Silver Lining (ch1)

This is an idea I'd been wanting to do since the Brunswick Farm episodes, and what I originally thought the Apathy was going to be doing to claim victims. Since it isn't what ended up happening, I decided to write it myself.

This is also a commission for ChuckleBrotherz! Thank you as always!!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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													 	Silver Lining

													Chapter 1. The Shadows

Ever since they'd left Brunswick Farms, Ruby hasn't been able to shake the feeling that something isn't right. Just about every time she blinks, she imagines she can still see those hellish figures with burning red orbs, gaping jaws, and soulless eyes.

Everyone else on the cart seems equally as unnerved and quiet, particularly when Oscar is reading from the diary they'd found.

Only hearing about Maria's past and true identity seems to perk interest and allow everyone to forget about the horrors they'd witnessed back at the farms.

Well... almost everyone.

Even though Ruby is fascinated by her mentor's story, and eager to learn more about her own eyes, she can't help but push those thoughts to the back of her mind for the time being. Because even greater than her intrigue about her own powers is her concern for Weiss' wellbeing.

Her partner has been unnaturally silent all the way from the farms, only speaking up half-heartedly, if ever. Her eyes are downcast more than anything, and Ruby feels like she can sense an aura of fatigue coming off of her.

She's still worried about her. After all, Weiss had been the first one to glimpse the bodies back at the farm, and it had affected her so deeply she'd screamed like Ruby had never heard her scream before. Sheer terror. She'd curled up shaking in front of the fireplace, and even when Ruby had gone with her to search for food, she'd been able to sense something was amiss with Weiss - more than just what she'd failed to recognize as the effects of the Apathy at the time.

Even now, as they sit on the rickety cart Yang pulls through the forest, Ruby can't shake the feeling that something is still wrong with Weiss. She doesn't want to draw everyone's attention and embarrass her partner, so she shifts herself closer very slowly and subtly.

Once again, she feels that strange sensation, almost like an aura. It's very thin, barely noticeable at all, but it's there. It almost feels like it's repulsing her.

Ruby makes a small grunt of effort and pushes through, scooching in close to her partner.

"Hey, Weiss?"

Weiss blinks, lifting her head quickly as if startled.

"Ruby-"

Ruby can see the slightest bit of panic in her eyes, just for a second, before it fades. She reaches out to lay a hand over hers.

"I just wanted to see if you were okay," she mumbles. "I mean... you were the first one to see something so horrible. I feel like it might've affected you the strongest or something..." She rubs her fingers gently over Weiss' knuckles. "Sorry. I'm not even sure what I'm saying. I bet the last thing you wanna do is think about it more..."

/I should've just let her be.../

But before she can start beating herself up about it, she feels the hand beneath hers turn over and lace their fingers together.

"No," Weiss murmurs. "Thank you for worrying, Ruby. I appreciate it."

Weiss leans ever so slightly against her, resting their shoulders together. The heiress bows her head and closes her eyes for a moment, falling silent.

Ruby's heart soars. She remembers a time when Weiss would've closed herself off entirely and shut her out. But now, Ruby squeezes her hand in return, glad to let Weiss feel safe for a moment.

The ride continues for a while longer.

When Weiss next wakes, it's with a gasp, and Ruby isn't sure if it's because of the cart jostling or something else. Either way, she tightens her grip on Weiss' hand and props her up with her shoulder. Words of reassurance are on the tip of her tongue just before everyone's eyes shift forward.

Yang slows them down to admire the dazzling sight of Argus on the sunset horizon. A sense of relief sweeps through the air, and even Weiss seems to relax. Ruby hopes that whatever discomforts had been haunting her can be left behind in the forests.

The group makes its way down to Argus, and from there are welcomed in by guards.

It's a very eventful evening. They get a storage locker for the bike and cart, and are reunited with Jaune's group to further raise everyone's hopes.

A lot of things happen from there. Ruby's thoughts become occupied with a million different things; trying to figure out a plan to get to Atlas, hearing how Jaune's group had gotten turned away by security, hearing the truth about Ozpin and Salem, listening to Maria talk about her eyes, and then searching for Oscar when he disappears...

