Here it is. The two-chapter story arc that some of you have been waiting for. The banquet at the Schnee Manor. Let's see how this goes. Oh, and sorry if I took long to write it.

As much as I hate to say it, despite the suggestions you guys are given to me, I feel like I am going to write what feels like it's right. I'm aware how RWBY has got a poor worldbuilding, which is why I am going to try my best to incorporate Dark Souls lore into RWBY and so far, it's not going well.

I also want to apologize for making Ash being too passive. Don't worry, he's going to loosen up and shows what he is really capable of despite his stoicism and remaining cool-headed.

I also want to thank triscythe59 for helping me write a particular scene. I wouldn't have done it without his help.

There's also a warning I have to say. There's going to be a moment where it feels…uncomfortable. Please read this as you own discretion.

Dark Souls: Embers of Remnant Volume II

Twenty-Four

Banquet at the Schnee Manor

Ash, Olivia, and Oscar were in Team RWBY's Room and sat around in a circle. Weiss had an invitation in her hand. "Only my father would turn a hostile takeover into a fluffy PR move."

"On the news, he said he just wanted to break bread and hash things out," Ruby informed the group. "Maybe it won't be so bad? We do want the General to start opening up to these people, right?"

"Yeah, but on his terms. Ironwood's going to be locked in a room at his rival's own dinner party. I know Jacques says he's happy to moderate, but all that means is he'll be the one controlling the conversation." Oscar pointed that out.

Ash already had an answer. "It's not going to be a surprise if Jacques managed to be successful."

"I still can't believe he won. Robyn was supposed to be the people's champion, right?" Weiss pointed out before letting out a sigh. "There's just too many coincidences."

"True. But 'tis linking to thy Father's suspicious win." Olivia had pointed out to him. "Does it mean he worked with thy enemy, Salem?"

Weiss took a few seconds to process that question before eying everyone. "I think my father would do whatever it takes to win."

"And we should do the same." Now, all turned their attention to Ruby. Apart from Ash and Olivia, they were surprised to hear this coming from their leader.

The former Heiress raised an eyebrow to that. "Meaning…?"

"Well, no one knows your dad better than you, and out of everyone going tonight, I'd say you're the only one who could snoop around the house and not be questioned." Ruby explained to her teammate. "If Jacques Schnee is up to something, I think we should know what it is." This made her think for a moment before showing a determined look.

Whatever the Schnee could find back home, it would expose how her Father had won the election.

I may want to voice another thing. Ash suddenly spoke, seeing everyone had shifted to him. "I think I'm going to the meeting between Ironwood and Jacques."

Now, that caught them off guard. Oscar was the one to voice it out. "Are you sure that's a good option? I mean, it's between the Councillors and his allies—"

"If Weiss can't provide enough evidence, which would be highly likely, then it would be better for him to accidentally reveal it." Ash interrupted, though it wasn't in a rude tone. "Look, your leader's plan is good. But another must be made in case it doesn't go as intended."

"The Ashen One has a point," Olivia pointed out. "A backup plan is always needed in case the first doesn't go as intended."

"That's…not a really bad plan," Ruby said with astonishment. "You really are analytical, Ash."

"Just doing what is right." The Unkindled spoke in his apathetic tone. "Before we rest, is there anything one of you wants to say?" He heard no one utter a word. This is good. They considered his advice, albeit reluctantly. "Then, that's the plan. Once we reach the manor, Weiss will find any evidence of anything suspicious of how her Father won the election while I go in the room and try to get anything." He released a sigh before looking at Olivia. "Let's just hope it's not too late."

His friend places a hand on his shoulder. "It won't be, Ashen One. Just try to stay positive about this."

-Scene Change-

Night hit the floating island and four hoover cars drove along the driveway loop and come to a stop in front of a very large building; The Schnee Manor. As they stopped, everyone got out of the car and eyed at the building. Ash got out and assisted Olivia in getting off the car. After that, he looked at the building and noted the architecture. "So this is the Schnee Manor? Looks similar to the ones in the Boreal Valley."

