She was free, finally free. After an eternity of struggle, of strife, the torture that was double history on Friday afternoon had finally come to an end. The sheer depth of the malice that the Beacon admin staff felt for her confounded Ruby. She didn't know what she'd done to make them hate her that much.
But for the next three weeks of the Vytal festival she was free. No more lessons. No more homework. Just combat. It was that thought that caused her to bound down the corridors. A contented feeling emanated from every student she passed ̶ ̶ even ones not competing had a heavily reduced schedule ̶ ̶ and her usual smile stretched until dimples appeared on her cheeks.
Pushing open the unlocked door to her dormitory she saw Weiss, back turned, bent over and looking for something in her bedside set of drawers. "Sup."
Weiss turned around.
"Hmm… what a quaint little greeting. Good afternoon, Ruby… I presume."
Ruby froze. There was no way the person standing in front of her was real. Absolutely no way. She wasn't entirely sure where she stood on the whole romance thing yet, but no one was allowed to look that good. Ruby couldn't even begin to break down her features. All she could comprehend was an overall sense of utter perfection. A burning in her chest caused her to suddenly realise she'd forgotten how to breathe. The apparition opposite her smirked, enjoying the reaction, a smirk which only increased in size as Ruby blushed furiously.
"Winter?" Ruby asked hesitantly.
"Yes. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Weiss has told me so much about you." Winter spoke in a silken, quiet voice which flowed through the air like honey.
Now recovering from her initial shock, Ruby began to actually look at Weiss' sister. She was wearing a business suit of the purest white; the skirt just slightly too short for proprietary; the neckline dipping just a little too low; the expensive white heels just a bit too high, drawing eyes to her slender, perfect legs. Winter oozed sexuality and confidence from every pore. The suit, which shouted money, was cut to Winter's flawless lines, emphasising her hourglass figure. Hair the same shade as Weiss' was bound up like a captured cloud, exposing the slender curves of her throat.
Ruby wasn't quite sure how Winter's skin managed to look pale beside her hair and suit, but it did. It was an unblemished expanse which appeared untouched by cosmetics. Her lips were full and inviting, tinted with the faintest pink. Meeting her gaze, dark irises like winter storm clouds over a turbulent ocean drew her in and Ruby could see the ferocious intelligence and strength of will behind them. One of Winter's pale eyebrows arched and with a jolt Ruby realised she had been staring, only enhancing the red on her cheeks.
"Oh… Yes it's a pleasure to meet you too," she blurted out in a rush, holding out her hand.
Winter looked at it for a moment, a hint of disapproval in her eyes. Wait, did Weiss say we weren't meant to shake her hand… Why can't I remember? Weiss had spent hours drilling her teammates on the protocol of what they should do if they met her sister, but the shock at the perfection that was Winter had caused everything Weiss had told her to dissolve. She was relieved when impossibly silky, soft fingers lightly caressed her calloused hand.
"So, you're my sister's team leader, her superior, despite being two years younger."
"Uh… yes."
Winter's mouth quirked in a smile at that rather abrupt answer. "Interesting. You must be quite something to get into an academy as prestigious as Beacon two years early. Are you special?"
"Uh… I suppose," It very hard for Ruby to form coherent thoughts.
Her questioner started forward, hips shifting slightly, one leg crossing over the other at a deliberate pace. "Hmm…" She began to walk around Ruby, observing her prey.
Ruby was forced to either spin on the spot in an undignified manner or keep facing forward and lose sight of her. She chose the latter. A waft of perfume with the slightest lavender hint washed over her, eliciting a memory of her partner's scent. As Winter failed to appear on her other side she began to regret her decision.
"That's a cute cape. It really suits you." Winter reappeared with a smile on her face, standing just a little too close, forcing Ruby to look up at her.
"Uh… thanks." All the thoughts Ruby had been gathering disappeared at this abrupt change in topic.
"So you're Weiss' partner. You've fought against each other?"
"Yes."
"And you beat her?"
"Uh…" While it was true that she beat Weiss slightly more often than she lost when they sparred one on one, it was only because she was able to make full use of her Semblance whereas Weiss couldn't use her more potent Dust glyphs for fear of hurting her. "No, were about even."
