Fate's Wild Card Ch. 17 (Early Access)

"We are a little occupied, Ruby," Weiss replies with forced politeness, though her voice carries a different undertone.

"Ooooh, serious new teammates talk? Like, important team business?" Ruby asks with obvious curiosity, bouncing slightly on her toes.

Pryce feels like his sanity is evaporating into thin air, dangerously slipping away from his grasp, but he manages to take hold of it at the very last moment and refuses to let go completely.

This can't be his life. This absolutely cannot be happening to him.

And he will not allow this insanity to continue another cursed second.

With that renewed determination burning in his chest, he locks in mentally and pushes himself back up to his feet, brushing off his clothes with sharp, decisive movements.

Then he looks directly at Ruby with the most serious expression he's ever worn—this is a pivotal moment that could determine his mental health for the next four years. "Ruby, you can take Pyrrha and go ahead to our room. We'll catch up in a while. Please."

"Okay!" Ruby says immediately with her usual enthusiasm, then blinks in confusion as the request sinks in. "But... wait, why aren't you coming with us right now? That's actually exactly why I came looking for you guys—to bring you both back so we could all hang out together and get to know each other better as a real team! We could even pick our beds and maybe decorate and share stories and—"

Pryce glances at Weiss, who's still standing there with that insufferably confident expression like she's won some kind of intellectual victory, then back at Ruby. His jaw tightens with absolute determination.

"I have something extremely important I need to discuss with Weiss first. Something that can't wait."

Weiss raises an eyebrow, her expression shifting to something that looks almost pleased and satisfied. "Oh, we do? I'm so glad you're finally taking this seriously."

"Yes, we absolutely do," he reaffirms with steel in his voice, and Weiss's expression shifts again as if she somehow understands his meaning—though he is pretty sure that she's misunderstanding everything again.

Ruby looks back and forth between them, clearly picking up on some kind of intense tension but not quite grasping what's happening. Her silver eyes narrow slightly with concern. "Are you guys okay? You both seem really... weird."

"Everything's fine," Pryce says firmly. "Just something that needs sorting out between new teammates."

Ruby's expression brightens again as she apparently accepts this explanation. "Okay, guys! Team bonding time is super important! The room is 121 on the second floor! Pyrrha and I will be waiting for you to pick beds and maybe organize our stuff and make planes and maybe play games and—"

"Ruby," Pryce interrupts. "We'll be there soon, don’t worry."

"Right! Don't take too long though—I want to hear all about your weapons and fighting styles and maybe we can plan some cool team attacks!" With that, Ruby turns around and skips away, her red cloak flowing dramatically as she disappears around the corner, humming a cheerful tune.

Now Weiss and Pryce are alone again in the secluded area behind the cafeteria.

"So should I assume that you've finally accepted the gravity of your mistake and will properly help me rectify this extremely unfortunate situation?" Weiss asks with obvious satisfaction, smoothing down her pristine white hair and showing him a triumphant smile. "I knew that once you had time to process the reality of our predicament, your better judgment would prevail."

"No," Pryce says bluntly, "You're coming with me."

Before she can respond or protest, he grabs Weiss's wrist firmly and starts walking.

"Wha—hey!" Weiss protests, her voice rising with immediate indignation. "Unhand me this instant! I will absolutely not be treated like—"

But he ignores her completely and starts dragging her along, his grip firm but not painful—he can at least be somewhat considerate even in his desperation. She tries to resist, naturally, digging her heels into the ground and pulling back against his momentum with surprising strength for someone her size. But he's stronger than her, and thankfully she's not actually trying to hurt him, just resist.

However, as soon as they step into public view where other students can see them, she immediately changes tactics. Her posture straightens, her expression becomes carefully neutral and dignified, and she allows Pryce to lead her without further obvious protest—though he can practically feel the murderous fury radiating off her, her eyes glaring daggers at him.

"This is highly improper," she hisses quietly through a forced smile as they pass a group of chattering first-years. "When we're alone again, I hope you have an explanation."

Pryce walks with a singular purpose in mind but then quickly realizes he has absolutely no idea where the infirmary is located in this massive academy. He turns toward the cafeteria counter, where a middle-aged man in kitchen attire is cleaning the counter with a rag.

