Chapter 2: Opening Move

Weiss hated events like this. It seemed like every other weekend, there was another board member dinner or investors' gala that her father would drag her to, only this time, her father wasn't there. "Important meeting," he had said. With who? All of the company board members were here. Who could he possibly be meeting with?

Whatever the reason, Weiss was here on her own, because "the future queen of the SDC must understand all aspects of the job," her father had told her. From the impression Weiss was getting from all of these "aspects of the job," "stand around and look pretty" seemed to be the biggest aspect.

Her limousine arrived at the hotel front. She sat alone in the back, waiting for the driver to come open the door for her. She dreaded this night. She would spend the entire time standing alone, grazing on extravagant food and drink that only appeared appetizing. Every now and then, another dinner guest would ask her a question. "How are your studies coming?" "Are you here with anyone?" "Do you plan to attend Atlas Academy?" Weiss didn't want to deal with it. She just wanted this dinner to be over soon.

The limousine door opened, and Weiss stepped out into the cold. It was a beautiful night. Snow floated in the windless air, gathering on the ground. Weiss would much rather go for a peaceful walk through the city, or the nearby garden. She didn't mind the cold, after all.

But she had expectant eyes on her. The driver, the guards, the doorman all looked at her and nodded respectfully. She couldn't just go off on a walk alone. There was too much pressure on her, just like always. The expectations of being the heiress, the responsiblilies that came with it. The life that Weiss had sort of chosen was not a fun one. Just like she did everyday, she questioned whether being heiress to the SDC and one day taking over the company was truly the best path for her to take. Constantly dealing with business partners, having no time with family, having no relationship with her future partner...That's what Weiss feared the most.

The one thing Weiss wanted was love, but was terrified that being heiress would only attract people who were interested in being rich. She didn't want to end up like her parents. She wanted true love, but realized more and more everyday that true love would be close to impossible for her to achieve. She would have a business to run after all.

The hotel was nice, with it's intricately designed wood floors and bronze light fixtures, a warmer alternative to the cold white and blue of her own mansion. She dropped her coat off at the coat room as she entered and reluctantly entered the ballroom. It was rather large, with tall bookshelves lining the walls, little alcoves with seats for reading indented within them.

"Keep your poise. When addressed, answer tactfully and respectfully." Her father's instructions played over in her memory. "And above all, remain in the ballroom for the entirety of the event."

Weiss didn't want to stay here. There wasn't anyone there that she would want to talk to. The youngest attendee was probably in their forties. Weiss would have to spend her time standing around waiting for someone to ask her questions, and then stand around some more waiting for the next person.

I could just walk out of here, she thought I herself. I would get a scolding from Father, but it would probably be worth it. She seriously considered it, but put the thought out of her head. Don't be ridiculous. You're already on thin ice with Father.

Weiss found a place to stand near the buffet table. It was covered in exotic foods and drinks, but Weiss was not hungry in the least. She conceded to at least having a drink to seem like she was partaking. There was only one nonalcoholic beverage option, a sour-tasting citrus drink that needed more sugar. Weiss sighed, looking down at her drink. Perfectly sums up my life right now: could use some sweetness here and there.

Everyone asked her the same thing: "Where is your father?" Weiss kept telling them her rehearsed answer: "I don't know where my father is." She got very few questions other than about her father's whereabouts. It got annoying. She was getting sick of it.

It eventually got to a point where it seemed like everyone had asked. She now simply stood there alone, still holding her almost-full glass of sour liquid. She sighed up at the wall clock. Two more hours, she thought. I could still make a run for it maybe.

That's when she noticed someone approaching her. She glanced at the person to see that it was one of the hotel waitresses. She had long and wavy black hair and a big black bow topping her head. She looked pretty, but Weiss wouldn't allow herself to show any interest. This girl would probably just ask about her father and show no real interest in her anyway. Weiss decided to answer the girl's question before she could even ask. "No, I don't know where my father is."

Oh my Dust, I think I'm in love, Weiss thought to herself as she headed for the coat room.

That girl, Blake Amitola. She had simply walked up to her and called her strong and beautiful, saying she admired her. Weiss was so happy. This is what I've been wanting. Someone who truly cares about me and not my money. And she's so pretty! And tall! This is perfect! Weiss was practically beaming as she retrieved her coat, only to find out that there was no coat checked in under Blake's name. Perhaps she doesn't have one. How sad. Maybe I could take her shopping sometime?

