Enter the ice king

The SDC, one of Remnants wealthiest companies. The corporation rose to prominence in what seemed to be overnight with very little support, many said it would barely make it past the first year, but in the span of over two decades it had become an unstoppable force. Mines on every major Kingdom and some being established at that very moment in the smaller kingdoms, thousands of jobs were created, funding of various scientific causes all in the name of bettering of humanity.

Behind all this success was Nicholas Schnee a great war veteran and huntsman. Whether it was his regal visage or his handsome features he cast an amazing presence of leadership whenever he entered a room. Getting an interview with the man was considered to be a journalists greatest achievement. At least that's how it felt to Louis.

''Mr. Schnee is ready to see you know.'' one of Schnee manor's maids informed him as he sat on a luxurious sofa outside a ballroom. This was it, his big moment he wasn't going to be some small time journalist anymore. No, from this day forward he will be known as the man who actually interviewed the legendary Nicholas Schnee.

"As soon as he entered the room he found two people engaged in a fencing match. The larger fencer was fast attacking with rapid strikes pushing his opponent back. He didn't know much about combat but what was happening before him was one of the best things he's ever seen.

"Both fencers stopped their exchange and walked away from each other. The larger combatant then removed his helmet revealing his magnificent white hair. ''Forgive me for keeping you waiting.'' Nicholas said in a husky yet soothing voice as he put his hand out. ''I was a little distracted, I tend to get carried away.''

''No need to apologize my request came out of nowhere.'' He said as he shook the man's hand. The man was a lot nicer than he expected, who would have thought that someone with such a bloody past would be so courteous.

"Klein would you mind showing him the way?" Nicholas said to his butler as he took off his gloves and placed them on a rack of swords. "I hope you don't mind waiting a little more?". The butler took him through the Alabaster hallways, each time he'd pass several paintings. Some depicting extremely surreal images, however each of them had a common theme, a woman with skin as white as chalk. The man seemed to have a strange fixation with the woman.

Eventually as he reached he started seeing much more normal paintings, including one of Nicholas and a baby. Nicholas, managed to catch before they could enter.

The pair took a seat in a study. Louis pulled out a recorder and a notepad before asking the first question. ''Who is Nicholas Schnee?''

''Not much to say, Nicholas Schnee was a boy from Mantle who just got lucky enough to make a name for himself.'' He said with a smile. ''Truth is I was the only son in a poor family. My father was a dust miner so we didn't have much.

''What about your mother?''

''She died when I was 5 years old.''

''Oh I'm sorry.''

''I'm sorry.''

''Don't be, I barely knew her.'' Nicholas said as smile graced his face. ''Let's move to the next question.''

"Louis went through the list of questions before he found an interesting one. ''What inspired you to be a businessman? You were a successful huntsman and celebrated veteran, most people would be content with just that.''

''During the war, I saw people suffering, going through hardships day after day.'' Nicholas took a moment to clear his throat before continuing. ''It reminded me of my childhood. But then I remembered something, my whole I had been depended on dust just like everything else. Not only that my father had nearly died at work several times.'' He said as he wiped his tears.
''So when I came across a dust vein i knew what to do, I spent my life's savings to buy that worthless piece of land.'' he said with renewed vigor. ''I then tried to start my own mine and refinery.''

''Interesting tell me more.''

"Louis walked out the office with his papers and recordings by his side. Nicholas walked out shortly afterwards, ''I hope that I was of some assistance.''

''It was, thank you for taking the time to talk to me.''

''Much obliged.'' Nicholas said as he guided the journalist to the front door. As the journalist left he finally exhaled, God, He swore he'd never leave. It was tedious work but the people were starved to know more about him and he would have gladly feed those plebeians.

''Sir, it's almost time for your call.'' a young butler said as he brought him a cup of tea. He took the cup without even considering him.

''Thank you Klein.'' He replied as he took a sip from his cup. Tea, at least that's what he thought it was. It had a strong bitter and citrus taste, it felt like he was eating a lemon rind and all. He let the drink slosh around in his mouth before he came to his conclusion, he hated it more than anything.

