Chapter 4: The Heiress and the Jedi
The next day, Winter's apartment, 3rd February 18 BBY, 8:30 am…
Nathan checked himself once more in the mirror to make sure he looked presentable.
He had opted for a casual look; having donned a fire-red leather jacket over a yellow T-Shirt which had his personal symbol emblazoned on the front in red, alongside black skinny jeans and some high-end sneakers.
Additionally, Nathan had his hair tied back into a man bun, a suggestion Winter had made earlier that morning over breakfast.
Finally, Nathan's lightsaber was affixed to his belt, as was Phoenix's Breath.
Because even though he was purely meeting Weiss for a nice little day out, Nathan wanted to make sure he could defend Winter's younger sister if necessary.
Assured he looked presentable, Nathan stepped out from the bathroom and jogged downstairs, finding Winter sat on the couch with her second coffee of the morning, with Snowball cuddled up in her lap.
Winter's eyes combed Nathan's appearance, looking for anything she deemed improper or that she disapproved of.
Until she nodded. "You look good, Nathan. Perfectly casual. Weiss will appreciate that."
Nathan couldn't help but smile at the thought of Weiss; something he realised he'd made a habit of doing whenever she came up on conversation. "Thanks. Winter."
Winter smiled back. "Just remember; you'll be meeting Weiss at the Atlas History Museum. I've seen you eyeing it up whenever we've passed it by."
"No worries. I've memorised the route you take in your car whenever we're driving to the academy." Nathan replied. "Just need to go there; and wait for your sister to join me."
Winter nodded. "Then I can only tell you to enjoy your day. I hope you and Weiss find a lot to bond over."
Nathan nodded. "I plan to." He said, walking over to give Snowball some much deserved pets, earning him a few appreciative purrs from his feline friend before taking his leave.
He had an heiress to meet, and a whole day to enjoy getting to know her better.
Atlas History Museum, 8:55 am…
Nathan thanked the Force that there was a café nearby.
Sipping his second coffee of the day, Nathan kept his eyes on the roads around him as he awaited Weiss' arrival.
Checking the time, Nathan saw it now read eight fifty-six a.m. Weiss had agreed to meet him for nine, which meant the traffic was likely making her late.
This didn't surprise Nathan. The traffic was horrid at the moment. No wonder Winter always made a point of leaving an hour and fifteen minutes earlier than originally needed.
Nathan shuddered at the thought of how long it'd take Weiss to arrive, since the Schnee Manor wasn't exactly close by.
Checking the time again, Nathan wet his lips as the nearby clocktower read eight fifty-eight a.m. Finishing his coffee, Nathan tossed the empty cup into a nearby recycling bin, guiding it in with a cheeky application of the Force. Nobody could say he wasn't crafty with his powers.
Turning to face the road, Nathan nearly jumped when a very nice, high-end car pulled up right in front of him.
The driver stepped out, tipped his hat in greeting to Nathan, and with a short stride, reached one of the backseat doors, opening it with a practiced ease as Weiss Schnee emerged.
Nathan immediately felt underdressed.
Weiss was wearing a pale blue blazer jacket over a snow-white sweater over a white blouse which was tucked into a pale blue skirt, over some white tights and fur-lined walking boots.
Nathan finished looking Weiss over, then met her gaze. "Is it just me; or am I underdressed?" He asked jokingly.
A soft giggle escaped the heiress as she took a few steps towards him. "I shouldn't think so. You look great."
Nathan suddenly felt a deep burning feeling in his cheeks, realising he was blushing. Just what the hell was this feeling?
Weiss took another few steps towards him, gesturing towards the museum. "Ready to spend the day together?"
Relieved the subject of his blushing had not been broached, Nathan nodded, allowing himself a grin. "Let's do this."
Weiss' smile only widened as she turned and started walking towards the museum.
Nathan was quick to join her, matching her pace. "You come here often?" He asked, attempting to make small talk.
"No, this will actually be my first time coming here to the museum." Weiss replied. "I've always wanted to come here though. So why not enjoy it with someone else?"
