"General, sir." Winter saluted, waiting for Ironwood's acknowledgement to continue. "I received a message from Weiss. Evidently...my father invited her and her team to dinner tonight."
"Knowing Jacques, it wasn't exactly an 'invitation.' So?"
"I believe she desires to know if her obligation here supersedes that invitation. If I know Weiss, she intends to prepare heavily before she leads her team into the Schnee estate."
Ironwood tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Meaning she wants as much time as she can get...I don't believe its worth alienating Jacques further over this. Besides, if we delay the planning session, it simply gives us more time to go over the data from the labs." With a decisive nod, he turned back towards his console. "Tell Weiss we'll do our planning tomorrow instead. Perhaps this will mollify your father a bit."
Winter frowned. "With respect, I doubt it, sir."
"...So do I."
Weiss straightened Ruby's tie carefully, then stepped back to survey her work.
"I still am not a fan of this, Weiss," her leader complained.
"If it helps, Ruby...consider it like armor. This dinner may be a battlefield of sorts, and I'm doing my best to ensure everyone is equipped."
"You're not enthusing me on this meeting, Weiss." Yang grimaced even as she continued combing through her hair.
"As much as I hate it...we can't afford to snub him, though. Jacques Schnee is a powerful man, and if we intend to do anything at all in Atlas, we shouldn't make him an enemy." Even though Weiss had seen the dress several times before, watching Blake move in her clothing from the past was...something. The way the fabric shimmered and rippled with her movements was almost hypnotizing. The minimal amount of jewelry Weiss had managed to convince her to wear only made it more noticeable.
"My father is...skilled at many things," Weiss carefully said as she watched Blake look around, growing increasingly irritated. "Holding a grudge, unfortunately, is among them..." She trailed off, blinking, as she watched her teammate huff in annoyance before closing her eyes. Tiny, innumerable tendrils of shadow flitting forth from her scalp, combing through the Faunus' black hair in a cascading wave, separating individual strands of hair before quickly braiding it into a slightly more refined style than she was used to seeing.
When Blake opened her eyes to her three teammates all staring at her, she crossed her arms. "What?"
Yang gaped for a second. "Since when have you had magic hair powers?"
Blake opened her mouth to answer...and then simply shrugged. "I...didn't know if it would work, actually. I was just irritated that I couldn't find my brush."
Yang very purposefully set her comb down. "You, uh...could you do mine?"
Weiss was distracted from the byplay by Ruby's pout and mutter. "You don't even let me do your hair."
"You don't have magic hair powers."
Blake rolled her eyes, moving over to her partner and raising her right hand, allowing her shadows to drip through the gauntlet and reach onto Yang's scalp. The interplay of golden-blonde hair and liquid shadows was...definitely eye-catching. Weiss had to stifle a laugh as Yang shivered. "Woah, those are kinda cold."
"Sorry," Blake drawled, "I don't really notice any more." When she was finished, she glanced up at the other two who were watching...and promptly sighed. "...If you guys make this a habit, I'm going to start charging as a hairdresser."
"You'd be worth it," Weiss said, and they shared a laugh.
The Schnee Manor was...large. Blake had always known that, academically, but the sheer size of it still surprised her. Almost the moment they reached the gate, they were greeted by a short, slightly overweight man with a red mustache. He looked over them all with a critical eye, then nodded and smiled warmly.
"Welcome home, Weiss. It's good to see you. I assume these are your teammates?"
"Yes. This is Klein, my family's butler. He's been with us since I was...very small. Klein, this is Ruby Rose, Yang Xiao Long, and Blake Belladonna." Blake noticed the slight twitch of his eyebrows as he looked at her...and the way his eyes momentarily flicked up to her ears. But his smile didn't change at all.
"I can already see you've taken good care of her in my absence. For that, you have my thanks." With that, he bowed slightly.
Ruby waved her hands in the air. "Uh, it's no problem, really! Weiss takes care of me more than anything."
"Does she now?" He seemed amused, but Blake couldn't quite place why. Still, he turned and began to lead them through the absurdly sized courtyard. "Regardless, this way. Jacques is ready for you all in the dining room."