Once they realize he's missing, the group splits up to search for him. Ruby doesn't even need to glance at her partner to know Weiss is with her.

They hurry out into the chilly evening to begin searching, calling for him repeatedly.

Weiss hasn't been feeling all that great since they'd left the farms. Something just feels... off. She can't discern if it has to do with her aura or something else, but it just feels as though there's some intangible weight around her.

The only time she'd felt truly better had been back on the journey here when Ruby had sat beside her. But now she feels that whatever's been wrong has resurfaced, though perhaps not entirely. It's just swimming beneath the waves, dark ripples fluttering slightly before growing still once more.

She can't make sense of it anymore now than she'd been able to earlier. But she doesn't have time to worry about herself right now.

"Oscar!"

She calls his name for what must be the hundredth time this evening, but there's still no response. She and Ruby have been searching for nearly an hour now throughout the streets of Argus, and they haven't neglected the back alleyways.

Weiss peers down one such space now in search of their lost friend. In the creeping shadows, the narrow alley looks almost like a tunnel.

Weiss feels something like claws scratching up her spine, and her stomach twists with poignant nausea. She doesn't think Oscar is anywhere down there. But something is drawing her in.

The chatter of the city dwindles away behind her, and all she can hear now is the hollow hiss of the wind rolling through the darkness. She takes a few steps forward, and her heels click an echo.

"Oscar...?"

The wind moans back. Weiss immediately retreats, tearing herself from what had almost felt like a trance. She backs away toward the street she'd entered from, back toward the streetlights and the voices-

"Weiss!"

Weiss gasps so hard she nearly chokes, whirling around to find Ruby looking anxiously up at her.

"I still can't find him. Did you check down there yet? I'm gonna go look over there!" And within seconds she's vanished in a flurry of rose petals to begin searching the buildings across the street.

Weiss' heart is in her throat, but at the very least seeing Ruby and hearing her voice had built her resolve a little more, and reminded Weiss of the reality of their situation.

So she draws in a deep breath, turns back toward the alley, and proceeds forward.

Wet darkness consumes her. She can feel it dampening her skin, weighing her down even more, sending a chill deep into her bones. She opens her mouth to call out Oscar's name, but no sound comes.

Her voice suddenly stops working.

She whips around to find the path she'd entered from has been closed off by shadows. Shadows with eyes.

Stark white bones and burning red form from the darkness, massive lanky bodies and gaping jaws, slender, pointed fingers that reach for her very soul-

"No-" She reaches for a weapon that isn't there, shrieks so loudly her throat becomes sore. "Ruby- Ruby-!"

"Weiss!"

Ruby calls her name for the second time that evening, and suddenly the shadows are gone. Weiss blinks back tears and wonders if they'd ever actually been there at all.

The distant orange light of the street lamps has returned, as has the noise of the lively city. But most of all, Ruby is there. Her hands are firmly on Weiss' shoulders, her silver eyes desperate and scared.

"Weiss? What's going on? Are you okay?"

Ruby berates herself in her own mind. She'd known Weiss hadn't been feeling her best - not just because of what had happened at the farms, but also too because they were one step closer to Atlas, and thus, her father.

And yet Ruby had been so concerned for Oscar she hadn't really thought of the possible consequences of asking Weiss to search a dark deserted alleyway by herself at night. Weiss is shaking beneath her hands, her blue eyes terrified and fighting back tears. Ruby calls her name again.

"Weiss? What happened?" She takes a step closer to her partner, wanting Weiss to understand that she's here now. Weiss blinks and shakes her head slowly, but none of the tears ever fall.

"I-"

But before she can finish, Yang's voice sounds from the streets.

"Ruby! Weiss! We found him!"

They both look up, but Ruby can't even be as relieved as she wants to be. Not when Weiss is trembling in her hands. She looks back to her partner in earnest.

"Weiss? Please, tell me what's going on."

Weiss finally seems to catch her breath, but her eyes are still scared and she's still frazzled. In the end, she just shakes her head.

"I'm fine."

"Weiss-"

"Let's go. Please." She casts a glance behind herself, back into the darkness.