"Especially someone who also hasn't been here before." Nathan responded. Noting Weiss' stunned expression, Nathan added: "Yeah; always wanted to come here. Never got the chance though. Winter certainly never let me."
"The amount of times I've begged Winter to take me here is certainly sizeable." Weiss remarked.
Nathan nodded, turning in the general direction of Winter's apartment and mockingly shook his fist, adopting an old man's voice: "Gosh darn you, Winter…"
Weiss' laughter interrupted his impression, and he turned to see Weiss covering her mouth, though it failed to hide the big smile crossing Weiss' face.
Much like Weiss herself, her laugh was one of the most beautiful sounds Nathan had ever heard; and it was a sound he knew he would do his best to see her making again.
As her laughter died down, Weiss took a deep breath. "My apologies. You simply remind me of Klein whenever he ridicules people. Perhaps the two of you should collaborate."
Nathan smiled. "Nothing to apologise for, Weiss. By the time we're finished, I'll hopefully have you laughing so much you forget to breathe."
They entered the museum in relative but mirthful silence, walking up to the ticket booth.
"Good morning, welcome to Atlas History Museum." The person sat at the desk said politely. "How may I help you?"
Nathan moved to speak, noticing quickly that Weiss had also opened her mouth to speak. "Ladies first." Nathan offered politely.
"Men just before." Weiss retorted, a playful smile crossing the heiress' face.
"Age before beauty." Nathan countered, recalling Weiss was a few months older than he was.
Weiss opened her mouth to reply, then stopped herself, nodding as if to say: 'You beat me there', before turning to the person at the desk. "Hello. May we have two adult passes to the museum please?"
"Of course." The woman at the desk said. "That will be twenty lien total."
Fishing ten from his wallet, Nathan handed it to Weiss, who also handed in ten.
Passes in hand, the two headed into the museum, ready to explore…
Amongst the exhibits…
"Remnants of a standard issue sword wielded by Mantle military officers during the Great War…" Nathan observed, looking over the item in the exhibit. "Looks like whoever wielded it had a lot of money; considering how well made and ornate the hilt looks."
"How can you tell?" Weiss curiously asked.
"Call it a hunch, but look at all that gold on the hilt and guard. From the little I did manage to read on history, I found that military officers from Mantle could pay to have their standard issue swords modified so that it was more personalised. In this case, looks like the wielder was pretty much swimming in cash."
"Ah yes; I recall from our conversation yesterday that you enjoy reading." Weiss remarked.
"What can I say? Someone I used to know once told me that a mind needs books like a gun needs ammo if it's to stay dangerous." Nathan replied.
"Whoever told you that was a very astute person indeed." Weiss commented.
"Yeah… he was." Nathan murmured quietly to himself, allowing a brief moment of sadness. His master, Killian Drake, had supplied that little tidbit of wisdom to him.
"Oh… have I accidentally brought up a bad memory?" Weiss asked.
"No, not at all." Nathan replied. "Just… the person that told me that recently passed away, is all."
"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that." Weiss said gently.
"Don't be." Nathan responded. "Guy lived a long life, and saw plenty of shit. He told me not to pay too much mind to his death; just worry about living longer than him."
Weiss giggled. "Sounds rather morbid. Wouldn't have used that language though."
"Trust me Weiss; you spend enough time with me, you'll be swearing like a sailor." Nathan promised.
"We'll see about that." Weiss responded, turning around and walking off.
Nathan followed her, making a quiet promise to himself to ensure Weiss began swearing by the end of the year.
He and Weiss soon found themselves in an entirely different exhibit of the museum, and stopped when Weiss did.
"This exhibit is the one dedicated to the Schnee Dust Company." Weiss observed.
Nathan looked around. "I'm guessing this is the company your old man owns." He commented, eyeing Weiss.
"Yes." Weiss responded. "My father is the chief executive officer for the Schnee Dust Company, and chairman of its board of directors. As his daughter, I am in line to inherit the company when he eventually retires."
