So, here we are with Chapter 4. Like I said in the last chapter, this one was long. To quote the great Vegeta, "It's over 9000!"

However, I feel that it could be split into two separate chapters and make just as much sense, since the perspective changed halfway. So, there's this one, and I'll put the next one up on Tuesday.

So, enjoy.

Weiss returned home at roughly 9pm, tired, and yet at the same time refreshed. She didn't believe it to be possible, but she had fun at Ruby's party. Shortly after the Uno game, the last two guests arrived; Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren. Nora, like Ruby, Blake, and Pyrrha, was on the softball team, while Ren was, in Nora's own speedy words, "My boyfriend, but we're not 'together' together."

The orange-haired girl was even more energetic than Yang and Ruby, if that was even possible. She was literally dragging people around, usually Ren, and she never. Shut. Up! It was like she was afraid that the moment she stopped speaking, she'd never be able to again.

Thankfully, Ren was much more level-headed, and he usually kept the small girl in check. In fact, Weiss and Ren got along pretty well. Both of them had hyperactive friends, although Weiss rarely dealt with Ruby's energy, something Ren couldn't claim. However, he never once complained, at least seriously, to Nora, so Weiss figured that he was either used to it, or he had given up a long time ago. She wasn't sure which it was.

That being said, the rest of the day was quite enjoyable, even for someone as high-class as Weiss. Dinner wasn't elaborate; barbecued burgers and hot dogs, some potato salad, barbeque-baked beans, coleslaw, and baked macaroni-and-cheese. It was also very informal; the dinner table was less a place to sit, and more a place for all the food to be set so others could fix their plates. Instead, everyone sat on the porch behind the house, right in front of the pool.

During that time, Weiss wasn't treated any differently than anyone else there, and she was oddly glad for it. One of the things that bothered her was when people acted differently around her because of her name. But, true to Yang's earlier words, Weiss wasn't the heiress to a huge company. She was just another of Ruby's friends, subject to the same conversations and jokes as anyone else.

So, after a day where she was treated with equality, Weiss was loathe to return home, even though she knew she must. She said her farewells to her new friends, slid into the back of Friedrich's car, and remained mostly silent on the way home. Her mood slowly became more and more somber and bitter. She knew what she would have to do after arrived.

She spared Friedrich a few parting words before she approached the front door. Her family's house was large, a two story house with more room than it functionally needed. Indeed, the only reason a family of four would have such a big residence is status. To tell any passerby 'We have more money than you'll ever see.'

Weiss had grown up in the house, but she never felt she had a stellar childhood. Yes, she did have nearly anything she could ever want, but money could only buy so much. It wasn't until today that Weiss realized just how painfully true that was. She could never buy friends, real friends, with any amount of cash.

Letting out a long sigh, the white-haired girl steeled herself, slipping into her mask of poise and elegance, and stepped through the door. It creaked open, alerting the household to her return. Yet, the only person who noticed, or seemed to care, was her younger sister Winter.

Younger than Weiss by three years, Winter was vastly different than Weiss. She would probably grow to be a few inches taller than her older sister, though both girls had taken from their mother in regards to height. The younger sister's hair was a very light blue, the same blue as her and Weiss's eyes, although it became a few shades lighter in the summer.

The sky-haired girl seemed to deflate upon the sight of her sister. "Oh, it's just you." She breathed. She turned away, walking back to the main room.

Weiss narrowed her eyes at her sister. "Don't use that tone with me." She warned, although her voice was much less pointed than normal. It wasn't that Weiss had problems with Winter. It was just that the younger girl acted entitled, more so than even Weiss. And to make things worse, their father didn't try and push suitors onto the younger girl. He treated her more like a daughter than he did Weiss at times.

After living with that for 14 years, it was hard not to hold resentment.

Winter shrugged in nonchalance as she sat back down where she likely was earlier. "Whatever." She quipped, picking up a small notebook. Inside were equations and calculations, likely from the Algebra textbook sitting on the coffee table in front of her. The younger sister was almost criminally studious, absorbing every bit of more-or-less useless information she could get her hands on.

Weiss went to say something, but before she could, she felt another presence in the room. She didn't even have to turn to know who it was. "Good evening, father." She said automatically, facing him and giving a bow of mostly feigned respect.

The taller man ground his teeth to not fire back at Weiss's action. He could see right through her façade, and she knew it. "Winter, leave us." He said, his voice taking a slightly softer tone with his younger daughter.

The sky-haired girl closed her books, and stood up with pep. "Okay, daddy!" She exclaimed, stopping to give him a peck on his cheek as she passed. She then shot an evil look at the heiress, one that said she knew something was about to go down.

