Jay Winchester drummed his fingers along the ledge just below the window in the interior of the limousine. The skies of Atlas shone a bright, almost blinding blue down into the vehicle, though the boy paid no attention to the pristine canvas or the clouds that seemed much closer in elevation than usual. Instead, his deep blue eyes were locked upon his faint reflection within the glass. His usually spiky hair was combed back and slicked with gel, giving him the appearance of a refined businessman or modern vampire. His long sideburns had been trimmed and angled slightly, and he had been forced by his father into wearing just the slightest bit of studio makeup to give his features a soft, almost too perfect look. Despite all of the effort that had gone into 'cleaning him up' as the attendants had put it, the sight simply struck Jay as wrong.

"Stop moping," Robin ordered from his place upon the leather seat on the opposite side of the spacious cab. Jay allowed his eyes to refocus on his brother's reflection, only to find the other boy's curly red hair far more organized and oiled than usual. He wore a three piece black suit just like Jay's, and looked equally unhappy about it.

"I will when you do," Jay countered as he rested his chin in his hand. He cast a brief glance forward to check that the front of the cab, where the driver and his father sat, was still sealed off from sight or sound. "Don't be an asshole. You've been doing a little better, lately, and a bunch of Willow's crew is going to be here. We can't afford to mess this up."

Robin blew a dismissive breath through his lips and shook his head as he folded his arms across his chest. "Doesn't matter what I do. Dad made it pretty fuckin' clear that my role is to make you look good, since you're the 'attractive' one. Asshole doesn't think I have a chance with her at all."

Jay finally let his eyes wander over to his brother, and he pulled his expression into a frown.

"…do you even actually want a 'chance' at Willow Schnee?" Jay inquired.

"…who doesn't?" Robin replied immediately. "She's hot as all hell, Jay. Girls like her who play up the innocence and act like they're better than everyone else? All the more satisfying to own."

"She isn't property," Jay said icily as he narrowed his eyes. "Yes, her courtship is a business move, but that doesn't give you any right to treat her like a trophy. To be honest, I'm not interested in the slightest. I understand that it would benefit the company greatly and make a partnership with her family set in stone, but she isn't my type. I'm not going to make any sort of serious effort. If there's a spark, there's a spark, but beyond that… I don't really care."

"Yeah? Go ahead and say that to Dad's face, and watch what happens," Robin taunted. "Unlike you, I'll do what I'm told. Not just for the company, but because that bitch needs to get put in her place. I bet she looks incredible naked. She's got a decent set of tits. Gotta be unspoiled, too, right? There's no way she's been plowed yet."

"…you're revolting," Jay complained. "Seriously- I might not be a saint, but you're disgusting. If Willow is pressured into this by her father, which I somewhat expect to happen… you know what, I've changed my mind," the boy decided as he sat up properly and fixed his brother with a judgmental look.

"Changed it to what?" Robin asked while rolling his eyes.

"I've decided that I am interested in Willow Schnee," Jay said authoritatively. "I'm interested in getting there first, just to save her from you."

For a moment, Robin looked both shocked and offended as he uncrossed his arms and gave his brother a silent stare. Not long after, he grinned wide and punched Jay hard in the arm while letting out a mirthful laugh.

"That's the spirit!" Robin encouraged. "Now I get it. Some brotherly competition, eh? You really think you can win her over before me, huh? Well, get ready for disappointment. I can turn on the charm when I need to lure people in."

"Yeah," Jay mumbled as he looked back toward his reflection, only to find the ghostly face in the glass scowling at him. "That's what it is. Brotherly competition…"


"This… feels criminal," Kali commented as she watched yet another middle-aged woman in an incredibly expensive looking designer dress pass by. The faunus' own short, sparkly little black cocktail dress paled in comparison, and she couldn't help but feel disappointment with herself despite her efforts to find something fancy to wear. "There's more money in this one room than all of Kuo Kuana, and none of it was spent on anything but luxuries. I want to punch them all so badly."

"Please refrain," Willow requested immediately as she heaved a sigh. The girl had her hands folded before herself as she stood next to her faunus friend, wearing a simple white qipao-styled dress not far removed from her combat outfit. "And please don't drink so many of those that you accidentally take off your bow."