"I'm guessing Winter removed herself from the line of succession when she went into the military." Nathan said, looking to Weiss as he sensed a small wave of sadness pass over his friend.
"In… a manner of speaking, yes." Weiss replied. "She didn't want to be seen as a product of nepotism and so opted to earn her own success, her way."
"Sounds admirable if you ask me." Nathan remarked.
"I agree." Weiss said. "I'm training to become a Huntress for many of the same reasons she chose a career in the military. Whilst preparing for my eventual ascension to my father's position within the company."
"Sounds like a lot of work." Nathan observed.
"I'm up to it." Weiss answered. "You'll find I can be quite the… workaholic."
Nathan nodded, and they proceeded to explore the exhibit.
Weiss proved an able and informative guide, informing Nathan on certain aspects of the Schnee Dust Company, and some of its history.
Throughout her remarks, Nathan felt as though he were acquiring more of a knowledge about the production of Dust instead of the history, but he listened anyway. Weiss was clearly passionate about this, and so he would listen until she was finished.
Weiss eventually stopped when she and Nathan came across a mannequin wearing a very expensive suit, coloured in the white and pale blue that Nathan realised made up much of the overall Schnee colour palette.
"Grandfather…" Weiss said. "This was his favourite suit."
Looking towards Weiss, noting the reverence in her tone, Nathan commented: "I'm guessing you and your grandfather were rather close."
"Unfortunately not." Weiss confessed. "He passed away shortly before Winter was born. But I have heard from all who knew him that he was a good man. He built the Schnee Dust Company up from nothing. He's the reason I have the privilege of living the life I currently live."
Nathan nodded. "Privilege is cool and all, but sometimes, it's good to remember that once upon a time, your family didn't have that privilege. Humility never hurt anyone."
A frown covered Weiss' face at that. "If only my father learned that…"
Nathan shrugged. "Wisdom's always chasing people. But sometimes, those people are too fast."
Weiss half-gasped, half-giggled, realising the joke when Nathan cracked it. "That is one of the most articulate ways I've ever seen someone cast aspersions against another person's intelligence." She realised.
"I can be articulate when I want to be." Nathan replied. "I don't always swear."
"Thank goodness." Weiss said. "Most boys I've ever been around swear so much you'd think cuss words made up fifty percent of their vocabulary."
"Yeah well; some people only have two braincells that are fighting for third place." Nathan joked.
Once again, Weiss' laughter broke through, and Nathan felt that same thrill he had felt outside the museum, the first time he'd heard Weiss laugh. It was a sound he promised himself he would hear many, many more times.
Later that day, a random coffee shop nearby, 13:05 pm…
"You have one of the most uncomplicated coffee orders out of anyone I know." Nathan comments as he and Weiss sat down. "Most people I've been behind in line at coffee shops with Winter have overly complicated coffee orders which make zero sense and then throw a fit like the barista just decked their grandmother and kicked her dog into orbit when the order comes out incorrectly."
Weiss nodded agreement. "I hate people like that, too. It's just coffee. There's little need to overcomplicate it."
"Preach." Nathan said, sipping from his coffee as a barista arrived with some food, handing Weiss an egg and cress sandwich, and Nathan received a bacon roll with a good amount of bacon and ketchup in there, alongside a millionaire's shortbread.
Nathan wasted no time, grabbing the bacon roll and taking a big bite out of it, chewing and swallowing before noticing Weiss eyeing up his millionaire's shortbread.
"Never would have taken you as being one with a sweet tooth." Weiss remarked.
"Surprise." Nathan joked.
Weiss giggled, taking a bite out of her sandwich as they carried on eating.
Once their food was all consumed, Nathan stood up. "Much as I'd like to carry on; nature calls. Be back soon." With that, he turned and headed for the nearest toilet. Today was going better than he thought it would be. And Weiss clearly thought the same thing.
Not long later…
Stepping out of the bathroom, Nathan rubbed his hands to ensure they were sufficiently dry before walking back to where Weiss and he had been sitting, stopping when he saw a clearly agitated looking Weiss with what appeared to be a news crew.
