Beyond The Stables (ch7)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS! THANK YOU!

Ruby and Weiss are finally going to have their first riding session. How will it go?

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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												Chapter 7. Midnight Ride

The following day seemed to drag for Weiss, more slowly than any day she could ever recall living through before.

She knew it was because of the fact that tonight she would be making her first ever attempt at riding, so the anticipation was slowing down the felt time to keep her away from that event for as long as possible.

She was admittedly distracted all day with thoughts of what was to come that night, even to the point where her instructors would occasionally ask her to focus on the lectures.

At lunch time, Weiss finished her assignments for the first half of the morning with time to spare, so she took her sandwich and her bottle of water down to the corral.

Ruby was already there, watching the horses and their trainers. The second she saw Weiss approaching, Ruby jumped dow from her perch on the fence and beckoned her over, looking flustered rather than excited.

"Weiss! C'mere, look!"

Weiss hurried over, not sure what to expect, but what she did end up seeing mad her angry.

Several people were attempting to bring Zuri into the corral. Weiss realized her father was standing nearby, observing the ordeal. She suddenly understood that he was giving the stallion one final chance, but if her father didn't like what he saw here today, the horse's fate would be sealed.

And Weiss knew for a fact that her father wouldn't see what he wanted to see.

Because these people were handling the horse all wrong. He only had the reins on his head, and they'd wrapped black cloth over his eyes to keep him from panicking. One young man was carrying a large brown saddle, and he made an attempt to place it over the stallion's back.

"No-!"

Weiss and Ruby both whimpered in unison as they predicted what was going to happen.

Sure enough, the stallion bucked a bit, sending up a flurry of dust and earning surprised shouts all around. He shook the saddle off and beat his hooves into the dirt repeatedly, snorting and grunting.

Weiss felt her heart seize as she looked to her father. He was shaking his head, and then said something to the man beside him. The other people gathered up the fallen saddle and led the flustered stallion back to the stables, and Weiss watched as her father headed off in the opposite direction.

When it was all over, the reality sunk in and hit harder than it ever had before.

They... didn't have a lot of time.

Weiss put a hand to her forehead and sighed, trying to keep her emotions in check and the tears at bay. A gentle pat on the back from Ruby didn't make her feel as good as she knew it should've, but at the very least it confirmed she wasn't in this alone.

"Hey..." Ruby murmured. "Weiss, we're still going to help him, remember? These guys don't know what they're doing, but we do. Don't forget you're going to ride him tonight."

Last night, it had been Ruby who had been having second thoughts about all of this, and Weiss had been the one to convince her to go through with it. And now that it was Weiss who was having second thoughts, Ruby was the one giving her that little push she needed to keep going.

Weiss flashed a glance to her side and offered a faint smile.

"You're right. I made a commitment. I made a promise."

Ruby checked to make sure no straying eyes were upon them before she pulled Weiss into a brief embrace.

After that, they tried to go about having lunch as per usual, leaning against the white fence and watching the riding lessons. Ruby changed the topic of conversation into an unexpected one for sure.

"Hey, Weiss. Have you ever heard a coyote before?"

Weiss finished swallowing her bite of the sandwich and gave her a puzzled look.

"Not that I can recall. Why do you ask?"

"Well, they've been saying there's a pack wandering around in the woods back there. Last night I heard a bunch of weird noises echoing down and I had no idea what it was at the time. But when I asked around this morning, that's what everyone said."

"I see," Weiss murmured. "Well, we've never had an issue with them in the past. There's plenty of security and such to fend off pesky humans, let alone a few stray dogs."

"Yeah! I was just thinking last night... when I heard them making all those creepy noises, how-" But Ruby quickly cut herself off, slapping a palm to her mouth. "I-I mean, n-never mind."

"Hm? Come now, Ruby. You can't just stop there." Weiss inched a bit closer to her, until their shoulders brushed. "Tell me."

Ruby turned her face away to hide a slight blush.

