Characterisation B6C9

Willow shuddered visibly. "Weiss…"

"M-Mother," Weiss whispered. Her eyes were filled with grief. They flickered from Willow to me, my arm, and then back to Willow. She took a deep breath and let it go. "You're not my mother. My mother is dead. She was killed trying to avenge my father and brother's deaths. You are not her."

"It might be best for you to believe that," Willow said. "You won't be able to fight me properly otherwise."

[...]

"Oh, Jacques…" she went on, hardly even noticing Weiss' assault, and yet somehow still defending each blow. "The dreams we had. The plans we made. Everything. He was so ambitious, so adventurous, so driven. I was swallowed by his enthusiasm and by him whole." Willow smiled. "He loved you, of course. He spoke of you all the time, but to see you now, how Jacques would be proud. You've grown into a beautiful woman, Weiss. Beautiful, dependable and skilled. I couldn't ask for more."

"Rargh!" Weiss cut to the side, eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Her hand thrust out, but Willow caught and deflected it, causing the explosion of fire to boom behind her. Weiss panted for breath, teeth gritted together. "You are making it very hard for me to fight you."

Willow closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Weiss. It's hard to see you again and not say something. It's hard to see you, to have you here, and to not want to take advantage of this moment. The time that was stolen from us. I just want to hold you, to stroke your hair, and yet... that is taken from me. And speaking like this makes it no easier for you to do what must be done, does it? Please forgive me."

Weiss was crying now. "Always. I'll always forgive you."

I didn't know what to do. My heart broke,

Luckily, Weiss was stronger than I. "Jaune," she called, voice forceful. "Help me. The others are fighting Watts. They can keep him busy. We need to deal with this one."