"Miss Schnee; do you have any comments regarding the latest string of accusations against your father?" The news reporter was asking.
"None." Weiss was responding, clearly looking more and more annoyed the longer this interaction carried on for.
Taking a deep breath, Nathan marched over, saying: "Hey; excuse me?"
The news reporter then looked over. "Sir, I'm in the process of conducting an interview with Miss Schnee here. I can do without being interrupted by-"
"With all due respect sir; Miss Schnee is trying to enjoy her lunch in peace." Nathan interrupted politely, feeling a pang of anger at the reporter's rude, dismissive tone. "And she clearly is not in the mood to be conducting said interview. So if you would be so kind as to leave her alone, we would be deeply appreciative."
"Sir; this is important." The news reporter protested.
"I wasn't asking." Nathan retorted, reaching for his hip and pulling the hammer back on Phoenix's Breath so that he could fire the moment he drew the weapon.
The realisation Nathan was armed seemed to convey the message for the news crew, and the reporter visibly and audibly gulped.
"Very well." The reporter said, also now sweating. Turning back to Weiss, the reporter said: "Thank you for your time, Miss Schnee." With that, the news crew rapidly departed.
Pushing the hammer on Phoenix's Breath forward, Nathan sat back down with Weiss, whose agitated expression was now replaced with a smile.
"Thank you." Weiss said appreciatively. "Sometimes, I despise being a well-known socialite."
"No problem Weiss." Nathan replied. "I'm not overly fond of women being harassed in any capacity."
Weiss' eyes sparkled in that moment, and her smile deepened. "Not often I meet gentlemen such as yourself, either." She remarked.
"Way I see it; being a gentleman should always the way to go." Nathan said. "You could be the best-looking son of a bitch on Remnant, but none of that matters if you treat women like trash. Or men; I'm not trying to be homophobic."
Weiss laughed once again, and they carried on enjoying their coffee.
Later that day, 14:30 pm…
Atlas was definitely one of the better cities Nathan had ever explored.
Making it even better was having someone there to explore it with.
"Nathan?"
Nathan looked towards Weiss, who met his gaze with a curious expression. "Yes, Weiss?"
"I've been wondering; do you have any goals in life?" Weiss asked.
Nathan nodded. "Right now; my main goal is to become a Huntsman." He replied. "I've always felt it's what I was born to do, even when I was growing up on the streets. It felt like the best way for me to dig myself out of the hole I'd wound up in." Looking back at Weiss, Nathan questioned: "What about you, Weiss? What are your goals?"
"As of right now; I have two." Weiss responded. "The first is to become a Huntress. Then following that; honour the legacy I have been born into through my deeds as a Huntress and then as CEO of the Schnee Dust Company."
"Why not just wait for your father to retire?" Nathan inquired. "You could easily be set for life that way."
"Be that as it may; I don't want to take the easy path." Weiss answered. "I want to forge my own. And I see part of my path taking me down the path of becoming a Huntress."
Nathan nodded. "I can appreciate that." He said. "Wanting to forge your own path. It's nice to see someone of your position and wealth not want to coast off of the successes of your family and take a cushy desk job when your old man hangs up the shirt and tie or passes on."
"I'm glad you agree, Nathan." Weiss said. "Most of the people I know are always telling me: 'Weiss, why become a Huntress? It's a life of violence and hardship; hardly the life the heiress to the largest Dust production company on Remnant should be leading.' It sometimes gets exhausting seeing how myopic people are. They should be thrilled I'm doing something over than sitting around at home doing nothing but reading or learning music."
"That's the problem with some rich people." Nathan replied. "They think themselves above certain people, certain professions, never seeming to realise that it's those people and professions that allow them to live their lives the way they do." Meeting Weiss' gaze, Nathan added: "You, though? You're nothing like them. You're willing to work hard; get your hands dirty, knowing what becoming a Huntress will bring. You're the best kind of rich person, Weiss. And I'm glad I get to call you my friend."
Weiss' smile shone, and her eyes sparkled. "I'm glad to call you my friend, too." She said before closing the distance and hugging Nathan.
