I scowl at myself in the mirror with a frustrated growl as I pull my hair into its normal style. Damn it, and damn Blake for getting ill today of all days. I should be studying for my finals, that happen to be next week but yet here I am getting all spruced up for an interview. I sigh in exasperation as I place the icicle tiara in my hair to keep it in place and I stare at the pale, white-haired girl with pale blue eyes and a crooked scar staring back at me.

Blake is my roommate, and she has chosen today of all days to succumb to her heat cycle. Therefore, she cannot attend the interview she'd arranged to do, with some mega-industrialist tycoon I've never heard of, for the student newspaper. So, I have been volunteered. I have final exams to cram for and one essay to finish, and I'm supposed to be working this afternoon, but no – today I have to drive 165 miles north to downtown Atlas in order to meet the enigmatic CEO of Phoenix Enterprises Holdings, Inc, A company in which my father's company works closely with. As an exceptional entrepreneur and major benefactor of our university, her time is extraordinarily precious – much more precious than mine – but she has granted Blake an interview. A real coup, she tells me. Damn her extracurricular activities.

Blake is huddled on the couch in the living room.

"Weiss, I'm sorry. It took me nine months to get this interview. It will take another six to reschedule, and we'll both have graduated by then. As the editor, I can't blow this off. Please" Blake begs me in her husky, sex-deprived voice. I sigh and ask, "I still don't understand why you can't go. Your heat cycle only flares up around other fauni and Yang, so why can't you go?" Blake swallows and answers, "That's just it. The CEO of PEH, INC is a faunus.. Please. I don't want to make a fool of myself by pouncing on her. She is supposed to be irresistible" How does she do it? Even ill she looks gamine and gorgeous, ebony black hair in place, with adorable kitty ears atop her head that twitch absentmindedly every few minutes, and shining golden eyes, although now darkened with lust and need. I ignore my pang of unwelcomed sympathy.

"Of course, I'll go Blake. You should get back to bed. Would you like some Ovaban or do I need to call Yang?" Blake laughs hoarsely and answers, "Ovaban, please. You know Yang is away on vacation with Ruby. Anyway, here are some questions and my digital recorder. Just press here to record. Make notes, I'll transcribe it all" I nibble on my lower lip, "I know nothing about her," I murmur, trying and failing to supress my rising panic and anxiety. Blake throws her head back with a silent groan and she says, "The questions will see you through. Go. It's a long drive and I don't want you to be late" I smile sadly, and I answer, "Okay, I'm going. Get back to bed. I made you some soup to heat up later. It's got catnip in it" I stare at her fondly. Only for you, Blake, would I do this. Blake nods with a smile and answers, "I will. Good Luck. And thanks, Weiss – as usual, you're my life saver" Gathering my backpack, I smile wryly at her, then head out the door to the car.

I cannot believe I have let Blake talk me into this. But then Blake can talk anyone into anything. She'll make an exceptional journalist. She's articulate, strong, persuasive, argumentative, beautiful – and she's my dearest, dearest friend.

The roads are clear as I set off from downtown Vale, towards interstate 18. It's early, and I don't have to be in Atlas until two this afternoon. Fortunately, I have my brand-new sports car that my asshole of a father so kindly brought me for my birthday. I'm not sure my old Merc would have made the journey in time. The new car is a fun drive though and the miles slip away as I hit the pedal to the metal.

My destination is the headquarters of Miss. Phoenix's global enterprise. It's a huge 79 story office building, all curved glass and steel, an architect's utilitarian fantasy, with Phoenix House written discreetly in steel over the glass front doors. It's quarter to two when I arrive, greatly relieved that I'm not late as I walk into the enormous – and quite frankly intimidating – glass, steel and white sandstone lobby.