Kali held up a finger as she lifted her glass to her lips once again and drained it entirely of amber liquid.

"No promises, Wil. I'm honestly feeling like I'm on the edge of having a panic attack. I hate this so much. It might have been a mistake coming here," Kali confessed as she twirled the stem of her empty glass between her fingers. "Just… please don't leave me alone. I don't know if I can stop myself from screaming if I get cornered by some bigot. I've already heard some shit about faunus just from side conversations as we've been walking around the main hall. Don't these people have anything better to talk about than their bank accounts or how amused they are by their 'lessers' suffering?"

"I know," Willow said quietly as her expression turned dour. "The next time Father requests my presence here, I think I'm going to deny him. I feel uneasy, too."

"…and it looks like we're both about to feel like shit even more," Kali said unenthusiastically as she nodded her head toward the double doors at the front of the hall. Willow followed her friend's gesture with her eyes, only to see a familiar figure walk into the room beside another that she didn't recognize.

Roman Torchwick strode into the hall, his expression unreadable as his father kept pace with him. They were clad in matching tuxedos and clashing expressions. While Roman's thoughts were hidden behind a poker face, Nero frantically swept the room with his beady eyes until he sighted Willow, and then his lips upturned into a predatory smirk. He leaned sideways to whisper something into Roman's ear, only for the boy to immediately look away from the grand, curved staircase that Willow and Kali were standing beside.

"…creepy," Kali commented as she shivered and rubbed at her bare arms. "That's his dad, from what he's told me. Total dickhead. He apparently hurt Roman pretty bad, this morning."

"Hurt… him?" Willow asked slowly as Roman began to approach. "You mean physically?"

"Yeah," Kali let on quickly as she tensed. "Apparently, it happens pretty often when he's at home. His dad also has no idea what I look like, but he knows Roman's interested in me, and he's not happy. I feel so awful for Roman. He's being abused and pushed into pretending to be interested in you for his asshole dad."

"…and here I am, forced to play along and making you feel worse in the process," Willow lamented. "I'm sorry, Kali…"

"Not your fault," the faunus denied. "Not your fault at all… and I don't know how I feel about Roman."

"I think you do," Willow said softly. "After all, you want to protect him, don't you?"

"…yeah. I do," Kali admitted uneasily as Roman finally reached the pair of them. She offered her friend a sympathetic smile and had to put conscious effort into holding herself back from hugging him as she watched Roman rub lightly at his side. "Hey…"

"Hey," Roman replied before sucking in a breath with a pained hiss. "Don't talk to me too much. I'm supposed to be chatting up Willow. I'm sorry that this has become your problem, now. Both of you."

"Nonsense," Willow insisted as she took Roman's offered hand and allowed the boy to kiss it. "I'll do my part for your benefit. He really… beats you?"

"More than you might think," Roman let on as he raised his lips from the back of Willow's hand. "I can't fight back for obvious reasons, and if I dare put up my aura, he only makes it worse later. Kinda shot myself in the foot by becoming a huntsman. If I tried to out him for the bruises I've got, he'd blame it on training."

"That bastard…" Kali seethed as she clenched the stem of her glass even tighter. "I guess I should disappear for a bit before he starts asking questions about who I am. Using a fake name won't do much if any of the Schnees wander over."

"Will you be alright alone?" Willow asked worriedly.

"I'll manage," Kali replied with a firm nod as she eyed up another figure across the room. "And I won't be alone. I'll check in with you again in a bit."

Roman and Willow watched together as their faunus friend made a retreat to the other side of the entrance hall and disappeared into the crowd.

"Wil… why'd we get stuck with this?" Roman asked as he shook his head and moved to stand beside her while leaning casually back into the marble of the staircase.

"I'm not sure I understand your meaning," the girl admitted. As an attendant carrying a tray with cocktails upon it passed, she reached over and grabbed a pair before offering one to Roman.

"Thanks," he offered before taking a quick sip. "And I mean, why did it have to be you and me born into money? I know we don't really hang out much without the others around, but I can tell you probably hate this just as much as I do. If I could detach myself from the family name without tanking my future, I would do it in a second. I'd rather see Kali and Adam be successful than have all the 'privilege' I've got now, and they're both more deserving of wealth and fame than I am in every way."