Blake's eyes cataloged the manor as they passed through it, noticing...inefficiencies. Opulence. It was just...she couldn't imagine a place like this being built in Kuo Kuana. Or anywhere except here in Atlas.
As Klein reached forward to open the doors to the dining room, she took a deep breath and schooled her expression. Just another mission, Blake. You can do this.
"Sir, Weiss and her teammates have arrived."
"Right on time, it seems." Jacques nodded from his place at the head of the table, and Klein lead them to their (already selected, she noticed) seats. Weiss sat at his left, a younger child that must have been Weiss' brother to his right, and the others farther away.
Blake was slightly surprised to see she wasn't the farthest from Jacques himself.
"Allow me to bid you welcome. I hope you find the Schnee hospitality suits your tastes."
Weiss' eyes flicked in Ruby's direction, and she cleared her throat. "Thank you, sir. It's...very impressive so far."
"Hmm." He glanced over them, and something about his eyes set Blake's nerves on edge. "Weiss, are you going to introduce your team members?"
"Of course, father. This is Yang Xiao Long, Blake Belladonna, and Ruby Rose, our team leader. Everyone, this is Jacques Schnee, my father, and my brother Whitley."
"Belladonna." He spoke the words as though tasting them, as though he didn't already know who she was. There's no part of me that believes he hasn't already researched Weiss' team after yesterday. "You are the daughter of Ghira and Kali, then?"
"Yes. That's correct."
"And by what criteria were you selected as team leader, miss Rose?"
"You would...have needed to ask headmaster Ozpin that question, sir."
"Is that so? But you are no longer at Beacon Academy. Now you work for General Ironwood, and yet it seems my daughter still treats you as team leader. Why might that be, I wonder?"
Ruby swallowed, and Blake wanted so badly to say something...but that would only make things worse.
For a moment, Ruby and Weiss locked eyes. Then...Ruby managed a small, if genuine, smile. "I...discovered a talent for tactics, mister Schnee. And...and my Semblance allows me to be quite mobile, which is useful for a leader."
"Hmm." Whatever else Jacques intended to say was interrupted as Klein arrived with the first course.
Weiss seized the opportunity. "Whitley, how have you been? I remember you were advancing more rapidly than expected. Did your tutors revise your lessons?"
Whitley looked at his sister for a moment before he answered. "...That was some time ago. Yes, things are progressing much more smoothly now. Lately, I've been observing many of father's business interactions. Once I'm older, I'll be able to fill any role required of me by the Company."
Weiss' smile was small, but genuine. "That's good. I'm glad to hear that. Thank you, Klein." She nodded as the butler placed her plate before her. Nobody spoke as they ate, Weiss' desperate lectures managing to keep their teammates under control, but between courses the conversation began again.
"I was hoping for more information on this team of yours, Weiss. Ironwood was quite evasive when I questioned him."
"I'm not sure what all I'm allowed to say that he hasn't already, father. As he mentioned yesterday, we're aiming to prevent...more incidents like the one in Vale."
"Meaning you have reason to suspect more incidents will occur." His gaze was sharp.
"...Yes, father. Good reason."
"And the reason you, specifically must be on this team? I've yet to hear a convincing one."
Weiss pursed her lips, and the moment stretched. "...There are several. Most notably, though, is our team synergy."
Jacques' icy eyes narrowed. "Explain, if you would."
"The Schnee Semblance is quite versatile, as you're already aware. It serves as...quite an effective force multiplier, when combined with the skills our team already possesses."
"As I recall, Ironwood has unlimited access to a Specialist with the same Semblance."
Weiss flinched visibly, and Blake's hackles rose. She was robbed of the chance to reply by the arrival of the second course, and bit her lip to restrain herself. Don't make it worse, Blake. Remember what Weiss told you. Even if she told herself that, though...
"I was recently approached with a number of offers to invest in the reconstruction effort in Vale."
The change of topic caught them all off-guard. "I...see. Have you made a decision?"
"I find it unlikely that the Company will see significant return. Even if the reconstruction is a success, it will be a long time before Vale becomes a viable economic power again."