'' Make sure no one disturb me.'' Nicholas said as he walked through the alabaster halls towards his study. This was a private matter, if word got out about what he does

"The butler pushed the trolley out of his office and closed the door behind. Nicholas walked up to a portrait of his wife daughter that hung near the bookshelf. He pulled it down revealing a safe before entering the combination. 21-12-65, an important date, his daughter's birthday infact. He's been considering changing but he keeps putting it off

"Out of the safe he pulled out a bone plated crystal ball. Placing the orb on his desk and watched as red smoke poured out of it. He took a deep breath, readying himself for what will happen next ''Let's get this over with.''

''People actually like that?'' Vincent asked in amazement.

''Yeah it's really popular.'' Walter replied animatedly as he ate his breakfast.

''But you'll be writing everyone who isn't the main character as shitty person.''

''That's the whole point of the power fantasy.'' He replied. ''Make the self insert better than everyone else.''

"The pair sat at a table in the Bed and Breakfast's cafe, the place seemed to be deserted and rundown. ''Maybe you should leave for Atlas.'' A voice whispered from the back of his. He ignored it once more as he took a bite of his toast. The crunching of his bread helped him drown out the voice. The voice droned on as he absentmindedly flicked the earring on his right ear. The voice then suddenly went silent much to his relief.

Vincent watched as Walter had his cup refilled, grimacing as he watched him take a sip. ''How can you drink that stuff?''

''You don't know what you're missing out on,'' He replied as he placed his mug on the table. ''Come on try some, it's better than that crappy instant coffee.''

''I'll pass...'' Vincent trailed off as he noticed a waiter staring him. Strange, he never noticed him walk into the room. The young man walked over to a nearby landline. A snapping was heard catching his attention.

''Remnant to Vince.'' Walter said as he was snapping his fingers in his face, finally getting his attention. ''I said I'm going to pay the bill.'' He was already done? How long had he been spaced out?

"As he looked around he noticed that the young man was still on his phone. There was something off about him, he just felt so familiar as if he was looking at an old acquaintance he hadn't seen in years. The young man walked up to him, almost as if he was waiting for him to be alone. ''Mr. Ozpin?'' he asked, receiving a nod in response. ''There's a call for you.''. Who would be calling him? And how did they know how to contact him?

''Hello?'' Ozpin warily answered the phone.

''Is this Vincent? Vincent Ozpin.''

''Yes, this is he, whose asking?''

''Splendid.'' The man on the other side of the line said with a voice full of cheer and relief. ''I was worried Diggs may have given me a wrong number, these fangled things don't make it any easier.'' The man said with a chuckle.

"Diggs? The name didn't ring any bells. Though it had a feel of familiarity to it, he'd go as far as say nostalgic.

"I have a job I need done," said the man on the other side of the line. "And our mutual friend says you're the best man for the."

"What kind of job?" He asked, he knew there had to be a catch not to mention him coming across work this easily seemed too convenient.

"Oh, it is nothing illegal I assure." the man quickly replied almost as if he knew about his suspicions. Had he made them so obvious? "I just need to deliver something."

"If you want something delivered just use the mail." was that convincing enough? Maybe he should have said with more conviction

"The package I need delivered is special''"and it's something I want done of the books."

Vincent ignored the man, he was buried far too deep in thought about his reply. His next response was critical, at least that's what he always told himself. "I'll make it worth your while." the man said before waiting for a reply, a reply he probably won't receive anytime soon. "How much do you want?"

"The question caught him off guard. He needed to give a good amount, one that didn't make him come across as cheap or greedy. He needed a new weapon, those costed somewhere around forty thousand lien.

"Forty thousand for you and whatever companion you have?" The man asked snapping him out if his thoughts. "Are you sure about that amount?"Did he say that out loud? It seemed raising the price now would come across as scummy and he needed to get into mister Moneybags' good side.