Behind the solid sandstone desk, a very attractive, groomed, ebony-haired young woman smiles pleasantly at me. She's wearing the sharpest burgundy suit jacket and black shirt I have ever seen. She looks immaculate. "I'm here to see Miss. Phoenix. Weiss Schnee for Blake Belladonna" The woman's eyes flick to her computer screen, "Excuse me a moment, Miss Schnee" She arches an eyebrow as I stand self-consciously before her. I'm beginning to wish I had brought my matching suit jacket rather than winging it and coming without it. I have made an effort and worn my ice blue suit pants, sensible formal black shoes that I cleaned for the occasion, a navy-blue shirt and my matching ice blue tie and waist coat that has the symbol of my father's company embroidered on the back. For me, someone who grew up in a privileged household, this is smart. I tuck one of the escaped tendrils of my snow-white hair behind my ear as I pretend she doesn't intimidate me.

"Miss Belladonna is expected. Please sign in here, Miss Schnee. You'll want the last elevator on the right. Press for the 79th floor" She smiles kindly at me, most likely amused, as I sign in. She hands me a security pass that has "Visitor" very firmly stamped on the front. I can't help my smirk. Surely it's obvious that I'm just visiting. I don't fit in here at all. This is more Winter's type of place than mine. Nothing changes. I sigh inwardly. Thanking her, I walk over to the bank of elevators and past the two security men who are both far more smartly dressed than I am in their well-cut military uniforms.

Huh. So, she employs the Atlas Military as bodyguards. I think as the elevator whisks me away to the 79th floor. The doors slide open and I'm in another lobby – again of glass, steel and white sandstone. I am confronted by another desk of sandstone and another young woman, this time she has fiery red hair and shining Aqua eyes. She is dressed impeccably in dark red and white and rises to greet me.

"Miss Schnee, could you wait here, please?" She points to a seated area of crimson leather chairs. Behind the leather chairs is a spacious glass-walled meeting room with an equally spacious dark wood table and at least thirty matching chairs around it. Beyond that, there is a floor-to-ceiling window with a view of the Atlas skyline that looks out through the city towards the Sound. It's a stunning vista, and I'm momentarily paralyzed by the view. Wow.

I sit down, fish the questions from my backpack, and go through them, inwardly cursing Blake for not providing me with a brief biography. I know nothing about this woman I'm about to interview. She could be ninety or she could be thirty. The uncertainty is galling, and my nerves resurface, making me fidget. I've never been comfortable with one-on-one interviews, despite growing up doing them, preferring the anonymity of a group discussion where I can sit inconspicuously at the back of the room. To be honest, I prefer my own company, reading a classic fairy-tale, curled up in a chair in the campus library. Not sitting twitching nervously in a colossal glass-and-stone edifice.

I roll my eyes at myself. Get a grip, Schnee. Judging from the building, which is too clinical and modern, I guess Phoenix is in her forties: fit, tanned, and fair-haired to match the rest of the personnel. Another elegant, flawlessly dressed red-head comes out of the large door to the right. I rise to my feet with a deep breath.

"Miss Schnee?" The latest red-head asks. I nod and answer, "Yes" my confident voice wavering slightly, and she says, "Miss. Phoenix will see you in a moment. Have you been offered any refreshment?" I shake my head and answer, "Um-no" Red-head number two frowns slightly and she asks, "Would you like tea, coffee or water?" I shift slightly and I murmur, "A glass of water. Thank you" The red-head nods and she turns to the first red-head, "Nora, please fetch Miss Schnee a glass of water" She orders sternly, and Nora nods and she scurries to the door on the other side of foyer.

Studying the other woman's features, I pipe up and I say, "Hold on… you're Pyrrha Nikos, right?" The woman nods and answers, "That's me. You are Weiss Schnee, correct? We shared calculus in high school along with Blake Belladonna, Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long, correct?" I nod and I say, "Yes. I didn't think you noticed us" Pyrrha smiles warmly and answers, "It was hard not to. You were the class know-it-all" I blush hard and Nora returns with a glass of iced water.

She hands it to me and says, "Here you go, Miss Schnee" I take it from her, and I say, "Thank you" Nora walks back over to the desk and I ask, "So… how do you know Miss. Phoenix?" Pyrrha hums and answers, "We are old friends. We grew up together, actually" I nod, and the office door opens and a tall, attractive African-American male walks out. He turns and says through the door, "Basketball this week, Phoenix?" I don't hear the reply. He turns, sees me and smiles, his eyes hidden by the rectangular shades on his face. Nora jumps up and rushes to call the elevator. She's more nervous than me.

