"Boss, we've got a problem."
"It better be a problem big enough to take me away from this caucus meeting, Neon."
"It is. A new poll has Rose trailing you by just four."
The irritation on Weiss' face quickly morphed into a furrowed brow, and it was one of the few times that Representative Schnee was left speechless.
"And how recent is this poll?"
"It was taken just over the last week. And its by a pretty reliable pollster. I'll hang up and send you the link to the article attached to it."
And she did. Weiss pulled the phone away from her ear as the line went dead and she took a few moments to collect herself.
Only leading by four. It was unheard of for her. As a political family, the Schnees were well known and feared for their landslide victories, buoyed by mountains of personal cash and millionaire donors. They could flood the airwaves and newspapers with advertisements, and they spent campaign money on dozens upon dozens of pollsters to tweak their message right where it needed to be tweaked. Every campaign was flawless. No gaffes, no scandals, no missteps, and no chance for defeat. Weiss herself had been a Representative for nearly six years, having been elected to represent Atlas in the Congress when she was just twenty-four with over sixty percent of the vote, and had been elected to the council when she was just nineteen, winning by just over seventy percent of the vote over her lesser known opponent.
But what was so different this time?
Weiss was yanked from her thoughts as her phone dinged and up popped the link Neon had sent.
Weiss tapped it and was greeted with an annoying headline:
RUBY ROSE HAS PROVEN TO BE MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Ridiculous. Councilwoman Rose had only been in office for two years. She didn't have nearly the experience that Weiss did. What did people see in her?
Councilwoman Ruby Rose's campaign for Representative has been rapidly building momentum, and it is making the supporters of incumbent Weiss Schnee nervous.
The seat has been held by the Schnee family for decades, having been occupied by Representative Schnee's sister Winter, before that her father Jacques Schnee, and before that her grandfather Amadeus Schnee. But now, the dynasty's hold on the office seems to be in jeopardy.
The Representative could feel her grip tightening on her phone. She was immensely proud of her family's accomplishments, even if she did little to hide her distaste for her father. But even she could admit that he raised her to succeed at all costs, and the lessons had served her well in political life. She wasn't ashamed to admit that playing dirty was very much on the table for her if that was what it took to win, and she wasn't afraid of getting personal.
It was a trait that ran through her family.
But perhaps Rose's appeal was obvious from the moment she announced her candidacy. The day after declaring her campaign, Blake Belladonna, the only Faunus Councilmember in office, endorsed Rose. It is Councilwoman Belladonna's first high-profile endorsement, having refused to endorse Schnee in previous elections. Belladonna says that Rose's enthusiastic fight for Faunus rights during her time on the Council pushed her to act.
"Councilwoman Rose may be the first candidate for this office to explicitly state her support for Faunus equality, and she has been a very effective member of our caucus." Belladonna explained.
The endorsement is sure to shore up Faunus support for Rose's candidacy.
A scoff escaped Weiss' lips at the picture of Councilwoman Belladonna raising Rose's hand like a prize fighter in front of an adoring crowd. Rose looked proudly at Belladonna, her silver eyes sparkling, her red-highlighted hair messy from the windy day. She provided a stark contrast to the normally formally dressed Weiss, wearing just red shirtsleeves with the sleeves rolled up and grey jeans. Weiss had coveted Belladonna's endorsement for years, desperately hoping to win over her Faunus constituency. But each time she had received a noncommittal answer, and even a flat out no on some occasion. But here she was, support a young upstart who didn't have half of the political pull or experience that Weiss had.
But perhaps the biggest shock of the race came the very day after Belladonna's endorsement, when the President of the State Senate, Senator Pyrrha Nikos, surprised the pundits by also throwing her support behind Councilwoman Rose. In previous elections, Nikos had offered tepid endorsements of incumbent Schnee, but this time around, she's behind the underdog candidate.
Weiss remembered that day. It had felt like a betrayal. Weiss and Senator Nikos had worked closely together many times, and at least Weiss thought they had a good working relationship. She would never say it out loud, but it was almost a personal blow. She recalled storming out of her office at the news to rage in her car.
