Author Note: I managed to pop this chapter in, even if it is a little late.
Hope you enjoy the chapter.
Update:6/17/17
Waiting On Her
Have we met?
Chapter 7: Proper Introductions
"She's a nice girl who can forgive a stupid emotional outburst. I like her white expensive cardigan. Ugh. She's part of the Schnee family, known for the Schnee Dust Company; makes up seventy percent of all Dust distribution around the world. Berry the polar bear says: 'Don't eat the yellow snow'," After running out of things to say about Weiss, Ruby shifted through the trivial pages of the Atlas travel guide in front of the stoic SDC President's Secretary.
The older woman pushed the bridge of her glasses, clearing her throat. "Let me repeat myself in clarity if I could: What does Weiss Schnee mean to a person like you?"
"What does Weiss Schnee mean to me?" Ruby asked not quite understanding, the fact that the older woman only quietly nodded to reconfirm didn't help. "To be honest, I've only met her like once, a week ago, and the whole day was a blur." she popped her tongue. "Yup."
"Most who had the privilege of meeting the young Heiress did so with prior knowledge of herself, duties, aspirations and personal hobbies, and of her family background more so. Not all who have met her did so by chance." the old woman gazed at Ruby with a thin smile.
"I'm starting to sense a running theme here." Ruby remarked about both meeting Weiss and setting foot on Atlas by chance. "Having met Weiss, she seemed very nice, which was news to me of her being an Heiress. I guess I kinda got the idea of heirs being kinda stuffy." all of her ideas about heirs attributed from fairy-tales of royal families.
The older woman nodded. "Yes, Weiss Schnee is Heiress of her family company. Although she is the middle child of the current CEO, Mr Schnee has done difficult soul searching in choosing his heir, and he came to an honest conclusion that the future of the family and company, if not the entire Kingdom, rest in Weiss Schnee. Her father, her family, think of her very highly beyond being kin. Staff, teachers, and important members of Atlas society had met with her, giving her advice, and taught her, all in effort to groom Miss Schnee into an important figure in the Kingdom's arsenal to stand against unchecked influence of already powerful institutions like the Military and Council. There is no other to oppose them."
"What kind of influence?" Ruby asked concerned. "Doesn't the Huntsmen Academy have a say in this too? I mean, they provide defense for the Kingdom, don't they?"
The older woman chuckle darkly. "You really don't know about this Kingdom do you? That may be true in Vale and whatnot, but that is not how we do it here. The Headmaster of Atlas Academy is also the General of the Atlas military and holds sway over the Council with his two seats. A little too much. The SDC has been in good standing with the Council and Military since the founding of Atlas, but never has the SDC or Military had try to influence the will of the people, the Council. At least, not until lately in our history. Though it is still the will of the people, we in SDC are wary how it affects the Schnee family. A difficult sway to resist from the Headmaster and his Academy seeing as we are beneficially intertwined, and quiet literally too."
"What do you mean literally?" Ruby asked, still processing the complex discussion.
The older woman directed her hand towards the window. "In a moment, you can see for yourself."
Ruby didn't know exactly what she was supposed to be looking for; undoubtedly, like many times it has been brought to mind, everything was new to her. The train gradually shifted left where the track bridge met a suspended track of monorail in brief parallel journey, a colorful monorail soon past on cue with shiny exterior full casually dressed clean people, made aware of the abandoned maintenance and how down right dirty the train was. The track and suspended rail no longer were parallel and the train traversing in a straight line allowed more of the city to be seen. Still without a clue on what she was supposed to see, Ruby leapt to the other bench to put herself closer to the window.
The late morning sun sat low the polar horizon, providing much needed bright rays to most of the cold city, from where the train was position everything was same the dark blue that the old dam had provide for the train hub. Under the shade laid the monotonous block dwellings that were the same as the eye could see, the uniform horizontal windows lighted the freezing haze from above while the headlights from the street traffic below made the atmosphere shift and dance. Looking up Ruby finally saw a huge collection of skyscrapers centering around the central area that had made the shadow, and she again saw the long and numerous air traffic of airship cargo and their military escort as they streaked above the buildings like climbing smoke from a far source. The train gradually moved around the skyscrapers, the peering sun still hid behind but as the light wane Ruby finally saw what was hiding.
It was nothing short of a grand citadel in the middle of the Kingdom. Appearing like a knife cutting through the center of the city was a raised platform of shining steel, the face of it sharply inclined with a slit that divided the structure where the earlier airship traffic finally made their port in there. Ruby spotted hangars lining the sloping sides which reminded her of the angle bow of a navy ship. Another mile pass and the sights of box buildings lined up the top of the platform, impersonal places she was surprised to see that they were meant to be campus dorms; she didn't see how anybody could enjoy the cold dwellings. More revealed of the behemoth structure in the coming minutes.
