open ❄️ gleaming, twinkling, eyes like sinking ships

[schmisse]

🧙 WHO: Weiss Schnee and you!
⚔️️ WHAT: A ~March catch-all covering some quest prompts and other open prompts.
🕒 WHEN: Early to Mid March.
🗺️ WHERE: Arouuuund the city.
⚠️ WARNINGS: None for now!

🛡Farmers-R-Us
[ Weiss hasn't been one to socialise much since she arrived, mostly because she feels lonely that her teammates aren't here. If she'll make friends, there's a high chance they would disappear in a few weeks or months. Isn't that tiring? That's what she thinks on the surface.

But here she is, with Elaine, the owner of the farm she lives in, having posted for help, looking around and trying to get to know the various people who have come to the farm to assist in preparing the soil for planting, amongst other things. In fact, Elaine, given her old age, has told Weiss what she wants and left it to the young Huntress to manage the rest. Fortunately, she knows a thing or two about that! ]

Maybe you should take a break? [ Weiss is holding a tray of snacks ranging from bite-sized pretzels, to slices of bread, and fruit. She'd prefer not to get dirty, which is why she isn't helping with the manual labour, but if hose pixies ever come out again, then she'll at least try to do something about it! ] I think all of us have done a lot so far, so it wouldn't hurt to rest for a few minutes.



🎵 Lullaby of Camelot
[ It's not every day that Weiss actually goes around to look for other means of income. Sure, she's helping out at the farm, and her and Cloud's landlady has been nothing but generous in exchange for their help in doing the groceries and other chores, but Weiss does want to do more. She wants to make more money. It doesn't help that she's never gone to a... "job interview" before, nor does she even have a resume! She's definitely lost as she checks various postings online for work. . .

Now, there's one particular "bar" that opened up. While not necessarily a place for drinking and partying, it does cater to people who want to enjoy music and have fun. Weiss has never experienced karaoke before, so the whole concept of singing alongside a track without vocals while reading the lyrics on a screen is absolutely foreign, but it seems that not many people in Camelot know about it, either! The bar now has a set outside the establishments, inviting people passing by to pick a song and sing along. If they like what they're doing, they may as well go inside and rent a room!

... well, if she's not going to find a job now, she may as well try and have fun, right? Though. . . when she looks at the selection of songs, there's not much that she knows. Oh! Except for this one-- at least, the title is the same. . . a song she'd heard in the world she'd previously been in, Prismatica.

Not at all minding that the public can hear her sing, she actually sings her heart out. She does have the talent, after all, although she's not exactly doing karaoke anymore when she knows the lyrics...

Still, it's a treat for everyone else! And after her "song", she looks around, adrenaline pumping in her veins. Oh, that was fun! She should do it again... or someone, yes, someone! ]

Hey, you should try this, too. It's really fun!


💥 Wildcard
[ I've run out of prompt ideas for now, but if you'd like to do anything with Weiss, feel free to plot with me or hit me up with a starter of your own! ]

Comments

[schmisse]

[ ... They truly do live in different worlds. Weiss is just staring at Cloud when he asks about going to another one. Obviously??? Does he only intend to go to one masquerade his entire life? But before she can say anything judgmental, Elaine is already asking further. So she'll just continue eating, small bits of her chicken, with a little bit of potatoes. The gravy is delicious! ]

We'll need to dress up, of course. [ >:( Is going to the masquerade just an excuse to get Cloud in a suit? Maybe. But, look. He cleans up nicely and it's pleasing to the eye! ] If it's to welcome spring, then we'll need earthy colours, nothing too bright, nothing too fancy, either. Should we have matching masks? No, no, that's too tacky... Oh! What if we go separately and meet each other there as a surprise? Though, of course, you're going to have to get there on time. Set an alarm for it, alright? No being late just because I'm not there. Now, if we do some quests every day, we should be able to get some extra money to be able to buy something nice to wear. I wonder what sort of music they'll be playing...

[ It's the familiar rambling that both Cloud and Elaine have gotten used to by now. The old lady simply smiles and lets Weiss carry on with her thoughts, conveniently giving Cloud something to think about, instead.

