Hey everyone WRW here, hope you're all looking forward to this chapter but before we get into it I have a couple things I need to say. First of all being a very big thank you to all my readers that have read this far into my story and I hope if you're at this point that I've done enough for you to hit that follow button so you can get notified of when I update. Next though is I want to clear something up about the timeline of this story as it might not be very clear where we are in relation to canon events.

Its something kinda easily missed at the end of volume 3 but the Vytal festival takes place in the fall, and Ruby is knocked unconscious for what can be assumed to be a couple days. Then in the end of the final episode of volume 3 Ruby leaves with Jaune, Ren, and Nora when it is snowing outside, indicating when they left was already months after the festival. Then when volume 4 starts they appear to be in springtime indicating they have been on the road for months by that point.

The first ten chapter of this story take place in that time skip in between the Fall of Beacon and when RNJR leave for Mistral. Chapter 11 here is occurring with a six month time skip from the last chapter.

Other than that, I hope you continue to enjoy Fallen Snow and will continue to look forward to future updates. Now on with the show!

Fennnnn. How much further until the next village?

"Probably a couple hours. Why do you keep asking that anyway? You know we should be reaching it today at some point."

I'm tired alright! It's hot, my feet are sore, and my hair seriously needs a wash and hour long combing session. Neo complained as she trudged a few paces behind Fen. Mistral is so much worse than Vale in the Spring, plus every village on this stupid continent feels farther away than the one before it.

Fen looked over his left shoulder to find Neo pouting cutely as she continued to rant about their travel conditions. He remembered she did much the same back during the winter, while for him it was just the difference between a warm or chilly breeze. It was just a fact about aura, if a person lives in a harsh climate their aura will naturally evolve to help make it bearable; and Vale is well known for being the staple for temperate living, unfortunately for Neo. Fen couldn't help but ponder how she'd deal with Solitas when they'd inevitably head there at some point; though that didn't stop him from teasing her:

"We've been on Anima about the same amount of time it took us to reach the coast of Vale, you just got spoiled when we had to stay in Brim for four months. Still it's hard to believe that there wasn't a single ship willing to bring us over during Winter just because the CCT network was in shambles; even the less savory character types refused."

Money is only important if you can stay alive to spend it… and I am not spoiled.

Fen gave a shrug, "True enough on the money part I suppose. Concerning your spoiledness though, I remember several 'poor little urchins' saying how'd they'd miss their 'Ice Cream Princess'." He threw back with a wide grin. "We had only been there a week before they started calling you that, and I remember someone going along with the title quite happily, if memory serves."

Neo's cheeks burned as Fen drudged up the past from where they procured lodging while they were forced to wait to cross over to Anima. It had been pure happenstance that they were invited to temporarily rent a spare room after failing to secure transport by a kind middle-aged woman. Both had been shocked to find out that the place they'd be staying was an orphanage. Given both of their very negative experiences with orphanages, they tried to back out lest their pasts cause issues when they interacted with the children in woman's care; but the woman wouldn't have it. What ultimately locked them in place though was the starry-eyed stares of the children when they saw them.

"You're a Huntsman and Huntress aren't you!?

Dummy, of course they are! No one wears clothes like that unless they're trying to stand out.

Don't call me a dummy, idiot! I've never seen one before so how would I know!?"

Neo couldn't help the small smile at the memory of how the matron smacked the two troublemakers that mistook them for that 'grand' profession. One night was all it took for them to decide to stay for however long they needed to, and as Fen said it didn't take long for the children to take a liking to them. Neo's features, that once made her a subject of ridicule by children in very similar circumstances, here were 'oohed' and 'aahed' by several young boys and girls exclaiming how beautiful she looked. The 'princess' title had meant to be just a compliment but Neo decided to play around a bit when it was first said by acting aloof, prim and proper, which only caused more utterances of the nickname; it later evolving into the 'Ice Cream Princess' after one of the kids caught her indulging in a pint all by herself one evening. Still she never let it sour her attitude towards them, especially when she'd occasionally receive an 'offering' to get her to play with them because of it.

Her grumbles soon turned into a sly grin of her own when she recalled that she wasn't the only one to receive a nickname from the little brats.

