Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY or any of it's characters.
Weiss Schnee
The lance went through my chest.
My eyes widened.
I had often wondered what Pyrrha felt when she was dying.
Being turned to ash. Was it painless? A quick death? It was often the thought that pushed me to be stronger, likely the source of my more self-depreciating thoughts.
The feeling that if I was more, then I wouldn't have to see my friend's leave.
I suppose know I had my answer. It felt like a slow burn. Then something extraordinary hot starting from where it stabbed into me.
"Weiss!"
As I went over the ledge a ironic feeling of cold crept over what I could still feel. Possibly dread. Maybe fear.
No, I was definitely afraid.
...
I jolted out of my bed.
My pupils were blown, I was drenched in sweat. Cold sweat. Cold.
I took a few deep breathes, trying to even out my breathing. Feeling for the area where that black and sickly yellow lance went through.
Not even a mark.
I closed my eyes, counting to 4 in my head, still controlling my breathing.
"S-shit."
Where was I? How did I survive? I saw myself disintegrating.
Questions. To many questions.
I picked myself off the floor, wearily taking everything in.
This was... my room. I was back at the Schnee Manor.
The books on the shelves, the mirror on my desk, the lonely and unwelcoming feel... yes, this was definitely the manor.
I was in my old night gown, my hair... it felt shorter. I combed my hand through it. It was shorter.
I padded over to my vanity mirror, sitting down at the desk.
My eyes widened.
Weiss Schnee Lvl: 16
"What?" I spoke softly, eyes furrowing in bewilderment.
It... wasn't the mirror. As I moved around the words over my head moved with me. I looked up but didn't see anything.
It was only then that I noticed how... young I looked. Not obscenely young, but noticeable. The scar on my left eye looked less faded, recent even. My hair was definitely a lot shorter. And now that I took notice, none of my old scars littered my body. I couldn't find a single scrape that I didn't have from before I left to Beacon.
The thought sent a shock through me.
I hastily got up, moving to my scroll.
Taking it I quickly opened it, moving to find the date.
July 18th. Two years in the past.
I wrack my brain, trying to remember this specific date.
July... late July. This was the day I left for Beacon.
Was... was I dreaming? No, this definitely was real. I can't panic. I refuse to panic. I could think with a cool head where others couldn't. I wasn't precise when my hands shook. I wasn't smart when emotions clouded my thoughts. Panic meant I'd lose my two most valuable assets. I refuse to bend to overwhelming emotion.
I was to defiant for that.
I rubbed my forehead, trying to process everything.
"Okay. I should probably pull the money from my monitored bank account into some separate one for when father cuts me off." I mutter to myself. "I'll need to tell Klien not to pack so many clothes. I'll need the room for something a lot more useful at Beacon."
I sigh, thinking about my family. I mean, my other family. My team.
I wondered if they remembered. I wondered if... I'd be able to control myself for whenever I'd see them again.
"Nonsense. As soon as I see Ruby fumbling about, I'll simply sigh in annoyance." I smiled to myself, trying to shake off my nerves.
Opening my dresser, I looked at the expensive and high-quality fabric and leather, my nose scrunching up in disgust as my eyes caught my old outfit.
For me the sight of the thigh-length strapless dress and bell-sleeved bolero and-ugh, the white wedged heeled boots. They were a reminder of how ignorant and mindless of the people around me I was at that time. Looking down on Ruby, my fear and hate towards faunus due to the constant attacks on me and my family.
Ugh. How annoying I was.
Honestly, I have no idea how they put up with me.
I smiled fondly.
I missed them.
My eyes caught a particular coat, one white and double breasted. It was the same pea coat I wore during the night my team and I went out looking for trouble. I rather did like this outfit, not as much as my Atlas one, but I suppose I could add more belts and pouches like I did before...
Once I get to Beacon, I'm going to have to go to a tailor to line the leather with more protective material while I still have my status-
"What the...?" My eyes widened, looking at the bright blue screen in front of me.
Weiss Schnee Lvl: 16
STR: 6
VIT:5 INT: 21
DEX: 18 WIS: 14
AGI: 9 PER: 12
LUK: 3
I glanced back to the mirror, seeing the same words from before hovering over my head, innocent like.
"Lvl? What...? This is new. Definitely new." My brows furrowed as I thought hard about what was in front of me.
I wasn't uncultured enough to not know what a game was, although I felt something like this would throw even Ruby for a loop. The implications of a quantified unit of measurement for my overall physical and mental state were slightly bizarre. Although I do remember Ruby doing a rudimentary version of something like this when coming up with team combos. It was an unexpected instance of insight on her part.
But still...?