"It's a celebration of growth and renewal. I think the two of you would enjoy it. Though you'd best not to stay out too late. It might be a tiring evening." ]

[liveandforgive]

[ It's not like he was going to say no! ...even if in most circumstances, he'd only go to one of these because of Weiss or for someone else's sake. Point still stands that he should have answered with "yes" outta the gate.

"It's a celebration of growth and renewal," she says as Weiss continues to ramble on. Giving it some thought, he can't help but think of the symbolism behind it. The two had talked about starting from scratch all over again here. With Spring comes the start of something new... Looking to Weiss, he can't help but soften. ]

Sounds fun.

[ And just in case Weiss is still going on- ]

Weiss. [ Quick. He needs an excuse to make her stop so he doesn't go feeding her or kissing her in front of Elaine. Um. Um. Um. ] Pass the pepper?

[schmisse]

[ Not even saying anything, still lost in her thoughts, she passes the pepper to Cloud.

Oh, she can't wait! There's still so much to do, but... maybe it wouldn't be so bad to enjoy themselves for a night, right? Cloud could use to loosen up, too. And with Ruby and Yang now here, she could also do something fun with her friends! ]

Spring should give us better opportunities at the farm, too. I already have some ideas.

[ 'u' It's gonna be great! It feels nice to feel productive. Elaine's already heard some of Weiss' ideas before, some already even have been implemented. Though with Elaine done eating, though, she figures she should tidy up and give the two some privacy. She does want to get back to that show she was watching, too. And so, excusing herself, she gets up and takes her plate with her.

"There's dessert in the fridge. The two of you enjoy your night." ]

[liveandforgive]

[ Whatever Weiss' ideas are for the farm and surrounding? ]

You know I'm on board.

[ He takes the last scoop of his mashed potatoes, finishing them up as Elaine excuses herself once she's tidied up and taken her plate with her. ]

Thanks, Elaine.

[ Once Weiss and Cloud are alone, he waits for a moment before chiming back up to his girlfriend. Despite everything, he'd heard everything that she said about the masquerade and what they should do to prepare. But first, while he doesn't know what Nanaki, Tifa or Aerith are doing with the masquerade if anything... ]

You know if Ruby and Yang are going?

[ Save for his 'family' with Tifa and the kids, he was used to his other friends being apart. But Weiss was still actively travelling with her teammates. He found others, while the only "familiar" face Weiss had to recall was an enemy in Raven. So hearing that those two had shown up again? He took in Weiss' own happiness. And of course, while he'll go if she's going to? She should spend as much time as she can with her own circle too. ]

[schmisse]

[ Weiss straightens up when Elaine stands. ]

Right. Thank you for dinner, Elaine. We'll clean up.

[ Weiss still has a few bits of mashed potatoes left! Besides, it's not a big deal to fix the kitchen after they eat. The lady already made them dinner; the least they can do is tidy everything up afterwards.

At Cloud's question, though, Weiss looks a bit thoughtful... ]

Yang will probably want to come. The two of us became the organisers for the Beacon Academy dance, you know. It was because CFVY was out on a mission, but they were taking longer than expected. They said we could organise everything! Well— Ruby wasn't very good at it, and Blake was... Blake was going through stuff at that time.

It— [ Hah. She slows down upon realising what she's about to say, and the cheerful look on her face disappears. Now it's a look of nostalgia that she wears. ] It feels so long ago, but... it wasn't. Not anymore, anyway.

[ A lot has happened since Weiss' days at Beacon. Back then, they were just a bunch of kids who wanted to do well in school, fight monsters, and protect the kingdoms. Now. . . well, they're still doing that. But it all feels bigger somehow. Realer.

She doesn't want Cloud to worry, though, so she tries to get back to the more fun things about her time at Beacon. ]

Did I tell you that I came to that dance without a date? It was really embarrassing!

[liveandforgive]

[ Patiently, he listens as she talks about her days at Beacon Academy. Weiss being in charge of organizing the dance only made sense. He's pretty sure that if nobody stopped her somehow, she would have gone on for days on end in her duty for order. When she talks of Blake going through stuff, he doesn't talk, though the lift of his brows and the concern in his eyes is telling. Of course, it's all in the past hopefully.

