A/N ello all! glad to have you here for this. I really enjoyed writing this and to mark the final single digit chapter I included a gift for everyone. enjoy!
(Schnee) Arc:
Ch. 9: Occurrens aestimandum
~that's…..~
Heiters POV-
I follow after Mr. Clutch as we make our way out. He was a little faster than me this time so he got to the door and opened it for me. I wave, walk outside and begin to run down the hall, but come to a stop as a thought hits me. I have no idea where I'm going. I look back and see approaching me.
"It would be best if you follow me and not run ahead, otherwise we will be wasting everyone's time."
That would be bad… ok! I nod my head and stick him to as we make our way back to the intersection and take the right up the staircase. We then round the left corner that follows and are back in the hallway that leads back to the one where I first woke up. I look at the rooms as I pass them noting they have gold plated signs on the doors with figures I don't know,a line, and numbers!
I notice Mr. Clutch is already heading down the other hallway so I quietly run after pass my room and then continue toward a large door. I haven't been this way before. I slow down and start looking at where we are heading.I was expecting to open the large door, but instead he takes one more bend to heads to the right.
I walk with the black haired man until he stops outside a large set of white double doors. There are some voices coming from the other side of the door. I pay attention to see if I can make out what they are saying.
"…"
I pick up the voice of an older man.
".. Now that Director Peat is out on his way to prepare for his daughters wedding. We should move on to the next item on our list…. Jacques?"
I hear the sound of a chair moving and footsteps approaching the door. "I have.. an unscheduled item that we need to discuss."
Now a ladies voice joins the conversation. "Ever the man to bring us an unanticipated development. As much as I enjoy the suspense, I like to get wind of these details so that I may grasp what we will be discussing prior to the meetings. It defeats the purpose of us assembling here Jacques."
"Ms. Jude, believe me when I say I would, but I only became aware of this issue while this meeting has been ongoing, specifically during one of the breaks."
"What would this "issue" be then? I'm sure we can solve it." "Ms. Jude it's actually at the recommendation of Alfred that we discuss this as it is the first time I have come across this situation. Additionally-
I see the door move away from me and now spot two people sitting around a table. I then notice a well dressed man with a funny mustache it almost looks like a bow tie huh... whats a bow tie? Guess I reflexively used the word?
"It's who, not what we need to talk about.
"oh gee whiz put me on the spot why don't you! Alfred at least let me walk myself in!
Ok what to do… lets see Mr. Clutch said- I smile and walk into the room and bow like I did when I met Wiess.
"raise your head young man" I respond to the older voice and look at him. He is an elder with gray hair and blue eyes, wrinkles etch themselves onto his face , but his eyes have the intensity of someone much younger…. That's pretty cool actually!
I smile at the elderly man and look around to see a young woman with shoulder length dark green hair and purple eyes. I can't read her face, but I smile all the same.
"Since your meeting for the first time I will bring you up to speed.
Mr. Clutch motions with his hand to me.
Heiter here is what I believe to be an undocumented individual. He is mute as well as illiterate, however he does understand our spoken language.I would like to add that he is knowledgeable on mathematics.
He then flips it in the direction of the woman.
Heiter this is Ms. Jude, Director of Vale operations and Mr. Baud ,Director of Veteris operations
"is that so Al?"
I notice is clenching her hand , but she releases it and stands up from her spot, walks around the table to where I am currently standing and crouches. I look at her not quiet knowing what to expect as she... inspects me?
"you found him today?
"Jacques found him I believe. Heiter this man right here is , head of the schnee family and schnee dust company"
I perk up at this and look to the right at as it is my first time learning of it.
"Jacques, what do you know of this child?
"Not much I came across him on the front patio and decided to take them in."
"that's all?"
"that is all"
"Well pardon me for saying this, but this is a first from you. I didn't take you for a humanitarian."
"None taken Mr. Baud , lets just say the mood struck me, I believe Ms. Jude said anyone can effect another human? Well lets say I was thinking about her for once."
"And this boy just conveniently appeared in the front patio?
"I know what your thinking and i'll state it one time, he is under my care."
I feel hands on my shoulders and look up to see Ms. Jude is behind me.
"President… will we be the ones taking care of him?"
" Yes..that does remind me you were like him once?" "Until your mother took me in and put me under Al's tutelage. For which I am ever grateful as I doubt I would have survived as I was all things considered. Heiter here seems to have not lost his… innocence yet unlike me at that time.
I need to state this now.
I will provide full support behind teaching him, but I may be biased to his situation."
" noted, however Alfred will be overseeing the first stage of his education. We need him to be competent in some of the basic standards we would expect from a Schnee's shadow."
