A/N: Chapter 80 of REKT. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or teams of RWBY, they belong to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. What I do own are the characters and teams of my OCs: REKT, GTSY, KACE and DAZE. I also claim Ingrid, Teo, Reina's parents and aunt as well.
Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I really appreciate it.
Chapter 80: Rift in the Family
At the Schnee Manor…
"I have to say I didn't have a very, positive feeling about Mr. Schnee. After witnessing what happened between him and Weiss while the event was going on, and after he slapped her I don't think I ever want to have other interactions in the future. A pompous asshole is what I would use to describe him."
"The master of the house hadn't left his office after last night, absolutely fuming when he came back to finish the event. But he clearly straightened up when he mingled with his guests, a cup of wine in hand and a smile on his face. Assuming that Weiss had been disciplined out of sight, and that she wasn't by his side the guests continued to enjoy their evening."
"Weiss mentioned about someone she got into an altercation with….do you know what happened after that?"
"Well the woman in question kept her snobby, rich attitude while berating the young miss under her breath; most of the guests, as you must be aware, share the same sentiment as her while others had a look of sympathy. I have no doubt they were putting the blame solely on Beacon and their influence over Weiss. However, there were no other problems because General Ironwood still held a presence in the room. Not to mention he was the only one in the room that defended Weiss' decision."
"Had he not been there to keep peace and order, things could've been much much worse…"
"Let's not discuss this any further, I can only imagine the reprehensible damage not only to the property but to the reputation as well." There was a quick sigh, before the voice continued in a softer tone, "It's been so long since I've seen Weiss sleep so soundly, and with a small smile on her face…ever since she was dragged back here against her will after Beacon, she hadn't slept well and always woke up with a short temper."
Weiss slowly opened her eyes once her ears detected voices whispering to one another, in her half-awake state she couldn't recognize the voices at first. However, she assumed that she was still dreaming and she closed her eyes in response to capture some more sleep. When was the last time she had such a restful sleep without a nightmare? Once her brain had caught up she quickly opened her eyes and bolted upright, hands clutching the blanket as she looked around. Nothing was out of place, saved for two individuals sitting on her couch. One is Timber, and the other one is Klein, the butler of the manor. When they realized that sleep beauty was awake the two of them said their greetings.
"Klein! Umm I-I can explain what this is!"
"There's no need, Timber here told me what I needed to hear from his point of view." Klein rose from the couch and proceeded to go about his duties as the Schnee butler. Drawing back the curtain both kids noticed how it was already morning, the rays of the sun filtering in and illuminating the room. Turning around he smiles at Weiss, "I can only say that I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you."
"Thanks Klein, I know you've been around more than that man's ever been." Slipping out from underneath the blanket and comforter, and donning her morning slippers, Weiss quickly made her way to the cup of coffee. Gently blowing over the liquid, she took a sip and smiled. "Mmmmmm delicious as always."
"Raising you since your youth I should know your quirks and what you like with your favorite beverage." Suddenly his head shook back and forth, then his eyes turned red. The voice came out angry and gruff, "I would fire MYSELF if I couldn't even do THIS much for the Schnee family! Send in my own resignation letter and leave on my own terms!"
"Hahaha! Don't ever change Klein." Weiss giggled at Klein's antics. When was the last time she was able to laugh, a genuine laugh that didn't sound force? A laugh that didn't sound like she spent time practicing much like smiling? "And if you do have to leave, I'll be there personally to stop you." Another head shake and Klein was back to his original self.
"Not to worry, it'll take more than not making a drink correctly to get me out of this manor. By the way, young Whitley came by earlier and requested your presence."
"As far as I'm aware, he can wait." came Weiss' quick response, but Timber and Klein shook their heads in disagreement. "Really? You two don't think so?"
"I don't think he can wait any longer, he's been around like ten times before Klein was able to persuade him to go back to his room. If you let him wait any longer then he'll get curious. Thank god for the large couch I could hide behind otherwise he'll tire of knocking and will decide to barge in without a moment's notice." Timber scratched the back of his neck with a laugh, "Out of everyone here I'm willing to bet Mr. Schnee is the worst person to run into at this point. I can only imagine what your mother's like."