"But shouldn't the team leader be the strongest on the team?"
To Ruby, this was starting to feel like an exam she hadn't studied for and then had to take after spinning on the spot a hundred times. It seemed whatever she said was the wrong answer. At the moment she would much rather be facing down a pack of Beowolves than Weiss' sister.
"No… we all support each other to achieve more than we can apart." She was proud of herself for that.
"So why were you chosen as team leader?"
"What?" Her confidence dissipated.
"If you aren't the strongest, and you all support each other, why were you chosen over your other teammates? What makes you special?"
This was a question Ruby really didn't know how to answer. It was one of the questions that flitted through her mind when she tried to drift off at night. She had no idea as to why Ozpin had picked her over her teammates. Yang was a better fighter and always available for support. Blake was a great listener who was able to think of solutions to problems she would never have considered. And Weiss would one day inherit one of the largest companies in the world.
So why had he picked her? The shy girl lacking in confidence who just happened to be the youngest? The others said she was a great leader, but they didn't know how much work it was. How much she had to try. Any of others would be able to do the things she did effortlessly.
Winter's smirk had returned and Ruby tried to come up with a reasonable response, but how could she answer a question she didn't know the answer to?
"Winter, you're intimidating her." The low baritone from behind caused Ruby to jump about a foot to the side.
Dressed in dark suit, a man lounged completely at ease against the wall in the corner of the room. His face was hard, angular, a shadow of a beard framed his jaw and his dark hair was slicked back into a short ponytail. She was terrible at guessing ages, but thought he was perhaps forty. His startlingly blue eyes judged her, although whatever it was she couldn't tell.
At her first impression she'd thought he was relaxed, but now she saw that his stillness spoke of sudden movement held in check. A glance at the black hilt of a weapon showing over his right shoulder confirmed her suspicions. He was a huntsman. Although what was he doing here?
"You're not intimidated by a teenage girl are you?" Winter's smooth voice from right next to her ear caused Ruby to jump again.
"No, of course not," Ruby replied, lamenting that she had been constantly off balance since the interrogation started.
"Good, then we can continue. You obviously don't know why you were chosen as leader, so why don't we try and find out." Winter put a finger to her full lips in apparent thought. "Well you've said you're not the best fighter, so you might be the smartest. Tell me, what are the three tell-tale signs of a Death Stalker nest?"
"Uh…" Ruby knew she knew the answer. They'd covered it only a few months ago but, with Winter's expectant eyes boring into hers, the information flitted from her grasp.
"No? Ok, tell me what are the mating habits of a male Ursa?"
"Uh…" Wanting to give an answer this time Ruby hazarded a guess. "They fight?"
"No. The female Ursai are larger than the males and they are the ones who fight for control of the harem." Winter gave a disappointed shake of the head identical to one Ruby had received from Weiss on many occasions. "I glanced at your syllabus on the flight over. I know you've covered it, but perhaps the Grimm aren't your speciality, however strange that is for a huntress. Why don't we try Dust theory? Tell me, what is the difference betwe-"
Ruby wheeled round again as the door opened revealing Weiss. She'd never been more relieved to see her partner. Even when she'd been captured in Mountain Glenn she hadn't felt as helpless as she did facing the girl in front of her. Weiss hesitated slightly as her gaze fell upon Winter, her eyes narrowing, but strode confidently into the room, stopping at her partner's side.
Her assurance vanished as Winter flounced forward and threw her arms around her sister. "Weiss, I've missed you so much. I've wanted to surprise you with a visit for ages, but I've just been so busy. But with the Vytal Festival I was finally able to make the time. So surprise." Winter's voice was filled with joy, somewhat childlike in its tone, and releasing the embrace she gave Weiss a breath-taking smile full of compassion and love.
Weiss seemed somewhat shocked by Winter's greeting and so was Ruby. Weiss had spoken of her sister with barely disguised venom, but she saw nothing of that in the way Winter had greeted her older sibling.