Willow took a long, slow drink before making a face and sinking into a full-body shiver. "Perhaps that's something we have in common. I feel guilty for what I do have, and even guiltier that I can't use it effectively for those deserving, just yet. If Father would let me, I'd pay all of your tuitions, buy you homes, and set you up with a supply of dust for life. It's not like my family couldn't afford it, but… it's just not going to happen."

"Things aren't that simple," Roman warned as he finished his glass. "Word would get out, and everyone who isn't on STRQ or OKRA would resent you even more for favoring us. Questions would be asked about what you're trying to cover up, and groups and individuals who think themselves more deserving of your financial support would come forward, every faunus under the sun included. Not to mention, your business partners would think you're insane and too free with your money, leading to ruined business relationships, suspicion, and the possible ruination of the S.D.C.."

"I know," Willow said with a sad sigh. "Believe me, I know. I've been reasoned to death against helping the less fortunate my entire life and conditioned to look after myself and my name first and foremost. My father's worried sick that this could all collapse overnight, for any number of reasons."

Roman blinked in surprise and did a double take. "He is? My old man's paranoid that his 'legacy' of shitty paintings, logos, and advertisements will go tits up any day, now. That's why he wants me to cling to you- to try to strike up a deal with branding for the Schnee family, or some other powerful institution."

"I think they're all paranoid," Willow offered. "Every powerful family in Atlas, I mean. So many castles up here are built on foundations of sand. Between that and the number of hidden knives everyone seems to have behind their backs, it's only a matter of time before at least one or two household names collapse entirely. Perhaps they're right to be paranoid."

"Perhaps they've turned it into an obsession, and it's costing them common sense and humanity," Roman rebuked as he shook his head.

"Are we really any different?" Willow asked pointedly. "We both worry every day about our families, but not out of self-interest- we worry for our friends. Our parents have passed the disease down to our generation, and all of the hope and support in the world doesn't seem to be acting as a cure."

Roman sighed and chewed on his lower lip. "Yeah. And we're forced to pretend and put on a show, just like they are, day in and day out."

"But maybe not all the time. Maybe we've just gotten too used to performing, and we've lost sight of who we are beneath the masks," Willow suggested. Slowly, she turned her head to look at him, and offered a small smile. "I think you and I need to stop pretending around the people we hold close. Make your feelings known to Kali, and let her embrace you."

"I did," Roman spat. "And she told me we were just friends. She's not ready for a commitment right now."

"I think things may have changed, given recent events," Willow tried. "You need someone to support you, Roman, especially now. I know for a fact that Kali wants to be there in that role. Even if a romance isn't in the cards, she'd still be willing to hold you closer. Isn't it better to know now than let the possibility linger and the feelings to build, only to be disappointed later?"

Roman hesitated, weighing his options in his mind before he finally swept a hand through his dangling fringe in a fit of nervous energy.

"…yeah. Yeah, probably. I'm getting tired of hoping for shit to change, only to come up with the same garbage over and over. I'll talk to her when we get back home," Roman resolved.

"Don't rush it," Willow cautioned. "Talk to her when the time is right. When it feels right."

Roman raised a brow. "Since when did you get so forward and knowledgeable about social interaction? I mean, it's come out in spurts when you're passionate about something, but never this casually."

Willow took a moment to compose herself as she noticed Nero watching them from afar. Without warning, she turned to face Roman and faked a mirthful laugh while laying her hand upon his bicep. Once she had turned her face away from Nero's view and caught Roman's eye, her expression turned incredibly serious.

"…coming back to Atlas made me realize just how much I hate this. All of this. I think I'm done holding my tongue and being daddy's good little girl. From here on, I'm going to speak my mind."

Roman made an amused noise as he smirked and took Willow's hand. Somewhere across the room, he saw his father nod in approval as he leaned forward and whispered into Willow's ear.

"Good. We both deserve better than what we're getting, even if people on the outside think we have it all," he said in a soft voice before pulling back.

