Once Upon A Time
7 Years Later
"Just one more… and… done!"
Weiss' reflection in the mirror flinched as Klein set the final pin before stepping back to allow her mother to check his work.
She couldn't help the small shiver as her mother briskly set down her wine glass and stepped forwards before running a hand over one of her bound wings, smoothing out a wrinkle Weiss hadn't noticed, then motioned for her to spin for them.
Willow hummed, nodding her approval before walking over to Weiss' bed to retrieve the icy blue ball gown that they had selected for the evening's gala. "Excellent work as usual Klein. I will handle the rest. Would you check on Whitley for me?"
"But of course, Madam," Klein said with a warm smile and a humble bow before retrieving the hand broom from the doorway to clean up her… mess. Once he'd finished, he deposited the old, tattered feathers into a small black bag and promptly left to search for her brother.
As the doors clicked shut, Weiss eased her shoulders and relaxed, only for her mother to tighten the bands of the wing binder. She barely restrained a sharp wheeze as the air was forced from her lungs and her wings were pressed tight against her back.
"Oh hush," her mother chided as she slipped the dress Weiss was supposed to wear over her head. Once she'd finished shimmying into the bodice and the binder was entirely hidden, her mother slowly zipped up the dress and turned Weiss to look her in the eye. "You'll be fine, Weiss. It's looser than last time."
"I–I know, but… I mean, it's just a charity ball, isn't it? Why do I have to go?" Weiss whinged as she waited patiently for Willow to finish checking the outfit.
She could see her mothers eyes roll as she shook her head. "We all have to attend Weiss. It's part of our duty to the family."
"But you and Da– Father always tell me to avoid gatherings so – Ow!" Weiss yelped as she pulled at the dress, only for her freshly plucked wings to chafe against the tight fabric that kept the appendages flush against her back. "I can't stand this thing…"
Her mother sighed as her deft fingers smoothed out the straps to settle the dress properly. "I know, but this is part of being a Schnee. We must keep up appearances, now more than ever."
"They're so boring though!"
Her mother chuckled as she spun her, performing a final check for any bunched areas. "Right now perhaps, but give it time. I am sure you will come to enjoy them quite a bit. The music, the atmosphere, the dancing… You know, your father and I used to dance quite a bit."
"But you two never dance, and Father said Winter and I can't dance together either," Weiss pouted as she smoothed the front of her dress down just the way she was taught.
"Your sister teaching you and dancing with her in public are two very different things dear. You know that," Willow chided as she stood and appraised the outfit one last time. "As for your father and I… We haven't danced since you and Winter were born."
"Why not?"
Willow shook her head again as she stood. "It's… complicated. You and Winter dancing together however is simply not appropriate in public."
"That's stupid. She already knows about my wings so its safe-"
Willow quickly pinched her hand. "Mind your words young lady."
Weiss flinched as she glanced down at her shoes "Sorry, Mother…"
"Better," Willow hummed as she reached out and slowly guided Weiss out of her room. "Now let's go check on your siblings."
Weiss let out a small giggle as the door closed behind them. "Winter was still in her training clothes last I saw her."
"Natürlich," Willow breathed as they walked down the hall. "Einfach wunder…"
"Jacques! Do you have a statement regarding the White Fang's accusations of poor treatment of your workers?!"
"Have you spoken with High Leader Belladonna at all since the exclusive?"
Weiss flinched as a wave of bright flashes fired off the instant the car door opened. She quickly tucked herself behind Winter to shield her eyes while Whitley carefully followed behind her in turn. The security detail strained to keep the reporters and cameras at bay as her parents strolled down the carpet, their arms linked. The two barely spoke a word to the mad crowd as the reporters threw more and more questions their direction.
"Do you plan to do anything now that the SDC's public opinion is at an all time low?"
"What do you think Nicholas Schnee would have to say about the SDC's current practices if he were still alive?"
Weiss' eyes snapped up to her father's as he slowed his pace, glancing briefly towards the reporter who had so brashly broached what she knew was a taboo topic. It was so easy for her to see the cold anger that simmered in his eyes as he glanced over to the event security and pointedly fixed his tie. An errant flash went off in the crowd, the bright light forcing Weiss to turn away from the news pen. By the time she'd blinked the blindness away and looked back, the man was gone from the crowd, his spot quickly filled by another reporter.
