Weiss opened her eyes in disappointment once more. The comfort of her old bed was surprisingly uncomfortable compared to the dorms at beacon. It was also isolated, cold, and quiet, all the things needed for restful sleep...or at least that's what she thought when she had initially arrived there.

Rolling over Weiss tried the usual techniques, the cool side of the pillow, the empty side of the bed, varying amount of layers, but nothing lasted long. Relinquishing the thought of sleep for the moment she pushed herself up and onto the cold tile floor. Perhaps some midnight drink or snack may alleviate the insomnia.

At first Weiss had told herself it was because she hadn't been home in so long. Her next reason was the stress of finding good staff to hire on top of the anxiety of facing her father. But now that everything had died down, the staff was content in their population, father was as approving as he could be for her independent choice, there shouldn't be a reason to keep waking up. To not be able to fall back asleep.

As Weiss reached the door she momentarily blanked on her reason for leaving her bed. With a sluggish shake of her head she remembered her slightly parched throat. After too long of a moment Weiss felt disgusted with herself. Intellect was something she prided herself on and being this forgetful was appalling, even if it was the result of sleep deprivation.

She wasn't even putting the time she couldn't sleep to use. Corporate economics, Dust processing, advanced dueling stances, all lay untouched on her bookshelf. It was only logical to continue her education, it was like...transferring. Without her team...without the brooding one or the obnoxious one or the...sweet one.

They were gone now, beyond contact until another CCT was constructed, she had to grow up. She had to be independent, strong, and... Weakly Weiss realized if she actually pushed herself any harder she might look worse than Blake did when she refused to sleep.

Vaguely Weiss had a strange inclination that there was something wrong about the hallways in which she walked, but her tired mind couldn't fathom exactly what. It wasn't until Weiss had walked for several more minutes that she noticed what was going on. The hallway had turned ever so slightly, and gradually the floor melded into the wall and eventually the ceiling in an ongoing helix.

Unamused that her dreaming mind would bring her somewhere so mundane Weiss while at the same time struggling with obvious realness that was this hallway. Of course it couldn't be, gravity didn't work that way...unless there was gravity dust involved, which may make more sense considering the scratchy carpet underfoot, the stale air, and the general normal stimulus of being awake.

Still she had to make sure even if it resulted in her looking foolish on some hallway camera.

Weiss brought a hand to her cheek and pinched it, adding a little tug and telling herself to "Wake up." She found that she couldn't stop, her voice continued repeating until it became higher and not her own.

Suddenly Weiss opened her eyes to find Ruby playfully pinching her cheek.

"Wake uppp Weeiisss."

Her instincts taking over Weiss pushed herself up, and her partner away from her personal space. "I'm up you dolt!" Before taking in her surroundings. Her leader was partially sitting on her bed within Beacon dormitories. The sun was shining, birds were chirping, Yang was groaning with having to get up. It...wasn't possible. "Wait...am I still...dreaming?"

Ruby looked at her as if she had something amusing drawn on her face. "And you say I'm a dolt." She snorted before continuing "Come on Weiss, you promised we would practice together today! I know it's early, and a weekend, but I'm just really excited!"

"What are you talking about?" Weiss was starting to feel unnerved by the realness of her current situation.

Ruby instantly went with her trump card, adopting the look of a hurt puppy. "You don't remember Weiss? We were going to practice the magnificent duo of Whiterose today. I mean...I don't want to be a bother but-

"No no, Ruby you're not- This doesn't make any sense, Beacon is..." Destroyed. Weiss started, it felt so normal. So amazingly normal, and she desperately craved this normalcy. Training with her teammates, not thinking of what would happen after they graduate, not considering her position.

Her team leader seemed confused at her outburst "Beacon's what Weiss? …. Amazing? Way better than I thought it was going to be? Our home?" She let off in rapid fire, each phrase driving another pin of regret and sadness into Weiss's heart.

A thought popped into Weiss's head as she lay there in the midst nostalgia and heartbreak. If this is a dream...then why shouldn't I enjoy it? Smirking Weiss grabbed her leaders hand and jumped out of bed, ready to embrace whatever shenanigans happened until she awoke from this amazing dream.