"You're quite good at acting," Willow praised with a genuine smile. "He has no idea what we're scheming… and I have a few ideas for the future."

"Oh?" Roman asked, his amusement clear in his tone. "Don't leave me hanging."


"Really? It's that simple?" Jacques asked as he quirked a brow at the man standing across from him.

"Oh, absolutely," his conversational partner replied. The male seemed to be about Jacques' age, and rail thin to the point he made Roman look muscular. He had a small, thin black mustache not unlike Jacques' own, and unkempt black hair that had been combed forward and swept to one side. His emerald suit stood out quite harshly against the muted blues, greys, blacks, and whites of the clothing of most other guests, and his face seemed stuck in a nearly perpetual predatory smirk. Somehow, the man reminded Jacques of a weasel given human form.

"I must say… I'm not sure I believe you," Jacques replied with a frown. "You know, I'm something of a businessman myself, and I just can't see the average Atlesian faunus buying into such a tactic. Your technology is far overpriced and unnecessary for the average household."

"You would think so," the man mused as his lip twitched. "And yet, with a few key words, they seem to simply melt in my palm and flock to buy what they don't need with money they don't really have. Sowing distrust and preying upon fear is a powerful motivator, and one that I suggest you explore, if you're looking to really get anywhere up here. There's no room for empathy in business, my friend."

Jacques opened his mouth to speak, only to pause and turn as he watched his conversational partner incline his head slightly with a quizzical look behind him. Kali strode up to the pair, a fresh drink in hand as she nodded in Jacques' direction.

"'sup? Who's this?" she asked, inclining her glass toward the stranger.

"An entrepreneur," Jacques explained as he took a step to the side to give Kali a better view. "Arthur Watts."

"Entrepreneur is laying it on a little thick," Arthur suggested as he spread his hands out to the sides and inclined his head slightly downward. "I'm more… a grad student about to be in unfathomable amounts of debt, looking to capitalize on my talents to spin revenue from thin air."

Kali took a long, unimpressed drink as she raised a brow, staring at Arthur all the while.

"Uh-huh. And how the hell are you doing that, exactly?"

"It's rather foolproof, actually," Arthur began to explain as he clasped his hands behind his back. "I've found a way to convince quite a few faunus down in Mantle that they need updated technology in their homes, specifically in the area of security systems- those are my specialty. I simply upsell them far beyond what they have any need for by choosing my words carefully and taking note of small details within their homes that I can use to capitalize on their heartstrings. It's simply targeted marketing."

Kali took another immediate drink, her blood boiling as she tried to keep her hand from shaking.

"So you're lying to them," she spat. "Taking advantage of those who can't afford what you're selling, placing them into debt, and making yourself an ever-present shadow in their lives."

"Is that not how all of Atlas was built?" Arthur asked shamelessly. "I'm simply getting mine, while keeping potential competition in check."

Jacques gave Kali an uneasy look as he took a small step to the side to shift his weight.

"Have you not already gotten 'yours', though?" the man asked as he shook his head. "After all- you're up here, rather than in Mantle. Surely, you're past the point of needing to step on others to rise higher."

Arthur let out a small chuckle before bringing a hand around and using it to smooth his mustache.

"…let this be a lesson to you, Jacques- you are never without debt, be it monetary or otherwise. Mine just so happens to be monetary, at the moment. Once that's taken care of, my name will be on display throughout Atlas."

"Yeah, as a grade-A douchebag," Kali seethed with narrowed eyes. "You're sick, and you could be successful without making the lives of the faunus even more miserable, you asshole!"

"I could," Arthur agreed, before shaking his head, "but I don't necessarily want to. After all, they've done nothing positive for me other than act as naïve little stepping stones. Preying upon them got me the opportunity to install the security systems in this very mansion, and continuing to do so will erase the irritating expenses of the rest of my schooling. What stake do you have in all of this, Miss…?"

"Kali," the girl said with a growl. "And it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you have talent, and you're using it for personal gain at the expense of others. That makes us incompatible on the most basic level."

"A fact you would do well to remember, Jacques," Arthur said smoothly as he began to turn. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have potential clients to speak to. Pleasant, if unproductive evening to you."

