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Opening her purse for what must be the tenth time, Weiss double and triple-checked the contents against her mental list.  Her identification cards, as much money as she’d felt comfortable pilfering out of sight, contact information, and the few family heirlooms she couldn’t bear to leave - a couple of family portraits and the mirror from her grandfather.  

After confirming she had everything she needed, she closed her bag and grabbed her favorite coat from the closet.  It joined her favorite outfit and her favorite shoes - the most comfortable ones, because she didn’t know how long it might be before she could buy new ones.  Hopefully not too long, but she had no idea what was in store for her once she left the house.

But she had to leave.  She had to try to find a better life.  Staying here meant accepting that this was the way things would always be, and she couldn’t accept that.  Not yet.  Not anymore.

So she took a deep breath, looked around her bedroom one last time, and left the room behind.  No sooner had she closed the door behind her did her heart start racing, and her palms were clammy by the time she made it to the top of the stairs.  If she thought too much about what she was about to do, she might not do it.

But the foyer was empty, so she tried not to overthink her actions while hurrying downstairs and making her way to the front door.

“Where are you going?”

The voice froze her in her tracks, and that was all it took for her heart to pound in fear.  Still, she forced a smile and turned towards her father, who stood in the doorway of the study - an empty glass in his hand that he was probably going to refill.  From the scowl on his lips and the thinly-veiled venom in his tone, he was in a bad mood.  

Knowing better than to test his patience when he was like this, she chose her words carefully and kept her tone as level as possible. 

“I thought I’d go downtown and do a little shopping today...I’ve been meaning to buy a new coat now that it’s colder.”

When his eyes narrowed at the lie, her worry returned.  If he said that she couldn’t leave, she couldn’t leave.  She would be forced back to her room for shelter, and she didn’t know when she’d find the courage to try this again.

“Be back in time for dinner.” 

Relief, and hope, flickered through her veins, but those feelings disappeared when she spotted the anger in his eyes.

“I will,” she replied while backing towards the door - backing away from his anger.  “I promise.” 

For one terrifying second, it felt like he could see right through her lie.  He even took a step forward and raised his glass as if ready to dispense punishment, but then a soft thump from upstairs drew his attention away.

“Goddammit, Willow!” he bellowed, making Weiss flinch while he stomped towards the staircase to find the source of the dreadful noise that just interrupted him.

Her heart went out to her mother, who was about to be on the receiving end of yet another firestorm, but she couldn’t stay.  Staying...trying to help...would only make it worse.  It would make him feel like they were ganging up on him, and his response to that was always...much worse.

Intervening wouldn’t help.  Now, her best chance of helping rested in...leaving. 

“Where are you going?” 

Turning towards the question, she sighed when Whitley peeked out of the kitchen before hesitantly walking over to her.

“I’m going shopping,” she repeated as innocently as possible.  “Looking for a new coat.” 

“Didn’t you just get a new coat?” 

“Yes...but it's not as comfortable as I’d hoped.” 

As much as she hated lying to him, she had to maintain the lie.  If Father found out...

Hearing him shouting at someone upstairs, she and Whitley turned towards the staircase with apprehension and worry for what came next.  Would their mother bear the brunt of that ire, as usual?  Or would it spill over to them soon?

“Can I come with you?” 

Ordinarily, Weiss would bring him along so they could both get out of the house and be spared the yelling.  Today, however, she couldn’t risk it.  

“Not today, Whitley,” she said, shaking her head and backing towards the door.  “I think I just want to spend the time alone.” 

His naivety had disappeared with age, so that response only partially worked on him.  He didn’t know why he couldn’t come, but he knew that was a lie.  And the look he gave her - part sadness, part betrayal - broke her heart.

“Ok, then...I’ll see you for dinner.” 

“Right.”  She nodded and attempted one more smile, only to feel a tug at her heart when he gave her another sad look.  “Don’t look so sad,” she told him before pulling him into a hug and holding on for a little longer than usual before backing away.

“I’ll see you for dinner,” she repeated, and waited for him to nod before hurrying out into the cold.  Her heart was heavy, and she briefly considered just going shopping like she said.  Then she would be home for dinner.  Then the three of them could continue suffering together.

