Chapter One: The First Arrival

Ding-dong the doorbell rang. Weiss looked at her scroll. It read 7:00 P.M. Clicking on her security camera app, she viewed the person standing in front of her family's chateau. A red hair girl holding two packages looked towards the camera and smiled warmly. I can always count on Pyrrha to arrive exactly on time the heiress thought. She walked to the front lobby and opened its massive door.

"Hey Pyrrha " Weiss said. "So glad you could make it!"

"Merry Christmas " said Pyrrha as she stepped inside and out of the cold. "Thanks for hosting our Secret Santa"

"Oh it's no big deal," replied Weiss. "My family never uses this Cabin anyways." "Dad always works through Christmas and Winter spends the holidays with her boyfriend's family".

"That's a shame, this is such a lovely estate," replied Pyrrha as she looked around.

The Chateau's lobby had a high top celling with two spiral staircases leading up to the second floor. Suspended in between the spiral staircases was a gorgeous chandelier. While Pyrrha continued to take in her surroundings, Weiss suspiciously eyed the two packages she was holding.

"Did you get someone an extra present!" said an accusing Weiss.

No… I just brought some desert," replied Pyrrha while she scratched the back of her head." "I hope you like cheese cake!"

""Pyrrha!" said an irritated Weiss as she put one hand on hip. "I. told. you. not. to. bring. anything!" "I got catering for a reason."

"I'm sorry!" Pyrrha said apologetically. "My mother insisted." "She said a good guest always gets something for the host."

Weiss let out a sigh. "It's fine, I'll go find a place for this on the table" She motioned to the right. "You can put the secret Santa gift under the tree in living room"

Pyrrha walked into the living room and past a lit fireplace. Nested in the corner of the room was a stunning Christmas tree. Magnificent thought Pyrrha. It appears that these decorations are made out of rare gems. She grabbed one of the tree branches. Amazing, I've never seen winter tinsel look so authentic. She placed her gift under the tree and walked around the room.

Pyrrha stopped in front of the fireplace to examine an old painting of the Schnee family. That's strange thought Pyrrha. I always pictured little Weiss as a grumpy kid however; she is the only one that looks happy in that portrait. Winter looks really uncomfortable. The women on her left must be her mother. I wonder why Weiss has never mentioned her before. She glanced at a stern looking man in the portrait. By the looks of it, Weiss gets her scowl from her dad. Just looking at him gives me chills. Pyrrha shivered and suddenly had the urge to look behind her towards the room's entrance.

She looked at the entrance and then doubled back. For a second, Pyrrha thought she saw red eyes. My eyes are probably just sore from being outside in the cold too long she thought. Her eyes made their way back to the mantle. She touched one of the stockings hanging from the mantle and a thin cloud of dust 'poofed' out. It seems like these Christmas stockings haven't been used in awhile she thought. Poor Weiss, I don't think she's had a real Christmas in a long time. I wonder if there is anything in these stockings. Pyrrha hand reached in and felt something hard and sticky. While her hand was stuffed in the stocking, someone began to caress her red hair and breathe gently on her neck. Pyrrha screamed.