"Come on, Weiss," Winter urged her as their parents moved on, the reporters still hot on their heels. A handful stopped in their chase to snap photos of the three siblings, but most kept their lenses trained on Jacques and Willow as they sauntered down the entrance carpet, heads held high despite the myriad accusations and questions that followed them.
Winter, Weiss and Whitley followed behind, leaving enough space for them to deal with the bulk of the media's attention. When the three were finally rushed through the entryway of the charity hall, the doors shut out the world behind them, leaving her family in the blissful quiet of the main hall.
Once they'd handed their jackets off to the valet and smoothed out their outfits, her mother turned to the three of them. "Your father has a meeting he must attend with Chairmen Sleet tonight. Do not interrupt him unless it's an emergency."
"Yes, Mother," the three of them replied in a well-practiced chorus.
Her mother nodded to the three then held a hand out to her younger brother. "Come along then, Whitley. I'd like to speak with the Corsacas."
Once their mother was out of earshot, Winter led her to the refreshments table and grabbed two small cups of punch. After handing one to her, Winter said, "You would think that, if somebody spent as much money on a dress as Father did on ours, that there would at least be some consideration toward function, not just simply the appearance."
"Well at least you can breathe," Weiss muttered back as she sipped at the cup of punch. "Klein had to use four straps for this stu– this dress."
Winter glanced down at her with a brow raised. "Four? I could have sworn you only needed three last time though."
"They – I keep growing," Weiss whined before dropping her voice to a low whisper. "They were almost the length of my arms last time Klein measured them. He said we might have to switch to a harness soon…"
Winter frowned as she raised her cup to her lips before shaking her head. "Well I suppose grandfather was right all along… Snow Angel."
"Winter," Weiss hissed as she glanced wide eyed around the area, mortified her sister had used that nickname in public. Thankfully the people around them were far too engrossed in their own conversion to have noticed. "You know the rules."
"Yes, yes. I am well aware," Winter sighed as she removed her hand and turned to face the crowd. "I just– he would have been excited, that's all."
Weiss winced as she adjusted one of the dress's shoulder straps. "Well he didn't have to live with them. Honestly, I don't think they'd be so bad if they were just decorative."
"Just decorative? Hm… You know, I do seem to recall a certain little Angel jumping out of the garden trees not too long ago, flapping her arms all the way down," Winter whispered with a light chuckle. "Are they really that bad?"
Weiss hesitated. "No, not really. It's just that they can be really annoying sometimes."
"I see…"
"I bet unlocking my aura would help, though," she added, feigning disinterest.
"Weiss, we've been over this. Unlocking one's aura is for soldiers, not kids," Winter said with an amused smile that she tried to hide behind a final sip of her punch. After placing the empty cup back on the table, she motioned for Weiss to follow her towards the edges of the ball room. "Besides, what was it that Grandfather always used to say? The pen is mightier than the sword?"
"…still doesn't make any sense," Weiss grumbled as she followed her sister. "You can't kill Grimm with a pen."
"It's not meant to be taken literally, you dolt," Winter said, stifling a small laugh. "Regardless, I think you will be able to do a lot more good with a pen than I ever could. People would be able to actually read your notations."
"My writing isn't that neat!" Weiss whined as she crossed her arms and followed after her. "Grandfather was president and a huntsman. I still don't see why you can't be both."
"Grandfather was more of an exception than the rule. Besides, I'm not going to be a military officer, not a huntsman. Legally, I can't be Father's heir."
Weiss simply rolled her eyes. "Of course, heiress. How could I forget?"
"I still prefer Little Knight," Winter said with a laugh. "You know Grandfather started training me when I was eight. I am sure Mother and Father would let you start training with me if you asked politely, even if only for appearance's sake. You could easily spin it so that Father would approve. 'The heir to the company, following in Nicholas's footsteps.' Father would eat it up."
Weiss crossed her arms as they stopped at the back wall. "I already asked. Mother is worried about my- back…"
Winter nodded. "I see. Well, it certainly would not make things easy-"
"But nothing worth doing ever is.
Weiss nearly leapt behind a stone support column, Winter's arm shooting out to cover her as the deep voice grabbed their attention. As the two turned to face the voice's owner, Winter immediately straightened her posture as James Ironwood, General of the Atlesian military, smiled down at them both.
