Jacques was awake before his alarm went off. He didn't even know why he kept it on at this point. The clock's shrill beeping only lasted a couple of seconds, but it was still enough to grate on his nerves. He groaned and crawled out of bed.
He took a long, hot shower. The scalding water was the best way he knew to relax. If today was like any other day it would be the only peaceful moment. He stepped out the shower and felt a blast of frigid air all over his body. Now he was fully awake. All that was left was to get ready for work.
He put on his freshly pressed suit and tie and looked himself over in the mirror. Everything was perfect, just how he liked it.
"Wow, lookin' good handsome."
Jacques turned around at the sound of the woman's voice. It was a young woman with short blonde hair. Her large, bushy tail curled against her back.
Jacques groaned. "Why are you still here?"
The woman giggled. "I just wanted to see you before I left."
"Get your money from Klein and leave."
The woman threw her arms around him. "Don't be like that. You always act so cold, but you'll always be my little snowman."
Jacques pushed the woman away. "That is enough. If you don't leave this instant I will have security escort you out."
The woman knew her time was up. "Okay. See you tonight?"
Jacques gave a non-committal grunt. Once that was taken care of he went off to work.
As he was leaving he passed by his son, Whitley. The boy was his spitting image. He looked like him, dressed like him, and he even talked like him. It was flattering, but also unnerving.
"Hello Whitley."
The boy looked up at his father. His face was a blank, like always. Jacques could never tell what this boy was thinking.
"Good morning father. Are you off to work?"
"Yes. I won't be back until the evening."
"Very well. Have a good day, father."
Jacques left without responding.
OoOoOoO
Work was boring. Same thing as every other day. Profits are down, more White Fang attacks, more negative press from other kingdoms about Atlas. The other men in the room were nothing but yes men and ankle biters. Each one bored Jacques to tears. The only thing more annoying than their obvious brown-nosing was their transparent attempts to undercut him to boost their own wealth. He wondered how much more of this he would have to endure. His eyes went to the door. Maybe today would be the day the White Fang burst through and killed everyone in the room. Part of him was jealous of the old man. Nicholas had the right idea; build your name up and die a legend. Maybe one day he'll get his chance too. He could see it now: Jacques Schnee, killed in battle against White Fang. On the way home he could commission a gravestone. Maybe something fancy, with holograms.
"Mr. President?" a coworker broke Jacques out of his daydream
"What?" Jacques responded.
"You've been staring at the door for a while now. Are you waiting on something?"
"No. If there's nothing left to discuss I'm going to call it a day."
He left the office and went down to his car where his driver was waiting.
The driver gave a friendly smile. "Hello sir. How was work?"
"The same as every other day." Jacques responded.
The driver laughed. "I'm sorry to hear that."
As they drove home Jacques looked out the window. The skyscrapers that towered overhead, the airships leaving port, Atlas tower looming in the distance. He couldn't help but sigh. Nicholas helped build this city. Jacques knew he could spend the rest of his life trying and never reach such heights.
The driver spoke up. "Oh, by the way, you have a message from General Ironwood."
This was the first good news of the day. Even if it was only to hear bad news he enjoyed the general's company.
"What was the message?" Jacques asked.
"He said he was stopping by to come and see you."
"Very well."
As they drove on, Jacque's face bore the slightest hint of a smile.
OoOoOoO
"So you have no idea where she might be?"
Jacques leaned back in his chair and poured himself a drink. "No, but if I had to guess she's probably in Mistral. Everything seems to be happening there lately."
When Weiss disappeared in the middle of the night Jacques was furious at first. After having time to think on it he realized "SDC President and globe-trotting defender of justice" had a nicer ring to it. Either way he had no reason to worry. Weiss had already proven herself strong enough to survive on her own.
"If she is in Mistral I can have some people look for her."
Jacques shook his head. "If I try to bring her back now she'll just run away again. Let her get this out of her system, and she'll come back on her own eventually."
Ironwood sighed. "You really need to fix how you see people."
"Why? It's worked so far hasn't it?"
"Look around you. Two kids gone, another one looking like he's on his way out, a wife that won't talk to you. You call that working?"
"In life sacrifices must be made in order to succeed."
"And you decided to sacrifice your family's happiness, and your own."
"Exactly. At the very least it wasn't anything important."
Ironwood rolled his eyes. "You really are a ray of sunshine. I have to head out. You take care."
"You as well. It's always a pleasure to see you."
After Ironwood left Jacques reached into his desk and pulled out a silver revolver. It was a gift James had gotten him several years ago. He stared at it for a while, seemingly deep in thought. After several minutes he put it away.
"No, not today."