Ruby feels her shoulders go even more tense than they have been. She lets go of Weiss briefly, only to take hold of her hand instead. She gives a nod, willing to accept Weiss' terms for now, though she intends to discuss it further later on.

With this, she guides Weiss out of the alley and back into the light towards their friends.

But all the while, Ruby can't help but feel like something is pulling back on her partner's other hand, slowly trying to take Weiss from her...

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Once all has been said and done that evening, and Oscar is safely back with the group, everyone returns to Saphron's house for a late-night supper. They all take turns in the bathroom showering and getting ready for bed.

Ruby munches down several more sandwiches and snacks, but is well aware that Weiss is barely touching her food or speaking. With so many people in the room there are so many different auras and energies. But Ruby still can't shake the feeling that there's something coming from Weiss that shouldn't be there, something that feels grey where it should've been blue.

Ruby inches closer to her partner where they'd been sitting on the couch, lowering her voice so no one else can hear.

"Hey, Weiss. How're you feeling?"

Weiss lifts her head slowly and blinks at her, eyes glazed.

"Sorry. I'm just... really tired..."

Her words send a shiver through Ruby. She moves closer and takes her partner's hand again.

"That's okay. Don't be sorry. We've been through a lot in the last few days. Maybe a nice warm shower will help you feel better?"

"Maybe..."

Weiss' gaze travels back to the plate of sandwiches on the coffee table in front of them. It's as if she wants to eat, but can't find the strength. Ruby pats her hand.

"Take your time. I'll go jump in the shower real quick first, and in the meantime try to eat something, okay?"

Weiss responds in the same monotone voice.

"All right..."

Ruby stays with her a moment longer before standing. She manages to catch Yang's eye and silently beseeches her sister to come meet her in the hallway.

As soon as they're both out of earshot of the others, Ruby starts to fidget. Yang tilts her head curiously, though her eyes are already taking on the concerned look of an older sister.

"Ruby? What's up?"

Ruby bites her lip.

"It's Weiss. I can't really explain it, but she just seems so... I dunno. She was really jumpy earlier, but now she just seems super tired..."

Yang offers a soft smile.

"Well, we kinda did have a tough time back at the Farm. I'm sure she's still exhausted from all that. And we are planning on going back to Atlas, which isn't exactly her favorite place in the world. I think she just needs to know you were telling the truth; that we won't leave her side for a second."

Ruby thinks it all over as Yang speaks. It's everything she's known herself, but for some reason hearing Yang confirm it all makes it easier to believe.

"Yeah, guess you're right."

Yang nudges her arm.

"Just stay close to her. I'm sure it'll make her feel a lot better."

"Will do."

Ruby gives her sister a hug before scurrying off down the hall to the bathroom. She finds the pair of pajamas she'd packed from Patch and doesn't waste a second. She wants to get back to Weiss as soon as possible.

Once she's finished showering and changing, she hurries back to the living room to the others. She finds Yang has taken her spot next to Weiss, talking with her casually. But Weiss only responds quietly, if at all, and she still hasn't touched any of the food. Ruby makes her way over and rests a hand on her partner's shoulder.

"The shower's ready, Weiss. It's nice and warm!"

Weiss tries to smile up at her, but it never fully takes form.

"Thank you..." She pushes herself up and slowly makes her way out of the room.

Ruby longs to accompany her, but she knows Weiss probably needs some time to collect her thoughts and be away from everyone else.

And Weiss can feel her partner's eyes boring into her back until she turns the corner. She must be getting sick. There's no other explanation for her sluggishness and loss of appetite.

/Wonderful. Just when we've hatched a plan to get to Atlas. I'll only slow them down.../

She finds her nightgown in the stacks of laundry and limps into the bathroom to begin removing her shoes and dress.

The sounds of chatter throughout the rest of the house are no longer audible once she's shut the door, and now Weiss finds herself in complete silence. The bathroom is bright with white tiles and clean porcelain, nothing at all like the alleyway from earlier. But something still creeps its way through Weiss' body, something she can't quite describe.