"Good afternoon, ladies" He says as he departs through the sliding door. Pyrrha looks at me and says, "Miss. Phoenix will see you now, Miss Schnee. Do go through" I stand shakily, trying to supress my nerves as I gather up my backpack and make my way to the partially open door.

Pyrrha smiles kindly and says, "You don't need to knock – Just go on in" I push open the door, tripping over my two feet in the process. Double crap – me and my two left feet! I am on my hands and knees in the doorway to Miss. Phoenix's office, and gentle hands are around me, helping me to stand. I am so embarrassed, damn my clumsiness.

I have to steel myself to glance up and when I do, I meet tantalizing silver eyes. Holy fuck – she's so young and fucking sexy. A smirk rises on her face, "Miss Belladonna" She extends a long-fingered hand to me once I'm upright. "I'm Danielle Phoenix. Are you alright? Would you like to sit?"

So young – and sexy, very sexy. She's tall, six foot eight maybe, dressed in a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, with a loose blood red tie around her neck with unruly dark brown coloured hair, with adorable ears atop her head that twitch with curiosity, and intense silver eyes that regard me shrewdly. I take a moment to stare into her eyes before I find my voice.

"Um. Actually-" I mutter. If this girl is over thirty, then I'm a monkey's uncle. In a daze, I place my hand in hers and we shake. As our fingers touch, I feel an odd exhilarating shiver run through me, sending heat gushing to my lower regions. I withdraw my hand hastily, embarrassed and I blink rapidly, my eyelids matching my heart rate. "Miss Belladonna is indisposed, so she sent me. I hope you don't mind, Miss. Phoenix" Danielle bites her lips tantalizingly and she drags her tongue over the indents of her teeth.

Holy fucking fuck. Blake got the irresistible part right I think in my head, "And you are?" Her voice is warm with a husky tinge to it. She looks interested but overall polite. "Weiss Schnee. I'm studying English with Blake….um Miss Belladonna, at VSA Beacon" I answer. A ghost of a smile sits on her lips, "I see" She answers simply. She helps me stand, "Would you like to sit?" She asks, waving me towards an L shaped red leather couch.

Her office is way too big for just one woman. In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, there's a modern dark wood desk that six people could comfortably eat around. It matches the coffee table by the couch. Everything else is red – ceiling, floors, and walls, except for the wall by the door, where a mosaic of small paintings hang, thirty-six of them arranged into a square. They are exquisite – a series of mundane, forgotten objects painted in such precise detail they look like photographs. Displayed together, they look exquisite.

"A local artist. Triton" answers Phoenix when she catches my gaze. I look at the makers mark and I ask, "Neptune Vasilias?" Danielle nods and answers, "Yes. An old friend of mine" She strokes her lower lip with her thumb, "I knew the guy was talented, but these are absolutely beautiful. Raising the ordinary to extraordinary" I murmur, distracted by both her and the paintings. She cocks her head to the side with a smirk as she regards me intently.

"I couldn't agree more, Miss Schnee," She replies, her voice soft but huskier than before and for some inexplicable reason I find myself blushing. Apart from the paintings, the rest of the office is cold, clean and clinical. I wonder if it reflects the personality of the Adonis who sinks gracefully into one of the red leather chairs opposite me. I shake my head, disturbed by the direction of my thoughts and retrieve Blake's questions from my backpack. Next, I set up the digital recorder and am all fingers and thumbs, dropping it twice on the coffee table in front of me. Miss Phoenix says nothing, waiting patiently – I hope – as I become increasingly embarrassed and flustered. When I pluck up the courage to look at her, she's watching me, one hand relaxed in her lap and the other cupping her chin and trailing her long index finger across her lip. I think she's trying to supress a smirk.

