I do not own RWBY

"How do I look?"

Turning on her heel, Weiss smiled at the blonde woman who didn't hesitate to return the expression. Today was her first meeting with Ironwood as a representative of the SDC, along with the family dinner that she had later tonight but she was trying to ignore that situation until it snuck up on her. Given that she was being sworn into office as the new CEO tomorrow, she'd decided to change her look to symbolize her intent to change the company. Of course, letting Yang, Nora, and Pyrrha pick out her clothes had been something she'd been nervous about. At least Cardin's idea of feathers had been vetoed.

Instead of another dress she wore a dark blue halter style top that Nora had picked out along with tight white jeans that were a bit strange in her opinion, but she didn't mind them. The white jacket with ice blue trim was something that Pyrrha picked. It was actually quite fun to be treated as a dress-up doll for a while especially when Yang brushed her hair into a long braid. After so long playing the perfect heiress, she loved the chance to finally have friends. Her tiara had been exchanged for a simple red ribbon that matched her teardrop earrings. All in all, she liked her new outfit especially the dark blue almost black boots that reminded her of something Winter would wear. It had been easy to hide her dagger in her boot, although she was a bit amused that Ren had pushed almost a dozen other daggers in her direction. All of them were hidden in her clothes.

Speaking of Winter, her sister had agreed to be at the family dinner tonight so that was nice. At least, she would have one ally at the table. Even her father had managed to weasel his way back into the house for the night although she didn't know if calling him a weasel was an insult to the animal. There were so many plans running around in her mind that she didn't know how to put them in motion. With Ren and Nora wanting to talk about their future as huntsmen she knew having a team meeting was important. Cardin obviously wanted to keep fighting, while Pyrrha had been silent since waking up. She couldn't trail after Ruby anymore, but she doubted the reaper needed her. Until Ruby sent for her team, they had no way of knowing where the reaper actually was which gave her a chance to put her families money to work.

Glancing in the mirror, she didn't really see any of the scared little girl she'd been in her current appearance. She was Weiss Schnee CEO of the SDC and no one could take that from her. Straightening her shoulders, she turned her attention on Yang only for her face to heat up at the fond expression on the blonde's face. It was hard to return the smile instead of hiding behind her hands. Honestly, she doubted Yang's easy affection was ever going to be something she got used to. That wasn't something that she minded.

"Sure you don't want to come," she asked. The brief glint in Yang's eyes told her that there was a joke somewhere in her words, but the blonde only shrugged.

"I'm sure, Ren and Nora want to go shopping."

"Just send the bill to me."

"it's great having a rich girlfriend," Yang cheered. Rolling her eyes at the sudden happiness on the blonde's face, she hid a smile. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that Yang would pay her back later although it wasn't going to be with money.

"Have fun."

Cardin was waiting on her in the courtyard with a hand on his weapon. Eyeing him closely, she wondered why he was the only one willing to accompany her to see Ironwood. It wasn't some sense of loyalty although he had that in spades, in truth she had no idea how to read him. There was so much about him that she didn't know, most of which she had no desire to find out, but he was always willing to help them. Even if they only needed help with something stupid like Ren unable to find the flour or Dove getting lost in the manor.

Sliding into the car beside him it was easy to see the tension in his shoulders. Although she didn't know why, she did know he was worried about something. Frowning, she turned her attention to the window. If he needed her help then he'd tell her although she doubted his pride would allow it. Shifting slightly, she closed her eyes.

(Oscar)

There was a voice in his head. It wasn't even a fun voice either.

Huffing as he was ordered for the fifth time today to start traveling to Mistral he refused to panic. While he might not know it, there had to be a logical explanation for this. The only other option was that he was going insane. Having a voice in his head assure him that he wasn't crazy didn't really help with believing that fact. Stuffing his head under his pillow he tried to block out the whispers of the voice that he didn't want to listen to in the first place. How was any of this happening?

First some voice pops into his head saying they're a millennia-old wizard with magic powers which was a little hard to believe. Then that same voice mentions the fact their souls are merging. It was crazy! He was going crazy! Whining when the voice again tried to soothe him, he politely told him to stuff it. This couldn't be happening. Worse, was the fact that the voice kept mumbling something about two women named Cinder and Ruby. One of them had killed him while the other was fucking terrifying. Honestly, it was getting to the point where he had no idea which was which.

That was just another reason for ignoring the voice. For one thing, why would anyone want to get involved with someone who'd killed them? It wasn't a game where someone got to respawn and level up before taking another shot at the boss. He had no desire to settle the score for a man that wanted to take over his body and where him like a festive suit. He wasn't even that festive. Groaning again at the minor scolding that he got from the voice he wanted to throw the ghost out of his head. Whatever fight the man wanted to finish wasn't his. Besides he'd died, that meant he'd lost, wasn't throwing in the towel the polite thing to do?

