"Jacques sure does know how to throw a party," commented one of the chairmen of the SDC if Winter's memory was accurate.
"Indeed. I almost forgot that this was a memorial service for poor Weiss." responded one of the other members of Atlas high society. A young woman in a one-strap blue dress, wearing extravagant jewelry that did not belong in what should have been a time of mourning. And like the other hundred or so pompous fools that enjoyed their champagne and mingling, this woman did not know a single thing about her little sister.
Winter stood to the side of the grand ballroom, away from the majority of the guests as she nursed her detested flute of champagne. She took one sip an hour ago and hadn't take another since. It would have been thrown aside already if not for the fact that General Ironwood insisted that she try to "loosen up" as he would say. Her mentor was currently surrounded by the Atlas elite, who all offered honeyed words of praise for the man. It was not genuine, just a means to win favor with one of the most prominent figures of Atlas society. Few had as much influence as General Ironwood, and no one had more. Trying to become a friend of the general was on the top of the priority list for every one of these snakes. Her little sister was forgotten in favor of a game of politics.
As for her?
"- the Schnee family's disappointment is here too."
"A dog of the military..." another whisper, though not as quiet as he may have thought.
"The stain of the Schnee family,"
It made Winter want to scoff at their poor attempts at bullying. She was in the military for goodness sake, so whispered insults that lacked any sort of bite was nothing compared to the bark of a drill sergeant. And contrary to what people may believe, her family name did nothing to stop the wrath of her instructors. When she made a mistake — and there were plenty made — her punishment was never any less severe. In fact, it was always worse. A five-mile run for Winter would only be a three mile run for another even if they made the same error.
It was never a requirement for her to go through the Specialist's training program. As an Atlas Academy graduate, her position among the Specialists was secured. But the military as a whole did not want her in the beginning, something that the general — who only recently earned his position at the time — explained with frustration. To the higher-ups, she was nothing more than a pretty doll who was gifted her position.
Winter decided to prove otherwise, and go through the strict training regime that every Specialist that did not receive huntsmen training endured. Her treatment during training was more severe than any other, and each day was an arduous task that tested her resolve to be in the military. But when she graduated and became a Specialist the proud looks from her instructors made up for all the hardships. They saw her as one of them. Their harsh training made her a better Specialist, and for that, she would be forever grateful.
Perhaps if these pompous fools wanted to hurt her so, they should openly stand in her presence when they spout such dribble. She took a second sip from her drink, instantly recognizing the hint of a ripe pear. The bubbles felt like crystalline pearls on the palate, exploding with acidulous flavors that stood out against a rich, smooth background of ripe fruit and exotic wood interlaced with the fragrance of white flowers. It was perfect. And Winter hated it.
"You should let your hair down more often, sister. Like the light that comes from the moon, your hair shines brilliantly," An all too familiar voice praised. "And my, how lovely you look in that black gown. Though, I suppose the black sheep in the family would look stunning in black."
One breath in, one out through her nose. Pale blue eyes bore into an identical pair that held ill intent. The fact that this ill intent was aimed at his older sister sickened her. "Whitley," she greeted. "Your resemblance to father is becoming uncanny."
"I am pleased to hear that," Even though it was not meant as a compliment, her estranged brother smiled, pleased with the comparison. "There is no greater praise than to be compared to Father." Like Jacques, Whitley chose to wear a suit of the same white fabric their family was synonymous with. His short ashen locks were combed back for a clean and sophisticated look that their father liked so much.
"What do you want?" Her tone was dismissive. Winter did not feel the need to hide her disdain for she no longer had to act like an obedient doll. Her father no longer held any control over her.
"Not enjoying yourself?" A rhetorical question if she had ever heard one. "If it were I in your heels, I would be grateful that father gave me an invitation. Despite being such an embarrassment to the family, you were allowed to be here. This gala is a small taste of the life you once had, and what you could have kept."
"This is meant for Weiss," she countered. The dancing, smiles, and power grabbing all around her were already maddening enough without Whitley's presence. "And even if Father didn't invite me, General Ironwood is my escort for the evening. He would have gotten me in with or without an invitation."
"Don't frown dear sister. Your beauty will be compromised with wrinkles if you keep that up." Her father's heir chuckled, amused by his own joke. His arrogant smile practically oozed some sick satisfaction he was feeling at becoming a nuisance to her. "How interesting to hear that about Ironwood from you, though. Perhaps the rumors about you and the general have more merit than I anticipated."
Winter sighed, before sipping at her drink. Oh how deeply agonizing it was to not let her emotions run wild and teach her arrogant sibling a much-needed lesson on respect. The rumor he spoke of was as well known as it was disgusting. People accused her of offering services of the carnal variety to General Ironwood to earn rank. It was a revolting rumor that did not hold any merit. She was not involved with the general romantically or physically. In fact, the thought had never dared cross her mind, as her superior was the closest thing to a real father she had.
"If I resemble Father, then you no doubt resemble Mother." Winter quirked her brow, confused for the first time. Realization dawned on her when her brother eyed the glass of champagne. Or rather the now empty flute where only droplets remained.
"I won't ask again. What do you want?" The crystal-like glass sat on a nearby table, forgotten. Winter silently dismissed one of the servers who tried offering her more champagne with a wave. She was not her mother. The young waitress gave a quick bow, leaving the two siblings by their lonesome.
