Nicholas lost himself as he stared out the train window. He had been doing that too much lately. Trying to forget about the events of the last few days. As if it had been a bad dream that wouldn't be real when he got out of bed.
He had even forgot about Douglass's death this morning, rubbing his eyes as he had asked the man for a cup of coffee. Only to look over to the other compartment and realize the reality of his situation.
The Schnee looked down at his lap, reading the headline.
Douglass Spiegelung, the Last of the Spiegelung household claimed dead in 'mining accident'. He grimaced, reading through the paper. A tabloid in all honestly. Capitalizing on his friend's death as they tried to exploit his family for what it was worth. Which the vultures are going to flock around.
The Spiegelung were an old family. From way back when. Enough that people would kill for the kind of prestige that it would entail. Which would lead to questions about what was going to happen to Douglass's son, August.
The poor lad was the last of his family. Barely five years old and now he had the weight of being the last of his household. It wasn't right and it wasn't fair to expect the poor boy to bear it on his own.
And they're gonna try and take him for their own. Nicholas narrowed his eyes at the thought. There were no doubt many in Atlas that would be happy at the supposed opportunity. They'd try to take the boy in, make it seem like an appeal to their hears for the poor boy and then try to swindle him out of everything that his family was worth.
I cannot stand for that. I will not stand for that. He thought, gripping his knee in a vice like grip at the very thought. He had known that boy since he had come into this world. He had held him when he was still pink and screaming his lungs out.
He would not let them take that boy from him.
The Schnee lost himself in his thoughts for the rest of the trip. His gaze staring out the window as he pondered his situation. He knew what he was going to do. He knew what Holly would want him to do and would support his choice. But he didn't know how the rest of Atlas's high society would take it.
He kept thinking on what he would have to do when he got home. Even as the Kingdom slowly crept across his view.
He heard his compartment door opening though he did not bother to turn his gaze towards whoever had disturbed his peace.
"Mr. Schnee." The man said, giving a small bow. "We should be arriving at the station in roughly fifteen minutes. Shall I go and fetch your luggage sir?" He asked.
"Please do." Nicholas replied, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. He knew that his melancholy was no doubt a strange counterpart to his normally cheery demeanor. He couldn't afford to care right now.
"Of course, sir." The attendant said, giving a nod of his head before turning and leaving.
Nicholas didn't speak again when the man finally came back. A few bags carrying all the basic necessities of travelling. Along with a silver briefcase with the snowflake emblem of his family.
The least that I can do. He thought, sighing as he finally saw the station slowly enter his field of view. He schooled his features into a smile, hoping that no one would be able to see through the façade.
He stood up as he felt the train finally come to a stop. He quickly departed the train, making sure to readjust his sword before continuing on his way. Customs were thankfully not a concern. They had the sense to try and not disarm a Huntsman of his weapon. It would make it hard to protect them if a situation arose.
Especially given some of these new cadets. He thought, looking at a Huntsman. One he had seen take frequent naps and generally do nothing while his partner pulled their collective weight. They had grown lax. That was clear to see. Though he would keep his thoughts to himself. He had enough concerns on his mind.
He looked around the station, not having to wait long before hearing the all too familiar sound that met him every time that he came home.
"Daddy!" He heard before a particular little lady tackled his leg with a hug. His smile turning more genuine as he gave a laughed.
"Hello there Willow." He patted the little lady on the head, kneeling so that he was eye level with his daughter. "I've missed you so much my dear. And were you a good girl for your mother?" He asked, looking up when he saw his wife slowly approach with a smile on her face. One that didn't quite meet her eyes.
Little Willow had a happy smile on her face as she beamed up at her father. So full of life, so eager to share her happiness with the world. Just turning five not too long ago. Her birthday occurring right before he left for another one of his expeditions.
"Yes Daddy." Willow said, giving a quick nod of her head. "Mommy and I had lots of fun while you were off on another adventure. We even got to have Auggie over for a sleepover." She looked extremely happy about that. Before she frowned as she seemed to remember something. "Does he have to go home when we get home? Mommy said that-" She was cut off as she felt a hand pat her on the head.
