Winter

A hot wind blew through Winter Schnee's hair as an Atlesian gunship touched down in front of her. Even now, in the middle of summer, the heat of the exhaust was in stark contrast to the chilly air around it. Winter stepped forward as the ramp of the ship descended and General James Ironwood stepped off onto Atlas Academy's docks.

"Sir," she said, saluting him, "you asked for me?"

He nodded. "Come, walk with me." Without waiting for a response, he turned and started off towards the academy. Winter had to hurry in order to catch up with him, at which point he addressed her again. "Over the past several years, Schnee, you've proven to be one of this kingdom's finest. Your skill, bravery, and loyalty have not gone unnoticed."

Winter swelled with pride at such a compliment. "Thank you, sir."

"And during that time," he continued, "I have tasked you with completing many tasks, most of them incredibly dangerous." He stopped, and looked directly at her. "I'd like to think that I can trust you."

She stood up even straighter. "Of course, sir. Freedom to speak?"

"Granted."

"You seem tense, sir. Did something go wrong at the council meeting?"

He sighed. "Not per se. It's just… Something a bit unexpected has come up. A situation I'm not particularly sure how to deal with. Councilwoman Lumina has asked me to have dinner with her and her fiancé tonight."

Winter was taken aback. "She did? That is… highly unlike her."

"I know. She's spent the last three years as my most vocal opponent, and now she's suddenly trying to make nice? It doesn't make any sense, and I don't like it."

"Sir," Winter asked, "why tell me this?"

"Everything about this just seems fishy. And while it may present some opportunities, I don't want to go into this without help. I need someone I trust, and these days that number is getting smaller and smaller. So, I would like to ask that you accompany me."

Winter was shocked. "Me?"

"You're smart, Schnee, and observant. If anything is amiss you might well spot it before I do. And you have experience navigating the more treacherous and delicate battlefield of political nuance."

"I'm flattered, but do you really think this is necessary, sir? The Councilwoman has been very critical of you, but she seems like a trustworthy person."

"I know, I know, but something feels off to me. Better to be cautious than end up in trouble unprepared."

"As you say, sir. When shall I meet you, then?"

He smiled. "Six o'clock this evening. I'll see you there." Then he turned and walked off toward his office, leaving Winter standing alone in the cold.

She sighed. This wasn't going to be a pleasant night. While Winter couldn't claim not to be familiar with the social intricacies of the upper class, she also couldn't say that she was comfortable in those situations. They brought up memories that she'd prefer to keep buried. Still, if the General felt it was necessary, it wasn't her place to disagree. Besides, who knew, it could be nice.

She shook her head and turned towards the barracks, only to see the familiar smiling face of Nox Gallus as the other huntress ran up to her. The woman was a year or so older than her, with dark skin and indigo hair dyed with purple streaks, and she glided up to Winter with an almost unnatural grace.

"Hey, Schnee," she said, "what's up? Heard the General called you up. New mission?"

Winter shook her head. "If only I were so lucky. He wants me to attend dinner with Councilwoman Lumina tonight."

Nox's eyes widened. "You're kidding me! She hates the military, why would she-"

"I don't know, but she's invited him to dinner with her and her fiancé, and he wants me along to watch his back."

"Weird. Still, can't say I don't envy you a little bit. Getting to hang with the hottest couple in Atlas? It's not exactly latrine duty."

"Maybe for you, Nox, but I'm really not a fan of… fraternizing with the upper class. I've had enough of that to last a lifetime."

"Yeah, right. Still, I've heard she's pretty nice."

Winter snorted. "Not if you're associated with General Ironwood."

"I'm sure you'll do fine. You're Winter Schnee, a politician and an actor aren't enough to kill you."

"I guess you're right." Winter gave a small smile. "Thank you."

"No problem. Now, I'm gonna need to run, I'm shipping out in fifteen minutes. Good luck!" She sprinted away, leaving Winter alone with her thoughts.

….

Winter met the General outside Hesperides Tower at the exact time he'd specified. The gorgeous apartment building was one of the tallest structures in Atlas, and probably the most luxurious place of residence in the kingdom short of Schnee Manor itself.

When Winter arrived, General Ironwood was already there, alongside his security detail. He gave her a nervous look. "Miss Schnee. You're ready for this?"

"Sir, it's just dinner, not an excursion into grimm-infested wilderness. We've both faced worse"

He took a deep breath. "You're right, you're right," he said, but Winter's own fears were beginning to return. She'd never seen the general this shaken before. The Councilwoman had a reputation as a capable politician despite her age, but Winter had never gotten the impression that she was a bad person. Why was he so on edge?