"My apologies," he said, sounding anything but apologetic. With a hand over his nonexistent heart, he gave a mock bow. "I was so overwhelmed by the joy of seeing you again that I forgot the purpose of my coming here." His upper body rose, their eyes on each other once again while his hand still rested on his chest.
"You are to meet some associates of mine." Whitley continued, gesturing with his free hand to a pair of young men around the same age as he, who took that as a cue to approach. Both of these men were taller than Whitley. One was an athletic man with sun-kissed skin, and honey colored eyes who presented himself like a Schnee, wearing a pristine white suit that matched her brother's. The other had identical features but was approaching a stout build, having the beginning of a stomach that stretched his shirt and closed black jacket. Brothers the two of them, though one cared much more about their body than the other.
"Do not try to order me around like one of your servants, Whitley. I have neither the patience nor the time for your games," she said before her brother's acquaintances were in earshot. "I'm leaving."
When a hand that lacked any calluses caught her arm, it took every ounce of restraint to hold her instincts back. She could have broken the wrist of the hand that dared touch her. Winter glared at the arrogant man her brother became, making it obvious that she was less than pleased with the hand that grasped her. For a brief moment, she saw the flash of fear in the boy's eyes. Whitley ground his teeth in anger, before taking a deep breath. To appear the calm and collected young man he believed himself to be, Whitley donned a calm mask that made it seem like he was in control of everything. It was a mask that their father always wore to appear untouchable as if the whole world was beneath him.
"I hope we're not intruding at a bad time."
Winter easily broke free from her brother's weak hold. She withheld the urge to sigh, and instead smiled politely at the two young men. "Not at all. Is there something you need?"
"Oh no. My brother Tanner and I simply wanted to introduce ourselves." The athletic of the two spoke with a charming smile as he let out his exposed palm for her to take, no doubt to lay a kiss on her knuckle. She simply raised a delicate brow at his poor attempt. To the boy's credit, he laughed it off, and let his hand fall to the side.
"I would introduce myself, but you already know who I am."
"That I do Miss Schnee. My name is Hunter Holland, heir to Holland Technology the leading developers of communication technology." He said proudly as if that was his greatest accomplishment.
"Charmed," her tone had shown just how unimpressed she was with Holland's attempts at impressing her. Things such as family name meant little to Winter nowadays.
"If I may," Tanner, the larger of the two brothers spoke. "We hoped to speak with you about an important matter."
"When I asked if you needed anything, your brother said no. And yet in less than a minute, you speak of some important matter."
"Forgive us, my intent was not to lie."
"And yet you did." She said matter of factly. "I was just about to leave, actually. Champagne of even the smallest amounts leaves me breathless, so I'm afraid I cannot help you this evening."
Whitely laughed, which the other two men reluctantly joined after. "I never would have thought that my respected elder sister would be weak to a little alcohol of all things. Surely you jest, Winter."
"I'm afraid my appetite for alcohol of any kind is rather tame in comparison to our mother's." She rolled her eyes at the agape mouths of the other two. No doubt they were shocked at the clear disrespect she had for her mother.
"Surely you can take the time to entertain my friends for a few minutes." Whitley snapped his fingers and was greeted by a server. A gentleman no older than forty offered the serving dish that flutes of white wine sat atop. The waiter must have been in close proximity to her brother to serve him at a moment's notice. It was the only plausible reason why he could have heard the snap of fingers over the piano.
Whitley grabbed two drinks and dismissed the waiter. The Holland brothers did not need to be served for they already had their own beverages. With a smile, her sibling offered the wine. "Fleur d'Ivoire. Mother's favorite,"
"I'd rather not," she said. Narrowed eyes came dangerously close to burning a blue inferno.
"I insist, Sister."
Winter sighed and took the wine. Then proceeded to lay it on the table beside them to leave it untouched. Whitley gave her an unimpressed frown. Though it was so subtle that the Holland brothers couldn't notice, Winter saw the intense glare from her brother, revealing how irritated he must have felt. Good.
"It is only one glass of wine. Harmless," Whitley smiled again, looking at her as if she was a child afraid of getting hurt.
It was much more than just a harmless glass of wine. Wine was a defeated woman who let a crooked man ruin their family name. Wine was the Schnee manor's grand white walls, and the painful silence of its halls. Wine was the lonely winter snows, Father's lessons, the garden where the scent of lilies was replaced with the stench of alcohol that burned her nose, the sound of the north wind rattling the shutters in her room that kept her awake on lonely nights. Wine was her mother's tears.
"I am fine without it, little brother." She said coolly, not at all like the storm of emotions that began to tear down her walls. Thoughts of that defeated woman were always difficult. More painful than even the neglect from Father. The strong woman her mother once was drowned herself in wine until there was only an empty husk of a human who only knew despair. Mother gave up on being a parent long ago. At least I was never under the delusion that Jacques would be a loving father.
"Anyway," came the younger Holland brother's now meek voice. Did he suddenly lack a spine after seeing a Schnee family squabble? If so it would not be a surprising turn of events. "I've heard of your relationship with General Ironwood."
"He is my superior and mentor," she cut in before the large oaf could cross a line that he would regret. "And a good friend. If you are implying that there is something more between us, then allow me to be the first to tell you that there is nothing more or less."
"Forgive me," he offered a quick bow. "I meant no offense."
"What my brother was wondering, Winter. May I call you Winter?"
"You may not,"
A subtle twitch of the man's brow was the only indication of his irritation, "Very well, Miss Schnee. Tanner was simply curious if you might grant us an audience with General Ironwood. My family has a proposition for him that would benefit our already glorious military."
