An unexpected sound came, though it was a rather simple one. The clearing of a throat, just loud enough to catch Weiss's attention. Naturally, she turned in search of the source, wondering just what that was all about. The sight was enough to induce a sense of panic, horror, and embarrassment, Weiss's typically pale cheeks heating up. Standing there before her, previously unnoticed, was none other than...
"W-Winter!" she managed to squeak out. What was she supposed to do? Surely she'd be scolded for such a display, and as she heard her sibling's heels click on the floor, drawing closer to her? Weiss squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself for the strike she was certain was coming.
Surprisingly? It never came.
Slowly, icy blue eyes fluttered open, filled with mild surprise as she gazed upon her older sister. Even more surprising than the lack of any slapping was that Winter actually gave her a smile, albeit, not the brightest one. But that wasn't typically to be expected of her sister, anyways. Military training and cool attitude and all that. So of course Weiss was caught off guard. Especially when Winter spoke up.
"I'm impressed. It's been quite a time since I've seen you perform, sister, and it appears you've only continued to improve," she commented offhandedly. The statement alone was enough to render Weiss speechless, feeling much like a fish with how she opened and closed her mouth briefly to no avail. Eventually she managed to compose herself, quickly dipping in a brief curtsy.
"Thank you, Winter. If you thought that was impressive, I must say, I'm certain you'd enjoy observing my practice," she replied, briefly forgetting that boasting her achievements tended to not end well with her sister.
But there was no complaint. Rather, the smile remained, and Winter dipped her head slightly and shook it.
"I'm certain I would," she replied after a pause, actually seeming mildly... Amused? Oh, how long it had been! When was the last time she'd gained a positive reaction, more clear
emotion, from her sister? Before she could properly react, she noticed her teammates were rather awkwardly observing, Ruby being the first to pipe up.
"Soooo, uhh... Would you like to... unify, with us in... melody?" The rather awkward question was followed by Weiss's smile and excitement dropping. Moment, ruined. There was no way that her sister would ever agree to such a thing, especially when presented in such a manner...
"I've arrived early, so I've some time to spare... I suppose it couldn't hurt to partake."
Had she been drinking, she would've spat out the contents within seconds at the words alone. But rather, she stood shocked for only a few moments before breaking into a wide smile, nearly jumping with excitement.
"However, might I suggest a meal, first? My treat. Consider it a token of thanks, for all of you taking an interest in my sister." Oh... Right. They hadn't eaten lunch yet, had they? As though to accentuate this, there was a mutual growling of stomachs at the mention of food, leading to some embarrassed not-quite-laughs and glances.
"...Right. Food would be nice," Ruby confessed, rubbing her neck sheepishly.
"It would be a good idea to replenish energy," Blake agreed.
"We'll need it." There were words left unspoken on the matter that Weiss was sure they were all thinking.
In case the White Fang show up.
Choosing to shake the thought away, and completely forgetting her woes when it came to her alleged dream. The mist had seeped deep into her mind, tempting and seducing her, lulling her deeper and deeper into it's vile grasp. All without a second thought, though in the very, very back of her mind? Weiss knew better. But that knowledge was far, far away, and all she could do was happily tag along with her friends in their search for food.
About ten minutes later, they had all begun to dig into their respective meals. Blake, of course, having the most unique one. All the fish she could eat. This did gain an odd look from Winter, filling Weiss with alarm and worry that her sister would figure out that her friend was a Faunus and scorn her. To her luck, it seemed she either didn't realize, or merely ignored it. Instead, her sibling seemed to focus on her.
"So, Weiss. I see you've made a number of acquaintances throughout your time here," she spoke, offhandedly.
"Care to introduce me?" ...Shoot! How could she have forgotten??
"O-of course! T--"
"Soooo, you're like Weiss's big sister, huh? That is sooo cool. And you're military, right?" Nora interjected, briefly going between Winter and Weiss's personal space.
"Do you see a lot of Grimm, then? Ooh, or, do you mostly fight the White Fang and criminal scum?" And thus, Weiss slowly shoved Nora away by the face with a less than pleased expression.
"...That would be Nora," she said, slowly, noticing the somewhat disturbed and unimpressed look on Winter's face. Realizing she hadn't given the proper introduction, Weiss quickly corrected herself.
"Nora Valkyrie." With said redhead having returned to Ren's side, where she happily slurped up some pancakes, Winter just watched with... An expression. Yeah.
"...I see."
Trying her best to maintain a proper and poised form, Weiss continued to name off her friends, gesturing politely as she did so.
"Ruby Rose," she at first stated, earning a nod from her sister. "The leader you wrote of," Winter observed, watching the youngest of them as she elegantly... Picked her nose.
"How appropriately... Underwhelming." That was enough to make the younger Schnee cringe, but she tried to shake it off.
"Ahem. Yang Xiao Long,-" "Hey there!" "-Blake Belladonna,-" "A pleasure to meet you." "
-Pyrrha Nikos- I'm certain you're aware of her -," "Hello!" "-Lie Ren." There was a silent nod of greeting. Of course, there was one more. He who eagerly waved with a bright, dorky smile on his face, obviously waiting excitedly to be called upon. There was a heavy sigh from Weiss and she gestured to the blonde male with a blatant lack of enthusiasm.
"And last, but certainly least... Jaune Arc."
"Yes, hello there, miss. Might I say that I find you and your sister's beauty absolutely chilling?" he offered with a bright smile, sliding right up to the Schnees and draping his arms over their shoulders, respectively. Oh, gosh, what on Earth was he doing?
"Y'see, Weiss and I are very close. It's great to fi--" "
Too close," Weiss interjected, quickly shoving his arm off of her. Quickly, she took a couple of steps away, Jaune was obviously disappointed, his other arm falling away from her poor sister who happened to be giving an incredulous stare at this point.
"Aw, c'mon, Weiss. You don't have to be so cold..."
She would've given a rebuttal, something cold enough to cause frostbite no doubt, but instead? In her little retreat, she collided with Ruby, the both of them winding up falling to the ground with the former on top. They fell with a thud and an 'oof', and Weiss internally fumed. Why did she have to keep getting embarrassed like this?!
"Ruby! Get off of me, you dunce!"
"E-eek, sorry, Weiss! Stop squirming!"
A few minutes later, they managed to untangle, leaving a less than pleased Weiss to huff and brush herself off.