Weiss began making her way to the elevator toward the other end of the ballroom. She tried to not seem suspicious. If anyone saw her leaving and word reached her father, Weiss would get an ear-full from him. However, Weiss didn't care too much about that at the moment. She was going to meet up with Blake on the roof, just the two of them. Could today be my first kiss?

The elevator doors were just closing when she turned the corner. She approached the elevator quickly, praying no one had seen her. She pressed the button and waited for the car to arrive.

Maybe she could become my girlfriend? Weiss wondered gleefully. What would Father think of me dating? He probably wouldn't like it. He'd say I have more important things to focus on. I guess I could keep it a secret. Oh, how exciting! A secret love! This dinner went far better than I ever could've hoped for.

The elevator opened to an empty cart. Weiss stepped inside and pressed the "doors closed" button, wanting to get the car moving quickly. She was childishly excited to meet up with Blake again. She had felt this bubbling feeling of joy in her chest ever since her conversation with the girl. Weiss' hopes were considerably high for this...it was technically a date, wasn't it?

Weiss reached the top floor and hurried to find a way to the roof. She eventually found a stairwell leading up to a door. Weiss sighed, trying to calm her nerves. Play it cool, Weiss. She made her way up the stairs, an excited smile on her face.

She opened the door, the cold air tickling her face as she stepped outside. "They said they didn't have your...coat." Weiss realized Blake wasn't there. Maybe she was hiding behind one of the metal air ducts protruding from the roof. "Blake?" Weiss called again. "Blake Amitola?" Weiss was getting worried. Maybe Blake got in trouble with her supervisor and had been put back to work? Or perhaps she had gotten lost?

Weiss tried calling out one more time. "Bla-" suddenly, someone slapped a hand over her mouth from behind. Weiss began to panic, trying to turn and see who it was, only to have something sprayed in her eyes. It burned like nothing Weiss had ever experienced. She screamed in pain and fell to the ground. "Blake!" Weiss yelled, desperately hoping she was there to help her. She felt her attacker push and hold her against the ground, securing her hands behind her back. "Let go of me!" Weiss yelled, tears pouring from her burning eyes both from pain and sadness upon realizing her date with Blake wasn't happening. Wait...could they have attacked Blake, too?! Weiss felt horrified and afraid that Blake might have been hurt. She hoped Blake never made it to the roof.

Weiss felt her attacker, and then a second person, grab her and try to pick her up. With a wave of anger flooding over her, Weiss kicked her heel at one of her attackers, hearing the person yell in pain and fall away. Weiss then tried to kick at her other attacker, only to soon feel herself falling. "Ahhh!" She yelled, then feeling her forehead bash against the floor. Her ears rang, her thoughts scrambled. She lied there face down, barely aware of herself. She managed to hear a voice. "Blake, are you okay?"

"Blake." Weiss mumbled, the black-haired girl returning to Weiss' mind. Weiss was devastated. She had been so excited to get the opportunity to spend time with that girl, and now it was ruined. "Blake..." Weiss whispered, hoping Blake was okay. Weiss felt sleepy. She lied her head on the cold ground and passed out, Blake's smiling face being the last thing she thought about.

Blake lied on her back, grimacing as she held her knee. "Dammit, that hurts," she groaned.

Ilia knelt next to her. "Let me see."

Blake removed her hands from her knee, revealing a bloody gash. "Shit, does that girl have knifes on her feet?" Ilia looked down at the injury with disgust.

Blake chuckled. "Guess you took care of her?" She asked, glancing over at the unconscious girl lying limp on the ground. The Schnee's right high heel was covered in Blake's blood.

"Yeah." Ilia chuckled. "Thanks to you taking the first shot." Ilia gingerly grabbed the ripped ends of Blake's stealth suit and tore them off. "Think you can walk?"

Blake winced. "If we're lucky."

Ilia nodded, using what little medical supplies she had with her to help Blake. She used some gauze and tape to patch up her wound. "Alright, try to stand."

Blake grabbed Ilia's hand as the chameleon Faunus pulled her up to her feet. Blake cautiously tried to put weight on her knee only to have it buckle underneath her. She lifted her foot off the ground, leaning heavily on Ilia's shoulder. "Nope," She groaned.

"So I'm carrying you both off this building?" Ilia laughed nervously. "That's not gonna be easy."

"Sorry," Blake chuckled. "Perhaps we alter the plan?"

