Board Thread:Off Topic/@comment-86.177.115.115-20200122214551

Okay, so I'm completely grasping at straws here, but I recently had an idea for a Weiss-centric episode of RWBY focusing on the Five Stages of Grief, specifically Weiss going through them after the death of her mother, Willow. Before you go any furthur, I would like it to be known that I have zero factual evidence for any of this, and it is basically fanfiction, so please don't come down on me too hard.

Still here? Okay. Let's go.

Stage 1 - Denial. As the episode starts, Weiss, despite significant evidence to the contrary, is refusing to accept that her mother is dead. She's acting almost forcefully cheerful - the kind of cheerfulness that nobody would bat an eye at coming from Ruby or Nora, but coming from calm, reserved, collected Weiss, nobody's sure what to do. Maybe and Ruby have a brief conversation about it - Jaune suggests that maybe Ruby gives Weiss the day off to process it, but Ruby replies that she'll need all hands on deck for the fight to come.

Stage 2 - Anger. Team RWBY lands at an Atlas research sight overrun by Grimm, and a fight begins. Ruby notices that Weiss is fighting with a lot more force and vitriol than usual, not even bothering with her Semblance of Dust - she just lays into the Grimm with Myrtenaster. While Blake and Yang cover the entrance, Weiss and Ruby evacuate the scientists inside. Weiss is very rude and coarse while talking to them, and Ruby asks her point-blank if something's wrong. As Weiss denies this, Yang radios for backup.

Stage 3 - Bargaining. A new, more powerful Grimm has entered the fray, maybe an Alpha Megoliath or an Elder Geist, and it begins smacking Team RWBY around. Ruby orders a retreat, but Weiss charges in to fight it alone, muttering to herself that if she kills this one, everything can go back to normal. Naturally, it doesn't go well, and Ruby and Yang hold it off while Blake gets Weiss to the ship. Once Weiss is on board, Ruby and Yang call back, and the ship heads home.

Stage 4 - Depression. Back at base, Weiss becomes apathetic, staying in her room and refusing to come out. After two days of this, Team JNR, plus Oscar and Blake, discuss what to do. Ruby and Yang give each other Significant Looks, and they head upstairs. Blake asks where they're going, and Yang replies, "what we have to."

WARNING! THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE CONTAINS COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF EMOTIONAL DIALOGUE AND WHITEROSE SHIPPING. IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO SUCH SUBJECTS, PLEASE STOP READING.

Weiss is lying on her bed in her pyjamas, two plates of unbeaten food on her bedside table. Ruby greets her with characteristic cheer, and Weiss replies with very uncharacteristic apathy. Ruby sits down next to Weiss while Yang stays standing. Yang says that she doesn't know much about having a mother, since Summer died when she was young and Raven is, by her own admission, "kind of an asshole". She admits that Weiss probably knows a lot more about having a mom than she does. When Summer died, the entire family was devastated, but they moved forward, trying to live each day as Summer would want them to. But, Yang continues, gesturing at Weiss' untidy room, this isn't what Willow would want. None of what Weiss has been doing lately is. Ruby chips in, saying that she knows even less than Yang, since she hardly knew Summer. But - she places a hand on Weiss' shoulder - she had Yang to help her. And she's sure Summer would be proud of them, just like how she's sure Willow is proud of Weiss. And anytime Weiss wants somebody to talk to, she and Yang are always there.

At this point, Weiss breaks down, burying her face in Ruby's shoulder and sobbing uncontrollably, throwing her arms around her team leader. Ruby doesn't twitch or push her away - she just gently hugs her teammate and lets her pour it all out. Yang steps forward, one arm raised, but Ruby gives her a reassuring smile like "don't worry, I got this," and Yang smiles back, stepping out of the room.

Stage 5 - Acceptance. After about thirty seconds, Ruby strokes the back of Weiss' head, whispering "it's okay" over and over as if trying to calm an animal. Weiss' crying subsides, though her breaths are still rapid and uneven. Ruby shifts, uncomfortable with Weiss so close. "Ruby?" Weiss sniffles. "What?" Ruby asks. "Can you stay a bit longer?" Weiss asks. Ruby agrees, still hugging her teammate. And thus, the episode ends.

Oh good grief, I put WAY too much thought into this... So, what do you guys think? Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome, and thanks to ChishioKunrin for directing me here!  