"Is that so?" She said with a smirk, happy to have something else draw her ire. "Need I remind you that we already have our own communication equipment developed by our military's finest researchers? And like every other branch of our research department we are making strides to improve every day. Forgive me for saying this, but I fail to see the need for your services, Mr. Holland."
"I think that is something for the general to decide after I speak with him. And please, my dear. Call me Hunter." He smiled at her, making her stomach feel sick. It was not a pleasant sensation that girls often described as being light as a feather. It was as if a bucket of lead was force fed to her, making her body feel heavy and nauseous. Perhaps other women found his forwardness charming, but Winter didn't feel her heartbeat flutter in the slightest.
"Mr. Holland," she refused to be on a first name basis with the boy. "While your aspirations to help improve our military is appreciated, the general is already busy mingling with the other guests. If you must speak with him, then I am afraid you will have to wait in line." She chuckled, "Though I am unsure if I can really call that a line."
The poor general was surrounded on all fronts without a getaway. His eyes found her, pleading in a silent cry for her help. She would have, but with the Holland brothers and Whitley right next to her, it would have been unwise. Instead, she smiled, hoping that her silent apology would get to the man. Winter couldn't tell if he did from the agonizing sigh he let out. He smiled a second later, no doubt making an excuse for his show of dread.
General Ironwood was certainly much more popular this evening than usual. He always did hate these sorts of events, but it never became this hectic for her superior. It shouldn't have been such an event in the first place. This was meant to be a time of mourning for Weiss, and instead, the game of politics and social climbing took center stage.
Winter wanted to desperately leave.
"Then perhaps they can speak with him another day," Whitley spoke up in aid of the Holland brothers. "Surely you could provide them an audience at any time. After all, you are his most trusted ally dear sister. Would that be acceptable?" He turned to his colleagues. It should have been her that he asked, but as always common decency was something he clearly lacked.
"That would be more than acceptable. In fact, nothing would please me more than to have a private meeting with the general."
"Absolutely not," she crushed their misplaced hope with silent satisfaction that was masked by a look of uninterest. Winter needed to make sure they knew that their conversation was of little consequence to her and that she would not be swayed. "General Ironwood is busy every day ensuring the safety of our kingdom. What time he does have for himself is often used running Atlas Academy. I need not remind you that the position of headmaster is just as important as being a general."
"Then I suppose my gratitude for James finding time to attend my daughter's memorial service should be everlasting."
Her body stilled.
Whitley's smile became even more vicious.
Winter turned, seeing the man who further widened the divide between humans and faunus, who cared more about the short term gains of his company than the long term lives of his employees. This was the man who disowned her for wanting to join the military.
"Father." She greeted, offering him a nod.
Jacques took a savoring sip of his wine, ignoring his daughter's welcome. Contrary to what many others might expect, it was a deep red wine in his glass. "I could not help but overhear the Holland family's request."
Liar. Father must have sent Whitley to introduce her to the Hollands. There was never coincidences when it came to Father and business. "Is that so?"
"It is," he said. His eyes that they shared glared daggers of ice. "I do believe it is about time you did something useful for the family. Granting the Hollands an audience with James would be a sufficient start."
"Just a start?" She returned her father's icy gaze with one that could freeze all of Atlas.
"Indeed. I have a proposition that you would do well not to refuse."
"What use would a disowned Schnee bring?"
"Disowned," Whitley spoke for the first time since their father's arrival. "But still a Schnee that can be of use to the family. Father is giving you an opportunity of a lifetime, dear sister."
Winter repressed the urge to scoff. She was to be a tool for father, then? He and Whitley were more foolish than she could ever imagine if they believed she would accept. Her choice to join the military wasn't exclusive to wanting to protect Atlas.
Father always thought his word to be law. As a Schnee, all were beneath him in his eyes. But people aren't just the machines we create to follow our orders. When will you learn that your aspirations aren't the only things that matter? Never. If her father hadn't learned after Weiss left to become a huntress, then he will never understand.
Hunter cleared his throat, getting the attention of the Schnee family. He smiled, though it was obvious that his nerves were beginning to fail him. "Your brother is correct, my lady. What we have to offer is something that no other woman on Remnant would be lucky enough to receive." For the second time, he offered his hand for her to take. "Your father brought it to my family's attention that you have yet to wed."
This could not be happening.
"I have been known to be rather picky with my women," he continued. "But when my eyes gazed upon your beauty, I knew that you were the one." He smiled, doing his best to appear what he must have thought was romantic. All Winter could see was a man who wanted the prestige of marrying a Schnee, and a pretty doll that he could show off to his friends.
Winter Schnee was not a prize. She was an Atlas Specialist, the best there was and no one would take that away from her. Not this arrogant playboy, not Whitley, not even Jacques Schnee.
"With all due respect," and how little there was of that. "I must decline. Marriage isn't something that I foresee in my future."
"You will wed him,"
It was as if the air around her froze over. The music of the grand piano grew quiet, the chatters of all the guests died. It was as if they were all watching her now, waiting for her response. But it was all in her head, of course. To her mind, the world and its people simply didn't matter at this moment.
Jacques Schnee looked at his daughter as if she were just another employee to be ordered around. To him, she was no longer one of his children. Perhaps she was never seen as his child, to begin with. After all, time with this man was not spent as a family but spent teaching her proper etiquette befitting of a Schnee. Lessons on maintaining the family's wealth, legacy and greatness were all that mattered to him.