Coming one mile closer at an angle, a top of a metallic dome popped up on the far right with many factory-like rectangular buildings encompassing it, the second to last turn saw a skyscraper rise like modernized tower keep overseeing everything below, on top of the tall building were twin spires of communications antennas-the Cross Continental Transit System of Atlas use to keep in contact with the rest of the world, the first of its kind. All sat in a circling plateau that form one of four Huntsmen Academy around the world. All of it, looking like a city within a city, was the Atlas Huntsmen Academy.
"Close," the older woman spoke, Ruby turn around to her. "It's not just the Academy and CCT, but also the Kingdom Council. And neighboring them…" she nodded forward. "is Schnee Manor." said the older woman.
The train bridge headed straight at the plateau an angle above the urban area where the tracks began to encircle the artificial plateau; the infrastructure overlooking the tiny train made it more awestruck when up so close. In the next turn natural forms divided itself from the artificial and a whole new face of the plateau appeared. Rocky ridges that began its toe meeting the cityscape built themselves into crescent terrace steps each hairy of frosted forests, its surface of the plateau covered in white tip evergreen which surrounded a pale castle.
Ruby did a double take. It couldn't be right, but she saw a snow white manor of fantasy creation.
The mansion was a grand creation of pale bricks edifices extending along the uneven land, allowing the buildings and turrets that were built on each of the far corners to showcase their bay windows to a grand view of the outskirts of the city and the tundra beyond. The mansion was divided in sections, stacking and bending along the snowy land like the bellows of an accordion, each skinny and wide sides of the building claiming their own stake on the little even land, all angles and widths uniformed by sloping roofs that reflected north pole sunshine from its light-blue shingles. An impressive tower peaked towards the center-left; fitted with wide bay windows under the gable, a couple of active fire chimneys created a looming feeling over the rest of the mansion. The mansion elevated to from the right along with covered ridges where a unique conservatory dominated in the likeness of a protruding ice dome enforce in a circlet of metal held by buttresses on stone piers; the rest of the building twisted away from Ruby's view. Only another passing from the train allowed her to see a grandiose garden, where for a moment, Ruby saw someone among the evergreen.
"Many others had the same expression when they first laid their eyes on the grand manor. Some filled with awe, others envy, more than enough saw hope." the older woman adjusted her glasses at the sight of the manor, her thin smile persisted. "I know I was one of those in my youth. Opportunities are always plentiful to those who take the initiative." she turn to Ruby. "You already were inquiring to Mantle as servant staff, but why not try and inquiry at Schnee family? Today is unusually fortunate for you to appear: we're holding trials for vacant spots on the staff. Having talked to you I implore you to consider."
Ruby instantaneously considered but was soon rebuffed by the current faith of Jaune and her promise to him. "That's nice...but like I told you before, I came with my friend, and I actually only got here because I wanted to take a train back to the border. Wait out the whiteout and get the first train to Mantle."
"If that's your choice then I'm afraid that you're going to have to wait way more than a week. Passage to Mantle is already restricted to a few times a week, because of the freezing conditions unique to the area, constant maintenance needs to be assured to keep the tracks clean and strong, the whiteout will hinder that."
Hearing that dampened Ruby's spirits. Being thrown a wrench into what would've been a simple delay set a chaos inside Ruby's head, she soon grounded herself with a plan before panic dictated her. She reached for her Scroll but stop mid-way as the older woman shook her head. "I can't call?" Ruby concluded.
"I am afraid that while you're free to call around the world, the CCT has its limitations in neighboring Mantle." said the older woman. "Relay towers do exist but even in the summer they will soon be hinder by a rash of blizzards being broadcast for this coming weeks. Overall, giving how the procedures usually are for these environmental conditions, you might not be able to contact your friend until a month."
Ruby dejectedly put her Scroll away, she kept her sad gaze fixated at Schnee Manor. "Well, I'm already here." She sighed, turning with weak smile. "Can you run by my options again."
The older woman was pleased to hear this. "Of course…" and thoroughly she explained to Ruby a possible future working in the Schnee household.
As deliberation began to brew inside the train a longer and drawn out one had worn out the young chatelaine of the manor. Inside a long hall of cold palettes a father and daughter walked a one sided conversation. The father of pale complexions, from his double breasted white jacket holding a lanky frame, the stiff gait that his white pant-legs showed, his comb white hair of faux quality, the only attention that seem to be personally cared for was his white mustache adorning (hiding) his upper lip. He spoke of strict rules to his stoic daughter that seemed more of that of a warden to a prisoner.
