Lucy munches on a crepe as she watches Weiss pace like a caged jungle cat. A million and one scenarios run through her mind. She's sure about one thing though, by the end of the week she''ll either be disowned...or dead.
Or maybe both.
"Wanna bite?" She offers Weiss the treat.
Weiss ignores her, too deep in her own thoughts. She doesn't stop pacing...maybe...maybe she could meet with her father somewhere else, so she won't have to be around Faunus...maybe then it'll feel like she won't be betraying her friends.
"Biiiiig siiiiiiiis!"
"WHAT?!"
"Meep!" Lucy dives under the blanket, and quivers as she peeks out from underneath.
Weiss sighs, completely frustrated "Just leave me alone, Lucy. I don't need this right now."
"...Are you scared Big Sis?" Lucy pokes her full head into view, "Imma protect you!"
"I DON'T NEED YOU TO PROTECT ME DAMNIT!" Weiss snaps. She doesn't mean to...but her father...if he found out she was interacting with this Faunus child...
Lucy whimpers, shrinks back under the covers.
I don't need anyone...I never have, never will..."
"...But I need you," Lucy mutters, and sniffles.
"You've coped without me just fine before, Lucy!" Weiss sighs.
Lucy whines pitifully, but doesn't do anything else to voice her disagreement.
"Just...go and find someone else to play with, I need to concentrate."
Yang opens the door, "Hey Weiss... He's... Uh, he's here talking with Ospin..."
"WHAT?!" Weiss shrieks. She abruptly grabs Lucy and thrusts her into Yang's arms "Get rid of her NOW!"
Lucy yelps, wrapped like a baby in the blanket. Yang raises an eyebrow, "Uh... He's not visiting you in your room Weiss."
"I don't care, just get rid of her! And the rest of them too!"
"Uh...okay, we'll hide them out at the club."
"Big sister," Lucy whines, reaching for her as Yang carries her off.
"Go hide, Lucy!" Weiss yells to her, and rushes the other way to find her father.
She finds her father standing with Ozpin, sipping tea out on a terrace.
"I understand your viewpoint Mr. Schnee, however you must understand my hesitation. She is one of my most promising pupils."
"Of course she is, she's my daughter," Mr. Schnee says as if it's obvious.
"Father..." Weiss forces a cheerful smile as she clears her throat for attention.
Ospin turns to her, and smiles, "I'll leave you two to get reacquainted..."
The father stands as Ospin leaves.
Weiss feels a little awkward, but she immediately repels any such thoughts of her Faunus friends "So...it's...nice to see you here."
"Apologies for coming unannounced, no doubt you are busy with your studies, but recent events have drawn my attention to this area. Are you familiar with the local group of vigilantes known as the Black Fang?"
He picks up his cane, on it rests a crown-like ornament not unlike the one Weiss wears in her hair.
Weiss doesn't know how to respond. "Uhh...yes...I am. Why?"
"Because these radicals have been rather... Helpful," he smirks. "Just how much about them do you know?"
Should she lie...? Should she tell him everything...?
"uh...a little bit. Just things I've picked up," She replies, trying to sound nonchalant. "Why?"
His smile fades, "Do you think me a fool, girl?"
She takes a piece of paper out of his jacket, and unfolds it. On it is the Black Fang emblem. "I first learned of this group when the police came to question me about them. Apparently there symbol has a great resemblance to ours…"
"Oh, does it?" She nods, pretending to look interested. She swears her heart is going to burst out of her chest any moment...
"Shall I tell you what I think, dearest daughter?"
Weiss internally panics "Yes, father...of course."
"I think you have more to do with this than you wish for me to know, that you are QUITE involved. That you have chosen to fight fire with fire..."
There is a tense silence, and then he smirks, "I must admit I'm impressed."
"...What?!" Weiss gasps...he...he actually PRAISED her?
He pats her shoulder, "When we first started having trouble with the White Fang I considered doing the same. However they were too popular with the Faunus to be counted on. You on the other hand have managed to find a group of young idealists that are willing to take up arms against the White Fang. You have find yourself in a most advantageous position my dear…"
"Father...I don't understand...what are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I'm proud," he says. "You're thinking like a CEO Weiss, turning a weakness into a strength!"