"S-sorry," I stutter. "I'm not used to this" Her tail swishes patiently, "Take all the time you need, Miss Schnee" She says. Motioning to the recorder on the desk I ask, "Do you mind if I record your answers?" The smirk on her face widens, "After you've taken so much trouble to set up the recorder, you ask me now?" She asks. I flush. She's teasing me? I hope. I blink at her, unsure what to say, and I think she takes pity on me because she relents. "No. I don't mind"

I nod and ask, "Did Blake, I mean, Miss Belladonna, explain what the interview was for?" Danielle studies her nails, "Yes. To appear in the graduation issue of the students newspaper as I shall be conferring the degrees at this year's graduation ceremony." She answers with a small smile.

Oh! This is news to me, and I'm temporarily preoccupied by the thought that someone, probably the same age as me and mega-successful is going to present me with my degree. I frown, dragging my wayward attention back to the task at hand.

"Good," I swallow nervously. "I have some questions, Miss. Phoenix." I smooth a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "I thought you might," she says, deadpan. She's laughing at me. My cheeks heat at the realization, and I sit up and square my shoulders in an attempt to look taller and more intimidating. Pressing the start button on the recorder, I try to look professional. I look at the list of questions and I ask, "You're very young to have amassed such an empire. To what do you owe your success?" I glance up at her. Her smile is rueful, but she looks vaguely disappointed.

"Business is all about people, Miss Schnee, and I'm very good at judging people. I know how they tick, what makes them flourish, what doesn't, what inspires them, and how to incentivize them. I employ an exceptional team, and I reward them well." She pauses and fixes me with her silver stare. "My belief is to achieve success in any scheme one has to make oneself master of that scheme, know it inside and out, know every detail. I work hard, very hard to do that. I make decisions based on logic and facts. I have a natural gut instinct that can spot and nurture a good solid idea and good people. The bottom line is, it's always down to good people."

I narrow my eyes slightly and I say, "Maybe you're just lucky." This isn't on Blake's list - but she's so arrogant. Her eyes flare momentarily in surprise and she grunts, "I don't subscribe to luck or chance, Miss Schnee. The harder I work the more luck I seem to have. It really is all about having the right people on your team and directing their energies accordingly. I think it was Harvey Firestone who said, 'the growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.'"

"You sound like a control freak." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. "Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Schnee," she says without a trace of humour in her smile. I look at her, and she holds my gaze steadily, impassive. My heartbeat quickens, and my face flushes again. Why does she have such an unnerving effect on me. Her overwhelming good-looks maybe. The way her eyes blaze at me. The way she strokes her index finger against her lower lip. I wish she'd stop doing that.

"Besides, immense power is acquired by assuring yourself in your secret reveries that you were born to control things," she continues, her voice has dropped a few octaves as she smirks. I shift in my seat, biting my lower lip when the material of my panties rubs against my throbbing clit and I ask, "Do you feel that you have immense power?" Control Freak.

Danielle takes a deep breath and answers, "I employ over sixty thousand people, Miss Schnee, the Atlesian Military included. That gives me a certain sense of responsibility - power, if you will. If I were to decide I was no longer interested in the telecommunications business and sell up, twenty thousand people would struggle to make their mortgage payments after a month or so."

My mouth drops open. I am staggered by her lack of humility. What can you expect from a faunus? My father's voice rings in my head and I swallow hard, "Don't you have a board to answer to?" I ask, disgusted. She smirks and answers, "I own my company. I don't have to answer to a board." she raises an eyebrow at me.

I flush. Of course, I would know this if I had done some research. But holy shit, she's so arrogant. I change tack. I run my tongue over my lower lip, and I ask, "And do you have any interests outside your work?" Danielle watches my tongue intently and she answers, "I have varied interests, Miss Schnee." A ghost of a smile touches her lips. "Very varied." And for some reason, I'm confounded and heated by her steady gaze. Her eyes are alight with some wicked thought.

I raise a curious eyebrow and I ask, "But if you work so hard, what do you do to chill out?" A soft laugh leaves her mouth and she asks, "Chill out?" She smiles, revealing perfect white teeth. I stop breathing. She really is beautiful. No one should be this good-looking.

