A/N
Here's Chapter 6! straight from my tablet. So i won't have my computer for a week now. I'll manage somehow. Onto the story notes. First try at including music here. When the OST marker comes along listen to it please, it will allow you to see what I'm going for. just put it into your search engine and you should find the one I wanted you to. Enjoy!
(Schnee) Arc:
Ch. 6: Pruinosus Particeps
-For now, nothing is ever truly safe.-
In the Study-15 minutes later
Wiess's POV-
I had been focusing on my assignment regarding the history of the Mt. Glenn settlement. My footnotes consisted of why Vale attempted to establish it . How they managed to construct it, The defenses, both naturally accruing and employed, such as huntsman. There was then the disputed reasons for why the grim continued to mass and attack Mt. Glenn.
Then.. there was the fall and the sealing of the settlement. As Mr. Zimmer said i can do that section at a later time. I will take him at his word.
The after effects of the failure to establish Mt. Glenn were severe.
Finally there was the Oma Siege.
Years later a Huntsman coalition consisting of multiple teams including STRQ, led by the huntsman code named "One man army" aka Oma, began clearing out and retaking the tunnels that led to Mt. Glenn.
The "Siege on Grim" lasted ninety-three day's and several teams were lost, the exact number lost as some of the combatants had not been formally trained and therefore registered at an academy.
The result, however was that Mt. Glenn was retaken and both a museum and tomb were built. The monument stands in the town.
Oma also established a huntsman training center. This used part of the ruined city as a training ground that led out into the wilds.
Vale this used in conjunction with Beacon academy. Oma had seen to the bolstering of the defenses and establishment of what amounted to a huntsman border guard that consisted of seven teams upon founding.
This number had increased over the course of time. Oma established one rule that is still observed in Mt. Glenn.
Every citizen had to serve two years in the HSU or Huntsman support unit.
They received two years of training as well as a standardized armament. Upon finishing their term, they could continue to serve and have the working conditions that the HSU provided, which were good as medical care was provided free and they assisted with paying for attending any of the academies. This came with the condition that you would need to return and serve with the HBG for four years.
Oma oversaw all of this and due to pushed for the establishment of a sister settlement, known as Misty Glenn. It was to be established southwest of Vale, in the shadow of the mountain was to be positioned near a river system that led to the coast.
The Vale council was hesitant to allow Oma to establish the settlement, but due to the expansion of the population of Mt. Glenn and the large popular opinion Oma and the Huntsman center commanded. The council couldn't say no.
Thus Misty Glenn was established. It initially served as a logging town, but upon the discovery of the second largest deposit of Dust known in Remnant things changed.
Oma contracted an agreement with the SDC that provided more materials and dust for beacon, Oma's supposed Alma Malter both Glenns and two Dust grants to promising huntsman teams.
One was randomly given out, while another was rewarded to the team that won the Vytal festival.
Oma used both popular opinion, the funds and man power that came with the position they held to begin the establishment of the first ever Grim free zone. It became known as Misty Peak park.
Both the HSU and HBG of each town were reformed into the Glenn Task force.
Both of the towns had been sectioned into divisions that each had their own separate section of the wall so that sections could be sealed off to be retaken later, thus far that measure had not come into effect as nothing had penetrated the outer perimeters of the defense line.
There was a state of marital law implemented as drills, but other than that the operation of the revival and operation of the new Glenn's served to demonstrate how much efficient management of logistics and political maneuvering could be when organized under one leader.
There had been tensions for a long time between the Glenns and Vale given how Vale had "given up" on Mt. Glenn, but Oma had smoothed over that by again demonstrating their ability to maneuver the political arena.
They had brought descendants of the original Mt. Glenn as well as families of the huntsman from vale who retook Mt. Glenn to a meeting at the Glenn office in Vale. For Seventeen days he brought these families together with those of the council and revealed to the world that they were distant relatives.
Vale may have issue with taxing the Glenns, but it did lower the pressure it had on managing its own populations as large amounts could move to the Glenns.
Statistically speaking , having previous infrastructure to start with, had grown to house as many as Vale, the little sister of the two had a population of two thousand.
Current media have made several books, movies, documentaries, and games based on the Rise of the Glenns.
It was also a popular topic for students given it was the first real case of humanity taking territory back from the Grim and served as an example of what the huntsman could do when they banded together, it also served to immortalize the myth that was Oma.
Oma had retreated into the shadows for the past three years, and despite pleas to the huntsman center of Glenn, as well as their Task force, they only stated that Oma had gone on a long term mission and nothing more.
The "myth" of Oma comes up as there is no documentation to state that they actually exist, despite all of the accounts that they do, Oma's gender isn't even publicly known.
I will go into detail and break down what is known about the glens, as well as Oma in another assignment as the objective you assigned Mr. Zimmer was to summarize the revival of the Glenns.