"No. I think that we can have him over for a little while longer." Nicholas said, giving a quick shake of the head. He looked up at Holly. "How have you been?" He asked, pulling her closer after giving her a quick peck on the lips.
"How am I doing?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at him. "Well, given everything, I have to say decently." She pursed her lips, shaking her head. "And you? I know that you going to be sick of hearing this but I'm sorry Nicholas. I know how much he meant to you."
He had gotten a little tired of the looks. The sympathy. Like he was some fragile thing that would break. His heart was in tatters, he won't deny that. But he had to be strong. People looked to him to be strong. And he had his family to think of.
"Did you get my letter?" He asked, picking up Willow. She quickly curled up in his arms, looking content as he grabbed his wife's hand.
"I did." Holly said, giving a nod. "I picked little August up a few days ago. I told him that it was just for a small time. That we'd keep him at the house till you both got back." A small frown growing on her face at the admission.
A little white lie. They both knew that. One that hopefully won't come back to bite them. Nicholas had wanted to be the one to say it. To shoulder whatever reaction the boy had to the news.
"And the other bit?" He asked, following his wife's lead as they exited the station. He would have preferred that they wait at home, have one of the drivers come and fetch him. But Holly was always insistent that she meet him when he got back.
You leave me waiting long enough. She always say, giving him a mock glare as she placed a hand on her hips. This time was different though. They needed to just see each other, to know that they were safe.
And, he thought, glancing back towards his wife, worry about what her reaction would be to his idea.
"Are you even asking me that right now?" Holly asked, raising an eyebrow. "If you didn't suggest it, I would have just told you plainly that we were taking him in. That isn't for discussion." Her voice was final.
Nicholas sighed in relief at that. "Well, I'm glad to hear it then." He gave a small nod, squeezing Willow closer to his chest. That…that felt good. Knowing that she was on board with the idea.
He knew that she was always fond of August. Ever since he was born, Holly worried over him as much as she did their Willow. But to take in a child? It was a big decision.
"We will discuss this more at home." Holly said, giving his hand a squeeze as she smiled back at him. "But don't you think for a second that I would let August to grow up all alone. We owe his parents too much to even consider that."
They finally reached the car. A rather new one, Nicholas thought with pride. Atlas was always making the newest innovations in technology. So they could afford to spend a bit to have the best.
Nicholas turned to head towards the driver seat, getting a quick smack on his arm for it.
"Nuh uh." Holly said, giving him a smirk. "I'm driving. I hardly get to leave the house. Besides, this is my favorite pastime." She jingled the keys, looking a bit more upbeat as she clambered to get into the driver's seat.
Nicholas sighed before shaking his head fondly. Well, at least he could focus his mind on other matters. "If you insist dear." He replied. He quickly deposited Willow in the back before jumping into the passenger seat.
Holly slid the keys into the ignition, looking pleased as the engine roared to life. "Hold on tight." She said, that familiar fire lighting up in her eyes as she grasped the wheel. Then they were off.
The two talked the entire way. A bit about how they had been since they last saw each other. Not about how his last expedition went of course. They both knew to steer clear for a while. To let the emotions die down before reigniting them.
They focused more on other things. How Willow had been since he had last been there. When they should look into getting a proper tutor. They had discussed it at length. She (and by extension, August) could start schooling as soon as autumn had come. They had also discussed sending them to one of the private institutes that catered to the upper echelons of Atlas society. Before ultimately discarding the idea. Private schooling was ultimately going to be better for them, provided that they got a tutor worth their salt.
They talked about how the business had been. Nicholas still didn't quite understand the nuances of the company. He doubted that he would. All he knew was that all their mines were running efficiently, they had proper equipment and care for their employees as well as looking into new security measures.
"I want to eventually hire Huntsmen." He admitted. "To have teams stationed out at the mines full time. We're still a ways off from that but I think that will be what is ultimately best. I've looked at some of these civilian security forces." He sighed. "They're decent, they're something that we will have to invest in. But I want our outposts to have people that they can truly rely on for their protection."