And what about you mister 'Pirate Guard Dog'? I remember you laying by the fireplace more than one evening looking quite relaxed while you had half-a-dozen little scamps scratching your ears for you. If you had a tail to go along with it I guarantee it would have been wagging those nights.

Fen just laughed, "There's a difference 'princess', pirates are cool. And they didn't start calling me that until a month before we left when I finally was able to level out my control with the Omega to let him continuously use my right eye."

Ah yes, you were just 'Doggy!' to the littlest ones before that.

Fen shot back a glare as heat rose to his own cheeks at Neo's quick barb, earning him plenty of laughter at the reaction. Repeatedly clenching his fists, he tried to word a comeback but as Neo continued to laugh he found nothing and just decided to drop it and lean against a tree until she hopefully collapsed from lack of air.

Closing his eyes, he did his best to quell the blood that had rushed to his face. Along with the somewhat embarrassing moments, those days back in that orphanage had been remarkably kind to them both. If the circumstances that lead them there had been different, Fen felt that both of them probably have been inclined to stay there for who knows how long. But unfortunately, no matter how many good memories were made in those four months of winter, they both could recall multiple instances of waking up in a cold sweat from nightmares of that day.

It was somewhat hard to comprehend that it had already been nearly eight months since Beacon's collapse. So much had changed, but at the same time remained unchanged, that Fen still felt he'd wake up one morning to find himself back in Atlas listening to the sound of Rema and Sena arguing over breakfast, with Thrud walking in to provide him with a hot cup of coffee. And though he had lost the ability to ever experience that scenario again, he wasn't blinded by his goal; he had Neo to thank for that. Even their ribbing each other just now was all in good fun, something that neither one could have conceived would occur when they first shook hands as allies those many months ago.

Fen was pulled from his thoughts when something brushed up against his arms. Casually opening his uncovered eye he saw two Neos, one on each side of him, wrapped around his arms while batting their eyes at him flirtatiously; each perfectly mimicking the other's movements down to the slightest detail. Fen slowly looked between the two women hanging on his arms with impish smirks.

What's wrong? Don't think you can handle this much seductiveness?

Pointedly ignoring her comment, Fen replied in a calculated tone, "Hmm you've certainly gotten a lot better at portioning your aura to your illusions. Even with the Omega's sight I can't really tell a difference. Though I do still know which one of you is actually Neo."

Both their faces looked at him with expressions of shock and disbelief. Are you being serious? How!?

Fen just grinned down to the Neo on his left, "Because you still don't like being near my right side since I learned this."

To demonstrate his point, a small flurry of black particles started to swirl around his right hand. Then in a blink, the flurry raced up his arm to his shoulder before dissipating suddenly, leaving in its place the clawed arm of the Omega where his used to be; spike of ice at the elbow and all. The Neo that had been on his right shattered instantly when he summoned the limb, leaving a very pouty Neo still hanging off his left.

She let go and stomped on down the trail, Fen pushing off the tree he had been against and following close behind; letting his arm return to normal with another flurry of particles.

Hmph! It's nearly impossible to prank you anymore. You've been around me too long, over-exposure to my feminine wiles seem to have made you impotent. You had two of me hanging off you and your only reaction was 'you've gotten better with your illusions'? And who would like being near the side of someone that can turn into a grimm on command, huh!? Can't blame me for my mind putting its own self-preservation first.

Unable to keep from laughing at her logic, Fen reminded her: "Did you forget I was part of a team with three women? Dealing with just two of you batting your eyes at me is child's play. Also you know my entire body can turn into a grimm. Just because I can now do it partially to my right side without having to resort to full-shift doesn't change the fact that your reasoning is flawed."

Your full-shift is more telegraphed, transforming your arm or leg on the other hand I've seen you do close to instantaneously. So of course I'm more cautious keeping an eye on your right side when we spar… or when I want to tease you.

"Haha, fine fine. Fair enough. Just because I've gotten some modicum of control when it comes to the Omega, expecting you to be a hundred percent okay when dealing with him is a bit unfair. Even for myself, it wasn't until I started to research my semblance that the nightmares began to go away. Then the ones of losing control when I regained a family at the academy didn't go away for what felt like forever."

Neo glanced back with a slightly concerned look: Besides memories of that night, do you still have nightmares related to the Omega?