"General!" Winter gasped as Weiss crept back to her sister's side. "My apologies, you startled us."
The general simply chuckled as he crossed his arms behind his back. "No apologies necessary. If anything, I should be the one to apologize for startling you the way I did. Your training appears to be progressing well, Miss Schnee."
"Thank you sir. Someone important to me asked me to watch out for my little sister. I aim to make them proud."
The general seemed to allow himself a small slip of a smile as he glanced between the two before taking a knee and looking Weiss in the eye, uncaring of the wrinkles forming in his previously impeccable dress uniform. Weiss wilted in on herself as his cold, steely eyes practically bored into her soul. "Would you mind if I spoke to your sister for a moment?"
Weiss furtively glanced up at Winter, who simply returned a calm nod. "It's okay Weiss."
"Okay…" she said with a small nod.
She avoided Ironwood's eyes as she took a small step back, waiting for the man to rise before leaving as quickly as she could without running. Something about him just didn't sit quite right with her, like he knew far more than he should. It was an… unpleasant feeling.
Before long, she found herself in a small, sparse corner of the room where most of the windows were covered by thick curtains. It was a lot dimmer here than anywhere else, so if she was lucky, none of the adults would notice, or try to talk to her, which was always good when Winter couldn't keep them from asking anything they weren't supposed to. Hopefully she wouldn't take too long–
"Are you hiding too?"
Weiss nearly jumped out of her skin as the voice cut through her train of thought. She whipped around to see who'd shocked her so badly, only to find a small brown-haired girl that looked to be about her age peeking out from shadows of the curtains, her head cocked ever so slightly to the side.
"'Cause if you are, it's not a very good spot. It would be better if you stood on the other side. The curtains match your dress, so you'd blend in pretty well."
Weiss blinked as she followed the girl's gaze to the blue curtains. The shade was rather close to her dress'. "Oh, uh… Thank you."
"No problem," The girl smiled as she stepped out from the shadows, dusting off her maroon dress with a haphazard sweep of her hand. "I'm Issabella by the way. Everybody just calls me Izzy though."
"Weiss Schnee," Weiss curtsied politely as she introduced herself. "Just Weiss is fine."
"Woah," Issabella's expression lit up as she glanced around the room quickly. "Schnee? Like the Dust company?"
Weiss' smile dropped as she glanced away from Issabella's excitement. "Yes, that's correct. I'm sorry, I should really–"
"That's so cool!" Isabella sprang forwards as she gushed. "My mom used to work in one of your refineries in Mantle, and she always talked about your grandpa - said he was an inspiration! Apparently, she even met him once!"
Weiss was thoroughly unprepared for Issabella's loud, unashamed proclamations, though the stoney gazes of nearby adults who'd heard this strange girl practically shouting at her was much more expected. She quickly raised a finger to her lips. "Shhh!"
Issabella's eyes shot wide open as she practically slammed her mouth shut with a squeak before dashing back into the shadows behind the curtain. Thankfully, it seemed the adults were content with Weiss' chastisement, as they all turned back to their own conversations without much more of a fuss.
After a few moments, Issabella's beet red face slipped back out, her voice a much more restrained whisper. "I'm so sorry. In Mantle, you had to be loud to ever be heard. Lots of people and machines. And these events are so boring. Dad keeps saying we need to make an impression though."
Weiss couldn't help but smile at the earnest honesty that the other girl spoke with. It was a nice change from all the hidden meanings and silent warnings her parents loved to use. Was everyone from Mantle like this?
Weiss glanced around the room, spotting her mother and father exactly where they said they would be. "My mother says similar things. Family duty, part of being a Schnee."
"Well, I have an idea then!"
Weiss turned back to see a mischievous grin on Isabella's face.
"Since we're both bored, do you wanna play a game?"
Weiss stared at the girl as if she'd grown an extra head. "Absolutely not! Games? At an event like this? We would get in far too much trouble."
Isabella wiggled her eyebrows as she shot Weiss a sly smile. "Only if we get caught. Come on, I thought the Schnees were renowned for their bravery."
Weiss glanced back at her parents and sister, finding them all fully engrossed in their respective conversations, before turning back to the delinquent in front of her with narrowed eyes. "What game?"