When she slipped into the car waiting in the driveway for her, however, she realized that she couldn’t go back.  She’d already made it this far - she had to keep going.

“Where to, Miss?”

With one last glance towards Schnee Manor - the frozen mansion where she’d spent the entirety of her life - she took a deep breath to calm her nerves.

“The fairgrounds,” she answered, only for her heart to race when the car rolled out of the driveway and left her home behind.

While the streets of Atlas slipped by outside the window, she pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and carefully unfolded it across her lap.  It was a wanted ad - she’d found it the other day while walking around downtown, delaying her arrival home for as long as possible.

The Illusion - that magical, unorthodox event everyone loved so much - was looking to hire anyone with an extraordinary talent.  They were looking for new performers and encouraged everyone to apply.  The advertisement promised free room and board, travel around the globe, and the opportunity to join The Illusion’s ‘family.’

It sounded adventurous but, most importantly, it sounded like an escape.

The decision hadn’t been made lightly but, at the end of the day, she needed to get out of Atlas.  If she started making money on her own, and built a life for herself, she could escape her father - just like Winter did.  But, unlike Winter, Weiss would go back for them - her mom and brother.  

Chances were they wouldn’t want to leave...because who wanted to leave behind a life of luxury?

They lived in luxury, but it was rotten to the core.  If they’d realized that, just like she had, then maybe they would agree to give it all up.  To start over - to start with nothing - but still have each other.

She would at least offer them an escape.  Whether or not they took it was up to them.  But it all started with today, with this opportunity.

Spotting the fabled red tent in the distance, she took another deep breath and clutched her hands in her lap.  So much rested on this moment, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.  At the same time, she felt strangely...free.  

This was the first act of defiance she’d ever taken against her father, and she hoped it would also be the last.

“Please wait here,” she instructed the driver once the vehicle stopped near the edge of the fairgrounds.  After stepping into the cold, she looked at the tent, which was even bigger than she remembered it, and took a deep breath before walking towards it.  Her nerves grew with every step, and she clasped her hands together to keep them from shaking, but her determination didn’t falter.

“Excuse me,” she called out to the first person she saw - a girl around her age with short green hair and sharp red eyes.  “I’d like to speak to someone about a potential job.”  When she held up the advertisement, those red eyes flashed towards it before a smile appeared.

“You’re here to audition?” 

“Yes, please.” 

After an intent, borderline judgmental look, the girl motioned for Weiss to follow her.  “Cinder’s in charge of auditions,” she explained as they walked into the tent, where several other workers rushed around, probably getting ready for the show that night.  “Let’s see if she’s free.” 

Weiss nodded at the response, but her gaze flitted from side-to-side taking in the sights and sounds around her.  She’d seen the event before - many times, actually - but this was her first look behind the scenes.  It looked like utter chaos, but she could get used to that.

“Excuse me,” someone said while shoving an entire cartload of weapons past.  Her eyes followed the strange sight away, only to put that strange sight out of her mind when the girl nodded towards one of the nearby rooms.  Even though her nerves announced themselves loudly when she realized the moment was almost upon her, she didn’t hesitate while following her escort inside.

“Cinder,” the girl called out, and a woman with dark brunette hair looked up from her conversation with another young girl.

“What is it?”

“She wants to audition.”  Weiss’ escort gave a slightly dismissive wave before falling into a seat on the sofa, but the brunette - Cinder, she’d been called - gave Weiss an intently judging look.

“What’s your gift?”

“I can sing.” 

Cinder scoffed in amusement while the girl beside her rolled her eyes, but Weiss had expected that response.  Anyone could be taught to sing - she knew that.  But she also knew that her way of singing was...different.

“Sorry, we’re not interested.” 

“But you haven’t even heard me.” 

Fortunately, Cinder sensed that Weiss wouldn’t leave without the chance to truly audition, so she sighed and lazily waved for Weiss to continue.

“Fine,” she added, though the flash in her eyes suggested her patience was already thin.  “You have one minute.”

That was more than enough time for Weiss, who seized the first song that popped into her head and began singing.  She started with something melancholy - a mood that reflected her current predicament - before moving into a more hopeful tune.  As her emotions shifted, she watched Cinder’s gaze change - from disinterest to rabid interest in the blink of an eye.