His ears picked up the sound of clicking and saw many camera pointing at them. Luckily the Unkindled was wearing his helmet as he wasn't in a positive mood to be photographed. Speaking of which, he also overheard a small conversation between Ironwood and Winter "Suppose we should smile for the cameras?"

"Sir, with all due respect, you'd have to pay me." The Older Schnee responded with a lace of dry sarcasm before walking to the main door.

The Unkindled chuckled at that as he stayed close by to Olivia before stopping at the main door. There, Ironwood ringed the bell. The double doors open to reveal a young boy with the same colour hair and eyes at the two Schnee Sisters. "Good evening, everyone."

Almost in an instant, Weiss decided to ask a question. "Where's Klien?"

It seemed like the boy responded with a sarcastic smile and somewhat dramatic pose. "What an interesting way to say "Hello, dear brother, how have you been?"" He crossed his arms and continued to address his sister with a frown. "I'm afraid you won't find him here. He was let go. I can't imagine why." He smirked at this, causing the former Heiress to gasp and had the look of guilt. Once he was gone conversing with her, he looked at everyone else. "General, exactly how large do you think our dining room table is?"

"I happen to know it's enormous. But most of my guests will be on standby in case the council requests additional eyewitnesses." Ironwood responded. "Until then I'm sure they'll be happily celebrating your father's victory."

"Even though it means your father being a complete leech," The Unkindled muttered, earning him looks from the others. More so than Whitely, who just leered at him, which caused him to be not fazed by it. "You know it's true in regard to his treatment with his workers and don't even think of playing ignorant with me."

Whitely was about to open his mouth when someone else did it for him. "Ah, yes, it is indeed true." Ash silently groaned upon realizing who said that while Winter had a surprised look. All saw a bald man in a leather armour walking by the left. He let out a smug he expressed before his eyes landed at a certain individual. "Well, well, well. Look who finally got out of the caves? Did you have fun there, dear Winter?"

"YOU!?" Winter spoke with malice, seeing that man who had humiliated her back in Mistral.

"Hello Patches," Ash greeted the merchant causally despite hiding his irritation from them.

Patches looked at his close customer with a sly look in his eyes. "Ah, it's finally to see you with your friends." He then shifted to the woman next to him. "You look well for today's event, Olivia."

The Firekeeper gracefully bowed to greet him. "It's good to see thee."

Everyone saw how relaxed both the Unkindled and the Firekeeper were when conversing with the man. Weiss was the one to speak. "Wait, do you know that man, Ash?!" She voiced her surprised at this interaction.

The Unkindled look at her. "It's a long story." He turned his attention to the younger boy. "Did he just invite himself in?"

"Well look who finally decided to play nice." Whitely spoke with a hint of sarcasm, until it had been dropped upon seeing Ash's right-hand curling into a fist. "Uh…yes, he certainly did before everyone else came." That calmed down the Unkindled as he relaxed himself. That was good. He didn't want to hurt this child in front of everyone despite wanting to teach him about his manners.

But unfortunately, Patches saw this and decided to make a really dark joke. "Looks like you avoid killing a child. My, my. Are you beginning to lose your way?"

"Just be quiet." Ash spoke, slowly revealing his irritation in the process. He turned to the slightly shaken Whitley who didn't take the joke well. "You."

"U-Um, yes!" Whitley slightly startled trying his best to put up a front.

"How do you know Patches?" Ash questioned getting a few looks wonderful that themselves, seeing how the new heir spoke as if he knew him.

"Um…all I know is that he's a really famous merchant." He responded with a hint of nervousness.

If anyone could guess Ash would simply raise a brow at that answer. He would question him more, but it would seem his stuttering can tell that was the only thing he knew about Patches. "Did you purchase anything from him? Does your father know about him?" Ash questioned.