"Now Oscar, this is your chance for adventure."

He didn't want adventure, well not at the cost of his own mind at least. Pressing the pillow closer to his ears as if that would make the voice go away – he refused to acknowledge that the voice had a name – he wanted to scream. Why was this happening to him of all people? He was a good boy if anything this should happen to Terry. At least the bully was dumb enough to go along with a random voice in his head. Ignoring the thud from downstairs he frowned, there had to be a way to get this demanding jerk from his mind before they started merging. Considering that he'd get the most recent memories first, it was going to be horrible.

Maybe it was instinct – although he doubted the instinct was his – but the instant dread started pooling in his stomach he sat up slowly. Something was wrong. Even the voice felt tense which only served to make his skin crawl. It was too quiet, usually, his aunt would be making breakfast by now. Or at least be moving around in the kitchen. Letting the pillow fall from his head with a small thud, he took a deep breath. Clenching his hands to keep them from shaking, he shifted until his bare feet touched the floor; not even the cold sinking into his skin from the floor drew his attention away from the door.

"Oscar."

Shushing the voice silently, he stood. There was something he didn't understand pushing him forward until his hand touched the door. While the wood was cold, it wasn't any different than usual. Why was this familiar? Swallowing thickly, he let his fingers graze the doorknob before straightening. He needed to find his aunt. Opening his door, he shivered at the sudden frost hanging in the air. It was the middle of autumn there shouldn't be frost especially not inside his house. Clamping down on the twisting of his stomach before he gave in to the urge to run. It was getting hard to breathe.

Taking a step despite the heavy weight on his legs, he pressed a hand against his chest. Dawn light filtered through the curtains highlighting the snowflakes that drifted around him. It was beautiful. Reaching his aunt's door he stilled. Despite the way his fingers shook or the haunting silence, the tightness in his chest was what kept him from moving. Even the voice in his head was quiet for once. Opening the door he stopped breathing at the dark red dripping from the bed. Why was there red?

"Oscar!"

Moving on its own his body dodged the shadow-like nails that tore apart the door. Slamming into the wall with an impact that echoed in the silence, he sucked in a heavy breath. What was happening? Trailing his gaze up to the almost ghost-like creature that drifted in and out of the shadows, he trembled. Red eyes seemed to meet his own from the pale mask. Why was there a grimm in his house? Gripping his shirt tightly, his lips parted with a breath that served as the signal for the creature to lunge forward.

"I'm sorry…"

His body moved with a flash of green light that almost outshone the brilliant gold that sparked from his eyes. With a screech the grimm shank back, before crumbling to dust. It took less than an instant, yet somehow it hung around him like an eternity. The cold in the air vanished leaving him much to warm as he crashed to the ground. Now that his body was once again under his control he didn't hesitate to scream.

(Weiss)

Amity coliseum was going to be used to restore communication with the world. That was nothing short of brilliant yet it was going to take a lot of resources mainly dust. With the embargo there was no way they lacked the dust to accomplish the task although she didn't know what they could possibly do to help besides provide manpower. Council elections were starting as well, with Robyn Hill already in the running. Ironwood didn't trust the woman despite having worked with her before; that was likely why he'd been so willing to toss Ruby at the woman's team.

Leaving the meeting after giving him her support in exchange for upgrades and other rewards for her people, she had a plan budding in her mind. If she got a spot on the council there was a real chance she might be able to change Atlas. Laying a hand on her weapon she stared out at the twinkling lights of the city knowing that not a single person living here would survive if Salem decided to attack. Outside of the military everyone here was nothing but a sheep waiting to be slaughtered. That wasn't going to change unless someone took the first step.

"You're plotting," Cardin announced when he reached her side. Glancing up at him she noted the tension had left his shoulders before turning her attention back to the city. At least his talk with Aiden had left him more relaxed.

"There's a free council seat," she said softly. If it was her father then he'd launch himself at the chance to gain power, but she only wanted to keep this Kingdom from falling to pieces. Leaning toward the man beside her almost subconsciously she sighed when he allowed her to lean against him. There was still so much that she had to do, becoming a council member was only going to add more work. Still, Ironwood needed people on his side, without that he'd get overwhelmed.

"You already have a pretty high status, you don't need that seat."

Stiffening at the words she pressed down the argument before it could boil over. In a way he was right, yet could they trust Robyn Hill on the council. Gripping the hilt of her weapon she had no idea what to do. This was her home, she had to protect it.

"You're not alone, neither is James."

"Let's go home," she said without acknowledging his words. That didn't mean she wasn't going to think about them. Right now, she had a family dinner to get to. Chuckling as if he read her mind, the man patted her back.

Hey guys, so Oscar makes his appearance. What do you guys think of the cute farm boy?

Stay safe and have a good day

- Shyla