"I was just... thinking how nice it might've been to um... to maybe not be alone at night. That's all..."

Weiss blinked, then chuckled a bit.

"You do have a cabin to sleep in, you know."

"I know," Ruby mumbled. "That's not what I meant, b-but it's okay! Just forget I ever said anything!" she squeaked.

Weiss nodded, resting her forehead briefly against the brunette's.

They finished their lunches and headed back to their respective tasks for the remainder of the day.

When suppertime rolled around, Weiss had already managed to finish her assignments, so from then on it was a waiting game.

As soon as she heard her father's door close that night, Weiss headed out early, slipping through and out of the mansion unnoticed.

She arrived earlier than expected, and found Ruby dozing on her favorite hay bail. Weiss didn't wake her right away, but rather watched her fondly, wanting to allow her a few more minutes of sleep before they'd have to start their training.

Weiss stepped lightly as she crossed the floor of the stall, and she managed to sit down on the hay where Ruby was lying on her back.

Reaching down, Weiss curled the tips of her nails through the girl's bangs, the pads of her fingers tracing her cheeks. Then, Weiss leaned down to wake her with a kiss.

She felt Ruby gasp onto her lips as she was pulling away, and Weiss quickly pressed a finger to the girl's lips to silence her.

"Surprise," she winked. "I'm here early."

Ruby's eyes flashed brightly at the sight of her and a smile split her lips. She shot up and hugged Weiss tightly, nuzzling affectionately into her shoulder as she greeted her.

But they both knew they had other things to do right now.

They headed to the storage room, where each of them picked out a bridle, but only Ruby took a saddle.

When they went to the horses, Ruby was sure to help Weiss with Zuri, patting his shoulder to keep him calm as Weiss slipped and fastened the bridle into place.

But the stallion was used to the bridle being followed by a saddle, and in an effort to avoid the potential of the latter being placed on him, he charged Weiss a few steps. Weiss jumped back and put her hands up.

"Easy, boy," she murmured. "I'm not going to put that dirty thing on your back." She motioned Ruby to move aside, and instead, Weiss ran her bare hands over the stallion's spine, back and forth. "See? No saddle for you. I promise."

When he realized there wasn't going to be anything thrown onto his back, the horse seemed to relax a bit. Once he'd calmed down, Ruby stepped forward and took Weiss' wrist, bringing her back a few steps.

"Are you okay?" she checked. "He didn't hit you, did he?"

"I'm fine, Ruby."

Weiss knew the girl was only concerned for her wellbeing and didn't mean to make the stallion out to be a villain as everyone else seemed to think he was. But Weiss knew better; he was merely misunderstood and treaded a slightly different path that what the "good" horses trotted.

After that, Ruby instructed Weiss to stay in the stallion's pen and keep ahold of his reins.

In the meantime, Ruby took the other bridle and the saddle she'd selected and hurried off to Ebony's stall. The mare nickered happily at the sight of her, and Ruby slipped inside and hugged her neck in greeting.

She'd only ever saddled a horse a few times in the two years she'd been working here, but she'd seen it done enough times to make her performance now last no longer than a minute. She fastened the straps and buckles beneath the black mare's belly, then pulled the bridle on over her head.

"Good girl!" Ruby cooed, taking hold of the reins.

She slid open the door, then peered outside. Weiss was standing at Zuri's stall, waiting for her cue. With a nod, Ruby stepped out, leading Ebony with her. Weiss did the same, guiding the bareback stallion from his pen.

Ruby waited as Weiss brought him toward her. Ebony stretched her neck out to sniff the white horse as he was brought up beside her. Weiss could instantly see the stallion's demeanor change, his shoulders becoming a bit less tense. It was nerve-racking for him to be taken out of his pen at such an odd hour, but the mare's presence served to make things better, as Ruby had predicted.

The two girls waited for a moment as the horses greeted one another, and then it was time to move.