A deep breath brought some of the composure back to Weiss. "Hello Winter, Erashan," Weiss glanced back at the man behind her, who returned her greeting with a nod. "It would have been nice if you had sent word of your visit ahead, and I would also be very interested to know the reason you are in our dormitory. I assume that Ruby didn't allow you entrance." In complete contrast to her sister's exuberant tone, Weiss' voice was ice cold, a hostile look in her eyes.
Ruby suddenly realised where she was standing. Winter had already been in her room when she pushed open the unlocked door. She'd been so flustered she hadn't thought to question it. "No, she was here when I got back."
A pout appeared on Winter's face as she answered. Ruby couldn't help but lament the fact that even when she was pouting she was gorgeous. "I just wanted to surprise my big sister when she got back at the end of the day. I'm sorry." Her eyes grew large as she apologised, her lower lip trembling.
Weiss' eyes narrowed at this and looked around the room, zeroing on her desk and it's slightly less than perfect arrangement. "Wait, have you been going through my things?" Weiss' tone climbed in indignation.
Winter continued with her childish voice, not rising to the confrontation as she replied. "I just wanted to see how my big sister was doing at Beacon, you hardly ever tell me anything." She pouted again. "I'm worried about you and so is father, we both know that you don't communicate very well and that you like to hide things."
The last few words were delivered with a brief look that Ruby missed, but caused Weiss to rock back on her heels, the fight disappearing from her. Winter continued without missing a beat. "But there's no need. Your grades are excellent. I'm so proud of you." She clutched her sister's shoulders again and said in an almost inaudible whisper. "And I know father will be when I tell him everything."
Completely oblivious to the subtle undertones of the conversation Ruby, only seeing Winter bouncing with joyous glee, decided to venture a question. "Winter why are you in Vale exactly?"
"Well, the Schnee Dust Company is one of the major sponsors of the Vytal Festival as I'm sure you know, so someone's got to represent it."
"But couldn't Weiss do that?"
"No, silly," Winter said with a smile. "My sister is going to be far too busy fighting and I'm sure she wouldn't want to attend all those boring meetings anyway. So Ruby, are you looking forward to competing?"
"Yeah, it's going to be great."
"And how well do you think you're going to do?" Winter matched Ruby's enthusiasm.
"Um, I should be able to get through the first round at least. After that who knows."
"Wow, that's amaz-"
Weiss' annoyed voice cut across her sister's. "Winter, drop the act. Why are you here?" The muscles of her body were tense with suppressed rage.
A scary transformation take place before Ruby. All the Winter's joy drained away in a heartbeat. Her voice became smooth again, her perfect features regaining the slight smirk she had worn before. "Very well, if you want to skip the pleasantries and get straight down to business, father and I are very concerned about you."
"We agreed when I joined Beacon that I would handle my education not you." Weiss stepped forward and squared off against her sister. "And I am doing. My grades are close to perfect, and I have the highest overall marks in the year. So there is absolutely nothing for you or father to be concerned about. You report that back to him."
Now they were both standing in front of her Ruby could compare the sisters. When Weiss had told her that Winter was more beautiful than her, she'd been extremely sceptical. At the time she couldn't imagine anyone being more classically beautiful than Weiss but, as disloyal as it felt, she had to agree.
Winter looked like she had been ordered from a catalogue. All the best parts assembled by checklist, to produce the vision that stood before her. Whereas Weiss wasn't. She didn't have Winter's height or figure and her otherwise smooth skin was blemished by the scar she never talked about. When Ruby had first seen Winter she hadn't believed she was real, but Weiss was.
Weiss wasn't as perfect as her sister. She had imperfections but she was all the stronger for them. No one would be able to tell that she was short from her demeanour. No one would think she had a visible scar from the way she carried herself.
A relationship with Winter would be entirely one sided. What could anyone offer Winter that she didn't already have? Whereas a relationship with Weiss would be more reciprocal. As difficult as it was sometimes, Ruby loved helping Weiss overcome her problems. Loved seeing the change in her as she strived to live up to her lofty ideals.
