An evening breeze fluttered though thin white curtains, pale light highlighting the Rose manor. It was late summer and Atlas' mountainous glaciers were already bringing in fall weather. On the top floor of the expansive mansion the Schnee Dust Company heiress August Rose sat at the foot of her bed in front of an open suitcase surrounded by clothes. Her short pink hair was swept to the left side and her silvery blue eyes were lowered in thought. The eleven year old stroked her chin thoughtfully; she wore a pink and yellow dress with a small purple jacket over top.

"Hmm" She mumbled, looked down at the suitcase with a scrutinizing eye "Tops, pants, sweaters, socks, dresses, bloomers"

It all seemed to be there

A knock brought her attention to the door as the SDC president poked her head in. Weiss looked down impatiently at her oldest daughter "August, are you finished packing?" She asked sternly.

The young girl looked to her mother "Yes, Mama" She replied quickly.

Weiss nodded "Okay, hurry up" Her voice was commanding and held no softness "The ship won't wait forever"

She closed the door and August pulled her lips into a thin line, her hands clenched into tight fists on her lap. Her mother was always so demanding. Forcing her body to relax she shook her head and clasped her suitcase shut.

She walked down the long hallway, her arms straining slightly as she held the heavy blue suitcase in front of her. Maybe she packed a bit too much but she would need every bit of it. Her footsteps echoed off the long corridor. Gargoyles cast their fierce gazes down at her; she glanced up at a large family portrait as she passed, her hands gripping the bag tighter.

"Good evening, Big Sister"

August looked up to see a young boy standing at the other end of the hall, her seven year old brother Nicolai. The bangs of his short white hair were tipped with blood red; his blue eyes matched the smug grin on his face. He wore a white dress shirt with a blue vest, matching shorts, white socks and blue dress shoes. He held a brown suitcase in front of him.

Nicolai cocked his head to the side "Ready to go?" He asked.

August lowered her eyebrows and nodded.

As they walked downstairs they spotted a small girl clutching onto a red suitcase standing near the door. Scarlett was the youngest of the Rose children at six. Her red hair was streaked with grey and her silver eyes sparkled. She was dressed similarly to her brother with a white shirt, black vest, red plaid skirt with socks and black dress shoes, a red ribbon hung from her collar.

Weiss stood beside her, her arms crossed "It's about time" She grumbled as her two oldest children joined their sister "Now we just need to wait for..."

DING DONG

The president was interrupted by the echo of the doorbell. She sighed, opening the door and plastering a smile to the person beyond it.

"Blake, welcome"

The faunus grinned tiredly "It's nice to see you, Weiss"

Weiss raised an eyebrow at her former teammate's haggard appearance.

"You okay Blake?" Weiss asked "You look tired"

The cat woman stifled a yawn and ran a hand over her baggy eyes "I'm fine, the Vale section has been harder to deal with then I anticipated" She lamented.

Weiss nodded understandably "The White Fang can't be easy to control since you became High Leader" She said sympathetically.

Blake rubbed the back of her head "It's a trying fight" She admitted "Anyway, I still have some work to do so I'm just here to drop off Linn" She placed her other hand on the shoulder of a girl standing silently beside her holding a purple suitcase.

Linn Xaio-Long was ten. Her deep purple hair was pulled into thick pigtails, her bangs were pulled back to reveal twitching cat ears, a navy steak ran through both pigtails that matched her eyes. She wore a dark off shoulder dress with puffed sleeves, a crisscross collar and corset. Her legs were covered by knee length purple socks and boots.

Blake looked at her watch "Damn, I gotta go" She sighed. She leaned down and gave her daughter a quick kiss on the head "Have fun, Linn" The little cat faunus didn't respond and quickly sprinted to her eldest cousins side.

As Blake left, a white limo pulled up front and Weiss sighed, turning to them "Alright, don't cause Grandpa Tai too much trouble" She gave her children quick kisses and hugs, pausing in front of her eldest daughter "August, take care of your siblings and cousin" She ordered "You're the oldest so you're in change" She wagged her finger at her "Do you understand?"

August nodded almost robotically.

Weiss nodded "Okay, be good" She said flatly.

The children walked single file down the white marble steps. The few trees surrounding the property were starting to change color as they piled into the limousine. August stared out the tinted window as they pulled away.

The siblings claimed this outing was a trip to their grandfathers in Vale but that was just a lie to cover up what they were really doing. For the past week, Mama Ruby and Aunt Yang were taking missions in Vale and staying at the Rose families summer home. August knew they'd never be there because of how many missions her mother tended to take so it left the house open for the kids to spend a week there at without any adult supervision.

August rested her chin in her palm as she watched the sparkling white mansion disappear. She knew what she was doing was wrong but the manor had grown so suffocating she couldn't stand it any longer. So she sat back and let the manor disappear into the distance.

Across from her Scarlett squirmed anxiously in her seat, she always had a hard time sitting still and hated long car rides. She looked around the spacious interior trying to think of something to do., she spotted her sister staring out the window and an idea popped into her head.

