Hmmm, well, this one isn't all that much, more of a filler. Sorry bout that. I needed time to gather some inspiration, so the next post should be longer and better. I hope. Here's the chapter. I hope you'll still read after this mess.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 13: Parents, Am I Right?

Weiss

"Fuck." I sit down on my bed and hold my head in my hands. Today's Parent's Day or something at Beacon, and I got a very interesting call this morning. Mother and Father are coming to Vale. Oh great, they're here to nitpick every last thing, aren't they? Father already threatened me and Sun. Now Mother will come along and subtly hint that Father won't go through with the threats and that insist that she meet Sun. It's going to be chaos.

Ruby comes zooming into the room, scattering rose petals everywhere. "Weiss! Today's the day!"

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Ruby Rose, what have I told you about using your semblance excessively? There are rose petals everywhere, now." I gesture around the room, pointing out the mess that she made.

She looks down at the floor and toes the ground. "Right, sorry." She looks back up at me, her excitement not dwindled even an ounce. "Today's the day, though, Weiss! It's Parent's Day!"

I smile and shake my head at her enthusiasm. "Calm down, Ruby. I know what day it is."

She throws her arms out dramatically, a huge smile still on her face. "Then why aren't you excited?"

"Not everyone has a family that they're dying to meet."

Ruby's excitement falters, showing confusion then realization. "Oh, your father's coming, right?"

"Of course. He says he wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm sure Mother is truly twisting his arm on that one." I shake my head and smile at an image of my mother literally twisting Father's arm.

I feel a poke on my forehead and shake my head, shooting a glare at my partner. "What?"

Ruby tilts her head to the side, looking at me curiously. "You kinda spaced there, Weis. What were ya thinkin' about?"

I shake my head. "Nothing, dolt." I grab my bolero and start for the door. Giving a sigh, I open it and turn to Ruby. "Come on, dolt. We better get down to the airfield before they arrive."

Ruby jumps up and grabs my wrist. "Then let's go!" She starts to almost drag me down the hall. If it weren't for me being used to this already, I'm pretty sure that I would have done a face plant.

"Ruby Rose!" I yell at her, making her stop. I end up crashing into her back.

She lets go of my wrist and rubs the back of her head. "Sorry, Weiss. I kinda forget sometimes."

I roll my eyes and slide my jacket on. "It's fine. Just be more courteous next time."

She pokes her forefingers together. "Right. Right."

Rolling my eyes again, I start walking away. I know she'll catch up. She always does. We walk to the airfields in silene. The only true disturbing thing that was going on was Ruby's incessant bouncing and tiny squeals. I can ignore those pretty well because I've gotten used to them. They're part and parcel to Ruby being my partner, I guess.

I look up at the airship landing in front of me. The SDC logo is on the side, and I know it's my parents. Who else could it be? I sigh and try to shake off my nerves. With just Ruby beside me, it's fairly easy. I take one deep breath and let it out slowly as they step out of the ship. They're guarded by an assortment of Atlesian Knights and a few hired Huntsmen. I step up to them and curtsy. "Mother, Father, it's a pleasure to see you again."

What I really didn't expect is for Mother to throw her arms around me for a hug. "Oh, Weiss. It's been so long. How have you been?"

I'm standing there in shock, really. I can barely get out a response. "Fine, Mother. Um, what about you?"

She pulls away to smile at me brightly. "Oh, it's been really dreary, darling. I've been having to put up with your father all by my lonesome." Father just snorts at this and crosses his arms over his chest. Mother puts her hand to her cheek. "Oh, where are my manners? Weiss, who is this child standing behind you?"

I smile and gesture toward her. "Mother, this is Ruby Rose, leader of Team RWBY, and my best friend."

Ruby gasps and looks at me with shock and awe in her eyes. "Really?"

I roll my eyes. "Ruby." I waves my hand toward my mother.

She straightens up and blinks. "Oh." Moving slowly, Ruby comes to stand beside me. "Um, it's a pleasure to meet you." She attempts a curtsy, but almost falls over.

I shake my head and smile at her. Mother nods at her in acknowledgement. "Oh, dear, you don't have to do that." She smiles sweetly. She looks Ruby up and down, still smiling. "You must be very talented to get into Beacon so young, at fifteen, nonetheless."

Ruby blushes and starts to toe the ground. "I-I don't know, Mrs. Schnee."

Mother just waves a dismissive hand. "Nonsense, child. If Ozpin thought you were Beacon material, then you are. And, please, dear, call me Lila. I have no use for formalities."

Ruby beams up at my mother. "Okay! Thanks, I guess."

My mother drapes her arms around my waist and pulls me close to whisper in my ear. "I have gotten quite the earful about your new Faunus boyfriend. I'd like to meet him and deduce my own judgement concerning him." She says it so meaningfully. I hope she's sincere. I had very few interactions with her growing up, but I know that she's not as hardened as Father. She was always the level headed one of the family, so I just nod at her. She beams at me and addresses Father. "Wit, come, greet your daughter. Stop being so tense."

Father just uncrosses his arms and levels his gaze at me. "Weiss."

I look at him, my smile gone. "Father."

"How have you been?"

"Excellent, as always, Sir."

Mother just rolls her eyes. "You two are always so proper. That's no way to greet a loved one." She pulls me closer to Father. "Hug, both of you."

I step forward into his reluctant embrace. "It's good to see you, Father." I throw my arms around him, engulfed by his size as he wraps me in a hug. I look up at his face to see one of the first genuine smiles I've seen on his face in a long time. It takes me aback for the few seconds that it flits across his face.

I hear a loud smack and turn to see Mother with her hands clasped together. "That is how you greet a loved one." She turns around and starts to make her way toward the school. Calling over shoulder, she gestures in front of her and keeps walking. "Come, dears, let's take a tour."

Ruby races to Mother's side and starts to converse with her rather enthusiastically. I look back at Father to catch him shaking his head and smirking. It's not quite a smile, but at least I can tell that he's amused. Father looks down at me and rolls his eyes. "She sure does know how to manipulate a situation."

I scoff. "She had plenty of practice with you, didn't she?"

Father rolls his eyes again. "You got your smart mouth from me."

I laugh. "Probably." I shrug. "Come on, we better catch up before Ruby blows up the walkway again."

I walk ahead but hear my Father's voice ring through the air. "AGAIN!"

I laugh as I hear the Knights start clacking toward me at a rapid pace. Father is trying to catch up to me. I turn to see him running in front of the Knights and confused Huntsmen. Oh, this is probably going to be better than I imagined.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Nope, I was wrong. This is far worse than I imagined. Father is still standoffish and Mother is the center of every conversation. I didn't think devastating embarrassment felt quite like this. This is horrible, and I haven't got one thing to put an end to it.

Ruby and Yang left quite a while back when there was an announcement that the next airship had arrived. I have no idea where they are, and this catastrophe that is my life is getting worse by the second. Everything coming from my mother's mouth is sweet and sincere and utterly ridiculous. How can she divulge my most private and embarrassing moments like that?

Right then, there's a loud crack the reverberates through the packed ballroom. It came from outside, and everybody rushes to see what it is. I push through the crowd, eager to see what the ruckus is all about. When I get to the front, all I see is a redish, grayish blur and a bluish, whitish blur colliding. When another crack rings, the blurs slow enough for me to see them more clearly. It's some crazy guy and Winter. Winter!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N: Well then, I think that this is going somewhere. Hopefully. :) Um, sorry for the really long wait. Still love you guys. Lovely lovely people, the lot of you. I sincerely hope you follow, favorite, and review! Hugs for everyone who reviews!