Yes Winter may be perfect, but she would much rather be in a relationship with Weiss. Wait, what? Why am I thinking about that? She's my partner and she's straight and so am I. Aren't I? Ruby tried shaking the thoughts from her head and focussed on the dispute in front of her.
"There's nothing to be concerned about." Winter mimicked her sister's voice before her tone became about as warm as an arctic blizzard. "While your grades may be acceptable, your standing within Beacon is not."
"What?"
"You are not the leader of your team. A Schnee who has to answer to one of the common rabble and you have to ask what. It may just have been acceptable if you were on a team with Miss Nikos. Just." Winter turned her gaze of Ruby and the warmth of earlier was entirely absent. "But she is not Miss Nikos. She is two years your junior. Two years. She admitted she is no stronger than you. She doesn't seem to know even basic information about the Grimm and the rest of her grades are average. Does she sound like someone who is superior to a Schnee?"
"You're not giving her enough credit," Weiss' voice grew heated as she sought to defend her partner, who had wilted under Winter's onslaught, tears beginning to form in her large silver eyes. "Yes, she's younger than I am, but she's here on merit. Professor Ozpin invited her to Beacon because he could see that. She's an incredibly strong fighter and she's a much better leader than I could ever be!"
Winter smirked as she dragged that confession out of her sister. "So you freely admit your failures. Despite the shame that you have brought upon the Schnee name, I was willing to let you try and repair the damage and assess your position at Beacon at the end of the year, but then I saw footage from the attack on Vale.
"The brave huntresses who stood against the Grimm. One of whom looked very much like my sister. Surely that counts in your favour, yes? No, you weren't just in that plaza, you came up at the epicentre. You failed to stop a White Fang attack. A Schnee beaten by those animals. Fortunately, I managed to supress the footage and you get to play the heroes, but that doesn't change the fact that you failed. That, on top of your other failures, does not speak highly of the progression you have made at Beacon. The reason for my visit is to assess whether pulling you out of Beacon will do more damage to the Schnee name than the damage you will do by remaining."
"Winter, I have done everything that father has asked of me. I am top of my class. Yes, we failed to stop the attack, but we were sent in under prepared. If you must blame someone for that, blame Ozpin. Whatever, you want to believe about my team, you have to acknowledge that we are the best team in the year and upon graduation we will be one of the finest to ever come out of Beacon. A Schnee will be a part of that. A Schnee that will be relatable to the general populace. That was why father agreed to let me attend Beacon and I am well on course to achieve that."
"From what I have experienced from your so called leader, I find it highly improbable that you will achieve even half of what you say. Can you really see her passing your end of year exams? She's a child who can't cope under the pressure of a simple conversation, let alone a more difficult scenario. It will cause irreparable damage to the Schnee name when she fails after she has been selected as your better. That is something that neither father nor I will allow." The latest barrage of insults had caused the dam in Ruby's eyes to burst.
Winter was less than sympathetic. "Stop your snivelling, it's a disgrace." She turned her attention back to her sister. "This is your leader Weiss, how do you think father is going to react when he learns what I now know? I'll give you a hint, not well. How much more are you hiding from us?"
Weiss' voice was indignant, her hands clenched at her sides. "I'm not hiding anything from you and of course she's upset, you've just spent the last five minutes insulting her for absolutely no reas-"
The door banged open and Yang appeared covered in a layer of sweat and holding Zwei's lead. The hostile atmosphere in the room caused her to pause at the entrance. Unconsciously she centred her balance as she saw the impossibly beautiful girl at its source. The lead fell to the ground as she came abreast of Ruby and saw the tears wetting her cheeks. A wave of heat emanated from her as her irises turned red.
The reaction was not lost on Winter, who observing Yang's running outfit of very short shorts and a tank top that was little more than a sports bra, remarked to Weiss in a conversational tone. "Weiss, you didn't tell me you were living with a stripper. Well, I suppose you have to make money anyway you can." She gave Yang a patronising smile and was rewarded with another surge of heat. The blonde squared up to her.
"Yang don't!" Weiss put a restraining hand on her shoulder, but Yang shook it off.
"What the hell have you been doing to my sister?" Yang trembled with barely controlled anger.