New guns, new armor, new ways of perfecting Dust. They were all good. They had brought Atlas to all the wonderful advances that they enjoyed.
But they ultimately didn't have the same sense of security that a Huntsmen brought. These new inventions, they were cold and dead things. Huntsmen were the guardians of humanity. The greatest that humanity and Faunus kind had to offer.
"You know that we can't afford that right now." Holly said, shaking her head. "The experts have told us that much."
"Penny pinchers, the lot of them." Nicholas replied, narrowing his eyes before sighing. "You're right though. Something that the company will have to work towards."
They were still a fledgling company. Despite their initial success, they still had to let it grow and prosper. To get their proper footing before going forward with the improvements that weren't deemed necessary.
How not having standby Huntsmen ready to act to protect their employees, who lived in remote areas that they were expanding in, where they were far from society, he didn't know. For now, they'd have to rely on regular security forces to make sure that the miners and other employees were well protected.
They finally had to talk about it. As much as they'd prefer to dance around it, to ignore it like that it wasn't there, it was becoming difficult to dance around the subject. It was going to shape their lives going forward.
Nicholas looked in the back seat, seeing Willow dozing off. Car rides had a way of doing that to her. And it was convenient today.
"Holly." He said, looking back towards his wife. "I meant what I said. I want to hear your thoughts. About what we're going to do about August."
"What we're going to do about him?" She asked, raising an eyebrow as she kept her gaze on the road. "Don't speak about him like that he's problem that you need to solve Nicholas." She gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. "He's staying. That is what we are going to do."
Her voice didn't broker an opinion. It was a fact that she was stating. That there would be no budging her on this and that that was that. Though Nicholas couldn't see her gaze right now, he could be certain that it was cold and hard.
Holly was much like a mother bear when it came to the children. That extended to August as well. They had known the boy since he was born and she had made it no secret that he was family in her eyes. He had known Douglass for years, over a decade by then. Hell, he had been at the hospital that day. Holly too.
"I agree." Nicholas said, giving a nod of his head. "We owe it to his parents to be there for him." He paused for a second, thinking on how to approach this next point. "But…I am worried."
"About what?" She asked. "Do you think that he's going to resent you?" She shook her head. "He'll understand. You both worked in dangerous places. Something like this was not outside of the accepted risks that you knew you'd come across."
"Well, that." Nicholas acknowledged. "But it's the others that I'm more worried about. The big wigs."
The Spiegelung family name still rung in their circles. The upper class had always seen their family as one of the more established and upstanding. Now, with only one little boy left to inherit the name? They'd pounce on him. Try to adopt him, to get access to what money was left that his father left him. Try to potentially marry him to their daughters to take advantage of their guardianship and usurp the Spiegelung name.
It disgusted him. How he could see some of the less moral members of the upper class being willing to do that. How they would put their own personal gains before that of a child. Especially one that was his family. He couldn't allow that to happen. He would not allow that to happen. That was beyond question. The issue thus, was how to navigate around them without them taking offense.
Those families had a lot of money to throw around. Money that they could use to try and ruin him. He didn't know exactly how, he'd have to trust the word of his 'experts', but he knew that they could. If they felt that they had been cheated (he had to resist the urge to scoff at the idea) then they would try and take it out on his company.
"Oh." Holly said, sounding more at ease. "That's no problem." She shook her head, her smile returning. "And here I thought that you were sending little Auggie to live in that big house by himself."
"If I did that, I'm sure that Douglass would rise from his grave to try and murder me in my sleep." Nicholas replied, chuckling at the morbid thought.
The Spiegelung manor was fairly large. At least, for the size of Atlas. They only had so much room on that big floating rock after all. But it was big enough to warrant a full staff of servants to look after it. To cater to every need that he was sure that August would be well taken care of.
But it'd be cold. To grow up, in a big house like that, with no one that would really care about the boy? He'd have ever want seen to, his every need catered to and be free to pursue his own interests at his leisure. But it would be a lonely life.
"How do we keep them at bay?" Nicholas asked, sighing as he wracked his head.