As soon as Winter was on the stairwell, Weiss's father faced her. He did not look pleased. He rarely did, especially with Weiss. "Have you arranged for your meeting with Fade?" He asked pointedly, not trying to hide the fact he was not happy about the heiress's late return.

Said heiress shook her head with defiance. "I was going to do that now." She stated, her voice even but rebellious. She made it very clear that she was unhappy with having to do it.

The older man frowned, as if he didn't believe the words. "Do you give any care to people other than yourself?" He challenged suddenly, his voice barely more than a hiss.

Weiss's eye twitched unnoticeably. Anger bubbled in her chest. He would claim her the selfish one? That she was the one who had no regard for others? That he had that regard?

The heiress shook with anger, but she bit her tongue. Lashing out, especially with those words, would only end in disaster. So, instead, she walked off, leaving her father and bounding up the stairs, not taking care to be silent. When Weiss threw a tantrum, silence was a foolish prospect.

As soon as the heiress reached her room, she shut the door with force and locked it. She slouched against it, her breaths short and heavy. Anger tinted her cheeks a bright red and blurred her vision. How dare he accuse her of such a thing! He was the one who didn't give a fuck about others. He only cared about his goddamn company.

After a few moments of silent venting, the heiress decided now would be the best time to arrange her meeting with Fade. She grabbed her cell phone, searched for the message her father had left her with Fade's number, and input the numbers.

After hitting the call button, she brought the speaker to her ear, leaning into it slightly. The line rang for a few moments, before it was finally patched through. "Hello?" A young man answered.

Weiss faked a smile, knowing that it would make her voice sound more sincere. "Yes, is this Fade?" She asked, letting her voice become sweeter. Hearing her voice that way almost made her sick.

There was a small, amused hum on the other end of the line. "Yes, it is." He replied. "I'm assuming this is Weiss." He stated.

The heiress made a noise of affirmation. "Yes, that's me." She said. "I'm sorry for not being able to meet you today. I had prior arrangements that couldn't be avoided." She half-lied. Arrangements, yes. Unavoidable? No.

Fade laughed briefly. "No need to apologize." He said easily. So far, he sounded like quite the gentleman. Granted, each of the young men she had been set up with sounded like this. She didn't trust a person's voice; it was easily faked. "I understand. To tell you the truth, I had some things I wanted to do today, myself."

Weiss tried not to assume he meant her, but her prior experiences made that difficult. "I see." She spoke simply. "Anyway, I would like to set up a meeting tomorrow afternoon, if that's okay with you?" She continued, her voice still full of false interest.

The man on the other end of the line nodded. "I would like that." He replied earnestly. Or rather, he sounded earnest. "Where were you thinking of?"

The heiress barely gave it a second thought. "The Nightshade bookstore, around 1pm." She said, not making it sound like a suggestion. "Do you know where it is?" She added, trying to sound as curious as she could.

Fade hummed again. "Yeah, I do." He said with a small laugh. "My mother works a block away." He added.

Weiss nodded once. "Alright, then. I'll see you tomorrow." She finished, waiting until Fade gave her a response before she ended the call.

As soon as she did, the smile on her face disappeared, replaced with a look of disdain and tiredness. She had done this dozens of times before; you'd think she'd be used to it by now. And yet, each time, she loathed it as much, if not more, than the first time she was forced into a 'date' of this nature, back when she was only 11 years old. Granted, she didn't know why her father was doing it, but she knew she didn't like it. That dislike became outright hatred when she learned the true motives behind them.

She stood up and approached her dresser, grabbing her usual nightwear and a pristine white towel. She stepped into the hallway and headed down to the bathroom, intent on taking a shower and then falling asleep.

Twenty minutes later, Weiss returned to her room, hair still slightly damp from her shower. Her nightie was light blue, made of the most comfortable silk money could buy. It had been in her wardrobe for years, the one advantage of peaking at 13 years old. She sat down at her dresser, hairdryer in hand, and faced the mirror.

After a good ten minutes of blow-drying her hair, the heiress was ready for sleep. However, as she was pulling the covers over herself, she noticed that her cell phone had a message on it. She groaned internally. It was probably some cheesy and completely unnecessary goodnight message from Fade. Not trying to suppress a scowl, she grabbed the phone and pressed the notification that was flashing. However, her scowl softened when she saw that the message wasn't from Fade.

