"I can't believe I'm going through with this willingly…" Weiss mutters to herself, Ruby clapping a hand down against her shoulder reassuringly before her smile is seen.
"It's gonna be okay Weiss, we're here with you, and we won't let him do or say anything to harm you." She says with confidence, pulling Weiss into a gentle hug for a few moments before the two part and turn their gaze towards the massive Schnee Manor.
"I know, it's just… Willingly dealing with him isn't the easiest thing to handle…" She murmurs, thinking back to a week prior when she received the invite to the holiday party set to begin.
"Hey, Weiss, what's wrong?" Ruby asks Weiss, who is staring incredulously down at a neatly written card in her hand. Weiss blinks a few times after rereading it, then slowly looks up at Ruby before responding.
"… My father invited us to a holiday party." She calmly says, frown growing slowly as she processes the invite and what, exactly, it means. Ruby's mouth falls agape as she hears what Weiss says, the invite being eyed for a few moments out of shock.
"You… Tell me you aren't considering going, Weiss." Ruby's words are laced with noticeable worry, a few steps being taken towards Weiss before she falls still. Weiss looks up at Ruby, opening her mouth to speak, only to avert her gaze towards the door as it's knocked on before answering it to reveal Winter, holding an identical invite.
"Ah, Weiss. I see you received an invitation as well." She begins to say, expression a weary frown that betrays her feelings. "General Ironwood has received one as well, we feel it would be in poor taste if we were to decline, I… Trust you'll be attending as well?" Weiss nods after a few moments of surprise, glancing back towards Ruby before returning her gaze to Winter.
"It… Does say we're allowed guests, so… I'm bringing my teammates and friends. Are you bringing anyone with you?" Winter clears her throat before nodding, hands settling at her sides.
"General Ironwood feels it would be pertinent to bring the Ace-Ops with us, and he feels Penny's presence would be ideal as well. I'll inform him of your confirmation and the updated list of guests." With a quick hug shared between the two sisters, Winter departs back to General Ironwood, Weiss settling back onto her bed before running fingers through her hair.
"The day after Frostimus… What an awful time to have a party…"
Weiss glances towards her side as she feels a hand grasp hers, fingers lacing over the opposing digits when she notices none other than Penny beside her, the smiling android proving to have a comforting presence. Giving her hand a squeeze, she steps up to the manor with her, following Ironwood and Winter along, the Ace-Ops not far behind while the rest of Team RWBY and the others are near Weiss and Penny. Klein answers the door with a jovial greeting after Winter knocks, the two sharing a hug before he motions everyone inside.
"Welcome, welcome! It's so wonderful that you all could make it, especially the two lovely Ms. Schnees." He says as they all file in, Weiss sharing a hug with Klein as well before settling beside Penny once more. "Please, make yourselves comfortable, mingle, enjoy some food, Masters Whitley and Jacques will be down shortly." As Klein departs, everyone looks around and admires the decorations, taking in just how festive the normally drab Schnee Manor is for the party.
A massive, well lit tree is situated off to the right with a variety of wrapped gifts underneath, while the walls are decorated with tinsel, lights, wreathes, and ornaments galore. The party guests are well dressed, but all look festive enough with their outfits, similar to how most of the group is dressed, save for the Ace-Ops, Winter, and General Ironwood. Conversations begin to die off somewhat as gazes turn towards the staircase, Jacques Schnee slowly descending with Whitley following not far behind, Willow lingering at the top to talk to Klein.
"Ah, my children, I'm so very glad you could make it home." Jacques greets Weiss and Winter as he makes his way over, Weiss electing to look to Winter instead of at her father. James clears his throat before Winter gets the chance to speak, drawing Jacques attention away from his children for the time being. "And the esteemed General Ironwood, thank you for making an appearance at my party, I… Do hope you find it enjoyable."
"It's certainly different seeing the manor this festive, but… It's a welcome change." James calmly says, gaze falling towards Willow as she steps off of the stairs before turning back to Jacques. "Is there any particular occasion for the party, might I ask? Or were you just feeling charitable for the holidays?"
"Now James, you insult me, are you suggesting I have, ahem… Ulterior motives? I simply wanted to celebrate Frostimus with my family and the people of Atlas, is that so very wrong?" Acting innocent and taken aback, Jacques grins slightly before looking back to Weiss and Winter. "If you'll excuse me. Please, enjoy yourselves." Weiss sighs quietly when Jacques finally turns and walks off, only to tense up in surprise as she's suddenly greeted by a hug from Willow, arms slowly curling around her in return before she leans against her mother.
"Weiss, my darling, happy Frostimus." Willow softly says before squeezing her daughter gently, Weiss reciprocating the gesture before parting from Willow after whispering back a greeting. Willow then turns to Winter, who looks unsure about seeing her mom, but ultimately elects to give her a hug, the distinct lack of alcohol on her breath being picked up on by the specialist.
"I… I see… Happy frostimus, mother, it's… Nice to see you again after… I'm sorry, I forgot how long it's been, forgive me…" Willow chuckles a bit before softly kissing Winter's cheek, a step back being taken before she looks over the group in front of her.
