Chapter 20
(Weiss POV)

A simple and dry waltz carry the dancers across the floor. Blake is an expert at it, a fact that surprised me when I first learned of her natural grace. These sorts of dances are not common among the Faunus. While some choose to learn, many don't indulge the fineries of the upper class. Blake was groomed at an early age to live among the humans, embracing our complexities, partaking in our social sphere. Sadly, there is still too much that she doesn't know.

It helped, perhaps, that she befriended Yang so young.

Though human, Yang possesses none of Blake's skill when it comes to royal court. She cannot dance well, and lacks too many social graces to tactically maneuver around the room. As I understand it, Blake was often the one to keep her out of trouble, learning a great deal in the process. If only her status allowed her to learn more. The pen is mightier than the sword here, and court is a place where entire kingdoms can topple where they stand. One word out of place, one singular offence, is all it takes for grudges to take seed.

The Atlesian court is filled to the brim was those searching for power, and there is no greater station than that of my sister. This is made clear once again as Yang shoos away several noblemen searching for Winter's approval. The moment they have it, their station among Vale's royal court will rise ever so slightly. The ties the bind the kingdoms together are quite strong, and to befriend Winter will allow them to bind themselves even closer to the king and queen of Vale as well.

It is a subtle stepping stone, but one that I cannot overlook.

It was be too easy to upset that balance of power. Surviving nights like this, expertly cutting traitors off at the knees, is what I have been raised to accomplish. While Blake and I dance, I do not relax into Blake's hold. Though I'd like to, I have my own duties to my family and to my station as an atlesian princess. This is no time for leisure, it is a time for work. A fact Blake will soon understand if she is to accompany any further than this floor.

Our first dance ends and I am abruptly sought after by a few young nobles. Distant relations of my kingdom, married off, some of them particularly pregnant. Our discussions are curt, but courteous. Blake is left completely clueless as she tries to keep up with the conversation regarding the fallout of old blood and historical impropriety. They're trying to worm their way into my good graces. They only do it so that they may be introduced formally to Winter. It will not happen, and I need no excuse for declining the way they tip-toe around the matter.

I pleasantly dismiss myself from the prattling of the few spoiled women who have absolutely no entitlement to my time. I hardly make it very far at all when I am stopped by a duke that my father once trifled with. This man is a stain upon the land. Winter cut formalities with the man shortly after my father's death. Apparently, we have not completely escaped his reach. He asks of my sister's condition, and of my own. The mild pleasantries are amusing until a slip of paper finds its way in front of me. He hopes I will take it, but I cannot do that.

I swiftly decline, and dismiss him with the veiled threat of Winter's ire should she find out. It is enough to force him to capitulate, and he suddenly finds himself far more interested in speaking to several other dukes from Vale's social circle. A fitting place, as he is the lowest among them. A punishment, for losing face among Atlesian royals. If he is not careful, he will be stripped of his title, because Salem does not tolerate fools within the reaches of Vale.

"Are you alright, Weiss?" Blake asks me as we move towards the table filled with an assortment of drinks.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I murmur to her, but I can see something turning around in that head of hers, a mild conflict perhaps. "Rather I think I should ask, what's troubling you?"

"Well, despite me standing at your side, you've spoken to several people. I wasn't formally introduced to any of them, I was wondering why?"

"I thought that would be obvious. They are neither worth your notice, or mine, for that matter. Be mindful, Blake, you've just entered into a pool of sharks you are vastly unprepared for." I say under my breath, knowing that her ears have caught my words. "Faunus may speak plainly, but that's not the way of royal court. Some of these nobles here tonight want nothing more than to see my sister fall from power, and our family buried right along with it."

"Isn't the adage to keep your friends close and your enemies closer?" Blake murmurs.

I find myself smirking slightly at the question. The quirk playing on my lips is hardly the sort of expression I like to maintain at court appearances across any kingdom. Yet, here I am, failing to hide my amusement. "The adage assumes that your enemies are equal in station to that of your own. That is hardly the case for me. I will not waste my evening introducing you those who are beneath me."

"Technically, I am beneath you." Blake replies.

"Beneath me by intent Blake, not station." I tell her softly. "Many of the royals here are not the sorts of people we would ever be able to do business with. They are slimy, seeking a leg up in the world when blood and birthright can't possibly carry them further. To some degree, networking is the pure cause of everyone here. That said, some are more noteworthy than others. You will soon find that standing at my side is not the pleasure you think it is. If we are granted a kingdom, the dangers of court will b upon you, Blake. In fact, even announcing an interest for me will bring you no small amount of trouble."

I consider everyone in this room to fall into one of three basic categories. The first is that of securing one's place, something we all do. After all, we must maintain our stations of power. The second are the new rising stars within the kingdom. Young bloods making a name for themselves, more than deserving of rising above that place to a higher power. The third are those seeking to rise above their current place at any cost, seeking more power within the social pecking order for their own gains. These are the worst of all.

A thought comes to mind, and I smile to myself. "If you would like to have a formal introduction, we should approach Peter Port. He's the aging gentleman in the far off corner." I say to her, nodding off in his direction.

"I've never seen him before." Blake murmurs to me.

"No, I suppose you wouldn't." I return, realizing how rare it is to see an appearance from him. "He's something of a recluse, straying farm from the kingdom. His age has caught up to him now, and he can no longer make such long journeys. Word has it that he has been chosen by Ozpin to act as one of his foremost advisors. He is a trusted man, Winter holds him in high esteem. I've only met him once. He seems to be a kind man, but, longwinded to say the least. He would likely welcome you warmly."

Blake seems to think on this, but with the ball in full swing, Peter has amassed something of a gathering around his chair. Likely regaling those willing to listen with one absurd tale or another. I can see that Blake is conflicted, her gaze looking elsewhere. The ballroom doors open up to the balcony, and she seems interested in that instead.

"Blake?" I find myself asking, the rest of the question left to nothingness as her gaze comes back to mine.

"I think I would like to look at the stars." Blake says to me. "Perhaps we could get some air?"

"Yes." I say simply. "Let's do that." The night is still young, and there will be plenty of time for introductions later. For now, like Blake, I wish to view the stars.

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