The poll is over. Those of you who voted for Dearly Beloved. You were very close. But there were just enough votes through the reviews and PMs to pull Don't think twice ahead by one vote. Democracy rules. The winning song is don't think twice.
Chapter 36
Yang walked out of a bar. The employees were currently unconscious. Yang was not in a good mood.
"Another dead end." Her left hand began to tremble, not again. Her robot arm grabbed it, making it stable. Yang took a breath. She still couldn't find any leads, and supposedly Roxas would be there the next day. Hopefully she and Weiss weren't crazy.
"You can't win your fights if you haven't conquered your scars."
Yang looked up. Hidden half in shadow was a man. He was older, mid-thirties, maybe. With black hair and stubble. He wore a red robe like attire, on his back was a huge sword, one that would make Uncle Qrow run for his money. Yang didn't know who this guy was or where he came from, but Yang wasn't in the mood.
"Don't assume because I can only use one arm that I'm weak," Yang growled.
"I never said that," when he emerged from the shadow, Yang got a better look at him. Her eyes widened. Hanging out of the front of his robe was his left arm, and by the way it swayed, it couldn't move. He also had a scar over his shut right eye, "After all it never stopped me before."
Yang looked at him, "What do you want?"
"You're looking for Castle Oblivion."
Yang narrowed her eyes, "What if I am?"
"What business do you have there?"
"I asked you first," Yang said placing a hand on her hip.
The man chuckled, "I guess you did. Castle Oblivion is held by… dangerous people. That's why I'm asking."
"I know the people are dangerous, they were partially responsible for what happened at Beacon, and they kidnapped my friends. They're were taken to Castle Oblivion, so that's were I'm going," Yang said.
The man contemplated what she just said. Then he spoke, "There's a fair chance your friends are gone."
"They're to tough to let themselves be killed," Yang crossed her arms.
"No… odds are they'll suffer a fate worse than death, that castle is research facility used in certain experiments. When people are taken there, it is as test subjects," the man said.
Yang's hand trembled again. She wasn't sure she wanted to know what the… experiments entailed. But she had to be strong. Her robot hand steadied her again, "I'm still going no matter what. If there's a chance, they're alive I'm taking it."
The man looked Yang in the eye with a determined glare. Yang returned in kind with a fearsome glare of her own. She didn't understand why she was caring what this man thought of her, but she did.
"There she is!" Yang slouched in annoyance. Apparently, some of the idiots she beat up before, decided to try to get even. She looked down the alleyway to see a group of thugs with guns. Her gauntlet unfolded and the barrel in her arm came out. This wouldn't take long.
Suddenly a strong gust of wind went past her, kicking up dust, forcing Yang to cover her eyes. She heard the men yelling out, but no gunshots. When the dust cleared. Yang looked up to see the man surrounded by the thugs… who were unconscious. His sword hung off his shoulder as his right hand held it in place.
"I think we need to talk," he said, "My name is Auron."
The concert
Weiss's voice filled the concert hall as she sang her high note. It almost hauntingly beautiful against the orchestra. Now it was time for the finale. Weiss took a quick breath and sang.
How could I live, in a kingdom of thieves?
Where people they say, things they don't really mean
You're only everything I've ever dreamed of~ ever dreamed of~
You must be kidding me~
Did you really think, I could say no?
I want you for a lifetime
But if you're gonna think twice, baby
I don't want to know, baby
I don't want to know
Everything is just right
But if you're gonna think twice, baby
I don't want to know, baby
I don't want to know
I'm not sure, I believe in destiny~
But if you are with me~
I say it's meant to be~
I know I can't undo your painful past, painful past~
But if you say you love me~
I'll give you joy that will forever last~
I don't need money or status, to thrive, to thrive~
If you're by my side~
It's all I need to be alive~
I want you for a lifetime
Everything will be just right
So please baby, don't think twice~
That was the last line. The orchestra stopped. It almost felt like time had stopped. Until the applause of the audience brought the stadium back to life. Weiss bowed in gratitude. She looked up to the balcony her father and brother were. Her mother never came.
Whitely was applauding. Her father didn't applaud, but he did seem pleased. Weiss didn't care, this wasn't for him. This was for Vale. It might had been a PR stunt for her father, but Weiss genuinely cared for the people of Vale. If this would help them she was glad. If her father had asked nicely she would have done it. She turned around and exited the stage.