"Tag. Walking only. In the ballroom."
"You're insane," Weiss muttered, the idea now firmly cemented in her mind. "How would we even know who won?"
"First to get caught playing loses," Issabella said with another sly smirk before reaching out lightning quick and poking her forehead before she could react. "You're it, by the way."
Before Weiss had even fully realized what had happened, Isabella briskly rounded the curtains and gave her a small wave before strolling out into the ballroom.
Weiss simply stood there for a moment before turning to watch Issabella as she wandered by a refreshments table. Their eyes locked as she scooped up a glass and took a sip, raising an eyebrow over top of the glass. She was taunting her. With a huff, Weiss discreetly checked one last time to make sure nobody had noticed their little exchange… and then gave chase. "Oh, you are so on."
The adults thankfully paid her no mind as she followed behind Isabella's path through the crowd. She wouldn't have expected it of somebody born in Mantle, but Isabella was surprisingly good at staying on the move and following the flow of the crowd without earning so much as a glance from the people she narrowly avoided. Still, Weiss was more than at home in these events. It was only a matter of time before Issabella slipped up.
Weiss was, of course, right. Only a few minutes into the chase, Issabella turned into a larger cluster of people, one that only had one other socially acceptable exit. Weiss slowly ambled her way to the other end of the crowd, pleased with her little victory. When Issabella came out on the other side and met eyes with Weiss already waiting for her, her eyes widened almost imperceptibly before her eyes flicked to and fro to find an out that wouldn't cause a scene or arouse suspicion.
However, before Weiss could actually approach her, Issabella brushed by a couple of the event-goers, earning her a disapproving frown from the man who had been a little too enthusiastic about one of the many baskets that lined the auction table.
Weiss' lips curled into a smile as she followed after the little delinquent, staying just close enough and at just the right angle to slowly corral her into a corner. When she saw Issabella's eyes snap back to her with an annoyed glare, she was barely able to contain the glee at her plan working.
It was unexpectedly exciting, this little game of cat and mouse; so much so that she didn't even notice her quickened breathing or how her wings twinged in pain as she craned her neck and twisted her body to slink around the adults in her way.
Issabella made her move just as Weiss stepped past the last family between them, taking a quick step to the side to dodge past the hand Weiss raised to tag her, only to misstep as her heel landed at an awkward angle. With a sharp yelp, the poor girl nearly crashed to the floor, saved only by Weiss reaching out and catching her at the last moment.
Weiss smirked as she righted her. "You're it."
"Weiss?"
Her mother's voice sent a wave of ice through her veins as she quickly let go of Isabella and turned towards her, curtsying out of habit as she did. "Yes mother?"
Willow glanced down at her with a stern scowl while Whitley lingered a few steps back. After throwing back the rest of her glass, she briefly scanned the room before locking eyes on Weiss again. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
"I-I'm…"
Weiss turned her gaze to the floor, fiddling with her dress as she desperately racked her brain for an acceptable excuse.
Before one could come to her, Issabella stepped forward with a curtsy of her own, though it was clear it was far less practiced than hers. "I am so sorry, Miss Schnee. I – it was my fault. I'm still not used to heels, so I tripped. If Weiss hadn't caught me, I probably would have gotten hurt."
"Not used to heels…?" Willow reached out and tipped Issabella's head back to force her to look her in the eye. "I do not believe I recognize you. What's your name, girl?"
"Issabella Abel," she said brightly.
Her smile didn't last as Willow's harsh glare failed to lessen.
"Uh… Ma'am…"
Willow released Issabella's chin and brought a finger up to her lip. "Abel… I do believe I recall hearing about a family by that name ascending not long ago."
"Y-yes that was us," Issabella said, wetting her lips. Her eyes flicked to Weiss before she looked back to Willow and continued. "My father is in the Officer Corps. He was promoted by Ironwood himself!"
Weiss almost sighed in relief as the tension in her mothers face softened with each word Issabella spoke. "I see. I believe I owe you an apology, Issabella. For somebody who has just ascended, you are handling yourself remarkably well."
Issabella nodded in a short, jerking motion and clenched at the hem of her dress. "Thank you, Ma'am."
"Of course. Run along and find your parents, Miss Abel."
Issabella gave one last nod before fleeing in the direction of the corner where they'd met.