"Don't worry about her, she's in the garden drinking. The only ones you should worry about is Father and his little accomplice Whitley. If it's not one it'll be the other, and knowing my little brother, he'll immediately run to Father to rat you out. Any intruder would be terminated if he wishes, and I'll be damned if I let that happen." Weiss huffed, and quickly went about changing her outfit. Disappearing behind a changing screen, she peeled off her sleepwear and draped them over the top. "Okay, then what's the plan going forward?"
"I need to get in touch with Flynt and Neon soon, let them know how things have gone and figure out how to go from here." Timber replied, taking out his scroll to quickly type out a few messages. "We'll also need to plan on how to get you out of here and try to get back to the others; I'm sure you remember everyone split up, at this point I'm sure everyone is doing their best as well, and we'll need to be ready. During that time I think it'll be beneficial to us to brush up on our skills too, basically training since there isn't any other way of fighting actual battles."
"Klein?"
"I'll do what I can to help you two, which means I'll also keep an eye out for the others so you won't be caught unaware. In terms of training, you'll have access to the room you used to use before you went to Beacon. The hard part would be to use it in a way that won't wake up everyone else."
"So that means we won't be able to go all out…a shame in my opinion but this is the best we can come up with for." Timber nodded his head in agreement. "We could ask the others for help, but the difficulty may be getting Weiss approval to leave the manor. I doubt Mr. Schnee will allow her to go, not after witnessing the mess that is Beacon. He may never let her leave this place ever again."
"I concur with that thought process. Then that's what we'll do." Weiss stepped out dressed in her usual blue dress, her hair still flowing out behind her. She sat before her mirror, brush in hand, and proceed to dress it up in her side ponytail. "I'll go see what Whitley wants, Timber will get in contact with Team FNKI. Klein, would you please look into bullhead schedules?"
"Not sure about the bullheads, but what I can do is get the schedules of the deliveries." Klein chuckled, "Just because bullheads are inoperable doesn't mean people won't stop ordering items. And I know the Schnee manor is one of the best, most important destination the delivery services have ever had."
With everyone seemingly knowing what to do, the two males left Weiss' room to put their plan into motion, Klein first followed by Timber who had stowed away his scroll after sending out his texts. Once they were gone and finishing up the last touches of her braid Weiss looked at herself one last time in the mirror. She may not be the heiress, but she is still a Schnee and she had to play her part, and keep her reputation up to standard. She would be damn if others saw her unkempt and messy, words that shouldn't be in the same sentence of Schnee. Once everything was to her liking she quickly made her way to Whitley's room.
It was quite a far walk, so she was once more under the scrutiny to the many sculptures and statues that lined the hallways. Once more she felt quite small, not exactly confident with walking down a pathway that used to be familiar and easy to tread. Her eyes darted from left and right, to see the judgmental sculptures and statues before deciding to focus on the ground in front of her. When did she feel so uncomfortable walking around a place that used to be her home? Was the Schnee Manor ever her home to begin with? Distracted by the thoughts Weiss found herself right before Whitley's door. Releasing a sigh and steeling herself, she raised a hand and knocked.
"Whitley? It's me, I'm coming in."
"Ah, sister, you've finally arrived. Please shut the door, don't want anyone else to intrude upon our private conversation." Whitley turned to greet Weiss as she walked in, a smile on his face. He had been gazing out his window, looking at nothing and yet seeing everything at once. "And here I was thinking you'd just dismiss my request. Had you not shown up within the next hour I would've come fetch you myself."
"What do you want, Whitley?" Weiss asked once she closed the door behind her, walking to the middle of the room with folded arms. "I'm a bit preoccupied today."
"Too preoccupied to cut out some time for your brother? Well that shouldn't come as a surprise to me no more, but to hear those words coming straight from your mouth….I can't help but feel belittled and insulted." Now the boy's cheerful demeanor changed and he all but glared at Weiss. "Of course you've always treated me as such, why do I expect for you to change now?"