The after party was abuzz with gossip and socializing. Weiss was bored. It wasn't like the dance at Beacon. The atmosphere was livelier and fun. Team JNPR did a dance after Jaune came in a dress. And of course, he was there. It wasn't a real date, but Weiss loved it. They made up after she said something horrible, they talked, they danced. It was there she realized she was falling for him.
This party wasn't fun. People just stood around talking. Weiss wasn't even allowed to talk. She just had to stand next to her father and look pretty. The pretty perfect heiress of the Schnee Dust company. Once she was proud of that, now… she really wanted a sea-salt ice cream.
She looked to her right and noticed a familiar scene; Beacon. She didn't even get two steps when her father grabbed her arm.
"Where are you going?" He whispered. He seriously, couldn't just let her walk around?
"I'm… just a bit thirsty," Weiss lied.
"Sweetheart, we have people for that," Jacques raised his hand to call a waiter, but Weiss stopped.
"No, I'll get it," she said, "I'll be right back, I promise." She gave him her best puppy eyed look. He scowled, but he let her go. Weiss walked towards the art that was on display. Among them was a portrait of Beacon. The first place she could be herself, not the Schnee heiress. She remembered the first time she saw Beacon. The architect was so different from Atlas. She was so encaptivated by the sight, she didn't notice a certain red hooded girl stumble into her luggage. She started yelling at her, then a boy came over to defend the red hooded girl. That boy didn't know either of them, or what the Schnee Dust Company was, but he still defended her. He was childish, foolish, annoying… And so incredibly sweet.
"It's lovely," Weiss was yanked back into reality. A rich looking boy had approached her, "You two match." Weiss sighed. Yet another boy trying to get with the pretty heiress of the Schnee Dust company.
"Yes, it's a lovely painting." Weiss didn't want to talk to him. She wanted to be left alone with her memories.
"So, that was my attempt at breaking the ice." Of course, it was. "How am I doing so far?"
"You are leaving a lot to be desired," Weiss said. That was her settle way of telling him she wasn't interested.
"Well I've always appreciated honesty." Weiss internally sighed, he wasn't taking the hint.
"Henry, Marigold," he extended his hand.
Weiss gave him a glance as she lent her hand, "Weiss Schnee."
"I know, I saw your performance, you were great, and I'm not just saying that because you're pretty," he said. Weiss was sick of this. He was trying to be charming, trying to catch her eye.
"If you ever wanted to meet up, I wouldn't think twice, about saying yes." Weiss's hands squeezed her arms in annoyance.
"That song, wasn't meant for you," Weiss practically spat.
"Really, because I don't see anyone else."
"He couldn't be here," Weiss said solemnly. He was taken by a dangerous person. She didn't even know he was alive, and here she was at a party!
"Really, some guy, if he can't even make time to see your performance."
Weiss shot daggers at him. How dare he insult him!
"I mean, why wouldn't anyone not want to be here at this Gala with you?" He clearly wasn't aware of Weiss's ire.
"This is a charity benefit," Weiss reminded.
"Really? For what?"
"For what?" He wasn't even there to help Vale?
"I'll admit, I only come here for the food and drink," he took a glass off a passing tray, "And the extraordinary company."
Weiss couldn't stand the arrogance, the ignorance, people were injured and dead. How could he just go there for the food and drink?
"So, what, is it another Mantle fundraiser?" He asked.
That was the last straw, "Get out." If he wasn't there to help Vale, he didn't belong there.
"What?"
"Get out or I will have security escort you out," Weiss warned.
"But I haven't-…"
"Leave!" Weiss demanded. Henry scowled and with a click of his tongue left. Finally. She turned her attention back on the painting. The pedestal in front had this engraved.
Show the world we care
All proceeds go to the Kingdom of Vale
After who she just talked to, she wondered how many of the people there actually cared. She could hear someone yelling at a waiter because his drink was low on alcohol.
"Really does it come as a surprise as to what happened to Vale?" a woman's condescending voice caught her attention. Weiss turned to see a blonde, tan woman talking to her husband, "It was a long time coming if you ask me?"
"Honey," her husband tried to stop her.
"What? You were saying the exact same thing last night. If they're so arrogant that they believe that they can get away without proper kingdom defense, then I say good riddance."
"Shut up." Weiss's scream silenced the room, "You don't have a clue none of you do!" 'Proper kingdom defense?' Vale fell when Atlas was protecting them. Vale was one of the most guarded cities in the world, it fell because of the despair Penny's death brought them. How could the people in that room not understand that? How could they just say 'good riddance' to a kingdom in suffering? How could Weiss have ever, been like them? "You're all just standing around talking about nothing, worrying about your hair, your money, your stupid problems that don't mean anything! And…" Weiss looked at her hands, for the first time that night, she realized where she was. Her hands went to her head, "What the hell am I doing here? I need to find Sora!"