Ilia gave her a bemused look. "Alter the plan?"

"We could get the airship to come to us," Blake suggested. "It wouldn't be hard for them to pick us up way up here."

"It certainly won't be subtle," Ilia chuckled. "But I don't think carrying you and Snow Cone over there would be a good idea for me. I don't hit the gym as often as you might think."

Blake laughed. "I think subtlety is out of the question either way. There's no way for us to escape and reach the catch point without being seen."

"Then we call the ship." Ilia nodded. "Hopefully this will be a clean enough getaway."

Blake pulled her Scroll from her pocket and dialed a number. The call soon connected, the masked face of their pilot on the screen. "Captain," the pilot greeted.

"We're altering the plan," Blake explained. "I'm unable to walk and the target is unconscious. There's no way for us to reach you. We need a pick up."

"Where are you?" The pilot asked.

"On the roof of The Acronon," Blake told him. "The Catch Team is still in the forest. Inform them of our new plan and pick them up before coming our way. And make it quick."

"Yes, Captain." The pilot nodded, and the video feed was cut. Blake put away her Scroll and looked at Ilia. "Let's hope this goes smoothly."

Ilia nodded. "Sorry about your knee."

"I don't even feel it." Blake laughed halfheartedly.

Ilia smiled at her. "You want to sit back down?"

Blake looked down at the roof, a substantial layer of snow gathered atop it. "I think I'm alright."

"What if I'm tired of you leaning on me?" Ilia quipped jokingly.

"Then you need to suck it up," Blake shot back with a smirk.

Ilia rolled her eyes behind her mask. Blake's arm was draped over Ilia's shoulders, Ilia wrapping her arm around Blake's back. It was kind of a hug, at least it was to Ilia.

They saw the airship hover over the mountains in the distance, then saw it descend into the forest to pick up the Catch Team. "Those poor kids, waiting in the snow all for nothing," Blake said.

"I think you'd rather that instead of a bloody knee, right?" Ilia joked.

"I think this mission was fun, honestly," Blake admitted.

"Stealing clothes and flirting with a Schnee is exciting stuff, huh?" Ilia asked.

Blake glanced at her and smirked. "Stealing clothes is kinda your thing, isn't it?"

"That shirt was mine in the first place, you stole it from me!" Ilia countered.

Blake laughed, remembering their ridiculous play argument over a gray t-shirt the night before. "I don't think a Captain such a myself should have to sleep in a shared dorm anyway, especially with a plain ol' agent like you." Blake said with fake pomp.

"Oh?" Ilia smiled. "You're too good to be my roommate?"

"Precisely." Blake nodded, failing to stave off a smile. "It's inappropriate to have soldiers of different ranks room with one another."

"And I thought the only reason you still room with me is because we're friends," Ilia pondered.

Blake glanced at her and smirked. "I guess you're pretty cool."

Ilia scoffed. "'Pretty cool.' That's high praise for someone who's known you for years."

"Well, you've always been pretty cool. Also, the polite response is 'Thank you, Captain.'"

"Thanks, my Ninja of Love." Ilia grinning mischievously.

Blake cocked her arm, threatening to punch her. "I told you never to speak of it," she said lowly, agitated by Ilia mentioning one of the books in her "personal collection."

"Mercy, I beg of you." Ilia put a hand up in surrender.

Blake huffed a laugh. "Thought so." She lowered her arm.

The airship in the distance once again took to the air, now turning their way. "They're coming," Blake said.

"Think we should scrape your girlfriend off the ground?" Ilia glanced over at the still unconscious Schnee.

"Think you should stop calling her my girlfriend?" Blake countered.

"Not as long as it continues to annoy you." Ilia chuckled, letting go of Blake, leaving her to balance on one leg with ease. Ilia rolled Schnee over into her back. Snow was caked to the girl's face, the skin on her legs and cheeks a bright red. "She might need a blanket," Ilia mumbled.

The airship came closer and closer before idling just beyond the edge of the roof. Flashlights were being shined up at it, the guards below obviously taking notice of the airship's unauthorized appearance.

The door on the side of the ship opened, showing the three Catch Team members. "Hurry!" One of them called.

Ilia pulled Weiss Schnee onto her shoulder while Blake limped to the airship. They all climbed aboard just before a siren began to sound from within the building.

"Fly," Blake said to the pilot. The door closed, and the ship pulled away, rapidly gaining speed as it began its journey back to the command ship.