"Treated you as such? Whitley, you never liked me either." Weiss bit back in retort. "If anything I feel belittled and insulted when you requested me to be here."
"It seems you still have that stubbornness and arrogance, very fitting of a Schnee...regardless that isn't what I called you here. I hear Father removed you from being heir to the company, most unfortunate if I do say so myself." The tone of voice Whitley used was one full of false sympathy, a mocking one filled with sarcasm. "I warned you before not to get on his bad side, and then you just had to pull off that unsightly, undignified stunt at the after party. A party, need I remind you, for the charity ball…and your return from Beacon! In a way it could've been seen as your re-debut, since it's been so long that people have seen you. Clearly a disdain and a mockery of the Schnee name."
"I was protecting and upholding the honor of the family name!" Weiss snapped hotly, bristling in front of her brother. She will not stand by and allow Whitley to shit all over everything she was fighting for, the reason why she wanted to be a huntress in the first place. "That woman had it coming with the untrue words that tumbled out of her foul mouth. Had you been in my shoes–"
"In your shoes? Me? Preposterous!" Now Whitley put on a face of shock, dramatically putting a hand over his heart. "In case you haven't noticed but I wasn't allowed to leave this cage. I've been a bird whose wings have been cut. Because of that…I had to bear the brunt of Father's wrath! And while you were off being friends with the very animals who screwed up our childhood, his attitude became even more erratic, more severe. There were nights I've cried, nights I had to nurse my wounds and scars.
"Day in day out since then, I toiled with sweat on my body and tears on my face…just to have Father look at me and acknowledge that I'm there; Sister, I did all that just to have him LOOK at me, one measly look! On a good day he'll praise me relentlessly and speak more than a word to the other patrons, telling them how proud he is of me, his only son. On a bad day, well…it was absolute hell. Some days I wished he would just rot in the furthest regions of Atlas. In the snow where no one will ever find him."
"I–"
"But you….you had Winter to help you deal with his temper, and made living in this cage more sufferable and bearable. I had no one. Mother, oh our poor dear mother, spends so much time drinking. You know that, well of course you'd know! She doesn't even bat a single eyelash when I go to her to air my grievance, to ask for help. She just sat there like, like….a useless sack of a human being!" He prowled forward, eyes now fixated on Weiss and rooting her to the spot. "You could've helped me, sister. Given our age difference I'd assume you and I would have a stronger bond than you and Winter. But what did you do instead? Tell me…What. Did. You. Do?"
"….I went to Beacon…." The answer came out in a whisper, and Whitley threw up his arms in excitement as if Weiss came to the correct answer on a written test.
"Exactly! You went to Beacon, a true haven in comparison to this wretched cage! To become a huntress no doubt, and trample on everything Father stood for." Whitley's voice was loud, and he sounded like he was teetering on the line of madness and lunacy. Then his voice lowered and he whispered, "Leaving poor little me to face Father alone, shouldered with the burden you and Winter so easily discarded for your own selfish desires. I had to do all I could to be on Father's best behavior, learn everything I could about the family's company on the slim hope that I could inherit it!"
"But–"
"You know, I always hated the fact you were given inheritance rights, and Father showered you with praises since Winter left to be in the military. I had nothing to fight for, no desire to go and become a huntsmen like you have done. Ha…if I was that desperate I would've ended up like Mother in the garden. But now….now I'm elated. Ecstatic! I have been waiting for so long, for the day you lost everything.
"I'm glad," He placed heavy emphasize on the word, making sure to hold Weiss' gaze so that her entire focus was on him. "I'm so glad Father removed your title. Now that you have absolutely NOTHING, with your status as ex-heiress…I finally have SOMETHING I can truly call as mine. Something I can work towards and ENJOY at the end. Now I have way more confidence in the future of the Schnee family than ever before. You can carry on playing in that fantasy world of 'huntsmen' and 'huntresses' with your so-called friends, since taking on responsibilities like a respectable adult is too much for you to chew on. I don't believe I'll be needing your help anytime soon."