Fen paused for a moment at the question, Neo stopping as well as she waited for an answer. He closed his eye and continued walking with a sigh, Neo walking beside him once he had reached her. A few moments of silence lingered before Fen finally answered:

"Nightmares may be too strong a word for it. Do I have unpleasant dreams including the Omega that aren't about that night: yes. But at the same time they are more because of doubts of the future, rather than direct worry caused by the Omega's presence."

Neo gave a silent nod in understanding; she had her own worries after all. They knew Salem's forces were headed towards Haven Academy in Mistral, but any further details were a mystery. Both of them knew, from criminal and military backgrounds, a lack of information was tantamount to suicide, and even if they did know, would they have the strength needed to execute their revenge? Such doubts were common in her own less-pleasant dreams, so she could reasonably speculate that Fen's were similar.

Conversation slowed from this point, and afternoon turned to early evening before they finally caught sight of the village that was their interim destination. Neo cloaked herself with her now standard illusion of silver hair and blue eyes to match Fen when they came to a village like this; having dealt with living with it any time they weren't alone for four months while at the orphanage, it was almost like a second skin to her at this point.

Unlike the villages back in Vale shortly after Beacon's collapse, life here appeared to have decently returned to normal. They were given some curious looks, but travelers must not have been too strange as the stares didn't linger long. After only a few minutes of navigating, they found an inn and paid for a three-night stay. Though before they could relax in their room the two left to attend the particular reason they came to this village; beyond the fact it was on the straightest route to Mistral.

This was the village that Junior told them to visit its blacksmith.

Finding the forge was simple considering the sound of steady hammer blows that could be heard several blocks away, leading them to the building's front door. Their entrance into the building was acknowledged by a small bell clanging as they pushed open the shop's door; the sound of hammer falls stopping with the announcement of their arrival. The forge was actually part of the main room, at its back, and in front of it with his back to them was a burly man of dark olive skin. Even before he turned to face them, Fen and Neo took notice of the two large horns that extended from his head, which by their shape denoted him to be a bull faunus.

Facing them properly the large man gave them a merchant's smile and heartily greeted them: "Welcome! You two are certainly not from around here. Did ya just get into town?"

Seeing as only Fen could hear Neo, she just gave a cheery smile while Fen took the reins of the conversation: "Yes, just a little while ago in fact. We heard the sound of your hammer and I just couldn't help but drag my sister here with me to come explore your establishment."

The man took notice of Neo exploring the many weapons that lined the shop's walls and gave a laugh: "Well she certainly doesn't seem to be minding it too much. You must be a huntsman if you've been traveling at all since the fall of Beacon; her too, if my eyes aren't lying about that parasol on her hip being more than it seems. What can I do ya for? I know my way around my fair share of weapons, maybe I can give y'all two a bit of an upgrade?"

With a little faux surprise Fen replied with a smile: "Really now? That would be wonderful. I'll be honest that my weapons could use a tune up, though I'm too sure if my sister will want something. She's quite particular about her Shush. Though I should ask, have you dealt with weapons that work with hardlight dust before?"

The man's smile faded at Fen's words: "Hardlight dust? Son, I'm a blacksmith not an Atlas technician. You saying you two came here all the way from Atlas? I could have sworn I heard they closed their borders following what happened to Vale."

Neo and Fen exchanged a look of surprise at the information, but after a quick exchange between the two, Fen turned back to the smith: "Sorry there appears to have been some confusion. We actually came from Vale. I just happened to get my hands on some hardlight dust weapons as a gift when I entered Beacon academy; I graduated last year and my sister was going to be joining this year. We were lucky to not be in Vale when the collapse happened. But even with everything that's happened, my sister still wants to be a huntress. So now we're on our way to Mistral so she can join Haven Academy when the school year starts."

Giving a questioning glance between the two of them the smith inquired: "And what about parents? The journey from Vale to Mistral isn't a short one, I'm no doubt you're aware of by this point. They must have some strong faith in their boy if y'all two are traveling alone."

Fen couldn't help but feel a pang of actual sadness at the man's well-meaning words: "Heh, maybe they would be. I couldn't tell you. The two of us were orphaned when we were very little. Neo over there also suffered an accident when we were kids and lost her voice; can't barely make a sound anymore, let alone words." Neo turned and smiled with a little wave to reinforce the act from Fen's story.