Willow waited a few seconds for the girl to disappear into the crowds before she let out a deep sigh, and turned to Weiss. "Grab your things dear. We are going as well."
Weiss simply nodded and fell into step with Willow. "Yes, Mother… Did Father not need–"
"Your father will handle it. Now, where is your sister?"
"With General Ironwood." Weiss replied, glancing over to where she had last seen them only for her view to be completely blocked by dozens of bodies.
"Wunderbar," Willow breathed as she escorted the two of them to the side entrance and out the doors. Their chauffeur hailed them as they stepped out, standing beside the car they'd arrived in. Once the three were in the back of the car, he snapped the door shut, got behind the wheel, and took off without a word.
The silence felt as if it stretched on for an eternity before Willow finally looked down at her with a stern expression. "I know I asked you to try to socialize, Weiss, but you need to be more careful about who you choose to be seen with."
Weiss found herself looking anywhere but her mother as she responded. "Yes mother."
She could hear Willow's long sigh, but she still adamantly kept her gaze on the city rushing by on the other side of the window.
"I understand what happened was an accident, but someone like her is dangerous. She doesn't know what our world is like."
Weiss remained silent, eliciting another tired sigh from Willow.
"I don't want you to ever speak to that girl again."
Weiss' head snapped to her mother. "But she was nice–"
Willow cut her off with a stern glare. "No buts. There are things you don't understand yet, Weiss, and you know full well that nobody can ever find out about… No, it's best to simply stay away from her."
"But that's–!"
Willow cut her off again, raising her voice at the objection. "That's enough! This is for your own good, Weiss!"
Weiss lowered her gaze as she gripped her dress in her fists, her cheeks red with shame. "Yes, Mother..."
"Hey Weiss!"
She ignored the small tap on her shoulder and the familiar voice. Mother had said to stay away from her. She just had to keep her eyes anywhere else.
"Weiss?"
The dance floor, Winter wandering aimlessly with Whitley following closely, Mother sipping at her drink and glancing in her direction every now and again, Father shaking hands with one of the council members… Anything but the girl beside her. She'd get the hint.
"Weiss-icle?"
She was being good. She was following her mothers orders to the letter…
"Weiss Cream?"
What her mother had not accounted for however, was Issabella's stubbornness.
"W-"
"What!" Weiss hissed as she finally turned her head to the side to glare down at the smaller girl. "I told you. Mother said to stay away from you."
Issabella cocked her head to the side, looking for all the world like she was innocent of any crime. "And you are. I'm just not staying away from you."
"That's – You're not–" Weiss stumbled over her words eliciting a small laugh from Issabella. "I'm not supposed to talk to you either."
Issabella hummed as she swayed back and forth. "Isn't that kinda the whole point of these things though? Talking to people?"
"Yes. No. Ugh," Weiss groaned as she crossed her arms. "Mother said you're dangerous and I am to stay away. End of story."
"I'm dangerous?" Issabella laughed as she spun, causing her dress to billow out until she stumbled to the side catching herself on the wall. "Your mom's weird Weiss."
"No she isn't!" Weiss hissed back as Issabella made a fool of herself without a care in the world. "She's just worried. Especially after last time. That was very inappropriate, you know."
"But it was fun, wasn't it?"
Weiss glared at Issabella, only to receive an innocent grin in response.
"Fine. Yes. It was fun. Happy?"
Isabella beamed as she looked up at her. "Yup!"
"You're incorrigible."
A wave of whispers rushed through the hall as the crowd began turning toward the main entrance, cutting off any further conversation. Hesitantly, Weiss followed suit only for a tug on her dress' sash to stop her.
"Weiss? What's going on?" Issabella asked, her eyes darting around the room.
"Didn't they teach you anything before ascending?" Weiss hissed as she tugged the smaller girl along into the ever growing crowd. "Someone important is arriving."
The hall doors opened to the sound of muffled questions from reporters and the flashes of cameras spilling into the room as Ironwood, imposing as ever, strolled into the room with his arms clasped behind his back.
"What's the General doing here?" Issabella whispered, craning her neck to get a better look.
"Didn't your father tell you anything?" Weiss whispered, rolling her eyes.
"He might have… Once or twice… I maybe might have ignored him…" Issabella sheepishly glanced down at her shoes before immediately looking back up as the crowd's chatter swelled. "Woah… Who's that?"