The longer Weiss sang, the more their expressions changed.  They felt her hopefulness for a better future, then her calm and acceptance with the sacrifices she would have to make to get there, before finally experiencing her passion and desire to create a better life for herself and for those closest to her.  With each note, they leaned closer and, by the end of the song, she knew their tune had changed.

Her voice used to soothe her father.  It helped calm him down, especially when he became the type of angry that led to violence.  Over time, however, he’d learned what she was doing.  Now, if she dared try to sing - or even let a fraction of a note slip into her voice - she risked a swift rebuke.

When no one in the room spoke for a long time, she eventually cleared her throat to speak.  

“What do you think?”

Her question snapped her audience out of their trances, and they exchanged glances before Cinder turned towards her with a growing smile.

“I think we just found our main event.”

“Really?” the girl who led Weiss here asked, and Cinder nodded.  For some reason, her smile filled Weiss with apprehension.  So much so that she took a step away from the intimidating posture. 

“The Illusion has to pick that voice as the headliner,” Cinder continued in her low, confident drawl.  “People would come back night-after-night just to hear it.”  When Cinder stood and walked over to Weiss, Weiss did her best not to back any further away.

“Every other act we have is something you watch,” Cinder explained.  “Something you see.  But this...this is something you feel.  And I’ve never felt anything like it before.”

“How would we even do that though?” the other girl asked, and Cinder smirked.

“We have the perfect setup.”  Cinder glanced towards the only other person in the room, who’d remained silent the entire time.  Now, however, she smiled and nodded.  “So yes.”  Returning her gaze to Weiss, Cinder smiled and extended her hand.  “We’d like to make you an offer.”

Weiss nearly backed away from the contact, but she’d already come this far.  She was so close.  She couldn’t get scared and give up now.

So she accepted Cinder’s handshake.  As soon as their hands touched, however, Cinder held on tightly.

“Don’t worry - I don’t think it hurts.” 

“What are you doing?”  When Weiss tried to pull her hand free, Cinder refused to let go.  Her fingers only gripped harder into Weiss’ hand, holding on painfully tight while she struggled to get away.  “Let go of me!” she shouted, trying to shove Cinder away and free her hand at the same time.

Just as panic set in, a sharp pain raced through her veins - sharp enough to make her cringe and temporarily cease her struggle.  But the feeling disappeared just as quickly as it appeared, leaving only a memory as Cinder smirked and finally let go.

“What the hell was that?” Weiss yelled at them, but didn’t wait for a response before racing out of the room.  Their laughter followed her as she ran back into the hall, her eyes searching wildly in all directions before spotting an older gentleman pushing a mop and bucket nearby.

“Sir!” she called out, waving her hand while rushing over to him.  “Those people back there just...attacked me!”  She pointed in the direction of the room, but he glanced that way and gave her a confused look.

“Miss, are you ok?” 

“Something’s wrong with them!” she added, only to realize that she heard nothing when she said the words.  “Can you hear me?” she tried again, but she couldn’t hear herself.

She couldn’t hear herself.  

“Hello?” she added, but he looked at her for a few more seconds before shaking his head and pushing the bucket away.

Another wicked laugh reached her ears then, sending shock and fear through her veins as she turned and locked gazes with Cinder.  Cinder, meanwhile, smiled and held up a necklace for her to see.  Dangling on the end of that necklace was a crystal, and that crystal was a shade of blue eerily similar to Weiss’ eyes.

“You -” Weiss began but again, no sound emerged from her lips.  “You stole my voice?” she tried regardless, only for Cinder to shake her head and make a tsking sound.

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?” Cinder replied before handing the necklace to one of her companions and sending Weiss a nonchalant wave.  “I think that’s a fair deal.”

When the girl with green hair gave Weiss a menacing scowl and flashed a blade for her to see, she understood what Cinder was actually saying.  Still, she stood there, frozen in horror, and could think of nothing to do but stare as they walked away.  

It wasn’t much longer before tears filled her eyes, and spilled over as her heart succumbed to despair.

“Hey, are you ok?”