"I'll go first," Ruby muttered. "If anyone gets caught, it's gonna be me."

She led Ebony to the end of the stables, then paused. Ruby was more than familiar with where the guards were posted, and not many were positioned near the abandoned corral since it was no longer of importance. The only risk would be getting the horses over a dozen or so feet of open dirt to reach the pathway.

Ruby waited, keeping the mare behind her in the stables, until she spotted the two guards on-duty nearby. They appeared to be conversing together, carefree at their posts atop one of the worker's cabins.

Ruby held her breath, then made her move.

She pulled Ebony along with her, and Weiss was ready to move right behind them. She led Zuri out as well, and together, the two horses and humans crossed the open space without a hitch before the bushes and shrubs lining the old, beaten path provided shelter.

The night cloaked them well, though there was the distant glow of some of the lights on the property, as well as the silver moonlight above to see by.

Weiss and Ruby both let out sighs of relief and remembered to breathe again.

From then on, it was just a 2-minute walk to a fenced-in corral of open space.

Weiss had never had business being down here before, but she could see why it was an architectural fluke. It was less than half the size of the main corral where lessons were held now, and with the number of students, instructors, and horses they had, a much larger space than the one before Weiss now was certainly required.

But this corral was like a blessing for Ruby and herself now, for all intents and purposes. There was even a hurdle near the center, and although Weiss could tell it was broken, it would still serve its purpose.

Ruby paused at the gate and unlocked it, then weaved herself and her horse through it and into the open corral. Weiss followed her lead, falling back to lock the gate behind Zuri after he'd gotten through.

Once she was inside, it was like being in another world.

Weiss had only ever been on the inside of a corral a few times in her life, and that had only been to stand with her father or watch others ride.

But now, it was her turn to ride.

The realization hit her like a galloping horse might. Weiss was finally going to live her dream.

But first, Ruby beckoned her over.

"Let me help you with mounting," she said. "It'll be tough without a saddle."

Weiss nodded, noticing her heart was pounding in anticipation. She followed Ruby's instructions as the stablehand held onto the stallion's reins and got down on one knee.

Weiss reached up around the horse's neck as best she could. She stepped on Ruby's knee to help boost herself up, then managed to slide one leg over his back. Her fingers gripped his mane - a mane she herself had combed and ensured to be spotless.

Slowly, Weiss straightened her posture, testing the friction beneath her thighs. She was certain that having a saddle between herself and the horse would've made it much easier to get a grip on him, but as things were now, his fur was sleek and slippery. Weiss shifted until she found a better position.

She and Ruby both had half expected the stallion to protest being mounted. But he seemed rather unaffected by Weiss' weight on his back.

It was a big step forward, that was for sure.

"Easy..." Ruby mumbled to him, just for good measure. Slowly, she handed Weiss the reins. "Okay. Now if he starts to move, just pull him back. Don't start moving until I'm up, too."

Weiss nodded, her heart still thudding in her chest. She still couldn't believe she'd made it this far without falling off or being tossed.

It certainly wouldn't have been much of a challenge for the stallion. If he'd wanted to get rid of her, he easily could have done so by now.

She could feel the sheer power of the animal beneath her – taut, rippling muscles beneath sleek, coarse fur. There was a lot to observe about someone else riding a horse, but even more when it was she herself who was riding. She could feel every twitch of his body, notice every flick of his tail, every jerk of his head.

Weiss stilled herself and closed her eyes, trying to focus on the stallion. She wanted to form that bond, that connection between horse and rider, that link Zuri had never gotten the chance to form in the past with anyone else.

Weiss was determined to be successful with it. She had to be.

She could definitely sense something in him. He was standing still just as she intended him to.

Experimentally, Weiss loosened her grip on the reins just a bit. The horse took a step forward, but when she tightened her grip, he stopped again. A surge of excitement went through her, and Weiss wondered if he could feel it as well.

By the time she'd opened her eyes again, Ruby had mounted Ebony. This was also her first time riding, but she already looked like a natural, proud and eager.

