Chapter six: Guilt
"Weiss… you can't even begin to imagine just how disappointed I am."
I looked up from my bed, letting my eyes lazily gaze around the room. I was seated in my father's study, dressed in about what I'd normally go to bed in, a white nightgown. I hadn't bothered putting on any underwear, the nightgown would be gone when I walked in my room anyway. I preferred to sleep on the carpet regardless, didn't remind me of the man standing in front of me as much. The slick white hair, the bulging and glaring icy blue eyes, holding no love in them, only anger and spite. I didn't doubt it was taking all his restraint not to strangle me right now. Or maybe it was fear over what I could do, what I had done just recently to Whitley. I was drawn from my thoughts by him speaking again. "What do you have to say for yourself? Hmm? Going to apologize for once?"
"What did I do wrong?"
He sighed, reaching up and pressing the bridge of his nose. I was playing the innocent act, feigning ignorance at what was obviously the problem. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing as he sighed again. "Why did you bring her? Why, of all people, a poor faunus girl?" "Is there something wrong with a faunus father? Something wrong with her not being rich? I fail to see the problem with bringing a friend of mine to a party. You said I could bring another guest now didn't you?" I asked, unable to help the small smile. I had him with that one. What did he expect honestly? Someone from my piano lessons? Singing lessons? My art dance classes? None of them even existed for crying out loud. I mean, they did at first… then they were just excuses to go and fight at Roman's club.
My father gritted his teeth, gripping my shoulder with a calm face, but his hand shaking and gripping tight with outrage. "Weiss… there is someone I'd like you to meet. Someone who I think it will be best for you to meet now." he said. I heard him say 'come in' as the door opened behind me. I turned around, my eyes widening slightly as I saw the familiar young asshole who'd smarted off in front of Velvet. I recognized the neat, light brown hair anywhere. He still the black and gray watch on his right wrist, but now he'd traded out the tan suit for some khaki pants and a nice gray shirt. He smiled, holding out a hand to me. "Dove Bronzewing, of Patch." "We've… already met." I said, raising an eyebrow at him. Did he just… always greet people with his name and his birthplace? Was that it?
"Mr. Bronzewing is the soon-to-be patriarch of the Bronzewing family, a group of the Schnee Family's most esteemed friends, as well as the head of our operations in Patch. Young Dove here is working on a way to chemically synthesize a stronger polymer than ordinary plastic, he's the youngest man to ever head the Schnee Company R & D department. You've got a bright future ahead of you young man." "Thank you Mr. Schnee." he said, bowing slightly, giving a slight smile in my direction. I ignored it, I'd seen that kind of smile before. Normally it was accompanied by catcalls and people asking for my number. They never got it. They usually got black eyes and broken noses if they went any further than asking for my number or a date. I tried to tune them out, listening casually as my father kept listing off Dove's accomplishments. Until he said something that I just couldn't ignore.
"I can think of no better man to lead our legacy."
"WHAT!?" me and Dove both said. He said it in surprised elation, me in surprised outrage. Was my father… seriously saying what I thought he was? He couldn't have been… even he wouldn't be so shallow as to do so. "You're… you're not saying-" "I am Weiss. This has been in the making for a long time, I am telling you now because you're nearing the age when such things would be appropriate. Weiss Schnee, meet your soon-to-be husband." he said, his eyes positively beaming with both pride and mischief. He knew what he was doing. What better way to keep your daughter on a short leash than to force her to marry someone you could manipulate? Even if she was already in a rebellious phase? The only thing that surprised me was that he hadn't tried this sooner.
"No. I'm sorry Mr. Schnee, but I can't accept Weiss's hand in marriage." Dove said, shutting his eyes and holding his right hand over his heart. I looked over at him, my eyes widening slightly. Was he… was he actually refusing my father? At the very least that would mean I wouldn't have to marry him, but hopefully it meant he found me disgusting. "Why ever not? Surely she is go-" "It's not that she isn't good enough sir. Weiss Schnee," he turned to me, taking my hands in his. "You are without question the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, so know that I don't mean it in a bad way when I say that I can't marry you. But Mr. Schnee," he turned back, his eyes burning as he looked at my father. "I cannot, I will not marry someone how has no love in her heart for me. Weiss," he turned back to me, "I don't ask you to marry me. But please, allow me to court you, to show you that I'm not so bad. Let me win your heart before I ask for your hand." he said, smiling at me.