The smith backpedaled slightly: "I, I uh, I'm terribly sorry for touching on such a sensitive subject. I hope y'all kind folks won't hold it against this poor crude blacksmith for bringing it up."

Just waving the apology off casually, Fen replied: "Don't worry about it. It was a natural concern and I thank you for being kind enough to be worried over complete strangers. Though it's a bit unfortunate that you can't provide any assistance with our armaments. We actually had been referred to stop by here by a friend back in Vale. Goes by the nickname 'Junior'. Ring any bells?"

The man appeared to think on Fen's words for a moment but eventually just gave a shrug: "Can't say it sounds familiar. I'm surprised that anyone would refer you here since my mentor handed it over to me five years ago. My skills aren't close to where his were yet. Haha, I probably have another two decades before I even near the realm of his grade of quality and skill."

Neo echoed in Fen's mind the same words that left his mouth at the smith's statement:

"Your mentor? That retired five years ago?"

If I ever see Junior again, he's a dead man.

Fen turned to her and muttered: "If he's half the info-broker you made him out to be, then he'd probably do it for you once he learned he gave a client info that was five years out of date."

But I want to be the one to do ittttt.

Fen just let out an annoyed sigh as he turned his attention back to the smith: "Well that's an unfortunate piece of information to learn. Where did he retire to, if you don't mind my asking?"

A chuckle came from the smith: "Well your luck ain't too bad. If you're wanting to meet him then you're looking for Sable Irons. He's over in Shion village. It's the next town over, plus it's actually where you'll be heading if you're aiming for Mistral. Last I knew he was helping his granddaughter tend the fabric store she owns over there. Beyond that, all I can say is that scroll signals were spotty out in these parts even before what happened at Beacon. Last time we heard from Shion was a fair while ago. It would actually do my heart good to have a huntsman, and aspiring huntress, heading that way to check on them."

Fen gave what enthusiasm he could: "Well, that is certainly good to know. Though if he's retired then I can't say I like the chances of getting his help with our weapons."

The smith clapped him on the shoulder: "Come now, no need to be so glum! Old Sable might not hammer out metal on the daily anymore, but I have no doubt that meeting him would prove surprisingly useful to ya both. Now, with that said, is there nothing I might be able to do for you while you're here in my fine village?"

Fen gave a somewhat hopeful smile: "Wouldn't happen to have some hardlight dust I could stock up on would you?"

"Unfortunately, that's one of the only things I can't help ya with, my boy. Since Atlas closed its borders, dust exports have been embargoed. Haven't barely gotten the usual types of dust in six months now, let alone something as specialized as hardlight dust. Even if I did, I'd have to charge you an arm and a leg for just a little bit considering how that embargo has shot up dust prices everywhere; except probably Atlas itself, that is."

Another sigh escaped Fen: "Shoulda figured it wouldn't be that easy to get my hands on some. Well it didn't hurt to ask. Thanks for the info about Shion though. We'll probably head that way in a couple days. If I said we'd leave tomorrow my sister might just gut me considering how long we've been on the road for, haha!"

Looking back just confirmed his suspicions as Neo was slowly nodding with a grim look on her face.

Try it and we'll be testing out if your unnatural healing can replace severed limbs.

A slight gulp from Fen and the smith was laughing once more at observing the chemistry between the two.

"You two are great. Just perfect for each other. Even though you said she can't speak, it seems like you can understand her like she was talking to you. Takes a special kind of bond to be able to read someone like that. I'm glad I could help give y'all some use out of coming here since I couldn't help with your weapons. Take it easy however long you're in town, maybe treat your sister to some of our native cuisine. Our village has a little secret delicacy among the locals, if your sister has a sweet tooth anyw—"

Neo's eyes lit up at the sound of sweets and shoved her way in between Fen and the smith while gazing up in silent anticipation. The man blinked a few times before laughing all the harder:

"I'll take that as a yes! Ok then missy, here's what you do. Have your brother over there order you the special 'chilled spice surprise' when y'all head back to the inn. I think you'll find it to be something you've never had before. My suggestion is to try it before asking what's in it, let that first bite really be a shock."

Nodding enthusiastically, Neo then twirled on her heels and headed for the exit; grabbing Fen by the collar on the way as he was mildly cursing under his breath for being knocked to the ground. As Fen's gaze silently asked the man what he had done to deserve this, the smith just merrily waved as they left.