The father said, "Let's go over it again: No speaking unless it's an appropriate question, this I'll allow; on that topic, only ask a question after I'm done speaking; we'll be picking staff for their skill and social level only." he looked at his daughter, unexpectedly placing his hand on her shoulder, she jolted briefly before bearing to face him with his selfish smile. "and one more thing: Be courteous and nice, to a Schnee, staff is family." said the father.
The daughter hesitated to speak, a glance at the end of the hall caught the sight of a portly, balding man waiting at the front of the great blue doors. Even from far away the man acknowledged her specifically, a polite smile underneath his brown mustache pushed his freckled cheeks and made his light-brown eyes glow ardent. Not a spot miss on his carefully dress of black vest and trousers, he pulled and secured his blue tie at their coming presence out of habit of professionalism, checking his golden pocket watch in discretion for schedule but always there with a friendly appearance. The last thing her father said repeated in her head.
The daughter smile. "Yes, father." she said without the need of obedience.
"Good." he said. "I can always count on you to do the right thing, after exhausting your mistakes."
They finally made it to the end of the hallway, the daughter couldn't help but greet the man waiting. "Good morning, Klein!" the daughter almost lifted herself off the floor.
Klein the butler, wanted nothing more than to greet like he always does but felt hesitant by the dour look the father gave to the daughter. Nevertheless, Klein greeted them both: "Good morning, Master Jacques, Lady Weiss. I trust you are both ready?"
"Yes." Jacques and Weiss followed Klein out the door.
Another meaningless hallway of monochrome paintings impressing the interior, relatively useless unlit sconces over never used armchairs and coffee tables that haven't scratched the shiny floor, and one of many family portraits hanging off the white wall. Weiss couldn't count how many times she past this hallway alone; though counting the times she walked with her father was far too many.
Klein sensitive to Weiss and her father's presence to her sought to help the girl in anyway he could. Klein took the audacity to speak to the man, "Master Jacques, if I may say with all due respect, that you never had overseen interviews of domestic staff before. I know Secretary Raskoph is not currently present, but I assure you that you could most certainly trust me to oversee the interviews alone with Lady Weiss without you taking precious time off your busy schedule."
"Klein, don't be a bother." said Jacques. "I know my time very well. This is a personal example I'm setting, I personally want to see the people who would be attending to my family. We don't want a repeating of the latest incident, now do we?"
Weiss droop her head suddenly, almost dropping her glasses.
"A good father knows best for his daughter, I suppose." said Klein. "Well then, should both parents observe this interviews? Lady Willow is in the dwelling today, like always. I believe I last saw the Lady alone in the gardens, like always."
Jacques rolled his eyes. "I suppose. If she can lift her lazy ass."
Weiss cringed, turning her head aside as Klein open the next door and introduce them from the coldness of the hallway to the brisk winds of the outside. They entered from the side of a grand loggia of marble design overlooking a fresh and vibrant garden situated in the coldest climate of Remnant. In between in the twin stone stairways, a woman sat on an oval patio table, with a glass of wine in hand, facing into the wild snow peak mountains far off where winds pick up and threw snow particles from the foothills. This is how Weiss had always seen her mother.
The matriarch of the Schnee household silently drank as her husband approach the landing overlooking her. The blue eyes of hers had appeared darker under the developed crow's feet under her eyelids.
"Willow." Jacques said once.
The woman stopped her mid sip, brushing her natural white bangs aside with her free hand, tussling her curly side locks until settling, she tighten her oversize white fur coat before drinking again.
Jacques scoffed loudly. "The pinnacle of the Schnee." he walked up back to the loggia.
The three had left to the other side of the loggia, she continue on looking into the snowy mountains.
They entered into a second-floor walkway overlooking a corner room lighted by two large windows decorated with velvet thin blue curtains.
The closing door made an echo, and Jacques spoke again. "How uneventful. However, it just confirms my understanding that only the three of us are needed to make the decisions in choosing the right candidates." Jacques held his gaze at Weiss as they walked. "With Whitley gone at the elite boarding school in Mistral and Winter off lollygagging in some youthful rebellion, all I have is my youngest prodigal daughter. That's why I want every potential servant to be heavily scrutinized before they are admitted. Carefully this time." his gaze shifted into a dark scowl. "That harlot Daisy was shifty at best, badly influencing my poor young Weiss. We don't want another wayward ginger girl in our circle, so that is why I'm here, personally out of my own company time." his eyes soften insidiously, he reached out and frighten his daughter by stroking her chin. "Because nothing is too good for the heiress."
"Thank you, father." Weiss brave not to recoil again.
Klein hid his disgust and open the only door on the side wall, it let them to a short passage and stairway to the next room. Meanwhile on the corner room, another set of doors open on the first floor below the overlooking walkway. The SDC Secretary entered first and Ruby diligently followed.
