"Another paper, please."

"Comin' right up!" Yang chirped.

Happily, Yang handed Blake another piece of newspaper from the scattered pile. Blake tore the paper into pieces and dipped it in the paste for what felt like the hundredth time today. She slapped it onto the clump in front of her and slid it back to the middle of the table.

Across the table, Weiss inspected the damp sphere. "I'm finally starting to see a pig's head."

"It's the ears," Yang said in agreement. "I think it's comin' along nicely. Rubes, can you make the 'em a little more floppy?"

Ruby dipped a paper into the paste. "That's a little hard to do when it dries stiff as a board but anything for my dearest sis."

From her sarcastic tone, Yang shook her head and leaned back in her chair. The group sat at the dining room table with mountains of thin papers and a large tub of paste. The clump in the middle was almost a complete sphere.

Rather than attend school today, the girls decided to stay home. Since they all slept on the couch last night, they could have gotten better sleep. When they woke, it was past the start of school anyway.

Since they felt guilty for missing another day, they decided to at least be productive in their studies. This is why they were currently working with paper mache for the physical aspect of their literature project. At this rate, they'd be done with the big project before the school day ended and they could focus on other things.

After Blake plastered paper onto the lower head, she explained her section of the book. "...then they dropped a boulder on him and he dies."

"Aw, not the nerd!" Yang commented in disbelief. "I was starting to like him. You definitely got the exciting part of the book. Why was I stuck with the exposition?"

Blake smirked from her annoyance. "You suck at drawing straws."

That earned a few giggles.

"Ugh," Yang crossed her arms in annoyance.

Blake continued to explain the end of the book. "The group chases Gray, but it's not like tag. They've grown savage by this point and were actually hunting him. Like he was another wild boar."

Ruby commented as she examined the head. "If you guys try to hunt me I can't guarantee your safety."

Yang replied without missing a beat. "Watch out, guys. Her slingshot might kill us."

More giggles.

"Hey, I could go for the eyes!" Ruby defended her contraption. "Once you're blind, you're done."

Blake nodded slowly. "I'm a little disturbed since it seems you've thought about this a lot."

Mischievously, Ruby leaned back in her seat with a smirk. "Maybe I have."

Jokingly, Yang patted her shoulder. "Hey, don't make fun of her. Ruby's a little killin' machine."

More laughs.

From that, Ruby sighed as she eyeballed the sphere. "We need to start the snout."

In response, Blake flicked over more paper to her. Some pieces stuck to her sticky hands.

"I think the pig head is a good choice," Weiss said. "I read all of it," she revealed, which earned surprised expressions. "What? It's not like I had anything else to do. I think the symbolism here is spot on. We'll get an A."

"We better," Yang chirped and cleaned her hands with a baby wipe. "Ms. Goodwitch is probably confused why me and Rubes missed two days in a row."

Ruby plastered another paper onto the head and used a calm tone. "Don't worry about it. She'll understand."

Blake nodded in agreement and continued to explain her part of the book.

"She will. Anyway, the boys are rescued in the end. Right before the group can kill Gray. They become aware of the atrocities they've committed. They had to do anything to survive, but at what cost? Some of them lost their humanity while stranded on the island, how could they begin to take it back?"

When she asked the question, Weiss found herself staring at the damp pig head. The combination of her words and the pig made her mind wander back in time. To a memory that soaked deep into her bones and ominously loomed over her mind.

…

A strip of bacon disappeared under the white mustache.

The man devoured it whole and crossed his arms at the girl before him. Four more strips of bacon were begging to be eaten on the plate in front of him.

"You swore no one would die."

The statement lingered in the grand, cold room.

Casually, Jacques chomped on another piece of bacon and stood in front of his desk. The sudden action caused Weiss to take a single step backward. An argument was inevitable. The question was whether or not it would get physical.

"You lack obedience, Weiss. I didn't raise my daughter to be so foolish. Did you really think no one would die? Did you really?"

Deep in her heart, Weiss knew his words rang true. Did she really think she could avoid bloodshed when clashing with enemy gangs? Was it even possible to survive and truly show mercy in this violent world?

Jacques was right. And she hated that. He only said that to get her to do what he wanted. And it worked. She was indeed foolish. Nothing but a mere puppet. He was absolutely right. The realization caused her to bite her bottom lip.

"Winter rubbed off on you," Jacques sneered. "Her foolish ideals only lead to her demise."

From his harsh and unnecessary words, Weiss' expression changed ever so slightly. White eyebrows furrowed and her eyes narrowed in defiance. Gone was the submissive underling as she approached his desk and lay her hands on top.

