The Heiress and the Peasant

"Miss Schnee, here again I see." Headmistress Goodwitch said as a petite student is ushered into her office by a uniformed custodian. Delicate features are twisted in a scowl that deepened as another push sent her stumbling further into the room. Weiss Schnee, future heiress to the largest energy conglomerate on Remnant; current source of a developing headache. A slight nod from Goodwitch and the custodian thumbed the top of his hat. He left without a word, gently closing the door behind him.

"Please, sit." Goodwitch said, gesturing to the high backed chair before her.

Weiss sullenly dropped into the seat, crossing her arms. She pointedly looked away in an attempt to hide the prominent scar crossing her left eye. Trace amounts of foundation leave streaks across her face.

Goodwitch pushed her reading glasses down, studying her charge over black frames. Brilliant white hair spilled haphazardly from an off kilter ponytail. The hallmark uniform of the prestigious Beacon Academy is rumpled and askew. Goodwitch noted the blouse bunched up around the collar, a button hanging by a thread. Her red neck ribbon is missing.

"Fighting again I see." Goodwitch surmised, leaning back, fingers steepling on her ornate hardwood desk. Weiss gave a disdainful snort in return.

"Do I need to remind you of rules a lady is expected to follow here?" The remark caught Weiss' attention. She swung her head around to deliver the Headmistress a derisive look.

"Tell that to the low-born brutes that started it!" She said, indignant.

"Oh? Without provocation?" Goodwitch said with a raised eyebrow. Weiss squirmed.

"Their presence is enough." She muttered, turning away again.

"Miss Schnee, your father has sent you halfway around the world in an effort to cure you of your rebellious tendencies." Weiss remained silent, leaning on the hand-rest, chin resting on her upward palm.

"I welcomed the challenge," Goodwitch continued, "After all, it's my task to cultivate girls into young ladies."

Goodwitch stood and surveyed her opulent surroundings. Darkly stained and glossy, the bookcases hold mementos of an illustrious career. Trophies and medals gifted to her by former students, photos of smiling young women, primly posed. Framed letters gushing with thank yous and humble praise. Even the thick, exquisitely crimson carpet was gift from a grateful pupil now married to a textile magnate. Pacing, she sought power from the successes coating the walls. Goodwitch snapped to a stop.

"I refuse to have you be my first failure!" She said forcefully, palms slamming into her desk with a reverberating slap. Weiss jumped, startled.

A small white light spins briefly into existence, so quick it's almost dismissed as trick on the eyes. The school crest stitched into her blazer showed otherwise; the dust infused threads shimmer and glow brightly, easily discernible against the dull brown jacket.

Goodwitch franticly pulled a riding crop from a hidden compartment in the desk, brandishing it menacingly at Weiss.

"Weiss Schnee! A lady does not use aura!", Goodwitch roared, furiously swishing the crop for emphasis, "A lady does not sully her self with a semblance!"

Weiss flinched away, hands raised protectively as the crop sliced through the air. The office door banged open signalling the custodian's return. Alarmed, he holds a polished wooden baton capped with three metal prongs, sparks arcing between the points. Weiss shuddered at the sight; students wryly call them curatives, a wholly unsuitable name.

Goodwitch watched Weiss' crest slowly fade, dust crystals no longer excited. Satisfied there's no threat, she lowered her crop. The custodian followed suit, the curative whining down as it's placed back into the holster at his side. Weiss breaths deeply in an effort to clam the chaotic thumping of her heart.

"That's enough of that." Goodwitch said, jaw set. She waved at the custodian as she sat down, sliding the riding crop back into it's recess. The custodian gave Weiss one last, suspicious look before leaving again. Goodwitch leaned back with a sigh.

"I know this is difficult for you Miss Schnee, away from your home and family in a different Kingdom," Goodwitch tried an understanding smile, "You haven't had the best role models, with your sister choosing a man's duty." Her smile slipped into a sneer. Weiss bristles.

"I can see the romance in following the Atlasian traditions, even if they're unladylike. But you have responsibilities in today's world Miss Schnee. And responsibility is what you must be taught." Goodwitch said.

"If my responsibility is to be a simpering, spineless lady in the name of the Brothers then I'd rather go live with the wild chimmies." Weiss spat.