Even after you tossed me aside, you still try to control me.
"I was disinherited, my place in the family is no more. My life is no longer for you to do as you please with." Her eyes narrowed further. "And if you somehow forgot, I am an Atlas Specialist. I won't be leaving the military any time soon."
"You are my daughter before you are a soldier," he said coldly.
"And it seems you are a CEO before you are a father."
There was a slight twitch in Jacques' eye, but nothing more. "It is time you did your part to further the Schnee name. I once thought it would be as my heir, but your rebellious nature proved otherwise. If being one of the military's lapdogs interested you more than being my successor, then nothing will ever make you leave. As much as I tried to sway you from such a foolish career, I now find your position to be of use."
Jacques smiled for the first time.
"We have close ties with the Holland family. If their goal is for the Atlas military to contract them, then that too will benefit our family. We own eighteen percent of their shares. I'm sure you remember from your lessons with me that eighteen percent is not an insignificant number?" She said nothing in response, content with glaring at him. Father was unfazed, he even rolled his eyes mockingly before looking at the Holland family's heir. "I am certain that you will be thrilled to not only have a wife who dutifully serves her kingdom but to be a direct link to Ironwood."
"It certainly does add to your beauty, Winter." Her supposed suitor expressed with a smile. The mere thought of being paired with him and any other man her father may choose sickened her. Winter was a soldier of Atlas, not some broodmare.
"It will also put an end to the disgusting rumors about you." Jacques sneered. Eyes traveled to Ironwood who still mingled with the other guests. "It is rather fortunate that James is more popular than I this evening. It allows us to speak properly without his involvement."
Winter gasped as a pit in her stomach opened from a realization that came like a crashing battleship.
He sent guests to distract the general.
"Do you understand what you need to do, dear sister?" Whitley spoke condescendingly. "You can finally be of use to the family."
"I can think of no finer husband than my brother."
"Tanner speaks the truth," Hunter preened at the praise. "I would treat you like a goddess if that is what you wish."
"You see? He is better than any man you could have hoped for," Jacques took a savoring drink of his wine. "You will wed him, bed him and have a child with him."
She could feel power swelling in the pit of her stomach as they each said their piece. Her body felt a great heat, like that incredible feeling she experienced in a hot bath after a grueling mission. That wonderful fire simmered to a dreadful chill that could freeze a wild blaze and yet her body did not even shiver. The discord of temperature her body felt would have alarmed anybody else feeling this, but she found normalcy in it. The force of her power if she were to let it go could have eradicated the entire ballroom if she so chose. Just one more push was all it would take for the walls of her self-control to come tumbling down and with it the entire building and its guests.
"Care to dance, Snow Angel?"
The conversation died in that instance, as did her anger that switched from hot to cold so sporadically. One second her father and brother were trying to marry her off to someone, the next they stood in quiet shock. She faintly recognized the young man's voice, but couldn't give it a name or face.
Winter turned. The man that strode forward was tall, an inch or two taller than herself perhaps. His face wasn't anything extraordinary or significant, and yet, she felt somehow magically drawn to those soft features. Dark blue eyes that were much warmer than a Schnee's gaze were solely on her. All of it was framed by unruly blond hair. The man's right palm was offered out to her, idly she noticed the calluses on his hand that spoke of constant work.
Men all around her wore fashionable tuxes that were worth more lien than what one of Father's miners made in six months. Not him. He simply wore a white dress shirt with the top two buttons undone to show a hint of skin. The long sleeves were buttoned up to his elbows revealing strong forearms that Hunter Holland could only wish he had. The shirt wasn't tucked in, covering whatever belt he may or may not be wearing, leading down to black slacks and dark dress shoes.
"Arc?" She said, almost a whisper. Last she saw of the young huntsman was four months ago. It was a mere three days after their victory against Salem. She recalled that he had been standing to the side with one of Weiss' old teammates during a meeting between the general and Ozpin.
His smile grew. "I thought we agreed to be on a first name basis, Winter. You said so last night."
Realization dawned on her. A smile came soon after.
"Of course. How could I forget?"
"And who might you be?" Tanner Holland interjected as he looked Arc up and down in appraisal. "You certainly haven't dressed for the occasion, good sir."
"I'm one of Weiss' friends," Jaune Arc let out a low chuckle as he hid both hands in his pockets, letting his body slouch to appear relaxed. But it was easy for Winter to see that he was on guard. Even here where the likelihood of a fight was almost zero he looked prepared. "And I didn't bother dressing up because Weiss would have berated me for being something I'm not."
"Someone who has the decency to dress up for their friend's memorial service?" Whitley countered with a smirk.
"More along the lines of "rich snob."
To say Whitley and the Holland brothers were insulted would be an understatement. All three boys were red in the face, their anger ready to detonate like a great firework. They might have even stepped forward to start an altercation if not for the fact that he was a huntsman.
"Calm down," Jacques merely scoffed, getting everyone's attention. Even the other guests were listening in, interested to see what had Jacques Schnee's attention. Even though they were at the side of the ballroom, they were becoming center stage. "Jaune Arc," he said the name with disdain. "Your clothes aside I do not recall offering you an invitation." Blue eyes that struck fear in the hearts of many in the business world narrowed. "You wouldn't happen to be trespassing, now would you? I would hate for you to cause a scene with my security."
