Weiss gives the people of Atlas a sneak peek of what her life is like and gains her father's anger.

Notes:

Thank you all for the reads and kudos this story has! I'm relatively new to the RWBY universe so I hope the relationships established are close to canon. Nevertheless, as previously mentioned, both Ruby and Yang are older than Weiss (but Ruby is still younger than Yang).


"We're so excited that you've let us come here today." the reporter tells her excitedly. "Tell us, what do you think of this place?"

A white prison… Weiss thinks while doing her best to keep her smile in place.

Doing press for the Schnee Dust Company had always been a fight. Not only did she have to go on camera and smile, but she also had to lie about every aspect of her life. She had to turn a blind eye and pretend that her father was not a liar and a murderer, that his company didn't abuse millions of faunus; she had to pretend to not realize that her brother was her number one enemy and that her relationship with her 'estranged' sister was the only honest one in her life.

Everything in Weiss' life was a lie.

"I think it's quite beautiful, if I may say so myself." she chuckles. "As you can see, our house is a representation of the Schnee values and standards. We've been lucky enough to have many sponsors and artists create pieces of art to decorate the house."

"This almost looks like a museum, you know; look but don't touch." the reporter jokes with her and Weiss politely laughs.

You have no idea what happens if you break something…

"My father is a man of expensive taste." Weiss explains. "As meticulous as he is with his work, he is at home as well."

"So unfortunate that we weren't able to get him to talk to us while we're here."

"Well, he does have a company to run." the heiress jokes. "But I hope I've been good enough company for you."

"Of course!" the reporter blushes. "It's not everyday that we can talk and get a personal tour of the Schnee Manor with the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company herself!" he gushes.

"Well, as the future CEO of the Schnee Dust Company I am intent on continuing the current transparency policies my father has enacted." she tries to say without flinching. "The White Massacre was the wake-up call the company needed in order to evolve and improve."

"It's nice you mentioned that." the man smiles. "Because we wanted to ask you about what the Schnee Dust Company has done in regards to that event."

"As you may know, working with dust is dangerous and can unfortunately cause harm in the long term. The workers of the SDC are aware of this the moment they apply for a job and tend to be compensated for the risks they take. As long as our society continues to need dust, there will be the necessity to hire workers to take the dust out of the mines."

"What about automating the process? I'm sure the SDC has the means to do this."

"We do." Weiss says honestly. "But, dust is naturally volatile. Hence, using machines can cause a chemical reaction that could destroy the mines and future reservoirs of dust in it."

"That is quite unfortunate."

"Indeed." the white-haired woman agrees. "Which is why we have implemented means to protect and ensure the futures of the families that work for us. One of them, and the one I'm specifically responsible for, is the Schnee Orphanage."

"The Schnee Orphanage?"

"We are aware that most of the workers the SDC employs are unfortunately in not very favorable positions. As I mentioned previously, working in dust mines is known to be dangerous. Hence, the employees that we acquire need contingency measures if something were to happen to them. Most specifically, towards their families. The Schnee Orphanage is our way to help. To take care of the children from former SDC workers. Of all SDC workers." Weiss emphasizes.

"Will you take us there?" the man asks excitedly and Weiss nods in agreement.

"We'll go there right now." she gives him a charming smile and looks at Ruby who nods in understanding and falls into step with her.

"Sorry to sound rude…" the man asks after watching the red-hooded woman start walking next to them. "But could you tell us who she is?"

Weiss looks questioningly at Ruby and only talks when her friend gives her a nod.

"This is my bodyguard Ruby Rose, Atlas Huntress." she introduces Ruby who merely continues walking next to her.

"A huntress?" the reporter says surprised. "Do you really need her to guard you even with the SDC guards following us?"

"My father worries about me." she lies. "And, with the White Fang having increased the amount of robberies at our factories, he found it best to acquire for me more personalized security."

"I see…" the reporter murmurs and notices they're outside. "The orphanage is pretty close to the manor."

"It was built on some land we had in the estate." Weiss tells him politely. "And, as you will soon find out, we house over 100 children that come from within the SDC." she nods to Ruby who opens the door and takes a quick look inside before telling them to go in.

The moment the two women, reporter and camera-woman make their way in, they all notice the children looking expectantly at them, not knowing how to react or act.