"Faunus," Goodwitch stressed the acceptable term, "Have their ways, we have ours. And do I need to request the Deacon assign additional readings? Private tutoring on your own time perhaps?" Weiss winced at Goodwitch's threat.

"No ma'am."

"Good, now responsibility. A new girl is starting today, she will be assigned to your care." Goodwitch said.

"My care?" Weiss questioned, frowning.

"Yes, your care. You will help her get accustomed to the school, teach her the proper etiquette. She will share your quarters-"

"She will most certainly not!" Weiss interrupted.

"She will," Goodwitch said severely, "This young lady is a special case, sponsored to attend this Academy."

"She's a commoner!" Weiss' face is etched with horror.

"A special case. All families have humble beginnings. Still, she will be under close watch. Any mishaps will be reflected onto you."

"I'll be punished for her mistakes? That's hardly fair!" Weiss said.

"Its hardly fair to punish those who don't know better."

"But-"

"This has been decided, Miss Schnee." Goodwitch said with finality. "I suggest you make your peace with it. Now, if there isn't any productive questions, then get tidied up and meet her at your dorm."

"Just one question," Weiss said weakly, "Does she have a name?"

Ruby Rose stood outside the towering dorm gazing up in wonderment. Clad in red brick and marble draped in clinging ivy, she can't believe the stately building is her new home. Glancing down, Ruby checked her uniform over again; A brown blazer with tan trim is buttoned neatly over a vest a few shades lighter. The pristine white blouse is wrinkle free. Her red and black tartan skirt fluttering as she looked for lint, the silk petticoat coolly brushing against skin. Brown loafers shine. Using her scroll as a mirror, Ruby made sure her collar and yellow ribbon are in place, black shoulder length hair still tamed. Satisfied, she goes back to waiting for her new room-mate, foot idly tapping her luggage on the ground. Nervousness set in without a distraction. Not for the first time today, Ruby longed for the comfortable weight of a crimson cloak around her shoulders.

A chilly, late spring breeze ruffled Ruby's hair. Panicking, she fumbled for her scroll to make sure certain locks haven't sprung up.

"You must be the new girl." Ruby looked up to see a princess staring back, complete with tiara holding silky, white hair in a tumbling pony tail. She wore the same uniform, but with an easy grace that made Ruby feel awkward in hers.

"Um, yes?" Ruby squeaked.

"She can talk," the girl leaned in closer to scrutinise with piercing, pale blue eyes, "And she can dress herself. Well, this is a better start then I could have imagined."

Ruby takes a step back, face flushed. Remembering her manners, she attempted an introduction.

"Hi, I'm Ruby Rose, pleasure to meet you." Ruby said, hand extended.

"Weiss Schnee, underwhelmed." Weiss said, ignoring the offer of a handshake.

"Um, okay, are you my new bunk mate?" Ruby asked, dropping her arm. Weiss' lip curls at her choice of words.

"I suppose I am," She sneered, "Well then, come."

Weiss strides past Ruby, the glass doors sliding open as she approached. Ruby snatched up a suitcase, almost tripping as she chased after Weiss.

"So, um, are you actual princess?" Ruby said, attempting to break the ice. Weiss sighed.

"Heiress actually, I suppose it's the same thing to a peasant."

"Peasant?"

"That is what you are, correct? A sponsored student?" Weiss said, stopping outside an elevator.

"Oh yes, totally. I'll miss working in the family mud farm I was pulled from." Ruby joked.

"Hmm, quite. We're on the top floor." Weiss said. There's an awkward moment as they stand there, Weiss clearly expecting something.

"It's the button with the arrow pointing up." She helpfully hinted at Ruby.

"Oh! Right," Ruby pressed the button, "So we're in the penthouse suite?"

"Only if you're an aging mistress."

"...Right." Ruby sighed as elevator doors ding open.

Weiss opened the electronic lock with a graceful flick of her scroll. She stood back to allow her new charge to open the door. She frowned as Ruby entered first, not making way for her better. Training is definitely required. As she made her way into the apartment, Weiss is startled by a sharp squeal.

"It's huge!" Ruby exclaimed, standing in the foyer "It's not a dorm, it's a house!"

"One of the perks of heiress, I suppose." Weiss said offhandedly. Ruby spun around to Weiss, silver eyes shining.