"You don't need to apologize, Winter, happy frostimus. I'm really happy that you were able to come, knowing your father, I… Wasn't expecting either of you to show up, but you're here, and that's what's important." She says with a warm smile, looking back to Whitley who is lingering nearby, watching. "Weiss, why don't you go say hi to your brother, dinner will be ready soon so we can all eat." Weiss looks slightly less than pleased at the prospect of interacting with Whitley, but obliges Willows suggestion and approaches him.
"Hello, err… Whitley, happy frostimus." She says with an uneasy smile, Whitley looking her over for a few moments before sighing softly.
"I suppose it is… Hello, sister. I wasn't expecting you to show up, or Winter for that matter, color me surprised." He replies, Weiss chuckling dryly before nodding.
"I wasn't sure if I was going to come, but hearing that Winter was coming, and that I could bring guests… It swayed my decision." Whitley looks towards her guests before frowning slightly, eyes falling closed for a few moments.
"What lovely guests, I take it those three are your… How did father say you put it, your 'family'?" He questions with a gesture towards Ruby, Yang, and Blake, Weiss tensing up for a few moments before nodding and looking back at the three.
"Those are my teammates, my… Family, I did call them. We've been through a lot together, they're as much family to me as you, Winter, and mom are." Her response is met with a more prominent frown from Whitley, who gives a non-committal nod in response before glancing off towards the others, namely a certain red haired girl with green eyes.
"And… That must be your girlfriend? I've heard mother talk about her, and you, it seems she's been sneaking off to visit you… Not that father is in any place to stop her, she's given up drinking as well, surprisingly." A pause, followed by a faint smile. "Thank you, sister. It's nice seeing mother smile, she's been spending more time out of her room, with me as well, this… I forgot how much I missed this…"
"I… Whitley, I thought you hated me…" She quietly says before recoiling in surprise as Whitely steps towards her and embraces her in a loose hug.
"I never hated you, sist… Weiss, I hated that you left, you abandoned me and left me with our father… I… Suppose I could understand why you left, if I had a chance to leave and people to go to who cared about me, I would too…" Weiss hugs Whitley back gently, holding him close before resting her forehead against his.
"I'm sorry, Whitley… I never thought about how it would affect you, what father might do when he found out I was gone… I… Don't deserve your forgiveness, or your trust, Whitley, but… Just know, I'm never going to be far away…" She says while giving Whitley a comforting squeeze around the waist, Whitley glancing off to the side for a few moments before pulling away.
"I… Would rather not let father know about this… He still thinks I don't care for you, and that I'm focused on his goals." Weiss nods as Whitley speaks, then takes a step back before smiling a little.
"I understand. Thank you, Whitley, I… Really appreciate that we were… Able to have this moment." Whitley nods slowly, then looks towards Weiss with a slowly growing smile before turning and walking off, Weiss making her way back over to Penny and the others before they're all called in for dinner. Once everyone is seated at the table, piled high with a myriad of savory foods, Jacques stands up, clearing his throat before raising his glass.
"I am pleased that you all could join us tonight in celebration of this frostimus holiday, most especially my children," He says with a glance towards Winter and Weiss, "and my wife, who has given up her drinking problem. May we all enjoy this meal finely prepared by our staff, and enjoy the rest of the holiday season." With that said, he sits back down and everyone begins to dig into the food.
After a lengthy meal joined by enjoyable conversation, guests begin to file out of the dining room back to the main hall, Jacques lingering behind to watch people move about. His gaze falls on Penny and Weiss as they depart the room, smile fading as he watches the two walk hand in hand and share a kiss, their bodies quickly becoming hidden by the various other guests around. After mingling for a while and enjoying the party further, the group readies to depart, Willow approaching Winter and Weiss with a few wrapped gifts in her grasp.
"For you, my darlings, from me, Whitley, and… Your father, sad to say I do not know what his gifts to you are, so I can only suggest being cautious when you open them." She says once Winter and Weiss take the gifts, both girls sharing a quick hug with Willow before nodding.
"Thank you, mother, it was… Nice seeing you happy, not drinking. I'll try to visit sometime." Winter says with a genuine smile, Weiss nodding before looking back at her friends.
"I… Can't make the same promise, but you can always come see me, mom. Thank you, for everything." Willow nods before waving as the two head out, Weiss and Winter joining up with everyone before they all head back to Atlas Academy. Once they arrive back at the academy, they all separate to their respective rooms, Weiss settling onto her bed before setting out her gifts and opening them, eyes inspecting the contents.
From Willow, she received a framed picture of herself when she was little and had braces for the first time, a cute, homemade casual outfit, and her favorite book of fairy tales. Whitley's gift to her is a book of recipes and a picture of her, him, and Winter when they were all little. Lastly, from Jacques, she received a book on the history of the Schnee family, a book on etiquette and manners, and a coupon for a sitting with a portrait maker.
"Aww, Weiss, you were so cute when you were little!" Ruby giggles out as she looks at the picture of nine year old Weiss, Weiss beginning to pout slightly before crossing her arms over her chest.
"… Thanks, Ruby… This doesn't get out of here, no one but you three will ever, ever see this picture, or so help me." She warns, Yang and Blake chuckling a bit before nodding, Weiss gathering up her gifts and stowing them away before pulling Nickel into her arms and nosing into her fur.