Chapter 54

Blake continued to feel varying levels of nausea for several days, her hormones slowly returning to normal levels. She barely ate anything for a week, and intended to make up for it in excess. Even Ruby was impressed as Blake devoured two large cheese and anchovy pizzas, along with two sizable bottles of soft drink and a chocolate lava cake for dessert. The only person Ruby had seen with such an appetite was Nora, occasionally rivaled by Yang after a workout marathon. Weiss was content with her own small cheese pizza, occasionally picking toppings from Ruby's meat-covered monstrosity.

The feasting was followed by sleeping, usually with one or more girlfriend-sized pillows to snuggle with. Neither could bear to deny her, a sleepy Blake was just far too adorable. After a few more days had passed, Blake was completely back to normal, and all three were able to resume their regular schedules. It was normal enough that they could sit down for a serious talk.

"Should we keep our relationship open?" Weiss asked.

Blake and Ruby both looked at Weiss, then each other, then back to Weiss. "I kinda' liked the experience, even if it was a bit...rough." Ruby noted.

Blake nodded. "I enjoyed it, as much as I could at least. I do wish we could have done it under less...carnal circumstances."

Weiss nodded and took a deep breath. "But is it what we want for our relationship, in the future?"

Blake and Ruby did not respond at first, then Ruby pulled out her scroll. "We could put it to a vote?"

"I think this requires a tad more thought than all say aye, Ruby." Weiss advised.

"I mean, we think about it for a while, put down for or against, and when we're ready we put our scroll face down, and flip them all at the same time." Ruby explained. "This way we all make our own decision."

Blake and Weiss looked at each other, and Blake shrugged. "Okay, impartial decisions."

"Very well." Weiss agreed. Turning away, they took their time to consider.

Blake was torn. A part of her knew that between Weiss' love of Neon and Ruby's love of...everyone, they would be more than happy in an open relationship. But the other part of her, the instinctual, possessive part of her, wanted to sink in her claws and hold on tight. They were her mates, hers, and none would touch them without her express permission. This primal desire to claim them and keep them both thrilled and frightened Blake. It felt good to think of Ruby and Weiss as her own, her family, her lovers, her mates...but not her property, never her property, they were people, not things, with hearts and minds of their own, hearts that were fluid, minds that could change on a whim. And that terrified her. No matter how small a chance it was, deep down, Blake was afraid of losing them. There were so many better mates out there, kinder, happier, less scarred and broken, unburdened by abuse. Even Weiss was better for Ruby than her, able to satisfy her desires far more than Blake could ever bear. It was these fears, instincts, doubts and desires that drove Blake to her decision. She just hoped they would understand.

Ruby had already chosen beforehand. It was simple to her. Love was love, to be shared with few, or many. Life had taught her that thin lines lay between platonic and romantic, so easily crossed, so rarely broken. Ruby loved Blake with all her heart, just as she loved Yang. And Weiss, though their romance was still in its infancy, the love she felt was no less sacred. Weiss had given her heart entirely, and Ruby would care for it as loyally as she did for Blake's. And she would do so for any that may come into her care.

Weiss wanted to live and let love. No matter her bond with Blake, she was new to the relationship. Blake and Ruby's comfort came first over her own, and her relationship with Neon was partly the reason they had agreed to the situation. However, a large part of her wanted their bond to be more private, sacred. She did not object to experimentation, dalliances with others were to be expected, they were in a polyamorous relationship after all. They had just participated in a week-long staggered orgy. Either way, monogamy was not truly in the cards for them. But for once Weiss wanted to be selfish above all else, to explore this relationship dynamic without worry of external influence, without the feelings of others interfering, no matter how much she felt for them in return. After giving the situation much thought over the past week, Weiss had made peace with her inner turmoil.

One by one they turned around, placing their scrolls face down in the middle of the bed, first Ruby, then Weiss, lastly Blake. "Okay, everyone ready?" Ruby asked. The other two nodded. "Okay, three, two, one, flip." At once they flipped their scrolls, revealing their votes, written in a note program. Ruby for, Blake and Weiss against. "Then it's settled, closed relationship. I vote that kisses be allowed though. Not like making out kisses, but pecks and stuff."