"That's -" Blake bit her tongue as the man's eyes flashed in her direction. "...That's only one aspect of it, isn't it?" She tugged at Janus' memories desperately, reaching for what little experience he had with these types of things. As Magus, he had mostly relied on his sheer power to cow the Mystics into line...but on occasion, he had softer methods. "You have to consider the other angles, as well."
Jacques seemed amused as he watched her. "Oh? Enlighten me, miss Belladonna."
She forced herself to take a breath. "There are a lot of people still in Vale. Not just civilians, but Huntsmen and Huntresses as well. A lot of them are involved in the reconstruction effort, and a lot of them are hoping for help. Do you think they'll forget where it came from?" When his look didn't change, she continued. "...Do you think they'll forget where it didn't?"
He frowned, but his eyes only got sharper. "A valid concern, if potentially misguided. Weiss? Whitley? Your thoughts?"
The siblings glanced at each other, and by some unspoken agreement Weiss spoke first. "I believe...Blake has a point. I doubt the Company would take significant loss investing in the reconstruction, and it would do a lot to cement the Company's reputation."
Whitley seemed to think about their words before he spoke. "I think...that it would be a waste, if not for the simple fact that Vale is a significant market. The sooner it becomes economically stable again the sooner that market will become viable again."
"...I'll consider your words."
As Klein set dessert in front of each of them, Blake was struck by how...cold everything seemed. It was so...so different from everything she was familiar with...
...
As soon as they'd finished, Jacques stood. "Weiss, I'd speak with you in my study. Ladies." He bowed his head, very slightly. "Thank you for indulging me this evening."
She chewed her lip as Klein escorted them to the piano room to wait.
Why does it feel like Weiss is marching to a cell?
"You wanted to speak to me, father?"
He took his time, walking around his desk and settling into his chair. He laced his fingers in front of his face, gazing at her with an unreadable expression. "I did. Sit, please." She considered it...and then did. "This venture of yours with Ironwood. How important is it, really?"
She licked her lips. "Extremely, father. I can't...there are things I can't tell you that would convince you if I could. This is something truly critical. I am...I am where I need to be."
His eyes bored into her. Then he nodded once. "I see." He reached into a drawer, pulling out papers that were obviously pre-prepared. As he slid them across to her, she began to read. As her brows furrowed, he explained. "In that case...you have a choice to make. I had intended for you to return to the Manor in the near future, to begin your next phase of studies as heiress of the Schnee Dust Company. To learn the skills and knowledge you must possess if you are to replace me in the future. But, if this...quest of Ironwood's is truly that important, then that is obviously impossible.
"Thus, if you intend to pursue it, you will have to abdicate your position as heiress."
"W...what...?" The papers in front of her made perfect sense, and also none at all. A prepared statement, legally binding, that merely awaited her signature at the bottom.
"I allowed you to attend Beacon to give you a taste of the world outside of Atlas. However, you would have had to split your focus eventually. Did you believe your studies ended when you left? No, Weiss." He shook his head. "You merely postponed them. Whitley was more than happy to step into the shoes you left, and he has proven to have quite the mind for the business. I am...quite assured that he will do well. As such, I am willing to allow you to continue this diversion of yours for as long as you desire." He reached out and tapped the paper once. "Provided that you understand the consequences of your actions.
"It is time to make a decision, Weiss. What is most important to you?"
"I..." Her eyes darted from his face to the paper before her. "May I...have a moment to consider this?"
"Of course. But...when you leave this room, it will be as the heiress of the SDC, or as Ironwood's Specialist. Not both."
That isn't the first time he's said those words, is it? Her mind supplied. She cracked down on it, eyes flicking across the document as she considered. He won't...he won't budge on this. I've seen that look on his face before, and there isn't anything that will change his mind. I could force his hand... She imagined the kinds of things he would do if she pushed him. The things he would do to her, to her team. The things he could dredge up on Blake...
She stared at the pen lying on the desk. I...I don't want this. I wanted to – I wanted to change things. To make the Company something I could be proud of. She licked her lips. I could – I could explain it. They'd understand.
