The Vytal Festival

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The Vytal Festival. An event whose magnitude spanned the entirety of Remnant, and often brought in huge amounts of revenue for the Kingdom that hosted it that year. More specifically, it was the 37th biennial Vytal Festival, which was being hosted by Vacuo this year. Young Jaune Arc had never seen an event so large. His days in Ansel often saw small festivities every year, from small fairs to community celebrations. This, however, had to have been at least one hundred times the size of the events back home.

As an aspiring Huntsman, Jaune had been brought by Dell Conagher, the weapsonsmith down the road from him, in secret as a gift and a showing of what Hunters were like. While it wasn't a perfect showing, the eleven year old knew it would be the closest he could get to a safe showing of Hunters' work. Dell knew the same. The older man chuckled as he absorbed the excited Arc's expression. He'd told the boy's parents that they were going out to a weapons convention that showed off new technology. Was he a bad influence? He sure as hell was. However, the older man hadn't gotten to where he was without breaking a few rules. Or a few laws.

The event was held just outside the city of Vacuo, and the Amity Colosseum offered a sky view of the festival grounds, Shad Academy, as well as Vacuo itself. Surrounding all three was an endless expanse of desert. Festival-goers all carried ice-Dust filled mini-fans to keep cool; provided exclusively by the Schnee Dust Company. Bottles of water were also handed out at strategic intervals, offered for free to keep everyone happy and hydrated.

"Best grab y'self another fill of water, boy," Dell told his protégé, chuckling as he held up his highly modified mini-fan. It was filled with both wind and ice Dust, allowing him to keep himself extra cool. "You're startin' to sweat like a pig. The day's gonna be extra hot 's what the weatherfolk said."

"R-Right," Jaune replied, taking off to a nearby vendor. The two of them were currently in the colosseum, walking around the edge. It was early in the day, but already warming up quickly. The fights wouldn't begin for another hour, either. Even though Amity Colosseum was heavily air conditioned, sometimes it just wasn't enough. The canyons below that made up the city of Vacuo and its surrounding areas was perfect for keeping cool, but flying high above the desert? The structure wasn't offered the same protections.

Jaune quickly found his way back to Dell's side, and he took a moment to appreciate the view. Barriers protected the colosseum from most outside forces, but the wind was strong enough to seep through. What normally would be unobstructed, powerful desert winds was a comfortable breeze behind the barriers. Sapphire eyes gazed over the dunes in the distance. From where he was looking, they seemed to be an endless expanse of sand. He could see a small sandstorm form, twist for a little bit, then fall, all in the matter of a minute.

"Attention, the first round of the Vytal Festival will begin in fifteen minutes," an announcement came over the PA. It was a smooth and alluring, feminine voice that made the announcement. "Once again, the first round of the Vytal Festival will begin in fifteen minutes."

"We'd best get to our seats, son," Dell patted the back of his protégé, chuckling. "If ya have any questions, don't be afraid ta ask. This is a learnin' experience, boy."

"Right," Jaune and Dell both moved towards the hallway that led to the interior of the stadium. They had luckily gotten fantastic tickets so they could actually sit INSIDE Amity Colosseum. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people.

While Dell and Jaune found their seats, a young girl and her butler sat in their VIP booth of the stadium. Her father was surprisingly absent, thought her mother was playing nice with several dignitaries and important figures in another booth. This one was held separately than the others, intended for the friends and family of said important dignitaries to keep them out of sight and mind while business was done. Unfortunately, that meant that while Macht was sat to her right, some stranger was sitting to her left. He was not making the best of impressions.

"My father is very confident in our two companies becoming business allies," the boy, Arthur Reed, reiterated. Weiss did her best to pretend to be interested, but he was beginning to irritate her. "If that happens, then a partnership between you and I would only be natural. Don't you think so?"

"I'm sure that you and I could make many improvements to our companies if we were to work with one another," Weiss kept her response ad diplomatic as she could. "That being said, I intend to run the SDC differently than my father." She saw her butler roll his eyes at her irritation, obviously taking pleasure in her discomfort. The bastard. "Of course, my butler believes himself suitable for assisting me in any ventures I might pursue." The implication was obvious. Macht's smirk disappeared, instead finding its way to Weiss' face.