Weiss blinks "Uh...yeah...I know, father. Thank you."
...This is going far better than she expected...
"Which is why I would like for you to desist with this Huntress nonsense, and accompany me home so I can sign over Schnee industries immediately," he continues. "That way I actually may retire before my time comes to leave this world…"
Weiss gasps "But...father...you know how much being a huntress means to me..."
"Weiss, I was supportive at first because I thought your skills could be used in a more… Hands-on method of securing our cargoes. However now we have our own private army, you don't need to risk yourself anymore."
"I'm not risking myself...I have skill!"
"Well I for one am not risking my legacy on a foolish whim," he says firmly. "Huntsmen are figureheads, poster boys and girls for the name of peace, but they're a joke! Where were they when our executives where being executed? Does that mean nothing to you?"
Weiss glances down at the floor...she doesn't know what to DO... "Of course, father. It means everything..."
"Then today you will withdraw from this academy, we don't have much time to spare."
Weiss frowns...is this really what she wants "But...father...my friends...my team..."
He raises an eyebrow, "Friends? Girl you're deluding yourself. You have no friends, just those waking for the opportune moment to stab you in the back. Trust only yourself, love only yourself, for you are the only one you can count on when push comes to shove."
"That's not true!" Inside the building Lucy stands there seconds before Yang makes a grab for her. Lucy steps to the side though, and Yang falls on her face.
Weiss cringes..shit...
"Yes, you're completely right, Father. Now, let us go home." She rushes, wanting to get away before he spots Lucy is a Faunus...
He needn't have bothered though, Lucy is wearing a snow hat that covers her ears, and quills. Lucy runs over, hugging Weiss, "Please don't go!" She sounds close to tears.
Weiss's father raises an eyebrow, "What is this brat doing Weiss? Get off!" He swings his cane at Lucy, and there is a metallic bang as it collides with the large folding Shuriken under her hoodie.
"Father...please, let me deal with this..." She looks at him, waiting for him to give her a moment. He sets both hands on the top of his cane and waits patiently.
Lucy looks up at her with tears in her eyes. Weiss bends down and practically begs herself not to cry. "Lucy..." She swallows the lump in her throat "I..."
Lucy hugs her around the neck, "I won't let you leave! I'll go with you! Imma ninja, you won't even know I'm there!"
"Lucy...you can't go with me.." She whispers, refraining from hugging her back...as much as she so desperately wants to "If my father finds you're a Faunus...we'll BOTH be six feet under within seconds..."
"He won't," she sobs quietly. "I'll stay outta sight... I'm good at that... He was being mean to Big Sister so I..."
"So you what...?"
"I had to say something... Because I love you Big Sis..."
Weiss screws her eyes shut, and she's sure any minute now the tears will fall "Okay...good..."
Yang gets to her feet, "So... What's up...?"
Weiss pulls away from Lucy and walks to her father "Shall we leave now?"
Although...her heart is screaming at her to stay...
Yang stares, "Leave...?"
The older man looks over Yang with disdain, particularly at her exposed cleavage, "Weiss, do you know this harlot?"
Yang's eyelid twitches, "...Wanna run that sentence by me again, geezer?" She balls her fists until her knuckles crack.
"YANG!" Weiss glares at her as a warning "THIS...is my father..."
"Oh," Yang crosses her arms. "So that's where you get it from... Anyways Weiss, we can't have you leaving just yet..." She glances at Mr. Schnee, and then folds her hands in front of her, tapping her hand with a finger in the secret signal for a Black Fang strike.
Yang smiles, "You're a part of our team Weiss, Team Ruby would be lost without you."
Weiss' heart clenches at her words. But what means more to her...her father and the company...or her friends and teammates.
"I can't, Yang. I'm leaving...my father says..."
Yang rolls her eyes, "You can't be a daddy's girl forever Weiss. You're a Huntress, and the world needs you more than anything. Truthfully if you leave brains between Ruby, Blake, and I we might not survive our next mission."
"Yang...I...I cant...the company needs me..."