Winter didn't flinch from the proximity. "I haven't done anything to your sister. We've merely been discussing your team's dynamic like civilised people. Something you clearly are not."
"She's been crying."
"She's unable to accept the simple truth, that she is unfit for Beacon, let alone leadership."
"Get out!" The fire flowing through her veins caused Yang to forget all of Weiss' warnings.
Winter gave a small laugh. "And what gave you the impression that you can give me orders?"
"Because, if you don't get out, I am going to throw you through that window!"
"Yang." Blake, who'd slipped into the room at the same time that Yang had, alerted her partner to the fact that there was someone in the room who she hadn't noticed.
Erashan had ghosted within striking distance of Yang and remarked in a casual tone. "I think you'll find that if you pursue that course of action, I would be contractually obliged to forcibly dissuade you from it." He gave her a leering smile, his gaze roaming over her body, lingering on her long, tanned legs before returning to her eyes. "And I really wouldn't want to mark your pretty face."
"And who the fuck are you?" The discovery of another person in the room had done little to temper Yang's rage.
"You could say I'm Winter's… chaperone."
"He means bodyguard," Winter corrected, drawing Yang's attention back to her. "Not that I'd need one to deal with the likes of you. After your colossal failure, father is concerned about what plans the vermin might have in mind for Vale during the Vytal festival."
Out of the periphery of her vision Winter had seen Blake's eyes narrow at the derogative word. "Oh, the White Fang aren't vermin?"
Blake took her time to reply, she at least heeding Weiss' prior warnings. "The White Fang are deplorable yes, but they should be referred to as the terrorist organisation they are, not as a Faunus group."
"They are a terrorist organisation whose members are Faunus, who murder in the name of the Faunus, and who are supported by the Faunus, and you don't think they should be referred to as vermin? Do you also object to calling other things by their proper names?" Winter dismissed her as deranged with a shake of the head, turning her attention back to her sister.
"Weiss, father requires that Erashan assesses your martial progress and that of your…" Winter's gaze fell upon each member of team RWBY in turn, the smirk back on her lips, "very interesting teammates. I am very curious to find out what the results will be, though I have an inkling about what to expect.
"Well, it's been a pleasure. I think I have everything I came for," she continued her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And I can see why you believe you will excel here. What with a child, a stripper and a White Fang sympathiser on your team. I can't believe you haven't already graduated."
She brushed past Yang who was still shaking and took a step towards the door before throwing a parting question over her shoulder. "Oh, and Weiss do you have a boyfriend at Beacon?" Knowing what the answer would be.
Weiss retorted through clenched teeth. "I do actually."
For the first time that afternoon Winter was thrown off balance but quickly recovered. "Well, I just have to meet him. We'll have dinner tonight. I'll send you the details." She left the room preceded by Erashan and called back. "And make sure you wear something nice."
The quiet click of the door shutting seemed to echo around the room. For several heartbeats no one moved, everyone frozen in their internal thoughts. Weiss was the first to break the moment.
"Excuse me." Weiss spoke in an extremely calm and controlled manner. She walked to the bathroom, the door closing softly. Yang and Blake exchanged a look at this unexpected behaviour. Muffled screaming flitted into the room.
A few minutes later Weiss emerged, looking slightly pink. "Well, that could have gone better."
"You didn't tell us your sister was such a bitch," Yang addressed her from over Ruby's shoulder.
"I thought that was implied. Now maybe you can see why we don't get along. What on Remnant were you thinking threatening her like that? Did you not here anything I told you about her?"
"She hurt Ruby! You're lucky I didn't deck her."
"Yang, she wanted you to try, and notice I said try. It would have given her exactly wha-"
A quiet voice interrupted her. "I'm sorry Weiss."
Ruby was the physical embodiment of misery, her eyes red, lips trembling and Weiss couldn't bear to see her friend in such a state. Ruby's hands were warm in her cool ones and she clutched them tightly before addressing her. "Ruby, I want you to listen to me. Nothing she said was true. You are a great leader and an even better person. You will be a fantastic huntress. I need you to tell me that you know that."