"Asshole," Kali repeated under her breath, only for Jacques to place a hand upon her shoulder.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with that," the man offered as he watched Arthur walk off into the throng of party attendants. "You seem to be having a rough day thus far."

"What was your first clue?" Kali mocked as she folded her arms across her chest. "Honestly, I just want to go home. I've already heard several conversations go like that, and if Willow's dad is the same way, I almost don't even want to talk to him anymore. I think I'd scream, if I did."

"Then why don't I give the business aspect of this trip a bit of a rest, and we go and meet this James Ironwood?" Jacques suggested. "He's supposedly a class act, and after all, this entire party is supposed to be about him."

"Yeah," Kali agreed. "Yeah, let's do that, before I flip my fucking lid. Any idea where he's at?"

"Some," Jacques offered as he began to walk with Kali at his side. "Last I saw, he was being accosted by two women while he was trying to eat. He shouldn't be too difficult to find."

Kali scanned the crowd with a weary sigh, only to catch sight of her target almost immediately.

"There," she deadpanned as she pointed, the golden bangles around her wrist jangling lightly. "Holding the plate of hors d'oeuvres and looking like he wants to die, while simultaneously trying to keep people from noticing."

Jacques let out an amused snort at her words and followed Kali's finger with his eyes.

"An apt description, and one that suits nearly all of Atlas, in truth. Come, let's make ourselves known."

Kali nodded and began to walk, a bit of a spring in her step as she went. The bounce died out almost immediately as she noticed Arcturus Schnee walking toward James, and the trio of people reached him at nearly the same time. An awkward moment passed in which Jacques stepped right into Arcturus' path only to quickly step out of the way again, while Kali hung back and wished she had an invisibility semblance.

"My apologies, Mr. Schnee," Jacques said as he gestured before himself. "I didn't see you coming."

"No matter," Arcturus said with a wave of his hand before he used it to buff the front of his ivory suit. "It's bound to be rather tight in here, especially around our guest of honor."

James Ironwood, a tall, muscular boy with close-cut black hair, was wearing a white and blue Atlesian military uniform and holding a plate before himself. He offered the assembled people a nod and forced smile before speaking in a deep, rich voice unfitting for his age, though his tone came out more tired than experienced.

"Please, Mr. Schnee. Really, my family wasn't expecting any of this, and you do me far too much honor with a homecoming like this."

"Nonsense," Arcturus insisted as he moved to stand beside James. He gestured vaguely toward Jacques and Kali while nodding, and the pair stood rather stiffly as they waited. "Have you met our other guests? This is Jacques and Kali, friends of my daughter. One is in business, and the other is a huntress in training… as is Willow, now, despite our efforts to keep her from becoming such a thing."

"Really?" James asked, his brow raising and his voice gaining a sudden inflection of interest. He offered his unoccupied hand to Kali, along with a warm smile. "James Ironwood."

"Kali Moonglove," the girl replied before accepting the gesture. James broke the grip and transferred his hand to Jacques', and the man introduced himself before Arcturus laid a gentle hand on James' shoulder.

"Well, I'm glad to see a bit of spirit back in you," Arcturus joked as he let his hand drop. "I really should check in on other guests, now that you have something of interest to hold your attention. I'll be back around later."

James merely nodded as he watched Arcturus walk off, and Kali let out a massive sigh of relief.

"…not a fan?" James asked, keeping his voice low.

"Not a fan of Atlas, no," Kali replied while shaking her head. "I'm sorry. Don't let me ruin y-"

"Think nothing of it," James interrupted. "To be honest- neither am I. The bureaucracy, the meetings, the racism, the red tape… make no mistake, I serve for the greater good and the people who need protection. Not for the corporations and their special interests."

"As do the two of us," Jacques agreed as he began making plate of his own. "Perhaps now, though, we'll be able to discuss matters of interest. It sounds to me like you've been bored and dealing with people you'd rather not speak to, and we've been mired in much the same."

"Ain't that the truth," Kali said as she rolled her eyes. "Wanna talk weapons?"

"…I would love to talk weapons," James replied with the first smile he'd worn all night.


