The hallway and attached lobby outside of General Ironwood's office was devoid of life save for Cinnamon Shoal sitting alone atop one of the red velvet couches. She had her eyes closed and her head tilted back against the top of the cushions, trying desperately to at least clear her mind if she couldn't manage to get a few precious hours of sleep. Harsh overhead lights bored into her eyelids, making the process of falling asleep practically impossible. The plan that had been made before General Ironwood had departed for the cell block made zoning out equally difficult. A long, desperate struggle was looming on the horizon, and the chances of everyone living to see the following sunset were close to zero. The only potential light ahead was the thought of Amity's ascension allowing her the opportunity to at least call Daisuke, though she was even beginning to doubt that signal would be restored without a hitch. There were too many variables up in the air for some not to slip through the cracks.

A sudden shifting sound of metallic doors broke the silence, and heeled boots echoing across the tiled floor soon followed. The sounds were spaced out enough to only belong to one person, and Cinnamon didn't bother to open her eyes or turn to look at the source. Given her luck, she knew who it would be, and the cushions beside her sinking down all but confirmed her suspicions. A period of silence passed, and the faunus had no intention of breaking it. Confronting her past, especially with someone who she doubted would understand, was hardly something she wanted to do while under so much other stress. Unfortunately for Cinnamon, the choice wasn't hers to make.

"…my father is a monster," Winter began. "I may not know your personal story, but I can guess enough to say that your vendetta against him is likely justified. I wouldn't lift a finger to save him if I wasn't legally obligated, but…"

"But Weiss is too young to be anything but complicit in the dust company's activities by default, and targeting her to get to him is where you draw the line," Cinnamon finished for her. "I understand the sentiment, and for what it's worth… you have my apologies for sending Adam after her in Argus. It's clear from her actions in Mantle and Atlas that she's cut from a different cloth than Jacques. She seems to actually care about the lives she's responsible for, and I regret not taking the time to see that before I did what I did."

Another period of silence occupied the room, broken up only by the noise of the heat kicking on within the walls of the Academy.

"I honestly have no idea what I expected out of this conversation," Winter admitted. "But it wasn't this. I… don't have the energy or mental space left for anything but a mutual understanding between us, at this point. I hope that isn't disappointing."

"It's a relief, if anything," Cinnamon clarified. "If we're going to fight over who did what to whom, it can wait until we're in a situation of relative safety. Even I can see that this is far bigger than faunus against humans, and those still loyal to me will certainly agree. Though, if you really do mean that you wouldn't defend Jacques… at this point, I'd settle for assistance in a legal takedown rather than a violent one. I sincerely doubt Ironwood or any of your allies would tolerate a major assassination with everything else going on, and I would be a very obvious candidate for the killer if such a thing were to occur…"

"…if getting involved would prevent murder, then when we have the window… I'm sure Weiss and Whitley, and maybe even our mother would agree to get involved," Winter reassured. "We just need to be careful with our timing, given the politics surrounding it all."

"Politics," Cinnamon repeated with a sneer. "You're sure an assassination is off the table?"

Winter couldn't help but smirk as she rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest.

"Don't think I haven't thought about doing it myself once or twice at various points in my life, but yes- assassination is off the table. If you want my help and to make meaningful, lasting change within the S.D.C., we take him down cleanly and when it makes sense to do so. I'd like nothing more than to see it happen."

Cinnamon finally opened her eyes and sat up to look over the other woman. Her usual immaculately maintained military uniform was somewhat wrinkled and her badges were no longer perfectly straight. Winter's hair bun was coming loose, and errant strands had escaped to frame her face and give her a frazzled look. Her eyes were red and her makeup was slightly smeared. It was no secret that she had been crying at some point throughout the night. In short- Winter looked like Cinnamon felt, though the faunus, too, was looking rather rough.

Dustings of ash were smeared all across her camouflage bodysuit and clinging to her hair. Two of the spines on her arms were singed, and a long cut of indeterminate origin had manifested upon her forearm. Cinnamon was visibly exhausted, bruised, and aching, but seeing Winter in a similar state gave her an odd feeling of camaraderie.

"So… I'm guessing you joined the Atlesian military to escape the dust company, then?" Cinnamon asked. "The quickest and easiest way to sever all ties with Jacques while still being in proximity to keep an eye on your siblings?"

"That was the plan, but things didn't exactly work out as intended," Winter admitted with a sigh. "I was able to do so while at the Academy, but once I formally joined the military and began rising through the ranks I just… things began to snowball into something I could no longer manage."

"I know that feeling all too well," Cinnamon agreed. "You make grand plans, and then it all just falls apart no matter how noble your intentions."