"That's… surprisingly chivalrous… but what happens when you don't win my heart?" "I will find a way. Someway, somehow, I'll get you to love me Weiss Schnee. As Dove Bronzewing of Patch, I swear it!" he said, getting on one knee, hand over his heart as he looked up at me. I took a step back, the young man standing back up, giving a brief nod to my father before he walked out the door, shutting it behind him. My father was looking at the door where Dove had left, his eyes still clouded with confusion. "May I leave, father?" "You're going to anyway. Just get out." he said, sullenly walking back over to his desk and sitting down, looking between his palm. I turned around, my smile (somewhat insane) on full blast as I opened the door, looking both ways to see no one there. I couldn't help but jump up in the air a few times, giddy with both excitement and joy.
My father's plan had backfired, horribly. Not only did Dove say he wouldn't marry me right now, but he said he'd 'win my heart' first. I knew that wasn't going to happen, I had nothing but contempt for the man, no matter how old fashioned and chivalrous he seemed to be, with the whole 'courting me' thing. In other words, my father couldn't try this again with someone more willing to marry me on the spot unless Dove gave up. I knew his type, he wouldn't give up until I choose someone else or finally gave in. It was a battle of wills, and no one had a will stronger than mine. Until the day I married someone else, Dove would keep my father from trying anything like this again, still courting me and asking for my hand in marriage.
"Oh this day just keeps getting BETTER and BETTER!" I thought giddily as I happily skipped to my room, adding a twirl in towards the end as I opened the door. I couldn't help my giggling as I shut the door behind me, walking in and looking around. Not only had I horribly embarrassed my father in front of a bunch of his close colleagues and potential friends by bringing a poor faunus as my guest, I'd gotten the chance for a do-over dinner with her, and Dove Bronzewing had refused to marry me. I reached up, stripping off my nightgown and tossing it off to the side, running over and falling flat on the floor, a small pillow on the ground. "Oh I never knew carpet could feel SO good!" I thought to myself, smiling as I slept, completely naked on the floor. I couldn't help but smile, I had a dinner tomorrow.
With someone I actually wanted to see this time.
…
"Weiss!"
I smiled as I looked up, seeing Velvet running towards me. She looked… well, different. She wasn't hunching over that much, her smile was brighter than I ever remembered, and her eyes shimmered like the pond we'd been sitting at the other day. She was dressed in, oddly, a brown dress, flowing down to her legs, which were gently placed into high heels. I looked down, frowning. I was only wearing a tracksuit, plain and simple. She grabbed my hand, pulling me towards a small building, one with a few people already inside, most of them faunus. "You could've told me this was formal Velvet." "It's okay! You look amazing! Now come on!" she said, pulling me inside against my will.
Once we got in, my eyes widened as I saw an exact replica of my own dining room, complete with all of the well dressed people inside, except this time, every one of them had faunus features. Tails and ears and strange eyes. In the center there were three people, all with long rabbit ears like Velvet's. They looked over at me, the oldest one (who I guessed was supposed to be the patriarch) glared at me as the music in the room stopped, everyone stopping and staring. They weren't just staring at me though, they were flat out glaring at me. I felt all their eyes pinning me to the spot as Velvet spoke. "Father, this is my plus one. Weiss Schnee." she said, her voice sounding oddly proud of herself. Her father grabbed her arm, gently pulling her aside as I saw the sneer on their faces.
I turned, my eyes widening as the faunus practically descended on me. "A Schnee? Here? Must be a cold day in hell." "She's dressed in that thing? What do you think she has beneath it?" "Probably some cheap shit, let's find out~" I felt myself being grabbed from all angles, hands and other appendages grabbing at my clothes. I tried to struggle, fight back, but it only seemed to make them fight more, tearing off bits of my suit, my underwear, my skin. Eventually I felt them stop, leaving me on the ground. I laid there, panting, unable to move. All the energy I'd used in the struggle… it vanished. Nowhere to be found. I heard them all jeering at me, calling names. 'Pig', 'whore', 'slut', just to name a few. Eventually though a set of feet walked forward, those same high heeled feet I saw earlier. Everyone else seemed to vanish as Velvet leaned down towards me, smiling.
"Now you know."
…
"GAH!"