''Go on.''

"He walked stepped out of his office only to be met by the ashy smell of burning tobacco. ''So, who were you talking to?'' a woman who was leaning against the asked as she took a drag from her cigarette.

''Damn it Carol.'' He said under his breath. ''How many times have I told you not to do that next to me?'' he covered his mouth as he let out a cough. In that moment was grateful for his deteriorated lungs as they allowed him to divert the conversation. ''You know what it does to my lungs.''

The woman reluctantly put out her cigarette. ''My bad, so who was it'' Causing him to panic. He quickly ran through any possible excuse he could come up with. ''You know, the journalist.''

''Oh you meant the interview. It was some Lavender guy.''

''Looking forward to reading it.'' She then looked at him briefly. ''You seem jumpy, are you hiding something from me?'' she asked as she stepped closer to him. ''Wait, you don't have a mistress do you?'' she joked.

He rolled his eyes as he recomposed himself. ''You know that you and Willow are all I need.'' he said with a chuckle. ''Maybe Jackie fits in there somewhere.''

''Speaking of Jacques, he's here to see you.'' Really? He didn't think he was meeting his apprentice till next week

''About what?''

''Yesterday's incident, I guess.'' she said with a shrug. Of course it made sense now ''I still can't believe what happened.''

It was quiet the unbelievable sight indeed, after all it isn't everyday you see someone call down lightning.

Vincent stood at the the cashier, leafing through the crumpled up notes and pocket change, why couldn't those Lien cards come sooner? He had more but he spent it all when he paid for the his room, much to the owners opposition he only accepted when he offered more. He would have loved staying there for free but he would have felt guilty about it. Besides his father didn't raise a freeloader.''How bout I pay,'' his friend offered only for him reject the offer.

''I said I'll pay for it.'' He replied as he finally provided the right amount to the man behind the counter. ''Besides, the job I got for us is going to line our pockets real good.''

"His friend let out a sigh as he looked down before he spoke. ''About that, I think we should go back.''

''What?''

''Vin, look at us were out of our element here.'' Flynn said as he pinched his brow. ''We were barely able to get here, what makes you think we'll reach Atlas?''

''Come on Flynn, have faith.''

''I'm sorry Vin, but I'm not doing this anymore. Give up, go home and maybe try to become a real huntsman.'' The woman on the otherside of the counter leaned forward with an a look of attentiveness. The employees and the two other patrons in the building also seemed to also be drawn to their conversation.

''Flynn, you're making a scene.'' He whispered nervously. ''Let's take this outside.''

''Why? You're afraid they're going to find out you're a fraud.'' Flynn asked as he folded his arms and took a stand offish posture. Before he could tear into he relaxed and pinched his brow. ''Look I know why you're doing this, but your friend I don't want you to get hurt.''

''I...I can't turnback now, I need to do this. This could help me get my life back on track.''

Flynn nodded and let out a breath. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out some money. ''Fine, but I can't let you go out there on your own.''

Ozpin looked at Flynn hopefully. ''So you're coming with me?''

''No,'' Flynn quickly replied, shooting down any bit off optimism he had left in him. ''Take this-'' Flynn handed him some folded bills. ''This was all I had left had from our last job, buy a train ticket to the next town and get a bounty there.''

The only thing left was silence, Flynn let his hand stick out awkwardly. Reluctantly, he reached for the money and pocketed it. He wanted to thank his friend, hell he wanted to say anything but he couldn't muster the confidence.
How dare he, who did this child think he was? He's killed men mightier than him, ruled kingdoms! So why did the peon believe he could talk down to him?

''Thanks.'' he reluctantly said. He and Flynn left for the train station. They exchanged no words with one another, they gave a simple wave goodbye and parted ways, he didn't know if he'd see him again.

Do not mourn for him child, you're better off without him. The voice was right Flynn was nothing more than a hindrance, it was time to shed of some dead weight. He leaned back into his seat closed his eyes and let the train's vibrations lull him to sleep.