watched the smile on Ruby’s face fade away, her heart started to ache. She stopped briefly and tugged a bit on Ruby’s arm. “You really like this festival, dont you?”
Ruby nodded and slowed to another stop. “I do. Its a festival that celebrates the founding of Vale, our harvests… its everything about who we are.”
“I… I guess we can stay close then, I…” Weiss sighed and held her arm to her chest. “Its a bit loud for me.”
“Maybe we can find something to help with the noise. I’m sure one of the stalls will have earmuffs available.”
“You think so?”
“Its close enough to fall that I’m sure someone will have it. But, we’ll need to get a bit deeper into the festivities. Do you trust me?”
Weiss paused for a moment as she watched Ruby, still not sure how much she trusted her. And yet, she couldnt find any reason not to. Ruby knew Vale, was familiar with everything the city offered, and her smile was inviting. So, she gave a nod. “I trust you.”
“Great! And then we can also get you a couple of protection charms as well.”
“Protection charms?” Weiss asked as she felt herself being pulled again. This time, she didnt get an answer as Ruby dragged her through the stalls until they found one that sold small earmuffs for the cooling weather. She slowly put them on and relaxed as the sounds of the festival started to feel more bearable for her.
Once Ruby had paid for the earmuffs, she felt herself pulled through the festival once more. The smells of food started to become less overwhelming as they made their way deeper, Weiss’s eyes on all the costumes and dancers that they passed. The way the beads and sequins reflected the light made her stop, almost as if each article of clothing was made to tell a story with the way each of the dancers moved. For a moment, she felt like a kid again before she was bitten. Wonder filled her eyes as she watched the reflection of lights and colors, entranced by everything that she hadnt noticed when Ruby had left, only when she had come back with some fried meat buns.
Ruby offered one to her with a smile. “Try one.”
Weiss nodded and gently took one, taking a small bite. She slowly chewed on it as she savored the taste and the way the bread and meat almost seemed to melt in her mouth. “These are soo good! Are they common during this festival?”
“They are,” Ruby answered as she took a bite of her own. “Its tradition to share them with people you consider friends. And after the day we’ve spent together, I hope I could consider you one of mine.”
“You can,” Weiss said with her mouth full. She quickly swallowed and started to relax a bit as she looked up to the night sky. The moon was still days away from being full, the sky was clear and the stars had started to shine down on the city. For the first time in many years, Weiss had finally felt at peace.
Ruby smiled and offered a small charm to Weiss. “Another tradition is to give a charm to someone to protect them from the spirits. No one believes in that anymore, but its still a nice thought.”
“A-are you sure you’re okay with giving me one? I’m still a stranger and-”
“And someone I would like to consider a friend. Even if we didnt meet in the most conventional of ways.”
Weiss gave Ruby a smile and reached to grab the charm out of her hand, flinching and pulling her hand back as the small charm burned her. She took a step back, bumping into a stand behind her and knocking over a few of the charms that were being sold. A couple charms fell against the back of her hand, burning her as she let out a yelp.
“Is everything okay?” Ruby asked.
“I-I’m fine.” Weiss quickly looked herself over once she realized a few people were staring at her from the scene she had just caused. Once she was certain she still looked human, she flashed Ruby another quick smile. “But I think its about time for me to start going home.”
“Are you sure you cant stay? The festival isnt over yet-”
“I’m sure.” Weiss leaned and quickly kissed Ruby’s cheek, only to feel her cheek burn from the touch of the silver earrings Ruby wore. She pulled back once more and pulled her hand to her cheek, heart racing as her fingers started to shake. Quiet whispers were caught as she looked around at everyone around her, noticing more people had started to come around her and Ruby.
“Did she just get burned?” someone asked.
“I didnt see any fire near her,” another answered.
“Maybe she’s a monster.”
Weiss took a few steps back, then turned and started to run off. “I need to go!”
“Wait!” Ruby called out. “Dont leave yet!”
Weiss didnt hear Ruby, running down the street, out of the festival and towards the city gate. She had to get out before anything else got worse or before she got burned again. Once she was outside the city, she made her way to the forest, shifting once she was sure she was out of sight from anyone that would see her. She laid down under a few trees, glad the darkness hid her white fur.
A branch cracked and she slowly stood up as she faced the direction of the noise. She kept low as she heard the snap of another branch, looking up in the trees. She found herself face to face with a silver blade, and then the familiar face of Ruby above her.
Ruby slowly pulled the blade away as she stared at the wolf in front of her. “W-Weiss?”
Weiss nodded and slowly shifted, eyes still on Ruby. There she stood, clothes torn under her cloak, white wolf ears and tail only visible from the outline they left under her cloak. “I-I can… explain.”
“I… I’m going to get some food,” Ruby said as she quietly put her scythe away. “And then you can explain what exactly you are.”