"W-weiss?!" Ruby stuttered out in surprise at her teammates sudden change of mood.

"You're right. An early start would be optimal for training together."

Instantly Ruby's eyes lit up with happiness, "EeeeYay! I'll be right back with Crescent Rose!" And just like that Ruby disappeared in a flurry of petals.

In the short moment Weiss had to herself in their old dormitory she decided to interact with her other teammates. It had been much too long.

"Good morning Yang!" Weiss relished the noncommittal groan she got in response, it was so lifelike! "Good morning Blake." She continued after Yang rolled over for what would probably be another hour of sleep.

Blake tilted her head from her book for a moment to respond, not just respond but smirk as if something was funny. "You seem awfully...happy Weiss, excited for your date today?"

For a moment it seemed strange to not think of her blue haired crush in this scenario. But Weiss quickly waved it away as she was too busy enjoying the normalcy of her team to think about anyone else. "No, it's just...a really nice day today." Wait-

"Okay I got her let's go!" Ruby suddenly appeared holding onto her treasured weapon in one hand and grabbed onto Weiss's hand before any further conversation could occur.

"Wait wait! I haven't even gotten dressed yet! And I need to grab Myrtenaster first! A-and you're still in your pajamas too!" Weiss argued before her leader could drag her any further.

"Uuugghhhhh fine I'll get dressed but you hurry up too!"

Weiss rolled her eyes and strolled over to grab her clothing and weapon. She couldn't exactly change until Ruby was out of the bathroom. Well...she could, it was just a dream afterall but the thought of being indecent, even in front of just a sleeping Yang and reading Blake was too embarrassing.

As they were once again alone Blake continued their conversation. "I'm surprised Weiss, ditching Neptune to go out with Ruby. What will Yang think?" She prodded with a joking smile.

"W-well our teamwork and school are the most important things right now so it only makes sense." Weiss defended, although she had no idea where or when this date had come from. Which in turn gave the heiress a strange feeling of uncertainty, even now that she knew about the 'date' she was more excited and willing to train with Ruby than go out with the Blue haired adonis.

In response Blake simply rolled her eyes before returning to reading.

"Uhm Weeiiisss, could you come in here for a minute" Ruby called from the bathroom, with a tone that suggested something embarrassing had gone wrong.

Upon entering the room Weiss found a mostly clothed and tied up Ruby. Literally, by some extraordinary means of idiocy she had managed to tie not just one, but both hands to her corset. A fact not lost on Weiss Schnee.

"Can you get some scissors, or Myrtenaster or something, I'm...kinda stuck." Ruby refused to make eye contact as her face lit in shame.

"How did you even manage that?!" Weiss's eyebrows threatened her forehead out the of the sheer impossibility before her.

"I don't know! I was excited and I was trying to be really fast so you could get dressed and then I went to grab my cloak and my hands were stuck and I pulled them but that just made it worse and now I can't get them free and-"

"Okay okay, I'll help." Weiss cut off her leader before she continued to ramble and give the heiress a headache. Leaning around the bound girl Weiss opened the mirror of the bathroom to retrieve the tiny scissors within. As she returned to her original position Weiss noticed that the darker haired girl had a red tinge over her cheeks.

Oblivious to the reason and their recent closeness Weiss raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Y-yeah, y'know just being unbearably awkward like usual." Ruby let out a nervous chuckle at herself.

Weiss rolled her eyes as she snipped the overly tightened red fabric that held her team leaders hands hostage. "There, free."

"Yay! Thank you Weiss." Ruby jumped into a mock victory pose before she noticed the sudden looseness of her corset. "Awh...do you mind if we stop in Vale today? I don't have any extra." She pouted at she halfheartedly flicked the cut ribbon.

With a sigh that suggest she cared more than she actually did, Weiss lamented. "Fine, but we're not going to make an unnecessary stops when we're there."

"Thank you Weiss!" Ruby exclaimed with a tightly gripped hug before disappearing out of the room.