"Who?" Weiss looked back at the entryway as a few people – Huntsmen by the look of them – followed Ironwood through the crowd. "I'm not sure, I don't–"
Weiss stopped mid sentence, her mouth hanging slack as she saw a sharp-eyed woman with dark, vibrant blue hair walk through the doors, arm in arm with a tall blonde woman. What really drew her attention though was the pair of large muddled gray and blue wings folded behind the blue-haired woman's back, proudly displayed for the world to see. Every detail of the winged woman exuded a calm and collected confidence. From her infectious smile, to her steady gait as she strolled through the crowd, to the way her dress drew the eye up and toward her back, toward her beautiful wings…
Weiss had never seen a faunus so openly flaunt their trait like this before. The manor staff were expressly forbidden from displaying theirs, and the few faunus she'd seen in Atlas seemed to universally design their outfits in such a way that it diverted attention from their traits. Her confidence was… incredible…
"Wow…" Isabella whispered, her gaze mirroring Weiss' own as they watched the duo mount the stage, standing proudly beside the General. "I've never seen a faunus like her! Her wings are so pretty!"
Weiss hesitated as she glanced down at Issabella. The girl was clearly in awe, given how her eyes were practically glued to the stage. "Y-you think so?"
"Of course! How could you not like them?" Isabella said, cocking an eyebrow as she glanced up at her before returning her gaze to the stage. "I wonder if she can fly… Oh! Oh! I bet she's a huntress too!"
"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen."
Weiss rolled her eyes as Ironwood's booming voice silenced most of the crowd. A small smile played on her lips as she watched Issabella practically bounce beside her.
"Tonight I am very proud to announce a partnership between the newly ascended Doctor Mora, the Schnee Dust Company, and Haven Academy's Team STRM…"
Ironwood's voice slowly fell into the background as Weiss looked on, watching the faunus as she accepted the crowd's polite applause, bowing and waving to people she didn't know, unaware or simply uncaring of the potential controversy her mere presence might be garnering…
"Weiss! Weiss! Look at her!" Isabella gushed, smiling and clapping alongside them, gasping in awe as the faunus on stage stretched her wings wide, showing their true size… Would her wings end up that big? They were already quite large, but…
Maybe, someday, she wouldn't have to hide them either…
Weiss was of half a mind to scold Issabella as she squinted back at her, tongue poking ever-so-slightly out of her mouth before finally pointing at her father across the room.
"That's your father, Jacques Schnee. He's the president of the Schnee Dust Company, which was created by your late grandfather, Nicholas Schnee. Beside him is your weird-"
"Izzy…" Weiss tapped her foot as the smaller girl giggled but kept her finger pointed.
"Er… Sorry. That's your mom, Willow Schnee. She used to be a huntress-in-training, but ever since inheriting part of the company, she helps your dad with handling social events like this. The one tugging on her leg is your little brother Whitley Schnee, heir to the porcelain throne."
Weiss didn't even bother giving her a glare for that one, watching as her finger drifted over to the older, blue-haired woman Father was speaking with.
"And that's Camilla Marigold. The Marigolds are one of the oldest families in Atlas, and she currently holds a seat on the Atlas Council. Your parents are talking with her because your dad is likely going to be running for a seat at some point."
Isabella finally moved her finger over to Winter. Weiss cringing as she watches her older sister shaking hands with yet another military officer. A faunus officer at that, with their hair styled to mask the extra ears on top of their head.
"And that's your older sister Winter Schnee, the Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company!" Issabella finally took a breath as she spun around. "Ok. How did I do?"
"Better." Weiss nodded, tearing her eyes away from her older sister and down to her… pupil? "Now you just need to memorize the other four council members, the ranking officers of the Atlesian Military, the head of perhaps a dozen other noble families–"
With each group Weiss listed, Issabella's head fell further and further until she cut her off with a defeated groan.
"What? You were the one who asked," Weiss huffed as she crossed her arms and poignantly looked down at Issabella.
"…Do I really need to know all those people?"
Weiss paused to glance over at her parents just as Mother grabbed onto Jacques arm, only for him to shake her off. "I think so… Mother told me it was important for me to know them..."