Arc whistled, returning the frowns he was given with a smile. "Wow. I didn't think you would remember my name. As for my being here, you can thank Snow Angel," he looked at her again, his smile ever present. "I'm her date for the evening."
"If memory serves, Ironwood is my sister's escort. She said so herself. And I do not recall your presence here throughout the day."
"Well..." his fingers began running through the back of his locks. The four wealthy men smiled at the lack of an answer from Arc.
"He was mourning Weiss in his own way," the words came easily to her, and with it brought the satisfaction she felt seeing Jacques arrogant smirk turned to a frown once again. "He wanted to be by himself, you see. He asked if it was okay to leave me, and I said it was acceptable. I had General Ironwood to keep me company." She looked to her partner in this nonphysical spar. "Isn't that right?"
"Yes. Yes, it is," his smile was charming. Unlike the ones that she saw before from her family and the Holland brothers.
"I would appreciate it if you could refrain from taking away another one of my daughters." Jacques suddenly said in a tone that was far colder than what Winter had heard prior tonight.
"Oh?" His smile fell by a mere fraction, but it was no less noticeable.
"If not for your childish need to play the hero across Remnant, my daughter would not have died so foolishly."
Whispers and gasps were heard across the ballroom. Winter sighed, squaring her shoulders and preparing to step forth to defend Arc again.
"Weiss made her choice." He came to his own defense this time. He strode forward, blocking Jacques' path from her. "She knew the risks of being a huntress, and still she chose to fight by our side anyway. You should respect her willingness to put the lives of others before her own. She was a hero. My hero."
He faced her, turning his back to Jacques Schnee of all people. His broad frame and tall stature fully blocked her Father's figure, letting her only see him. It was as if her father was no longer there that the weight of his presence died to make way for the man before her.
"Shall we?"
Once again, Arc offered his hand for her to take. It was an invitation to finally escape this constricting conversation. She could just dance the rest of the night away, and forget about all the pain this night brought thus far. And all she had to do was lay her hand on his.
"Our conversation has not yet concluded," Jacques said coldly, stepping to the side to be in view again. But he no longer had that crushing presence from before and for the first time this night it seemed his mask of indifference was beginning to crack revealing just how displeased he was with the interruption from Arc. His glare could have given frostbite to most. Winter was not most people and it seemed the same could be said for her new friend.
"I believe it has Father. My friend and I wish to dance" She looked up at her dance partner for the evening. Once again she found herself smiling at this person who decided to whisk her away. "Jaune..." As the name left her lips, she finally took his hand. This was the first time she would hold his hand. But holding it once was all she needed to know that this was not a man who cared about fortune or status. He was a warrior much like herself. It was comforting.
They walked away, arms now linked together as they ignored Jacques and the other guests. She never looked back. But she did look to her dance partner for this night that she once hated so terribly. But what a wonderful night it now became.
The music was already in the middle of a slow song, but weaving themselves onto the dance floor proved simple enough. She followed behind Jaune as he pushed past dancing guests. He held her hand as he did so, and felt how moist his palms had become since leaving their conversation with Father. Was holding her hand more nervewracking than facing Jacques Schnee? Winter wanted to laugh but refrained to instead continue smiling at his back. This should have felt too familiar for what they were. They were mere acquaintances, and yet she allowed such contact even after they were out of sight from her father. He turned with arms outstretched... and looked uncertain.
She did not have such doubts. Her hand came to rest on his shoulder, the other on his upper arm. That contact seemed to ignite him to life, clumsily laying one hand on her hip as he took her other hand in his.
Jaune's feet began to sway, she following as they moved left and right, forward and back. The song was one she recognized all too well, a rendition of a song Weiss sang long ago. It was a slow and steady piece that the pianist played, so soft and yet powerful like her sister's voice. If there was one thing that her father did right, it was hiring this musician to play all the pieces her wonderful sister sang.
Winter closed her eyes, allowing the music to let her forget about all the unnecessary background noise. She ignored the clicking of expensive heels, focusing all her attention on the song until the sound of those blasted heels were silenced. Talks of business deals died to instead be filled with this gentle melody that moved her. So beautiful was this piece that she could picture Weiss singing in front of her. Picture her sister as she ran toward her to ask how she performed. Of course, I love it, she would always say which rewarded her with a smile. It was so easy to remember that wonderful smile. I miss you so much, She felt the tears escape her closed eyes, hating how they rolled down her cheeks to show the world that her strength was gone.
Why was her life so full of sadness? A father who cared more about profits than his own children. A mother who drinks herself into oblivion. A brother transformed into a glory-hungry snake. People who ignore her hard work, and spread disgusting rumors about herself and the general. And worst of all, a sister who was taken away from her. Why can't all the hurt inside just go away?
"It's okay," he said, offering her a small attempt at a smile when she met his gaze. When she looked away to stare at his chest, her wet eyes widened at the sight of his damped shirt. She looked back up at him, wanting to apologize. "It's okay," he repeated, this time with a smile that seemed much surer. "If getting my shirt wet helps you then I'm all for it, Winter."
"No," she denied, shaking her head as she tried forcing the tears back with her will alone. Her eyes still felt an awful sting, still felt new tears overlap the stains from old ones. "I'm being a burden on you."
"If dancing with the prettiest girl here is a burden, then yes. You're the biggest burden of them all."