I grabbed the pea coat from my dresser, along with the skirt and undershirt. Laying it out neatly on my bed I went over to my desk drawer, pulling out a white leather-bound notebook I usually kept in case Klien had need of something to keep track of my orders, grabbing a black and a blue pen with it, before setting the items down on my nightstand and taking off my nightgown. I then preformed my usual routine, thinking back to when I took far longer showers with a wistful smile.
I never fully took my eyes off of the large blue screen though. And as I buttoned up my pea coat I hummed to myself as I figured out that I could scroll down the 'status sheet'.
Summary: Weiss Schnee spent most of her life in the lap of luxury, getting the best instructors and trainers' money could buy in order to hone her into a powerful Huntress. Although the constant hate for her family and the analytical eye of her father has made her lonely and unfriendly, she strives to be the best, and hopes to find people to relate to. [Redacted].
[Attributes]
[Defiant]- Increases Strength and Vitality by 25% when HP is under 25% or less. Increases resistance to all elements. 75% chance to increase or decrease reputation for anyone witnessing Defiant Attribute.
[Attentive]- Skills increase 10% faster than normal. Chance to increase reputation to anyone witnessing Attentive Attribute.
[Know-It-All]- 25% chance to decrease reputation for anyone witnessing Know-It-All Attribute.
[Tittles]
[Schnee Dust Company Heiress]- As the Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, you have a 95% chance to immediately decrease the reputation of any faunus, boss around anyone under the Schnee Dust Company currently not under orders from your father, and access to the Schnee Dust Company fortune(limited) and inheritance.
I winced, looking at that 95% decrease in reputation for that tittle. I didn't fully grasp the meaning, but it certainly didn't sound pleasant.
And what was that Know-It-All attribute? Sure I could certainly be... overbearing at times but I mean... well, sometimes people deserved a in depth explanation for why they were stupid. Like Ruby, the dolt.
It didn't let me scroll further down so I assumed that was the end of my status sheet. I quickly wrote down the information to have a physical copy on hand, so I could observe it later and make notes. I'm sure I could pick apart some details I hadn't caught before, and maybe figure out better ways to further access my new ability.
"Oh, Weiss."
I jolted, face flushing as I drew my nose from my notebook.
Winter.
"Winter! I didn't know you were still here." I wracked my brain, trying to remember if Winter was ever at the manor the day I left. She wasn't.
She gave me a critical look and I hid my notebook behind me, putting my hands behind my back.
"Yes well, I wouldn't be here if I had to." That resentment in her eye was still the same as ever. It felt good to see her again. "Just a quick stop. I had some items I needed to procure."
Some of fathers stuff then. Probably designs for an Atlas robot or the like.
"I... won't be telling father much of anything." I said uncomfortably. "He'll be trying to get me to come back home. I... probably won't be answering any of his calls."
She seemed surprised, actually taking the time to look at me, actually look at me.
"That's unlike you."
My eyes lowered. "How would you know?"
I couldn't forget all the history between us. Despite how selfish it sounded she chose Atlas over me. Even here, back in the past. Just being back in the manor was a reminder of how... lonely I was at this point in my life.
I glanced back up, tucking a hair behind my ear as I did, frowning at the pained look on her face.
"I..." She cleared her throat. "That coat looks nice on you."
Well... "I thought I'd try something different. Hardly ever wear it."
"And your skirt is longer. I didn't like the shorter one, it showed off to much skin."
My face flushed. "It's a combat skirt. Made for less restriction in movement."
"I never really saw the point. My trousers are far from restrictive."
"It's an aesthetic choice." I admitted. "Although I am thinking of adding more belts and pouches to my wardrobe."
Her scroll beeped. She took it out and opened it, facial features cooling over. "I need to go. I've already overstayed my welcome."
I frowned, turning away. "Of course."
She hesitated for a moment, before putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Call me anytime Weiss. I will need to know if your lodging is up to date, and if your slacking off on your grades-"
I surprised her with a hug.
I squeezed her tight, until she eventually returned it.
"I love you too sister." I squeezed tighter. "You're... you mean so much to me."
"Wiess... you're my beloved sister. And I know you will do great things as a Huntress." She squeezed me back
Eventually I let her go, composing myself.
"You better go. Before father finds out you're stealing his things." Her mouth opened in shock and I flashed her a wicked smile. "I'm not stupid Winter, you raised me better than that."
She sighed. "You have grown haven't you? Bye Weiss. I'll... talk to you soon."
"Farewell."
I watched her walk down the hall, sighing to myself. If only I knew back then that I'd barely have the chance to see her maybe then I would have called her more. Or made her call.
Although now I suppose I have that chance.
"Well, time to head off for Beacon." I muttered, glancing down at my notes.
I'd have to try a few things on the bullhead ride over there. Hopefully things will be different this time.
No, I'd make it different this time.
