Flashback… a few years ago...

"Win? Win, are you in here?"

After knocking on the door, Weiss let herself inside. Since there was no reply, she figured her sister's room would be empty. Which was odd, considering Winter was nowhere to be found in the entire mansion.

"Wiiiin?"

Upon further inspection, Weiss noticed the room was vacant. The closet that once held dozens of shoes and accessories was barren. It was like an icy desert and pristine. Like no one had ever lived in it.

"No…"

A dreadful feeling crept into her and tore her apart. The sudden epiphany caused the room to close in on her. It was like chains ensnared and trapped her. With every breath, it was getting harder to breathe. The shackles only tightened.

In the corner of her eye, her fear was confirmed. A white letter was on the desk. Next to it was her quill. Reluctantly, Weiss approached the desk and picked up the paper to read it.

Dear sister,

I'm sorry, I've left for the military. I didn't have the heart to say goodbye to you. For that, I am so sorry, sister. As you know, the military is my rightful place. I cannot ignore its call any longer.

You will have to handle father on your own for the time being. I hope you can forgive me. You know how to handle him. Don't anger him and you should be okay. Write to me as soon as you read this so I know you're okay.

I love you,

Win

After reading that, tears dripped onto the paper. Weiss sniffled several times while she collected her thoughts. For a long time, Winter considered the military. It was no secret to anyone.

Only a couple days ago, Winter embraced her little sister. It was a hug that lasted longer than the others. It was tighter and warmer than the rest, almost desperate. Now that Weiss thought about it, Winter's expression was downcast and her voice strived for steadiness.

She knew she was leaving me then, Weiss concluded. I sensed she was sad, but didn't say anything.

A tremendous weight crashed onto her shoulders. She was alone in this mansion. Alone with him. At least before, the sisters could confide in each other. Now, she had no one. She wasn't strong enough on her own.

She needed Winter.

Their mother - Willow - died about a year ago from alcohol poisoning. Willow had been numb. Now, Winter had left her. This left Weiss all alone in this cursed mansion.

She needed Winter.

She couldn't breathe. She was about to suffocate-

"What are you doing in there, young lady?"

From the taut voice, Weiss almost yelped. Hastily, she whirled around and hid the paper behind her back.

"Father, I was just-"

"Why is her room so barren?"

The Schnee walked inside, inspecting every crevice of the vacant room. While observing, Jacques slowly approached his flustered daughter.

Oh no… Weiss thought. I thought I could've at least left here.

It was inevitable. Jacques was going to find out where the eldest went eventually. From the looks of it, Weiss knew exactly where her sister went.

"Where is she?" Jacques asked her knowingly.

There was no point in lying. Weiss answered as curtly and vaguely as she could.

"She joined the military."

"What?!"

All in a mere second, Jacques' face warped bright red. From the sudden outburst, Weiss slipped the paper into her back pocket. There was no way she was going to let him read it. He would only get angrier if he did.

Slowly, she backed away from him while he fumed.

"How do you know that?!"

Again, she gave him the shortest answer.

Stiffly, Weiss answered. "She told me."

Scowling, Jacques seethed. "And you didn't tell me, why?"

"I assumed she already told you," Weiss said uneasily, referring to the fact that he was aware of her military preference.

If he was this mad, he was in denial. He really didn't think Winter would go through with it.

"Your assumption was wrong!"

Furious, Jacques hurled the quill holder at his daughter. Fortunately, it sailed passed her and missed her face by a mere inch. The glass shattered on the wall, painting it a dark ink.

After that, she scurried out of the room.


A few days passed.

Since then, Weiss remained in her room. She had to give him a few days to cool down. He was quick to anger, so she wasn't going to even interact with him to be on the safe side.

By now, she'd read Winter's note at least one-hundred times. Ultimately, she had no choice but to accept her decision. It was too late to bring her back. While she was glad her sister could find happiness, she wished she could stay here. But that was impossible.

Wishing Winter could stay here and suffer with her made her feel guilty. It had only been a few days, but it felt like an eternity without Winter here.

She needed Winter.

After a heavy sigh, Weiss set her rapier on the bed.

The inevitable faced her. She had to leave her room. She needed air. She couldn't breathe in here. The backyard garden sometimes provided relief. A place she could escape to.

Quietly, she opened the door. Like she was trained to, she put her hands behind her back as she made her way through the mansion. Be invisible. Make it outside. Escape if only for a minute.

It wasn't long before she heard the shouts of her father. Normally, she'd ignore them since it was a normal occurrence. However, they weren't directed at another businessman for once. Rather, someone else.