For everything Weiss and her friends are fighting for still, he knows that his role in this is to play support to her till they can fulfill their own promise to the other. Yes he's going to worry, but he won't let it drag this whole conversation down. It's not why he was asking about her friends anyways! So when she talks of how she didn't have a date? That gets a surprised hum out of her boyfriend. ]

Really. You?

[ ... then he glances down to the side with a shy smile again. ]

Guess I'm not one to talk.

[ He only went to that masquerade that fateful night because some Prismals roped him in. But he's glad he came when he did. And stayed when he did when he heard Weiss sing. ]

[schmisse]

Nope.

[ Sure, back then, she was a lot more salty about it. It was pretty embarrassing! Daughter of one of the richest people in the world with no date? And Weiss knows she's not ugly! Then again, it's not like she gave a "yes" to people often back then. ]

I asked someone to be my date, but he rejected me, so I just went by myself.

[ All in the past now! With a flourish of her hand, she finishes her food and gets up to get the dessert from the fridge. Lemon snow pudding! Just one cup. The two of them can share. Oh, and the teaspoons! Once she's got it, she sits back down and puts the pudding in between them. ]

We don't have to stay long, if you don't want to. [ It just sounds like a lot of fun to her! She knows it's not Cloud's usual outing, but she hopes she's not asking too much from him by asking him to go. ] These kinds of things are always so exciting, that's all! Maybe Aerith and Tifa might be there, too. Oh! You should tell them to come, for sure.

[ She still has to meet his furry friend... ]

[liveandforgive]

[ Well there's a surprise. He knows that back then Weiss used to be more "Ice Queen" than "Snow Princess". Then again, he used to just be some asshole pretending to be cool. He's all finished his food! So after gathering his utensils on the plate, he'll get up as well. He also grabs Weiss' plate now that she's finished. He won't start rinsing or cleaning yet. They're just gonna sit in the sink till they're done. Just in time too! Because when Weiss comes back with the cup of lemon snow pudding and spoons, he's already seated with her. ]

Oh. [ She's not asking too much of him! Hell. He took a bet with Richard the Lionheart once, lost, and had a lovely night with Weiss as Clara Strauss. She's not wrong though. It's not his usual outing. ] It's not that I won't.

Besides... [ He'll take his teaspoon and go for a little bite. ] I kinda got used to it.

[ Going out. Displays of affection with Weiss. Social gatherings. ]

Maybe I should...

[ As good as it was to talk to Tifa again, it also felt like walking on eggshells due to the differences between their timelines. She'd never seen Cloud so happy and relaxed before. But he also just couldn't break the entire truth to her. About what happens. Who they lose... Still, he's also fortunate that they're not keeping their distance from one another either. She's still one of his most important friends. Even if what Nanaki said about their events being different from theirs causes him to think...

He takes a bite of the pudding. So soft, tart and sweet at the same time. He doesn't do sweets often, but he can thank Weiss for opening his eyes a little more to "treats". ]

Speaking of... [ The Equinox, that is. If he heard Weiss' rambling plans earlier, ] Didja wanna go together? Or meet up?

[ Gives him time to figure out something he'll like to wear, anyway. Besides, this masquerade is a perfect chance for Weiss to spend more time with her friends. It's not like he'll keep his distance! Just that they won't be joined at the hip. One thing is certain, regardless of how they decide to tackle the event.

He's got a feeling he owes her one dance. A damn good one. ]

[schmisse]

If you promise not to be late, we can meet up.

[ Why is she talking to him like he's a child? Oh, because she knows Cloud and his attraction to "trouble". Or maybe the animals might escape the barn just before he leaves and he would have to take care of them all and be five minutes late. It could happen!

She wants to surprise him!! They haven't attended a formal event together before! There was one time she did at the charity ball, but he blew her off for training and people! Sanguis sucks!!!!! This is the first time she'd actually have him as a date to a party, and she wants to make a good impression. ]

I also want your first and last dance.