"Well, to 'chill out' as you put it - I sail, I fly, I indulge in various physical pursuits." She answers and she shifts in his chair. "I'm a very wealthy woman, Miss Schnee, and I have expensive and absorbing hobbies. This you should know well, all things considered" I glance quickly at Blake's questions, wanting to get off this subject. I look back up at her, "You invest in manufacturing. Why, specifically?" I ask. Why does she make me so uncomfortable?

She hums, stroking her lip absentmindedly as she answers, "I like to build things. I like to know how things work: what makes things tick, how to construct and deconstruct. And I have a love of ships. What can I say?" I drum my fingers against my leg, and I state, "That sounds like your heart talking rather than logic and facts." Her mouth quirks up, and she stares appraisingly at me. She nods and says, "Possibly. Though there are people who'd say I don't have a heart." I raise a brow and ask, "Why would they say that?" She shifts in her seat and answers, "Because they know me well." Her lip curls in a wry smile. "Would your friends say you're easy to get to know?" I ask with a raised brow and I regret the question as soon as I say it. It's not on Blake's list.

"I'm a very private person, Miss Schnee. I go a long way to protect my privacy. I don't often give interviews," she trails off. "Why did you agree to do this one?" I ask curiously. Danielle hums and answers, "Because I'm a benefactor of the University, and for all intents and purposes, I couldn't get Miss Belladonna off my back. She badgered and badgered my PR people, and I admire that kind of tenacity."

I know how tenacious Blake can be. That's why I'm sitting here squirming uncomfortably under her penetrating gaze, when I should be studying for my exams. I clear my throat and I ask, "You also invest in farming technologies. Why are you interested in this area?" Danielle's ears twitch and her tail flicks and she answers, "We can't eat money, Miss Schnee, and there are too many people on this planet who don't have enough to eat." I raise a brow and ask, "That sounds very philanthropic. Is it something you feel passionately about. Feeding the world's poor?" She shrugs, very non-committal.

"It's shrewd business," She murmurs, though I think she's being disingenuous. It doesn't make sense - feeding the world's poor. I can't see the financial benefits of this, only the virtue of the ideal. I glance at the next question, confused by her attitude. I look back down at the questions and I ask, "Do you have a philosophy. If so, what is it?" She draws a circle on the arm of the chair as she thinks over her response and she answers, "I don't have a philosophy as such. Maybe a guiding principle - Ozpin's: 'A man or woman who acquires the ability to take full possession of his or her own mind may take possession of anything else to which he or she is justly entitled.' I'm very singular, driven. I like control - of myself and those around me." I nod softly and I ask, "So you want to possess things?" You are a control freak.

She smirks and answers, "I want to deserve to possess them, but yes, bottom line, I do." I scrunch my nose up in disgust and I say, "You sound like the ultimate consumer." You sound like my father I groan inwardly, and she answers, "I am." She smiles, but the smile doesn't touch her eyes. Again, this is at odds with someone who wants to feed the world, so I can't help thinking that we're talking about something else, but I'm absolutely mystified as to what it is. I swallow hard. The temperature in the room is rising or maybe it's just me. I just want this interview to be over. Surely Blake has enough material now. I glance at the next question.

"You were adopted. How far do you think that's shaped the way you are?" I ask curiously. Oh fuck, this is personal. I stare at her, hoping she's not offended. Her brow furrows and she answers, "I have no way of knowing." My interest is piqued, and I ask, "How old were you when you were adopted?" She narrows her eyes and her tail flicks showing she is slightly annoyed, and she says, "That's a matter of public record, Miss Schnee." Her tone is stern. I flush, again. Crap.