"It's what happens when you try to take charge," Winter replied with a shrug. "It began when General Ironwood proposed the idea of making me into the Winter Maiden. It was a shock and an honor, as well as something that I had to keep to myself, and struggled to deal with. After that, I didn't intend on becoming responsible for leading such a large force, or meeting Clover and getting engaged, or so many other things. While all of that life was going on, Weiss made her way to Beacon, and slipped through my fingers while Whitley ended up being just as neglected despite his proximity… and I didn't have the energy or fortitude to change that. I just wanted to escape my own situation, and Weiss, Whitley, and… my mother all fell by the wayside."

"You don't hear about Willow Schnee much in the media," Cinnamon mused. "I'm going to assume that that's intentional?"

Winter shifted, visibly uncomfortable with the question. She tucked a strand of hair back behind her ear before clasping her hands between her knees and leaning forward slightly.

"She… Jacques ruined her," Winter said slowly. "There are still things even I don't know about their relationship and the reasons things changed between them. I know that at one point, long ago, they used to be happy together and she was entirely different. When I was young, she was still… sober, for a time."

"Say no more," Cinnamon offered. "I think I can piece together enough from that alone."

"I'm sure that you can," Winter said sullenly. "But… bear in mind for the future that the only mother Weiss and Whitley have ever known is one after that period of time…"

"Having trustworthy and caring parents makes quite a bit of difference for a young girl," Cinnamon said cryptically. "I know what it's like growing up without a mother. It wasn't easy, by any means…"

"And your father?" Winter asked quietly.

"Dead," Cinnamon answered simply. "Dust Lung, from working in the mines. I was in my teens and whoring myself out to S.D.C. executives to be able to pay for the pills to keep him alive. Eventually, it wasn't enough, and I lost him."

"The pills that only our company provides," Winter said slowly. "And you're hardly the only faunus in that situation, I'm sure. I can't even imagine how you must have felt…"

"I think you can, if you think about it," Cinnamon challenged as she crossed her legs and inspected her nails.

"…like burning it all down," Winter tried. "Going on a crusade against everyone responsible, their families, and their wealth, uncaring that you would be labeled a terrorist by the people who did nothing to help you. Like joining the White Fang and feeling no remorse for it."

"There you go," Cinnamon said mockingly. "I knew someone so high up in Ironwood's chain of command must be intelligent."

Winter slowly transferred her elbows to her knees and sank her head into her hands. It took her several deep breaths and digging her nails into her scalp before she was ready to speak again.

"How did it ever get to this point?" Winter asked, not really expecting an answer. "How can someone just be so… evil and uncaring about all the damage they've done?"

"You ask this as we stand ready to face Salem herself," Cinnamon pointed out. "The grimm queen and would be world-conqueror… if that even is her goal. Watts didn't really seem to know what she wanted out of all of this. I'm beginning to think that no one really does."

"There has to be a reason that Jacques is the way he is," Winter said as she shook her head.

"Oh, of course there is. It's lien," Cinnamon answered, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Bigger profits, bigger toys, his name in bigger font on bigger banners and bigger plaques all the way up to and beyond election podiums. The bodies of my people are merely kindling to stoke the flames of his ego. That isn't a mystery. Even if he has some tragic past that led to all of this, at some point, his actions became inexcusable. You need to stop trying to understand once someone crosses that line. Empathy for the enemy is a dangerous road."

Winter raised her head and gave Cinnamon a skeptical look.

"That sounds… so odd coming from you, sitting next to me," Winter pointed out. "Though you make a fair point when it comes to Salem and whatever her justifications and end goals might be."

"Even so… I'll admit that I'm curious," Cinnamon replied. "What could possibly have happened that led her to this point, and what exactly is her history with Ozpin? I somehow doubt that money is her motivator."

"It doesn't seem to be," Winter agreed. "Still, it's… reassuring that you didn't think the Schnee family beyond Jacques was so far gone that our stories weren't worth hearing, even if that was a recent development."

"It… wasn't," Cinnamon admitted. "Before, I just didn't care about who you were. I was too angry and caught up in my own feelings to worry about you and your sister. I'm not saying it was right, but it's the truth. If things ever return to normal, though… I think there's more in common between us than either of us realize. I'd like to get to know you better."

Winter finally allowed herself a small smile, but it quickly turned downward as the faunus stood up and stretched.

"…you're leaving?"

"There's somewhere else I should be," Cinnamon said without turning around. "But before I go… don't give up on your mother. If she's still alive, then there's still time. Once we take care of Jacques, maybe I can help you with bringing her back around, as repayment."

"That would be a dream," Winter said as she stood up. "Everything else going on right now feels like a nightmare…"

"Indeed it does," Cinnamon agreed. "Go and spend the hours we're guaranteed to still have left with Clover. Make them count."

"I will," Winter reassured.

Winter wanted to ask several things as the faunus began to walk away, but somehow, she thought it best to remain silent. With a sigh, she turned and walked back to the office and the people still waiting within.

Author's Note:

Next week, the temporary resolution of the Argus crew, and then something… fun.

-RD