And it seems that the voters of Atlas are also taking a hard look at this charismatic candidate. Crowds in support of Rose have swelled, often numbering in the thousands.
A glare was shot at the photograph. Rose's back was to the camera, and in front of her was an almost endless crowd, waving signs declaring their support and enthusiasm for the Councilwoman.
"The problem I have with Weiss Schnee is that it just doesn't feel like she cares. She's never here, she never does town halls, and she never speaks to us. Ruby Rose? She goes everywhere all the time and talks to as many people as she can. She actually listens to us." A Rose supporter explained.
Weiss couldn't believe it. After everything she had done for the state, they had the gall to think that she didn't care. It was infuriating, outrageous. Insulting.
Rose's campaign has been primarily managed by her sister and political operative Yang Xiao Long. Xiao Long has previously been a part of many high-profile campaigns, usually to great success.
But all is not dire for Representative Schnee. Her massive war chest continues to dwarf Rose's, who primarily relies on small donors and has sworn off corporate money, saying that "this is a campaign about people, not financial power". This disadvantage has allowed Schnee to inundate the city with advertisements, and she continues to raise massive amounts of cash at fundraisers.
A swell of relief. Weiss prided herself on her ability to raise money from just about everywhere. Combine that with her own personal wealth that she put into the campaign's bank, she was able to grow the size of her operation exponentially with more hires, pollsters, and advertisements.
But it seemed this time, that wasn't going to be enough. At the very bottom of the article were the dreaded numbers.
Weiss Schnee led Ruby Rose by just 44 to 40. A massive decrease in her early double digit lead.
She immediately called Neon back.
"What do you suggest we do?"
"Boss, I think we should give up on the Faunus vote. With Belladonna's endorsement, Rose has a lock on that." Neon explained, a strain in her voice as she had to give the bad news. "And she's bringing in people who don't normally vote. She's getting people riled up and it's showing. What we need to do then is to make sure our regular voters are secure while at the same time convincing undecideds. Focus on reminding them of all of the things you've done for the state. Rose might have the spirit, but you have the experience, and voters value experience."
Weiss nodded. "Compile a list of the bills I've sponsored and cosponsored. Job creation, infrastructure, tourism to the state."
"Exactly, boss. Rose has only been on the council for two years, and besides some good speeches, she doesn't have a lot to show for it. Now, it's mostly out of her control as her party is in the minority, but we don't have to tell the voters that. The voters need to know that if they vote for Rose, they'll be risking reliable experience for uncertainty."
The Representative absorbed the advice of her manager before straightening up and taking a breath. The strategizing had put a bit more spirit into her, and she renewed her confidence that she could win this race.
She would show that upstart what real politics was all about.
All the way across the city, a crowd was gathering.
RUBY IS RIGHT
READY FOR RUBY
R-O-S-E, WE ARE GONNA BEAT THAT SCHNEE
Hundreds of signs, buttons, t-shirts, hats pushed towards the stage, where a podium and microphone lay waiting for speakers. Behind it was a giant white sign with red lettering:
RUBY ROSE FOR REPRESENTATIVE. The O in Rose had been replaced with the flower itself.
Behind the curtain, the actual Ruby Rose was hyping herself up. She always got nerves before a rally. Surprising many, Ruby was actually quite shy and reserved around strangers, especially crowds. But she told herself that the people out there were waiting for her and what she had to say. They supported her because she promised to fight for them, and she couldn't let them down. That thought always inserted a fresh dose of determination into the candidate's veins.
She bounced on her toes as her sister looked down at her legal pad.
"Alright Rubes let's run through it again. What are we focusing on?"
Ruby nodded. "Transparency, taking the money out of politics, Faunus rights, and no more absentee Representatives."
"Perfect. Atta girl." Yang said with a broad grin and slapping her sister on the back. "They're gonna love it and they're gonna love you. Cuz I mean, who wouldn't love the sister of the great Yang Xiao Long." She said.
"Ha-ha." Ruby deadpanned. "You know, with how much press I'm getting, the cameras are getting my good looks all over the city. Soon enough, they'll think I'm prettier than you." Ruby stuck out her tongue.