"Whitley, wait…"
"No Weiss, you don't get to do this to me. For too long have I longed to have my sister be there to help me, to have BOTH of you here with me. You may think of me as nothing more than a little arrogant brat, someone unworthy to come and talk to. But alas Winter ditched the family...she perhaps never cared for me to begin with since my birth. So that left only you, and you followed suit in her footsteps…."
"Sorry…"
"A little late to utter that word don't you think?" Whitley snorts with dry humor, adding, "The thought never crossed my mind that you had that word in your dictionary, let alone the capability to say it."
"What do you expect me to say?!" Weiss blurted out.
"Honestly, nothing you can say or will say will dissuade me from what I think is the best steps. As the common saying goes, 'something is better than nothing' but for our case," He grins but none of the emotion reached his eyes. They were just two round pools of frosty anger. "Your silence gives me the greatest comfort."
Has me not being here for him changed him this much? Weiss thought as the youngest of the Schnee siblings moved back towards the window with his hands clasped behind his back, her heart suddenly feeling heavy within her chest. If Winter or I never left, would we have been able to save him? To save Mom from her drinking issue? Had I asked to bring him to Beacon with me would he not be lashing out like this? But then we'd leave Mom alone…and I would have hated to go that route. Was there some alternative way to make us happy, to be a more completed family?
"Mmmm, I do believe this is far enough with our interaction. Do forgive me for that statement about your silence, that kind of thought process is unbecoming of the future head of the Schnee Dust Company. I'll have to work on that going forward, and I'm sure you'll be a great assist when needed." Whitley made a movement to brush off some dust from his clothing, acting aloof and uninterested as he made a note to himself. He glanced over at Weiss who still stood there without uttering a sound, no doubt trying to digest what happened. "Now then… since you're so tight on schedule for some reason allow me to drop some information, do with it as you will. Father has an expected guest arriving in a few days."
"A guest?" The ex-heiress questioned with interest. There's no way Jacques would invite anyone to the manor unless the person in question is either Ironwood or someone on the same authority level. If it was any other person Jacques wouldn't even open the gates, in fact he would order the Atlas military to scare the individual away. "What kind of guest?"
"Don't know who it is, but I know that it isn't Ironwood because he's back in his office overlooking Atlas. I'll advise you once more to be on your best behavior, especially while you are still on the premises of the manor, this isn't some Beacon playground for you to spout tomfoolery and nonsense." Whitley took a deep breath before making a 'shoo shoo' motion with a hand, indicating that the conversation is over. "Off you go, my dear sister, I'm sure we'll have plenty of time and make up for all that we've lost."
Weiss, having a lot to think about, turned around and approached the door. The atmosphere felt oppressing, pressing down on her physically and consciously; she felt as though whatever she had with Whitley pre-Beacon had been thrown out the door, and if she wanted a chance of rekindling some kind of familial bond she is starting from scratch. Another dark thought that entered her head was the fact that disconnecting from Whitley, a future head of the Schnee Dust Company, means a disconnection between her, her family, and what it means to have the Schnee name.
"Oh and Weiss?" She turned just as she opened the door, hand gripping tightly on the knob. "Don't forget to close the door on the way out."
Inside Funky Night Club…
Tucked within the bustling streets of Atlas, surrounded by the towering buildings and skyscrapers was an entrance leading to a semi-underground club. During the day there aren't many patrons or customers, so the staff spends their time cleaning and tidying up the place. Come nightfall the place is lively for the nighttime walkers and the party animals, with live music and delicious food and drinks. Visitors from other regions that come to Atlas make it a priority to visit the venue, so much so that the owner recommends customers book reservations so they are guaranteed a spot to enjoy the night. Sometimes the venue is booked out if there is a large gathering or event, making things a bit stressful for those who work there, but the relationship between staff and customers is incredibly strong.