Yes of course - if I'd known I was doing this interview, I would have done some research. Or, I could have called Winter on the way up to Atlas. It would have given me an excuse to talk to her at least. I think bitterly. I shake the thoughts out of my head, and I move on quickly. I meet her silver gaze and I say, "You've had to sacrifice a family life for your work." She sinks her teeth into her lip, her sharp fangs drawing blood that she slowly licks up and she points out, "That's not a question." She's terse. "Sorry." I squirm, and she's made me feel like an errant child. I try again. "Have you had to sacrifice a family life for your work?" Danielle strokes her bottom lip with her thumb, and she answers, "I have a family. I have a brother and a sister and two loving parents. I'm not interested in extending my family beyond that."

I swallow hard and I take a fleeting glance at the question and I ask, "Are you gay, Miss. Phoenix?" She inhales sharply, and I cringe, mortified. Crap. Why didn't I employ some kind of filter before I read this straight out? How can I tell her I'm just reading the questions? Damn Blake and her curiosity! "If it pleases you, Yes Weiss, I am." She raises her eyebrows, a cool gleam in her eyes. She does not look pleased. I wipe my sweaty hands on my legs. Oh, come on Schnee! You fucking useless lesbian, get it together! I scold in my head and I say, "I apologize. It's um... written here." It's the first time she's said my name and with the seductive and husky tone she adopted, it's made my pussy quiver. My heartbeat has accelerated, and my cheeks are heating up again. Nervously, I tuck my loosened hair behind my ear.

She cocks her head to one side and asks, "These aren't your own questions?" I swallow hard, the blood draining from my head. Oh no. I shake my head and answer, "Err... no. Blake - Miss Belladonna - she compiled the questions." She nods slowly, I notice her eyes darkening and her breathing becoming slight heavier and I think, Fuck… fuck! I forgot she's a faunus… she can probably smell the fact that I am heavily aroused. I clench my legs closed and she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before asking, "Are you colleagues on the student paper?" Oh crap. I have nothing to do with the student paper. It's her extra-curricular activity, not mine. My face is aflame.

I shake my head and I answer, "No. She's my roommate." She rubs her chin in quiet deliberation, her silver eyes appraising me. "Did you volunteer to do this interview?" she asks, her voice deadly quiet. Hang on, who's supposed to be interviewing whom? Her eyes burn into me, and I'm compelled to answer with the truth. "I was drafted. She's not well." My voice is weak and apologetic. She nods and answers, "That explains a great deal." There's a knock at the door, and Pyrrha enters.

"Miss. Schnee, forgive me for interrupting, but your next meeting is in two minutes. Mr Schnee is getting impatient." I stiffen at the mention of my father and Danielle notices this and she says, "We're not finished here, Pyrrha. Please cancel my next meeting." Pyrrha hesitates, gaping at her. She's appears lost. She turns her head slowly to face her and raises her eyebrows. She flushes bright pink. Oh good. It's not just me. "Very well, Miss Phoenix," she mutters, then exits. She frowns and turns her attention back to me.

"Where were we, Miss Schnee?" She asks. Oh, we're back to 'Miss Schnee' now. I swallow hard, my shoulders relaxing but tensing again when I hear my father's raised voice from the lobby. I cringe in fear as I hear his nearing footsteps and the door slams open to reveal the CEO of Schnee Industries, Jacques Schnee. Well, Jacques Gelé as he married into the Schnee name.

"What is the meaning of this, Phoenix?! You dare try to cancel our meeting" Father yells, his voice making my cringe. Danielle rubs her eyes and answers, "I'm a little busy, Jacques. Now please leave" Father looks at me and he growls, "What are you doing here?" I squeak in fear and I am about to respond when Father strikes me unexpectedly.

I yelp from the stinging pain in my now aflame cheek and Danielle shoots up from her chair, her eyes dangerous and filled with anger and she snarls, "Get out. Now. I will not have you disrespect my guest" Father straightens his posture and he snaps, "Your guest? She is a mistake… just like her whore of a sister" Danielle loses it and drives her fist into the wall behind father's head and she threatens, "Leave through the door, Jacques or I will throw you out through the window" Father narrows his eyes and he storms out, slamming the door behind him.