Hearing the concern directed her way, she turned and ran out of the tent as fast as her legs allowed.  Tears streamed down her cheeks, as pain and anguish replaced her naive hopes and dreams.  She didn’t know what happened, but she felt the loss now - like a piece of herself was missing.  Like part of what made her whole had been torn from her.

She didn’t look back while racing away from the big, red tent that was supposed to be her solution.  Her way out of Atlas.  Her escape.  

Instead...her greatest gift was stolen from her.

And she was going to be late for dinner.

***

‘So I went home,’ Weiss wrote as her story came to an end.  ‘But I visit The Illusion when it’s in town...to hear my voice again...’

Moving her hand off of the paper, she turned to the side and watched emotions race through Ruby’s expressive silver eyes.  Shock, sadness, anger, confusion...it looked like Ruby felt a little of everything while processing Weiss’ story.

“Cinder...stole...your voice?”  The incredulity in Ruby’s tone added to Weiss’ growing concern, but she hesitantly nodded in return.  She knew how outlandish it sounded - she’d met the same disbelief when she mustered the courage to report what happened to the authorities.

Someone stole her voice and trapped it in a necklace - why would anyone ever believe that?  Most people just thought she was faking it.  That she decided she’d had enough and decided to pretend she lost her voice.

They laughed her out of the station, but this was Ruby.  This was the girl who Weiss had spent countless hours writing letters to, and countless nights reading and rereading the responses.  More than anyone else, Weiss needed Ruby to believe her.

“I -” Ruby said before scoffing and shaking her head.  Weiss’ heart ached at the response, and she began to wonder if she should have said anything at all.  She could have made up a lie - some medical problem that prevented her from speaking - but she knew how Ruby felt about Cinder.  So she just thought...maybe mistakenly...that Ruby would believe her.

“That’s…”  

Stupid?  Ludicrous?  Impossible?  She’d heard all of those before, but didn’t know if she could bear to hear it from one of her favorite people in the world.  From the person who made her feel so alive during a time she felt so alone.  From the person who’d stolen her heart by listening to her when no one else would.

So when Ruby met her gaze, she tried not to get her hopes up.  She’d only been disappointed before.

“That’s why your eyes look so familiar…” Ruby finally whispered.

Just like that, relief rushed through Weiss’ veins.  Relief, and an unmistakable joy to be sitting here with Ruby, who was amazing and remarkable in more ways than she gave herself credit for.

“I can’t believe them,” Ruby added, as the sadness in her eyes morphed into something closer to anger.  “They’ve always been mean, but this?”  She briefly set her hand on top of Weiss’, causing Weiss’ heart to jump in the process.  “This is too far,” she continued unaware, turning to the side and biting her lip in thought.

Just watching Ruby work through the situation put a small smile on Weiss’ lips - especially when Ruby’s brow furrowed with a thought.

She was cute.  Possibly even cuter than Weiss had expected, though she’d expected someone fairly cute based on how Ruby expressed her views of the world.  Plus, she had what could only be described as ‘cutely messy’ handwriting, which Weiss had grown to adore with each letter.  And now, with Weiss’ big secret finally out in the open, they could - 

“I’m going to get your voice back.” 

Weiss hardly had time to process the statement before Ruby stood up, but she quickly reached over to grab Ruby’s wrist.

‘No,’ she mouthed with a shake of her head, but Ruby was already nodding.

“I’m getting your voice back,” she repeated.  “I don’t care what they try to do to me.  I don’t care.  I’m getting your voice back so you can live how you want to live.” 

When she tried to pull her wrist free, however, Weiss tightened her grip.

‘No,’ she mouthed again, but Ruby looked set on following through with this idea.

It was a horrible idea, and Weiss needed to tell her as much.  So with one hand still clutching Ruby’s wrist, afraid that Ruby might take off if she managed to slip free, Weiss motioned towards the paper laying on the table.  

Fortunately, Ruby caved and reluctantly returned to her seat, though she sat on the edge as if she might bolt at any second.  Sensing that she was still determined to embark on this quest, Weiss kept ahold of her wrist with one hand and used her other to begin writing.

‘It’s not worth it,’ she wrote quickly, unsure of how long she had to make her case.  ‘I’m fine - I’m still alive - and they’re dangerous.  I can’t let you take that risk for me.”

