There was still a lot of work to do once the design for Weiss' costume was completed. She had to attend fittings, where Director Chamber's people took her measurements, then she had more meetings about her logo which most heroes had apparently, it ended up being her signature glyph in the end. Now they were going to sell action figures and posters of her, which was a bit weird. The action figures not the posters, she had a collection of those back at Schnee Manor which she kept as a memento from one of her tours.

"Good morning." Weiss forced back a yawn as she walked into the common area. Spending almost a month in the Wards HQ had made her stay feel more comfortable, aside from her lack of sleep, which always tried to elude her. Weiss had spent more than a few nights staring at the ceiling to avoid the accusing silver eyes that haunted her dreams. The only person in the commons was a dark skinned girl nursing a bruise on her face with a pack of ice, the others must've gone home for the night.

Judging by her snarl, that must've been Shadow Stalker. Ignoring the savage girl, Weiss made her way to the kitchenette to grab a simple bowl of cereal.

"If you keep glaring at me like that your eyes are going to fall out." Weiss said dryly, pouring the milk after the cereal. It wasn't her favorite food, and she would definitely prefer something else with better nutritional values, yet these too sweet cereal grains soaked in milk reminded her of Ruby.

Ruby would have poured more sugar if she thought no one was looking.

"Fuck you." Stalker said, sitting up from her perch on the nearby barstool and limped towards the hallway where all their rooms were. From the whispers Weiss heard from the other Wards, she was one of the newer members, and insane.

Missy said that she also went out on unauthorized missions, which was probably one of the reasons for that nasty bruise. Poor Triumph and Aegis had their work cut out for them. Speaking of Triumph, he would be graduating into the Protectorate a week after Weiss debuted, which would be happening tomorrow.

Weiss took a bite of the cereal, being careful to not smear her lips with the now sweetened milk. After tomorrow she would tell the team, minus Shadow Stalker, the truth about her background. It was logical, any relationship built upon lies and deceit would crumble at the first sign of trouble. She took another bite. The cereal tasted like nothing, just like all the other foods that reminded her of Ruby, but the texture helped to make it bearable.

Weiss hated soggy cereal.

"Are you nervous?" Vista asked as Weiss stared at herself in a mirror behind the stage that the PRT had set up. It had taken some practice, calling the others by their 'cape' names once they were in costume, but it was doable, she was Weiss Schnee after all.

"Of course not." Weiss formed her heiress smile. While she was comfortable with everyone's attention on her back on Remnant, the people of this world were a different kind of beast. The people here were strangers, their customs and social norms were unfamiliar. If Weiss was a lesser person, she would have backed down and hid in her room all day while crying. Crying was reserved for night time.

Director Piggot was still giving her speech, the speakers loudly echoing her voice. The Protectorate members had gone out already, much to the delight of the crowd judging by their cheers.

"Are you?"

Vista shrugged. "As long as I'm not the one talking I'm fine in front of crowds."

A PRT officer in full dress uniform marched up to the both of them, putting an end to any further conversation.

"Vista, the Wards shall be going out in three minutes." He spoke with a weird accent that oddly reminded Weiss of farmers.

"Thanks Sarge, I'll be right there." Vista patted Weiss' arm. "I'll see you afterwards!"

The two left afterwards as Armsmaster began his own speech. Weiss took a deep breath and lightly touched the mirror. What would the others say if they saw her like this? What if they were here with her? Would Weiss have accepted the PRT's help? Or would she have been happy to live out the rest of her days with her friends who had become closer than family? Ruby would have accepted the help, she always wanted to be a hero, she was a hero.

Except Weiss wasn't Ruby, she wasn't Yang, and she certainly wasn't Blake. Why waste more time wondering about what if's when she was here, dealing with the now?

"Edelweiss, it's almost time." She heard a lazy voice speak up behind her. It felt strange, being called a name that was so similar, yet so different from her own. Weiss tilted her head to look at the overweight PRT officer waiting on her.

"Thank you."

It wasn't everyday that Brockton Bay had a new Ward debut, much less two in less than four months. It brought an excitement for the city, they had one of the largest cape population's after all, and it was a welcome relief for most people despite the Wards just being a club for capes. How much drama did they have behind the scenes? Did they sleep together, break up and fight with each other? They were only human after all despite their age.

Still, it was kinda fun, seeing all the Wards and members lined up, their colorful costumes making them seem more like peacocks than actual heroes. Taylor didn't get a chance to see Shadow Stalker's debut, she was too busy trying to salvage the remains of a project Emma had decided to ruin.

At least it was winter break, which meant no school for two weeks, which meant no Emma. Peace and quiet at last, it wasn't going to last long.

Armsmaster turned the microphone back to Director Piggot, a heavyset woman who Taylor had only seen on the TV after Lung decided to play whack-a-mole with the Protectorate.

"I'm proud to present Brockton Bay's newest members of the Wards, Edelweiss." Director Piggot said, taking a step to the side as a small figure stepped out from heavy curtains. Taylor's eyes widened, and blinked several times. She wasn't that close to the stage, being several feet away and surrounded by people that really needed to take a shower, but she never expected to see the newest Ward's bare face.

"Hello everyone." Edelweiss said, grabbing the microphone with fingerless gloves, a weird gauntlet protecting her wrist, her voice having just the slightest hints of an accent. Her costume was more like a dress, with the body being a pretty shade of blue that showed some cleavage, with dark blue and back sleeves. The skirt flowed like a ball gown, but it was short enough to reveal knee high boots with heels. She had a sword at her side, attached to a belt with a symbol that Taylor's eyes couldn't make out. Her white hair was done in a weird side ponytail, with a tiara completing her look. "It's great seeing everyone here today, and yes, before you ask." Why wasn't she wearing a mask?

The gorgeous girl smirked as she raised her other hand, lifting just her index finger. The crowd erupted into whispers, with the flashing camera lights almost blinding Taylor, and they weren't even aimed at her!

"I am not a National Socialist symphasizer, and yes, I'm not wearing a mask." She winked, her scar doing little to take away from her beauty. What the fuck man? She was so short! But even from far away she looked tall enough, with the right proportions and curves.

That was so unfair.

Life was so unfair.

A/N

Yall know I had to sneak in a Taylor POV. She won't be part of the main cast, I already have plenty of characters to use, but she'll pop up here and there.

The costume used is Weiss' hero costume from Schnee: Hero or Huntress minus the bow.

Time for our next interlude!