[5/13 - After Classes]
While walking aimlessly around Beacon, since he decided to postpone working on the homework that Professor Port gave, he came across a rather interesting conversation from the upperclassmen.
Silently, he stood a distance away as he eavesdropped.
"—feel that Beacon's a bit too stuffy recently?"
"Totally, it must be because of the new intakes. It's a good thing that the school rooftops exist."
"Yeah, it really calms me down seeing the scenery. Great place for studying and enjoying time with friends too. But sometimes I feel that there's something weird going on if you stand there for long periods."
"Right? I totally get it! There's some weird juju there. Anyway, how's your dad doing—"
Seeing that the conversation was devolving into something rather personal, Clerval stopped listening as he walked away pondering.
The school rooftops? He had nothing to do after all; he might as well check out the scenery.
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Opening the doors after climbing a few flights of stairs, he was greeted with a large, open space that served as the balcony and rooftops combined, with small patches of greenery planted beside cooling towers, boilers, and generators.
Perhaps it was because of the late afternoon, but the air felt crisp and cool, carrying a freshness that soothed his mind and body. He could easily imagine himself studying here whenever he needed a change of scenery or a breath of open air. This was a good find.
Walking to the railing that ran along the edge, he rested his hands on the cold metal just as the rooftop door burst open behind him suddenly, revealing a figure in white.
She stormed into the open space, but the moment their eyes met, her stride faltered, with the anger that had fueled her softened. Realizing who she was staring at, she quietly pulled her public persona back into place as she walked to stand next to him.
"Good afternoon, Clerval."
He nodded in response before looking out at the distance.
The two stayed silent for a moment before he noticed that she was contemplating something. He gave a tilt of his head.
She sighed.
"I... I would like your opinion on something."
Weiss took his silent attention as a sign to continue.
"Well, I personally think that I should have been team leader. Instead of Ruby."
Just the thought of the younger girl seemed to ignite something in Weiss as she spoke frantically with her hands waving.
"The whole day, she has been a nuisance! She spaces out, doodles while important lessons are being taught, distracts me when I focus, and has the audacity to sleep in class!"
Her eyes narrowed, and she raised a hand to her head, massaging her temples.
"And she had the nerve to educate me about fighting. Me! While I do not question her ability to hold her own in a fight, who is she to advise me on such simple matters—especially when I am two years ahead of her?!"
She huffed as she crossed her arms, listing off her achievements.
"I was taught by the finest tutors in all of Atlas. Trained in live combat. I've fought monsters and machines that our peers couldn't even imagine—and I am Weiss Schnee! Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company!"
Her voice rose with every word, letting her emotions and facade go. "And yet, it is Ruby Rose whom Headmaster Ozpin chose to lead our team? How is that fair? What am I lacking compared to her?"
She ranted to him while he listened in silence, weighing his reply. He... He had no idea what to say. Doubt gnawed at him; this was a rather serious conversation, and one wrong choice and the whole team suffers. With his selective amnesia, did he even have the right perspective to advise her on anything?
[Don my mask, Wanderer.]
[This issue of arrogance and misguidance, I shall handle it.]
The voice of his other self echoed within his mind. He didn't hesitate to pull the image of Odysseus from the Sea of his Soul, wearing the mask of Ithaca's ruler as the sound of glass shattering resonated. His posture visibly shifted, back straightening, shoulders squaring, and the air around him thickened.
When the silence finally stretched long enough to calm her temper, he gave her an answer.
"Trust."
His answer made her blink, caught off guard.
"Pardon me?"
He elaborated.
"I do not trust you. Therefore, I don't think you can be a good leader."
Weiss's composure cracked. Her expression shifted darkly as she glared at him, her finger jabbing at his chest rather painfully.
"... And you trust Ruby over me? I have studied, I have suffered, and I have endured! I am far more qualified than that immature, naïve little fool!"
Unflinching, he cuts her retorts short. "And I don't trust her as well."
That stopped her cold. Surprised, she stared with wide eyes as he continued after a quiet breath.
"I do not trust her. Yet. It has only been barely two days since we first met each other. I cannot trust someone with my life based on a few brief encounters." He paused as he stared eye-to-eye. "But I will try."
"A leader isn't chosen because of their skill or strength; they're chosen by the people that place their trust in them. A team cannot function if they cannot trust each other in the darkest of hours."
He gave an example. "You unconsciously trusted her ability to lead when we fought the Grimm in the forest."
Weiss hesitated, eyes flicking downward as the memory surfaced. "Well, she did give the best course of action that led us to success..."
He waved his arm.
"You don't trust her. And that is okay. Trust is a two-way street; it takes time and effort to build."
Clerval could see her expression soften, her pride slowly giving way to thoughtfulness. He pressed gently, giving one last push.
"But you have been dealt an unfavored hand. Your shallow reasoning will not easily sway the ones in power to change your fate. So, instead of wasting your energy fuming over it, use that energy to prove that you can be the Huntress—and the partner—that Ruby can rely on. The kind of teammate that Team Ruby can trust with their life."
The rooftop fell silent for a few heartbeats.
"... You're right," Weiss breathed, her gaze drifting toward the sea of green that was the Emerald Forest below.
For a moment, the tension in her shoulders eased. Then she straightened, eyes gleaming with fierce determination.
"Fine, I'll make sure Ruby—and all of you—have no choice but to trust me."
Abruptly, the voice of Mary rang throughout the deepest part of his psyche.
["I am Thou,"]
["Thou art I."]
["Thou hast established a new path,]
[bringing thee further into your odyssey."]
["With the birth of the Priestess Arcana,"]
["Thine soul shalt be blessed to call forth stronger Personas of the Priestess Arcana..."]
With the change of mindset, Weiss drew in a slow, steady breath before exhaling. "Thank you, Clerval… You've given me something to think about."
He gave a small nod, seeing the frustration that had once clouded her features soften as she quietly pondered over her thoughts.
The two stood in silence, enjoying the now peaceful atmosphere.
Eventually, the heiress turned and left the balcony, intent on finding a way to make amends for her earlier outburst toward Ruby. As the rooftop door clicked shut behind her, Clerval exhaled softly and leaned back against the railing, massaging his throat as he unequipped Odysseus' Persona.
It was sore from all the talking; he found that he didn't like to talk that much. But even so, he felt his kindness slightly grow after the heartfelt conversation he'd shared with Weiss.
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[5/13 - Evening]
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Walking back to his room, Clerval slowed his pace as he passed by Team Ruby's open dormitory door. Voices drifted out as he stopped just short of the doorway, recognizing the tones of the two partners.
"—Weiss! I-I was studying, and then I fell asleep! I'm sorry..."
"How do you take your coffee?"
The sudden question caught Ruby completely off guard.
"Wha? I... I don't..."
"Answer the question!"
"Uh, cream and five sugars!"
A weary sigh followed. "Don't move."
There was the soft rustle of movement. Cups clinking, a faint stir of a spoon, and then Weiss's voice returned. "Here."
"Um... Thanks, Weiss."
A quiet sip from Ruby, then Weiss's voice echoed again.
"Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader. Just know that I am going to be the best teammate you'll ever have!—"
He stopped eavesdropping as he soon entered his own room, satisfied that the two had finally begun to trust each other.
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PRIESTESS (II): Weiss Schnee
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