When her father had told her about this interview, Weiss had been extremely upset about his demand to take the crew to the orphanage. To Weiss, that place was a safe-haven for children, specially faunus children, and an opportunity for them to live and learn in decent conditions. Luckily, her father hadn't been that interested in the place at first, allowing her to run the facilities and personnel. Nevertheless, he had found himself pressured into doing some damage control after the failed dust robbery.

Which meant that unless Weiss wanted him to shut the orphanage down, she needed to comply and let him shoot inside the place.

Luckily, she had been allowed to choose the media channel that would be given the exclusive. And Weiss, knowing how her father worked, had convinced him to get a faunus-friendly reporter to conduct the interview. She argued that this move would show them in a favorable light. The media company itself was in the middle of faunus rights; they wanted them to get equal treatment but understood that the SDC was just doing business when it came to dust production. Like the SDC did, this TV channel was trying to show something they were not in order to gain ratings…

Progress.

But looking at the frightened children standing in front of her, Weiss was starting to deeply regret allowing these people in. She was not sure of how the kids would react to the cameras and the last thing she wanted was to upset them.

Nevertheless, the white-haired woman knew she had to do this.

Feeling Ruby standing close to her, she nods once before kneeling and giving the children a bright smile.

"It's alright." Weiss says to the children watching them. "These are some friends that have come with me to meet you."

For what seemed like an eternity, all she could see was the children's hesitation.

Already starting to move up, she notices one child moving forward.

"Friends?" one girl asks.

When Weiss nods in confirmation, the girl runs towards her and hugs her tight, making the heiress chuckle.

Thank the Spirits for Violet.

"Hi Violet." she says to the girl who smiles when she returns the hug. "I've missed you all."

"So have we!" Violet promises her and that's when she notices Ruby behind her. "RUBY!" she yells and the other children immediately run towards the huntress who smiles and kneels to hug the kids as well.

Weiss stands up and moves to where the reporter and camera-woman are recording the scene.

"They love Ruby." she smiles fondly while talking to the reporter. "All of the children that are here come from parents that work for the SDC and are unable to provide care for them. We teach them basic math, grammar and reading while also explaining to them the rules and laws of Atlas."

"That is impressive." the reporter tells her honestly. "And how many people work here?"

"15 employees that vary from teachers to janitors and cleaning personnel. It's a small operation but we also don't want to overwhelm or scare the children."

"Makes sense." the man notes and then sees a a boy with a blue cap looking warily at them from afar. "That boy…" he says to Weiss who looks to where he's pointing. "Why is he not approaching us?"

This makes Weiss give him a sad smile.

"Unfortunately, as hard as we try, some things from Atlas society and behavior have been rooted into the behavior of children." she makes the reporter and camera-woman stay there while she went towards the boy.

"Hi Ian." she says softly to him and this makes him stare wearily at her. "Are you upset?"

Ian simply nods.

"Could you tell me why?"

"You didn't come." he simply says. "You said you would come for my birthday and you weren't here."

This makes Weiss look down in sadness. She had tried her best to leave the manor that day but her father had prohibited it, arguing that she went to the orphanage almost every day and that she had to spend the day with him at the office.

"I know, and I'm sorry." she apologizes. "I promise you that I did my best to come but it just didn't work out."

"But you were here for Violet's birthday." he says angrily to her. "Is it because of what I am that you won't come?" he screams while tossing his cap away, which gets the attention of the reporter and camera-woman who get closer.

"Ohh…" the reporter murmurs sadly while noticing the brown cat ears on top of the boy's head.

"You didn't come because I'm a faunus!" the cat faunus screams and Weiss can hear all conversations stopping abruptly.

Nevertheless, the only thing Weiss was worried about was Ian, who was crying vehemently in front of her. Without any kind of hesitation, the Schnee heiress kneeled in front of the boy and immediately hugged him.

The boy, in response, tries to pull away.

"What you are…" Weiss promises him vehemently. "Does not matter to me. Who you are is what is most important to me." she smiles when she feels him stop struggling. "And I know Ian that you're a beautiful boy inside and out."

This makes Ian separate and stare at her with deep eyes.

"Even with this?" he asks while using his finger to point to his cat ears.

Weiss smiles brightly at him.

