I don't own RWBY or Roosterteeth

A/N: I should warn you guys, this chapter became darker than what I originally decided on...This chapter contains brief mentions of physical abuse.

Sterling POV

"I'd really like to say that I hide my faunus feature just because I'm a Schnee," the heiress began. "I'm sure your aware of who my father is and the rumors of what kind of person he is," Weiss sighed. Sterling nodded in response. "Well, he's worse than anyone can imagined," Weiss cringed and rubbed her side when she spoke. Sterling watched as her breathing became increasingly ragged and tears were forming in her eyes. "You don't have to continue," Sterling tried to stop her. "No, I honestly need to tell someone else the truth," the trembling girl said adamantly. Weiss took a moment before continuing, "I'm not his daughter, my mother had an affair with a faunus after she had a fight with him". "She managed to hide the affair from him," Weiss took a slow breath, "even after finding out she was pregnant". "When I was born, she made sure he wouldn't find out that I was a faunus," Weiss looked into Sterling's eyes, searching for his reaction. Sterling just nodded for her to continue. "She kept my tail hidden from him, and when me and my sister were old enough, she taught us how to as well," Weiss paused to take another breath. "I was confused at first, but I found out how that man treated faunus, and I was terrified of what he would do if he ever found out," the heiress wiped a tear away, "we were able to hide it from him for years, mostly because he was always away on business". Sterling placed a hand on her shoulder, regretting what he asked. "He barged into my room while I was letting my tail loose because I had made some little mistake, he saw my tail, maybe he thought it was some kind of accessory," her tears were flowing free now, "he tried to rip it off". Sterling couldn't take it anymore. "I'm so sorry, please you've said enough," Sterling whispered. Weiss reared up and yelled through her tears, "he threw me into my bookshelf and started stomping on me." Sterling wasn't ready for the heiress' hug, but knew better than to reject it. Sterling just let her cry, awkwardly trying to comfort her.

There are people that this world could do without.

When the heiress finally calmed down, Sterling stopped her from continuing. "You've said quite enough, I'll talk now," Sterling tried to give her a reassuring smile, but knew it wasn't very good. Weiss jerked away when she realized she was hugging the faunus still. "I apologize for my outburst," she said as she collected herself. "No, I'm sorry, I was expecting a cliché reason, not that," Sterling growled with his fist clenched. "No one deserves to be treated like that," Sterling added. Weiss visibly relaxed and nodded appreciatively at Sterling. "If you don't mind, could we talk about your reason for being frightened of Winter and Mithril," Weiss asked sheepishly. "That's fine, though unfortunately, I won't be able to tell you much," Sterling said. "What's that's supposed to mean," the white haired girl cocked an eyebrow. Sterling shook his head, "I can't remember anything before waking up in the Emerald forest."

Weiss POV

He can't remember anything. "Though I have figured some aspects of my past out, and I'm not too thrilled about the implications," Hound's words came with a weight to them. Hound's expression was back to it's normal cold demeanor. "I have a semblance that can't be natural," Hound continued. Weiss interrupted him, "I thought your semblance was to absorb aura based attacks and use them yourself". Hound darkly chuckled at that, "I wish that was all, I can eat grimm and use their power or summon them for a brief amount of time". Weiss was stunned, she had no idea what to think about this. "And what does that have to do with Winter and Mithril," Weiss managed to inquire. Hound's expression contorted as if he was trying to answer that question himself. He let out a long sigh, "I don't how they are involved, only that they are, and that's what frightens me about them". "I understand," Weiss nodded to the wolf faunus, "what are you going to do when they arrive". Hound searched the ground for answers. After a short pause, Hound finally met Weiss' eyes again, "I'd like to meet them, they may have the answers I need".

.Time Skip a few hours

Sterling POV

Sterling spent the hours following his talk with Weiss Schnee researching her family.

Weiss was right about Jacques Schnee. He was a terrible excuse for a human being, and not just for his treatment of his faunus workers. Sterling found an article on a cave-in at one of the SDC mines. The article stated that 27 miners, both human and faunus, had been abandoned after a supposed risk of secondary collapse. It then stated that mining resumed there only one week later. Upon further research, Sterling found more articles on the current CEO of the Schnee Dust Company, each worse than the last. This was a man who treated the lives as other as resources to be spent.

In all of Sterling's findings, the only redeeming things Jacques Schnee were his two children, Winter and Weiss.

Winter Schnee was a Specialist in the Atlas military. She was the prime example of a Schnee and an Atlasien soldier. Her public service record was both extraordinary and impeccable. Winter was the right hand woman of General James Ironwood, who was apparently no fan of her father. She had completed everyone of her missions with almost no casualties or collateral damage to be spoken of.

Sterling was thoroughly impressed with what he found on Winter, but what he found on Weiss brought a smile to his face. The heiress was famous for her talents in both singing and fencing since her youth. But what had amused Sterling so much was an article about Jacques trying to denounce Weiss as heiress. Jacques was unsuccessful in his attempt because his wife brought out a document signed by Jacques himself. The document stated that Weiss could not be denounced except by a hereditary Schnee. Jacques reportedly tried to use the board of executives to denounce Weiss, but was unable to produce a valid reason to convince them.

Sterling couldn't help but admire the women of the Schnee family.

Sterling reclined in his chair, chuckling to himself still. Jacques Schnee, I wonder what kind of face you made when your wife showed the document you signed. Shaking his head bemusedly, Sterling remembered the other name he had been meaning to research.

Second Lieutenant Mithril S. Vixen, one of the few faunus to ever be an officer in Atlas' air force, is now listed as MIA and being charged with treason. Sterling found an article from the day after he was found. It was obvious to him that it was a smear job on faunus in the Atlas military.

It took another hour for Sterling to find any valid information on the fox faunus. He finally managed to find an unaltered version of her public service record. Her skills as a pilot were obvious, but she had several incidents of disorderly conduct. These incidents, while not grounds to be drummed out of the military, prevented her from promotion. Ace pilot with a bad attitude it seems, how quaint.

Sterling finally put down his scroll. It was rather late into the night. I hope meeting them is a good idea. Sighing, Sterling got up to go to bed. I need answers.

Right as Sterling closed his eyes, he shot right back up, "Mithril's why I want Weiss to have fox ears".

.Somewhere in Patch

Mithril POV

"ACHOO," Mithril sneezed. "Have you come down with a cold, Mithril," Winter Schnee asked through the scroll Mithril was holding. "Nope, but thanks for worrying, Winnie," Mithril grinned back. "Don't call me that," Winter hissed. "Oh, let it happen," Mithril chuckled back, "so, I finally get to meet Weiss". "Yes, don't terrorize her, especially about you know what," Winter sighed. Mithril bit her lip, "Yeah, one of these days, I'm going to wring that scum's neck". "Get in line," Winter responded with equal hatred. "Well, I'm going to catch some Z's Winnie," Mithril yawned. Winter grumbled, "goodnight, Mithril, see you in a few days".

A/N: Yeah. That happened.

So clarification time!

Whitely was not born in this AU, Weiss' mother doesn't fall into alcoholism, and Jacques is even more of a terrible human being.

We're getting so close to actually meeting Mithril, and the end of this this intro arc!

I've noticed errors and some lack of decent writing in the previous chapters, along with my current description of the story kinda lacking in describing my story. I'm going to be doing a bit of rewriting and correcting over the next week. Just in case you guys get a bunch of notifications.

Please review and follow!

I hope you guys enjoyed!