Blake chuckled and Weiss huffed, rolling her eyes, but inside they were letting out sighs of relief. They agreed with each other, and Ruby, as expected, only made light of the situation. "I think that could be allowed, Weiss?" Blake asked.

Weiss nodded. "Agreed. There's nothing objectionable about casual physical affection. Anything further, however, we'll have to discuss together first."

Ruby squealed, tackling the others into a hug. "Awesome! Look at us making mature relationship decisions. We're gonna' be adults in no time!"

"Some of us later than others." Weiss grumbled.

"I'm sure you're just a late bloomer Weiss." Blake teased.

"Oh shush you." Weiss huffed.

Ruby giggled, then gagged, her hair getting caught in her mouth. She shook and spat it out. "Ugh, I keep forgetting. I need to ask Coco if she can cut my hair. I forgot to have mum trim it."

Weiss and Blake both sat up. "Nooooo." Weiss whined.

"Babe, I love your long hair." Blake added.

"But it's so annoying." Ruby complained. "Keeps flying all over the place when it's windy and it's so much harder to take care of."

"I'll do it for you." Weiss offered. "I'll wash it myself, and brush it every night."

"We both will." Blake agreed. "Just keep it, please?"

Ruby nearly broke under the combined begging, their praises making her feel so warm inside, but her hatred of the overgrown mess neatly canceled it out. Then she had an idea. "Alright, I'll keep my hair long…" Blake and Weiss beamed. "...if you get streaks like me."

Weiss grin grew tight, but Blake just shrugged. "Deal."

"Does it have to be red?" Weiss asked.

"It can be whatever color you want, so long as it's streaks." Ruby replied. Weiss bit her lip in thought, but was interrupted by a gentle knocking on the door. "Yeah?"

"It's us." Coco responded. "Can we come in?"

Ruby looked to her partners, who nodded. "Of course, it's open!" The door opened and Coco stepped through, followed by Velvet, who shut the door and leaned against it. Both looked troubled.

"What's wrong?" Blake asked.

"Cinder, she's back." Coco replied.

Weiss scowled. "What has she done now?"

"She...apologized." Velvet answered.

Weiss scoffed. "She apologized already. What's she playing at?"

Coco shook her head. "She shows up at our door with half her face covered by a patch, she can barely speak higher than a whisper without choking. If she's playing she's doing a fucking good job of it." Weiss' brow furrowed, and she looked to Ruby and Blake, who appeared shocked.

"What happened?" Ruby asked. "Did she say?"

"Plane crash." Coco replied. "That's all she'd say, all she could say really. Just apologized for how she treated us and said she was in a plane crash when I asked. Kept coughing up a lung. That mute chick everyone avoids was with her too, came out of nowhere to help her off."

"Neo?" Blake suggested.

"You know her?" Coco asked.

Blake shrugged. "She's in the gym a lot, tripped Cardin over when he hit on her. Then she accidentally stepped on his face." They all expressed amusement at that.

"So, Cinder was in an accident, and had a change of heart?" Ruby asked.

"It seems that way." Coco confirmed. "It was just...sad, seeing her that way. She was a bitch, but fuck, she looked like she was barely holding it together, like she left recovery early or something."

"We figured you should know, in case she comes by here." Velvet explained. "It's a bit of a shock to see out of the blue."

Weiss was sure it would have been, her oldest friend, who had cut her so deeply in their reunion, reduced to a frail shadow, offering an apology of all things. She was ashamed to say it would have been immensely satisfying. Weiss would have been tempted to throw it in Cinder's face, and part of her still was. But no, she had to be better than that. A plane crash, of all things, Weiss sympathized, her worst fears manifested in the fate of another, and she would likely face her before the week was out.

"Weiss, are you okay?" Ruby grabbed her arm.

Startled out of her train of thought, Weiss gave Ruby a small smile. "Just lost in thought. I'm fine.