"But I let her get to me… If you get pulled out of Beacon it'll be my fault."
Weiss gave a slight grimace at the last remark but continued. "Ruby she got to everyone. She got to Yang. She even got to me when I've been dealing with her my whole life. That's what she does. Look… she saw you were important to me and used you as a way to hurt me. She would have found a way regardless. So I need you to tell me that you know nothing she said is true."
Ruby nodded her eyes closed, but Weiss wasn't satisfied. "Say it."
"I know." Weiss pulled her into an embrace and Ruby buried her face in Weiss' hair, finding comfort in the subtle scent of lavender.
"So what next?" Blake's calm voice gave heed to everyone's subconscious.
"I don't know. Today didn't go well, but she probably doesn't have enough to convince father yet." Weiss spoke in a logical, emotionless tone. "I can't see father making a decision until after the tournament is over, so if we perform well that should be enough to sway him. We just have to make sure not to give Winter anymore ammunition to use in the meantime. So I suggest that you stay away from her."
"That will not be a problem," Yang said with a laugh.
"What about the assessment with the bodyguard?" Blake asked.
"Well that should work in our favour. You'll all be able to impress him. If you agree to it of course."
"Of course we will, won't we?" Ruby had perked up.
"If I get to hit him, I'm in." Yang grinned.
"I'm not sure why he was acting like that. I expected Winter to behave that way, not him, but thank you. Blake?"
"Of course. It'll be good practice anyway, sparring against someone who we don't know. So are you going to attend dinner with her later?"
Weiss scowled. "I don't have a choice and she knows it."
"Well, it might be fun," Yang said jovially, which resulted in an icy glare. "At least she only invited you. I'm not sure I'd be able to get to the end of a course without throttling her."
Weiss smiled slightly at that thought. "Just as well she only invited me then, and Neptune of course. Actually I better ask him now."
As she left the room, she considered what Yang had said. It was going to be fun, although not for her.
"And remember don-"
"Weiss, I'm not stupid. You've been talking my ear off the entire time we've been in the car." Neptune's annoyed voice cut across his girlfriend's.
Weiss swallowed down an outburst. Couldn't he see how important this was to her? She could actually get one up on Winter this evening, as long as Neptune didn't mess it up. She tried a different approach. "I just want my sister to see how incredibly lucky I am to have you as my boyfriend. I know she'll be impressed by you as long as you remember what I said." She reached over and grasped his hand, continuing in a sickeningly sweet tone. "Can you please do that for me?"
"Fine, but remember you owe me for this. I had to change my plans at short notice. You know how I hate doing that."
Through clenched teeth Weiss replied. "Of course. I'm ever so grateful that you went out of your way for me." The sarcasm completely flew over his head.
Weiss supposed she was lucky that he had agreed. The thought of what Winter would have said had she turned up alone made her shudder. Sitting in his black suit, she had to admit that Neptune did wear it very well.
His dark clothes complimented her full length arctic blue evening gown perfectly, a happy coincidence. It had taken her a long time to pick a dress and she had even resorted to taking advice from her teammates. Normally in this scenario she would at least have the solace that her outfit would be more expensive than her adversaries, but with Winter that simply wasn't the case.
As she thought of her sister, her heart sank. It didn't matter what she was wearing. Winter was much prettier than she was. She'd been told that more than enough times in her life. Her teammates wouldn't have said she looked beautiful if they could see them together. No, they would have realised the truth about her appearance, that she was the moissanite to Winter's diamond.
The restaurant was one she hadn't been to before. It was the best in Vale and Weiss felt a warm feeling of superiority as the attendant at the door bowed his head respectably towards her. The carpet was the same shade as Ruby's cloak and as she thought of her teammate shame flooded through her. Had she learned nothing from her time at Beacon spent with people who were below her station? Sadness that she would never be able to bring her partner here followed, but she knew that Ruby seeing how quickly she slipped into this world would only drive them apart.
All her teammates had become her friends in spite of her upbringing, not because of it. They were friends with Weiss, not Miss Schnee. Stepping through the door she shot the attendant a smile. "Thank you." He started slightly and Weiss knew that most of the customers here would have paid him no more notice than the coat rack. Six months ago she wouldn't have either.