And she could see it. Blake...would understand in a heartbeat. She knew that, instinctively. Ruby would cry...but she'd accept it, too. Accept that it was what Weiss wanted. Yang...Yang would be harder. But... She bit her lip, as she remembered their conversation with Ironwood. The things she'd learned about the world in that short time.
...She thought about the lab. She imagined it, for a moment. Turning her back on what she'd seen there, putting her head down, and doing everything she could to make the SDC better.
...
...
She blinked away her tears, careful not to allow any to fall on the paper as she signed it.
"Very well, Specialist Schnee." Her father gathered up the papers and placed them back in the drawer. "I'm not certain exactly what Ironwood pays you for your indispensable services...but your stipend will continue. I won't have you living in poverty on a government salary; you're better than that."
Her hands clenched in her lap, behind the desk where he couldn't see. She fought hard to push the quaver out of her voice before she spoke. "May I be excused, father?"
"Of course, Weiss. I believe your team is waiting in the piano room."
She nodded, and was gone.
She'd just...needed a moment. She didn't want them to see her like that.
When the door opened, she'd spun around, terrified that her team had come looking for her, that –
"Weiss? Is it true that you -" Whitley paused when he saw her, something flickering across his face. He stepped forward, closing the door behind him. "...That you abdicated as heir?"
She took a breath. "...Yes, Whitley. Father...made me realize that I can't devote the time needed to the company. Not while I work for Ironwood."
An ugly look passed over her brother's face at the General's name. "So the great General is taking another sister, then."
"I...!" Her instinctual response was choked as she felt...something. Some inkling of...understanding. She took a moment to look at her brother. Really look at her brother. The way his hands were behind his back, but she could see signs of the way they were clenched. The look on his face, in his eyes.
Her eyes widened slightly. He's...in pain. "Whitley." She took a step closer, ignoring the pain his look caused her. "I...listen to me. For just a moment. All right?"
"...All right. I'm listening, sister."
She knelt down, putting herself at eye level with her younger brother. He doesn't understand. He feels...unimportant. Left behind. "...The attack on Vale was...bad. Worse than you've heard."
"And?"
"And the people behind it were using weaponry from the Atlas military. Some of it secret enough that even father doesn't know about it." When his eyes widened slightly, she knew she was on the right track. "Someone supplied them with that weaponry. Someone important enough, with enough access, to get it to them. In...significant numbers. Whitley, I...I watched weapons manufactured in partnership with the SDC being used on civilians." She nodded at his expression. "And those same people aren't done after what happened. They have other plans. Other targets. I can't - I can't stand by and let that happen. So I'm going to find them, and stop them."
He looked up at her, then off to the side, eyes narrowed in thought. He raised a hand to his chin. "...They're that dangerous?" She nodded, eyes deadly serious, and whatever he saw in her face must have satisfied him. "...You don't - it's really that important?"
She reached up to touch his shoulder gently, and when he didn't react she slowly pulled him into a hug. "It is. I'm...that is, I..." Just say it! "I love you, Whitley. I'm sorry that...that I've been gone so long, and that I have to go again. I just...if I let this go, if I didn't do everything I could to stop it..."
She felt her little brother deflate in a sigh. "You couldn't handle it. You never were...very good at sitting still, sister." Slowly, she felt his arms wrap around her, gingerly – like he expected her to pull away. She squeezed him gently, and then they parted, neither meeting the other's face. "I...I'm not privy to all of father's meetings. But – anyone that can smuggle that kind of material must be important. I shall...I shall keep my eyes open, Weiss. If I see someone suspicious –"
"You have to be careful, Whitley." She leaned to the side, meeting his gaze and grasping his shoulders. "These are...you can't imagine how dangerous these people are. If they think you're –"
"I'll be careful. But you need to know, if I see anything." He looked at her, and for a moment he actually looked as young as he should. "You need to know, so you can catch them. So you can come home."
Something unfamiliar rose up in her chest, choking her. She searched for her words, but they wouldn't come. She simply nodded, smiling slightly at her brother. Her brave, brilliant little brother.
...Ah. Pride. That was the feeling choking her.
...How unfamiliar.