Winter did not blush. The flirtations of men were something she experienced many a time, and Jaune's line was hardly the most clever. Though she couldn't deny that his words provided a pleasant distraction from her prior thoughts. They gave her the strength to lift her cheeks, to show that his words were well appreciated. From her dance partner's smile, she could tell that was good enough for him.
They were silent now. She lost again. In both the music and the comforting warmth his hold provided. Jaune was content to not say anything as well, simply guiding her in their dance. He was rather good. Excellent in fact. "You're quite the dancer," she broke their comfortable silence but was pleased to see that he was more than happy to talk.
He spoke of his sister, Saffron who took classes in dancing. It was a passion of hers apparently, and as an attempt to help her brother impress girls she imparted those same lessons onto him. The two had apparently made time to practice together every Saturday before she left to live on her own. And though Jaune wouldn't admit it, Winter could tell from the way his voice softened as he mentioned his sister's absence that he greatly missed her.
"That sounds wonderful," she replied.
"More like embarrassing," he laughed, earning a few glares from some of the guests around them. She did not bother returning those stares, as Jaune seemed to ignore them entirely, having his attention solely on her. "She made us perform together to show how great of a dancer I was in front of girls. Including the one I had a crush on at the time!" His head sagged dramatically. "Even with six other sisters to worry about, Saffron always seems to embarrass me as much as the others combined."
"You have seven sisters?" She said in awe. "Your childhood must have been rather chaotic."
"More like a constant war for my self-esteem's survival. They would make me dress up as a girl all the time and take pictures," She rose a single brow. "And before you ask, no. You cannot see those."
She giggled.
It was so unlike her.
"Never thought I'd hear a cute laugh from you." Jaune agreed it seemed.
"I am a woman, Arc. Even I can be... cute." She looked into those eyes of his again, spotting some degree of glee in them.
"You do have a point. And it's Jaune."
"Jaune," she complied. "Thank you for coming to my aid. If not for your arrival something terrible would have happened."
"Is blowing up the entire building this terrible something?"
She chose to keep quiet and keep dancing. Jaune wisely chose to do the same. And when the pianist ended the song, another picked up immediately. It was a slow and beautiful beginning, but she knew that it would speed up in due time. Each note played on the piano was a treat to her ears, but with it came a pang of sadness and a painful image. It was of Weiss looking into a mirror all alone — abandoned by her sister to join the military.
Jaune jumped a little when her hold on him tightened, and yet somehow it did not interrupt their flow. To even the trained eye it would have gone completely unnoticed. Their dance resumed, their pace picking up with the speed of the pianist's keystrokes.
"Let's dance until our feet ache too much to even stand," he suggested.
Winter nodded, happy to do just that.
/-/
And ache they did. She sat near a large fountain with her heels discarded to allow her feet some much-needed freedom. The lanterns that illuminated the garden made the water shine like crystals. The night was clear of any clouds, letting her see the stars glimmer like pearls and silver.
How stunning this night turned out. It was close to midnight now, and the last of the guests would no doubt leave soon. Her time with Jaune was coming to end it seemed much to her chagrin.
Speaking of the blond, he was walking to her now, with a glass bottle in one hand, and two tumblers held by the rims with his fingers. When Jaune took his seat next to her, he twisted the black cap off the bottle and poured its contents in a glass.
"Here,"
He passed to her a tumbler of amber liquid. She accepted it, resting its base on her lap while Jaune poured himself a glass. As he drank it whole, Winter inspected the decently sized bottle. Desert Rose was its title, no doubt Vacuo made whiskey of some kind. It was large enough to intoxicate four people at least. They were only two.
"And where did you get this?"
"Let's just say I asked a black cat to bring it for me."
Winter instantly recalled a beautiful young woman with jet black feline ears that sat atop her head. "The daughter of the Belladonnas? Is she here right now?"
"Nah, she said and I quote "If I wanted to get drunk, I would do it in the comfort of our hotel" and then proceeded to scurry off."
She hummed in response.
Silence.
The glass of whiskey felt heavy in her hands.
"Do you not want it?" Jaune asked, eying her untouched drink. She stared at her honey-colored reflection, seeing the uncertainty in her eyes. He must have seen her doubt too as he took hold of her drink. She felt his fingers brush against hers. Her grip held strong.
"I don't want you to feel like you're forced to drink." He spoke softly, trying to reassure her.
The young man looked stunned when the glass of whiskey escaped his hold. She took a generous swig, and almost coughed it back up from how strong it was. Forget four people, that bottle could get several soldiers drunk!
"I'm not some defenseless woman, you know." She said, fighting the urge to grimace from the liquid inferno she just drank. "Did you forget that you are sitting next to a Specialist? I can handle my alcohol." Thoughts of Whitley and the wine he tried sharing surfaced but was quickly crushed to metaphorical dust. She normally detested alcohol of any kind, but she felt an exception could be made to entertain Jaune.
A low chuckle was his response. "I could never forget. Weiss practically sang your praises every chance she got."
That got her attention.
"What did she say?"
"Where to start..."
It started at her position as a Specialist. Jaune talked about how Weiss always took pride in her older sister's position as the youngest Specialist in the military's history. Talks of strength changed to how elegant she supposedly was, and that no other person could match her decorum. Etiquette was forgotten to talk about her wisdom that Weiss always sought out.
Talks about how Weiss viewed her was soon replaced with stories about the hijinks of teams RWBY and JNPR. Through all the misadventures and detentions he spoke of, a violent food fight was perhaps the highlight of them all. As the words came out from his lips his drinks would enter. She was no better with her drinks, except she resolved herself to remain silent to hear more about her sister. To hear more about him.