Mr. Baud leans back in his chair slightly with an amused expression "Jacques? I thought you wanted him to be a future board member?"
Mr. Schnee redirected his gaze to and met his eyes.
"no.. when Al said undocumented he wasn't referring to a lack of part of his history, rather a complete absence of information on him, his family, everything. This makes him suitable to be trained for the job."
Ms. Jude spoke up at this point
"Jacques do tell me then how we learned Heiter's name if he can't speak?"
Jacques looked at me then Mr. Clutch.
"Actually that isn't his name, it's a nickname Mrs. Dion and the young miss came up with to address the lack of a name."
"Speaking of which I was notified that my daughter is.. unscheduled?"
"Yes sir, I'm currently giving her incentives to work harder in preparation for her new workload."
"My daughter has no need for such things Alfred."
"I'm aware sir, but you forget that she is only human, how many times have I had to bring you coffee in the dead of night? You would give Beacons headmaster a run for his money during your all nighters.A dust of outside help is all someone needs at times to realize their full potential"
Jacques slowly claps in response to this.
" and that…. is why your still in my service, in fact its why most of you are. Only people in my company who have enough mettle to actually disagree with me are those in this room."
Mr. Baud coughs briefly and everyone else looks at him.
"Now Jacques you forget that a balance of the two is necessary. On that matter I believe we are at an straying from our newly appointed topic. Lets have everyone else return to their seats so that we may begin proper."
Ah that's right everyone except Mr. Baud is standing… haha ah no laughing right now.
"Very well lets return to matters. Heiter you may leave, we have much to discuss."
"Actually Jacques I want the young man to linger a little."
"…. I will allow that at your suggestion. Heiter take a seat. " I see the adults begin to make their way to where they they originally were.
Umm perhaps between Ms. Jude and Mr. Baud? I follow the green haired woman to the left and continue past her chair and stop at the one next to it.
I pull back the back chair ,hop onto the seat and place my hands in my lap as I gaze around the room. Its rectangular like the rest of the rooms I have been to.
There is a large table that has waaay more chairs than we do people, the double door which is on the opposite side of the table from me now.
Mr. Schnee is at the far end of the table to the left near a window with white curtains. The light comes in and ….. does the room make us look at him? Actually no its too bright I can't make eye contact.
I look back at the table as my eyes readjust. It's made of wood in the center and has something black and reflective around the edge. "I believe that everyone is now accommodated , Alfred if you would link Heiter's terminal to Ms. Jude's and pass control to her, we don't want the session to be interrupted by.. curiosity."
I widen my eyes and pull back my hand that I had extended to the edge of the desk, and place them in my lap. "Very well sir" I see Alfred do something with the scroll again. He did say something about accessing.. I see the a blue glass form from the table and it floats? I reach out to touch it and my hand stops for a moment, but passes through… so not glass? More mysteries.
"It's a hologram Heiter, something we will teach you about later, for now just listen"
"Alfred you mentioned that the boy is illiterate?
"That I did Mr. Baud."
"For the written information I would recommend that the boy use a TTS program." "but then he wouldn't be able to properly hear-"
"Doesn't matter a shadow, child or not, needs to be able to multitask. If your serious about that then its best we start now. I would like to add that your attempting to use common sense again Alfred. That sense has served you well, but it makes you far too cautious.
This company and family were not built on that, but a balance of the two. "
"I'm aware , but I have yet to fully assess and teach him"
"The teaching started the minute Jacques decided to take him in. Heiter under the table is a drawer, open it and on take out the item labeled TTS then put it on your right ear."
I reach under the table and feel around until I find a handle that is slightly to the right of me. I pull it out and see the item mentioned and pull it out. It looks somewhat like an ear? A polished hand enters my view and points at parts of the item " you wrap that part around and insert the circular part into your ear." I look up at Ms. Jude ,smile in thanks and then attach the item like so?
"Ms. Jude the boy-"
"has likely never interacted with technology given the way he was surprised by the hologram. A few pointers never hurt"
"fair point"
"Jacques would you care to explain what you intend to do with this boy as a shadow?"
" he needs to be capable of bearing the long shadow of this company. Of course he will only begin to do so once he has actually finished his training under everyone here. His other responsibility will be to support my daughter as heiress."
"pardon me for bring this up Jacques, but given everything you have mentioned isn't there the chance he is a spy?"
I raise my hand as I've had enough of not knowing the terms I'm hearing.
"Mr. Baud . I have already vouched that the boy is not a corporate saboteur. I'm aware that there was one several decades ago that my father had to root out, and I have already considered that possibility prior to taking him in. I'll take on the burden of worrying about his past, you concern yourself with what you will need to do once he is under your tutelage. I would like to direct your attention to him right now in fact.