"Specially because of this!" she promises him while raising her hand and silently asking for permission to touch them.

When the boy nods, she goes ahead and starts to caress his ears, which makes the cat faunus purr in delight.

"These are a part of you and make you who you are. Never be ashamed of them." Weiss tells him confidently and the boy merely purrs.

Chuckling at the purrs and quiet meows the boy was making, Weiss carries him while continuing her caress, approaching the reporter and camera-woman who have been recording the entire thing.

"Ian recently came to the orphanage after his parents perished in a dust accident." she says softly. "We don't discriminate against faunus and we teach the children here that we're all equal." she says vehemently and knows her father will scold her for these remarks but she knew she had to do this. "Ian has the same rights as any child that comes to this place. And although he's just starting to realize, he's no different from the other children just because of his heritage."

Letting Ian down and promising him that she will be on her way soon, she prepares to part ways with the reporters.

"Weiss! Weiss is here!" they hear other children coming in and this makes Weiss stare solemnly at the reporter.

"Now, I've answered enough questions for your story. So, if you don't mind, I'll focus on the children. You may stay here and record but I did promise them that next time I came I would play with them." she nods to Ruby who was watching them carefully and is now walking right next to her.

"Weiss…" Ruby murmurs to her after taking her friend's mic off. "Are you sure of what you did?" she asks warily. "The moment your father sees the story and hears what you said…"

"I'm sure." Weiss gives her a warm smile. "I cannot stay hidden in the shadows advocating for change and not do anything when I'm in the spotlight. It was my father the one who wanted a story that portrayed the SDC as faunus friendly. I gave him his story."

"You know what I mean." the raven-haired woman says softly. "What he may do to you."

"I'm aware of the risks." the heiress promises her while hugging two other faunus children. "But, I don't want children like Ian thinking of themselves as lesser than us. I know that me saying this won't make much difference, but to Ian, hearing me say it like that; it made a difference to him."

"Weiss…" Ruby says proudly which makes the white-haired woman chuckle.

"Don't tell me you grew sentimental on me, Ruby." she jokes and earns herself a soft slap.

"Asshole." the huntress says annoyed.

"Now that's more like it." Weiss snickers and grabs Ruby's hand before pulling her outside, both hearing the excited screams of 'Weiss' and 'Ruby' the moment they were seen.

WBWBWWBWBWB

"I don't like this…" Ruby murmurs worriedly while pacing around her room.

"Did you set the jammers so that my father's mics stop working?" Weiss asks her friend who nods in confirmation.

"And the pre-recorded conversation?"

"Already rolling." the huntress mutters.

It had been hours since the reporter and camera-woman left the manor, the reporter promising her that the story and her message would air just the way she conveyed it. That, to Weiss, was enough to consider this whole endeavor as a victory for them. Yet she knew that Ruby was right and that her father would not let this slide. That he would see this as a clear sign of rebellion and make her pay for what she said.

But it was worth it.

"With the passage of years I've come to realize that there is honestly little I can do once something has been said. I do not regret what I did and will see to the punishment and consequences my father imparts on me."

"You just don't get it." her friend says bitterly and this makes Weiss stare at her. "How hard it is for me to see him abuse you every day and not do anything about it. To act like I don't care."

"Ruby…"

"You're my best friend!" the huntress screams. "I love you like a sister Weiss! And what kind of sister am I if I let you get hurt?!" she closes her eyes. "He hasn't done anything now, but everyone in Atlas has heard the stories. I lived with Winter for four years and we know how he is. We saw the signs and we lived this situation with her. So don't tell me that you'll accept your punishment. There shouldn't even be a punishment!"

The moment she finishes saying that, Ruby starts crying, frustration preventing her from controlling herself in front of the younger girl. Yet she didn't stop Weiss from hugging her tight, from giving her comfort when it should have been her comforting her friend.

"This is the life we've always had." Weiss gives her a sad smile. "And I know it isn't the right one. That's why we're doing this, Ruby… Why you're here helping me fight my father. But like Winter said all those months ago, this is bigger than me, than us and our personal vendettas. Which means that until the right opportunity comes I must endure. Continue my own fight and prepare for our biggest one."

"I'm meant to protect you from harm!" Ruby cries. "And yet I can see you're in pain every day. What if there's an occasion where he hurts you too badly?"