I finish reviewing the paper and look back at my varying notes which to me appear better than the paper, but that's just because I have a preference for bullet points.
Finally no longer distracted I look at the clock, blocking the sunlight that's coming through and realize we need to leave.
I direct my attention to my study partner "Hei-" I stop calling his name as something else grabs my attention.
What am I looking at?
I've sat here for thirty minutes, and my partner has been switched out with another person?
The completely rust haired individual is finishing the math assignments for Heiter while the sunlight dances across them. He finishes and sets down the pencil with a sigh.
He then looks over at me to reveal gold eyes. This person then cracks a radiant smile that I'd associate with… "Heiter?"
the boy nods "Just checking". I'm not quite sure how to bring up the fact that my friends hair and eyes changed in the last thirty minutes, but then decide to just state it.
"Heiter, your hair changed color, along with your eyes. You feeling alright?" Heiter for his part displays no surprise at my statement and simply smiles.
"I guess this is just another day for you?" Heiter put both hands in front of him and started waving them side to side in opposing directions as if to say "No!"
"oh then explain that to me ah wai-" I remember he can't speak!
Heiter has raised an eyebrow, but then puts his hand to his chin, debating something. He then points a thumb to his chest ,then his eye, and then me?
"I'm not following you" The rust haired boy sighs and then points both hands at himself and waits "you?" Heiter nods. He then makes binoculars with his hands arounds his eyes. I squint at him and take a guess. "….see?" he shook his head and made a sawing motion with his hands. "Saw?" He then nods again.
He then points both of his hands to me. It suddenly gets harder for me to think once I realize what he "said".
I look down at my skirt, holding the edges of it. "You?" Heiter claps , oblivious to my inner turmoil that he caused.
Come one Wiess you're a Schnee! We don't fall to simple compliments!
My inner thoughts are about how most compliments are meant to benefit those who speak them...
Heiter doesn't strike me as that kind of individual, perhaps that's the reason for my state? Something taps my shoulder and I look up. Heiter has a serious look on his face as he stares at me, he then puts a hand on his forehead, while putting the other on mine.
I sigh with exasperation.
He certainly is a gentle dolt with no incentives attached ….. and he's my partner for the next several years.
I smile,remove his hand and then stand up. " I'm fine .I take it we are finished here?"
Heiter looks back at his paper, then back to me and nods. I gracefully make my way over to the door. "Well then we shouldn't Keep Mrs. Dion waiting. I make to open the door when suddenly Heiters hand is on the golden knob.
I glance at the rusty haired boy who opens the door for me, beckoning me to lead on. I bow slightly "Thank you ,but-" I smirk, reach over and tentatively grab his right hand.
" I believe you don't know your way around here do you? I haven't exactly seen you before."
Heiter reaches with his left hand and scratches the back of his head, which he then shakes sideways.
A small smile parts my lips. "Then I'll show you the way. Just make sure to get the doors."
I lead my study partner down the hallway to the intersection that on the right leads back up to the residence hall.
I take the left turn toward the hallway. I look back and notice that Heiter is marveling at the paintings on the hallway that had long since lost their luster to me.
I stop and look at one depicting sunflowers that had seemed to have gotten his attention.I instantly recall it as i've had to "showcase" the house before. "This was drawn by Claude Monet before the great war. My grandfather has procured much of the artwork that is currently inside the Schnee manor. I feel a pride swell in my chest at this and satisfied that for once I'm not just posturing to one of fathers friends.
I'll need to show him around the house sometime. "I'll give you a tour of what artwork we have at a later time, we really need to get to Mrs. Dions lesson on time."
Heiter pouts in response to this. I sigh , but then a plan formulates in my mind. I let go of his hand and lift it in front of him and extend my fifth digit. " I promise to show you as much as I can around the house at a later time, in exchange you help me with something later as well. Deal?" His golden eyes meet mine, then look at my hand, a smirk plays across his face and he finishes the pinkie promise.
I resist the urge to grin. "Now no more distractions!"
I let go and offer my left hand, keeping it face down. He bows slightly and takes my hand. I continue our journey to Mrs. Dions lesson, which is held in a building past the garden.
I lead and smirk at having played him into letting me show him around. I also always wanted to do a pinkie promise, but none of the other ladies at the ball were suitable , nor were any who visited the house as all of them were fathers friends. I had to uphold the Schnee image after all.
Hmm. I'll also need to think about what i want him to "help me" with. I should probably save that favor until later.
I reflect on that for a moment until I realize that Heiter is holding the door that leads out to the garden.
I nod in gratitude and continue onward. We pass several rows of flowers as we wind along the stone path that bends slightly to the right. We cross a white wooden bridge over the small man made creek my mother designed that runs throughout the garden.