She quickly starts running the water and steps in even before it's fully warm, then draws the curtain. The hiss of the shower provides some noise at the very least, and the warm water washes away some of the grime and grease of the previous days' journey.

She closes her eyes and tries to relax, tries to forget about the shadows still clawing at the corners of her mind. She washes her hair thoroughly, reminding herself the others aren't far. They're all here in a safe place together, they can have a bit of peace...

A shudder runs through her despite the hot water hitting her back.

When Weiss next opens her eyes she sees blood mixing in between her fingers. Tons of it, enough to turn the entire shower red.

She bites back a shriek and staggers back against the wall, knocking over a few bottles of shampoo in the process. The resulting clatter is almost deafening, but when she next blinks the crimson is gone. Only clear water remains as it should, drumming against the floor of the bath tub at a regular beat.

Both of Weiss' hands are pressed tightly across her mouth, and her heart is in her throat. When she looks up at the shower curtains, she sees lanky, shadowy figures dancing on the other side.

She shrinks back, still able to picture exactly what they'd looked like, exactly what they'd sounded like, their high-pitched, skull-numbing screeches...

Weiss slumps back against the wall and slides down to the bottom of the tub, clutching her knees to her chest and her head in her hands. She's too terrified to move, let alone cry out.

The wisps of shadows keep disappearing, then drawing closer, then disappearing again. Weiss buries her face in her knees and sobs quietly, shivering as the water eventually runs cold.

She doesn't want to move. If she does, she fears they'll find her, grab her with their long skinny claws and drag her away to a place worse than hell. The terror consumes her, immobilizes her mind and body alike. She cowers in the corner of the tub and waits for the worst...

But then-

"Weiss-?"

Ruby's voice calls for her once again, from the other side of the door. A couple nervous knocks come after it.

"Weiss? Are you okay? I heard some things crashing. You're not hurt, are you-?"

She sounds about ready to burst through the door, and Weiss knows she'll really do it if she doesn't pacify her right away. Hearing her partner's voice coaxes the heiress to reopen her eyes, and when she does the shadows are gone. Weiss inhales slowly, jolting from the cold water.

"I'm fine, Ruby."

She hears a sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank goodness... A-Anyways, I'm gonna wait out here for you, okay?"

Weiss is still for a moment longer. The idea of Ruby standing guard on the other side of the door makes her believe the shadows will keep away.

Slowly, Weiss pushes herself back up to her feet, gathering the fallen shampoo bottles from earlier and replacing them on the shelf. She turns off the water, hugging herself from the ensuing chill, then turns to the curtain. There aren't any shadows.

Cautiously, she reaches out to take hold of one end and inches it open. On the other side is just the bathroom, and nothing more.

Weiss grabs her towel from the sink and quickly wraps it around herself before stepping out. She nearly sways when she makes it to the tiled floor and has to hurriedly grab onto the sink for balance. She's still shivering, and her hair is a sopping wet mess.

So she finds a hair dryer and turns it on, both to try and keep herself warm and to satisfy Ruby.

But Weiss only half-heartedly uses the dryer, and only for a fraction of the time she normally would when provided such a luxury.

She dries off and dresses herself rather sloppily, her nightgown still full of wrinkles and her arms still covered in goosebumps. By the time she makes it to the door, it feels like something is behind her...

She grabs the handle and pulls the door open so suddenly it startles the girl on the other side. Ruby had been leaning against the door, anxiously waiting for Weiss to come out or invite her in if needed. Now, she whirls around to face her partner.

"Weiss!"

But Ruby's relieved smile falls away like a petal. Weiss looks so disheveled and cold, and her eyes are wide and scared like they'd been earlier. She's startled upon finding Ruby so close and almost loses her balance.

But Ruby quickly darts forward to pull her into a hug, both to steady her and to warm her up a little. She can feel her shaking, and something tells her it isn't only from the cold.

"Weiss-?" She peeks up at her partner with concern in her eyes. "What's going on? You're freezing!"

She feels Weiss' hands try to hug her back, but her grip is weak.

"The water just ran cold on me. That's all."

"Then why is your heart beating so fast?" Ruby gives her a look that's more stern now, more knowing. She isn't a child anymore. She wants Weiss to know she can rely on her as much as Ruby does the same.