"Don't you dare say another word about her," Weiss warned in an eerie tone. "Not when she can't defend herself."

On occasion, Weiss reminded Jacques of himself with her icy glares. Right now, her face was hardened, and her tone was low as if to tell him to tread lightly. At this moment, it was as if Weiss was made entirely of hardened ice that refused to crack from the most lethal force.

While he despised disobedience, he admired her unwavering persistence. Stubbornness certainly ran in the family.

At times like these, Jacques indeed thought before he spoke. His daughter could be intimidating if she wanted to be despite her short and slender stature. While she looked weak, her ideals never faded. Especially since Winter died.

Unfortunately, Weiss' ideals in this world were unrealistic and most importantly, unfavorable.

To allow her to cool down, Jacques ate another strip of bacon. Like the silence was his own challenge. Daring her to press further. From the action, Weiss continued to glare him down. It was like she poked a sleeping tiger.

The clock on the wall and chomps raged in the silence.

After Jacques swallowed, he spoke. "If you keep this up, I'd hate to see the same thing happen to you."

All Weiss could do was clench her fists and glance down at the

marble floor. She was in no position to be speaking to him like that. Her father had shown his true cruelty years ago. A low no person should ever drop to. Her breath caught in her throat like she forgot how to exhale. Reluctantly, she met his cold stare.

"Is that a threat?" Weiss asked, striving for a steady voice.

"No, my dear. It's a promise."

From his words, Weiss finally exhaled in the cold room. She felt helpless. Like a bunny that attempted to challenge a ferocious tiger. If she continues down this path, she would be killed with hardly any resistance.

And it was all up to her father.

Her hardened stare softened as she glanced away in submission. She wanted to be told it was a lie. That her father had nothing to do with Winter's death.

The door opened, which revealed a white-haired boy that'd been undoubtedly eavesdropping.

"If I may, father?"

"Whitley," Weiss sneered. "What do you want?"

"I'm sure father would appreciate me giving you some advice, dear Weiss," Whitley said solemnly as he stood by her, which earned a glare. "Don't look at me like that. I'm trying to be helpful."

Jacques leaned back in his chair as he eyed the two siblings. "Go on."

Whitley politely nodded at his father and looked to his sister. "I don't understand you, Weiss. Father said to use necessary force, so he had to die. It's as simple as that. It's not worth risking your life over. Why can't your thick skull understand that? Follow him, and there are no consequences. He's our leader. It's quite simple."

To agree, Jacques simply lifted his hand at his son. "At least my son gets it."

In response, Weiss swallowed the bile in her throat as dread seeped into her form. Her hands were starting to shake from the two men glaring holes through her. Now, she felt like a fawn cornered by two hungry lions. She'd lost all control of her fate.

This must have been what Winter felt like as well. Probably only days before her demise.

"Aw, don't look like that, Weiss," Whitley said lowly and placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "Father gave Winter several warnings. You can't feel too bad for her."

In silence, Jacques ate the last piece of bacon.

...

A hand on her shoulder shook her out of her reverie.

"Weiss?" Yang asked and waved a hand in front of her face. "You good? You've been staring at the head for a while."

Now grounded in the present, Weiss looked around to see several concerned eyes on her.

I could've been finished right there, Weiss thought as she took a deep breath. Easily.

"I'm fine," Weiss insisted and grabbed another piece of newspaper before dipping it in the sticky paste. When the girls continued to gaze at her, she asked. "What? Have none of you zoned out before?"

They looked amongst each other, thoroughly confused and worried.

Curious, Ruby asked. "What were you thinking about?"

While Weiss' face was stoic, there was a hint of fear in her eyes that vanished when she was yanked back to the present.

To deflect and change the conversation, Weiss looked to Yang. "I forgot to tell you thank you. For getting detention for me. When you helped me when I was sick."

While that was true, Weiss also refrained from the whole truth. I don't want to lie to you, but I have no choice.

"That's what you were thinkin' about?" Yang asked in amusement. "I told you, I'd get detention a million times for you. Guys, see? She daydreams about me. I knew you loved me."

While Yang was almost certain that was not what she'd been thinking about, she could tell something deeply bothered Weiss. The best course of action right now was to roll with it. The last thing Yang wanted was to remind her of whatever was previously on her mind.

From Yang's comment, Weiss blushed and found the picture frame in the distance suddenly very interesting.

Ruby laughed. "A pig head reminded you of that?"

"In a way."

Lyrics used from Redo: "I can't believe it's true. I'm begging you please tell me it's a lie cuz I feel I've lost all control to break free."

Stay dandy,

~Toto