"N-no." The boy admitted. "My father doesn't know about him. He simply just told me he's a very famous merchant that isn't well known."

"Isn't well known? This 'merchant' kicked me off the cliff back in Mistral." Winter reminded her brother before giving Patches a death glare which he only just shrugged with his shoulders.

"Okay, I may be responsible for that humiliation. But without that, you wouldn't have found his dear Firekeeper and delivered it to him." Patches reminded with a cocky expression.

"That's enough, Patches," The Unkindled spoke as he wanted to stop the tension between the two. "We're only here to be eyewitnesses for Ironwood's defense with Jacques. Not here just to have an argument with you."

"Alright, alright. If you say so. You used to joke a lot, eh? What happened to that?" Patches questioned, making Ash growl quietly in annoyance. He sudden realised he was holding the group up. "Oh yes, where are my manners? I should move now. Don't want to make "the big man" lose his patience."

"As you should be," Ash said very coldly before he saw Patches giving way for the into to enter into the manor.

After entering, all invitees scanned around the room and saw other small groups of formally dressed guests. Many waiters with trays of wine glasses and hors d'oeuvres. The Unkindled felt unnerved at how civil they are. Music rang through his ears and he and felt nostalgic with many strong enemies back at the Land of Lothric. Olivia noticed this and tugged his jacket to get his attention. "Ashen One. Art thou alright?"

"Hmm?" The Ashen One hummed as he looked back at her. "Oh, just had a thought of a memory from long ago." He knew she didn't buy into that, but he needed to stay focus on what the mission is.

The Schnee Heir heard that but decides not to press on. He stops in the middle of the room and turns to Ironwood's group before he points to his right. "For those of you joining us in the dining room, please follow me." He walks in the direction he pointed while crossing his arms behind his back. Ironwood followed, along Winter, Penny, and Clover.

Speaking of which, The Ace Operative took a glance at the others before catching up along with the General and his other Officers. "Wish us luck."

"I mean, they already invited you, didn't they?" Qrow spoke with a deadpan tone to which the Ace Operative responded with a slight chuckle before walking with the others. All of a sudden, a Faunus waiter approaches the Veteran Huntsman and offers him a tray of wine glasses with his rabbit ears folded back.

"Care for a drink, Sir?" The Waiter asked.

Qrow looks at the wine and his eyes widening slightly. "Uh... No, n-no thanks." He waves his hand in rejection before turning to the others. "I think I'll just stick to patrolling the grounds."

The Huntsman walks away from them. While doing so, Marrow frowned as he watches the Waiter just passing by. "Words out of my mouth." He walks in the same direction as the other huntsman.

Seeing her teammate walking, Harriet turn to team RWBY. "Right, well, don't wander off, don't break anything, and be ready in case the General calls on you." She reminded the others before she followed Vine and Elm.

As the adult huntsmen and huntresses left, Yang walked towards the group. "Counterpoint, how about we do wander off, consider breaking things, and then all that other stuff." She suggested with enthusiasm.

Ash just facepalmed and shook his head in disapproval. "That's not a really good idea."

"Why not?" Patches asked as he was in his side.

The Unkindled glanced towards him. "It's going to affect our presence in this place. Well, not all of us." He was referring to the merchant. "Look after Firekeeper, would you? I'm going to the meeting."

"If that's what you wish." The merchant spoke seeing him walking where the four Officers were heading where they were to meet Jacques. As he saw him opening the door before shutting, he turned his attention to Team RWBY. "So you must be Team RWBY? He told me all about you."

"He did?" Yang asked with suspicion.

"Yes, and also your little problem." The merchant added.

Blake listened clearly and she had the same mind as her blonde friend. "Says the one who kicked Weiss's sister off a cliff."

"Hey! That happened in the past. And it was all to find your friend's dear Firekeeper." Patches defensively said, which it was completely ignored by Olivia as she nibble on a Bruschetta. "Just let that incident be bygone. We're in a party after all? I say we should celebrate."

