A 13 year old Whitley Schnee stood at the grand entrance of the Schnee Manor, feeling the weight of expectation pressing down on his shoulders. He had grown tired of the suffocating atmosphere of privilege and the constant pressure to live up to the family name. But most of all, he was tired of being nothing but a tool to his father and a reminder of the man his mother hated. This manor, this kingdom, was nothing but a prison holding him back he needed to become strong, and he had to leave. With a heavy heart but a determined spirit, he made a decision that would change his life forever.
Late one moonlit night, Whitley packed a small bag with essentials and slipped out of the mansion unnoticed. His heart raced as he stepped out onto the cobblestone streets of Atlas, the city where he had spent his entire life. With each step away from the familiar, he felt a sense of liberation wash over him. He soon went aboard a public bullhead and traveled to the docks along the outskirts of Atlus, then boarded a ferry.
However, in his haste, he picked the first ferry out of Atlus, not even bothering to check where it was going. Eventually, he learned that the ferry was heading to the content of Menagerie , the unofficial 5th Kingdom of Remnant, the home of the Faunus, and the home of the White Fang.
A feeling of dread creeped upon Whitley; he knew that if he was identified as a Schnee, it could put him in grave danger with the fang being there. But then another thought crossed his macula "could the danger this situation present be the final push? The key to becoming truly strong? it seems only time will tell".
After about three days at sea the ferry finally arrived However Whitley was barely able to sleep the fear of the White Fang keeping him up and he barely ate the slop they called food on the ferry leaving him starved and hungry. He got off at the Menagerie and decided to explore the nearby wilderness to look for a place to camp. He doesn't know how long he was aimlessly wandering around for the hunger and exhaustion, causing him to become sluggish "where the hell am i?... Dammit, I'm completely lost…".
And just before he was able to take another step, he collapsed to the ground, and everything went dark. However, soon after, an older cat faunus woman with black hair approached the unconscious Whitley.
In the dense wilderness surrounding her home, Kail Belladonna, queen of the kingdom of Menagerie, stumbled upon an unexpected sight—a young man, unconscious and battered, lying amidst the underbrush. His snow-white hair and well-tailored clothes hinted at his origin: Whitley Schnee, the youngest scion of the prestigious Schnee Dust Company. Concerned across her face, Kail approached cautiously, checking for signs of life.
With gentle hands, she confirmed his pulse and breathing, relieved that he was still alive. Tenderly, she hoisted him onto her shoulders and began the journey back to her home.
Upon reaching home, Kail laid Whitley on a bed, her husband, Ghira, rushing to her side upon hearing her distress. "Who is he, Kail?" Ghira inquired, his voice laced with worry.
"He's a runaway, Ghira," Kail explained, her eyes filled with empathy. "Starved. We can't just leave him out there."
Ghira nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Together, they tended to Whitley, As Whitley stirred awake, confusion clouding his eyes, Kail spoke softly, assuring him of their intentions.
"You're safe here," she said, her tone gentle yet firm. "Are you alright?"
Whitley's gratitude was palpable as he weakly nodded, grateful for their kindness despite his initial reservations.
Later that evening, as the three of them sat around the hearth, Kail and Ghira engaged in a heartfelt discussion about Whitley's fate. "We can't just send him back out there, Ghira," Kail insisted, her voice tinged with concern. "He needs help."
Ghira nodded thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames. "You're right, Kail. But we must also consider the risks. Bringing a Schnee into our home could attract unwanted attention."
Kail sighed, understanding the gravity of their predicament. "We'll keep him hidden until he's well enough to leave," she proposed, her resolve unwavering. "But we can't turn our backs on someone in need."
With a silent agreement, Ghira and Kail made a pact to help Whitley recover, their compassion transcending boundaries of race and status. As the days passed, Whitley found solace in their care, his heart forever touched by the kindness of strangers in the wilderness. In the embrace of newfound allies, Kail, Ghira, and Whitley forged a bond that would withstand the trials of time.