-hey, its Yang Ruby gave me your # u doing alright there?-

Weiss read the message over three times before her mind processed the words. She felt something inside of her swell as she looked at the small screen in her hands. She had never really felt it before, but if she had to quantify it, she would say it was…happiness. Happiness that someone actually cared enough about her to actively ask her how she felt. Sure, it was a small gesture, and probably one that Yang did with all of her friends.

But that didn't make it any less powerful.

Weiss had a small smile on her face as she typed up a reply. She read it over, suddenly self-conscious about her words, but after a moment, she hit the send button.

*I'm fine. Thx*

Weiss slipped under the covers of her bed, the sheets feeling like a cloud after her long day, and she placed the phone by her head. Her eyes shut, patiently waiting for sleep to come.

Not that Yang would know that, because the blonde's reply came a few moments later. Weiss grabbed the phone, seeing the starting conversation on her screen.

-good so, how was baron von creepster XD-

Weiss let out a small chuckle at Yang's response. For some reason, being able to joke about serious things was almost second nature to Yang. And Weiss was glad for it. It took her mind to a place where she didn't have to worry about anything. Where she could simply be herself.

*same as all the others so far*

-so a creep?-

*I'm not sure yet*

-did u talk to him?-

*yes*

-and did he sound like a creep?-

Weiss huffed.

*he sounded like all the others*

-so hes a creep-

*perhaps*

-BUT YOU SAID YOU TALKED TO HIM!-

Weiss could practically hear the frustrated groan in Yang's words. She cracked a smirk.

*I don't know if he is or not, I haven't met him yet*

-ur no fun :P-

The heiress chuckled.

*I'm plenty fun.*

She could already hear the laugh Yang no doubt made.

-lol sure u r ;)-

Weiss rolled her eyes.

*whatever*

*I'm going to bed*

Weiss set the phone down and pulled the covers up over her shoulders, making herself comfortable. However, before she could slip into unconsciousness, her phone vibrated again.

-k sweet dreams-

It was the first time she had heard those words in over 10 years, when her mother was still tucking her and her sister in at nights. That was before her father became hell-bent on Weiss taking over the company when she was old enough. Seeing those words again was nice, because it was another escape. Another refuge from the world her father was constantly forcing her into.

*you too*

Indeed, that night, Weiss had plenty of sweet dreams.

Weiss awoke at close to 7am and started preparing for her next day. She planned her outfit down to the most miniscule detail, unwilling to accept even the most minute flaws. She spent the better part of the 11 o'clock hour putting her makeup on, most of it in an attempt to hide the disfiguring scar over her left eye.

The scar had been a part of Weiss's life for the last 5 years. One day, she was on her way home from school when a White Fang extremist plowed his car into the one she was in. Doctors said she was lucky to have survived, let alone with nothing more than a scar and minor shell-shock. The driver of the car that hit them, as well as her driver, weren't as lucky. The faunus died at the scene, but her driver hung on for two weeks before finally passing.

That accident was the biggest reason for Weiss's distrust of the faunus, and the source of her fierce hatred of the White Fang. They weren't a terrorist group, at least not entirely. Yes, just as there were corrupt humans, there were corrupt faunus, but it was those extremists that Weiss had dealt with in the past. When your only interactions with an entire race are negative, it doesn't matter how small of a minority they may be; it tends to skew your view of the majority.

After she was satisfied that her scar was properly hidden, she changed into her planned wardrobe. It was a simple white and blue ensemble; a form-fitting light blue blouse, a white bolero jacket, and a long flowing skirt that ended at the middle of her calves, transitioning from a light shade of blue to a darker shade. The ends were almost as blue as the ocean, vibrant and yet deep. Her feet were covered by white dress-boots, the insides lined with red cloth for comfort.

Just as noon rolled around, Weiss stepped down from her bedroom and out into the family room. Her father sat in his usual chair, a large, white felt seat made of the most expensive mahogany in Remnant. It alone cost more money than some people's cars, and yet he used it so casually, it was as if it was simply pocket change. Thing was, compared to the family's fortune, it was.

He lowered the folder in his hands to look over the top, his eyes scanning Weiss. After a moment, he closed the folder, set it on a table to his right, and stood up. "I expect you to act like a lady out there." He said evenly, as if it was something Weiss had a choice on.

The heiress, tired of all the arguing she had been through in the last few days, simply nodded "I will, father." She responded respectfully. It wasn't true respect, but it was, at least for now, good enough.

Her father's face hardened slightly. "Weiss, listen to me." He started, his voice firm but not pointed. "A unity between the SEC and Leaf Industries would be beneficial to both parties." He continued, as if he was coaching her to accept Fade's hand. Which, most likely, he was. "And Fade is a great young man. He'll be the perfect husband for you."

