Weiss Schnee let out a sigh as yet another person came up to greet her. But she gave them another warm smile and tolerated five minutes of small talk before excusing herself.

Lifting her skirts she stalked across the floor to where Pyrrha was sitting. The other woman was similarly being bombarded with people but upon seeing Weiss, she quickly moved to join her. Her expression under her mask was hidden but her eyes gleamed with relief.

"This is exhausting," Weiss sighed as they walked slowly towards the other side of the room. "I have such a dislike for these social gatherings."

Pyrrha let out a soft laugh. "But it's what we must do."

Weiss sadly knew that was the truth. As the heirs to two of the most important families in the whole of Remnant, they had to be here, if only for show. God knew their parents were off doing the same with the elder generation of royalty.

Before Winter left, when Weiss was a lot younger, she'd never had to do such things. Of course her manners and presence was trained to be like a Schnee but her father didn't really notice or pressure her like he did now.

Pyrrha's parents were more relaxed in her social appearances but Weiss had to attend every gathering, every party and every ball. Which of course included this one.

His Majesty, Ozpin, had held a masquerade ball specifically for the celebration of the end of the war. While Remnant was still not out of the clear with the White Fang and the fact all four kingdoms were tensely at peace, the war was officially over.

And thus she must attend.

Weiss adjusted her mask as they reached the other side of the ballroom, eyes scanning the guests.

There was another reason she didn't want to be here, besides her annoyance at conversing with the older business men that simply couldn't keep their eyes above her chest. Because as an act of "unity" or "good faith" between the two sides, faunus had been invited to attend.

And the masks they wore reminded her too much of the White Fang.

Horns peeked over masks, tails trailed behind suits and dresses. They were here, mingling in the same air space as her. She was disgusted.

"Girls," an amused voice cooed behind them and Weiss turned to see a familiar set of dark brown eyes. A golden mask hid her face.

"Coco," Pyrrha greeted, giving the woman a curtsy. Weiss followed suit. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

Coco looked stunning in her dress of faded orange, somehow pulling off the flashy colour without standing out in the crowd. She tipped her mask to the side and grinned.

"There's no need to lie, I can tell you're as fed up as I am," the woman laughed. "I'm surprised your parents haven't noticed from the absolutely dreary aura you two are giving on. Weiss, I might understand, but you Pyr?"

Weiss resisted the urge to roll her eyes and Coco's grin widened. "Well sorry this ball isn't making me the happiest person in the world," the heiress sniffed. "But I am revolted by the presence of-" she dipped her voice as a waiter passed them. "-faunus."

Both Pyrrha and Coco exchanged unsettled looks but Weiss barely took notice of it. Her icy gaze was sweeping across the ballroom floor.

She picked out her father easily. He was seated at a table, surrounded by eager-to-please nobles and courtmen. And he was basking in the attention.

If only he could just do the same for her but no. She might as well get used to dealing with suck ups at this age because when she inherited the Schnee titles, she'd have to do it alone.

Or maybe not alone. She knew her father was considering marriage, despite her own objections. She was seventeen and though most young women were married at this age, she didn't want that.

"Hey Pyrrha! There's Jaune! Think he'll ask you to dance?" Coco's hushed whisper drew her back to the other women.

Weiss followed their gazes and sure enough the young man was standing alone near a pillar. He seemed awkward, unsure of being here. The Arcs were a noble family of little importance. They owned land down the south of Vale. Jaune was the youngest of the children.

Weiss looked at Pyrrha and felt herself smiling. Only the three of them knew about Pyrrha's crush on the minor noble.

Admittedly Jaune wasn't the worst looking man ever but he was nowhere near to being deserving of someone like Pyrrha. Weiss just didn't understand.

"You know what-" Pyrrha adjusted her dress and ran a hand through her hair, "-how about I go see?"

Before either Weiss or Coco could stop her the redhead was striding away from them. Across the floor to where the awkward Arc was standing.

"Hey! Pyrrha! Wait!" Coco shoved her mask back on and lifted her skirts. She took after Pyrrha as fast as she could but the redhead was taller and faster than her.

Weiss watched them go with a smile. At least one of them would get something out of the night. Then she realised that she was quite alone. Only the music called her attention and she'd admit it was nice. But she couldn't be alone right now. She could already see several businessmen eyeing her.

Weiss set off towards Jaune and Pyrrha but instead of cutting the floor, she decided to skirt the outside. Her heels clicked against the floor like the monotonous tick of a clock. Just another reminder of how long she'd be here.

She made it about halfway when the unexpected happened.

The arm of a passing person wrapped around her waist and spun her around. The pure surprise kept Weiss from shouting. The arm guided her onto the dancefloor and before she knew it she was swept up in a dance.

Weiss didn't stop moving but her eyes narrowed as she recovered from her shock. Somehow they'd made it into the middle of the floor and if she tried to just break away people would notice.

Her dance partner was tall and dark with long black hair tied back from their face. They wore a suit-like outfit of silky pants, white shirt and tail coats. Her amber eyes gleamed with this beautifully passionate flame.

Though the mask hid her face, Weiss didn't miss the two ear perched on her head. A faunus. Her skin prickled.

"Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me. You filthy mutt," she snarled under her breath.