"Excuse me," Pryce says politely, trying to sound casual. "Where's the infirmary?"

The man looks up from his work, pointing toward the exit with a wet hand. "Same building as the student dormitories, first floor. Can't miss it—there's a big red cross painted on the door."

"Thanks," Pryce says curtly, already turning away and heading directly in that direction with renewed determination.

He doesn't bother looking at Weiss, who is probably seething behind that carefully controlled public facade, but honestly he doesn't care anymore. He's going to drag her to the nurse who will explain exactly how sex and pregnancy actually work because he absolutely will not let this insane delusion fester and become an even bigger problem later.

He doesn't know exactly how it would cause problems, but his survival instincts are screaming that this kind of misunderstanding will definitely bite him in the ass if left unchecked. Better to deal with this madness immediately before it spirals completely out of control.

"Where exactly are you taking me?" Weiss asks through gritted teeth, her voice carefully modulated to avoid causing a public scene as they walk past groups of curious students.

"To get you some actual education," Pryce replies without turning around, his tone matter-of-fact. "Since apparently Atlas's fancy institutions forgot to teach you basic biology."

"Excuse me? I'll have you know that Atlas and its affiliated institutions provide the finest, most comprehensive education available in all four kingdoms," Weiss hisses quietly, her voice tight with offended pride. "My private tutors were the most qualified professionals money could acquire, each holding advanced degrees in their respective fields—"

"Yeah, well, you got fucking scammed," Pryce cuts her off bluntly as they approach the dormitory building's entrance. "I'm taking you to talk to an actual medical expert."

As they reach the building's front doors, Weiss finally digs her heels in completely and yanks her hand free from his grip with a sharp motion.

"I am absolutely not going anywhere with you until you explain exactly what you think you're accomplishing with this!" she demands, her blue eyes flashing with genuine anger and her perfectly composed face flushed with indignation.

Pryce stops as he lets out a tired sigh before he turns to face her fully. "I'm taking you to this academy nurse so she can explain how babies are made. Because this magical stork bullshit ends right now."

Weiss's face cycles through several emotions in rapid succession—confusion, dawning realization, and then absolute horror.

"You want to take me to discuss... intimate personal matters... with a complete stranger?!" she whispers frantically, looking around to make sure no one can overhear. "Do you have any idea of what kind of scandal that would create if word got out? My reputation would be utterly ruined! My family name would be dragged through the mud!"

"Oi! Your reputation is going to be a hell of a lot worse if you keep running around telling people you're pregnant from a simple kiss," Pryce points out with brutal logic, at least brutal logic for him.

"I don't discuss this with just anyone! This is an extremely intimate and private matter!" Weiss protests, her voice rising slightly before she catches herself and lowers it again. "I only told you because you're the... the father! It's not like I'm broadcasting it to the entire city!"

"But you told me," Pryce says, "which means you'll probably tell other people when this 'pregnancy' doesn't magically disappear. And then what? You're going to insist that some mystical stork is bringing you a baby? People are going to think you've lost your mind."

Weiss opens her mouth to argue, then closes it, clearly struggling with the blatant logic of his argument while still maintaining her ridiculous beliefs.

"Besides," Pryce continues, "the nurse won’t talk."

Probably.

Weiss frowns as she glares at him with her icy blue eyes. After a long moment, she lets out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. I was the first to drag you somewhere, so I suppose it's only fair that you get to do the same. I accept this... visit. But I expect you to conduct yourself with proper decorum."

"Thank you," Pryce says in exasperation, throwing his hands up dramatically. "Finally, some fucking sense."

"Language," Weiss mutters under her breath, but follows him nonetheless.

They continue walking the rest of the way in tense silence until they reach the infirmary and enter through the door marked with the red cross. Unexpectedly, the room is clean and sterile, with white walls and a couple of blue beds neatly arranged.

A woman in a white coat is seated behind a desk, looking up from some paperwork as they enter. She has kind eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses and graying hair pulled back in a neat bun. "Oh, hello there! This is a surprise—it's not even the first day of classes."

However, Pryce doesn't waste any time with pleasantries. He quickly moves behind Weiss and gives her a firm push toward the woman, causing Weiss to yelp in surprise and stumble forward.