"I know you'll have my back and protect me. That you'll only react when you realize my life is in danger. But I don't think that will ever happen. My father needs me. And as long as he does, he won't harm me too badly."

Ruby closes her eyes bitterly.

"This isn't right." she says angrily. "The way you see life, it isn't right."

Weiss chuckles.

"I've started to realize that." the white-haired woman admits. "Thanks to you."

"Then please don't antagonize him." the raven-haired girl begs. "If you know how much it hurts me, try not to give him an excuse to hurt you."

Weiss smiles softly at her and gives her another hug, feeling her friend relax.

"I can promise I'll try…" she says and this makes Ruby chuckle.

"Such a Schnee answer." Ruby huffs. "A truly annoying trait to have, if you ask me."

Weiss laughs, holding Ruby closer and tickling her, making the huntress huff and try to move away.

"Weiss! Come on, let me go!" she starts moving faster, which makes Weiss laugh louder.

Nevertheless, Ruby's smile become serious and Weiss knows something must have happened. Letting her friend go and watching her turn the pre-recording and jammer off, Weiss hears angry steps coming her way and manages to return to her desk right before her father opens the door to her room, coming straight towards her.

Staring at her father, it was clear to Weiss that her father had seen the story. Clearly, she had miscalculated how he would react. Because angry was one word to describe her father.

Livid was also pretty close to his current state.

And dangerous was her current situation.

Although Weiss had been prepared to deal with some kind of retribution from her father the moment he saw the story, she had not expected him to react so quickly. Someone at the tv channel must have tattled and let him know about her remarks. This, in turn, made her father stand in front of her and slap her on the face without any kind of explanation.

"Weiss!" Ruby screams and prepares to take Crescent Rose out, only stopping herself because of Weiss' signal.

"Father." Weiss says bitterly. "Usually you give me an explanation before slapping me."

"Your actions lately have been unbecoming of the Schnee last name." he starts saying. "Your words and statements completely against your heritage and the legacy the Schnee have set to leave for future generations. Your position regarding current policies, completely idiotic."

"I'm afraid…" the white-haired woman grabs her face. "That I don't understand what you're talking about. I haven't done anything to upset…"

"YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!" he bellows while staring at her and takes out a piece of paper and starts to read from it. "FAUNUS DESERVE THE SAME RIGHTS WE HAVE! THEY'RE EQUAL TO US! ARE YOU INSANE?!"

Weiss quickly gives Ruby a calming look, having noticed her friend trying to get closer to her without alerting her father.

"You were the one who wanted the SDC to be seen as a faunus friendly entity. In fact, that's why you wanted the cameras to shoot scenes at the orphanage." Weiss chuckles. "I just did what you asked of me."

"You…" her dad says livid and takes a deep breath. "What you're doing in that orphanage, you know I can take it away."

"Can you?" she asks with a smirk. "After that story? I don't think so. I mean, how would it look if the SDC eliminated the orphanage after everyone in Atlas watched the many children that live and study there?"

This makes her father stare at her, silently measuring her.

"You conniving snake." he laughs. "You knew what you were doing right from the start and have forced my hand into continuing to support this orphanage of yours."

"I only did what this family has taught me to do; take and grasp every given opportunity." Weiss shrugs.

"And usually I would congratulate such a feat." he says bitterly. "But your position regarding faunus will simply not stand. The future CEO of the SDC cannot treat faunus as equals. Because not only do you visit them, you also play with them, eat with them, carry them and play with them!"

"They're people just like you and I am. Deserving of the same rights and treatment."

"Not all people are equal. And that's a lesson you still haven't learned. Always getting involved with lesser people than you. Being friendly and kind with the help." her father says darkly while staring at Ruby and this makes Weiss see red.

"Don't you dare insult Ruby." she threatens him. "You can do to me whatever you want, but I won't let you hurt Ruby. I will not let you hurt my friend!"

Her father looks knowingly at her.

"Your friend?" he laughs maniacally. "You think this huntress is your friend?! How naïve can you be?! She's only here because I'm paying her to be here." he sobers up. "In fact, I remember when the same thing happened years ago with that rabbit faunus. How you got infatuated and started to spend your time with her. How you believed she was your friend when she was only using you to gain our favor. Now you're doing the same thing with this huntress and the children at the orphanage. Yet again you're embarrassing our family."