Strangely the day continued at a normal, albeit energetic pace. The trip to Vale, the lunch at a diner, the eventual training, nothing seemed... impossible or fictional. It all felt real, which in itself was a scary thought because it was also...hopeful. The thought of going back to the Schnee Corporation felt just as far away as it had when she had lived here, in Beacon. In fact it was starting to feel like she had never left. Save for the fact that this had to be several months ago, she remembered Ruby having more team work coordination than this. Which just meant a little more effort on her end but it wasn't all too difficult to read the bundle of energy anymore.

Ruby fell to her back in the grass of beacons green with a small "oomph". "Ah you were great Weiss, who knew we'd make such a great team! I mean after I bumped into you-

"Tripped" Weiss corrected as she walked over to her partially exhausted teammate.

"-..right, After I Tripped into you and uh...spilled your belongings...

"And caused a small explosion" Weiss continued for her, it was amusing to watch the others expression.

"...Oohhh will you ever forgive me?!" Ruby moaned in exaggerated discomfort, rolling back and forth in the grass of Beacon.

"I already did you dolt." Weiss replied in stride as she sat next to her. The sun was starting to wane across the horizon and provided for a strangely relaxed atmosphere granted her company. The ground was still warm from the day, but the annoying bugs had yet to leave the forest or wherever they hid during the days.

"Really?!" Ruby nearly squeaked, as if Weiss had never shown her any comfort or forgiveness...granted if this was as far back as...well suffice to say she may not have at this point. Besides the kindness she had shown today but... Oh she was over thinking it. She answered with a simple nod before relaxing back into silence.

The sky burned and in the darker aspects of the forest small fireflies began to illuminate it's depths. A few other teams lazed about, however it seemed it was predominately couples that sat together to watch this natural beauty. A few pointed at the first stars or the shine of the insects at times, leaning together in a very personal manner.

"Y'know...you've been acting really weird today Weiss." Ruby suddenly remarked in a more serious tone, in a flash she had seemed to pop up off of the ground and was observing Weiss with a keen eye.

Weiss responded with a simple look, one that told the other she was reading into things.

"I'm serious! You've never been this nice before! And you even apologized during training when-

"You don't need to bring that up" Weiss struggled not to shake her head, but it had been the right thing to do, it was her fault. Entirely. Besides the other girl was skittish enough without yelling at her more. Plus it would do nothing but ruin the good mood of the day.

"But Weiss..."Ruby argued for a second before relenting, letting their conversation return to silence. The stern look upon her companions face was enough to dissuade her from prodding at her recent change in behavior too much. However after a few moment she obviously had something to say, but instead continued to twiddle her thumbs.

Weiss sat for a moment trying to ignore her, perhaps focus on the clean air of Beacon, or the architecture she had never truly appreciated before... But it was growing insistent and Ruby still wasn't talking. It was clear she was going to have to ask, otherwise she may never stop. "What is it now Ruby?"

The young team leader opened and closed her mouth a few times trying to find the right words for a moment, clearly embarrassed. "W-well...okay I'll just say it. You're the most coordinated and elegant person I know and while you're still in a nice helping mood do you think …. you might be able to uh … teach me how to dance before, well...y'know."

So this was before the school dance Weiss noted before rolling her eyes. The small bit of warmth she felt from the flattery was nice but it didn't matter, this whole thing didn't matter if it was a dream...although she had never had a dream where she actually felt everything, the hits against her aura in training, the soft grass between her fingertips currently...

"Sure." It slipped out from her mouth without really thinking. It sounded like a fond idea, teaching her partner how to properly dance. Although it would be a bit disappointing when it never happened Weiss supposed. It was a dream after all.

"Eeeeee! Yes! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" Ruby instantly launched herself onto her older teammate in a tight embrace.

The two rolled in the grass for a moment at the momentum from the shorter girl before stopping. Weiss felt a bit self-conscious at the sudden contact, especially since they were outside, in public! But it was heartwarming to watch Ruby be so excited about something, like watching someone open a present from another.

"I get it, just let go!" Weiss finally rebelled from her captor before too many people looked over at the scene. "And before you ask, no I'm not going to help you tonight, it's almost time for bed."

"Awwhhhh fine." Ruby pouted after letting go of her companion.