"We are the legal guardians. "Holly said, giving a small shrug. "That is very airtight. I made sure that when Auggie was born we were named his godparents."
He could remember that encounter. How Holly could be terrifying while holding a baby, he would never know. But she pulled it off very well.
"Douglass had no complaints about that." She went on. "We all knew just how dangerous your profession were. The law is on our side in this." She took one hand off the wheel, grasping Nicholas's. She smiled at him as she looked towards him out of the corner of her eye. "So those vultures, trying to come to my family and take one of my babies? I'd love to see them try." Her eyes grew hard at the very idea.
Nicholas chuckled. Of course. He should have known that he was overreacting. "Well, I'd pity the ones that try." He offered instead. His gaze going back outside the window as he thought on things.
"How has he been?" He asked suddenly. "Did you have any problems?" He didn't know how much Holly had told the children. He had asked her to hold off, to wait till he got back to explain things.
But you never know. The servants do love to gossip. And children were more observant than they liked to believe. Sometimes sheltering them did nothing. They learned regardless of what you tried to do.
He hoped that wasn't the case this time.
"Oh, the perfect little gentlemen." Holly gushed, smiling at the thought. "You know how he can be. All proper etiquette that one. And he seems to have that sharp mind of his put to work. I swear, I sometimes think that he understands more than we give him credit for."
Nicholas hummed at that. "Well, hopefully he will be happy to see me." He said, sighing at the thought. Hoping beyond hope that he wasn't going to be blamed. It was his fault.
"Stop thinking that this instant." Holly chimed in, her eyes still locked on the road. She simply knew his mind too damn well to know what was going through his head. "You're doing yourself no good thinking that. Besides, you do Douglass a disserve thinking that."
"A disserve?" He asked. He felt a bit of heat at that. Though he kept it down. Now wasn't the time to lose himself.
"That man knew what he was getting into." She continued. "He might have gripped, might have complained at times. But regardless, he knew what the costs were. Every Huntsmen knows that they will give their lives in the line of duty someday." She looked in the rear-view mirror, gazing at the slumbering Willow with a forlorn smile.
"But Douglass knew what was important at the end of the day." She gaze Nichola's hand a squeeze. "He loved you, he loved us. And he loved August. This city, the future of the children, is thanks to men like you and Douglass. You're trying to make Atlas into a good place to live."
"Is it hard? Absolutely. But nothing worth doing is easy." Holly shook her head. "So don't you dare and wallow in self-pity. It doesn't suit you Nicholas. You're the one that people look to when things are tough. Because you are always smiling. Because you always know where to go from here." She gave his hand one more squeeze.
"So please, keep smiling for us. Because I don't know what I would do without you. We got two kids that need someone to look out for them, to make sure that they grow up good and proper." Her smile turned a bit sly. "What would Douglass say if he could see you now?"
"He'd shake his head and tell me to stop looking so damn pitiful." Nicholas said, chuckling at the thought. His partner would have smacked him over the head and told him to keep moving on. He knew it. Had been down in the dumps when he'd say the same thing.
When they had first been partnered up, it hadn't seem off to a good start. Douglass had merely shaken his head, muttering to himself 'It seems like that I have my work cut out for me.' Before drilling him on how much of a fool he found him to be. Then they had went to fix that.
It seems that I am very much still a fool. He thought, smiling sadly at the thought. But no. He couldn't afford to just feel sorry for himself. Because that was only serving him.
He wasn't considering how the others that had lost Douglass were feeling. He was, in a weird way, putting his own emotions before anything that they were going through.
Holly needed him. He was always away on some expedition, staying home to take care of the home. Willow just lost an uncle. Loss wasn't something that he was sure that she had gone through before. It was paramount that he help her understand her grief and to work through it. And August would need a parental figure to help him through these hard times.
He would be there for them. He swore that to himself. He owed everyone of them to be more. To be better than he was right now. Because right now? He wasn't living up to the example that he had strived to be for his family and friends.