The older woman walked ahead and grasp the doorknob to the next room and held on to it. She waited for Ruby and said, "Before you go in I would like to thank you for considering. I believe you have what the candidates in the room don't: you don't know of Weiss Schnee."
"I guess." Ruby sauntered, confused but overall relaxed. "By the way, was I really the only one in that train looking for work here?"
"Yes. For you see the train only makes a temporary stop at the east grounds before embarking to the Schnee Dust Quarry at the northern border. All of those riders besides Diva were miners."
Ruby distinctively remembered the riders were of gruff and harden background, almost all of them were Faunus too.
The older woman opened the door, beckoning Ruby. "Please enter here. Take any of the vacant seats and wait for a member of the Schnee family to address the room. Follow their instructions for the interview." Ruby entered the room, the older woman began to close the door behind her. "And good luck. If chosen, I look forward to working with you."
Ruby had long since made up her mind about traveling to a distant land for employment, and its experience; arriving in Atlas, getting separate from Jaune and her original goal was not something she expected, but she adapted with the main idea in mind. This opportunity fell on her lap and she was going to make it hers. The job will be hers.
Entering the new room was frankly intimidating, being just as big and wasteful of space as any other but change came with dark colors creating shadows at corners and ceiling that made the room impossibly huge. There was no windows of any sort. The chandelier in the middle look like it had no support and simply manifested out of the darkness, it provide light to a long table draped in frilly white sheets, girls slightly older than her were sitting there all in one side, quietly talking or looking into their Scrolls.
Ruby walked the darken red carpet floor, none of them minded her and she return to the favor as she tried to find a seat. In the middle Ruby looked at her sides to see others gunning for the jobs; she was told only four placements were available in the form of a Lady's maid, a couple of housemaids, and scullery maid as the easiest which Ruby aim to take. There were at least ten including herself which made her chances favorable, the position themselves were well paid which would make competition fierce, all of them excluding Ruby look dressed to impress in clothing that were few hundreds in Lien value. Ruby stood out quite well, whether or not that would work for her remains to be seen.
Completing half the room was stage right out of a theater, complete with drawn large red curtains and overhanging stage lights facing the middle. On the stage was a crafted wooden table with four fancy arm chairs. Footsteps rattled the stage floorboards and it wasn't long until three seats were filled.
First a stern mustachioed man appeared and took a seat, followed by a pudgy mustachioed man with soft eyes, and then walking in a blue sundress pattern with lily flowers was the nice girl from a week ago. She was walking a sheltered, slow stride, wearing a neutral face. A nagging feeling inside that has been absent since their first meeting resurfaced. It motivated Ruby beyond thinking to do something at this instance.
Ruby jump to her feet, she yelled suddenly, "Hi Weiss!" she wave and smiled, desperate to get her attention.
Weiss stopped and turn, completely caught off guard and in disbelief to see a face called out to her. Jacques was in disbelief that there was unexpected unprofessionalism, Klein shared the same feeling as his employer. Deep down Ruby was inclined to agree with them; she just could not stop smiling and waving at Weiss.
Klein spun around and guarded Weiss. His gentle eyes turn steaming red, he pointed harshly at Ruby. "Hey you!" Ruby shock, pointed at herself. "Ya I'm talking to you, who else would I?! Just cuz you are a little lass does not give you excuses." he snatched the free arm-chair and forcefully planted facing the stage. "Now I want you to plant your arrogant little arse in this seat and learn to properly introduce the young lady of the house."
Ruby looked confused, Weiss previously expression became a neutral facade and sat herself in the middle chair of the small table. Klein was huffing impatiently. Ruby soon became increasingly aware that her mouth wrote up another scenario that put her in the spot, and not wanting to incur a wrath she scramble to the seat. She sat comfortably, before the elevated stage Ruby looked up to Weiss who sat commanding on her chair like she was on a dais; giving the background of the heiress it wasn't too far off. Ruby smile sheepishly, Weiss did not blink nor quiver her lip or gaze that saw through Ruby. A grumpy Klein soon blocked Ruby's view.
"Okay, lass!" Klein growled. "Seeing as you like to run your mouth then you might as well do it properly while you're around here. Now, whenever you see Weiss Schnee, the young lady of the house, you will say 'Greetings, Miss Schnee.' okay? Now say it!"
"Greetings, Miss Schnee."
"Again!"
"Greetings, Miss Schnee!"
"Again!"
And this went on for five more minutes...
Author's end notes: Will Ruby ever learn?
I like being able to design my own view of Atlas, being able to add my headcanon of the Schnee household being in the same property as Atlas Academy creates for interesting scenarios.
Let me know any spelling mistakes or grammar in pm or reviews, I'd appreciated.