How she still had this energy was beyond Weiss, but some part of her still found it endearing.

It was strange sitting in bed and waiting for sleep in a dream. The walk back to the dormitory was just as she remembered it, even the grumbled mixture of goodnight sentiments and teasing as her team settled in their respective beds. It was oh so familiar, and so real, and...heartbreaking.

The prospective future, or what is in fact the present, poisoned the beauty of this normal night. It bit along the edges of the happiness and nostalgia, making Weiss yearn for this reality. She had been so stupid before, to take this all for granted. It had simply been working on assignments and tolerating her team, until she actually started to enjoy their company...just a little bit. But never had she honestly thought, that any of these dull moments in which she previously wished to be productive, to get rid of, would be the ones she sought after.

Weiss turned over to the cooler side of her bed trying to let go of this dream. Strangely exhaustion fueled her slow climb, and before she knew it the bed was much more comfortable than she remembered.

Opening her eyes Weiss found herself tired, she felt as if she had barely gotten any sleep. She also found one of the newly hired maids delivering her freshly cleaned and folded clothes. The girl was a slight one, with a pale complexion and a mess of blonde hair. Strangely, despite her position, she kept it up in a messy bun with a pair of luxurious looking hairsticks.

"Good Morning Miss Schnee." She managed to curtsy as she noticed her employer's wakeful state.

"Good morning" Weiss replied on reflex. It must have been her time with her teammates that had changed her so, before she had barely acknowledged any of the staff. She preferred isolation to contact, as it just reminded her of that position, put aside on an altar. Not seen as a person but as a Schnee.

Apparently taking this as a sign to proceed with some semblance of a conversation the maid continued. "I want to thank you again for your gracious charity." Her voice seemed sincere and fragile, and so airy that it may disappear should a loud gust come through.

"I'm sorry-" Weiss responded in a standard she had practiced so many times. It seemed to be the most polite way to tell someone that you didn't remember their name. Although in her case she barely remembered the girl before her.

"O-oh!" She caught on quickly with a spike in pitch, "Aisling Iris Miss."

The name seemed slightly familiar, she must have been one of the applicants Weiss hired personally. Strangely Weiss didn't remember the exact encounter, then again she was having difficulties remembering the simpler things lately. Mustering up the strength, Weiss tried to not sound too generic in her response of welcome.

"Well I'm sure you deserve the position Aisling, now if you'll excuse me." She gently took the clean apparel and headed towards the bathroom to change. A part of her felt she had been rude to the poor girl, while at the same time she couldn't help it. She was a Schnee in these rooms and she had a standard to live up too, being too friendly with someone of such a position was dangerous. It was exploitable as father had always put it. It was better to forget about the situation and move on to more important things.

In her fatigue fueled haze Weiss felt like she was forgetting something important.

But as she slipped off her pajamas and slipped into more formal day wear she couldn't put her finger on it. As she powdered her face and prepared the Schnee mask for her inevitable contact with him, she couldn't remember. Returning to her room revealed...nothing at first glance. The bookshelf was straight, all volumes accounted for, her bed was now made, perfect and pristine. However the feeling refused to subside. She checked the drawers of her desk, the vanity, even under her pillow, but there was nothing each time.

Lowering herself to the ground Weiss peered under her bed but found nothing but strange cleanliness. However just as she was about to give up, she noticed it. A fallen letter, barely sticking out from in between the wall and the bed. It was possible it was missed while cleaning, but... she couldn't remember a letter in the first place.

Crawling on the floor was a bit embarrassing, and slightly degrading but...curiosity called. Pulling the scrap of paper free from in between the wall and the bed, Weiss noticed it had already been opened. Strangely it held no official insignia upon the cover and was addressed simply to Weiss and not .

The corporate princess stood for a moment debating on looking at the contents of the envelope. Which in itself was an absurd notion. There was nothing wrong with looking at a letter addressed to herself within the confines of her own room... But it still felt...off. Her gut told her something sinister was lurking within the confines, something hidden that she had forgotten.