"Has Timber contacted us yet? It's been awhile since we last left the Schnee property." Neon asked as she roller-bladed up to Flynt with a stack of plates in her arms, the trumpet player was sitting by the bar with his scroll propped open and his hat placed on the counter. They traded their student attires to something more relaxed and less suffocating, blending into the populace so they wouldn't stick out once their shift ended. "Did he forget the plan or what? Was he that flabbergasted by Weiss being a pretty pretty princess? Bet she's treating him to a very lavish life!"
"Neon, don't be so silly. That doesn't sound like Weiss at all. She's probably too stressed out to even treat Timber to a proper tea party." Flynt smiled at her, the image of Weiss hosting a tea part running through his head. "We need to be more patient."
"Mmmmm I'm probably just too antsy and nervous to know the status. I really want everything to be fine like wine. It's already been like a day or so since we last heard from him." The faunus disappeared to the back and came back with her arms empty. "If nothing else happens then we can only think that the worse had happened. And if that is true then we may have royally screwed up! What do we tell the others?"
"I agree with your feelings of the matter, even I'm feeling a bit nervous. How about this, we'll give him until," Flynt glanced at the clock for a minute, "till closing time. If nothing then you and I will pay Schnee a visit. We'll have to be careful because there are no events scheduled for today, which means there'll be more guards along the perimeter."
"No worries no worries, we'll be totally fine!" Neon reassured her partner, giving him two thumbs up and a confident smile. "We'll just have to be extra sneaky and pray that the same window is open. If that doesn't work, then we'll try again another day."
"I knew I'd find you two here." A voice spoke up from behind them, a very familiar voice. "Where else would I find my students outside of the Academy?"
"General Ironwood!" Both students looked to see the man standing behind them, a withered expression on his face. If they peered closer they could perhaps see a few more white and gray hairs on his head. The man looked even more haggard and tired, bags evident underneath both eyes. "What brings you around town?"
"A change of pace and scenery, although I feel like I shouldn't have stepped out of my office because there's so much that I have to tackle." Ironwood sighed, taking a seat and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Everything that has happened is going so fast, with the fall of Beacon and my military failing against the Grimm."
"Hey man, the events hit all of us hard in one way or another." Flynt reassured him, putting his scroll away to give the general his full attention; not to mention he didn't want to give Ironwood a clue into what is going on. "It was just…a couple of unlucky chain of events that led to the circumstances we're in."
"Hmph, unlucky is one way of putting it. Perhaps I should have had the Ace-ops deal with it, they'll clean up everything in the blink of an eye, or at least lessen the number of casualties." Ironwood lets out a hollow laugh at the idea, dragging his fingers through his hair. "But of course, they had to be on a mission at the time. What a terrible inconvenience."
"Care for a drink?" Neon offered, coming back with a glass from the back. She set it down on the table before Ironwood, and smiled politely, "I figured something soothing and calm would help you, not something that'll cloud your judgement and reasoning. Atlas wouldn't benefit from you being drunk or agitated." Thanking her, Ironwood took the drink and took a quick sip.
"Mmmmm, very refreshing. Thank you very much, Neon." Taking a breather, Ironwood looked a little more cool, calm, and collected. "Perhaps that is what I needed, a quick pick-me-up."
"Glad to be of service, sir!"
"Over the next few days I plan to do more routine checks, have the soldiers patrol the streets frequently. I have put the Academy on standby so there won't be any lessons or classes in a while, or until I deem it safe. As to why I'm in town I'm making my own rounds, mapping out routes that will give me optimal results. Not to mention….an election over council seats are coming up, so I must show myself to the constituents and put their minds at ease. It would be a shame if I were lose both seats this term, this year's opposition is none other than Jacques Schnee himself."
"Election aside, do you have any plans on going down to Mantle?" Neon asked him with curiosity. "There's a lot more people down there than there are up here in Atlas, so there may be even more problems."