"Yeah, right. In your-"
"Ladies, ladies, you're both beautiful."
Both of the sister's grinned at the voice. Councilwoman Blake Belladonna strode up to them, dressed in a sharp dark purple pantsuit. Her dark hair was styled perfectly, and there was a subtle fierceness to her face that the crowd always just ate up.
"Come on. Tell her, Blake. Tell her that Yang Xiao Long is the hottest lady in Atlas."
"I'll agree with the lady part."
Yang gasped exaggeratedly, putting a hand to her chest. "You wound me, Blakey."
"Guys, come on! Stop flirting! Blake needs to get out there!"
Yang winked at the raven-haired Councilwoman, absolutely not denying the accusation of flirting. "Alright, alright, Rubes. Don't get your panties in a twist." She said before walking over to Blake and looking over her one more time, ironing out any wrinkles in her suit and stray locks of beautiful hair. "Knock 'em dead, Blake."
"With pleasure."
Blake walked to the curtain, straightened her suit out, took a reassuring breath, and stepped forward for the crowd to see.
The sister's couldn't help their hearts beating faster and the smiles on their faces growing as the crowd roared.
Blake stepped to the podium and adjusted the microphone, allowing the crowd a few more moments to release their energy before she raised her hands to request silence. It took a bit longer than what she had hoped, but eventually a quiet fell over the crowd with the exception of quiet, but excited murmurs.
"Hello, Atlas!"
With just those two words, the crowd broke into cheers and applause once more. Thankfully, it didn't last as long.
"I want to thank you all for being here this evening and for those who don't know, I am Councilwoman Blake Belladonna." A series of whoops and whistles interrupted her for a moment. "We are all here not just for a candidate, but for a cause." Blake looked out on the crowd, reaching into her mind for the words she had scribbled on a scrap of paper just before the rally. "The cause is better government. The cause is equal rights for Faunus. The cause is transparency. And the cause is to break the Schnee hold on our elections." At the last word, she slammed her fist down podium.
The crowd ate it up, clapping, whooping, and hollering, waving their signs fervently.
"For too long, the Schnees have maintained office through the power of their name and the power of their purse. Weiss Schnee drones on and on about experience, about qualifications, about political influence. But let me say this now: none of those things matter when you fail to deliver for the people of Atlas."
Shouts of agreement greeted the condemnation.
"Faunus unemployment in Atlas is nearly double that of humans. Those living below the poverty line, Faunus and human alike, has risen to nearly ten percent under Representative Schnee's watch. Our roads and our bridges receive inadequate attention, and those without healthcare in this state has soared to twenty percent."
Blake paused, swiveling her head to look at the whole crowd, mostly for affect.
"Weiss Schnee will always say that she hears our concerns, but action speak louder than words. Just a brief glimpse over her voting record will show that she is no friend of the people of Atlas, but only a friend to the wealthy that fill her bank account."
More cheers, and Blake could feel her energy building.
"And it has been this way for decades under the Schnees. A single family has represented our state and each and every single one of them has failed to live up to the office they were elected to. Would you all say it's about time we changed that?"
A singular YES came from the mouths of the hundreds in the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have the solution to our distress. A woman who, even in her short time in elected office, has been a tireless advocate for all the people of this state. Justice, energy, and a desire to serve burns in her heart, that much is clear. She has shown her love of Atlas everywhere, from the slums to the gated communities, listened to those of both parties, and has sworn a pledge to represent not just the people who vote for her, but of all of her constituents."
The crowd rippled in excitement as Blake reached the climax of her introduction. She gripped the lectern tighter and leaned towards the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege and honor to introduce the next Representative from the state of Atlas! Ruby Rose!"
A crescendo of adoring and excited voices invaded Blake's eardrums, and she could tell when Ruby stepped out from behind the curtain because it only became louder.
Ruby waved her hand at the crowd, a bright, full-toothed smile on her face. She stepped towards the podium, towards Blake, with her hand outstretched. Blake firmly clasped her own hand with Ruby's and gripped her elbow with the other hand. She leaned in close to the candidate.
"Give them what they came for, Ruby."