Slowly Weiss pulled part of the letter out but before she could read anything there was a polite knock on her door. Her stomach flipped in strange panic, as if she had been doing something forbidden.

"J-just a moment" The heiress called as she quickly stashed the letter in between the layers of her bed. There was a nagging feeling to keep it safe, hidden from outside observers, but the origin of that feeling was lost.

" wishes to talk to you in the dining hall Miss." The same airy voice called from beyond the woodwork.

"Alright, I'll be down in a moment." Weiss replied as she tried to make sure her room was just as it was when she entered before leaving. The letter could wait, leaving her father waiting was a much more terrifying thought than whatever could be written in there.


He sat at the head of the table as always while she sat somewhere between the middle and the middle left. It was a stifling experience to constantly maintain ones posture, to only eat in the smallest of bites without a single mistake. It was also one that Weiss was already very intimate with, however the feeling of anxiety around him never changed.

The smooth dark wooden table that could seat much more than was ever needed never changed. It never seemed to age or become scratched as the years passed, a testament to the cleaning staff. The same could be said for the ornate glassware that was somehow acceptable to eat upon, that, when compared to even the fanciest of cups or plates in Vale, seemed to be of museum quality. The room itself had changed little besides the company kept within, depending on the year the most senior of the staff always stayed near the doorway, ready to shepherd any further wishes to the staff should the Schnee's desire.

It was all so much the same, such that Weiss once more felt the years blend together. It was slightly painful to think about how little had changed since her childhood. Especially considering her previous goals, particularly the ones she had established upon arriving at Beacon.

"It's good to see you in a proper dress." He remarked, his statement holding nothing but the absence of disappointment.

For a moment Weiss felt a modicum of shame. She couldn't remember exactly when she had started this, trying to blend in once again. To live in relative ease instead of constant anxiety and fear. Maybe it was when she started having this insomnia? Maybe that's why she had this insomnia? Either way it didn't entirely matter, she wasn't doing anything that was unexpected so it didn't matter...

Again Weiss felt a slight spike of irritation at herself for being so scattered. She just...needed rest. More rest than she was getting. A lot more.

However another side of her argued that she was simply blaming her shortcomings on the situation. Finding an excuse to not be held responsible for her actions.

"I'm happy to wear one." Weiss finally managed to get out, distracting her tired mind from any more self analysis. The breakfast on her plate seemed barely appetizing at the moment, but it was still something to focus on.

"Good." He took a moment to eat a slight bit more of his meal before continuing. "I expect you to attend to yourself in a similar fashion next week. There is to be a charity ball."

"Of course." Why wasn't she fighting him on this? She didn't want to go to any more dances or parties she wanted to fight. She wanted to protect, she wanted to be back at Beacon. No matter how impossible that was, no matter how shattered that dream.

"Perfect, And don't forget, there will be many suitors there. So please be on your best behavior." He turned his plate slightly to the right. A sure sign that this was almost over, that soon she would be left to her own devices once more.

A sick feeling settled into Weiss's stomach. She had tried to forget about the arrangements he had wanted her to partake in. The corporate ties that he had tried to institute. Still it was the only time she had to properly socialize now, even if most of those only saw her as a Schnee at best, and a valuable asset at worst, she tried to tell herself. To make it seem like she wanted to, but she couldn't get out of the disappointment. Mainly in herself for already agreeing to come, for being unable to fight him anymore. Another pang of want echoed through Weiss as she longed for her team once more.

As they finished their meals the cold winds of Atlas blew from outside the double story window on the north wall. Occasionally flecks of snow would catch on the glass before melting slowly. Weiss had to be careful not to get too lost in the spectacle, her Father ate faster than she did, the only reason they finished reasonably close in the past was because he would be the one who talked.

Today, Weiss wished to finish before her Father. For the simple reason that she felt the same ominous instinct as the moment she almost opened that letter starting to creep up her spine. There was something about this room, or maybe this situation that was...dangerous. Yet she couldn't put her finger on it. Simply put it was a gut feeling to run, that she was being stalked by some dangerous animal or grim.