Hungry for a late breakfast, Ruby, Weiss and Blake decided to visit the cafe, dressing and heading down. On the ground floor they passed through a common room, where several groups of students hung out on the couches and tables, loudly talking or doing homework. But it was the racket in the far corner that drew Weiss' attention, pulling her to a stop. Neon sat on a couch beside two others, one with brown and pink dyed hair, rubbing soothing circles on her companion's back. There was Cinder, hunched over, shaking with coughs, drawing desperate breaths from an inhaler with a shaking hand.

"Cinder?" Weiss gasped.

Even from a distance Cinder seemed smaller, mainly due to her hair, which was shoulder length now. She wore a red cardigan over a black shirt, the long sleeve of which obscured her left hand. As she straightened and calmed, her face was revealed, a black patch covering the left side, and her right eye opened wide as it fell upon Weiss. She looked scared. Neon and the other girl, Neo it seemed, followed her gaze. When Neon made eye contact with Weiss she whispered something to Cinder, who looked down, pausing for a moment before nodding.

Neon stood, making her way over. "Cinder wants to speak with you, all of you, if you'll let her."

Weiss bit her lip, then sighed, looking to Blake and Ruby. "We should listen." Ruby advised. Blake hummed her agreement.

"Fine." Weiss agreed. As she approached, she took in Cinder's appearance in greater detail. Her skin was paler, sickly in pallor. Her uncovered eye was tired, bruised by lack of sleep, and she was gaunt, her formerly healthy cheeks slightly sunken. It was tragic, truly, to see someone who was so strong, powerful and confident reduced to a pale shadow. Weiss wanted to take pleasure in it, in seeing Cinder brought down so low, staring up at her in fear, but she could not. Not matter how much Cinder had hurt her, no one deserved this. "Cinder."

Cinder managed a tight smile. "W-Weiss...h-" She cut herself off with a cough, barely able to whisper, her voice straining to be heard over the din of the room. "How...have you been?"

"Well, very well." Weiss replied. "A lot has happened, for both of us it seems." Cinder nodded, hunching over to cough into her own hand. Weiss frowned. "Cinder...Cin." Cinder looked up through a teary eye. "Come up to our room. This deserves some privacy, don't you agree?"

Cinder nodded and smiled, genuinely this time.

Slowly, the group made their way back to the room. Cinder seemed perpetually out of breath, walking with a slight limp and struggling with the stairs. She held Neo's hand in a vice-like grip, even as they entered the room. Weiss, Blake and Ruby sat on the bed, indicating that Cinder should sit on the desk chair. She did so, offering a thankful smile. Neo simply stood by her side, her short stature still leaving her near eye level.

"Are you okay?" Ruby asked. "Would you like some water?"

Cinder shook her head. "I'll be fine, thank you. I see you've been...busy." She gestured toward the bed.

Weiss smiled. "That is certainly a word for it...Cinder, what did you want to talk about?"

Cinder swallowed. "I want to apologize...to the three of you...but most of all to you Weiss." Weiss nodded, expecting as much. "I treated you cruelly...both by cutting contact...and approaching you as I did." Cinder took a deeper, unsteady breath. "I did not care for what you felt...but now I understand how deeply I hurt you...and I am sorry."

Weiss wished Cinder's voice was strong and steady, that she could have any excuse to doubt her sincerity, to justify the ailing scraps of contempt Weiss still held, but seeing her oldest friend genuinely apologizing for the pain she inflicted, after seeming so far gone from the girl she had spent time with as a child...it hurt. "I...accept your apology."

Cinder's shoulders slumped as tension left her body, and she managed to smile a little wider. "Blake...I made several comments in...poor taste. For that I also apologize."

Blake nodded, satisfied. "I accept."

Cinder next looked to Ruby, who smiled back. "Sorry for trying to seduce you...it was my fault Emerald attacked you."

Ruby shook her head. "Emerald made the choice to hurt me. You never wanted that to happen, and she made up for it in her own way."

Cinder tried to smile, but her face fell. She sighed wearily as Neo glared a hole in the floor. "Yeah...she did…"

"She hasn't come near us since we came back." Ruby noted.