The ambience of the restaurant was heavenly and she took a moment to savour it. Soft relaxing music pressed comfortingly against her ears. Flavours and scents all delectable swirled through the air. The soft light from hundreds of candles gave the room a warm glow.
As much as she hated the type of people who ate here, she had to confess that it was money well spent. It was hard to imagine a better place to go for a meal with a loved one. Unfortunately I'm here for Winter.
Looking round she was unable to locate the patch of white she knew would indicate her beloved sister. She probably wasn't here yet, always being one who enjoyed being fashionably late and reminding everyone that her time was far more important than theirs.
"Miss Schnee, if you'd like to follow me your sister is waiting in one of the private dining areas." Upon receiving her acknowledgement the smartly dressed waiter spun on his heel and led them through the room. Weiss' mind raced. They were early. There was no way that Winter should have got here before them.
The waiter opened a door and gestured them through it. The distinctive alabaster hair within caused all her insecurities to rise anew. It was just as bad as everything she had feared. Winter, as usual, looked stunning. Wearing a long flowing white gown, the neckline plummeting alarmingly, she rose gracefully from her seat and glided towards them, legs crossing each other, hips swaying, every other step revealing an expanse of pale flesh as the slit in her dress parted. Every cruel remark her father had ever offered to Weiss in comparison to her sister was proven true as she watched Winter approach. There was no way she could ever look like that.
"Weiss you look incredible." Winter embraced her sister and, as she had earlier, Weiss wondered why? They never usually engaged in any form of contact. She could only assume that Winter was doing it to throw her off balance. She gave a rueful smile. It might of once, but living with Ruby and Yang meant she had had to forgo the idea of personal space. Their perfume was perhaps the only that they shared with each other, the soft smell of lavender. Their mothers scent.
"And of course so do you Winter." Weiss' neutrally polite mask was firmly fixed onto her face. She gave her sister a perfect smile, which slipped slightly as she glanced at the person next to her.
Neptune hadn't moved since entering the room, his mouth hanging open, eyes bulging, paralysed by the sight of Winter. As her sister spoke, Weiss began to understand what Winter was planning to achieve this evening and her eyes sparked. Winter's voice had dropped an octave and positively smouldered with sexuality and dark promises.
"What do we have here then?" She began to circle Neptune, a slender finger running over his chest. "You know I didn't expect Weiss to bring anyone. Let alone someone as handsome as you," Winter leant in to whisper into his ear, causing a jolt to run through him. "I have to say I that I am impressed Weiss and I'm sure father would be to."
Winter had completed her circuit and offered her hand, palm down to Neptune who had snapped out of his stupor and was wearing, what he at least believed to be, his lady killer grin. Weiss' boyfriend took the outstretched hand delicately and raised it to his lips, keeping it there for far too long to be appropriate. Winter shivered and gave an annoyingly girlish giggle.
"Weiss didn't tell me you were this naughty." Winter covered her mouth in mock surprise.
"I'm sure there's lot's Weiss hasn't told you about me."
Weiss had to try very hard not to hit him. He was a flirt, everyone knew, but here he was coming onto her sister while she was stood right next to him. Glancing down she noticed the bulge in his pants and turned away in disgust. Of course.
"Well, you can tell me all the inappropriate things about you over dinner and I'll tell you some of my deepest, darkest secrets." Winter reached out and grasped Neptune's arm, tracing his biceps with her thumb and pulled him over to the table. "Let's sit down."
For the first time Weiss looked around the room. It wasn't in fact a private dining area. It was very similar to the first room they had entered, just that the majority of the tables were empty, Winter most likely having reserved them all. Sitting shrouded in the shadows of the corner, Erashan looked as relaxed as always, but she knew he was coiled as tightly as a spring.
The rectangular central table was covered in a pristine white cloth that was bathed in soft candle light. There were two seats on either side and she took the one opposite where her sister had been sitting, unwilling to allow her to spend the meal staring directly into Neptune's eyes. Winter responded by leading Neptune to the seat next to her, sitting him down and smirking at Weiss from behind his back.