Ruby nodded as Blake separated from her and retreated back towards the curtain. All the while, the crowd cheered and cheered and cheered, shouts of Ruby's name coming from every which way. She stepped up to the lectern and raised both of her hands in greeting.
"Thank you, Atlas!" She exclaimed into the microphone but was drowned out by the crowd in front of her. Like Blake, she raised her hands to call for quiet, and she eventually received it. Ruby was silent for a few moments, then only said a single word.
"Wow."
Her supporters laughed and whistled their approval.
"I don't think I have a big enough vocabulary to describe how excited I am that you all came out here tonight. It's really awesome, I gotta say." She said with a grin. "And I want to thank Councilwoman Belladonna for her introduction. Great as always, Blake." She said, turning around to nod at said woman, who nodded in return. "But guys, I'm going to be honest with you. As excited as I am this evening, we have a reason to be a little gloomy. Because all over this state, there are people who are cold. People who are hungry or sick. People who are thirsty and people without hope."
The crowd grew deadly silent. One could hear a pin drop if they really listened.
"I have listened and learned from the people who feel they have been forgotten by those in power, those in power who are supposed to help them. Those who are supposed to represent them."
Ruby paused, letting her words sink in for a moment.
"But it doesn't have to be that way." She said simply. "Together, we can chart a different path. A path where everyone, and I mean everyone, is given the opportunities and support they need to succeed as not just citizens of Atlas, but as humans and Faunus!"
Shouts of approval reached her ears in response, the people before her clapping and nodding.
"When we started this campaign, we were written off. There was no chance, they said. The outcome is inevitable, they said. But as I look at you all this evening, I see something very different." She smiled and nodded at the encouraging whistles. "This evening, I see an Atlas looking for change. A change from the politics of the wealthy and the well-connected. I see one election that Papa Schnee won't be able to buy!" She raised her voice during the last sentence to great effect. "And the influence of money can be seen in the way Weiss Schnee operates. Tax breaks for big businesses, leaving out the small stores and restaurants. And then those same people donate the maximum allowed to her campaigns, yet she insists that there is no connection!"
Scoffs and incredulous laughs responded to her.
"She insists that she is for Faunus rights yet refuses to support any legislation that will raise wages for Faunus workers or end discrimination in housing and employment." An angry tint to Ruby's voice came through as she began to slowly move her mouth closer to the microphone. "And that proves that Weiss Schnee is no advocate for our fellow Faunus citizens!" Ruby audibly sighed and shook her head. "But perhaps the worst of all, Weiss Schnee isn't here for us. Do you all want to know how many town halls she has hosted since she was elected six years ago?"
She went silent as she raised a single finger.
"One. And that was during her first year."
For the first time that evening, boos and hisses of disapproval filled the air.
"To Representative Schnee, we say no more! To Representative Schnee, we say stop holding us back!" She slammed her fist onto the podium. "Two months from now, this state is going to send a message, and it's going to tell those big shot donors of hers that Atlas is not for sale! Am I right?!"
The crowd responded in affirmation.
"It's a tight race right now and it has the experts and the candidate herself scratching their heads. But I always felt it was possible, and with what I'm seeing from you all tonight, I'm more confident than ever that we can make this happen!"
Ruby basked in the cheers and applause, a thick bead of sweat sliding off her forehead and down her cheek.
"If I am elected Representative two months from now, I make this promise to you now: when I am in office, you will have no louder voice, you will have no more determined fighter, and you will have no more tireless advocate for the people of Atlas!"
The roars from the crowd grew sustained and showed no sign of stopping.
Councilwoman Ruby Rose raised her fist into the air.
"Let's bring down the Schnee dynasty!
"Let's change this state for the better!"
All the way in the back of the crowd, reporter Lisa Lavender pressed her fingers to her ear to better hear herself over the shouts and screams and whoops and whistles. She spoke into her own microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the energy at this rally is just unbelievable. Mere months ago, no one would have guessed a race like this. A young two term Councilwoman is taking Atlas politics by storm and there is no greater indication of that than what I am seeing here tonight."
Lisa turned back to the crowd momentarily before looking straight into the camera.
"This race may have just turned politically perilous for Weiss Schnee."