That was until he spoke of a failed attempt at serenading his crush.
"You tried to court Weiss?" She covered her smile, hoping she could contain her laughter.
"Ugh," He hiccuped, "I was so bad. I'm surprised your sister didn't kill me at Beacon."
Like Jaune, her face was flushed and she couldn't get rid of the giddy smile on her face. Eventually, she started laughing, leaning into Jaune as she held his arm like it was the only thing keeping her from falling. Though perhaps it was accurate, given her sudden lack of balance. Even while seated she felt her body uncontrollably sway.
She hated being so unfocused, so uncoordinated. But the freedom she felt far outweighed the negatives. Especially if it allowed her to be this close to the man beside her. The fact that she wanted to be this close to Jaune should have worried her. They properly met for the first time tonight. Last night, her fuzzy mind corrected. It was undoubtedly past midnight now.
"So you were the one she mentioned in her letters..."
"What?"
Winter smiled. "She mentioned a "dolt" who constantly tried flirting with her." Her smiled blossomed into laughter as she recalled how her sister's pristine cursive writing turned into furious scribbles. So this boy her sister mentioned turned out to be the man who now sat beside her. How humorous the world could be sometimes.
Instead of a dejected look, he merely chuckled, looking up at the night sky, its stars reflecting off his eyes. Despite how drunk he must have been, he seemed at peace, looking like a man who was remembering a pleasant memory.
"She did like this one guy..."
"Re-really?"
Jaune nodded, deciding not to comment on her hiccup. Good.
"She never wrote about that,"
"I wouldn't think so. It never seemed to click for them after the dance."
"She did talk about liking someone after your group first came here," she recalled one memory of a boy her sister talked about. It was one of many that she cherished, but this one felt special. Remembering her sister's blushing face was unforgettable.
"Really? I always thought she was over him." He seemed stunned by the reveal. "Did she mention if it was a guy named Neptune?"
"I never got such," a hiccup. "Information out of her. She was determined to keep his identity a secret from me for reasons I cannot fathom."
His response was a low hum. While they both did not find the answer they were content to let the question go unsolved. Jaune looked at the night sky again in the midst of their silence. Her eyes were on him.
He was handsome. Perhaps not a desirable bachelor that hundreds of women would fawn over. Winter had seen many men that gave her charming smiles to accompany their attractive features, but not one was of any interest to her. For whatever reason, she couldn't avert her eyes from Jaune no matter how desperately she tried to.
You want him, her treacherous mind said. She denied it, knowing that it was just the alcohol in her system that tried to make her do things she didn't want. But you do want him...
"Are you in a relationship with your partner?" She blurted out.
"Blake?!" He shrieked, "No, not at all! I think her books are good enough for her. Besides..." he looked down at the pavement with a serious expression, his eyes revealing a tinge of the wealth of sadness within him. "I don't think she'll ever get over losing the man she loves."
Winter instantly regretted her prying.
"Forgive me. It seems I am being a burden on you once again."
"N-no," his hands encaptured hers, holding her tightly as if he was afraid she would leave. He gave a wide smile, almost childlike with how exuberant he seemed. "Being with you has been great! I can't think of the last time I've gotten to just sit down with someone and just... talk. Being with you has been a lot of fun."
She was fun to be with? Her? It seemed impossible a notion, and yet he said it with such honesty. Winter could not see an ulterior motive in him, and she scanned for any inkling of suspicion. Try as she might there was nothing for her to find. Just a man who enjoyed her company.
Many things happened in that single instance when staring into those eyes that started to shine like flecks of sapphire. Winter did not know if it was magic of some kind, or just the alcohol playing tricks on her. But what she was sure of, was that those eyes gave her the most breathtaking experience of her life. In that single instance, she felt lighter than ever before. In that instance, she found it impossible to look anywhere else. It was in that instance when she felt her heartbeat flutter.
Her breath was caught in her throat at that realization. But her next words came easily.
"Can you take me home?"
She had never felt happier in her entire life when he said yes.
/-/
It took fifteen minutes for them to stagger back to her home, laughing like immature teenagers who found some tasteless joke funny along the way. They reached her apartment, where it took three tries to push the right floor number on the elevator. Three stops later and they were in front of her door, fitting the key in the slot with more ease than her elevator button excursion.
"Nice place," he offered. She closed the door as he looked around her living quarters. "It's so clean..."
"Hygiene is important."
"Tell that to Blake." He snickered, falling face first on her couch. There was dirt on her white carpet from his shoes that he forgot to remove.
Instead of coldly ordering him to clean his mess, she merely shrugged and staggered to the couch. A treacherous part of her brain told her to sit bodily on his back. Maybe even rest a hand on his behind.
Winter cleared her throat instead, getting her drunk companion's attention. Words did not need to be exchanged for him to sit back up to give her a seat. She stared at him, standing perfectly still, waiting for him to do what she wanted.
"Is there something on my face?"
"I think you are very handsome,"
Jaune blinked. "Uh. Thank you?"
"Your gratitude is appreciated. Shall we proceed?"
He blinked again. "Proceed?"
"To the bedroom of course,"
"What?!"
"Or would you prefer the couch?"
"Wait!"
She swallowed, a light pink coloring her cheeks. "The floor?"
"I didn't come here to sleep with you!"