"Treating people kindly is nothing to be ashamed of!" Weiss screams at him.

"They're not people! They're animals that we use!" he spits and this makes Weiss stare in complete shock at him. "Their lives do not compare to ours and as long as I live I will never allow a Schnee to be seen with them."

"You are disgusting." Weiss says darkly and watches her father's eyes widen in shock, his palm immediately extending towards her.

Preparing to feel another hard slap coming her way, Weiss is surprised when nothing happens. Hesitantly opening her eyes, she sees Winter standing in front of her, the older woman angrily holding her father's hand.

"Winter…" her father says bitterly while trying to get his hand back.

"Father." she doesn't let him go. "Weiss." she says softer and Weiss knows that's her sister's way of letting her know that she was there for her.

"Winter." Weiss whispers relieved, just now realizing how terrified she felt.

"What are you doing here?" her father asks Winter angrily. "I do not remember extending you an invitation to join us."

"I invited myself." Winter responds firmly. "After hearing from one of my sources how upset you left your office, I decided to check on how things were at home. Luckily…" she adds darkly while letting her father's hand go. "I made it before the situation escalated."

"This is official SDC business between your sister and I. And, since you're no longer part of the company you have no say in this."

"Perhaps… But as a member of the Atlas Military, when I see an act of violence happening in front of me I have every right to react."

This makes the older Schnee stare bitterly at the two of them.

"React in what way, Winter? You know very well that your actions have consequences as well. Who those consequences affect…" he smirks while staring at Weiss. "Well, that's up to you."

Winter growls, feeling herself close to losing control. Nevertheless, she knew that was precisely what her father wanted. An excuse to make her leave and punish Weiss at the same time.

"My actions are not meant to harm either the SDC nor my family." she says politely. "In fact, I came to inform you of some numbers and statistics that may interest you." she takes a seat in one of the room chairs. "Internal showings of the story done on Weiss and the orphanage she sponsors have shown that approval for the SDC has increased. Not only that, but from what I've heard, some investors had the story leak and are now calling the main offices; asking to be involved in future expansion plans. And, it also helps that Weiss has become quite popular with the younger generation."

Weiss stares at her sister and notices the way her father starts relaxing.

"All of these previously mentioned achievements clearly correlate with Weiss' initiative and project. Surely, having such a talented and multi-purpose heiress is something that shouldn't be punished. In fact, I believe it should be rewarded."

"Winter…" her father groans. "Are you forcing my hand?"

"I'm stopping you from hurting your daughter." the older woman says darkly. "And protecting my sister the best way I know how."

"Your sister is acting this way because she truly cares. It's not an act for her."

"Perhaps… But she hasn't done anything to either humiliate or challenge your position nor the one of the SDC. All she did in the interview was state her personal point of view and praise you." Winter explains.

Her father steps away from them, thinking.

"Her behavior cannot go unpunished."

"She just saved the company from a horrible media situation after that dust factory fiasco. In fact, she probably made you get more employees and investors. To me that deserves a price."

Groaning, the oldest Schnee moves towards the door.

"Today I will let things slide." he murmurs. "But next time I won't be so lenient, Weiss" he finishes and closes the door, leaving the three women alone.

The moment Weiss realizes he's gone, she collapses and starts crying vehemently, feeling Winter and Ruby each hold her tight.

"Jammer?" Weiss whimpers and feels Ruby squeeze her hand in confirmation. "Oh Winter…" she cries and feels her sister kissing her forehead. "How did you know?"

"I didn't." Winter says softly. "Me being here was a coincidence."

"But what you said about your informant..."

"A lie." the older Schnee murmurs and hugs her sister tighter. "Are you ok?"

"Thanks to you, yes." she says vulnerably and then stares at Ruby, who tries to move away. "Don't…" she warns her. "I told you to not do anything."

"I let him hurt you." Ruby whispers. "I just stood there and let him hurt you."

"He would have kicked you out the moment you raised your hand at him." Winter says while keeping her sister close. "Weiss knew so as well and that's why she made you stay."

"I'm sorry." Weiss apologizes immediately. "It's all my fault. I know I promised you..."