"Yeah, that's not gonna happening." Yang told him.

"I know." He spoke with acknowledgement.

"We can talk about what you did to my sister another time. Right now, we have something else to do." Weiss told him as took a few steps ahead of them before looking back. "I'll keep in touch." She points to her ears before resuming to walk towards the staircase.

However, upon reaching the base of the staircase, a familiar individual greeted her. "Dear sister, I was hoping we could use this time to catch up."

"Oh—" The Former Heiress uttered at her brother's response.

"I have to know, why did you go through so much trouble to leave home, only to come crawling back?" Whitely asked as she gestures at each words with a smug grin, causing Weiss to look away.

Not far, the rest of RBY, along with Oscar, Olivia, and Patches, were watching the conversation between the two Schnees. Already one of them had a bad feeling about it. "This might be a problem."

Patches didn't feel the same and looked at Oscar. "How come? It surely be interesting to see the children of the SDC talking to one another." He let out a chuckled as another thought came to mind. "Speaking of which…I wonder how Olivia's dear Ash is doing with their father?"

-Scene Change-

"General Ironwood, please... have a seat." Jacques greeted his guests as he stood on the other side of the room at the head of a long dining room table, and he opens his arms in invitation. Sitting to either side of the newly elected councillor are the other two members, Sleet and Camilla. Ironwood turns to the side to Clover and Winter, who then take their seats on either side of the end of the table nearest to them, with Penny sitting near the latter.

"Councilman Sleet, Councilwoman Camilla." The General greeted his council members.

"Councilwoman Hill would have had a nice ring to it. Though I suppose I should just be grateful I got invited to the table." Robyn, who was waiting within the room, sat in the middle of the table.

"Miss Hill, that vigor of yours is precisely why we're grateful to have you with us tonight." Jacques commented after letting out a chuckle.

"What is she doing here?" Ironwood asked in surprise that she was invited to attend this meeting.

"What we're all doing here, James, addressing the concerns of our Kingdom, which means we have much to discuss." Jacques explained, hiding that smugness that only his daughter noticed.

"Indeed we do." The door opened as Ash entered into the room and the sound of metal clanking was heard as he walked in.

"Ash?" Penny spoke, having the same reaction as everyone else.

"Sorry if I interrupted anything." He apologized as he walked on the opposite side on the table to where Robyn faced.

"Ah, Mr. Ash. Pleasure to see you here in our personal meeting," Jacques greeted the newly arrival with a smug tone. Though, this seemed to mask his displeasure at his sudden arrival.

"More like an interrogation session," He spoke with an unfiltered tone as he sat on the chair.

"I beg your pardon, but isn't an interrogation session for General Ironwood," The SDC CEO reminded him, trying to dismiss his true intentions for this meeting. To do so, he decided to bring another matter in mind. "Are we safe with her here, by the way?" He looked at Penny, who seemed to be hurt by his comment. " I do recall some confusion regarding her involvement with that horrific massacre."

This made the General become defensive about that incident. "As the official report stated, that footage was doctored. Penny is completely under my control."

"Which is concerning, I think." Jacques pointed out, only causing the robot girl to become more upset as she only tensed her shoulders while looking down.

Seeing her state made the Unkindled look at him. "How is this concerning to you, Jacques? From what I can hear, you only see those victims as numbers rather than actual people."

One of the councillors took offensive of Ash's comment. "Mind your manners, young man! You are talking to our newest member." Sleet reminded him while defending Jacques.

Ash seemed to have a differing opinion. "This is a meeting, Sir, and it should be discussing on everyone's matter. Which should mean a one-sided argument."

Speaking on argument, Jacques thought it would be a good time to ask him another question. "Aren't you going to remove their helmet of yours? I'm sure you are going to be hungry while we talk."