"But we need you more," Yang says. Lucy hugs Weiss tighter.
Weiss looks at her father..and a tear inadvertently slips down her cheek. She hopes he doesn't notice...but she feels so torn...
Mr. Schnee frowns, and with a disgusted snort he walks off. Yang smirks, and brushes back her hair to show she's wearing an earpiece, "Eagle has left the nest, Scarface."
"Wait, father!" Weiss chases after him desperately "Please don't go!"
Mr. Schnee walks at a brisk pace, "I will return tonight for you, make sure you have your affairs in order before then."
"Y-Yes father...of course..."
As soon as he's gone Lucy looks up at Yang, "You sure this will work?"
Yang smiles, "I think Smoke knows what he's doing."
Weiss glares at them both "What are you doing?!"
Lucy looks up at Weiss, "Trying to help you stay..."
Yang folds her hands behind her head, "Smoke guessed your dad was gonna try talking you into leaving, so he's doing what he can to convince him you're better off here. Call him an idiot all you want, he knows how to work people."
Weiss looks angry "How dare you try to get involved in MY business! It's MY choice what I do, you should be happy for me either way!"
Yang gives a half-frown, "Sounds like you WANT to leave."
"I don't know WHAT I want, Yang! I don't know anymore! I don't..." She sighs, and as if she's been possessed, she lets out a sob and throws her arms around Yang.
This is the first time in...ever...she has shown such weakness. Yand hugs her back, rubbing her shoulder while making soothing shushing noises. "Hey, it's gonna be okay, alright? I promise."
Weiss shakes her head "It's not Yang..it's NOT!" ...looks like she's finally crumbling from the pressure from all these years...
Yang helps her stay standing as Lucy hugs Weiss around the hips. Yang smiles as she strokes Weiss's hair, "It will be Weiss, it will be..."
"Yang you don't know my father...what he'll do..."
"I know our team, and what WE'LL do to keep one of our friends here," Yang replies. "You're not getting away from us THAT easily..."
"But Yang..." She sniffles "I don't know if I WANT to go...it is my destiny after all. What my father says, goes."
"Not if you say it doesn't," Yang replies, ever the rebel.
"Then I will be disowned...unloved...an orphan..." She starts to cry harder
"Two out of three right," Yang says, hugging her a little tighter. "Because WE love you Weiss, all your friends do. Ruby, Blake, me, Angel, Smoke, Cinder, Adam, Pyrrha, Jaune, Ren, Nora, and given a little more time the others will too."
Lucy sniffles, "And I love you Big Sister..."
Yang smiles, "See? You're never alone Weiss."
"But...my family...the Schnee company...how will I get dust...my future is ruined.."
"Don't worry, Smoke assured us that his plan isn't going to tear you away from your dad. He said if anything he's going to teach you how to get away with stuff right under his nose."
"Really?" Weiss blinks "I don't trust him though.."
"I do, and you trust me, right Weiss?" Yang tilts her head.
"Yeah but...you're my teammate..."
"Okay, how about Adam? Or anyone else on Team Eden?"
"I trust Adam...slightly...but he's far more mature."
"Well Adam trusts him, so does Pyrrha. That good enough?" Yang smiles.
"No..." She mumbles "He's an annoying little perv!"
Yang sighs, "Well... okay, you got me there, but he knows what he's doing. Trust me." She starts leading Weiss to the hallway.
"I trust YOU...and Ruby...and Blake...and...that's it "
"Okay," she says, and Lucy takes Weiss's hand with a pitiful look.
Weiss frowns "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I don't want you to go... I like it here... if you go I hafta go too..."
"No...you stay with Yang...and Cinder..."
She stomps a foot, "No!"
"Why?" Weiss glares "You do as I tell you!"
"No!" she stubbornly holds Weiss around the hip.
Yang giggles, "I guess she learned stubbornness from you."
Weiss glare at the blonde "Quiet you! I am not stubborn, she's just being childish!"
"I rest my case," Yang says with a smirk. "It's time for lunch anyways."
Weiss sighs "I'm not hungry..."