"That's more like it." Holly said, giving a nod as she knew how he was thinking. She always knew what to say when things were down. A part of the reason why he had fallen for her. "Now, I trust that I don't have to kick your butt for being so pitiful? I'd hate for you to lose face with the kids. Little old me, beating up the big bad Huntsmen extraordinaire." She chuckled at the idea.
"Hm. Not for now at the very least." Nicholas chuckled. "For now, I think that I have some thinking to do." Try to come up with a plan. Something to follow. At least for right now.
They continued the car ride in silence for the rest of the trip. Now an uncomfortable one though. Before, they could feel the oppressive air that had hung around. Trying to skirt around the problem. For how little they were.
Now they could simply enjoy each other's company. A luxury that was in high demand when Nicholas returned home. Something that he would have to do more often now. He didn't want to have to leave for his next trip for some time now.
Things were going to be hectic at home. At least for the next month or two. Besides, he had a new member of the family staying at home. He didn't think it wise to lease before he helped him settle in.
Nicholas finally looked up when they arrived. His smile returning as he took in the sight of the manor.
The Schnee Manor was a thing of beauty. It had taken so much time, effort, and money to see made. The labor alone cost a fortune. But it was money well spent as far as he was concerned. This would be a home that would last for generations to come. Somewhere that his family would live in for centuries to come.
They quickly parked the car. Nicholas depositing little Willow in his arms as he let himself take in the sight of the grounds.
It always took his breath away. Seeing just how much work and effort had gone into every part of his home. The well-groomed hedges in the garden. The flower gardens freshly weeded, the thorn bushes freshly primmed along with the numerous flowers that he couldn't even begin to name.
Holly's hard work showing through. He mused, chuckling as he readjusted Willow. She had been shifting a lot, trying to find the best place to rest in his grasp. Not that he minded. It was just another reminder that he was home.
His other hand was busy grasping the briefcase that he had brought back with him. He'd leave the rest of the luggage for the servants. This one though, it was much too important right now to let out of his sight.
"So, would you like to have a walk around the grounds?" Holly asked, a knowing smile on her face. "After, of course, you get settled back in."
Nicholas gave a nod. "Always." He replied. "Tell me, where have you stashed August away? I was surprised that you didn't bring him with you to the station."
Holly rolled her eyes. "I did think about it." She admitted. "Though, I figured that you would want to tackle this in a more private manner."
He winced at that. Ah yes. He could see how breaking the news to the poor boy while in the middle of a public place would be problematic. "Of course, of course." He admitted himself to his wife's better planning skills. "Where have you hidden him away? This is something that would be best taken care of immediately."
"Last I saw him, he was looking over something in Willow's room." Holly said, leading the way towards the entrance to the manor. "He should still be there. I swear, he's going to grow up to be a scholar at this rate. Always trying to dissect whatever catches his fancy."
"Oh? Well, I suppose we should invest in a library then." Nicholas mused, smirking as his wife gave him a look.
As soon as they were close enough, one of the men at the door made sure to open it for them.
"Thank you sir." Nicholas said, giving a small nod of thanks to the man.
Said man looked a bit taken back at that for a second. A new face. He hadn't seen him before. He would have to ask Grayson about the new hires.
"Welcome home!" A chorus of voices cried out as soon as they walked through the door.
A good portion of the servants were gathered in the hall, giving a deep bow to the family. Nicholas quickly shook his head as Holly waved off the formality.
He was never one to have people bow and scrap for him. But it was apparently proper etiquette for such things. Enough that his majordomo insisted upon it. And Nicholas eventually just went along with it, making sure to get it over with as quickly as possible.
The staff quickly dispersed as soon as they were told to. No doubt just as annoyed by the formality though they would never voice it. Some of them were no doubt sure that he was waiting for some excuse to fire them. A stigma of those having money and power only using it to lord over others.
One of the staff members stayed behind, quickly approaching the family of three.
His skin was covered in a series of thin gray scales, betraying his species. Not that any of them particularly cared. His hair slowly fading, made apparent by the man's widow's peak, pulled into a ponytail. He wore a nice button up shirt with a blue and white tie.
But the most prominent feature on the man's face was his smile, concealing the forked tongue that occasionally peaked through his lips as he spoke.