My partner and I make our way through some columns and arches that have benches near them. My partner stops again,Taking in the view we have from the slight hill we are on.
"My mother was the architect for the garden" I say with pride. I point to the fountain that is in the center of the stone intersection we now find ourselves on. "she would come here and look over the garden while my sister and I had free time to play" I say with some fondness for times long past.
Heiter smiles, but then tugs my hand with his right and has a questioning look on his face. " Right we need to head to the White Rose. I point down the intersection we were following to a large circular building made of marble with arches along the exterior which makes up the flower.
It is connected to a rectangular structure that is one story shorter and has an oval shaped garden on the top of it that was intended for parties. This is supported by columns that line the exterior. Pride once more swells in me.
"that is also something my mother came up with." We arrive at the large structure and make our way into the entrance near the stalk of the building and are greeted by a large arch that leads to a foyer with two brown oak doors. One on the far right, while the other mirrors it on the left.
My footwear clicks against the marble flooring until we get to the blue carpet in front of the right door, which Heiter opens for me.
I thank him and then direct us to the third room on the right. We can hear the sound of a flute coming out from inside. Heiter looks at me and brings a finger to his mouth as if to say "shhh". I slowly nod. He then quietly opens the door and walks in behind me.
I see Mrs. Dion is about to start singing, but she is facing away from us currently . The room has a circular table in the middle with some sheet music on it. The piano is on the far side of the room.
I beckon to Heiter to follow me as we quietly take a seat in the chairs against the right wall and wait for Mrs. Dion to start as I anticipate this, I rarely get to hear her sing as she's usually teaching me. I recognize the music as the opening to "My heart will go on" One of her more recent hits about the Japetus.
OST- Céline Dion - My Heart Will Go On (Around 2:49)
I hear the last crescendo from the flute before she begins
"Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you,
That is how I know you go on"
The guitar lightly resonated with her at this moment.
"Far across the distance
And spaces between us"
The Flute made another appearance, seemingly perfectly placed.
"You have come to show you… go on"
"Near…..,"I notice the support singers begin to make an appearance. "far…., wherever you are
I believe that the heart does…. go on"
I begin to notice the violins in the background following a melody.
"Once more.. you open the door
And you're here in my heart
I look over to the right to see that Heiter has a distant look in his eyes now, but he seems to notice my gaze.
And my heart will go on and on"
He looks back and gives a small sad smile.
What could possibly be making him sad?
The flute makes its appearance again.
"Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime"
Now a guitar begins to commit itself to the performance.
"And never let go 'til we're gone" The guitar sends out a series of notes again as the support repeats last words
"Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on"
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on" The support appears again with a decrescendo "why does the heart go on?"
"Once more you open the door
At some point I had started swaying slightly to the rhythmic guitar and drums
"And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on"
I smile at the return of the flute and the strings
Mrs. Dion turns around and walks our way making eye contact with us and starts walking out way.
Then Mrs. Dion turns up the power alongside the now crescendoing music, seemingly resonating with my soul.
Heiter briefly and quietly claps. He has a serious in his golden eyes, but he's smiling more convincingly now.
"You're here, there's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on…"
finished by humming the tune. she turns to us with a smile on her face.
"thank you."
I stand up alongside Heiter.
"No, thank you! I had been hoping to listen to you sing, you were marvelous! The piece will surely be a classic."
"Thank you Wiess. Now Alfred contacted me a short while ago saying you would be later than usual, but your still on time." "Ahh yes, I just really don't want to be late for your lessons"
"Is it because its one of the few where you can be yourself?" "ah no I'm always-" "
Wiess, I've known you since you were a little girl, there is no need for you to always be what somebody else labels as perfect.
"but-" Mrs Dion cuts me off again.
"I know you want to not embellish the Schnee name, but Elizabeth would simply want you to be happy, speaking of which I notice your in a far better state of mind upon entering the class, while I would like to think the music and I had something to do with that, I believe your rusty haired friend is partly responsible for this?"
"I am allowed to be in a good mood once in awhile!" I stammer.
"so the boy had no effect on your mood?"
Mrs. Dion has a knowing smile on her face. " I said-" I notice that Heiter has a hurt look on his face as he stares at me with those golden eyes. "-maybe" Mrs. Dion leans forward and pats my shoulder.
"Wonderful, Liz would be happy to hear that you got yourself a friend. Now then I got the information from Alfred. You can understand me, but are limited in expressing yourself in a way that we understand?" Heiter nods, but smiles as if that doesn't matter.
"Right you are. Those challenges you can meet with time. Now then what to call you.."
Heiter perks up at this and points to me.
"Ma'am , he already has a name"
"I know, but I can't find out that name and I feel it would be wrong to call him "you" for the time being."