"Hmmm…no, I have no plans for Mantle." Ironwood shook his head in response, much to the faunus' disappointment. "These rules will only be implemented here in Atlas, to make the Atlesian people feel safe and secure. That's all that matters to me." He then furrowed his brows, as if contemplating whether or not he should tell his students or not. "Neon, you may want to leave for this next bit….it'll probably be tough for you to hear."
"No, let Neon stay." Flynt objected before the faunus can reply, reaching to hold Neon's hand. She briefly looked at their interlocking hands and her cheeks slowly turned a light pink. "Anything you say in front of me, can be said in front of her."
"Are you sure?" Ironwood looked at her, and she nodded her head, giving Flynt's hand a reassuring squeeze. The general took a breath and said, "Rumor has it that there are plans for a revolt, specifically in the mines. I don't know when and I don't know how. All I know is that it has been in the works. So I plan to increase security to make sure nothing falls through the crack, and when something does shows up my men will be there."
"Does…does that mean…" Neon glanced down for a minute, figuring out the words before she spoke them aloud. "...there'll be loss of life? The mines are majority filled with faunus who are sent to work there, and rarely are there humans other than the guards. You're setting them up as martyrs, even as sacrificial pawns…"
"Yes. And it is inevitable no matter how we look at it. In the end I will have saved countless lives at the cost of the few unfortunate souls, humans or faunus." Ironwood checks his watch, downed his drink quickly, and stood from the table. "I must go now, there are things that need my attention. I thank you both for keeping me company for these few minutes."
"Watch your step on the way out." Flynt calls out, getting a small wave as the general heads out, disappearing from view. Soon they couldn't hear the heavy boots, and he turned to his faunus partner in concern. "Neon…are you okay? That must've been a lot to take into…"
"Flynt, I know that that's not right…even if they're ex-convicts and faunus, those are still lives that will be lost if General Ironwood goes through with his plan." Neon turned to look at him, her hand trembling within his own. "I wouldn't be able to let myself live it down if I had to take the lives of others."
"I know, I know…I don't like that whole plan either. But we probably can't do anything about it. From our current position anyhow." He placed his other hand over hers and squeezed gently in comfort, "Hey hey, don't fret too much. He said he doesn't know when this 'hypothetical' riot will happen, so we shouldn't wreck our heads about it. Let's focus on the here and now, there are things we can still do for the ones that are still here. When the time comes, we'll tackle it together."
"…yeah, thanks Flynt." Neon cheered up and flashed her biggest smile. "You're the greatest partner I could ever ask for!"
Ding~ Ding~ Ding~ Ding~ Ding~ Ding~
"Speaking of the here and now, looks like we got a hit. Hopefully what Timber sent over is good news." Flynt pulled out his scroll, thanking whatever deity exists that the notifications didn't come in when Ironwood was around. Neon sat down beside him so they can read through the messages together. "Mmhmm, seems like there's some work for us to do."
"Sure looks like it, about time if I do say so myself!" Neon's tail was wagging behind her with happiness, and then she added, "Flynt, there's more in here than just the two of us to handle. We may have to call in some backup."
"Guess we'll have to call up the whole team for this, which I'm excited for. Where are the other two by the way? How come they didn't show up today?" The trumpeter questioned, as Neon quickly pulled out her own scroll and her fingers were flying away across the screen. "Are they slacking off? Do I need to reprimand them?"
"I'm not sure about the slacking part, but they're either training or shopping. Latter sounds most likely to be the case rather than the former." Neon responds and showed him her scroll, the screen displaying a messenger app with a bunch of text bubbles. "I sent them a few messages to explain the situation, giving them a head-ups and the down-low on what's going on."
"I believe giving them the main points would have suffice, but it's okay if you give them the messy details. It'll save us the hassle of explaining." Flynt quickly grabbed his fedora and placed it upon his head. He held out his arm for Neon to take, the two of them beginning to stroll towards the exit at a leisurely pace. "You know, it's been awhile since we trained with all four of us together; I've been meaning to schedule one, but I guess with everything that has happened team training slipped my mind. This may actually turn out to be worthwhile and fun for all of us involved."