"Guys, let's play I Spy!" She cried. She glanced out the window and spotted a sign "Okay, I Spy with my little eye something that is…"

She was interrupted by someone clearing their throat and looked over at her brother who was pointing at their cousin.

The meaning came together in an instant and Scarlett's hands flew to her mouth "Linn, I'm so sorry!" She gasped "I know you can't talk!"

The cat girl merely tilted her head and Scarlett looked down, bunching her hands in her skirt awkwardly.

August rolled her eyes, still looking out the window as the city began to thin out. Of course Scarlett would suggest that, the little brat was always saying things without thinking. She peeked over at Linn, wondering if her sister's suggestion had affected her but she was stone faced. August often wondered if not being to speak would affect a faunus more than a human but she figured anyone being mute for seven years would just be used to it.

It was dark by the time they made it to the marina. As they stopped Scarlett, forgetting her moping, jumped up and grabbed her suitcase. "We're here!" She cried.

The other two Rose siblings groaned. As they filed out, August looked around. It was abandoned, water lapped against the side of the pier, buoy bells chimed from the water mixed with singing of crickets. Even the wind was calm but that didn't stop a permeating chill creeping up from the calm waters. August shivered slightly, pulling her arms closer to her chest as the clung to her suitcase. An uneasy feeling came over her as they walked.

Scarlett seemed unaffected as she looked around "It's so creepy" She gushed. That caused her to giggle, she spun around laughing to herself before turning to her siblings "Where's our ship?" She asked.

August paused, rolling her eyes. It was to typical for Scarlett to laugh at her own jokes "I think Nicolai has the tickets" She said plainly.

Scarlett smiled mischievously at her brother "So, where is it Nikki?" She mocked.

The light haired boy's expression darkened "Don't call me that" He threatened. Setting down his suitcase he reached in his pocket and pulled out a quartet of tickets that had 'Atlas Luxury Travels' printed at the top. He brought them close to his face and squinted, trying to make out the numbers "Darn it, it's too dark to see" He grumbled. He sighed and passed the tickets to his cousin "Here Linn, you figure it out"

The cat girl peered at the tickets, her night vision turning the darkness around them into a hazy light. She drew a fourteen with her finger and pointed further down the marina.

Scarlett grinned and spun around dramatically "Let's go!" She announced.

Nicolai sighed 'Little sisters are so annoying' He thought.

They found the boat before long. The man taking their tickets gave them a strange look but didn't ask any questions.

August sighed as she opened the door to her and Linn's cabin. It was moderately sized, the walls were golden and there were two identical beds with shelves above them for luggage and a porthole in the middle to watch the waves. As she plopped her suitcase on her bed and started rummaging for her pajamas she heard a knock on her door.

Scarlett was on the other side in a white nightgown. She smiled up at her sister expectantly "Can I sleep with you?" She asked

August groaned. Of course she'd ask that, she was so clingy "No, there's no room" She said "You're sleeping with Nicolai"

Scarlett pouted "He won't let me in his bed" She whined "I wanna stay with you"

August felt her patience starting to run thin "No" She repeated louder.

Scarlett started pulling on her sleeves "Please?" She begged.

The heiress had had enough; she scowled and ripped her arm from her sister's grasp. Reaching out, she heard Scarlett groan as she pushed her to the ground "I said no, sleep in your own bed for once!" She shouted and slammed the door shut without another word.

Leaning against the door and folded her arms and glared. Why did she agree to take her with them anyway, she was such a whiny brat. She looked over at Linn who was staring at her questioningly, sometimes she really envied the fact the she was an only child. Sighing she ripped her clothes out of her suitcase and started to pull her dress over her head.

The next morning the pink sky streamed in through the cousins small window. August groaned and rolled over, trying to ignore the blinding sunlight. She was about to pull her sheets over her head when she heard an automated voice.

"Now approaching City of Vale"

The heiress yawned, pulling herself on her elbows and rubbing her eyes. She looked over at Linn who was still fast asleep across from her. She groaned tiredly as she threw back her sheets, grabbing her scroll from her pocket.

6:08am

Stifling another groan she shook her head and slapped her cheeks to wake herself up. Walking over to her cousin she shook her slightly "Linn come on get up, we're here" She said groggily.

Linn sat up, rubbing the sleep bubbles from her eyes. Her ears were pressed against her hair which was down and hung past her shoulders; she looked at August with a confused expression that betrayed the smiling bear on her nightgown.

August shrugged "I know it's early" She lamented.

Linn rubbed the back of her head and her ears perked up slowly. She pushed back her blanket and yawned silently, running her hands through her hair to try and wake herself up. As she did August could catch glimpses of a scar on the left side of her head.

She quickly looked to the side "Come on, we gotta go" She ordered.

Linn looked up her and nodded.

The Vale marina wasn't particularly crowded. A few workers shuffled around tying ropes or cleaning boat hulls. Peering out from the shadows, two men watched four children descend the gangplank of a ship.

"Is that him Ace?" One of them asked.

Ace turned his partner "Yeah that's him Howell and..." He paused "Damnit, there's two of them!" He growled.