The boy is either a master at acting, or has no clue what the words spy and corporate saboteur even mean. I'd wager on the latter option. Heiter if you don't know any terms just hold your questions for now. You will be learning all of this in the future."
I lower my hand back into my lap shift myself in the chair and continue listening.
"It's long overdue that we begin raising a shadow for the next generation as our current ones have served for two."
"So you intend for him to replace me in Veteris?"
"No. I want him to not be tied down to a set location. He will be raised to manage the other shadows as well as start setting up the next generation of shadows and there agents."
"Mr. Baude correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't they be upset about having their position taken from them?"
" the shadows are completely loyal to the company. You only recently were allowed to know about their existence. I would like to add that they will understand as nobody lives forever. Being able to leave something behind is something us elderly folk like to do so my concern would be that the boy chooses or is given command of those whom won't question him and will follow him without the intent to take his command.
This is something the younger generation has trouble with unless bonds are formed at an early age as they become susceptible at a later age to more base desires. Disciplining will not always change the fundamental nature of an individual so our selection process must be strict. That or we will have to leave the decision to the boy here once he is judged to be capable.
" I see. So Alfred we have a rough assessment of his mathematical abilities. What should we prioritize for his assessments?"
"I'm going to play it safe and start with the physical assessments as he is illiterate. I also have yet to finalize my draft for the schedules as this may involve the young miss so I have to make changes to her schedule as well."
"After that?" "After that I will have to wait until he has learned to read and write before I can assess and teach him the basics. Once that is done I will pass him on to you to begin his field training.
Considering the possible range at which we hit these checkpoints it could be anywhere from a year to several before we have to concern ourselves with that stage. I would prefer if you are ready to begin at a moments notice so I will begin communicating his progress with you once I have started. would you like me to do the same for you?"
"That will be unnecessary Alfred. I won't change my methods to suit him, it would also be a little late for you to expect me to change my ways so I will stick to my field of expertise. Just send me the report when your done with him. I'll have my preparations made once I return to Veteris. Jacques with so little knowledge about the boy there is only so much planning we can make right now. Even if I looked into my network I would know nothing about him at this moment as we have no medical records to start with. "
"I'm going to put something together in the near future with that, but I will be keeping Heiter away from public and military hospitals. I will have one of the staff look at him." "very well and as for his combat assessment?" "I won't begin formal combat training until he can communicate with us."
Suddenly the table lit up and a... room appeared on top of the table?
Training room.
I hear a strange womans voice pop up in my ear.
It can be reconfigured to test multiple environments. This model was earned during the Misty Glenn Quarry deal with the Glenn government.unlike standard models that are traditionally utilized by academy's it can create simulated opponents. Only Five of their kind are known to exist.
Two are divided between both Glenns. Two more exist in Signal and Beacon academy respectively. The last one is in the Schnee Winter Retreat. All Simulated training rooms exist within the registered territory of Vale as per the Glenn / Atlas arms agreement.
Well that's... new. Since the lady in my ear stopped talking i pay attention to the conversation and Ms. Jude are having.
"Alfred wouldn't it be best to just allow the boy to demonstrate what he can do? I know you prefer your regimens especially when you trained me ,but given his condition this would be the best way to get information sooner and we could encourage good behavior while instructing him on what not to do."
"We will need to adopt a more free form teaching style with him until we have dealt with the his illiterate status. This is to avoid him wasting away while we try and get past that."
"That does make sense…. but, I don't see how- "
"instructing someone who is illiterate with a regimen designed for those who aren't isn't what we need to do. Everyone right now needs to focus on what we can do. Heiter you would feel best choosing one of the courses i have planned for you tommorrow right?"
I look back at Ms. Jude and nod, but then rub my eyes as they feel kinda cold. I feel something and look up to see studying me again before she looks to everyone else.
"I really shouldn't be repeating myself here. The boy, yes, the boy needs to first get some sleep as anyone actually paying attention to him would notice that he is obviously tired. I'm sure that everyone here has long since forgotten what that looks like as they drink coffee and live on four hours of sleep at most, but I do know the look and the boy has it.
Somewhere I think that four hours is a horribly small amount of sleepy , but i just don't react to it visibly.
"I request that he leave while we discuss the rest. Heiter be prepared for some physical activity tomorrow morning. "
I look over at Ms. Jude and smile at her sheepishly.
"Very well Heiter I trust you can find your way back to your room?"
I nod to Ms. Jude
"Then please do so and avoid any detours along the way. You will want the sleep. "
I stand up, stretch with a yawn and make my way around Ms. Jude.
"Heiter"
I look over at Mr. Schnee.