"So… hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, soft pretzels, and root beer, thus far," Willow counted on her fingers as Roman nodded sagely. "And the first two go together?"

"You won't even believe what you've been missing," Roman confirmed before taking another drink. "We'll get right on it once we get back to Vale. Gives us something to look forward to, this week."

Willow gave Roman a sad smile as she raised a hand to brush away a dangling lock of hair from her face.

"Honestly… just not being here is enough for me to look forward to it, though I am indeed curious about your culinary excursions into 'peasant food.' It must all be fairly new to you as well?"

"Oh, yeah, it is. I kinda went nuts as soon as I got to Beacon- I just started to buy a ton of shit I've never eaten and tried it out. Food's a good way to keep your mind off things," Roman replied.

"…things like Atlas?" Willow inquired.

"…things like Dad."

Willow took a drink to cover a calming breath, and then gently cleared her throat.

"He's… just from what I've seen today, he seems very unpleasant. I may have issues with my father right now, but nothing like what I'd imagine you have to deal with while at home. Is there anything I can do? Even something small?" Willow asked.

Roman considered the notion for a moment, and let out a grunt of annoyance. "Maybe we should talk in private, once we get back to Vale. Just have a private little bitching session about our stupid families."

"Maybe we should," Willow agreed. "And speaking of families…"

Roman tensed as Willow leaned into his side and rested her head upon his shoulder. He looked down at the girl in confusion before realizing that two familiar figures were approaching them, one looking rather calm and the other seeming livid.

"Gentlemen," Willow said coldly as Jay and Robin approached, each holding a plate of food. "Something I can do for you?"

"Just checking in," Jay said with a smirk as his brother fidgeted next to him. "Sorry we arrived late- we had an important meeting just before coming here."

"I can't even begin to imagine what about," Willow mused as she gave Roman's arm a gentle squeeze. As though on cue, the boy slipped his hand around her waist.

"No. You can't," Robin insisted with a scowl. "What is this? You two aren't dating."

"Aren't we?" Roman asked. "Try to be a little less transparent and a little more punctual next time. You know, I was just starting to think that maybe you weren't so bad, but come on, man. Willow's told me all about your little encounter in the courtyard a few weeks back."

Jay rubbed at the side of his cheek as his brother's face turned a shade to match his hair.

"Alright, let's all just dial it back," Jay suggested. "Our father wants us to try to win you over for company benefits, and we all know it."

"We do," Willow confirmed. "And I'm telling you right now, as plainly as I can- I am not interested."

"Neither is he," Robin spat as he nodded toward Roman. "So why twist the knife? We're going to get a ton of shit for losing out on the opportunity."

"Hey," Roman said harshly. "Willow isn't an opportunity. She's a fucking person, you jackass. Yeah, maybe she and I aren't a thing, be we are friends, and we have a reason for putting on appearances. It's none of your business, so back off."

Roman and Robin stared each other down, unblinking, as Willow and Jay looked between them.

"…Rob," Jay began. "Remember that conversation we had about not being an asshole? Back off, and we'll placate Dad later. What he wants isn't always going to happen, and Roman's right. Let's just go, and leave them to their evening. No reason to start shit at a party for a good cause."

"…what's Kali think of all this?" Robin asked, his voice adopting a tone of amusement rather than anger. "Does she know you two are getting all handsy?"

"Yeah. She does," Roman said flatly. "And Kali and I aren't dating, either. If you want to talk about twisting knives, you're doing a pretty good job of it right now."

"I can do better," Robin boasted. "She's here as Willow's guest, right? And staying in this mansion, with her family? They have no idea that Kali's a faunus, do they?"

Roman paled as Robin smirked and turned to walk off into the crowd before anyone had a chance to stop him.


Author's Note:

Sorry that this is going up so late, but the past three weeks have been absolute hell, I'm exhausted, and barely getting these updates out weekly alongside What You Stole. I can say with 100% certainty that this story will go on hiatus for a few weeks after Volume 1 just so I don't lose my mind, but that's still pretty far off. We're something like 70% of the way through Volume 1 at this point. Expect big time jumps soon- the next major arc after this one is the final arc of Volume 1.

-RD