The morning after, Weiss woke up with a dull headache.

The clock revealed it was past midday already. She gave herself a little leeway once she hazily recalled what happened last night. Upon turning away from the windows, she found herself facing a figure that was foreign to her. Once she has adjusted a little to the bright lights of the day, she found Ruby leaning over the headboard, looking down at her with a serious look.

A small groan startled Ruby from her daze. She came to realize that Weiss had finally woken from her slumber, looking far better than her drunken, wasted self.

"Morning, princess." She greeted softly, "How's your head?"

Weiss returned a distasteful groan. "Nooo..." she muttered as she covered her head.

"You're acting more like a vampire than I do," Ruby mentioned. Weiss looked up at Ruby, her eyes widening.

"You didn't turn me to a vampire, did you?!" She asked with alarm. Ruby couldn't help but laugh at Weiss' sudden outburst.

"Princess, no. I won't turn you unless you wanted it. Besides, I don't have enough magic to turn you right now. I'm still far too weak, remember?" Ruby replied, placing a hand on Weiss' hair, running her fingers through her silky tresses. "No one's turning anyone here."

The heiress relaxed, laying down on her pillow once more. "How much did I drink last night?" She inquired, rubbing her temples in irritation as if it would help alleviate the throbbing in her skull.

Ruby handed her a glass of orange juice that came with their breakfast tray that arrived a few hours ago. "Here." Weiss sat up and drank the whole glass without question, hoping it would help with her head.

"Oooh...I think I need to pass by the clinic." She said, reaching for her scroll. Before she could grab it Ruby took her hand, checking her pulse. It seemed pretty normal, steady, and strong despite her discomfort.

"Ruby, I need to make a call to the clinic." She said. "It's just down in the basement."

Nope, not weird at all. It had just occurred to Ruby that she never had seen the whole mansion. She has always been served by maids, been with Weiss most of the time in her study, or outside the house to tour around Vale and buy things.

She would never have guessed that they had a dungeon underneath too.

"A shower and a hot bath and you'll be fine!" Ruby said enthusiastically, smiling at a very hungover and tired Weiss.

"Draw my bath then. If I don't feel better, I will drag you into the Emerald Forest." Weiss threatened, "On the floor."

Ruby chuckled nervously, slipping off the bed to do as she was told. "Sure, princess."

After a bath, good breakfast, and a stretch, Weiss did feel better. Ruby was safe from the dragging on the forest floor.

Today was a nice cloudy day to walk around Vale for Ruby so she requested that they go out shopping. Weiss liked the idea of spending money and stocking her closet with better clothes than what she already had so she agreed.

So shopping they went. Yang joined them later in the day. Lunch and coffee were the breaks they took while they shopped for everything. Shoes, capes for Ruby (of course), dresses, pajamas, underwear, and accessories for their weapons and outfits. By sundown, they had filled the car with shopping bags, and Yang was exhausted with carrying them. Ruby was drinking and eating a lot by the time they finished.

"I am starving! Why does Ruby get to eat a lot?" Yang asked as she bought a huge sandwich to satiate her hunger even if only for a short while. Weiss had coffee in hand and Ruby had the same, looking at her direction.

"Why don't you get your own food? Ruby pays for her own." Weiss replied, sipping her coffee, brows raised, "Besides why are you here?"

Yang cleared her throat. "Ruby is my sister and she has been locked away for decades. Sorry for wanting to spend time with her."

That made sense to Weiss but, Ruby didn't seem to mind them both. She spent time with both equally yesterday but Yang seemed to be wanting more bonding time. That the heiress could see.

"Hey, no fighting kids." Ruby stood between the two of them before they could start. "Yang, how about I go with you tonight? Show me back home? Show my face to dad, and uncle?" She suggested.

Weiss found herself pouting. How many days are there before they head to Beacon? Shouldn't they be prepared in advance? Reading more about the advancement of the decades?

"That sounds awesome! Dad would flip!" Yang grinned, liking that suggestion from her sister. "How about you Weiss?"

"No, I'll be fine. Please, enjoy your stay there and bring a change of clothes with you. Just remember to get your things before classes on Monday, okay?" She chided, finishing her coffee.

Ruby sensed that something seems to be wrong with Weiss. Would she really let her go out of her sight this easily? Should she be worried about her? A week ago, Weiss wouldn't let her out of her sight like she was a child that needed constant catering and now, she's simply letting her go with Yang? Someone she didn't know until yesterday?

That seemed odd.

"Weiss, do you want me to go, or don't you?" Ruby asked.