"Okay!" she called over to Weiss. "Let's just try walk them a bit. Just a few laps around the corral."

Weiss gave a nod, then loosened the reins.

It was a bit too much at first, as Zuri started to trot a bit quickly. Weiss gave a slight tug to slow him down, then guided him into a walk.

Ruby gave a small kick to Ebony's flank to get her going, moving her beside Zuri. The mare's presence once again calmed down the hyper young stallion, and he didn't try to bolt anymore.

Weiss was sure to pet him all the while, offering praise in a soft tone. Ruby did the same, enjoying the feeling of being up so high, feeling the horse moving beneath her. Her hips instantly got used to the swaying motions, the slight bobbing up and down as they moved. Ebony's fur was tinted silver beneath the moonlight, and when she glanced to Zuri, his white coat seemed to glow a bit.

But her eyes were naturally drawn to Weiss, and that's where they stayed.

Her ponytail looked exactly like its namesake, sparkling with starlight as it flowed out behind her. Her pale skin was aglow, and her blue eyes shimmered.

Ruby's heart lifted simply at the sight of Weiss living her dream.

Every breath Weiss took was excited and enthralled, every movement she made almost seemed ethereal. She was enchanting to say the very least.

Ruby kept their horses close together as they lapped the ring once, then twice. Zuri never acted up or did anything Weiss didn't permit him to.

Ruby was almost convinced she was watching a different horse. She was nothing short of astounded at the difference the lack of a saddle made for him.

But most of all, she was proud of Weiss for giving him this chance to shine, for believing in him and for risking herself for his sake.

They only walked that night, occasionally turning the horses around so Weiss could get the feel of changing directions. Ruby could tell the other girl was good at steering just by the way her elbows moved. All it took was a slight tug to turn a horse around, and Weiss did nothing excessive in order to do so.

They talked quietly together, first about the horses as Ruby shared tips for riding.

But as the night went on, their conversations took on a more carefree tone.

They talked about how they'd ride together like this from now on every night, and eventually during the day as well.

This was all they needed to show Weiss' father in order to convince him not to euthanize the stallion.

They'd very nearly reached their goal.

"The sooner we show him, the better," Weiss declared.

"Right! Do you think you want to do it tomorrow?"

Weiss was silent as she thought for a moment.

"Perhaps the day after," she decided. "I want to ride Zuri for one more night, just to be certain tonight wasn't a fluke."

"Yeah. Got'cha."

That was a better idea. Riding him again tomorrow would prove that Weiss could ride him anytime, and hadn't just happened to luck out tonight.

The moon had shifted overhead by now, and Ruby eventually brought Ebony to a halt.

"We should head back," she said.

Weiss had been lost in a trance until now, and Ruby's voice pulled her out of it. She seemed to realize just how long they'd been at this, and Weiss stopped her horse as well.

"You're right," she sighed.

"Don't worry. We'll do it again tomorrow night!"

Weiss smiled and gave a nod.

Ruby dismounted first, landing in the dirt with a thud as dust floated up around her boots. Weiss slipped off shortly afterward, then took hold of the reins.

They walked the horses out of the corral, and once more, Ruby took the lead back to the stables. They all passed by under the guards' radar once more, and made it safely back to the stables.

The girls put their horses back into their respective stalls, removed the equipment, and met back in the storage room to put everything away.

Once they'd finished and stepped back out into the main hall, Weiss pulled Ruby into a fervent hug.

"Thank you, Ruby!" she whispered. "That... That was just... so incredible... I was magical," she sighed.

Ruby happily squeezed her back, nestling her face into the crook of Weiss' neck.

"It really was! I've never had so much fun before, especially not from breaking rules!"

"Me either," Weiss chuckled.

Silence fell for a moment, and Ruby closed her eyes, breathing in Weiss' scent. She turned her head to one side, and her ear picked up on the faint pulse of Weiss' heart, still fast and excited. The white-haired girl spoke again before long.