So much so that Weiss found herself on edge. Her wary and sleep deprived mind grabbing at any possible lead. The scratching of the knives on plate. The howl of the snowstorm outside. The steady breathing of the rooms three inhabitants. Everything was so foggy and yet at times too loud and clear.

Her head nodded for a moment, just long enough for a pleasant warmth to encompass her being for but a few seconds before Weiss snapped back to reality. Examining her plate she quickly took the last required bites while leaving an equally appropriate amount before excusing herself.

"Was everything to your satisfaction miss." Bishop, the butler slash waiter asked as Weiss moved to walk out of the large wooden door he now held ajar.

"Yes, thank you. And I do not require anything else." The heiress cut him off before he could ask. She needed to get away from that stifling room, away from him. And she needed to do something to wake up a bit more, be more focused. Perhaps a bit of training with Myrtenaster or maybe some coffee from the staff would do the trick? Anything to relieve the heaviness beneath her eyes and the strange disconnect from her body.

In her haze Weiss turned the corner towards the kitchen sharply. She neglected to pay attention to any sounds or signs that someone may be right around the corner. As a result the heiress ran into a familiar maid, sending both of them to the ground.

"I'm so so sorry!" Aisling quickly pulled herself up and apologized profusely as she offered her help towards her fallen employer. Towels were spread upon the floor, likely just cleaned and on there way to a restroom or bath.

Anger boiled within the heiress for a moment before she watched the fear on the young girls face. It reminded her a bit of Ruby the first time they had met. It would be unreasonable to scold her too much, although it also wouldn't do to admit to such wrong doings when in such close proximity to him.

"I-it's fine. Just, don't let it happen again." Weiss Schnee forced out, her words unsatisfying on either spectrum. However she still took the others hand to right herself.

"O-of course! I won't! Thank you." The poor blonde bowed and averted her eyes. She had made a simple mistake, and if Weiss had never left this place it was safe to assume she would have been fired then and there.

However Weiss had left this place, she had made friends and learned something close to patience and empathy. She was no longer as heartless as her reputation led others to believe. "What...What were you doing in such a rush anyways?" Weiss asked, hoping to thaw the frozen atmosphere that has settled as the maid picked up the fabric.

"Oh, I was just on my way to put these...clean...towels..." Her speech slowed as she noticed a minuscule amount of dirt embedded in one of the towels. A look of sadness and anxiousness crept onto the lithe girls face. She would surely be yelled at for such a transgression, wasting resources and work, perhaps the head maid might dock her pay for the day.

Suddenly feeling more guilty than she should Weiss had a small internal conflict. She shouldn't care about the help, but she couldn't help it. Blake had forced her to see that the things her company did, the unspeakable things that she shut out and refused to believe would happen under her dads care, had been true. On top of that she truly did want to help others, and this would be directly the opposite if this continued.

"It's fine I was just going to take a bath." Weiss lied as to ease the other girls state.

"But Miss." She half-halfheartedly protested, it was partially her fault.

"You can take them back to be cleaned after I'm done with them." Weiss overruled her while taking the towels. She was the one in charge, and she had already decided to spare the person she had hired from embarrassment. Especially when said embarrassment was entirely her fault for being unobservant. Plus it would look bad if one of the people she hired personally made such pitiful mistakes so early into their employment. Besides a bath could be nice after this already long day.

Turning around and leaving the maid to her duties, Weiss expertly made her way to the large bath. The tile was cool to the touch and gave just enough abrasiveness to count towards traction if one was wet. The lights played on the columns and clear waters of the central bath.

Quietly Weiss slipped out of her clothes and into the lovely warmth. After turning on a few warmer faucets and pouring a sufficient amount of soap to start a layer of bubbles, Weiss finally relaxed. The Heiress's hair drifted around her, freed from the usual high class styles that were expected of her now. Laying back on the comfortable seat, the warmth and her exhaustion quickly overtook her.

Slowly Weiss opened her eyes to pale moonlight and darkness. Above her, the familiar sight of her teammates bed sank in and out of the dark. Sitting up, Weiss observed her dormitory room once more with something between relief and confusion. Grabbing the scroll from her bedside revealed that it was two in the morning, a perfect 4 hours from when she had gone to bed...and woken up...