"Master Nicholas." He said, giving a proper bow to the man. "It is a pleasure to see you home safe and sound. We heard about what had transpired. Master Douglass was a good man. I am sorry for your loss."
"Thank you, Grayson." Nicholas replied, giving a sigh. He handed Willow off to his wife. "Tell me what has happened since I've been gone."
"Well, a few issues have come up sir." The majordomo said, pulling out a clip board. "We have had a few new hires. The staff has had a few losses, a retiree here and one on leave for a few months. A few new faces should do good to compensate that."
Nicholas nodded. This was one of the main reason's why he preferred to let Grayson take care of things here at home. The man had years of experience looking after a household and he had a good head on his shoulders. Something that many would like to overlook. Too focused on the fact that the man was a Faunus. A Snake Faunus at that.
"We had received your orders via Mistress Holly." Grayson continued, marking off another item on his list. "As per your request, we made sure that young Master August was made to feel welcome in the manor. We have gone out of our way to try and mitigate what news has reached the manor. As per Mistress Holly's orders."
"Good." The Schnee said, giving a nod. "That's good. Thank you, Grayson." He gave the man's shoulder a pat. He could always count on him to follow his orders to the letter.
"And how has he been?" Nicholas asked, walking with him. "It has been too long since I have seen him."
A regret that he would soon have to mitigate. Hopefully, he would have plenty of time to simply focus on being home. He knew that his family needed him. Now more than ever.
"Well, from what I have seen, he seems well." Grayson commented, giving a small nod. "Always sharp and courteous to a fault." There was a hint of pride there. "From what I have noticed in the past in regard to his playdates with young Lady Willow, he seems to not have any significant change."
"Significant change." An interesting choice of words. "But there has been some change."
"Well, I would not worry too much about it." Grayson said, shaking his head. "But the young Master is a bit odd. At times. One of the maids at least relayed to me her concerns."
"Oh?" Nicholas asked, raising an eyebrow. His worry slightly growing. "And what concerns are this? Have you told Holly any of this?"
"No sir." The majordomo admitted. "I just found it to be a tad bit odd. Nothing that was overly important. At least, I did not believe it to be any danger to simply take note of it and let the matter rest."
"And what is it? I fear that you are dancing around the subject Grayson. That doesn't seem like you." Rather odd indeed. What could have confused the man so? He didn't seem afraid. Neither for himself or anyone in the household. He would have been far more blunt.
"Well, he was found to be…reading." Grayson noted. "Though I do not think that is quite it at all Master Nicholas."
Reading? All this fuss about reading? "He's a sharp young boy. A boy that has an interest in books. What concern could this be?" All this over a bit of reading.
"The problem is that he hasn't truly begun his lessons." Grayson noted. "Like I said, I don't believe that he actually was. From what the young lady said, he was found pressing his forehead into one of the story books that Lady Holly had read to the children earlier that day. He shouldn't have had the knowledge to properly read. Maybe a word here or there, that won't be worrisome. He read it verbatim Master Nicholas. Like I said, strange but not necessarily concerning."
Nicholas narrowed his eyes at that, cupping his chin. That was strange. "And what lessons has he had up till this point?" He asked. He knew that the boy was sharp. He had his father's wits after all. "Have you been able to look into that?"
"Nothing that would be too advanced." The majordomo said, shaking his head. "He had a nanny before but no real teachers. The alphabet, basic arithmetic, a bit of minerology. If that big book that he carries around with him is anything to go off of." He sniffed, as if noticing something unpleasant. "Do you want me to look into it?"
"No." Nicholas said, shaking his head. "It is as you said. Strange but nothing too concerning." Maybe a sign of early development? He had never heard of such a thing. Should he be worried? He didn't know. He wasn't a doctor.
Something that I will have to look into. He thought, narrowing his eyes. Willow never showed signs of this. She shouldn't have. You have to know something before you can do it after all.
"If you would like sir, I can look into scheduling an appointment with a child specialist." Grayson offered, seemingly to read his master's mind. "I contemplated doing so before your arrival, but I wanted to get your approval first. He is under your care now Master Nicholas." He raised an eyebrow, as he put emphasis on that last point.