The Unkindled look back at him. "That would be a no. I am not too keen on eating while conversing."

"Ho…" Jacques uttered in response. "Then how about you take your helmet off while—"

"That would still be a no, Sir." Ash interrupted with defiance. "I rather keep it on. Unless one of you forces it off of me. You want to make this as a big deal?" He look around the room to see no one coming to take it off. Even Clover, Penny, Winter, and Ironwood did no such thing. Although, he can tell that they are disappointed by his attitude of not removing his helmet. "Exactly. How about you respect those who wants to keep what they wear?" His voice was calm, but it hid a growing frustration as he wanted to his identity private and not meddled with.

The CEO shook his head, disappointed how this lowly is causing him much of a hassle. "I'm very disappointed with your answer, young man. But it doesn't matter, you have your values, and I have mine." Underneath that mask that he displayed, he was seething in frustration on Ash not taking his helmet off. That way, he wouldn't be able to see his expressions of him begging.

Not too long after, a waiter and waitress entered the room while they carried trays with plates of food. Jacques immediately calmed down and recomposed himself. "Now…" He looks back at Ironwood. "Let's talk about exactly what it is you control."

-Scene Change-

Back in the main hall, Ruby and the others continued to watch Weiss talking to her brother. By the looks of it, this seems to be waste their time. "Why won't this kid buzz off?" Yang asked as she was already getting impatient.

Blake heard the tone her friend and thought the same thing as everyone else. "We need to do something."

Upon hearing what the Faunus girl stated, Patches had a very good idea in mind. "Did you say earlier about breaking things?" Everyone turned to him, who now had a small smirk on his face. "well, let the expert do his thing while you, newbies, watch." Some became suspicious to what he said. They watched him walk towards where the two Schnees stood.

Speaking of the two… "Well, Whitley, I'm sure the company is lucky to have you, but if you'll pardon me—" Weiss spoke as she tries to walk past Whitley, but he side-steps to continue standing in her way.

"And where exactly is it that you're going?" Her younger brother asked with curiosity and suspicion.

"Excuse me," a familiar voice interrupts their conversation. Both Whitley and Weiss turned to see Patches walking towards them. He seems to be rather enquiring on something. "Can I ask your brother a question?"

Whitley raised an eyebrow at his question. "And why would you ask in this time? You know it's rude when I am conversing with my sister."

He already knew that by now. But he needed to inform him of something. "Say, I noticed something off there." He pointed at the furthest side of the viewing port of the room. "Could I ask you to look for it?"

Whitley looked at Patches before he looked at his sister right before looking back at the bald man. "Fine. I'll look but only because you asked." With that said, he headed to where the merchant pointed.

Weiss turned to him. "What are you exactly planning?"

All the man did was it letting out a smile as he saw the younger Schnee almost to the destination. "You'll see."

Whitley walks up to where Patches pointed not noticing that Patches was behind him, while he keenly looked around to make sure that no one was watching, except for the allies as they watched in confusion and curiosity of what he's planning.

As soon as Whitley arrived at his destination, more precisely near the fat lady who enjoying her wine. He immediately looked around confused and immediately was annoyed that he did not see anything wrong. "I don't see any—" Before Whitley could finish his sentence, he felt a sudden push from behind him and he tumbled forward uncontrollably. Towards the fat lady.

Wine immediately spilled on the two, which got everyone's attention. The Schnee Heir was dazed and was struggling to get up. He immediately got off the guest he was crushed and needed to shake his head. He got up and saw that wine had splashed all over him, which could be said the same for the fat guest, who didn't seem to take it well. "Why you..." She immediately slapped him across the cheek.

The younger Schnee held the cheek to where he was slapped. His pupils shrunk at this sudden action. Before he it went deep, laugher could be heard that made Whitley turned to see who had pushed him. "YOU?! He snarled, angry at Patches's cheap trick.

"Me?" Patches says in confusion that looked so convincing. "Young man, why the sudden aggression?"

