PROLOGUE III: WEISS

Upon a cold stage, a doll danced and sang mechanically. All of her movements followed the predictable patterns that were expected of her. Not a single limb could afford to deviate from the rigid choreography instilled in its gears, lest the doll lose her beauty and therefore her purpose.

As Weiss completed her act, she felt great pride overcoming her. The girls' ears barely registered the ovation from the audience; there were only two people capable of truly judging her performance: herself and her father. But she was sure that this time, this time she had definitely been flawless: she had even managed to complete the ballet section in perfect rhythm without stumbling or dragging. Turning upwards toward the stands, Weiss awaited expectantly to be finally rewarded with the proud expression of a paternal figure.

Instead, she was met with them: those distant, bitter eyes that conveyed nothing but contempt and rejection. Among the cheering members of the Atlas elite, Weiss was overwhelmed by anxiety and all the voices in the room merged into a horrible, unbearable white noise that only drowned her further in her misery. What had she done wrong? Where was the mistake? If she wasn't even capable of perceiving it, did that mean she had just never been good enough in the first place?

As the curtain slowly descended in front of the stage, the princess and heiress of the Schnee Dust Empire was not smiling, she was not glad. Trembling, and bracing herself for a torment she couldn't escape, Weiss' eyes became cloudy with tears as she played the routine back again and again in her mind, searching frantically for an imperfection. Then, clenching her fists with all her strength and gritting her teeth, the girl couldn't help but allow some of her frustration to leak through her quivering lips:

"Is it… not enough? Is it still… NOT ENOUGH?!"

-xx-

Weiss Schnee was born with no function to serve in the world.

When she was young, the girl was taught that she belonged to a prestigious and powerful family and that it was her responsibility to meet incredibly high standards so that, one day, she too would grow to be valuable and appreciated. Thus, if her mother spent most of the time taking long 'naps' in the garden instead of playing with her, it was surely because she was still not good enough. If her father got angry when she asked him to read a bed time story and hit her, it was surely because she had done something wrong. If her beloved sister suddenly left and never sent any letters home, it was surely because she had somehow failed her.

Weiss' tutors and peers only reinforced the idea that she had to excel in every aspect. A Schnee must be a top student; a Schnee must be an example of class and elegance; a Schnee must be strong and decisive. Through great effort, Weiss had almost mastered the persona that she was meant to portray in society. The girl turned herself into the model princess: competent, intelligent, graceful, dignified and a bit arrogant toward others, even when she didn't really want to be. Unfortunately, the more she managed to meet expectations, the more people shoved Weiss away. Some put her on a pedestal and treated her as a concept more than a human being; others were jealous and dismissive of her "pompous" attitude and resented her for being privileged and unlikable. Though she was sometimes confused by these negative outcomes, Weiss maintained the firm belief that, with enough effort, she would finally achieve the validation and acceptance she desired.

There was only one major flaw that the girl could find in herself; the only gear that was not quite in place. Although it was unbecoming for a member of the elite like her, Weiss enjoyed singing as a hobby. She hadn't trained this talent under the tutelage of a master, like she had done every other skill. Instead, Weiss sang simply because she felt like it, because she enjoyed it… which was the reason why it also made her feel incredibly guilty. She was sure that, due to the lack of formal practice, her voice was bound to be terrible and her pitch insufferable. If anyone were to listen to her, they would have likely been utterly repulsed. Therefore, the princess only allowed herself to sing in complete privacy, usually in her own room, where she found the activity to be soothing and fun.

-xx-

The day Weiss' life would change would be the one in which she broke her one rule.

Following a particularly intense training session, the girl had finally achieved one of the greatest goals for every Schnee: she awoke her semblance's potential for summoning. Filled with joy, Weiss couldn't help but want to sing and she couldn't wait to make it to her own room. Instead, the girl went out to the garden and, for the first time in a very long while, she allowed her voice to be released unfiltered into the world around her. The sensation as she indulged freely in her passion was incredible; only ever so slightly ruined when she noticed a regal looking person walking through the nearby pathway. Although the figure was far away, the girl noticed that it was looking at her. Flustered, Weiss immediately ran the other way.

Some time afterwards, with great excitement, Weiss headed to her father's office to inform him of the big news. The door however, as it was usually the case, was closed. But this time, unlike many others, voices could be clearly heard from the other side. Though Weiss tried with all her might to repress her impulses, she couldn't help but listen in on the conversation. Perhaps she could find out more about her father and discover some secret thing he was fond of.

"…I'm quite interested in Weiss's potential. I believe that with the proper training, she could become a magnificent huntress. That's why I came all the way here to ask you personally to enroll her in Beacon Academy."