[ > Implying that Cloud is going to dance 82748284 times... good joke, Weiss. ]

[liveandforgive]

[ Cloud's never living down the fact that he arrived to their very first date on the dot, is he? To be fair, "trouble" does have a penchant for finding the otherwise acerbic swordsman. But these past couple months in Avalon? Focusing more on himself and Weiss rather than concerning himself with the threats that loom over the horizon? That small self-induced reprieve of his...ultimately did him some good. For all intents and purposes? He has no intention of being late. ]

You got it. But... [ He's gonna have fun with this little joke of hers. 'Cause they both know him. kdfajsh ] Y'sure you won't be my only one?

I might just wallflower till you pluck me out.

[ He won't. ...too much. ]

[schmisse]

[ You know, she's not even going to go there. But she will at least try to get him to dance with Elaine. It's cute! And maybe Yang? Yang might want a dance with him! If anyone so much as flirts with him, though, they are dead. ☠️ ]

What? A cute guy like you won't get asked to dance by other girls?

[ ... wait. Wait. She heard it as soon as she said it, and she frowns, brows furrowed as she glares at him. ]

No.

[ He didn't even say anything 🥲 ]

[liveandforgive]

[ That could be fun! ...not that he'll be jumping for joy on the surface anyway. Fortunately for the protective huntress, if someone so much as attempts to flirt with him and he catches onto it? He's gonna keep things as neutral as he can. ...till he finds his exit anyways. But even with that, it sounds like he's going to run into "trouble". ]

... "No" what?

[ Why does he feel daggers at his back while she's glaring at him from the front? 💦 ]

[schmisse]

What if a lady older than me comes and she's taller and has a nicer body? Then the two of you dance and it's romantic and she asks you to come home with her?!

[ What if Weiss has an overactive imagination when it comes to this...? And why is she making it sound like he has no say on the matter? ]

It almost happened when we went to the arcade that one time!

[ Nothing happened... ]

[liveandforgive]

[ He just. Blinks. And tilts his head at her. Her imagination's running wild now. ]

That's what you're worried about?

[ He sits back in his chair a little bit, relaxing albeit with a tinge of concern to his brow. ]

Weiss, I only got eyes for one lady with a nice body. [ Her words. Not his. ] And she's sitting right in front of me.

[schmisse]

Why wouldn't I be worried? I've seen how some people look at you.

[ ... then again, Cloud wasn't the one who had multiple boyfriends at some point in their lives.

Her cheeks are so red now, so she opts to stay quiet and make way for some pudding. Looking at him with those blue eyes of hers, with a spoon between her lips, she apologises for being paranoid and overreacting. ]

Sorry.

[liveandforgive]

[ At first, Cloud seems surprised by that statement. But it's when she looks to him, spoon in her mouth as she blushes so hard, he can't help but gently shake his head. The truth is...they formed a relationship in a very strange world to start with. Even starting if they both lived on Remnant or Gaia respectfully would have been a more natural occurrence.

Everything they've done together has been something that they both wanted. Whether it was their first time intimately Moonlacing beneath all three Moons, or when his Aura was depleted amidst a hefty Sanguis cycle. He could have asked anybody for help. But Weiss was the only one he wanted then.

But Prismatica was also the same world where Moonlacing & Cycles drove the two through all kinds of hoops they needed to jump through. For all the ups and downs they endured, both as a couple and the enemies that arose around them...he still wouldn't trade these feelings for anything. With a sigh, he clasps his hands one over the other before a hint of a smile forms on his lips. ]

I get it. [ A beat. ] I've felt the same way.

Not that I put much stock in myself before. [ looks wise, anyways. He got his looks from his Mom. And his physique just came with the territory of his lifestyle. Win win? There's a lot that Cloud can say. But...he doesn't tend to ramble. So he'll say what's most important. ] You're all I want.

[schmisse]

[ For a few moments, Weiss is just staring at him like he just said something silly. But when she sets down her spoon back on the cup, only to see the sparkle of the snowflake on the bowl's reflection, she can't help but smile.