I shot upright, looking around wildly as I felt my heart rate skyrocket, my eyes wide as I stood, holding up my fists. When I looked around though, and I saw only my room, I sighed, falling back down, letting my head hit the pillow. I reached up, feeling the water flowing from my eyes as I tried to breathe in, only for a high shrill noise to come out. I didn't stop it, I turned around, sobbing into my pillow as I relived it, every stare, every tear at my clothes, every comment on my body. Velvet was right… I did know now. I knew that I would never forgive her for doing something like this… why would she forgive me? "I don't deserve her… I don't deserve her or her forgiveness, why is she giving it to me!?" I couldn't help but think as I looked up, wiping away some of my tears as I saw my clothes for tomorrow hanging up in the corner.
I didn't even think as I made a mad dash over there, pulling on my sports bra and underwear before I grabbed my scroll, slipping it into my pocket. I didn't think as I dashed through the door, the only thing making me aware it was my doing was the sounds of my feet slapping against hardwood. It wasn't until I was at the front door that I finally started to question it. What was I doing? Running out in the middle of the night, making a mad dash for the poorer part of the city so that I could… what? Why was it so important? I couldn't find an answer… but that didn't stop me from slipping on my shoes, dashing out into the cold night as the door slammed behind me. I ran through the sidewalk, past plenty of onlookers as I felt the night winds slapping me awake. I always did feel more alive when I was cold.
Before I knew it I was in front of Oobleck's clinic, dashing through the open door, up the stairs, and hammering on his apartment door. I knew he'd be downstairs, so that left only one person who could answer the door. I waited only about two minutes before the door was pulled open, revealing the girl behind it. She was dressed in what seemed to be a long, brown onesie, one with a large orange carrot in the center and with little white bunnies dotting it. Her ears were slightly curled up, her eyes drooping as she rubbed one of them with her left sleeve, as when she curled her fist the fabric covered it. "Weiss? What're you," she yawned, "Doing here so early?" I felt the words get caught in my throat as I opened up my mouth, about to ask how she was doing, if she was okay. Instead I just latched onto her, bursting into tears.
Guess subtlety's out.
I felt myself being pulled back as the door shut, my body moving almost on it's own as I felt a soft surface beneath me, two softer arms wrapping around my back and pulling me close. "Oh shh shh shh… it's okay… I'm right here it's okay…" Velvet said soothingly, slowly moving her right hand down my back, her other through my hair. After a few minutes I'd calmed down enough to talk, though tears still went down my face as I pulled back, frowning at her. "I'm sorry… I'm so, so sorry Velvet…" "What for Weiss? You haven't done anything I can't forgive you for." she said, keeping that small smile on her face, despite the tired appearance of her eyes. I leaned on her shoulder, every time I saw her kind, forgiving face… it was just another pang of grief, yet another reassurance I didn't deserve to see that forgiveness.
"Yes I have! I-I used you Velvet! The only reason I brought you to that party-" "Weiss… we've been over this, I forgive you. Please, stop crying. If you don't then you're gonna make me…" Velvet's lower lip quivered slightly as I pulled back, her eyes filling with tears. That got me to stop alright, I held out my hand, trying to comfort her, only for her to go right back to that smiling, tired face. "Velvet… let me make it up to you. Somehow, please." "Hmm… okay," Velvet stood, crouching beneath her bed and pulling out what looked to be a onesie identical to hers, "Put this on. I'll uh… be in this pillow while you get out of those." she said, gesturing to my underwear before planting her face in the pillow, covering her ears. Well… her human ones anyway. I looked down at the cloth, feeling my face burn slightly as I slipped out of my panties, pulling my bra over my head. "I put her through that hell, this is the least I can do." I thought as I pulled it on, zipping it back up.
"Now what?" "Now," Velvet moved off her pillow, nearly pressing against the wall. She held out her arms, a wide smile on her face, "Come cuddle with me." she said. I felt my face burn slightly as I nodded. I said I'd make it up to her, and I meant it. I walked over, slipping in beneath the covers as she pulled me closer, wrapping her arms around me as I did the same. I felt her chin hitting against the top of my head as her legs gently moved over mine, pulling me closer. I looked up, seeing her smiling down at me. "It's three in the morning Weiss, let's get some sleep okay? You can borrow some of my clothes for tomorrow. I've got a little dress I think you'd look adorable in!" she said, nearly squealing as she leaned down, rubbing her nose against my much brighter red one, much like my whole face. Was this… was this a rabbit faunus thing or a… Velvet thing?