She tried to get those thoughts out of her mind. "Sir? We should get moving."

"Right, of course." He turned to the soldiers accompanying him. "Stay out here, Schnee will ensure my safety." The soldiers nodded and the two of them entered the building.

The elevator ride up was long and tedious. Hesperides Tower was an enormous building, and the Councilwoman's suite was at the very top. After several minutes of waiting, the two of them stepped out into a corridor with a single set of double doors on the other end. The doors were unusually tall, and as they swung open Winter learned why. An absolutely enormous woman, clad in silver and blue armor, stood to greet them. She looked like she might have been eight feet tall, and though her proportions seemed long and lanky, what little Winter could see of the body beneath the armor plating seemed surprisingly muscular for her slim physique.

The woman turned to address someone in the room behind her with a voice that seemed strangely soft for her immense size. "Master Rajah," she said, "the guests have arrived."

"Thank you, Nerina," a voice called from inside, and soon after a man took her place in the doorway. He was a very handsome, dark-skinned man with dirty blonde hair and a five o'clock shadow. He smiled as he saw them. "General Ironwood! It's always a pleasure. It's good to meet you as well, Miss Schnee." He chuckled at the look of surprise on her face. "It's hard not to recognize the Schnee family's prodigal daughter." He held out his hand, which she shook hesitantly. "Zmey Rajah, Dawn's fiancé. Come in, come in! She's still finishing up the details in the dining room, she wanted things to be absolutely perfect for this occasion."

The General raised an eyebrow. "Did she? How… interesting."

"Well, of course," Zmey said as he led them into the suite, "such distinguished guests as yourselves deserve a warm welcome."

"Dawn Lumina has called me many things," the General noted, "but 'distinguished' isn't something that's come up."

Zmey chuckled. "Oh, she puts on a mean persona for the press, but she really does respect you, she talks about you all the time."

Winter took a look around the room as they entered. The main living room overlooked the city of Atlas, the sunset casting everything in a gorgeous red-gold radiance. Everything here was obviously extremely expensive, from the gold-leaf decorations on the doorframes to the genuine Amadeus Finch sculpture in a case by the large glass window that allowed for a hundred and eighty degree view of the city below.

"You certainly don't spare any expense on living arrangements." Winter noted.

"The place belonged to Dawn's father, back in the day," Zmey said, "he was almost as rich as yours, if I recall."

"And what about your father?" Winter asked, without thinking. "He has his own considerable fortune, if I recall."

Zmey winced. "Miss Schnee, my family has done many things that I do not approve of. I'm sure you, of all people, can understand. The name of Schnee doesn't have entirely positive connotations these days."

Winter knew she should just brush it off, but as much as she disliked her father, the Schnee name was not something she could stand to see tarnished. "My father is far from a saint, but it's not like he's some sort of mobster!"

"Schnee…" Ironwood warned, and she snapped out of her fury, and swiftly regained her professional attitude.

"I'm sorry, sir." She said, hanging her head.

"No," Zmey said, "the fault was mine, I should have been more respectful. I hope you don't think too poorly of me for it."

Winter almost smiled. "For a man from the seedier parts of Mistral, you are certainly well-mannered, mister Rajah."

General Ironwood looked around anxiously. "When will dinner be ready? I'd like to get this over with."

"Come now," a calm, clear voice said from across the room, "do you dread my company that much, James?" Dawn Lumina was a beautiful, slender woman, with long auburn hair and golden eyes that seemed to almost glow in the evening light. She wore the clothing that Winter had seen her in most often during public addresses and press photos, a vest and skirt in silver, dark blue, and crimson, with knee-high gold boots. Winter could see no hint of the harsh, hot-tempered firebrand that she'd come to expect. Instead, there was a strange sort of sincerity to her that, even having just met her, made Winter feel strangely relaxed by her presence. Any tension that Winter still felt faded away almost instantly, as the soothing tone of the Councilwoman's voice seemed to set the entire room at ease.

"Dinner is ready, if you are," the Councilwoman continued, smiling warmly. She led them into a lavish dining room, the table adorned with numerous dishes that all smelled far better than anything Winter had eaten since leaving her family. She felt her mouth begin to water.

Once the four of them were seated, with the huge armored woman watching over the room from her post by the door, Winter spoke up. "Excuse me, Councilwoman-"

"Please," she interrupted, "just call me Dawn."

"Dawn, then. If I may be blunt, for what purpose were we invited here?"

