Author notes: I can't find a way to add empty lines. Even sent FanFiction support a request. This hampers the readability of dialogues. Will try adding a single period each empty line and see how it looks.

Cardin fused about last-minute details.

-"And I didn't have the proper varnish, only some ochre stuff."

.

I couldn't believe that Cardin of all people was a gifted woodcarver. He gave me a small statue with a cardinal bird sharing a tree with a cat. On the bird's beak, there was an olive branch.

.

I patted his back.

-"Buddy, this stuff is awesome."

-"Do you really think she will like it?"

-"Yep. I will deliver it as soon as I leave the infirmary."

.

Cardin looked guilty.

-"Sorry man, I know you asked for a proper trashing, but Ms. Goodwitch didn't call to stop and I guessed you were -"

.

I halted him.

-"She wanted me to suffer. I made her mad at me and this was her retribution."

.

His eyes widened.

-"Damn. Well, best get going. I don't want to incur in her wrath."

.

The rest of the afternoon was quite relaxing. The look of horror on Weiss' face while Cardin's hammer knocked me around the arena was worth it.

Now to solidify my position as a worthless fool to get a nice and sound refusal.

.

The infirmary was really quiet. Well, after Nora left.

Gotta ask mother dearest if we have any relatives with the Valkyrie surname. She fits the psychological profile.

I was ironing out the absurd request list that Miss Belladona gave me. Nothing could offend a Schnee like being confronted with the inhuman practices on their workers. Even more daring and bold, place a list of demands that would reduce the profits of the Schnee Dust Company.

.

The door to my room cracked open late at night. A slender hand parted from the crack in the doorframe and my very much NOT intended slipped inside. The moonlight reflected on her eyes and it struck me speechless how gorgeous she was with her hair undone.

-"At long last, some privacy."

She came closer and turned on the bedside lamp.

"Whenever Whitley or I got stuck in a hospital, Winter would prepare some food for us."

Weiss Schnee, singer, huntress in training and the heiress to the SCD, prepared food for me?

She uncovered a cheese and chips goodness that watered my mouth.

"Before the bottle took her, my mother was fond of poutine. Winter mastered the recipe and,-" She fiddled with a lock of platinum white hair while a blush spread across her cheeks. "-when I heard the nurse that you will stay here for several days, I asked her to ...to…"

.

It was so sweet that it gave me cavities.

.

You are making me feel like a heel for turning you down.

I marshaled on and offered her the document.

-"This is a list of changes that the Schnee Dust Company needs to implement. Otherwise, I can not be Lord Protector of the Faunus while married to such a glaring tyrant."

.

Weiss took the list and started reading aloud.

-"...Wages must meet the Minimum Wage established by the Kingdom of Atlas…"

She eyed me and continued reading.

"...proper Personal Protective Equipment, henceforth known as PPE, must be provided for every worker…

...Dust Particle Blood Check will be issued each week, expenses paid by the employer…"

.

The list was ...ambitious. Miss Belladona's knowledge about the work transgressions was vast and I added a flair of drama.

.

Weiss laid down the inflammatory document and stared me, right into the eye.

-"Are you certain that no compromise can be achieved?"

.

REFUSAL, MY BODY IS READY!

-"The Arc's promise has remained unbroken for seventeen centuries. I will not be the first Arc to turn my back on the very same people that Arabella promised to help."

Come on, baby. You know you want to keep your sweet lovely profits!

.

Weiss straightened and her voice was flat.

-"This will never be approved by the board."

.

My inner self was doing a victory dance.

Translation, engagement is kaput.

Gone.

Bought the farm.

Pushing up the daisies.

.
She grinned wickedly and let out an unladylike cackle, hand rubbing included.

-"Oh my Oum! How will I enjoy kicking their sorry arses out of MY company."

.

I used my pinky to clean my ear.

-"Come again?"

.

She hugged me and whispered.

-"I have always loathed those blood-sucking leeches, but never could find an ironclad reason to kick them out. With this -" and she grabbed the list "- you gave me my hearth's desire."

.

-"THAT'SB-"

I wanted to scream bullshit.

But her warm sweet lips were silencing me.