"Is that so?" the dusty haired boy questioned, giving the butler a narrow-eyed look. "What does this riff-raff think he can do to better the SDC and support you the way you need to be?" Weiss ignored the jab at herself, and knew that Macht could take care of his own honor. There was silence for a moment. "I was talking to you, butler."

"Were you?" Macht sounded absolutely mortified that he might have ignored such an important person. "My apologies. I had assumed that your referral to me was rhetoric. How can I be of assistance, young man?" Not young sir. Nobody but Weiss or possibly Winter deserved that kind of respect from him. Or Klein. Klein was a pretty neat guy as well, though a bit unpredictable.

"I asked you how you think you could possibly improve the business practices of the SDC," Arthur obviously hadn't, but as a kid he was already losing his temper. Patience was obviously not his strong area.

"I intend to assist miss Schnee in whatever endeavor she sees fit for herself, no matter the goal," Macht explained simply, as if the response had been practiced.

"Macht has studied Remnant politics as well as basic business practices," Weiss continued for her servant. "He has a large knowledge in shipping routes, economy, as well as long-term effects in politics and negotiation. My mother has applauded him for thinking outside of the norm on many an occasion." Most of those had been during spars, after being crushed into the dust after using said 'outside the norm' tactics.

"I'm sure he has," the boy replied, a frown visible on his face. Macht offered the boy a gentle smile, though the act seemed to frustrate Arthur even more.

The fights continued on, and Weiss watched with rapt attention. She gasped when teams from Atlas were struck down, and would clap politely when the same teams would win. Macht would also notice her hands clench into fists whenever a Faunus was on the field. Her eyes would observe them like a hawk, only calming once the round was over. No foul play ever came onto the field for the duration of the rounds.

At three in the afternoon, an intermission was called to clear and clean the field for the next bracket of fights for the day. "Macht, would you escort me outside for some fresh air?" Weiss spoke in a tired voice, somewhat mentall exhausted from watching all of the fights beforehand. The butler smiled and nodded.

"I would be honored, miss Schnee," the black haired boy kept a polite air about him, ignoring the glare Arthur was giving him from behind. the two of them left the VIP box to the upper, outer walkway of the stadium. Several men and women walked through the halls, taking the intermission as time to stretch their legs. Weiss stiffened as a familiar voice called out to them.

"Weiss," her mother appeared from around the corner. She wore a pinstriped business suit, and her long, white hair was tied in a clean ponytail behind her, reaching the small of her back. The woman regarded the two children with a firm expression. "Macht. I take it you both have been well outside of my presence?" She was asking if they'd kept out of trouble.

"One of the other young men had requested my attention," Weiss responded. "Macht assisted me in the matter, though. Thank you for asking, mother." Yuki's eyes narrowed as she looked at the butler, but once more her gaze turned to her daughter.

"I see. Thank you, Macht," the Schnee matriarch seemed to nod slowly. "When we return I will allow you a weekend of reprieve from training." The young man visibly relaxed, but unconsciously rubbed a small scar on his hip. "However, I expect you to not hold back the next time I bring you in for lessons."

"Yes, ma'am," Macht bowed towards her, grimacing. He could already feel the bruises and cuts forming. "I... look forward to your generous teachings." Yuki smirked.

"As you should," the woman replied. "That is all. I will see you both returned after the celebratory opening tonight at the hotel room. Am I understood?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Yes, mother."

Yuki seemed satisfied with the answers and turned on her heel. Her back was straight and she stood tall as she walked off. The sea of people in the halls all made way for her. Both Weiss and her butler were silent for a few moments.

"Shall we acquire some food to eat?" the young man asked her, giving her a smile. Weiss nodded, a bit shaken with the encounter with her mother. Her father was scary on his own, but... The girl shivered as she and her butler walked down the halls. Even Klein and Winter obeyed her mother without hesitation. The only one who challenger her was her father, and that was only because he could with few repercussions.

The two children walked downstairs to the food vendors. Their VIP box didn't have table service like most of the larger ones. They weren't important enough to be catered to. Weiss' mind briefly wandered as they walked down the stairs to the main level of the colosseum. Her eyes fixated themselves on the back of Macht's head, who was clearing the way for the both of them.