This is so dumb. She's being so dumb. The two of them made a promise a long time ago, that they'd always be together. It wasn't just her. Cloud said the same thing. ]

... I'm being a dummy, huh?

[liveandforgive]

Hey, [ He goes in for another spoonful, not once taking his eyes off her. ] can't be me all the time.

[ The masquerade isn't his kind of event. He's gotten used to outings, and for the sake of others? He'll go and make the best of it. Seeing her so excited, how could he not want to at least be a part of that? ]

We'll have a good night.

[ Om. ]

[schmisse]

You've started to rub off on me.

[ She's not usually a dummy, after all!

And for a moment, Weiss stays quiet, slowly eating the pudding and just... savouring it all. Both the sweets and what Cloud said. She should stop worrying about these things. What's more important is to enjoy themselves and have a good night. ]

Thank you.

[ For agreeing to go! That's enough of that, though. If Cloud wants to keep talking about the masquerade, Weiss will answer, but... they can start to move on. ]

The pudding's good. I've never had this before.

[liveandforgive]

[ For now, talks of the masquerade can be behind them. Later on tonight, they can go back to it if Weiss has any ideas or wants to plan more. When she brings up how she's never had pudding like this before, he huffs with amusement. ]

Guess that's one perk of being a world hopper.

[ Different recipes. Different cuisines. There's things on Prismatica that were pretty unique too, after all. ]

... maybe I should figure out how to do more than just crepes.

[schmisse]

You won't hear a complaint from me.

[ ... Please feed your bird, Cloud. ]

Did I hit you too hard earlier, by the way? [ Especially that bucket... oops? :'D Sometimes it's hard to remember that Aura doesn't exist in this place anymore. ]

[liveandforgive]

[ He always does. He just needs to mix up what kind of birdseed to give her. ]

Huh?

[ As if to immediately dismiss her worries, he waves a hand dismissively before instinctively placing it over the spot where the bucket connected. ]

Nah. You know I've been dinged by worse.

[ ...except. Oh. Yup there's a little bump. ... Okay fine there might be a bruise later beneath his hair but, ]

It doesn't hurt. Promise.

[schmisse]

[ His seed— WAIT ]

Are you sure? You know we can get carried away whenever we spar... [ Or whenever they have pillow fights. Or just. . . whenever in general, really. She moves closer, dragging her chair with her, so she can touch where his hand was. ]

You tend to just look at what's ahead of you rather than what's around you, by the way. Since I have a very good understanding of using elements, I'd be happy to provide you with a training regimen on how to improve your craft.

[ She closes her eyes and nods sagely. ]

You can start by doing shirtless sits up first thing in the morning. Thirty of them.

[liveandforgive]

[ Do birds eat nut— STOP ]

Hm. And what about you? [ As she drags her chair with her, he lowers his hand and lets her feel where the bump was forming. ] I was a little rough knocking you on your butt back there.

[ Ah! Ah! He said "butt", not "ass!" Cloud's learning! He doesn't shy away from her hand either, taking a soft but deep breath to relax. It's probably going to start throbbing later, but it was more distracting than actually damaging. It worked in the fight, right? ]

Maybe I should.

[ Now that the excitement of the spar (and him being a wiener about it is past), he admits something he feels he's realized today, ]

You've already passed me.

[ He'll take all the lessons he can get. Just like with yoga. Or Cloud helping her work on her own stamina. He was about to propose that when she tells him the first thing he must do. He blinks at her, blushing. Dammit, Weiss... ]

Lemme guess. That's to sharpen my senses. Right?

[ He's joking. He knows why she wants this. ]

[schmisse]

I'll have to see tomorrow. I hope I don't bruise.

[ It's not like she wears anything revealing, anyway, but she doesn't want anything purple on her legs! Or her butt!

And Cloud? This is a very serious discussion about your very professional training regimen. Let's stop flirting and get our head in the game. ]

What? I mean, I could come up with an excuse for it, but if you're going to work out and distract me, you may as well just go all-out with it.

[ Very professional. In fact, she takes another bite out of the pudding, smiling contently with this "plan" of hers. ]