"Explain to this girl what sex is and how pregnancy works," he says bluntly to the nurse.

"WHAT?!" Weiss's face turns beet red as she whips around to face him, her voice reaching a new pitch. "Pryce Locke! You cannot just—this is completely inappropriate! I am a Schnee, and I will not be subjected to such—"

But he ignores her protests and quickly yanks the door closed behind him. He grabs the handle firmly with both hands, not letting her escape even as he immediately hears and feels banging on the other side.

"Let me out this instant!" Weiss's muffled voice shouts from within, her usual composure completely shattered. "You brute! I demand you open this door immediately! This is kidnapping! False imprisonment!"

“Please, calm down.” That’s the nurse.

"Ma'am!" Pryce calls through the door, "my teammate thinks kissing makes babies. Please fix that!"

“PRYCE!”

That only caused the snobbish girl to hit the door harder, and fight to open the door.

Pryce just holds the handle tight and doesn't let go. A fierce tug-of-war ensues as Weiss clearly tries to pull the door open from the inside while he keeps it firmly shut from the outside. The door rattles and shakes with her efforts, and he can hear her heels clicking frantically against the floor as she struggles.

"When I get out of here, you're going to regret this!"

After several minutes, everything finally calms down. Or at least he can't hear Weiss's indignant protests anymore, so he carefully plants his ear against the door to try to hear if she's finally calmed down and finally talking with the woman.

But he doesn’t hear anything, which strikes him as odd.

Only for that specific spot on the door to be hit hard from the inside and the force somehow transmitting through the wood and making him stumble backward. 

"Ow, fuck!" He falls on his ass with a sharp hiss of pain as he holds his cheek where it struck the door, rubbing the sore spot. The impact even seemed to rattle his eardrums, which was not only  uncomfortable but painful.

That's when the door opens and reveals Weiss looking down at him with her arms crossed, clearly upset. Her face is still flushed, but now it's more from anger than embarrassment. Her blue eyes are practically shooting ice daggers at him.

"Hmph!"

She lifts her head with all the dignity and snobbishness of an Atlesian bitch, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she strides away without so much as a backward glance.

Pryce just pushes himself back to his feet, brushing off his clothes, and looks at the nurse who is now standing in the doorway. She's looking at him with her arms crossed as well, clearly not pleased.

"Don't do that again, young man, or I will report you to the headmaster," she says sternly, her kind demeanor from earlier completely gone. "You cannot simply force students into my office and demand I discuss personal matters with them against their will!"

So he's the one getting reprimanded?

He clicks his tongue in annoyance, rolling his eyes. "So you didn't explain anything to her?"

The woman's frown deepens. "Of course not! Your actions understandably distressed the young lady, and I spent the entire time trying to calm her down before she broke down my door!"

"Great," Pryce mutters under his breath. "Just fucking great."

"Language!" the nurse snaps. "And I meant what I said about reporting this. One more incident like this and you'll be having a very uncomfortable conversation with Professor Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch. This is a medical facility, not some playground for you to act out your childish disputes!"

Pryce shrugs and rolls his neck. "Whatever."

"I'm serious, Mr...?"

"Locke."

"Mr. Locke, this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. Learn to resolve your issues like a civilized person and stop dragging innocent parties into your problems."

As if that would have worked with that delusional princess.

"Yeah, sure. Thanks for nothing."

The nurse shakes her head as he turns to leave. "Unbelievable."

Pryce just keeps walking, heading straight to his new team room. He can see Weiss's white hair disappearing around a corner in the distance. His rabbit's ears twitch slightly as he catches the sound of her heels echoing through the corridor—the sharp, angry rhythm telling him she's still pissed off.

Well, that was a complete waste of time.

And he couldn't nip the issue in the bud, but perhaps another opportunity will arise later.

But then his ears twitch again as he picks up the sound of footsteps coming from behind. He doesn't slow down or stop, but subtly tries to pay more attention without being obvious that he's aware of being followed.

So he's about to reach the corner to make the turn when he catches a glimpse of a blonde head peeking around the building entrance. He completes the turn and immediately stops, pressing himself against the wall to think about what to do next—and fast.

Someone's definitely following him, and in his experience, that usually not good news.

Although, that’s a really mediocre attempt.

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AN: Pryce could have handled it better.