" I want to be perfectly clear, although I know of your limitations I forbid you from talking with my daughter about being a shadow. She has to learn of it on her own. That is a test that she must pass alone, if you assist her in that regard It will hurt her. I believe hurting her is something you would avoid yes?"
I nod sharply and make a motion of zipping my lips. I avoid laughing at the irony of what I just did and meet his eyes.
"Good, now get some sleep. Your now taking up my time, something I'm in short supply of." alright.. I make my around the table and open one of the doors as I make my exit.
Alfreds POV-
I watch Heiter leave and after a few moments of silences Mr. Baud speaks up.
"He isn't suitable"
"I agree with him on this Alfred. The boy shouldn't be learning about the dark side of this company."I look at the two directors and frown.
"at the end of the day its up to Jacques on what should be occurring."
"Precisely Al, everyone while I do see your point given his innocent nature. It is precisely because of that that I want him as a shadow.
For now lets just consider this a test. If he fails we can just discard the idea and find a suitable position for him.I don't see us making him into a spokesman though so let's never bring that up.
I would like it if his role remain a secret to everyone outside this room."
"So we have no intention to mention this to Director Peat?"
"Not at this time and please don't force my hand. I would be more than displeased"
"and his cover story Jacques.?"
My friend looks from Mr. Baud to me.
"well Alfred?"
"He is set to be the study partner of your daughter for the time being"
i notice my friend stiffen for a moment and the room gets quiet.
"Have you told my daughter this?"
I hear my friend drum his fingers on the table for three times.
oh right forgot the man was like this... well I dug this one myself might as well...
"Yes sir"
He sighs, then puts both hands on his head as he leans back in the chair "AHhhh Al… if you have plans about my daughter bring it up with me first!
A/N
Ello all!
So day one in the schnee household is coming to a close now! When i was originally planning this I wasn't expecting it to evolve into something that would take more than three chapters. honestly it feels weird sometimes. I want to get somewhere, but at the same time i'm content to enjoy the ride. Right now i can say that my past bit of brainstorming has left me with plenty of material to work with so I'll be continuing this during the school year. Hope everyone else is enjoying the ride as much as i am. On a different note I have been running into an issue with Mr. Clutch. For some reason the doc just loves to forget that I write his name. I think i cleaned it out this time, but if i do miss it just pm me please, otherwise i'll catch it myself. OH! to celebrate the finishing of this first day i wanted to give everyone those deserts i was making!
Merra pulls up a silver serving tray and begins handing out cookies to the readers. Merra then spots something red in the distance.
"Ruby! is that you!"
The red ball vanishes and appears next to Merra in a flurry of rosebuds and hugs Merras leg.
"please can i have?"
"Dear please use full English when speaking."
The little hooded girl takes a moment to steady herself and looks up Merra and raises a hand.
"May I please have a cookie?"
"Of course dear."
Merra takes a small plate of cookies off the tray and passes it over to the now ecstatic Ruby.
"thank you!
She begins to somehow inhale the cookies as she eats them.
"sph wht wu yo drg hrrr"
Merra looks at the audience , shakes their head and looks back to Ruby.
"Dear if you want me to understand, slow down on the cookies. I have more for you. You might enjoy the cookies more if you eat them slower.
by some miracle the girl stops devouring the small cookie mountain Merra baked and looks up at merra, whom is now sitting next to them.
"sorry~ so what were you doing here?"
"oh nothing much just finishing some writing and a little bit of recording. in fact my audience can see you... right now."
Ruby dashes behind Merra and peaks out at the camera that the cloaked figure is pointing to.
"haha, they aren't bad people i assure you Ruby. Even if they were I have ways of protecting you from them.
"like?"
Merra pats Ruby on the head and roughs up her hair a little as she squints her eyes.
"hey!"
"relax dear. so how was the festival?
Ruby puts a finger to her mouth, thinking about the question
"Oh it was fun.. I got to.. eat cookies in a contest that i won a small prize.I also won a race! but there were too many people though... is that bad for me to-
Merra pats rubies head again and just smooths it down this time.
"dear it's nothing to feel bad about, everyone has a stage where they are uncomfortable around others, how long that lasts it something that depends on the person and frankly your fine as you are. so what about your sister?"
Ruby's eyes light up at this.
"She had a blast! there were all these competitions she got to beat people at , but the one that i think was funniest was when she failed to hit a target and dump Uncle qrow into the bucket of jelly. She was so mad that she ran up to the sign and punched it!"
Ah sounds like Qrow is having taking care of them alright.
"Well we can keep chatting here Ruby, but i need to have you home before your mother shows up. so say bye to everyone I need to cut the signal now."
Ruby looks over at the camera again and does a small wave.
"bye everyone..."
Cut