"You said that at breakfast," Yang says as she starts pushing Weiss down the hall.
"And I'm saying it now. I'm not hungry, Yang. And quit shoving me!" She huffs
"Nope," Yang says. "Not until you get something to eat! You're gonna need your strength."
"For whaaaaat?"
"Did you just whine?" Yang raises an eyebrow, "Did the almighty Weiss Schnee seriously just WHINE?" Yang sounds like she's gonna laugh.
"YANG! SHUT UP!" Weiss snarls at her "I'm NOT in the mood damnit!"
"Can you see the not-caring on my face right now? Trust me on this, with what Smoke told me you're gonna want something in your belly before tonight."
"I don't care what Smoke told you! I don't care anymore, Yang! I just...I want..." Weiss groans, covering her face with her hands. What DOES she want...
"Weiss, you're being stubborn again. just accept some battles aren't worth fighting, and put some food in your belly before I have Ruby, and Blake help me force-feed you."
Weiss glares at her "Don't you dare, Yang...I'm. Not. Hungry. Now be a decent friend and leave me alone."
"A decent friend would," Yang agrees. "But a great friend would make sure her friends stay healthy.
"I'll eat, idiot, just not NOW!" She pleads, tears springing to her eyes yet again. "Damnit Yang...now look..."
Yang sighs, and thanks. "...Alright, I'll bring something to our room for you to eat."
"I don't want anything Yang...I can't stomach anything right now. You force feed me I'll just throw it back up on you...your own fault!"
"Risk I'm gonna have to take," Yang says as she walks off. "C'mon Lucy, you know what she likes to eat right?"
Lucy nods, and after kissing Weiss's hand she trots after Yang. Weiss lets out a shaky breath and retreats back to the team's dorm room. She slams the door shut and plops down on her bed.
For fifteen minute she sits there, lost in her thoughts.
She's leaning towards staying with her friends...her team...but her father...the Schnee company...that's all she ever wanted.
Or..is that all HE ever wanted...
What he mean earlier by "Hands-on approach?" Was he expecting her to personally defend shipments, to stand against the White Fang on her own? Is that why he agreed to let her attend Beacon?
Weiss groans, and angrily throws her pillow to the floor...what does this man WANT from her!
Here, she has Yang...and Lucy...and the others...her team...her FRIENDS.
At home, she has her father...and in time, HER company...
Narrowing her eyes, she wipes away any trace of wetness and storms off to the cafeteria.
She spots her friends all sitting at a table, all except Yang who is carrying a tray ridiculously stacked high with food. Lucy walks where the trays usually slide, randomly tossing packages of food up for yang to catch on the tray like an acrobat.
Weiss walks up to them "...What are you doing?"
Yang shrugs, and then moves quickly to catch a flying piece of cheesecake.
"Yang...I...I'm staying."
Lucy pauses in the middle of tossing an orange on the tray, and Yang heaves a sigh of relief. She smiles, "Great! Now here's your lunch!"
"I'm not eating..."
Yang groans, "Not this again Weiss! Please just take the tray, my arms are killing me..."
Weiss puts her hand underneath the tray, and tosses it into the air, where it lands on the floor with a thud "There you go...problem solved."
Lucy stares at it, "...But I worked hard to pick your favorites..."
Yang sighs, "What's gotten into YOU?"
"You're seriously ASKING me that, Yang!?"
"You decided to stay, no big whoop," Yang says. "Easy enough to manage."
"NOT FOR ME IT ISN'T! YOU wouldn't like it if you were forced to choose between your family or your friends, Yang!" Weiss screeches at her.
Yang puts her hands on her hips, "But you're NOT Weiss, we've got a plan to ensure you get to keep both."
"Yeah well you better, or I will NEVER forgive you." She seethes, and barges past her to go sit down.
Smoke sits across from her, playing on a Gameboy, "No-No-No! Ah Damnit!"
"SHUT UP, YOU FOOL!" Weiss snaps at him "No-one wants to hear that!"
"Eat me Weiss," he grumps. "Just lost my last life..."
"You'll lose your last REAL life if you don't stop whining, Faunus!"