"Weiss that's enough," her father grabbed her arm and pulled. Not this time Weiss pulled back.
"Let go of me!"
"You're embarrassing the family!"
"I'm not embarrassing the family I'm embarrassing you, now let go," with a final yank Weiss was free. But the force of the pull made her fall to the floor. A summon circle came from her hands. And a boarbatusk materialized, a complete summon?
Before Weiss could realize what had happened, the summon charged the woman. Before Weiss could call it off, a gun shot sent it flying across the room, killing. Ironwood put his gun away.
"Arrest her!" the woman shouted as she pointed a finger at Weiss, "What are you waiting for she's insane, she should be locked up."
"She's the only one making sense around here," Ironwood said. Before leaving he looked at Jacques, "Thanks for the party Jacques."
Weiss didn't wait for her father disapproving glare. She got up and marched through the room. Everyone backing away from her. She didn't care, she had someplace better to be.
When Weiss got home, she practically tore off the gown and got into her casual dress. Then she started packing. She packed two weeks' worth of clothes. All of her savings and her hedgehog. She clipped Sora's charm to her sash then put Myrtenaster where it belonged, her waist.
She was about to head for the door when her father stormed in, "Weiss have you lost your…" He trailed off when he saw her holding her suitcase, "What is this?"
"Plain and simple, I'm moving out," Weiss snapped, "Now move I have a car to catch."
"You are not going anywhere young lady," Jacques snapped, "You've been keeping secrets since you arrived. You think I haven't noticed that you've disappeared often, and you're spending money more rapidly than before."
"What I do is none of your business," Weiss declared.
"It is my business," Jacques snapped, "You think you can do whatever you want, you're wrong, all of your actions reflect on the Schnee family name."
"You mean you," Weiss snapped, "It was never about our family, just what's best for you!"
"Don't take that tone of voice with me young lady," Jacques said, "You have no idea what I've done to make our family strong. And I will not let you throw it away over some boy."
Weiss was taken back by that, as her father continued, "That's it isn't it? The song, the long periods of disappearances for a time, you're going to meet some boy."
"It's not what you think," Weiss took a breath, "But yes, I have fallen in love with a boy, and I am leaving to find him."
"And what makes you think he can give you the future you deserve? All those trips to Mantle, he's probably some street rat!"
"How dare you," Weiss screamed, "He's more of a man than you could ever hope to be. If he marries me, it won't be for my money or my name, it will be because he loves me! Unlike you were to mother!"
A slap echoed through the room and a stinging sensation went through her cheek. Weiss had been hurt worse than that, but it came from someone she was supposed to trust. But she wasn't surprised.
"Weiss," he seemed to have calmed down, "I only want what's best for you. You are from a different world than this boy. He cannot give you the luxury I know… certain men will."
Weiss snapped out of her stupor, "Father, I told you to move. I'm moving out, this life is mine. My future is mine to make. And it will be with him and as a huntress."
"No," Jacques said, "You aren't leaving the manor grounds. When we come to terms about your future, then you'll be free to go as you wish."
Weiss narrowed her eyes, "Let me guess, I'm no longer the heiress to the company?" Weiss knew this would happen, deep down she knew her father would never let her change the company back to how her grandfather ran it. However, now she didn't care anymore. The company wasn't the true legacy of Nicolas Schnee, she was.
"I'm afraid so, you've passed your inheritance to your brother, Whitley."
"How nice for him," Weiss hissed.
Jacques turned to leave, "The staff will be notified to not let you leave and- agh…" Jacques crumbled to the ground after Weiss used the hilt of Myrtenaster to knock him out. He would be fine, he'd wake up with a headache, but fine!
"Sorry father," Weiss put Myrtenaster away and went through the door, "But I will not surrender, this life is mine."
For the record I had most of the chapter done when the polling ended. I just needed to do some editing.
Admit it. You wished Weiss did that in canon. One of the biggest let downs in volume 4 was not seeing the look on her father's face when he realized she left home. Oh well maybe we'll see it in volume 6
I don't know why Auron didn't use his arm in KH2 but he didn't. I thought he could help Yang with her PTSD. Also I might have added something more to 'don't think twice' based off the Japanese translations.