"We've really done it," she said. "We've done it, Ruby. All it took was a bit of understanding and tossing aside the saddle. I can't believe no one has ever bothered to work with him like this before."

"I guess no one even considered it," Ruby shrugged. "At this ranch, we only teach and ride with saddles. I don't think any of the professionals ever considered bareback for him." She pulled back a few inches to look up into Weiss' eyes. "That's why you're so incredible, Weiss. No one else ever thought to do that. No one else ever cared enough to give him another chance. But you did."

She kissed Weiss softly, almost like a silent "thank you" for all she had done, for her courage in her intentions to confront her father.

Weiss hummed against her lips, then brushed her nose to Ruby's cheek.

Ruby would've loved to continue with this, but she needed to take a step back.

"Waaah, sorry, Weiss! All that bouncing around on the horse did me in. Nature calls! I'll be right back!"

With that, Ruby scurried off toward the workers' cabin and disappeared inside. Weiss chuckled and rolled her eyes.

She retreated to the pen Ruby slept in and sat down on the hay bail beside the red blanket there. She closed her eyes, only intending to nap for a moment...

When Ruby returned, she was confused when she didn't find Weiss where she'd left her in the hall.

"Did she go back to the mansion?" she pouted. "I didn't get to say goodnight..."

Ruby trudged back to her vacant pen and nearly stumbled at the sight before her.

Weiss was there, sitting on the hay bail, slumped lightly against the wall – undoubtedly asleep. Ruby smiled and tiptoed in to take a seat beside her. She pulled Weiss close to her, letting the girl rest her head on Ruby's shoulder rather than the hard wooden wall. Ruby rested her chin atop Weiss' head and rubbed her back softly, feeling each and every breath as it entered and left her body.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, until Ruby could feel herself slipping. It was then she made an effort to rouse Weiss, shaking her shoulder gently.

"Weiss? Hey... I think you should go back now."

Weiss stirred a bit, but didn't open her eyes.

"Mn..." she rasped. "No... it's okay. I'll stay here, Ruby..."

The brunette's eyes went wide.

"Huh? No, Weiss you gotta go back inside! You can't sleep here!"

It was only then Weiss opened her eyes, meeting Ruby's gaze.

"It's all right," she mumbled. "I want to stay here with you tonight. I don't think I'd be able to-" A yawn interrupted her before she went on. "I don't think I'd be able to make it back on my own. And you're too exhausted to carry me. So I'll just... stay here with you." She leaned back into Ruby's side. "And besides... you said you didn't want to be alone..."

Ruby knew she'd been found out, and she couldn't find any more reason to protest.

"A-All right..." she whispered. "I'll wake you up early though so you can get back to your room before your dad gets up."

Weiss nodded and gave a small hum.

"Thank you, Ruby..."

After that, Weiss was silent and still.

Carefully, Ruby laid the girl down on the bed of hay bails, smoothing out the sharper sticks to keep them away from Weiss' face. She rolled Weiss onto her back and pulled her ponytail over the front of her shoulder, so her hair wouldn't get tangled in the hay.

Ruby laid down beside her, unfolding her blanket and draping it over the both of them. Gently, she laid her head down over the older girl's collar, using Weiss' heartbeat as her pillow.

It was immensely comforting for her after two years of sleeping alone.

Even if coyotes started to howl that night, Ruby wouldn't have minded.

Just two more days and they'd have all of this sorted out for good.

Ruby pressed close to Weiss' warmth, wrapping her arms around the girl as she sighed. She took in the smell of hay and grass mixed with Weiss' natural scent, and the result had her drifting off within seconds.

The night swept over them, casting dusty moonbeams through the rafters to shine down on the two girls.

Before long, dawn would break, but for now they slept without a care in the world.

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A/N: Success! Weiss managed to ride Zuri without a hitch! Soon she and Ruby can reveal everything to Weiss' father!