"Says the girl who's been moping in her room all day, and picking on little kids..."
"I have NOT been picking on little kids, that's CARDIN, idiot!"
Smoke jerks a thumb at the spilled tray as Lucy picks through it for salvageable food, "And what was that, besides you on PMS?"
Weiss slams her palms on the table "I WAS NOT PMSING! HOW DARE YOU!"
Cinder elbows Smoke, "Save your teasing for another day."
He nods, "Good point, don't wanna use up all my material too fast."
Lucy walks over with the tray over her head for Weiss. Mostly unpeeled fruit, and food that was in plastic. Weiss just glances at her, paying no attention "Why can't everyone just be...normal!"
"It'll go back to as normal as we know it after tonight," Smoke says. "Just go for a walk with your dad on the south side of campus, and tell him you wanna stay. I'll take care of the rest."
"Rest of WHAT, you stupid little...UGH!"
Maybe she's being so bitchy because she's...scared?
She almost laughs at the thought. Weiss Schnee is NEVER scared...is she...
"Sorry Weiss, but if you know all the details then I can't be as persuasive," Smoke says.
"Why is that?"
"Well, if you knew what I was planning then you're reaction would be wrong," Smoke explains. "But you have my word that no one will be hurt."
"See, THIS is why I don't TRUST Faunus! It'll end in disaster and my life will be over!"
"Oh ye of little faith," Smoke replies. "Ever since I hit puberty my plans have always worked."
"By the sounds of things you've yet to hit it then, you're still completely immature and PATHETIC."
"And horny, don't forget that one," Smoke says. "But if you want a good life then you'll just do it."
Weiss glares at him "Do I have to wash your mouth out with soap? Don't speak that way in front of a lady!"
Smoke looks around, "Lady? Where?"
Weiss growls at him "I WILL throw my chair at you!"
"Please," Smoke rolls his eyes. "You don't scare me, you're not hardcore. Cinder threw trucks at me growing up!"
"And I will ask Cinder to do it again, THEN I will hit you over the head with a chair and let Cardin beat the crap out of you while everyone else watches in amusement!"
Smoke rolls his eyes, "Just go on a moonlit stroll with your father, tell him there's some excellent sights to be seen or something. I always do my part to look out for my people."
"YOUR PEOPLE!" Weiss scoffs "IN YOUR DREAMS!"
"People, comrades, friends, they all mean the same to me," he deadpans.
"Well the only reason I'm going along with this is because YANG trusts you, and I trust Yang."
"Works for me," he says, drinking a carton of milk.
"Good...because you're the most annoying person I've met." Weiss scowls at him, and stands up, walking away.
Lucy follows after her with the tray.
Weiss sighs "Lucy...what are you doing?"
"Big sis gotta eat," Lucy says simply. "We can share..."
"No Lucy...you can have it all to yourself."
"But you'll be hungry later..."
"Then I'll eat later...I'm not hungry NOW."
"Okay... I was just worried..."
Weiss' expression softens "You don't need to worry about me...I'm a big girl..."
"Even big girls gotta eat," Lucy says. "Sifu Cinder said so..." Still she lowers the tray, and bites into an apple.
"Then you better get eating." Weiss smiles at her.
Lucy smiles, and opens her mouth wide, trying to stuff the rest of the apple inside. "Not like that!" Weiss scolds her "like a lady, or you'll choke!"
"Oh," she says, standing up straight, and nibbling at the apple.
"Very good!" Weiss chuckles "Like a proper young lady!"
Lucy smirks, and then in a perfect imitation of Cinder's voice she says, "A ninja must blend with society as well as the shadows..."
Weiss can't help but laugh "Very true! Listen...I'm sorry, Lucy..."
Switching back to her voice she says, "How come?"
"For how I treated you earlier..."
Lucy rubs her head on Weiss's leg since her hands are too full for hugging, "It's okay, big sister is worried. I forgive you."
"I'll make it up to you...okay?" Weiss smiles down at her.
"KAY!" She purrs as she continues to eat. "You sure you don't want the chocolate cake?"
"I'm sure.." Just the thought of it makes her stomach churn...
"Okay!'