Chapter 1 - Different meeting

The courtyard of Beacon Academy bustled with new students. Luggage clattered, conversations buzzed, and excitement mingled with nervous energy. Among the crowd, Ruby Rose walked with wide-eyed wonder, her scythe case slung over her shoulder, and a cookie clutched in her hand. Her gaze darted around, taking in the towering spires of the academy, utterly distracted by the magnificence of the campus.

Turning a corner, she collided with something—or someone—much taller and firmer than she'd expected. The impact sent her stumbling backward with a surprised squeak, the cookie nearly tumbling out of her hand.

"Oh? Is there something wrong, darling?"

Ruby looked up, startled by the smooth, teasing voice, only to freeze in place. The woman before her was stunning.

This wasn't the Weiss Schnee from the canon RWBY. The Weiss Schnee in front of her was taller—much taller. She stood at an imposing yet elegant height of about 5'9" (180 cm), towering over Ruby's petite frame. Her figure was mature and voluptuous, and her curves were accentuated perfectly by her pristine white combat dress. Her bust strained slightly against the fabric of her bodice, and her toned thighs peeked from beneath her short skirt. Weiss's piercing blue eyes locked onto Ruby's with a playful glint, framed by her signature long, snowy ponytail cascading over her shoulder.

Ruby's cheeks turned a fiery red, and she struggled to respond coherently. "I—I... uh... sorry! I didn't mean to bump into you!" she stammered, her words tripping over each other as her heart raced.

Weiss chuckled softly, a refined yet warm sound that deepened Ruby's embarrassment. "Relax, darling," she said, her tone calm yet laced with amusement. "It's nothing to get so flustered over. Though..." Her lips curled into a sly smile. "I have to admit, that reaction was adorable."

Ruby froze, the heat in her cheeks intensifying as Weiss tilted her head, studying her. For the first time, Ruby honestly noticed just how graceful and stunning Weiss was. Her mind blanked entirely, and a strange, unfamiliar fluttering stirred in her chest.

Oh no, she thought, mortified. 'Do I have a crush on her?'

Realizing she'd been staring for too long, Ruby jolted upright and waved her hands frantically. "I—I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to gawk or anything! I was just... uh... admiring your, um..." Her words trailed off helplessly as she looked anywhere but Weiss's face.

Weiss raised an eyebrow, clearly used to this kind of attention, but remained composed. "Apology accepted," she said with a slight shrug, as though Ruby's flustered state was entirely normal to her. "Now, why don't we start over? My name is Weiss Schnee. And you are?"

"I'm Ruby! Ruby Rose!" she blurted out, her voice cracking slightly from nerves. "It's, uh, nice to meet you!"

Weiss extended a gloved hand toward Ruby, who hesitated briefly before shaking it. Weiss's grip was firm yet gentle, and her hand felt warm despite the pristine glove covering it.

"Ruby Rose," Weiss repeated, her tone thoughtful. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well. Tell me, Ruby, are you also a new student here?"

Ruby nodded quickly, her pigtails bouncing. "Y-Yeah, I just got here today!"

Weiss hummed in acknowledgment; her gaze was sharp but not unkind. "Interesting. You must be quite talented to be accepted into Beacon at such a young age."

Ruby blinked, the compliment catching her completely off guard. "Wait—what? How did you know I was younger than everyone else?"

A small smile tugged at Weiss's lips as though she found Ruby's reaction amusing. "It's not exactly difficult to figure out. You're much smaller and... less mature-looking than the other students I've seen. Though," she added, her gaze flickering over Ruby's scythe case, "I'm guessing there's more to you than meets the eye."

Ruby's face turned crimson again, and she shifted nervously. "Oh, uh, thanks... I think?"

Weiss chuckled softly, finding Ruby's bashful responses oddly endearing. Before she could say anything further, however, a smooth and quiet voice interrupted their conversation.

"She's not wrong, you know."

Both girls turned toward the new voice, finding a dark-haired girl leaning casually against a nearby pillar. Her amber eyes gleamed with curiosity as she looked at Ruby, a small smile on her lips. "I wouldn't have guessed Beacon would accept someone so young either. You must've really impressed the headmaster."

Ruby fidgeted under the girl's gaze, unsure how to respond. Weiss, however, turned to the newcomer with polite interest. "And you are?"

The girl straightened up and stepped closer, her movements fluid and graceful. "Blake Belladonna," she said simply, extending a hand toward Weiss.

Weiss took the offered hand and shook it lightly. "A pleasure, Miss Belladonna," she said, her tone warm yet refined. She studied Blake momentarily, noting the faint pink dusting her cheeks.

Blake averted her gaze briefly, clearing her throat before speaking again. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation," she admitted. "And Weiss is right—if you're as young as you look, Ruby, then you must be exceptionally skilled."

Ruby rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "I guess I'm pretty good with my scythe... but it's not like I'm some kind of prodigy or anything."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "You're being modest. If you weren't skilled, you wouldn't be here. Beacon doesn't accept just anyone."

Weiss nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The entrance requirements alone are rigorous, and for someone your age to pass... it's impressive, to say the least."

Ruby felt her cheeks heat up again, though it wasn't entirely from embarrassment this time. Something about the way Weiss and Blake looked at her—something warm and almost admiring—made her feel... special.

Blake turned her attention back to Weiss, studying her thoughtfully. "You're observant," she said. "Not many people would pick up on that right away."

Weiss shrugged lightly; her posture relaxed yet poised. "I've learned to pay attention to details. It's a necessary skill for someone in my position."

Blake tilted her head slightly, her amber eyes narrowing. "I suppose that comes with being a Schnee," she remarked, her tone even but cautious.

Weiss's smile didn't falter, though her eyes showed a knowing glint. "It does," she admitted. "Though reading people isn't just about business. It's a valuable skill in all aspects of life."

Blake's lips quirked into a small smile, and though she didn't say it, there was a faint blush on her cheeks.

Ruby glanced between the two older girls, feeling a mix of awe and excitement. She couldn't quite explain it, but something about this moment felt significant—like the start of something extraordinary.