Nathan smiled and wrapped his arms around Weiss' waist, holding her close as he realised just how… right this felt.
Weiss somehow fit perfectly against him, like a perfectly placed puzzle piece.
Breaking the hug, Nathan stepped back, smiling at Weiss; who beamed back at him. "Come on." Nathan said. "Let's get you home."
"Are you sure?" Weiss asked. "It's quite the walk."
"Call it an impromptu workout." Nathan replied. "Besides; it's the gentlemanly thing to do to walk a lady home."
Weiss smiled, and the two set off back towards the Schnee Manor.
The Schnee Manor, 15:45 pm…
"Thank you for a wonderful day out, Nathan." Weiss said as they walked along the driveway towards the Schnee Manor. "I've really enjoyed getting to know you better."
"Likewise, Weiss." Nathan said in response. "All I can say right now is that I'm definitely looking forward to going to Beacon now."
"As am I." Weiss replied.
Their eyes met, lingering on one another for a long time, before Weiss said: "Oh! Before I forget…"
Nathan watched Weiss take something from the small handbag she'd brought with her, handing a small piece of paper to him. Opening it up, Nathan realised it was a scroll number.
"That's my number." Weiss elaborated. "So we can remain in contact."
Nathan nodded. "Thank you Weiss. Does this mean I can call you to hang out whenever I feel like it?" He asked.
"More or less." Weiss replied. "If I do not immediately respond, that will usually mean I am either busy, in the bath, or possibly having a swim in the pool."
Lewd images of Weiss naked in the bath, shower, or wearing a swimsuit suddenly filled Nathan's mind, but he forcibly shelved them before nodding. "I get it." He said.
They soon reached the front door of the Schnee Manor, and Nathan looked to Weiss.
"It looks like this is where I leave you, Miss Schnee." He commented. "Be seeing you."
"Be seeing you." Weiss replied, smiling warmly. "Get home safely!" At that, she quickly entered the Schnee Manor.
Nathan took a deep, satisfied breath at this, turning and heading back down the driveway.
He'd meant every word when he'd told Weiss how much he'd enjoyed getting to know her better. Weiss was an intelligent, confident, and driven young woman that clearly lacked the arrogance and entitlement of her equally wealthy peers.
Not to mention breathtakingly beautiful.
Stow it, dumbass! He thought to himself. She's your friend; nothing more.
Nathan took a deep breath, as then a far more sobering thought sprang to mind:
Eventually; Nathan would have to tell Weiss the truth about himself.
Nathan sighed. It was a conversation he was dreading; but he knew it was necessary.
Nathan just hoped that when he did tell Weiss; it wouldn't mean the end of their friendship.
And now Nathan and Weiss have bonded.
I did my best to make their friendship feel natural and not forced, with some little sprinklings of wisdom from Nathan to Weiss.
One of the things I'm trying to accomplish with this rewrite is making Nathan seem more mature, especially when it comes to dealing with people.
But be assured; Nathan still has his acid tongue. So be prepared for when he unleashes it. The question is; who will he unleash it on?
For now: Review time...
Gamelover41592: Glad you enjoyed the meeting between Nathan and Weiss, my friend. Hopefully many more interactions like this will follow between them.
54godamora: Thank you, mate. Knowing you agreed with how I wrote that scene means a lot.
keybladelight: Pyrrha's fate will be revealed when that bridge is to be crossed. The Ever After will take place, but Ice Queendom likely wouldn't fit my storyline. I enjoyed the series, but feel like the concept is best left to itself. Though it'd be cool to explore what Nightmare Nathan would look like.
Rider126: Nathan's bloodline is something I plan on exploring. But that will come in future stories...
Sharnorasian Empire: Trust me, Nathan will be more tactful with chewing his friends out. People he outright dislikes though...? Heh, heh, heh...
With all that said; thank you all so much for taking the time to read this chapter. If you liked it; y'all know what to do.
I shall see you next week with Chapter 5; which sees Nathan and Weiss finally arrive at Beacon, and begin their journey proper.
T-Rock14