Weiss's eyes lit up at the words, unable to contain the goofy smile forming in her face. After all that time, the event that would finally justify all of her hardships had arrived. The girl knew that Beacon was the most prestigious out of the Great Huntsman Academies and that if, as a Schnee, she was able to enlist into such an institution then surely that would have been enough.

But the girl was certainly not prepared for the words that followed:

"Ah, Weiss? Of course, you can take her."

Her father's nonchalant attitude as he practically gave her away like an item hurt Weiss more than she cared to admit… maybe even a bit more than his slaps or fists.

"It may sound strange coming from me, since I'm the one that came to you with the request, but don't you want to think of your daughter's future a bit more thoroughly?"

Jacques then let out a loud cackle.

"Of what future do you speak of? The one to succeed me as head of the family will be Winter, I decided that long ago. If she wants to have a rebellious phase and play around with Ironwood's toy soldiers that's fine; eventually she'll come back to me. Even if she doesn't, I still have Whitley, and let me tell you, that kid is brilliant: he's proven to be just like his father. But, Weiss… well, allow me to be a bit blunt. The girl has been a constant pain and honestly just a trouble child. So, maybe, if you take her in, she'll finally achieve something useful for once in her life."

Jacques peppered his comment with yet another, louder cackle.

At that point, Weiss was kneeling against the door, lightly sobbing. She was heartbroken. Suddenly, the other voice spoke up once more, this time with an air of authority.

"In that case, I have one more request."

"And what would that be?"

"Before I take your daughter to Beacon, I would like to hear her sing."

Weiss was surprised at the comment and immediately lifted her face. Jacques didn't even try to hide his air of mockery.

"Sing? Does Beacon have an arts and theatre branch that I'm unaware of?"

"I mean just what I said. I would like you to organize a show and have your daughter sing in it. If I find it satisfactory then I will accept her into Beacon. It shouldn't be hard for someone with your influence and resources to organize a small spectacle, correct?"

"It certainly wouldn't but… are you serious?"

"When it comes to my potential students, I'm always dead serious. As a gesture of good faith, if you organize this show, then I'll make sure the meeting you've been craving with General Ironwood to discuss taxes on dust exports actually takes place. I'll even be there personally, to hear your suggestions."

Jacques laughed, this timein the form of a nervous chuckle.

"I didn't figure a headmaster would be such a cunning negotiator. Very well, you have yourself a show. I hope you'll enjoy it."

Weiss had been too immersed in the conversation to notice that it was now over and one of the people inside the room was quickly approaching the door. She only had enough time to compose herself somewhat and wipe some of her tears before she was faced with that man. The girl instantly recognized that it was the same person that she had seen walking through the garden. The cane and the white hair were certainly huge giveaways, but Weiss was caught off guard by the man's eyes: a couple of pure, emerald irises that seemed to pierce right trough her and into some distant world.

"Uh, excuse me."

"Oh!"

Weiss then realized, far too late, that she was indeed still standing right in front of the doorway, blocking the stranger's path. She very quickly and apologetically moved out of the way as the man tried to reassure her. Before he walked away, the person turned around and looked at Weiss with a kind expression she had never seen before. With a gentle smile, he spoke:

"My name is Ozpin. It is my honor to meet a bright, young lady with such a beautiful singing voice. I'll be looking forward to hearing more of it."

-xx-

The day of the show had arrived. As a man of business, Jacques understood the weight of every word spoken during a negotiation, and he did not let a single one of Ozpin's slide past him. The headmaster had stated that his decision would depend on whether he found the spectacle to be "satisfactory", and so, the head of the Schnee family did everything in his power to make certain any and all expectations would be met. Everything from the venue, the guests and even the catering were of the highest class.

But what all of this meant for Weiss, was that she would perform according to a strictly planned routine traced by some of the best minds in the world of musical theater. From the day of Ozpin's visit to that of the show the princess was subjected to session after session of grueling rehearsals, and each and every one of her moves was put under severe scrutiny. All other priorities in her life, like education and training, were completely dropped. Yet, the girl didn't find her situation to be a burden; on the contrary. Regardless of what she might have heard weeks before, Weiss still trusted her code and she believed in her father. After all he was a seasoned businessman, and by behaving in a dismissive way toward her during the conversation he had ingeniously made Ozpin all the more interested in her.

It was all for her sake, it had to be. Because if she could get it right this time, then she would finally see that same look Ozpin had given her, but in the eyes of her father.

With her hand pressed tightly against her heart, Weiss awaited the show to begin. The curtain was about to be lifted on the rest of her life.