"Was she afraid to come with you?" Blake asked.

Cinder shook her head. "We are no longer on...speaking terms."

Weiss furrowed her brow. "Why so?" Neo gave Weiss an irritable glare, and Weiss backtracked. "You don't have to answer, it's okay."

"No...it's fine." Cinder replied. "Emerald and I...had a...falling out…" She wiped her eye free of tears, Neo gripping her hand reassuringly. "It almost destroyed me. I wasn't in the...best of places...I...almost gave up...but Neo didn't." Cinder lay her hand over her companion's, turning to smile at her fondly...no, lovingly. Neo smiled back brightly.

Penultimate Day of Fall Break

The flight from Vacuo to Atlas was a long one, even when ensconced in the luxury of First Class. Vacuo was a popular vacation destination, particularly for college students from Atlas, famous for its tropical beaches and notorious for its wild parties. Cinder had quite enjoyed her time there, but the break was coming to an end. Classes would soon be back in session. Of more immediate concern, the flight home was proving rather unpleasant. A headwind lengthened the trip, and now as the plane approached its destination, bad weather made for a rough ride.

Some of the passengers were visibly alarmed by the bumping and jostling as the plane descended through the stormy skies, but Cinder was just annoyed. She knew bad weather like this could easily force a hold before landing - further extending the already interminable flight - or even a diversion to another airport. She was relieved when the pilot announced they were on final approach and cleared to land. The turbulent air continued to toss the aircraft about as a flash of lightning lit up the dark skies. Cinder glanced out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Atlas' impressive skyline, but she was met by only water and gloom. Disappointing.

Cinder could hear the flaps and slats extend as the plane neared the ground. With more surface area on the wings, the plane could fly more slowly, but was pushed around even more easily by the raging storm. Still, the pilot seemed to know what he was doing. Every change in direction, however sudden, was soon corrected by a smooth reaction, and never an overreaction as far as Cinder could tell. The pilot came over the PA again to warn that it might be a rough landing, but Cinder already had her seatbelt on and her things stowed.

As the plane neared the runway, there was a change in the engine note, a slowing. It was almost immediately followed by a surge as they were pressed to full throttle. Cinder knew enough to know the landing was being aborted. The bottom seemed to drop out as the plane rapidly descended. To Cinder it felt as if she was careening down the drop of a roller coaster. Then, chaos.

Just before the runway, the plane had run into a downburst, a rapidly descending column of air. The first contact with it had been a headwind, the down-rushing air hitting the ground and spreading out. The pilot had noticed the rise in airspeed and throttled back before realizing the situation and applying full throttle. It would be needed as the aircraft entered the column of air and lost the additional lift the wind had generated. As it exited the column, the air rushed away, the headwind shifting to a tailwind, robbing the plane of all lift. The pilot had reacted expertly, but the plane was too close to the ground.

The plane slammed into the pavement just short of the runway. The front landing gear collapsed, smashing the nose into the ground, causing the plane to bend and split open just in front of the wings, and just behind Cinder. Her seatbelt failed and she was thrown to the floor, knocked unconscious as fire erupted from the ruptured center fuel tank. Severely damaged but remaining in once piece, the flaming hulk slid to a stop in the grass beside the runway.

The evacuation began immediately. Those who were able fled the plane with panicked speed, as the crew did its best to help the injured escape. The fire penetrated the cabin, spreading as passengers fled. A few rows behind Cinder, Neo tried to press her way through the crowd toward an exit, fleeing the approaching flames. Lungs burning, clothing aflame, Neo barely made it in time, fleeing the wreckage and falling to the ground to smother the flames.

Cinder lie unconscious on the floor, just in front her her seat in the last row of First Class. The fire approached, threatening to consume her, but a crewman reached her first, dragging her motionless form to a door and the escape slide. Her burns were severe, and the damage to her lungs even more threatening. Along with the other burn victims, she was transferred to Atlas Military Hospital. Cinder was not expected to survive the night. Between the extensive burns that covered half her body, the lung damage and the toxins in her blood from the inhaled smoke, her chances were slim.