"I need the tour!" Weiss went to retort but paused. She actually found herself amused at the easily impressed Ruby. Smugly, Weiss started to show Ruby around.

"This is the sitting room." Weiss swept her arm over a bright and airy room. Plush cream carpet and a white leather lounge suite complement stark white walls. A few blooming peace lilies in pearly pots add a splash of colour. Floor to ceiling glass doors open onto balcony at the opposite end.

"Kitchen and dining is through here." Weiss led Ruby through a high archway. An immaculate, modern kitchen with marble bench tops made Ruby gasp.

"You cook in here? All this white must make it hard to clean." She said.

"Yes, I do enjoy cooking and cleaning." Weiss said with a roll of her eyes. Ruby didn't pick up on sarcasm as she admired the spotless, glass dining room table.

"Down here," Weiss said, continuing the tour, "We have the bathroom & bedrooms."

"Wait, bedrooms? We don't have to share?" Ruby said.

"Share? You must be joking!" Weiss said incredulously.

"I used to share with my sister, it's not that big a deal." Ruby muttered.

"Maybe not to commoners that are stacked ten to a room."

"Which one is mine?" Ruby said in an effort to move on.

"First door on the left." Ruby let out another irritating squeal as she opened the door. The bedroom is painted in soft blues, accented with white furnishings. A comfortably wide wicker day chair is placed by broad windows. Ruby grinned at the the bed, expansive and topped with a thick, down comforter.

"It's so big! As big I imagined the whole dorm room to be!" Weiss' jaw dropped at the thought. She gingerly pats Ruby on the shoulder.

"You poor thing, you've had it so hard." Weiss said kindly. Ruby gave her a puzzled look.

"Um, yes? Oh, what's this?" Ruby dropped her suitcase with a thump making Weiss wince. A number of colourful crystals lie neatly spaced across a wooden writing desk have caught Ruby's attention. Intricate metal picks gleam in an unfurled strip of black velvet. Another piece is spread out to catch shards and dust. Ruby picked up a vivid red crystal Weiss was working on.

"It looks like pure dust."

"It is dust," Weiss said, snatching the crystal from Ruby, "And not for untrained hands."

"Weird hobby for a princess." Ruby commented, examining the shaping tools.

"Heiress, and my interests don't require your approval." Weiss crossed her arms defensively.

"Sorry! That's not what I meant!" Ruby hurriedly apologised, "I think it's cool, dust crystal working is a lost art. Not much call for it these days."

"No, there's not." Weiss said softly. Giving the crystal an affectionate rub, she slide it into a kilt pocket.

"What are you using them for?" Weiss froze briefly at Ruby's question.

"Nothing important. Now, I must show you the view of the campus." Weiss said, changing the subject. Thankfully Ruby doesn't push further as Weiss took them back to the balcony.

Glass doors smoothly open onto a roomy patio. Ruby dashed through to the edge and leaned over, taking in the sights. Majestic buildings are laid out with ample room between them for paved courtyards and lush gardens in full spring bloom. Sunlight sparkles off fountains, bronzed and ornate. Beyond the campus, the Emerald Forest began, stretching to the horizon. Ruby vibrated with excitement.

"What's that building?!"

"It's the cafe-" Weiss began.

"And that one?!"

"It's-"

"What are those three small ones?!"

"Ruby!" Weiss shouted. Ruby stopped bouncing and looked at Weiss sheepishly.

"Sorry, it's just so new and different and- I know I'm not... I'll behave." Ruby babbled.

Weiss studied her pained expression as Ruby collected herself. An uneasy feeling pricked at Weiss. She's only known the girl for minutes, but a reserved Ruby seemed so... unnatural. An odd resolve took hold of Weiss.

"It'll be easier to show you around the campus." Weiss said. Ruby started to fizz again.

"You will?! Oh, thank you!" She exclaimed.

"Well, it needs to be done. Why not now?" Weiss sighed, coming to terms with her offer. She walked back to the opened doors, pausing when Ruby doesn't follow. Instead, she is staring intently at the distant woodland.

"Ruby? Now means now."

"Hmm, oh sorry. I thought I heard - Are there wolves in the forest still?" Ruby asked, troubled. Weiss snorted.

"Hardly, it's more of a park these days," She said, amused, "Now come, we can get most of the campus covered before dinner."