Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Cold Compassion. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.

(Atlas, Alsius Academy.)

"So that is why I enjoy the much larger scroll. I told you I like to keep myself busy. I feel like I'm not helping and being useless if I'm not keeping my hands busy and my mind on the mission." Slater said, Winter nodded.

"Truth or dare, ma'am." He said, Winter was beginning to feel a bit tired of that.

"Winter, and dare. I already confirmed I'll be more open and more casual when its appropriate, AND the fact that I will be more willing to talk with you like a friend." Slater hummed.

"Say what's on your mind about Jacques when you meet him next time." He said, Winter raised an eyebrow.

"You have very negative feelings towards your dad like I do. I might have a few left because I never got to show the jackass that I proved him wrong and made something of myself. You thought I'd be a pervert or something?" He smirked. Winter refused to lose; she was a Schnee. They didn't lose at such matters.

"Fine, I will make my feelings clear if I ever encounter him… Truth or dare, you're as childish as my sister was as a child." Winter smiled and continued to stretch her legs.

"Truth." He cracked his neck and then looked at the specialist.

"What is one thing you were proud of in school and one thing you wish you could change?" Slater blinked. He ignored the double aspect of the question.

Winter probably didn't know the rules. He didn't blame her, he hummed.

"Hmm… good question. I would have to say one thing I'm proud of is passing at the top of tactics/intelligence and passing weapons class. I used to suck at fighting, I'm happy to see I'm starting to surpass the limits I had during training." He stated, he cleared his throat before speaking again.

"My worst mistake? I like to think that… is not thanking my teacher in school. They got killed on a mission to Vacuo, fighting the White Fang. you pick between that and the dad issue," Slater stated. Winter looked at her feet before rubbing the cold out of them.

"Truth or dare." Winter hummed and tapped her chin with her index finger. Slater wanted to joke about the fact that even an Atlesian specialist like Winter took enough care of her nails for them to be manicured.

"Truth," she tapped at her legs like a drum. Both bored, both having nothing to do but if she was honest?

She enjoyed the carefree attitude. They deserved some time to relax and mentally recharge themselves.

"What's the happiest moment of your life so far? Something you're really proud of." He said, Winter frowned for a second before pursing her lips.

"That would be mastering my Semblance and killing the Beowolves which would become my first summon. I'd mention the graduation from the academy, but my frustrating attaché stole it from me." Winter smirked and Slater chuckled and punched her leg playfully.

"Very…" Slater started to say before the door had a knock on it.

"Sir, ma'am?" The duo heard, Slater dropped from his bunk and walked to the door.

He opened it to see Clover holding a piece of paper.

"Clover? what brings you back so early?" Slater asked. the Ace-Op leader hummed while Slater took the piece of paper from his hand.

"General Ironwood wants to see you personally, he told me to retrieve you both for tomorrow. Jacques invited all of us to the manor. Jacques is forcing General Ironwood to defend his seat on the council. He wants all of us at 8PM, we're going to the manor with the general… Along with team RWBY, JNR and Penny Polendina." He reported, he gave a salute and walked away.

"Damn him." Winter hissed, Slater walked across the room and climbed into his bunk.

"You are Cordially Invited to the Schnee banquet hall. We are happy to announce the grand feast generously provided by the Schnee family. We hope to peacefully resolve matters caused by the tragic events of the rally. We hope you can attend… Sincerely Jacques Schnee." He said before handing it to Winter who glared at the words. They might as well have been poison, spitting into her eyes.

"Just like my father… twisting the massacre Tyrian caused into a PR move. My father is like a chess player, he will gladly use any move he can to get ahead. That's one thing I will sadly agree that the General is matched by is tactics." Winter said, she mentally memorized the letter before tossing it to the ground.

"I feel like we are going to be busy tomorrow." Slater stated, Winter hummed and rubbed at her temples.

"You hit the understatement nail on the head." Slater crossed his legs.

"I guess we should get some sleep before now? We're going to be going to the manor at night, he clearly is trying to make sure we're exhausted by the time we get there." He said, Winter grabbed his arms while he tried to leave.

"A few more questions. I refuse to give my father the satisfaction of ruining my day off and my peace… He's already leeched everything from my family…. Tomorrow? I want you to dig through everything we have and make sure to be through…" She ordered; Slater chuckled.

"With pleasure… Who's turn was it next?" He asked.

"Mine, truth or dare." Winter asked, Slater hummed and tapped at his lips before smirking.

"Dare, do your worst. Save all that venom for your jackass pops." He said, Winter opened her arms.

"Hug me and make sure I don't rip him apart when we get there… And make me a promise." She ordered; Slater's eyes widened.

"What? your too cowardly to hug someone, colonel?" She teased. Slater hummed and then pulled her in for a hug.

It was as awkward as anything else. Slater tapped her back reassuringly.

"Uh… What's the promise?" Slater wanted to get his mind off the fact that he was hugging his damn BOSS.

"If I do lose it on Jacques like your dare asked? record it, trust me, your going to enjoy the rant if I do go off on." She asked, Slater chuckled.

"Oh, I'm going to need to remember that… But sure, I'll record you smacking your father down tomorrow." Slater said, he laid down to sleep.

"Goodnight, Winter. I'm going to sleep, if you need me, wake me up." He said before he moved into another bunk and started to sleep before Winter smiled.

"Good night, Slater." Winter said before looking out the window and mentally bracing herself for tomorrow's events.

Author Notes

Phew, another chapter done! I wanted to point out that while I'm not trying to rush the romance, but they are going to get together or start their relationship at the hospital. Next chapter will be on Saturday or so and will show Slater and Winter at the Schnee manor and show their dining with the others. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!