Weiss fought, with great difficulty, not to make a snide or bitter remark. Wasn't it up to her to decide who would be the perfect husband for her? Her father had no right to tell her what to think, and yet every day, he hammered into her mind his ideals, his desires, never once asking what she thought. She was assumed to find a young man that he liked, marry him, and run the company while he sat back and enjoyed his retirement. It was a nearly perfect plan, expect for what it did to Weiss.

The heiress didn't justify her father's words with a response, instead starting towards the front door. She only paused when Winter gave her a smirk, as if saying, 'Go get 'em.' Weiss rolled her eyes before stepping out of the house.

Once more, she found her way to Friedrich's car. The man was already inside, the air conditioner at full blast to counteract the already unbearable heat of the Vale summer. "Good afternoon, Miss Weiss." He greeted, throwing the car into gear and pulling around the driveway to the main road.

Weiss flashed a smile to the older man. "Afternoon, Friedrich." She responded. "I'm going to be meeting Mister Leaf at the Nightshade." She added quickly. She knew Friedrich could find the store. How else did she get there two days ago?

The driver chuckled. "I see." He trailed knowingly. "Would I be wrong in assuming there's a reason for your choice?" His eyes gleamed with humor, a smile growing on his face.

The heiress nodded once in reply. "A friend of mine works there." She informed, her voice easy.

Friedrich nodded. "Miss Rose?" He asked in curiosity.

Weiss shook her head. "Her sister Yang, actually." She corrected, perhaps with more fervor than she wanted to show.

Of course, Friedrich caught it. "Oh, made a new friend, have you?" He teased with a small laugh. Weiss's face flared red in embarrassment, but she nodded. "Good for you."

The heiress nodded again, relaxing slightly. However, she shifted slightly. The driver noticed this, a small look of worry on his face as his eyes found hers in the mirror. "Is there something troubling you, Weiss?" He asked.

Weiss didn't move for a few moments, but she did let out a sigh. "Last night, before I went to sleep, I ended up having a short conversation with her." She mentally slapped herself. Getting flustered because of a simple conversation. She was an heiress, not a schoolgirl!

Friedrich hummed in response. "Did something happen?" He asked sympathetically, slightly worried that things were wrong.

Weiss shook her head. "That's the thing, though." She sighed, slouching into her seat. "We just talked."

The driver nodded. "What about?"

The white-haired girl exhaled. "Mostly about Fade." She confessed with a bit of embarrassment.

Friedrich let out a short laugh. "So you talked about a boy." He repeated.

The way Weiss's face went red was amusing. "I-…We-…" She stuttered, stumbling over her own words comically.

The older man let out another laugh. "Weiss, there's nothing to be embarrassed about." He informed, his voice softening slightly. "You simply had a conversation that I'm sure that most girls your age have had. It's completely natural."

Weiss seemed to put at ease from the words, but she was still not completely calmed. "But I only met her two days ago." She breathed tiredly. "I don't even know why I felt like talking with her about it."

The driver nodded once in understanding. "You don't see yourself as a trusting person." He started. Weiss felt slightly miffed at the words, but they were true. "Weiss, one of the risks you take with friends is confiding in them information. You trust that they won't misuse that information and hurt you." He looked into Weiss's eyes through the mirror for as long as he could spare. "Would I be correct in thinking that you're worried Yang might betray your trust?"

The heiress let the words sink in, giving them thought. For some reason, she felt like Yang was a trusting person. Perhaps it had to do with the way she wore her heart on her sleeve. Yang didn't hold back, either in her excitement, her competitiveness, or her sympathy. Weiss wasn't sure how deep the blonde's heart ran, but for some reason, she didn't feel like Yang would shy away from showing it.

After a few moments of contemplation, the heiress shook her head. "I don't think Yang would do that, honestly." She answered.

Friedrich nodded once. "I see." He breathed. "Perhaps then, your feelings of uncertainty stem not from Miss Yang, but from yourself instead." He suggested calmly.

Weiss gave the driver a curious look. "What do you mean by that?" She asked, slightly bitter, but mostly in wonder.

The man simply hummed. "Forgive me if I'm overextending myself, but if I may." He started carefully. The heiress nodded, allowing him to voice his thoughts. "You're only meetings have been with men who have been…less than desirable." He continued slowly.

When Weiss was about to ask him to make his point, he spoke. "You are conflicted because you've only seen the bad in people." His words were soft, understanding what impact they might have. "From what I've gathered, Miss Yang is not a bad person."