"Hm," Isabella hummed, a finger on her chin as she looked out into the crowd. "That makes sense. But I don't plan on being a noble woman like you."
Weiss cocked an eyebrow, her gaze still fixed on her parents. "Why not?"
"Because it's so stuffy! And boring! And all the people are rude!" She could hear Issabella shuffling awkwardly beside her. "How do you stand it?"
"It's… complicated," Weiss sighed as she finally looked back down at her… friend? They had only seen each other a handful of times now, and yet the Mantelian girl always sought her out the instant Willow left her alone. Did that count? "What do you plan on doing instead?"
"Eh?" Isabella glanced up before the question seemed to fully register. "Oh! I'm going to follow my father and enlist."
"Your… going to join the military?" Weiss raised an eyebrow in disbelief as Issabella smiled up at her.
"Yup! I'm gonna become a pilot."
"A… pilot?" Weiss glanced over towards Winter. Maybe she could introduce them.
"Yup!" Isabella beamed as she spun on her heel, barely keeping herself upright. "I don't think I ever told you, but when father got his promotion, we got to ride up to Atlas in this really cool airship. We saw Mantle and Atlas from way up high, and the pilot was super nice and flew us through the clouds and-and it felt incredible to be up that high!"
"That – it sounds like quite the experience," Weiss said, wetting her lips as she tamped down her restless yearning for the open air. "We should all be so lucky to feel like that…"
"It really was! I've never felt so… free?" Isabella smiled, blissfully unaware of Weiss' struggle. "But your family has their own airship right? I bet you fly around Atlas all the time, right?"
"I – no… We don't take the ship very often," Weiss muttered as she shook her head again, trying to rid herself of her intrusive thoughts. Floating on the breeze, wings stretched wide, soaring past the SDC tower…
"Really? You should ask your mom if you guys could use it sometime. It's so fun!" Issabella grinned as she danced back and forth on her heels. "I was thinking about it after the showcase event. That person, the winged faunus lady, she was amazing! I bet she has so much fun zipping around Mistral… Buuuut I doubt I could ever afford a pack like hers, so flying around Atlas in a tin can will have to do!"
"That sounds… quite nice actually," Weiss bit her lip as she glanced away from her friend, wings flaring painful as they pushed desperately against the bindings, spurred on by her wishful thinking. "Perhaps you could be my personal pilot some day."
"Oh?" Isabella rounded her, wiggling her own eyebrows. "I don't know… I'm supposed to be pretty dangerous, you know."
Weiss rolled her eyes, huffing as she slowly rolled her shoulders, forcing her unruly wings back into place. "You're only dangerous when you wear heels to these events."
"Hey! That's only because I'm not used to them yet!"
Issabella twirled Weiss before she let go of her hand as the song finally drifted off in a drawn out end. As the two stepped back, they bowed to one another, forcing Weiss to restrain a wince as her harness dug into her wings thanks to the awkward angle. Forcing a smile, she motioned for Issabell to follow as followed the dancers shuffling off the dance floor to keep them between her and her mother while the band began to play the next piece.
"Thank you for the dance Issabella," Weiss said as they slipped through the crowd, and over to the punch table.
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Izzy," she replied, giggling as she followed behind. "And no, thank you. I think I'm finally getting the hang of heels 'cause of you."
Weiss smiled as she grabbed a glass from the table. "Of course. You have improved quite a lot from last time. Did your father get you a tutor?"
Issabella rolled her eyes as she grabbed her own punch. "Please, you know we're not that rich. My mom's been teaching me. She's been getting lessons from the academy with my father."
"Really?" Weiss glanced over towards Winter, her crisp uniform a stark reminder of her sister's choice. "I didn't realize the academy taught dance."
"Apparently officers have to know how for things like this," Issabella said as she followed her gaze. "Mom mentioned your sister's supposed to be enrolling soon."
"She has not signed the papers just yet," Weiss quipped as she turned back to Issabella. "Father is still trying to convince her not to go."
"Really?" Issabella bit her lip as she glanced around the room to ensure no one was listening in. "Why would he do that?"
Weiss frowned, picking at her dress. "He just wants what's best for us. If Winter joins the military, then she will have to give up her position as heiress; I'm next in line to take over the company."
"Is that a bad thing?" Issabella asked, cocking her head. "You're super smart. I bet you'd be great at running it."