"Oh, I just thought I'd slip some poison into the food and get this whole debacle over with." She laughed at Winter's shocked expression. "I'm joking! The truth is, I just wanted to get to know James a little better. We've been opponents in the political arena for years, and acquaintances for even longer, but I never had a chance to talk to the man behind the uniform."

"If you're looking for some hidden side to me," the general remarked, "I'm afraid this is all there is."

"And yet I think you're perhaps a better man than you might seem. And as for you, Winter, your presence here is a happy surprise. Though we've never met, you might say I'm a bit of a fan."

"Me?" Winter was confused. What could she be talking about?

Dawn smiled. "Sticking it to your father by joining the military was a brave decision. Even though I might not agree the with military on many things, I can still respect someone with the courage to stand up to one who holds so much power." Her eyes lit up. "Oh! Speaking of pissing off Jacques, I heard your sister is attending Beacon this year. That's got to be exciting!"

Winter couldn't help but smile. "Yes, I'm very proud. She's been writing to me ever since she left."

"You know," Zmey said, "my own little brother went to Beacon a few years ago. He told me some great things about Professor Ozpin."

Ironwood smiled. "Oz is one of the best people I know. The young miss Schnee is in the best possible hands."

"Still," Dawn said, "he's made his fair share of mistakes. Not to mention his lack of transparency."

"Some things are best kept out of the public eye, Councilwoman. I'm sure you understand that."

"I'm not suggesting that he reveal every detail to the press, but the elected governments of the kingdoms have a right to know what is going on. I'm sure that, as the headmaster of Atlas, you know more about his actions than the entire Vale Council combined."

Ironwood looked uncomfortable. "If you think the academies are plotting some sort of conspiracy-"

"I'm merely worried that something he's withholding might be crucial for the councils to know. I don't doubt he has good intentions, James, but if his obsessive secrecy ends up causing innocent people to get hurt, then who is powerful enough to hold him accountable?"

"In that unlikely eventuality, I will be certain to look into his actions."

"And what makes you so sure that you know everything? As far as you know, you're as in the dark as the rest of us." The reflection from the chandelier above them seemed to make the Councilwoman's eyes flicker with fire as she sat back. "Still, I didn't invite you here to argue with you."

"Yes," Ironwood agreed, "you have time set aside for that, I'm sure."

She grinned. "Is that a sense of humor I see? Why, James, I'd have never thought it!"

"Don't get used to it."

"Look, I know things have been rough between us-"

"Last month you publicly referred to me as a 'tinpot dictator who rules over us with an iron fist'."

"For instance. But my point is, I want to make things right. I've spent the last ten years blaming you for a lot of things I really shouldn't have, and I want to apologize."

The General looked surprised. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Zmey has been helping me gain some perspective. I've realized that if we want to make this kingdom better, we have to do it together, or else we'll just end up falling apart."

Zmey nodded. "My family is a bit of a mess. My father wanted us all to follow in his footsteps, to take over his enterprises. But the truth was that none of us could agree on what we wanted, and now none of my family members will even speak to each other. The only one I really have any contact with these days is my brother Argo."

"The one who went to Beacon?" Winter asked.

"Yeah, him. The point is, a kingdom is like a family. If nobody compromises, everything falls apart."

"And because of that," Dawn said, "I want to smooth things out, and work with you, not against you, from here on out." She held out her hand. "What do you say?"

General Ironwood hesitated, and then shook it. "Fine. But don't expect me to trust you implicitly."

Dawn smiled. "Of course. Well, now that politics are out of the way, let's eat. Try the strawberries, they're delicious."

"Zmey," Winter said, turning to him, "you said your brother Argo was a huntsman, yes?"

He hesitated. "Of a sort, yes."

….

Argo

"Take cover!" Argo shouted, ducking behind the bar. As he did so, a hail of bullets flew over his head. He aimed his rifle over the counter and took a shot at one of the three armed men who had opened fire on him. The man's aura broke, and he collapsed.

There was a sound of shattering glass, and a blonde man with tanned, tattooed skin and dressed in a long leather trench coat landed on top of one of Argo's attackers. He spun as he did so, kicking the final gunman in the stomach with a hooked metal boot. "Come on, oh fearless leader," he said, grinning, "they're not so tough!"

It was at that point that the doors of the pub crashed open, and a huge, brawny faunus man with a crown of spines burst in with an enormous, seven-pointed sword in his hands. He swung the blade with startling speed, slamming the blonde man into a nearby wall. "Argo Rajah," the swordsman roared, "it's time to pay your debt!"