But...that made too much sense. Her dream world and the real world couldn't retain such synchonisity... Then again she couldn't remember a lot of what happened when she was back in Atlas... No, that was definitely real. It didn't matter that she could feel the slightly scratchy blankets or hear her teammates breathing or taste the dryness in her mouth, or even smell the homey smell of Beacon.

She just...needed to wake up, perhaps splashing some water in her face would do the trick. Quietly as to not disturb her teammates Weiss crept through their room and into the bathroom. Slowly she turned the handle and brought a handful of cold water to her face, which only succeeded in making her jolt slightly from the coldness. Another handful did nothing but wet her face more than it already was.

Weiss simply stood there looking at her dripping reflection for another minute as she tried to figure out what to do next. Hope and fear were intermingling much too closely to be comfortable, it was giving the heiress some difficulty breathing. She needed to get out of here, but she wanted to stay. It was stupid to doubt the months of memories between this point and her life at Atlas, but she also didn't want those to be true.

Weiss wasn't exactly sure how she got there, but she found herself on a balcony on the upper floors of Beacon. The mild night air held a refreshing humidity that clung to ones skin. Above, the shattered remnants of the Moon slowly made their way across the sky. It was a familiar sight, calming to say the least. So realistic in it's puzzle like appearance, with those shards of light that should fit together perfectly.

"Hey" Blakes quiet voice permeated the night. It clung to the air like the humidity and left an unanswered question. Without an answer, the faunus slowly walked up to Weiss's side. "It can be quite beautiful sometimes." She remarked, trying to start some semblance of conversation.

"I..." But...she couldn't be real, no matter how perfect her representation of Blake. This was just a figment of her dreamworld. Nothing should matter here, but it still seemed in ill taste to wave her off. To ignore her or somehow tell her she wasn't real.

Blake figured she needed to prod a bit more to get what was bugging the ice queen. "I know we don't usually see eye to eye Weiss. But, I'm your teammate. So, if there's anything that's-

"I-I'm scared." She couldn't bear to make eye contact, but it was the truth. Something that seemed slightly easier to admit in this dreamworld. However it seemed the faunus hadn't expected such a confession as silence reigned for the next few moments. "I'm scared of going back to Atlas." She continued at her partners silence.

"Weiss... you're part of our team now. There's no way we'd let you go back without a fight." Her tone was honey sweet but still sincere. "What brought this up?"

It felt so good...so good to be wanted and cared for like this. It was heartbreaking, that they were separated now. "I...I had a nightmare. The grim destroyed beacon, and... Yang was...hurt. And you just, ran away, and then I had to go home."

"Well...that sounds like quite the nightmare Weiss. But, that's all it was. There's no way Ozpin or Glynda or the scores of hunters and huntresses who are training here would let that happen."

"And you really believe that?" Her tone felt empty, maybe it was harsh. It was hard to tell. A look of second guessing flashed over Blake's face. It was clear she didn't entirely believe in their safety, but it was also clear that she was trying her best to comfort her teammate.

"I'm sorry I'm...tired. Thanks Blake." Weiss apologized for her indiscretion before walking past her and back towards her bed. Hopefully if she fell asleep she would return to what really happened, like last time.

In a single blink the warmth of her blankets was replaced by the warmth of the waters. Opening her eyes Weiss examined the bath. She was definitely back home, no matter how much worse that home was from her dreams. With a sigh of regret Weiss sank deeper into the bath, she wished she had been more open with her teammates then. Perhaps if they had all just been a little closer they wouldn't have ended up scattered to the edges of civilization.

After cleaning her hair and washing herself properly Weiss stepped out of the bath and dried herself with the cleanest of the towels before putting her clothing back on. Following this she dropped the offending towels through the laundry shoot before leaving back to her room.

Now that she had no other plans, the curiosity that had been dulled earlier was burning bright once more. She locked the door, she checked her closet and personal bathroom, entirely alone. Perfect. Drawing the envelope out from in between the mattress of the bed she unfolded the letter with a fluttering heart and shaky hands.

I need your help

-Cinder Fall

ps. Don't trust the maid, she's dangerous