~A few hours later~

"Shion will take us a little over a week to get to. Kinda nice change of pace instead of every two to three weeks it's taken thus far to travel between settlements."

The only reply to Fen's statement was the sound of a spoon clanging against a bowl as Neo enjoyed a bowl of soft frozen creamy goodness.

"My only real worry is that the village has been out of contact for so long. Well that, and if this old man Sable can actually provide us something that will make us stronger."

Mmm! Mmmhmmm.

"Though I'm starting to think I should be more worried about our savings disappearing if you keep eating more of that ice cream." Fen said with mounting annoyance. "Just which number bowl is that now?"

Ahh, there's a pop of heat with each bite. It's so unusual! Fen, you should really have tried this. To think that pink peppercorn and sake ice cream were flavors that ever went together!

Removing the patch from his eye so he could glare at her properly, he growled out, "What. Number. Bowl. Is that?"

Seeing the half-glowing glare made her shrink slightly. Hehe, umm… seventh. I think.

"And are you including the one you swiped from under my chin when I tried to have a taste?"

Eighth.

"I thought so." He said while flopping back onto his bed. Lifting a hand to point at the ceiling he declared: "No more ice cream until I get a bowl at a time that Neo gets none. Thus sayth the Omega."

WHAT!? Come on! That's not fair at all!

Sitting back up, Fen looked her dead in the eyes and gave his ultimatum: "Then feed me the rest of that bowl and no more while we are in this village and I might consider treating you to one bowl when we get to Shion. Otherwise my other declaration stands."

Neo's gaze kept flipping between Fen's stare and the bowl in her hands. B-but… mine~!

"Well then I guess you're buying me my own bowl before you get another."

Hugging the bowl to her chest she cried out in anguish: This is blackmail! Harassment! I hate you! Dessert Dictator!

Not quite able to stop himself from smirking, Fen just lowly chuckled; like he was pleased with becoming such a figure. Neo, on the other hand, just continued to pile on expletives of how 'evil' he was, while Fen just closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable. Similar scenarios had played out many times when they had been staying in Brim after all.

After another couple minutes of Neo ranting, she finally went silent. Fen took it as she had refused and as he was about to lay back down on his bed, a cold spoon poked his cheek. Cracking open his non-glowing eye he looked to see Neo looking away with a pout as she held a spoon full of the frozen treat before him.

Eat it. If it gets wasted on the floor I will end you.

With a smile Fen obliged and finally had his first bite of the unusual flavor. Though Neo looked thoroughly unhappy with having to part with her treat, and be the one feeding it to someone else no less, Fen could tell with his other still-closed eye he shared with the Omega that Neo's aura was calm and relaxed.

When the bowl was finally empty, the two relaxed on their separate beds and kept to themselves for a time. Fen was almost drifting off when Neo called out to him:

Does it feel like this journey has changed somewhat since we started?

Fen answered through closed eyes, "In what way?"

It's… hard to express. Just that moments like now just feel a bit improper to be having.

"Like you should be more unflagging in trying to carry out your revenge?"

Is it the same for you?

Sitting up, Fen let his back rest against the headboard while he found the right words: "We've been on the road for more than eight months. In some ways it would be strange if we didn't feel differently than when we started. Our revenge was never going to be quick, especially from what you told me. Though actually journeying halfway across Remnant makes a person realize what that really entails."

We both know we won't be done after Haven. If we even arrive in time.

"True. And if we miss out then we're gonna only have a fifty-fifty shot on where they'll go next unless we managed to learn something in Mistral."

Are we going to aim for Atlas if that happens?

"There would be certain advantages to heading there. I'd be able to get the dust I need, plus maybe some improvements to both our gear. But at the same time, General Ironwood having closed the country down makes things complicated; especially if I intend to keep being a ghost in the eyes of the Atlas military."

What real benefit do we gain if you stay a ghost?

"Well, beside the fact that I can act more freely without being tied up with military red tape, my call sign won't ping the system if I use it when I'm still considered KIA. That is unless the person I give it to recognizes it as mine and manually flags it. Though considering almost all the people that would recognize it are well and truly dead, that chance isn't likely. Also if they think I'm dead then my betrayal to seek personal revenge doesn't feel so bad to my morals."