The faunus guided her in a circle, her ears twitching. "Let me explain-"

"Do you have any idea who I am?" Weiss hissed. "I am Weiss Schnee, heir to the Schnee lands and titles. I will make you life a living hell for daring to touch me when I didn't ask for it."

The faunus didn't say anything for a few seconds but when Weiss tried to steer them away from the centre, the faunus somehow managed to keep them dancing. "Do you see the man by the door?"

"What-?!"

"Look."

The urgency in her voice made Weiss close her mouth and look over. There were several doors to the ballroom but the faunus could only mean one. Weiss picked out the man by the door.

He was lean and muscular, his suit dark and his mask even darker. The emblem on his jacket marked him as a faunus. She saw all of him.

And saw his eyes tracking their movements across the floor.

Her skin prickled and she wrenched her gaze back to her dance partner.

"By the fireplace too."

For the first time in her life Weiss didn't object to being ordered about by anyone but her father. There was another man by the fireplace, similar to the one by the door. And he was watching her too.

The faunus instructed her to look all around the room and from every corner Weiss found eyes on her. Six different faunus were watching her. One was even dancing around them.

Weiss felt herself shaking. What did this mean? She didn't understand.

"Listen closely," her dance partner murmured as she pulled her close for the waltz. "Those people are from the White Fang. There's more blending in with the waiting staff. They're targeting you."

Weiss felt a shiver roll down her spine. She might has collapsed if it hadn't been for the strong grasp of the faunus. But her partner was like rock and held her fast. "What.. what does this mean? What are you doing?"

Those amber eyes blinked once before looking away across the room. "I need you to trust me. I'm trying to help you."

"Help?" Weiss' voice was cold. "By assaulting me and dragging me out for a dance?"

"You were walking straight into them," the faunus said evenly. "I apologise for touching you but I'm trying to save your life."

"I-!"

"May I cut in?"

Somehow at the edge of the dance floor, a tall man stood over the two of them. Weiss almost snapped at him to leave her alone but when she saw the emblem on his jacket her blood ran cold. It was one of them.

Her dance partner took her hand, pressing a light kiss to her fingers. "I think not, sir, she's mine," she said warmly and pulled her away.

He bowed and did not object. But Weiss didn't miss the way his eyes darkened as they walked away.

Suddenly the ball wasn't as boring as it had been. It was field of dangers and Weiss was terrified. She spotted more and more suits, everywhere: waiters, dancers, maids, nobles, guests.

Weiss leaned closer to the faunus.

"Fine," she muttered. "What are you going to do?"

The faunus' eyes glowed lightly. "Laugh like I said something funny and follow me when I lead you away."

Weiss let out what she hoped was a convincing laugh and twirled her hair. Her dance partner nodded as if they were talking before offering her a hand.

Weiss hesitated. This wasn't safe. None of this. If she thought she could trust a faunus with her life she was mad. Maybe she should go to her father. Or find Coco and Pyrrha. They'd be safer.

But the suits were moving now, weaving their way through the crowds of people. They were closer now and their eyes promised danger.

Weiss had no choice but to give her life to this animal.

Weiss took her hand and followed the faunus off the floor. Like a ninja she pulled her through, avoiding the main door but heading to the servants exit. They slipped out as quickly as possible.

The servants were shocked to see them and tried to tell them they were going the wrong way but a look from Weiss silenced them. They moved on without any more problems.

Weiss was nervous. This faunus… She didn't even know her name. She was a Schnee. Trusting a faunus to keep her safe was the stupidest thing she could do. After how her family treated their kind.

Her dance partner led her out through the servant pathways and Weiss almost tripped over her skirts. Finally having enough, she wrenched her hand out of the faunus'.

"That's enough!" she snapped, taking a step down. The faunus paused and looked back at her. Her ears flattened slightly.

"Who are you and what in Remnant is happening?!"

The faunus peered at her for a few seconds, amber eyes narrowing. Then the faunus reached up and removed her mask.

Weiss was a little taken back by the pure beauty of the faunus. And immediately berated herself for thinking like that.

"My name is Blake and I am from Menagerie," the faunus said quietly. "The White Fang have their sights set on you and a few of the other heirs. We needed to get you out as fast as we could."

The White Fang were not good news in any situation. As the bane of the Remnant they were nothing but trouble. They wanted nothing else but for the four kingdoms to continue their war. Why, Weiss was never sure.

"How do I know you're not one of them?" Weiss snapped. "Wouldn't that be the ideal kidnapping? Tricking me into trusting you."

Blake seemed to consider her logic and a small smile touched her lips. "Hmm… Fair enough." She started rummaging on the inside of her coat before pulling out a card. "All faunus were required to be IDed before we could attend. Here's mine."

Weiss took the card from her and turned it over.

"Hey! There's nothing on this-!"

A muscled arm grabbed her around the neck as a hand covered her scream. Blake held her tight against her body, choking off her air.

Weiss tried to scream again but she was rapidly losing air.

"Sorry, princess-" She could hear the amused smile on her face. "-you're smarter than I thought you were."

Weiss slammed an elbow back into her stomach and the pained sound she made was really satisfying. But her grip didn't lessen and Weiss felt her head spin. And when she collapsed, Blake caught her before she ran into the night.