It had been several years since they'd met, and he'd been obedient and fun to be around ever since he'd become her personal butler. She enjoyed spending time with him, and while he often enabled her, he was quick to scold her if she caused trouble, as well. He also took her beatings for her. Her eyes wandered to the back of his right hand, covered by a clean, white glove. It had long since healed, but during their first week together her mother had decided to punish Weiss for crying in public after being kidnapped.

She had been brought in to spar. Macht had not been alerted. Her mother had thrashed Weiss, and had continued even after her own Aura had been knocked out. It was at that moment Macht had stepped in front of her when her mother had sent shards of ice flying towards her. It had been that moment that they discovered Macht didn't have Aura.

Weiss blinked as her butler pulled her to the side out of the way of a large man giving his daughter a piggy-back ride. "Sorry about that, sir," Macht apologized on her behalf. "Miss Schnee, you must be a bit more aware of your surroundings."

"Is no problem," the large man waved his bear-sized hand, giving the two of them a wide smile. "I am sorry, for accident. I am not little man like I used to, eh?" The girl sitting on his shoulders laughed at his words, but gave the two of them cautious looks. "Have nice day, da?"

"Of course," Weiss replied. "I am sorry, thank you for being so understanding." The man grinned, but said nothing as he walked away. Macht rolled his eyes and discreetly nudge his charge.

"Oh, into older men now, are we?" he mumbled low enough so only she could hear him. Weiss scowled, and jabbed him in return.

"Please, like I could ever get rid of a troublemaker such as yourself," the heiress replied, rolling her eyes at the implication. "You will be paying for the food you... you simpleton." Her butler only laughed, making her cheeks flush.

"Of course, princess." Weiss silently fumed at the nickname and did her best to ignore it as they moved towards one of the vendors. "Hello," Macht greeted the young man at the counter, a bored looking teen who didn't seem to have much business. Most other patrons had either gone to the fairgrounds, were walking around, or were headed back to the city below. It was becoming incredibly warm, after all. Weiss was beginning to sweat, despite her short sleeves and short dress. "Two hotdogs, one with ketchup only and the other with mustard and ketchup. Two bottles of water as well."

Weiss gave her butler a frown, but waited patiently as their food was made. "I'm not so sure about this food," she spoke after a moment. "The last time I tried asking for something like this..."

"Is your father here?"

"W-Well, no..."

"Your sister?"

"No."

"Perhaps Klein?"

"No," Weiss sighed. There was no arguing with her insufferable butler. His smile infuriated her, though.

"Then you'll live," were his words. Weiss rolled her eyes before sighing. "Normal children eat things like this. Also, since you've been avoiding eating the local plant-life since we arrived, I figured you might as well try something decidedly unhealthy."

"Shouldn't you be pushing me to eat those... vegetables you enjoy so much?" the heiress asked. Macht chuckled.

"Who ever said I enjoy them? I just know they're good for a balanced and healthy meal," he replied smoothly as their food arrived. Weiss only turned her nose up at the response, but took her hotdog and water bottle with very Weiss-like grace. That was to say, with attitude. Still, he wouldn't fault her for it. It was how she coped with her family.

The two of them made their way back upstairs to their booth, vaguely listening to the announcement that the fights would resume soon, as well as the fireworks that would launch after the last round for the day to commemorate the first day of the festival. The fights passed quickly, at least quickly enough to Weiss' sleepy mind. While fights during the festival were exciting, there was only so much she could handle without getting bored. Instead, she and Macht began taking bets on who would win, and how.

Night had fallen by the time the fights ended, and everything was being prepared for fireworks. As the time came closer, the lights began to dim both in the stadium, and the VIP booths. Weiss felt her hand brush against her butler's as the first streaks of light ascended into the sky, exploding into a colorful display of beauty and power. Her hand gripped his.

Not a word was spoken between the two throughout the showing, and none were spoken after. Her hand, though, never left his until they arrived at the hotel room down below in Vacuo. Even in the cold desert night, his hand remained warm.

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Yes, it's a bit rushed and I know I could have done better. I will in the future, I promise. The 4th of July just really dug into my writing schedule and I got into a car accident this week on Tuesday (thank god nobody was hurt), but all the paperwork, normal work, as well as a holiday to boot has pretty much frazzled my mind. I'm hoping to make it up in next week's chapter (already in the process of being written) but it's definitely not giving me any easy way to come at it. Anyways, I'll see what I can do!

Laters!