"You pushed me!" Whitley angrily shouted unaware that he was drawing attention to himself.

"Me? Pushed you?" Patches fakes a gasp while pretending that he was acting clueless as he placed his right hand on his chest while his left behind his back. "That's quite an accusation, young man. Do you even have proof?"

While Patches was playing dumb, he made a thumbs up on his left hand, which Weiss noticed when she watched in shocked amusement even covered her mouth with her hands. She then see Patches turned his thumbs up into a shooing gesture signalling that Weiss was good to go with this distraction. Taking this chance, Weiss gave a silent thanks before heading up the stairs to her objective.

The others only watched in disbelief to what had happen as did everyone else. "Did… did Patches just…" Blake began to speak.

"Used a cheap trick?" Ren finished with a calm tone. "He sure did. I didn't expect him do such a thing."

"And to do this in such an extent?" Ruby said while witnessing the scene. "That's cruel. Even by someone like him."

Jaune notices that Olivia only watched silently. "You seemed to be silent about this, Firekeeper. Is there something you are hiding from us?"

"No at all," The Firekeeper replied, though it masked disappointment in her voice. "T'was thinking about the Ashen One on him…being tricked similar to the scene now." She continued to bite into an Antipasto Kabob she picked up earlier.

"Wait, what?" Almost all of them said not expecting to hear that.

"I don't know about you guys, but what Patches did work after all." Nora pointed out. Despite the bald man's tasteless idea and granted Weiss the time do what she needs to do.

"You're not wrong… but yeah… poor kid doesn't even know that he's making a scene." Yang comments feeling almost bad that despite the fact Whitley wasn't wrong that Patches pushed him. He was not paying attention that this was exactly what the trickster wants to further humiliate the poor boy by gathering a crowed in him.

As the scene goes, Whitley continued to aggressively accuses Patches, but the man simply brushes it off and saying that he has no proof at all.

-Scene Change-

Back at the dining room, things escalated as each councillor Member had their say with the Headmaster and Headmaster. Each of them, except for the Ashen One, had a plate of food in front of them, which started to get cold. "The fact of the matter is, you've operated with a fair amount of autonomy for the past few years, James." Sleet firmly reminded him. "But what we need now is for you to work with us."

Ash heard tapping on the table. He turned to where it came from and saw Winter with a scowl on her face. "What's with that look?" He needed to hear what needed to be said before he could have a voice.

"Sir, I have—" Ironwood was about to speak.

"It's obvious that no kingdom intends to declare war on Atlas." Camilla pointed out as she spoke calmly despite interrupting. "We had no involvement in the incident at Haven. We have proof our drones weren't acting on orders at Beacon. At this point, the closure of Atlas borders only hurts our relations with the rest of the world."

Again, Ironwood was about to speak, "I—"

This was immediately interrupted when Robyn spoke. "The rest of the world? It's hurting us. The people of Atlas are suffering and want to know why." She turned to the General, who had a sad look on his face.

Ash was about to speak when he was immediately interrupted. "Quite right, Ms. Hill." Jacques agreed with the Happy Huntress, which made Ironwood drop his sad expression and look at him. "And I'm afraid there's more than just your choices that have harmed our citizens as of late. Have your forces found any additional evidence as to who is slaughtering innocent civilians down in Mantle?"

"That is an ongoing investigation, the details of which are classified, I'm afraid." Clover clarified.

"I'm afraid of the ever-growing list of classified information you seem to be keeping. "Jacques spoke with the most flattered tone, masking a satisfying tone that Ash could easily recognise, and it only made him irritating. "I asked our fellow councilmen here to shed some light on your Amity Colosseum project, and as it turns out, they know as much as I do."

This made the Happy Huntress turn into the newest council member. "Even you don't know?"