"No I mean his name is Heiter"
raises an eyebrow and a small smirk appears on her lips. In response i feel something go cold in me.
"really now, and how did you find that out?"
"ah, um"
I feel my face heat up with embarrassment a the situation I threw myself into, unsure how to walk out of it. I notice Heiter doing something, but can't focus on him.
"Really now? She named you?" I look up to see a smile on my teachers face and Heiter beaming at me.
"wonderful naming sense Wiess, it fits him perfectly. I'll make sure to update Alfred about his nickname, don't worry I'll say I came up with it."
"Thank you Mrs. Dion" I feel some unknown pressure lift off me.
" Now then we need to get on with the lessons. Heiter since this is a singing class, you can just have the job of listening." The lady beckons me over to the small semicircular wooden stage she had set up for me to stand on. "For now just start with your breathing exercises, then we will get to the practice songs."
Heiters Pov-
I watched Wiess go off to have her lessons and begin to debate what had happened earlier. I really am happy here, but it hurt not knowing my parents. I had managed to keep it under wraps by first sleeping with the cloak.
I then was too preoccupied by meeting a friend, whom happens to be the white haired girl in front of me now performing warm up exercises…
...Oh...
She has a nice voice.
She also named me Heiter.
No idea what it means since Mrs. Dion said it means something, but its another sign that I can stay here!
I go back and recollect how I actually was happy to see my homework assignment. Math being one of the few things my caretakers and I had in common thankfully, although it was on the lower end of what I was taught.
Wait…. Who taught me math? I narrow my eyebrows as a fog comes up in my memories.
Strange. I know things, but why? This is exactly like what happened when Mr. Clutch asked me about my family. I know I have one. I can feel it, but when I try to think about anything specific, I come up with nothing.
I sigh, I need to take care of the cloak like Mr. Clutch said. I also need to take care of my ability to stay here. I look up at Wiess who is focused on the lessons that Mrs. Dion is teaching. Right now they are testing the upper and lower limits of her voice.
Reminds me of something, but… haaa.. I shake my head. Nothing. Its aggravating. Always feeling like something is out of my reach. I put my hand out in front of me and grasp at the air. I may not remember my past, but I am who I am.I am just overthinking everything. Probably, but- No…. calm down.
You are overthinking things. More to the point it doesn't help.
I look over to Wiess as she is gently swaying as she sings, her short hair following her. Mrs. Dion then stops her by raising a hand. "you need to be in control of your actions, this includes the swaying, while it may feel nice, it needs to always be something in your control."
The young girl nods "yes ma'am" . I lean back in the chair and close my eyes as she continues her exercises, wondering what other activities Mr. clutch has planned for me.
He did say I had to meet some people…
1 hour later
Wiess's PoV
Wiess had just finished her singing as requested by Mrs. Dion.
"well done, I think we can move on to the next stage" I perk up at this.
"Mrs. Dion , can you inform me on what that would entail?" The lady shakes a finger at me. A smile on her face.
"I'll tell you next time we meet in class. I believe that we should head over to the dance hall. You may want to wake your sleeping friend over there. Mrs. Dion lifts her hand to point at Heiter, who is indeed sleeping.
I stare at him and then it hits me that he fell asleep during an instructors lesson. "Ah Mrs. Dion I apologize for his behavior!" I stammer.
"Its fine dear, take it as a compliment. He fell asleep to your vocal exercises about forty minutes just your voice. He did exactly as I asked. He listened and cast his opinion. Tell me does that look like a bored sleeping position?"
I look at the boy again and realize two things, one he is peacefully sleeping like a baby, and that his hair is copper colored again. My angry expression softens upon seeing the boy as i first met him.
"No ma'am. I appears that he is sleeping quiet comfortably."
" Then that is his first impression of your voice, "Great to fall asleep to"one of the better verdicts you can get."
Something click in my head. "Ma'am?" Mrs. Dion turns to face me
"yes dear?" I look at her questioningly "Did you plan this?"
My instructor grins. "Why only the part where he listened to you. I have no control over his opinion of you."
I look away.
"please stop."
"stop what?"
"teasing me."
"you think I'm teasing you?"
I look back at her.
",but you are!"
"dear if I wanted to tease you ,I could, but I'm just telling you the truth as a singer. His initial impression of you is good, now please if you would, go wake him up. I have need of him for the next lesson. "
I sign in defeat, but then respond cheerfully. "Yes ma'am! I then walk over to wake up my study partner.
A/N
ello all! made a few first attempts at things, i think it worked out quite nicely. I got to say it feels great writing this. The lyrics was certainly a new experience as i had to re listen to it a few times as i wrote this. Learning so much about writing. I'd like to say thanks to all who helped me get interested in this project! I'll continue to write as i can. So see you next time!