Reminding him of the simple fact that he needed to put proper thought into it.
"Yes, yes." Nicholas nodded, if only to go along with the man's inquiry. "Make the appointment and tell me when it is. I want to be there when he has to go through it." Children were normally afraid of doctors. And he did like to be there when little Willow had to go to them.
"Has there been any updates on getting a tutor?" Nicholas asked. They finally reached the stairs, heading up to the second floor at a decent pace. "They'll have to be well qualified and look after the needs of two students."
He had been offered the chance to send his daughter to a private academy. For those either rich enough, with the prestige or a combination of both to get in. An easy way to have children network and learn the skills that they'll need to be the future of Atlas, they said. A way to indoctrinate children and try to find a match when they were still young, he replied.
"Yes sir." Grayson said, keeping pace with the man. "We were able to narrow the list down to two candidates. A reputable scholar from Vale. I've gone over his credentials and done as thorough a background check on him as I could. The other was a local graduate from Alsius. Fresh out of the academy sir."
"And their names?" Nicholas asked, chuckling. Grayson could be so focused on the facts that he sometimes forgot the little things. A rather bad habit, he had to admit.
"Ah yes. The scholar was a man by the name of Mahogany Cardinal." Grayson corrected himself. "The graduate was a young woman by the name of Methy Amaranth." He pulled out his clipboard once more, unclipping a few pages before handing it to Nicholas.
"This is all the critical information that I felt was prudent to know." The major domo explained, watching as his master quickly went over them. "I can have appointments freed up in your schedule to accommodate interviews. Like I said, these two were the most qualified that I felt would catch your attention sir."
"Please do." Nicholas replied, handing the dossiers back to Grayson. Once more showing the man's proficiency.
And here we are. He thought, finally stopping at the door.
"Would you like me to come in with you Master Nicholas?" The majordomo asked, clasping his hands behind his back. Looking ever more the perfect gentleman.
"No. No I believe that I shall be alright." The Schnee said, sighing. His hand on the suitcase tightening ever so slightly. "Thank you Grayson. I can take it from here."
"As you will sir." And with that, Grayson turned and left.
Nicholas stood at the door for a few seconds more. Preparing himself for what was to come.
Standing here isn't going to make this go by any faster. He thought, finally raising his hand and knocking.
"August, are you in there?" He asked. "Is it alright if I come in?"
He could hear the fluttering of small feet quickly approach from within the room. The quick click the door gave as it was unlocked and quickly opened.
"Uncle Nicholas!" A small bundle exclaimed, tackling the man's leg. "You're finally home!" There was a sheer joy in the boy's voice that Nicholas couldn't help but be warmed by.
He gave August a quick look over, as if seeing him for the first time. His brown hair was cut short, combed to the side. He wore a simple black t-shirt with the SDC emblem on the shoulder. A large smile on his face showing his sheer joy at seeing him.
But the most captivating thing about him was his eyes. An amber that held within a rather inquisitive nature. As if the world was some grand puzzle that he was always trying to figure out. Everything and everyone merely serving as pieces in that puzzle. The thirst of a scholar, that's what his father used to say.
"It is good to see you too August." Nicholas chuckled, kneeling so as to meet the boy's level. "Is it alright if I come in? I have a few things that we need to talk about." Best to rip the bandage off. To get this over as quickly as they could. That way they could help heal the wound that he was about to inflict on this poor child.
"Please, by all means." August replied, beckoning him in. "Take a seat. I can ring one of the servants for refreshment if you would like."
"No, I think not. At least not right now." He shook his head in amusement. Always the little gentlemen indeed.
Nicholas looked around the room. One of the many guestrooms that laid vacant throughout the household. He'd have to talk about getting a room closer to the rest of the family. Something for Grayson to look into taking care of.
August quickly led him by the hand to a table in the corner. He quickly led go of Nicholas's hand, taking a seat next to the man.
"I heard Grayson talking outside." August noted. "Will he be joining us?"