As much as her heart swooned at Ruby’s response, which went far beyond the simple belief she’d hoped for, she silently pleaded Ruby to drop this crusade.  It wasn’t worth it.  She’d learned to live without her voice - she’d learned to survive without her voice - and she’d learned to thrive by letting Ruby into her life.  Now, she couldn’t risk something happening to Ruby because of her.

Unfortunately, Ruby looked more determined than ever.

“Don’t you understand...?”  When Ruby slowly pulled her wrist free, worry sprang into Weiss’ veins.  But Ruby didn’t try to leave.  Instead, she turned her hand around and gently intertwined their fingers.  This was something Weiss had imagined hundreds of times, but she hadn’t dared wish for it to happen.

Now, feeling Ruby’s soft hand against her own, her heart fluttered in her chest.  

“I like you so much,” Ruby whispered, only adding to the abundance of feelings Weiss couldn’t hope to escape.  “I’ve never met someone like you,” Ruby added.  “And I want to do this for you.”

With that confession hanging in the air, Ruby held Weiss’ gaze and silently asked Weiss to believe her.  And why wouldn’t Weiss believe her?

They might have just met, but they’d exchanged letters for months.  They’d shared their most personal thoughts, fears, and hopes.  They knew each other probably as good, if not better, than anyone else in their lives.

They might have just met, but they already knew each other.  At least, that’s how Weiss felt, as she stared at their joined hands for several long seconds before reaching for the pen.

‘I like you too.’  That was an admission she would only make to Ruby, but she couldn’t let these emotions blind them to the very real dangers facing them.  

‘Which is why I don’t want you to do this,’ she added immediately after, but Ruby hardly looked at the words.

“You like me,” she said instead as a big, unstoppable grin settled on her lips.  When Weiss pointedly tapped the second sentence, Ruby shook her head.  “Sorry, I can’t read that.” 

‘Ruby,’ Weiss mouthed before reaching for the pen, only to blink in surprise when Ruby grabbed the paper and stood up.

“You like me,” she repeated, sounding like she would never grow tired of hearing those words out loud. 

This was a horrible time not to be able to talk, especially when Ruby just took her only other means of conversation.

‘Ruby, please.’  When Weiss stood up and signed the words, Ruby moved safely out of her reach.  ‘We don’t know what they might do,’ she continued even though Ruby couldn’t understand what she was saying.  ‘If something happens to you, I’ll never be able to live with myself.’

“I’ll learn to sign if I have to,” Ruby replied with a confident smile.  “But I’m getting your voice back.”  When Weiss shook her head, Ruby nodded.  “I am.”  

Before Weiss could even react, Ruby stepped forward, kissed her cheek, and backed away with an even bigger smile.

“I’ll talk to you later,” she added before hurrying away, leaving Weiss frozen to that spot on the patio.  After racing across the street, Ruby glanced over her shoulder and smiled when she caught Weiss’ gaze.  Weiss, meanwhile, watched in a state of shock and disbelief while Ruby disappeared from view.  

Her cheek tingled where Ruby just kissed her, and the hopeless, happy feeling such a quick gesture filled her with convinced her that she couldn’t give up.

As much as she would love to have her voice back...Ruby was far more important to her. 

Comments

Anonymous

Aww, Ruby's so smooth lol. I wonder who are Cinder's next targets since she has at least 2 more of those necklaces according to Oscar. Speaking of Oscar, this explains why Whitley answers the door each time he delivers a letter and his comment that Weiss never says anything to him makes more sense. Also, that was an excellent scene with Whitley since they actually feel like siblings. Would you mind clearing up how long ago was the flashback compared to the current story?

Raven2313

If ruby wasnt reckless for weiss’ sake, it wouldn’t be ruby at all. Get em girl!!!

NeurovascularEntrapta

Sooo I’m thinking that Cinder’s weird necklaces allow her to steal a person’s “gift” or magic ability. Maybe Ruby isn’t actually a late bloomer, and Cinder’s just been holding her gift hostage all this time.

mikotyzini

It's purposefully vague so that we don't have to deal with timeline inconsistencies, but I'd say it's been at least a year up to a few