"What?" Howell hissed.

"You did say heir right?"

"Yeah"

Ace looked closer. The white haired one was definitely a boy but the pink haired one next to him looked way too boyish as least from what he could see, what kind of self-respecting family let their son wear a dress?

"So, which one do we take?" Howell asked.

Ace looked between both boys and groaned impatiently "Fuck it, let's just take all of them" He grumbled "More lien" He turned to his partner "You got the dog?"

Howell nodded "Yeah"

Ace smirked "Good, go tie it up"

Howell spotted a bike rack near the docks, his face twisting into an evil grin "Come on, mutt" He grumbled.

He walked in a slight limp, dragging a leash behind him connected to a small yellow dog. He tied it to the rack and stepped back "Okay mutt, cry" He ordered, stepping on the dog's tail.

Linn paused, her ears twitching as a small whine floated past them. She twisted her ears trying to pinpoint the direction of the sound.

Scarlett stopped, watching her ears "What's wrong?" She asked.

Linn finally found the source of the sound and pointed to the left.

Scarlett followed her finger and gasped when she saw a ball of yellow "A puppy!" She cried. Forgetting her cousin, she ran towards the fluffy creature.

Linn stretched out her hand to stop her but wasn't quick enough. Her gaze quickly shifted from the redhead to August and Nicolai who were already walking ahead of them. Rolling her eyes, she took off after her little cousin.

Scarlett grinned as she approached the small frightened dog. The poor thing was shaking and curled up in a ball. The silver eyed girl dropped her suitcase and kneeled down "Aww, did someone leave you here?" She asked softly "Don't worry, I'll help you" She pulled at the leash even as the dog flinched away.

Linn raised an eyebrow when she finally caught up with her cousin. Her sensitive ears twitched every which way and every nerve in her body was telling her to run, there something not right about this place. She grabbed on the girls arm, desperately trying to pull her away but she wouldn't budge.

Scarlett didn't even turn to her "Hang on Linn, I almost got it" She said, trying to pull her arm from her cousin's grasp.

Linn continued to tug until she suddenly felt a presence behind her. She froze, a shiver went down her spine, and she didn't dare turn around for fear of what might be looming over her. Suddenly she felt herself being pulled back, she tried to scream but no sound exited her mouth. Another large hand covered her mouth.

Scarlett looked up confused as her cousin's hands released her. She turned, her heart stopping at what she saw. The faunus girl was being held by a strange man, she could only echo a squeak before a hand cupped over her mouth.

Nicolai stopped when he failed to sense the presence of the two people behind him. He looked around but they were nowhere to be seen "Hey August" He said slowly "Where are Linn and Scarlett?"

August sighed "They should be right he-"She stopped short. That was odd; it was typical for Scarlett to wander off but not Linn, the little brat must've dragged her off somewhere.

Nicolai peered towards the docks trying to spot his missing relatives when he spied a flash of red "Over there!" He cried.

August groaned as they took off. She was really going to give it to her sister this time, what if she was kidna- August paused as they rounded the corner. In front of them were two large men. One had a scar over his right eye and was wearing a ripped trench coat the other was wearing a duster and was holding his left leg at a weird angle. In their arms they both held Linn and Scarlet captive.

Nicolai swallowed, his gaze flying towards his sister "August ru-"He was cut off when the man holding Scarlett reached out, wrapping a hand around his mouth and shoving him back.

The man then turned to his partner "Howell, grab him!" He cried.

August slunk away slowly, still holding on to her suitcase as the man holding Linn advanced on her. She looked to her brother and sister. Nicolai was fighting to escape while Scarlett was still her eyes were wide as saucers as tears flowed down her cheeks. Then she turned to her cousin, her ears were pressed against her head and her eyes looked cold and defeated, almost like a wounded animal. All at once August's fear was replaced by a white hot rage. She grit her teeth and her eyes turned to fire, gripping the handle of her suitcase she rushed at her attacker.

GRAAAAAAAAA!

"Oof!"

Howell groaned as the suitcase connected with his side as he stepped back, wheezing. August reached for her cousin's hand but her attack wasn't enough to lessen her assailants grip. Howell turned back with a glare "Little shit!" He cried. As August reached desperately for her cousin, Howell lifted his leg and connected it with her stomach.

August gasped. All of the anger left her body and she fell to her knees, heaving and sputtering and she struggled to bring air back into her lungs. Her eyes went wide as she struggled to breath.

Linn's ears perked up, staring down at her injured cousin. Her eyes turned vicious and bit down on the man's hand, hard.

"Ahh, shit!" Howell cried as he struggled to free his hand from Linn's vice grip "Fuck this ones got sharp teeth!"

"Howell, how long does it take to grab one fucking kid!?" Ace cried, still holding onto the siblings.

Swallowing back the pain, the large man ripped his hand from the faunus' mouth, blood trickling down his fingers.

August tried to call for help but produced only a weak gasp. She felt the presence of the man above her and looked up weakly 'Please, stop' She begged silently. Her pleas went unheard as a large boot came down on her head and everything went black.