Weiss looked up at her, brows scrunched. "Go with Yang. She's your sister! I can't keep you at home just because I have trust issues. I'm sure you are smart enough not to cause a fight."

Yang stared at the two, trying to watch and observe just what these two had. It's obvious that Weiss had used a lot of her time to help Ruby catch up, a lot of time to help and care for her, and Ruby seems to respond to it by spending time with Weiss. A lot of time with Weiss.

"You can come with us if you want," Yang suggested, taking a huge bite from her sandwich. "I'm sure my dad and uncle won't mind you."

Weiss couldn't impose that. It felt rude to intrude on their sibling time alone, much less their family time. "No, please bond. We'll be having a lot of time together at the mansion once school starts so don't worry about it. It's only right Ruby gets to visit home, right?"

Ruby couldn't agree more, but she was worried about Weiss. She has seen her alone in her study, reading and falling asleep, she had watched Weiss sit on her bed alone, answering calls from her father and trying to hide the fact that she took her in. Weiss may be cold and ruthless when it comes to imposing rules, but she has seen her alone and her eyes were filled with so much sadness whenever she was.

"Yes, of course. Well, if you insist." Yang shrugged, "But why do I feel like I'm taking candy away from a child?"

Weiss chuckled. "Oh no, don't think of it like that. I still have a lot to fix and organize before Monday so please, don't worry about it. Spend time with family, and Ruby, stay out of trouble!"

Yang and Ruby chuckled at her, smiling at her with such admiration. "Weiss, you're really sure?" Ruby asked, brows knitted together.

Weiss rolls her eyes. "Come on, Ruby. Get the clothes you bought, use those just and go! Jeez, you don't worry about me, I'm not a baby."

Ruby hopped off her seat and went to the car as instructed. "Okay, okay~"

Weiss sighed, finishing her coffee in silence. Yang watched her consume her concoction, taking in any little details she could. The earrings she wore were beautiful, clear crystals, her dress a white and gold dress that might be a little too much for an average person's day out on the town, but not for a Schnee. Her hair was done well in rings of alabaster, expertly applied makeup complimented her skin, clear and beautiful, but she looked absolutely distraught. Yang sat next to her and bought Weiss one more drink.

"You have no one else at home other than your maids and butlers, right?" She asked the ivory heiress who nodded in reply. "You won't be alone much longer really. My sister seems to really like you."

Weiss looked down into her glass, thinking about Yang's words. "I really don't want her to. It's not a good idea to be with a Schnee."

The blonde shrugged. "Seems like it is to me though. She's been around for a long time, she doesn't really make friends easily."

Weiss frowned. "She doesn't need me to be her friend. She'll be in trouble if my family finds out about her."

Yang sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Don't sell yourself short. You're already lacking in that department." She laughed, grinning at the white-haired girl.

Weiss chuckled, slapping Yang's arm playfully. "Hey! No need to state the obvious. We'll be seeing in the upcoming days. You must be ecstatic to have Ruby back at home, right? She hasn't been home for a long while."

The blonde girl sat, leaning against the table with a soft smile. Her eyes were bright just like a smile, twinkling with hope, and Weiss could tell that Yang was looking forward to this. Time with her sister that she no doubt missed dearly.

Speaking of sisters, she missed Winter. She'd grown serious over the years but she was still on her side. When their father came at her like a hot-headed bull, Winter was there to help her pull through. Weiss felt nostalgic upon the memories of her and her sister which made it harder to concentrate on something else.

Ruby came back with a few bags in hand, her cape with her and a noticeable Crescent Rose on her back. "I'm back! So, are we ready to go, Yang? I wanna make it to dinner so I can see the looks on Uncle Qrow's and dad's faces!" She enthused, smiling at her younger sibling.

Yang smiled, stepping away from the table. Weiss smiled up at the siblings but it was evident how distant she had become for a moment. She was thinking about something but Ruby knew they could discuss it later through messages.

"You enjoy, alright?" It was what Weiss wanted for Ruby. The family was important for anyone and it just reminded Weiss of a few things she'd never have. "Have fun~"

Ruby smiled wide, running to hug Weiss tight in her arms. "I'll be back! So don't be sad!" 'Impossible,' Weiss thought.

Just like that, the siblings left through the doors of the cafe. Weiss was left inside looking out with a sad smile and an aching heart. She craved that kind of bond the two had.

Another cup of coffee was served to her with cake and note written by Yang on a napkin. "You like her, don't you?"

Weiss laughed, amused tears in her eyes as she read it.