Winter choked on air, and felt a pain in her chest. She found her next words but saying them made her throat tense. "Did I do something wrong?"
Jaune scratched the back of his head, averting his gaze from her. "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm already in a relationship. Do you remember Ruby?"
She ignored the pain in her chest. "My sister's partner? Is she awake?"
"No," he sighed. "Still in a coma. But no matter how long it takes, I'll wait for her to wake up. I promised myself that the moment she wakes up, I would make another promise."
"What kind of promise?"
He smiled. "To give her the rest of my days."
He wanted to marry Ruby Rose.
Jaune sighed. His flushed face retained its natural color, and the staggering mess his body was had straightened, finding balance. "I came here to tell you in private that from now on, you and I are going to be partners."
Partners?
"But what about," she held her temple, feeling a headache coming from her excessive drinking.
"Blake has her own mission. Something that Ozpin felt the need to keep from me, but apparently she'll be gone for a long time." His words came out softly, soothing her jumbled mind. "Ozpin and Ironwood decided to have me by your side, to make sure that you stay safe when you go on missions."
"I'm not a maiden in need of defending."
"But a maiden I will watch over nonetheless," he chuckled, brushing off her glare as if he'd experienced a Schnee's icy gaze time and time again. Thoughts of his stories about Weiss reminded her that it was something he did experience many a time. "I know you can kick my ass nine times out of ten."
"Then why do I need you?"
"All my friends were stronger than me too, and most of them are dead. Your sister included." Winter flinched, holding her arms as she experienced a horrible cold shiver for the first time since Weiss died. "Do you want to know what they all had in common?"
Winter said nothing and just stared at him.
The man in front of her let out a shaky breath as if the weight of the Amnity colosseum was just lifted off his shoulders. "They all died trying to play the hero."
"She was a hero. My hero."
"They each died fighting alone, against opponents that were dangerous to face together. Always for such a stupid reason too," he spat out, the beginnings of whatever anger he hid starting to spark to life. "It was the same excuse every time. "To protect our friends," they would all say. We were supposed to face everything as a team, but they had to go off and die."
Those eyes that shined so beautifully at the fountain did so again. Fresh tears that spoke of the pain he must have felt for so long started flooding out. It was a similar scene in the ballroom, but their roles were reversed.
"You will be my partner," she approached him, both standing next to the couch.
He didn't get a word in after she spoke. She wouldn't let him.
"But in exchange, I want the services of a man," with her arms that she still held tightly, she pressed up against her breasts. She wanted to smile when Jaune failed to look away. He thought she was beautiful. "It can only be you."
Winter never thought herself to be hard on the eyes. She was undoubtedly attractive, which was proven by what felt like hundreds of men wanting to court her. She once thought it was only for her family name. But after joining the military and seeing that men still tried being with her, it became obvious that her body was something many lusted after.
Jaune was a man too. His reaction to her was normal, and even though his heart belonged to Ruby Rose, his body was not yet taken. Winter had no need for his heart. What she wanted was release.
She would comfort him. And in turn, he would comfort her.
"I can't do that, Winter" those lips she wanted to steal said, forming those words softly. Oh, how she loved the way he said her name. "I love-"
"You don't have to say it," she wouldn't let him finish. What she was going to do was deplorable, something that only a disgusting human being would do. But when looking at him she found her morals to be a nuisance.
She sauntered forward, concentrating on approaching him without staggering. She may be drunk, but being graceful was something that always came easy for her — or so Weiss would always tell her. Every step forward she took, he would take a step back. There was panic in his eyes, which made her reconsider her decision.
But her conviction was renewed when she saw the excitement in his eyes. It was brief and almost impossible to notice. But after seeing so many men try to take her to bed, it was easy to recognize lust in a man's eyes. For the first time, she was relieved to see that.
Her theory was further revealed to be true when his back hit a wall. He could have easily stepped to the side but chose not to. Why? If not to let her capture him? If Jaune did not want her, then why let her hold his cheeks. Why not push her away as she is about to put her mouth on his?
"You don't have to love me," she whispered those words, unapologetic that her breath was on him. She was going to take him to the bedroom, or throw him on the couch. Hell, maybe she would take him on the floor. Where they found physical comfort didn't matter just so long as they did the deed. "Just be mine for tonight."
Without another moment's hesitation, she stepped forward, bringing her lips to his.
Insert whatever excuse explaining why this was late.
Sorry about the wait friends. I won't give you an excuse on why it took me so long to upload. Just know that I will work on my upload schedule to a degree that I feel won't be too long of a wait, but also ensure I release a chapter of high quality. I am certain that there will be those of you who will inform me of grammatical errors, or that the story is not to your liking. Which is fine in my books. If there is something you would like to say just post a review.
A few of my thoughts on this chapter. I originally wanted to have this be chapter 1, but in the end, I decided to scrap it because I wanted to get closer to the main plot. This was back when I was going to make this a 10-12 chapter story so I needed to skip out on things. Now that I've decided to make this a longer story, I cannot help but regret my prior decision to not begin with this chapter. To remedy that regret, I decided to make this flashback sort of chapter. Part of me is happy with a chapter taking place before this story's present, but another part thinks that this might have been a waste. While I think exploring how they got into their physical relationship is interesting, I can also understand that people would rather get to the main plot of this story.
What I will say is that things will be moving forward in the next chapter.
Expect the next chapter to be sooner rather than later. Hopefully by the end of March chapter 4 will be released.