Ash listened to all of this and knew Ironwood's project was kept from the public. He seemed to ignore that "Really? This seems to be some sort of manipulation. A VERY badly disguised one. However, it isn't directly related to the General. It seems rather—"

" You can't just buy trust like everything else; you have to earn it!" Ash was brought out of his thoughts when he saw Winter standing up with an angry look on her face while looking directly at her father.

This made the Happy Huntress smile in admiration. And so to Ash to a certain extent. But, to Jacques, he seemed to only let out a small smile in anticipation. " I couldn't have said it better myself." This made his eldest daughter gasp at what he said, making the Unkindled look at him with an eyebrow raised underneath his helmet. "General, if I may be blunt, you have spent what little trust this Council had left in you. The hacker who turned Atlas drones against us was never captured. Whoever's been murdering your critics is still at large. How are we supposed to give you our trust when you've given us nothing as of late?"

Winter immediately knew the slip-up she had made. "That's not what—"

"Winter." She looked at her Commanding Officer, who didn't take it well. "That's enough."

The Elder Schnee curled her hands into a fist before she looked at everyone. "Excuse me." She stood up and walked to the room to exit while passing by a female black-haired butler.

Seeing Winter in this state made Penny want to talk to her before the Unkindled looked at her and shook his head. She quickly nodded back to him as she saw him standing up and exited the room. But not before quietly uttering to Jacques as he just passed by. "So disappointed for scum tactic towards your own daughter, Jacques." He spoke with righteous venom.

Jacques got agitated by the comment he made and immediately glared at him. "Excuse me!" Ash ignored his outburst right after the doors slammed behind him.

-Scene Change-

Winter stood alone, somewhere in the hallway far from the dining room, crossing her arms. She was contemplating the recent events that have unfolded. Right now, she wasn't really in the mood to talk. Especially since a pair of footsteps was approaching her. "Penny, I am not in the…" He turned to her right to see Ash standing and staring at her. "Oh, never mind. I didn't expect you to come."

The Ashen One immediately knew the look she showed. "Hope you're better after what happened earlier."

"I'm fine now." The Specialist told him. "I just let my emotions get the better of me."

"You did what you felt like you needed to do." He spoke, his tone being calm.

Winter only shook her head in dismissal. "You won't understand." She saw him staring blankly at her and added more to her comment. "This place holds a lot of memories for me, specifically. I thought I was in control, but... you heard me. I sounded like a petulant child."

"That's understandable," Ash spoke with sympathy. "It is fine if you sound like that. Which is something that Miss Penny might understand better." He looked at her in the eyes. "What you did is natural, considering all the resentment you have with that scum."

"You seem to resent him." She spoke as if she had done the same thing.

"That move he pulled showed how dissatisfied I am with him." He replied. "Still can't believe someone like that is your father." He looked down at his feet. "I'm afraid the meeting will only go to his favours despite my best attempts to back up the General."

They stood quiet for a while, thinking about what they would do now. At this time, the Unkindled glanced behind her and immediately saw that same Ashen Wolf Pup, who sat down and looked at him with its yellowish eyes. He blinked and looked to see that it sat to see an empty space. Winter seemed to pick his odd behaviour. "You, okay?"

"Yeah, I am. My mind might be playing tricks on me." Ash answered her. He proceeded to let out a sigh as he turned around. "I'll be waiting outside the dining room for you. Make sure you're feeling alright. The General might need us."

"Got it." The Elder Schnee bobbed as she watched him heading back to the room. Now, she was once again alone, deep in her thoughts. How is she meant to stay professional in front of a person who abused her and is also her father?

Looks like time will tell. Sooner or later...

Yeah, this chapter took way longer than I hoped. Got busy with personal life and now I can finally write free…along with two other stories, Wild West Dragon,and Caboose's Guide to make Friends in Hell.

With the next chapter, oh, you are going to like it. I have plans of what will happen. Especially for Ash.

Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed the chapter so far and please GIVE me constructive criticism so I can improve on next time. Other than that, I will see you all in the next update…