A familiar, helpless yelp.

Instantly, Weiss stopped in her tracks. She knew exactly who her father was berating. Not again. He wasn't going to do that again. Not to her friend. Her body moved on its own as she darted to the yells.

Her father was viciously yanking on a dog faunus' ears.

"Terry!"

After Weiss called his name, the faunus gazed at her. Relief sparked in his tearful eyes. Yet, there was a hint of hesitation.

"Let him go!" Weiss demanded.

When Jacques didn't release the poor faunus, Weiss took matters into her own hands. Without thought, she lunged for his arms to pry him away.

"You insolent brat!"

Briefly, they struggled. Poor Terry was caught in a tug-of-war as several grunts echoed. At last, the faunus slave was released as he stumbled back. When he was free, Weiss separated and glared at her father.

Before it could escalate, Terry scuttled away to avoid the incoming storm. From watching him run away, Weiss was relieved. He was going to be okay.

Her small smile vanished when a harsh impact slammed into the side of her head. It was so hard that she was knocked to the floor and saw stars. Before she could gain her bearings, a sudden force crushed her left hand.

"Agh!"

Audibly, bones cracked. Pain exploded through her body. All she could do was writhe in agony on the floor. She held her dominant hand like that'd ease the pain.

"Don't be such a baby," Jacques sneered. "And don't ever interfere when I'm on business."

Business…

With that, the man left the room with a prominent scowl. Weiss inhaled sharply as she clutched her swollen hand. Her aura won't be able to fix a broken hand for several days.

The moment Jacques vanished, Terry darted to the downed heiress.

"Miss Weiss, are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," Weiss sighed as her friend helped her sit up. "Thank you."

"No, thank you," the dog faunus said, his yellow ears drooping. "He doesn't usually get like that with us, but you definitely took the brunt of it."

"Because he knows I can heal most injuries without needing a hospital," Weiss said as beads of sweat rolled down her face. "Listen, if he gets like that again, come find me. Please. I'd rather it be me than you. At least I can heal my wounds. Most of you can't."

"No can do," Terry said as he examined her broken hand. It was warping purple. "You get enough crap from him. Besides, I'm a tough guy. I can handle it."

"You shouldn't have to."


A few days passed.

After all this time, her dominant hand still wasn't back to normal. It was swollen like a grape and limited her movements. At least the bones were mostly healed.

She needed to recover so she could at least spar with her rapier. That was the only thing that distracted her in this prison. She could study, but that no longer interested her.

Nothing did.

Winter…

It didn't take long for her to pick up her first bottle of alcohol. Her mother left behind an immeasurable collection. Until now, the alcohol tempted her. Persuaded her into just one taste.

After downing an entire bottle in less than a minute, she heavily sighed. The liquid burned her throat and from the inside-out.

She felt exactly like her mother, but now she understood her. Willow drank to forget her life. Since that was the goal, Weiss downed another glass. Eventually, the despaired feelings inside her were quelled.

Now, she was numb.

When she was done, she stumbled through the mansion with no clear destination in mind. Nothing was on her mind. Exactly how she wanted it.

Eventually, it was Terry who found her leaning heavily on a grand piano.

"Miss Weiss! Are you okay?"

Her first reaction was to push him away. "I'm fine."

Terry noted her red cheeks and her breath reeked of alcohol. If she was seen by her father in this state, who knows what he'd do.

"You can't be out and about like this," Terry said in worry and grabbed her arm. "I'm taking you to your room."

If she was in there, at least Jacques wouldn't see her like this.

"Let go!" Weiss almost whined.

"Nope!"

"Excuuuse me?" Weiss slurred.

"I said no," Terry replied firmly, which earned a scowl. "You can be mad at me later."

Eventually, they made it to the safety of her room. Carefully, Terry led her to sit on the mattress.

"Stay in here until you're sober, alright?" Terry said slowly so she'd understand. "I need to go back to work. Please don't leave your room, Miss Weiss."

When Terry mentioned he had to go back to work, that almost snapped her out of it. If he didn't return soon, he would be punished.

"Go," she said robotically. "Sorry for the trouble."

"You're not trouble," Terry reassured before exiting the room. "Remember, don't leave. I'll come back to fetch you."

After that, he let the door shut.

Now alone, Weiss was left with clouded thoughts. At least they weren't clear, but she needed another bottle.

No, she needed her sister.

She needed Winter.


"Because he knows I can heal most injuries without needing a hospital." Woooow this is a whole new level of f*cked up! Jacques knows he can get away with it! Raise your hand if you hate him, too.

Stay dandy,

~Toto