-xx-

During the show, Jacques noticed at least two severe mistakes in the choreography, along with several others that were still worthy of mention. He hadn't attended a single one of Weiss' rehearsals, but his impeccable taste in art made it so that he was sure his daughter's act had been nothing but mediocre. Furthermore, he had been far too busy organizing the event in the first place: sending invitations, contacting powerful friends… after all that effort, why did his good for nothing daughter have to screw up yet again? It was simply unfair. After the curtain call, the man turned to where Ozpin was seated, praying that the headmaster hadn't noticed the lackluster nature of the performance. But Ozpin was no longer in his spot. The man was slowly making his way through the crowd and, to the surprise of many, got up on stage and went behind the curtain.

On the other side, Ozpin found a lonely girl crying silently; as if she had been taught to do so in order not to disturb anyone else with her tears. The headmaster lightly tapped his cane on the wooden floor to get her attention. Weiss tried to calm herself down somewhat, but at that point she was too tired and distraught to think about appearances. Ozpin directed only one question toward her:

"How did you do?"

A dense pressure spread through Weiss' shoulders:

"I thought that I…"

"No."

The girl was cut off by another, stronger tap of Ozpin's cane on the wooden floor.

"It seems you don't understand: I asked for YOUR thoughts on the performance. I want to know what was going through your head BEFORE you looked upwards."

Weiss was surprised. She didn't think anyone else could have noticed her change in demeanor after looking into her father's eyes; she was sure she had been able to hide it properly, like every other time.

"I… I thought I did well."

Ozpin raised an eyebrow.

"Just 'well'? Are you sure of that? The satisfied expression I saw told a completely different story."

Weiss was getting frustrated at this point. She wasn't used to someone being attentive and sensitive enough to see so easily through all her façades.

"I thought I had made no mistakes. I thought I had been excellent."

"Hmm?"

Ozpin then made a much exaggerated motion, bringing his cane to his ear and leaning towards the girl.

"I'm sorry, as you can probably tell from all the white hair, I'm afraid my age has done a number on me and I can't hear as well as I used to. So, can you perhaps speak up a bit?"

Weiss couldn't understand the emotions swirling inside of her at that moment. She knew what Ozpin was trying to do, yet she also couldn't help but be frustrated that the man had to go to such lengths just to force her into saying what she had always wanted to say:

"I did great! I performed everything flawlessly! Even the difficult parts where I always tripped on the rehearsals! I did it!"

The headmaster then twirled his cane playfully.

"Ah, now I heard you. Though, I'm probably not the only one who did. There's still people on the other side of the curtain, you know."

The girl sensed embarrassment rising in her cheeks and then she pouted.

"Then why did you force me to scream, you…"

"Do you like to sing?"

"Huh?"

Weiss was taken off guard by the question. The answer should have been easy. However, the entire experience of this show had left a sour taste in her mouth. She wondered what Ozpin intended to achieve with the whole ordeal.

While gazing at the handle of his cane, Ozpin began speaking, now with a voice that sounded sorrowful:

"If I could, I would create a world where you could sing freely; I would create a world where everyone could sing together in harmony. But human beings are not compatible with peace. We're born too weak to bear the burden of the world and our lives are nothing but prolonged suffering with no meaning."

Weiss could sense how his words were no mere rhetoric; each of them was spoken with the measured tone of a man that had faced countless hardships:

"But what if, instead of wallowing in our misery or finding some morbid pleasure in inflicting it upon others… what if, instead, we found meaning in it? If life is suffering then each and every one of us is free to confront and overcome it through our own means. When we find our own path, create our own rules and stick to them despite the world crashing around us… that's when huntsmen and huntresses are born. Weiss…"

The headmaster then turned to the girl.

"I also thought you did magnificently. Frankly, I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I was moved by your performance. I don't know how you managed to do it, but even within the rigid confines of such an artificial choreography, the light of a fierce and capable young woman still managed to shine through. It was an encouraging thought: no matter how hard you or anyone else may try, there's no way to contain such a pure fighting spirit."

Weiss was taken aback. Out of nowhere, she got everything she ever wanted, while at the same time realizing she had been longing for something so ridiculous all along. She didn't want paternal acceptance, she didn't want the validation of people she didn't care about, she only needed someone to look at her honestly and tell her that it was fine to live in her own way; that it was fine to sing if she wanted to.

"Weiss, would you like to sing together with the warriors at Beacon? I believe you'll find their melodies to be exquisite."

The girl let out a soft giggle.

"Sure, I can go. I don't think my parents will mind much if I leave for a couple of years anyways."

Weiss Schnee was born with no purpose to serve in the world and, on that day… she realized there was nothing wrong with that.