Danielle rushes to my side and she asks, "Are you alright, Weiss?" Her voice taking on a caring tone as she looks over my stinging cheek and I say, "Please don't let me keep you from anything." Danielle shakes her head and answers "Nonsense. That vile man can wait. However, I want to know about you. I think that's only fair." Her silver eyes are alight with curiosity. Double crap. Where's she going with this. She places her elbows on the arms of the chair and steeples her fingers in front of her mouth. Her mouth is very... distracting. I swallow. "There's not much to know," I say, flushing again. "What are your plans after you graduate?" She asks curiously and I shrug, thrown by her interest. Come to Atlas with Blake, find a place, find a job. I haven't really thought beyond my finals.

"I haven't made any plans, Miss. Phoenix. I just need to get through my final exams." I answer confidently. Which I should be studying for now rather than sitting in your palatial, swanky, sterile office, feeling uncomfortable under your penetrating gaze. "We run an excellent internship program here," She says quietly. I raise my eyebrows in surprise. Is she offering me a job? "Oh. I'll bear that in mind," I murmur, completely confounded. "Though I'm not sure I'd fit in here." Oh no. I'm musing out loud again. "Why do you say that?" She asks, cocking her head to one side, intrigued, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" I ask, curiously. I'm uncoordinated, scruffy, and I'm not a red-head. "Not to me," she murmurs. Her gaze is intense, all humour gone, and strange muscles deep in my belly clench suddenly. I tear my eyes away from her scrutiny and stare blindly down at my knotted fingers. What's going on I have to go - now. I lean forward to retrieve the recorder.

"This is more my sister's field than mine, Miss Phoenix" Danielle hums, "Would you like me to show you around?" she asks. I shake my head and I answer, "I'm sure you're far too busy, Miss. Phoenix, and I do have a long drive." "You're driving back to VSA in Vale?" She sounds surprised, anxious even. She glances out of the window. It's begun to snow, the scheduled blizzard rolling in earlier than expected. "Well, you'd better drive carefully." Her tone is stern, authoritative. Why should she care "Did you get everything you need?" she adds.

I nod with a bite of my lip, "Yes sir," I reply, packing the recorder into my satchel. Her eyes narrow, speculatively. I look into her eyes and I say, "Thank you for the interview, Miss. Phoenix." Danielle stands from her crouching position next to my chair, "The pleasure's been all mine," she says, polite as ever. As I rise, she holds out her hand. "Until we meet again, Miss Schnee." And it sounds like a challenge, or a threat, I'm not sure which. I frown. When will we ever meet again? I shake her hand once more, astounded that that odd current between us is still there. It must be my nerves.

"Miss. Phoenix." I nod at her. Moving with lithe athletic grace to the door, she opens it wide. "Just ensuring you make it through the door, Miss Schnee." she gives me a small smile, a slight chuckle rolling from her throat. Obviously, she's referring to my earlier less-than-elegant entry into her office. I flush.

"That's very considerate, Miss. Phoenix," I snap, and her smile widens. I'm glad you find me entertaining, I glower inwardly, walking into the foyer. I'm surprised when she follows me out. Pyrrha and Nora both look up, equally surprised.

"Did you have a coat?" Phoenix asks. I shake my head with a sigh, and I answer, "No" Danielle chuckles and she walks back into the office, returning with a hooded leather jacket and she says, "You can borrow this. Don't ruin it though. It's my favourite jacket" She holds it up and, feeling ridiculously self-conscious and knowing that I can't argue, I shrug it on.

Phoenix places her hands for a moment on my shoulders. I gasp at the contact. If she notices my reaction, she gives nothing away. Her long index finger presses the button summoning the elevator, and we stand waiting - awkwardly on my part, coolly self-possessed on hers.

The doors open, and I hurry in desperate to escape. I really need to get out of here. When I turn to look at her, she's leaning against the doorway beside the elevator with one hand on the wall. She really is very, very good-looking. It's distracting. Her burning silver eyes gaze at me. "Weiss," she says as a farewell, the seductive and sultry tone caressing my name as it leaves her mouth and my lower body throbs painfully. I meet her gaze, "Danielle," I reply. And mercifully, the doors close.