That last one is a really poor excuse. And if you were revealed... would you still join me in doing what needs to be done, or run back to the side of Law and Order?

Fen looked over to see Neo laying on her side, staring up at him intently. With a raised eyebrow he replied: "After everything we've been through, you really think I would go back?"

Neo rolled over so she didn't have to look at Fen's smug expression: How should I know? You make it sound like if you were found out to be alive you'd be set back to rules and regulations.

Fen hummed to himself at her statement, realizing something: "I guess I never did tell you what happens to people that get found after being listed as KIA."

Looking back over her shoulder, Neo raised a brow of her own: Wouldn't they be happy to have you back?

"Hmm, as an extra resource maybe, but that would be more for those under MIA. No, the first thing that would probably happen is I would be detained and be interrogated until I recounted every part of my journey back to Atlas. Along with that, I'd need a compelling reason for not attempting contact at the earliest opportunity; assuming that I was found out in Atlas and not before. Then after that I'd be placed on 'mandatory leave' while they fact check my story. And if they find the slightest detail out of place, then I'd likely be branded as a traitor and placed under arrest until my allegiance could be more thoroughly vetted. And if I gave the slightest impression I could be a liability for any reason: I'd likely be executed without trial."

Neo blanched at his casual mention of execution: Just for being KIA and not MIA? Why such strict treatment?

"Well normally faking your death as part of the Altas military is not an easy thing to accomplish considering the monitoring practices that are employed. Though when the main ship that monitored all Atlas personnel in Vale crashed during the fall of Beacon, causing a long span of time that shut down said monitoring…that created is a bit of an exception to things. The act of faking one's death in Atlas, historically, has only been done by traitors looking to damage the kingdom in some way. So my staying a ghost at this point is more a matter of survival than convenience."

Great, I now have another reason to hate Atlas! Neo threw her hands up exasperatedly, before looking over to Fen chuckling. I don't see why you're so calm about it. It's your head that will roll if we do end up having to go there.

With mock indignation Fen held a hand to his chest, "What? Are you saying you wouldn't be my little hero and rescue me if I got caught?"

Neo just looked at him with a flat expression, then smiled sweetly at him… just before chucking her pillow so hard that Fen was knocked clean off his bed.

Hearing him groan as he lay crumpled on the ground, she continued smiling innocently as she said: Call me little again and I'll hand you over to them myself.

With a cough Fen picked himself up from the floor: "Really feeling the love, Neo. Another lovetap like that and I might start to think you're into me."

As if you don't already dream about this body. Neo sassed back while laying out and striking a pose.

Fen stared down at the her indifferently. Even with it being spring and Neo switching from her silk long sleeves and pants back to her nightgown that stopped halfway down her thigh, Fen was long since used to seeing this much skin from her. To the point that even with her provocative pose he just blinked before raising the pillow that had slugged him out of bed and returned it to sender.

Seeing Neo sputter and squirm as she tossed off the offending sack of feathers did manage to get a smile from him, but he hid it before her eyes snapped back to him.

Turning her back to him with a huff she threw the covers over herself and stuffed her pillow under her head. Hmph! I'm going to bed! You will bring me waffles doused in syrup come morning as payment for your insolence. Consider this your only warning.

Shaking his head while climbing back into his own bed, Fen replied dismissively: "Sure, I wouldn't want 'your highness' to stay cold to me. I'll bring you the fluffy-wuffiest waffles they have to melt your heart."

Silence lingered between the two for several moments, before they both broke down in laughter and turned to each other and said goodnight. Though before they slipped off to sleep Neo made sure to get the last word:

I want them with chocolate chips and a strawberry on top.

Yonder

Awwww, so sweet! Literally!

WRW

Considering how little of Neo is seen in the actual show, I'm aware my interpretation might not sit the best with everyone. I see her as confident, playful, and practical, but also a bit bratty when she doesn't get what she wants.

Yonder

In the best way!

WRW

Indeed.

Beyond that, I hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter even if it wasn't exactly 'action packed'. Loved it? Leave a review and let me know. Didn't? Still leave a review and explain what I could do better.

Yonder

Yep yep! He writes because he loves it, and I edit because I do too. So don't be afraid to let us know what we can do better. We want this story to be the best it can for all of you wonderful awesome readers!

WRW

Stay awesome everyone, WRW and Yonder out.