Weiss thought on those words for a moment. It was true. Every person that Weiss met had some ulterior motive to their 'friendship' with her. Yang, from what Weiss had seen, had no such motives. She simply wanted to be Weiss's friend just to be her friend. That was it. Nothing fancy. Nothing selfish. Just a friendship.

The heiress allowed herself to smile softly. "Perhaps you are right, Friedrich." She said after a few moments. The older man nodded, a smile on his face as well.

Weiss got out of Friedrich's car and waved him goodbye, promising to text him when she was ready to leave. She took a deep inhale, standing before the Nightshade storefront. There were fewer people on the streets than the last time she was here, so she could examine the building with a bit more detail. She could barely make out the outline of a deadly nightshade in the windows, obviously the origin of the store's name.

After a few moments of gawking, the heiress pulled her phone from a small handbag she had slung over her shoulder. '12:49' it read. She wasn't sure if Fade had come early or not, and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. She felt something akin to excitement in her chest. It was muted, nowhere near the levels that Ruby, Yang, and Nora had shown yesterday, but it was there. And Weiss knew it couldn't be at the prospect of meeting with Fade for the first time.

So, steeling herself, the heiress pulled the door open and stepped inside. Unlike the last time she was here, the store was empty. The lights, as usual, were dimmed, giving the store a gloomy, yet inviting look. Bookshelves ran in rows in the store's back, each filled to the brim with interesting books. To her right, there was a counter where customers could get food or beverages, if they so desired. To her left, there were several tables and chairs, allowing those same customers to relax.

A door behind the counter swung open, a mop of blonde coming out from behind it. "Welcome to-" She started, but upon the sight of the heiress, her face went from professional to casual. "Weiss!" And, to top it off, she had that same goofy smile.

Weiss nodded once to her friend. "Hello Yang." She greeted with a small smile. She gave another look around the store. "I would assume that my date hasn't shown up yet?" She asked the blonde.

Yang nodded once, joining Weiss as the heiress sat down. "I don't think so. We've been pretty much dead since we opened." She informed with a small laugh. "What's he look like?"

Weiss went to answer, only to realize that she didn't have one. The blonde seemed to find amusement in the revelation, a wide smirk etching on to her face. "Oh, a blind date. How romantic." She sang, even going so far as to bat her eyelashes a few times.

The heiress rolled her eyes at the blonde's reaction. "Whatever. I'm sure my father gave him a description of me." She said flatly.

The teasing expression on Yang's face faced at the words. They sounded so...emotionless. How could somebody say that their father gave a complete stranger a description of them and sound so casual about it? "That sounds weird." She commented.

Weiss let a small sigh escape her lips. "It would seem my father doesn't share your ideals." She remarked, allowing a small hint of humor to enter her voice. Yang seemed to brighten up at the change in tone.

However, before she could say something, however, the door opened, the security bell beeping twice to alert of the newcomer. It was a young man, with slicked back dark-green hair. He wore a simple grey dress shirt and black slacks, a short green necktie around his neck. His skin was light, but much more tanned than either Yang or Weiss's.

He scanned the store quickly before his eyes fell on the pair, in particular Weiss. He flashed a small smile to the heiress, one that Weiss automatically returned.

Both of them stood up, Yang giving Weiss's shoulder a small squeeze. As the man who was assumed to be Fade approached, the blonde took a step back. She wasn't going to interfere in the date, but she would be nearby throughout most of it.

Weiss immediately extended her hand out towards the young man. "Fade, I presume?" She greeted with a faked, but extremely convincing, smile.

The man nodded once. "And you must be Weiss." He replied, taking Weiss's hand in his, but he didn't kiss it, like most of the guys she had been set up with before.

The two took a seat, and Yang decided to resume her job. "So, now that you two lovebirds have met, can I get you anything?" She asked with her usual pep.

Weiss turned to Yang with a small smile. "A water and the house salad will be fine." She said evenly. Yang nodded, turning to Fade.

"I think I'll get the same." He nodded towards Weiss.

Yang flashed them both a smile. "Great! I'll let the chef know." And, with that, the blonde spun around with her usual energy and bounded off to the kitchen.

Weiss watched her friend disappear out of the corner of her eye. Already, she felt different. A bad kind of different. She had already formulated her opinions of Fade, even if, so far, he had been a gentleman. The fact that he hadn't already made a move was a plus, but Weiss was still not quite sure what to make of the dark-haired man.

She only came back to reality when Fade spoke up. "So, Weiss, how are you today?" He asked, his voice kind and easy.

Weiss looked up, a feigned smile on her face. This was going to be a long few hours…