"Not right now, no." Nicholas replied, shaking his head. He put the briefcase down, sighing as he ran a hand through his beard. "Tell me August, have you…heard about anything in the news?"
The boy's eyes narrowed in confusion. "I don't believe so?" He replied, a tad bit confused. "Should I have?"
"No. Though, I think that is equally my fault." Nicholas continued. "You know what your father and I do correct?"
August nodded. "You go out on adventures." He said. "To go and find Dust. The people in the Kingdoms need Dust in order to live. To keep us warm and to power our stuff. Right?"
"That's correct." He chuckled, ruffling the boy's hair. He beamed a smile at him for that. "We have to work in the mines, go out to some of the old settlements from before the War and try to give people the room to live. It can get quite cramped in the big cities and some people like to live in the countryside. Do you understand?"
"I guess." August shrugged. He still seemed confused.
"Well, working in the mines can be dangerous August." Nicholas explained, giving a small cough as he cleared his throat. "A lot of things can happen. We have the Grimm that can live in them. Some types of Dust are extremely dangerous. And a whole lot of other stuff."
August's eyes narrowed a bit more in concentration. "Dangerous." He said. "Like the war was?"
Nicholas nodded. "Like the war was. A lot of good people get hurt doing what they know is right." He said. "Especially for Huntsmen like me and your father." He sighed. There was no easy way to say this. "August, your father-"
"He's gone, isn't he?" August cut in.
Nicholas looked taken back. He was silent for a second, trying to process what the boy had said. "Yes." He nodded. "He's gone August."
"How did he go?" The boy asked, his eyes slowly losing their shine.
"There was an accident in one of the mines." Nicholas explained. "Your father had gone off on his own, trying to scout ahead and make sure that the way was safe. Then…he tripped on something, setting off a Dust explosion." He didn't want to get into the specifics. This was hard enough already.
"I see." August said, staring down at the table.
They were both quiet for a while. Just letting the information sink in.
"I want you to know that you were the last thing that was on his mind." Nicholas said, fighting to keep any emotion from his voice.
He couldn't afford to show any weakness. He needed to be strong. Strong enough to be the pillar of support that August would need.
August's eyes slowly pooled with tears. "I…I…" His lower lip trembled. Before he finally lost the battle and just bawled. His shriek clear to hear all across this side of the manor.
Nicholas immediately shot out of his seat, pulling the young boy to his chest. He slowly drew circles on his back with his fingers while he tried to comfort him.
"I'm sorry August. I am so so sorry." He said, letting a few tears to pool in his eyes. It was painful, just to hear his cries. "Please forgive me. I'm sorry." He pulled the boy closer, holding him to his chest.
"W-What's gonna happen to me?" August asked, trying to pull away from the hug at first. Before just giving in and letting his uncle to comfort him. "A-Are you gonna get rid of me? I-I don't wanna be alone Uncle Nick."
"Never." Nicholas swore. "You are staying right here." He pulled away for a second, holding August by the shoulders as he looked the boy in the eye. "You are family August. My family. I will die before I let anything happen to you. I'll be damned before I let anyone take you away. You are staying here. With me, with your Aunt Holly, with Willow. Do you understand?"
August's lip still trembled but he gave a nod. "P-Please Uncle Nick. D-Don't leave me." He pushed his face back into the man's chest, hugging him tightly. "I-I don't wanna be alone."
"Never." The Schnee swore again, holding the boy as the two of them just cried. Both mourning the loss of a good man. One who saw him as his brother, a good and noble soul. The other his father, a man who would only be a specter for the rest of his life.
So yeah. Here I am again. Good to get this out as soon as I could. The writing fever has just got to me you know?
I do apologize if August doesn't seem very childlike. I don't have a lot of experience writing children. I do hope that I did a good job though. Next chapter we will be seeing it from his perspective, so this is probably gonna be the last time that we follow Nicholas around. He'll still be around but this is August's story after all.
Tell me what you think of things so far. I'm having a blast so far writing so I'd love to hear what you guys think of my work. I'm probably gonna look into restarting my other works so be on the lookout for that. Until next time.