"No. It was my fault." Winter interrupts her. "Yet again, I'm asking you for something I know is impossible…"

"THIS WASN'T YOUR FAULT! IT WAS HIS!" Ruby screams at the two white-haired women who simply stare at her. "Can't you see what you're doing?! You're blaming everyone but him!"

Both Weiss and Winter stare at each other, feeling ashamed of themselves and of the way her father could control and manipulate them.

"It seems like we are." Winter admits dejectedly.

"We were never taught differently." Weiss adds fearfully.

"Then all you have to do is stop accepting his abuse as normal." Ruby gets close to Weiss and caresses the red mark left by her father. "You need to stop antagonizing him until you're ready to leave. Because while he may be incapable of hurting Winter, as long as you live under his roof he can do to you whatever he wants."

"I…" Weiss starts muttering. "I can't leave, not yet."

"I know that." she says softly. "And I will stay with you for as long as you're here."

"Ruby…"

"And you." the huntress addresses Winter. "You need to stop justifying every fucked-up thing your father does. He's not an unbeatable monster or god. He's a man, made of flesh and bones."

"I… I don't know how to face him."

"You just did. You saw him trying to hurt Weiss and you reacted. Now you need to do the same when he's attacking you."

Winter looks down in embarrassment.

"You need to value your life more." the huntress tells her softly. "Both of you need to realize that your safety means the world to my sister and I and start acting cautiously."

Scolded, the two sisters immediately nod, understanding that while they had a childhood where no one cared about them, their current situation was different. Now, their actions and them being hurt didn't only affect them because they were both now part of a team.

"Ok." Ruby relaxes and sits down where Weiss was, who had separated from Winter and was now fixing them some tea. "Now then, not that I'm not happy to see you Winter, specially now." she murmurs. "But what are you doing here?"

Grabbing a cup of tea and thanking Weiss, Winter takes a calming sip before addressing Ruby.

"Earlier today, Yang and I received a tip from one of our informants. Apparently, there's a woman asking questions regarding you, Weiss."

"Me?" the younger Schnee asks surprised. "You think she's a spy?"

"We were concerned because she approached a SDC guard, one that knows the routes you two take every day to and from the orphanage." Winter explains.

"Do you have a picture of her?" Ruby asks seriously.

"She knew where the cameras were. I sent Yang there to confirm her identity and determine if she's a threat. I haven't heard anything back from her, but the moment I do I'll let you know." she takes another sip of tea.

"You know…" Weiss chuckles while sitting down next to Winter and grabbing her hand. "You could have told us this information by video conference."

This makes Winter blush.

"Yes! I mean, for things like this is why you got them to begin with." Ruby teases her as well. "Could it be then that you were missing us and came for a visit?"

Winter blushes even more than before.

"You were?" Weiss asks surprised.

Winter stares at her and huffs in surrender, knowing that it was still hard for her sister to fully embrace their newly rebuilt relationship.

"Of course I missed you." she soothes her younger sister. "I even missed Ruby." she tries to tease but is hugged by Weiss unexpectedly.

"Sometimes it is hard for me to believe that you love me. Not that I didn't know it before, but to see and hear you say it every day…" she doesn't need to finish her sentence because Winter knows what her sister is trying to say.

Both of them hadn't been used to physical signs of affection. Her mother had been too drunk to be with them and her father had been too worried about his company to see them as more than tools. It was only after Winter went to Atlas Academy and met Yang and Ruby that she started to open up more.

Weiss, it seemed, was similar to her.

"Well, you should start getting used to it." Winter says embarrassed.

"You're so cute when you blush!" Ruby teases her again.

"Ruby!" the white-haired woman says and only stops from adding more because she feels her scroll vibrating.

Taking it out, she reads the message quickly before putting it away.

"Was that Yang?" Weiss asks and her sister nods in confirmation.

"Well, what did she say?" Ruby asks anxiously.

"Bring Ruby and Weiss back home." the older woman tells them.

"Only that? I swear Yang can be annoyingly cryptic at times."

"She does know that it's not quite simple for us to leave." Weiss says amused.

Winter chuckles while standing up.

"Apparently…" she smirks while taking her encrypted scroll out and arranging some transportation for the three of them. "Yang has something that she needs to show all of us. And once Yang makes up her mind about something, I know better than to question her."