She moved back, gently running a hand down my hair. "Not that I'm… complaining but… why're we cuddling?" "Well…" she looked away, her face tinted with blush, "I didn't want to worry you about it but… I have a lot of nightmares… proper nasty ones sometimes. That and… well, I get lonely okay? I really like that feeling that someone's there. It makes me feel less alone." she said, smiling down at me. I felt my blush slightly dissipate as I listened. Then I gave her a small smile, leaning against her and slightly nuzzling into her chest. I smiled, "I get it… I get lonely too. Snuggling with you makes it easier… and if I'm honest you… you're really comfortable Velvet…" I said, turning my head slightly sideways as I looked up towards her. She looked down, not bothering to hide her blush as she smiled at me. She placed her chin on my head as I leaned back into her chest. "Let's get some sleep, okay?" she asked. I smiled,
"Yeah… let's."
…
"Wakey wakey Weissy Weissy~"
I awoke to the feeling of a finger lightly probing my face, poking my cheeks. I reached up, swatting it away as I turned myself over, facing away from whatever it was. "Aww… don't be like that." I heard the voice say. I felt hands running beneath my arms, quite easily hoisting me up off the bed and into the air. I slowly opened my eyes, blinded by the light for a second before it cleared up, revealing the smiling rabbit faunus holding me up. I looked down, my eyes widening slightly when I noticed that she was holding me off the ground enough that my feet were almost at her knees, my eyes nearing the tips of her ears. She started spinning me, slightly laughing all the while. "Wakey wakey! Upsy Daisy!" she said, jumping up slightly, landing on the ground as she swung me around almost effortlessly, leaning my head towards the ground as she looked over me.
"You're a… a lot stronger than you look Velvet." I said, looking over towards her. She wasn't in her sleepwear, but rather a white tank-top, accompanied with some black shorts as well. I could see the faint, slender muscles on her arms, hardly defined, but definitely there, almost like my own. I looked down, her legs had the same kind of look to them, except her thigh muscles were much more defined. She stood me upright, slightly rubbing behind her head. She giggled, a faint blush dusting her face. "Really? I mean, you're light as a feather. Back when we were in the park I was almost worried a gust of wind would blow you away if I didn't hold your hand." she said. I slowly nodded… I wasn't sure if that was the sweetest thing I'd ever heard or the most flattering thing I'd ever heard… what was most surprising was that, either way, it came from Velvet of all people. Likely the most innocent girl I could think of. She probably didn't even realize it.
"Anyway, come on downstairs! We're having breakfast!" she said, gently pulling on my hand. I didn't try to dig in my heels or resist, I just went along with it, letting her pull me down the stairs, still in her pajamas, towards the kitchen where I knew Oobleck would be sitting. I didn't care, let him see me. I was doing this for Velvet, not him. When we walked downstairs I noticed Oobleck standing a few feet away, smiling slightly as he saw me. "I think it's a bit big on her Velvet." "Oh but she's just so cuuuuute~!" she said, wrapping her arms around me and shaking me slightly, my face burning all the while. It was one thing up in her room but… in front of Oobleck? That was another thing altogether. Though, Oobleck just chuckled, standing up and quickly grabbing two plates, setting them in front of us. "I've already eaten, I'll be in the medical bay if you need me!" he said, dashing out of the room and down the stairs.
I looked down, raising an eyebrow as I looked at the food. "What… is this?" "It's a bacon egg and cheese sandwich silly!" Velvet said, giggling like I was joking, acting like it was the most obvious thing in the world. When she saw my blank stare, she raised an eyebrow, slowly looking down at the sandwich before looking back to me. "Oh… have you never… eaten, one of these?" "The least expensive thing the chef at home fixes is… umm… well, you know. Not… things like this." I said, looking away from Velvet, blush dusting my features. I didn't want to bring up my meals at home, remind Velvet of who I really was and how this compared… I didn't want to hurt her feelings at all. Velvet slowly nodded, her eyes understanding and patient. More patient than mine would be, if the roles were switched, and I was teaching her which fork to use and when.
"It's alright, it's easy! Just pick it up and eat it! See?" she said, grabbing her own with her fingers, taking a small bite out of the edge. I felt my brain grind to a halt, short circuiting. Eat it? Pick it up? No forks? Knives? Spoons? Just bare hands? "Just… eat it… right…" I slowly said, nodding slightly as I saw Velvet eating hers. I looked down, the brown bagel split open with eggs bacon and cheese pouring from within to the surrounding plate. I reached down, tendering probing at it. Not incredibly hot at least. I picked it up in both hands, lifting it off the plate.
"Young lady! What did I tell you!?"