"Let's order shall we." Winter picked up her menu, glanced at it before leaning into Neptune, allowing him the perfect opportunity to look at her cleavage, knowing he would take it, and whispering in his ear. "I recommend the Quail, it's simply delectable."
One of the most uncomfortable and infuriating meals Weiss had ever eaten followed. Every time Winter laughed at one of his bad jokes or gave him a compliment, only thinly veiling the promises hidden beneath, Weiss felt an almost unbearable urge to commit sororicide.
The palms of her hands bore white crescent indentations from where her finger nails had been digging in to them. She knew that Winter was hoping that she would make a scene. A scene that would cost her place at Beacon and so ,whenever Winter turned to include her in the conversation, she smiled, replying politely, trying to mask the molten anger which was flowing through her veins. The smirk upon Winter's lips always told her she hadn't been successful.
She could have coped with Winter, she knew what to expect from her sister, but what actually caused her insides to twist was the way that her boyfriend was treating her. Since they had entered the room he hadn't paid her the slightest bit of attention.
As everyone always seemed to be, he was infatuated with her perfect sister, not with the disappointment of the family. It shocked her that it hurt, actually physically hurt. Though they had spent time together, she hadn't believed she had any emotional attachment to him. He was just a means to an end. Tonight had confirmed everything she had believed about his personality and yet, as much as she despised him, his rejection of her was the most painful thing to happen to her that day.
The meal over, dregs of coffee in the cups cooling, Weiss rose, but Winter couldn't resist getting in a few more barbs before she left.
"Neptune you are so delightfully different from my sister's usual attractions," she let that hang in the air to make sure Weiss caught it. "And I am so unbelievably jealous of her, but let's hope we can do this again sometime."
Weiss gritted her teeth as she replied. "That would be nice. It has been a pleasure to see you again sister, give my regards to father." Spinning on her heel she left the room, a forced smile on her face. The atmosphere in the restaurant which had been so comforting at the start of the evening was now overbearing and she practically ran the last few steps until the cool night air assailed her.
Walking alone along the pavement she let her smile slip. The pain of the evening tearing through her. The click of her heels echoed in the quiet streets and, at that moment, she realised that her family would never let her be happy. They had even pursued her to another continent to ruin her life.
Her teammates called her princess, but they didn't realise how right they were. She was just like one of the characters in Ruby's books, but for her there was no hero, no one to save her from the monsters, free her from the tower, from her prison. No matter what she tried to do, her family would always be there, always dragging her down into the pit they thought she deserved and there was no way to escape them.
The heavy sound of rapid footfalls tore her from the morbid thoughts inundating her and she would have been grateful to anyone other than the person standing before her. Wearing his stupid grin, Neptune spoke in a carefree voice.
"Why didn't you wait for me?" Not waiting for an answer, he continued. "Never mind, do you want to go get a drink?"
Weiss blinked. That was the only reaction she could muster. He was speaking to her normally, as though he hadn't blanked her for the last two hours. Looking into his eyes, she saw no hint of trepidation or embarrassment. He wasn't looking to apologise for hurting her. He only wanted a good time.
Did he not realise what he had done? There was no way he could be that stupid. She saw a passing taxi turning the corner and flagged it down before replying in a carefully controlled tone, showing nothing of her internal thoughts.
"Firstly, I'm underage as you well know. Secondly I have to get up early to train, so I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
She got in the car without waiting for a reply. She knew she should have said more ̶ ̶ that her curt answer could jeopardise the relationship she had worked so hard to cultivate ̶ ̶ but at that moment with the strength of emotions cascading through her, she didn't trust herself.
The streets of Vale swept past the windows as she desperately tried to control her inner self before they got to Beacon. She tried telling herself that she only had to put up with him for a few more weeks, but that brought little solace. She tried telling herself that he was just a moron, but he was a moron who had hurt her. That he was an idiot and wasn't worth crying over. But, as she leant against the window, its surface cold against her forehead, the bright lights of Vale refracted in the solitary diamond that ran down her cheek.