But Weiss looks away, almost as if she can't bear to look her in the eye.

"It's nothing. I'm just... tired..."

Those words again. They send a chill up Ruby's spine, and Weiss' voice is almost despondent as she says it. There's definitely something else here, something beyond just Weiss' misgivings about going back to Atlas.

Ruby feels Weiss trying to push her away, but she holds more tightly to her.

"Let's go back to the others. I'll make you some coffee to warm you up."

But to her dismay, Weiss only shakes her head.

"I'm too tired..."

Ruby doesn't know what else she can do. As she's trying to think of something, Weiss manages to slip away from her and start down the hall. Ruby hurries after her. She'd promised not to leave her side for a second, so she's going to keep to it.

Saphron had offered them guest rooms for the few nights they'd be staying, and they'd already established who would be where. Ruby and Yang had been planning on taking one room, but as things are now, Ruby follows Weiss to the one she chooses. It's rather small, and there's only a single bed.

The heiress sits down somewhat heavily and bows her head into her hands. Ruby sits beside her without a sound and rubs her back gently. There's still something she can't quite explain that's making her uneasy, some unsettling aura coming off of her partner...

"Ruby?"

"Huh?" She snaps right out of her thoughts. "Yeah? What is it?"

Weiss lifts her head slowly and tries out a smile.

"Thank you. I'll be fine. I just need some rest."

But the words that are meant as reassurance only make Ruby even more anxious.

Even so, she wants to believe Weiss. She wraps both arms around her in a brief hug.

Weiss doesn't return it, not because she doesn't want to, but because she feels like she doesn't have the strength.

When Ruby eases back, she helps Weiss take her hair down from her ponytail. Ruby puts her tiara on the bedside table as Weiss lies herself down.

Ruby hurries to the doorway to turn off the main lights, then is back at Weiss' side in a second. There's only a lamp on the table still glowing now, and Ruby doesn't touch it. She crawls into bed beside Weiss, who is already half asleep with her eyes open.

"Ruby...?"

She sounds so tired, so drained...

"Yeah?"

Ruby lies down close her her, resting her face next to Weiss' on the pillow. Weiss sighs, and her eyelids close as if against her will.

"Please... keep the light on..."

Ruby swallows a little hard. She reaches for Weiss' hand beneath the covers and holds onto it.

"Sure thing."

She isn't even sure if Weiss heard her or not. The heiress has already fallen quiet.

Ruby can't shake away the twisting feeling in her gut. Weiss looks peaceful and calm in her sleep, but there's still something wrong with it all. Ruby gives her hand another squeeze, but Weiss doesn't squeeze back.

"Weiss?"

No answer.

Ruby swallows again.

/Maybe she'll be better by morning. Hopefully whatever this is, she can sleep it off.../

She tells herself as much, even though some deeper part of her knows it can't be that simple.

Ruby stays awake for a while longer in spite of her own fatigue. She watches over Weiss, ensuring there are no signs of discomfort or distress. She's breathing softly and deeply. Her brow isn't even furrowed.

Ruby loosens her grip on Weiss' hand. Maybe she'd been overreacting with her worries. Maybe all Weiss really did need was some rest.

Even so, she watches over her a while longer, until about an hour later.

Eventually, the previous days' events catch up to her, and Ruby lets out a yawn. She reaches for the lamp and turns it off.

It's by her own hand that the room fills with midnight darkness.

But with her partner now sleeping quietly beside her, Ruby closes her eyes and thinks nothing of it.

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A/N: There is a bit of inconsistency with the canon in terms of the amount of days and nights the group spends at Saphron's place, but please ignore it for the sake of this story. For this, just imagine all of this happens the same day they leave the Farms, and next chapter will cover what happens that night.

I was a little disappointed that Weiss wasn't more affected by the Apathy than the others. I figured she would've gotten the worst of it since she saw the bodies first and was terrified enough to scream, unlike Yang. And yet in the end Blake was more affected than Weiss was. So this story is the alternate version (aka an excuse for me to focus on Weiss, who is my fav, go figure).