I dropped the sandwich, backing away from it as I sat up as straight as I could, my eyes widening as I clenched my fists in my lap, feeling my heart skipping a beat, my breathing picking up. I felt pressing on my arms as I reached up, jerking whoever it was down, holding onto them as an anchor for dear life, breathing in the scent of their hair, one of my hands stroking the long, brown mane as I shut my eyes, trying to calm down. The scent was familiar, stirring memories of me and Velvet walking through the park, me getting to be myself. I felt my breathing calming down, my body starting to slowly relax as I opened my eyes, pulling back from Velvet. She pulled away, smiling down at me, her hands still on my shoulders. "Are you okay?" "I am now… thank you…" I said, still trying to breathe normally.
When she stepped back I reached over, picking up the sandwich and, before I could hear the voice again, biting into it. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I pulled my chair closer, letting my back relax against the chair as I sighed. I didn't hear the voice telling me to sit up straight, telling me to put the salad fork here and the dinner fork here, use what kind of spoon when. It was silent. Me and Velvet ate in silence for the most part, Velvet finishing before I did as she just watched me, making a bridge out of her fingers and tilting her head sideways onto them, her ears slightly moving every few seconds as she smiled at me. When I was finally done I smiled at Velvet. "Maybe I should come here more often. I haven't felt so relaxed in years." "If it means we can cuddle again, I'd love you coming over." she said, smiling at me. She said that statement with no blush whatsoever, nor any lustful intent… how, I wasn't sure. Was she that innocent or… did she really just see it as 'friendly cuddling', if such a thing existed?
I stood, the two of us depositing the paper plates -Velvet had to explain the concept of disposable dishware to me too- in the recycling bin before Velvet took my hand, pulling me up towards her room. The second we got there she shoved my underwear back in my hands, as well as a long, brown sundress. Not at all like the dresses I normally wore, made of silk and satin fibers. This one was made more of cotton and polyester. I walked into the bathroom, slipping out of the onesie and into my underwear again. I slipped on the sundress, slightly surprised at how well it fit, despite being a little longer than I expected. I'd just pulled it on when Velvet knocked on the door. "Are you dressed Weiss?" "Yeah." I answered. The second I did so she walked in, holding a hand up to her mouth as I saw her eyes start sparkling.
"Okay hold still, I want to try something." she said, walking over. I felt her take my hair tie out, setting it on the sink as I stared at the wall, trying to guess what she was doing based on how it felt. It felt like she was parting my hair over on the sides, maybe to make it into twin-tails? It was kind of hard to tell but, if I had to guess, twin-tails was what she was going for. She moved down beneath me after a second, moving my feet up and slipping pearly white, netted shoes onto my feet, the kind I'd seen some people wear on Sundays. I felt her slap something on my head too, rustling against my ears for a second before Velvet held out a hand. I took it without question, watching as she spun me around. I felt my eyes widen as I saw the two of us in the mirror. Velvet looked the same, wearing the tank top and shorts, but me? I didn't even look like Weiss anymore.
The brown sundress had a lighter brown sash around my stomach, drawing the attention away from my (regrettably small) chest. I was wearing a large, pale hat with a pink ribbon wrapped around the center, a bow tied off on the side. The edges came down enough to cast my face into shadows, just on the edge of my vision. If I looked down no one would even be able to see my face. My hair flowed out on either side of my face, framing it down to my chest in a set of twin-tails, guess I was right. I looked cute but, not drop dead gorgeous like I would in my actual dresses. "Well? What do you think? Personally I think you look adorable like this but, you know it's your body and I wouldn't want to-" "No… I like it. If the sundress was white though, then you'd be set." I said, giving Velvet a small smirk.
She smiled slightly, holding up her hands, "Sorry, most of the things I own are gold, brown or orange… but I'm really glad you like it. You look great!" "No… I look good. I would look great in those dresses… but I don't want to look great." I said, smiling as I looked in the mirror. Velvet raised an eyebrow, her ears lightly curling in, likely in confusion if I had to guess. I turned around, smiling at her. "I want to be me. So I'm really glad you did this. Now I'm not just some gorgeous girl… I'm me." "Well you're still pretty gorgeous you know. I-I mean-! Uh! T-That's not what I meant! You-!" she cut herself off, her face burning bright red as she started sputtering off apologies and excuses about how she didn't meant to call me gorgeous. When she was done I smiled at her, "Thanks Velvet,"
"Now how about we see what you look like in a dress?"