"It's… complicated," Weiss said, hiding a grimace in her punch glass as she took another sip. Willow's words rang far more true each day...
"You said the same thing when your mom said you couldn't dance."
Weiss looked out at the sea of people around them. "I know. Life is complicated when you're a Schnee."
Issabella giggled as she spun on her toe. "Well our next event isn't for a couple months. I bet by that point I'll have to start calling you Heiress Schnee. Doesn't quite have the same ring as–"
"Weiss!"
Weiss' shoulders sagged as she set her glass down and turned towards the familiar voice. "Hello Mother…"
Issabella curtsied as she turned toward Willow. "Hello, Mrs. Schnee. How are you this evening?"
"I was quite enjoying the wine tasting until this moment," Willow narrowed her eyes at Weiss. " Thank you for looking after my daughter. You may leave."
"As you wish, ma'am," Issabella said, curtsying again before backing away. "Have a lovely evening, Weiss."
"You as well, Issabella," Weiss replied, not daring to look in her direction as her mother continued to drill her with a hard glare.
Willow waited patiently for Issabella to take a half dozen or so steps before she bent down. "Weiss."
"I know…" Weiss felt her voice waver as she looked down at her shoes. "I–I know, I just… with the new everything Klein made, I thought… I thought it would be safe for just one dance."
"Weiss." Willow sighed deeply as she stood and roughly grabbed her shoulder, guiding her away from the punch table. "How many times have I told you to stay away from that girl?"
Weiss lowered her head before replying. "Twenty?"
"If not more. And yet you still seem to seek her out."
"She's nice. She… she treats me like a normal person. No one else here is willing to even talk to me unless they want something!"
"Yes, and that is precisely the problem," Willow ground out as she walked them to the front entrance of the ballroom. "She isn't one of us Weiss."
"I don't see how," Weiss said as she glanced over at the servants, with their impeccable uniforms and smiles that didn't quite reach their eyes as they exited into the much quieter hallway. "Just because she's ascended from Mantle does not make her less of an Atlesian."
"Weiss," She watched as Willow rubbed her brow and took a deep breath. "When Winter enlists, you will be next in line to become Heiress. Now more than ever before, you need to be careful who you are seen with."
Weiss frowned as she looked up at her mother as she stopped and took a deep breath. "Isabella's nice though. She's smart, kind, and a good person!"
Willow shook her head as she let her hand drop from her brow. "Weiss, she is a rabbit surrounded by lions, so out of her depth she has no concept of the danger she is putting her family in."
"But her father's an officer-"
Willow crouched down, cutting Weiss off with a wave. "And we are Schnees, Weiss. You met General Ironwood before you were five. Winter will outrank her father by this time next year. The two of you come from completely different worlds."
Weiss tried to respond but her mother held up a finger.
"I told you before that there are things you don't understand yet, and this? This is one of them."
"I'm trying, but you're not making any-" Weiss flinched as Willow's hand impacted her cheek, cutting her off again, tears welling in her eyes as she stared in shock at her mother.
"No. You will listen to me Weiss. The people we are seen with – anyone we show favor to – will inevitably have a target painted on their backs. And the Abel family? As quickly as they are rising, they are not at all prepared to face what comes with that."
Weiss clutched her stinging cheek as her mother shook her head and glanced at the floor with a sad smile before she spoke again "Weiss, if you truly care about Issabella, if you want her to be safe, then the best thing you can do for her is to stay far away."
Silence stretched on between them as Weiss tried to digest what her mother was saying, tried to understand, but her mind kept getting stuck; the stinging feeling in her cheek certainly wasn't helping.
Willow sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "I know it won't be easy, but it is better you prepare yourself now for the responsibilities that come with being the Heiress. You will be the one to control the company one day Weiss. It is high time you acted like it."
"But father said that I would never-"
"I know what he said!" Weiss flinched as Willow cut her off with another wave. "But he will come around. I know he will. And when that happens, it would be better for us all if you had already put a stop to this foolishness."
"But… but she's really nice…" A familiar hard burning lump formed in Weiss' throat as her mother reached out and placed her hands on her shoulders.
"I know Weiss. But this? Hiding your… your back, keeping your distance? It is part of being a Schnee, part of the sacrifices we must make for this family," Willow said as she held Weiss' gaze. "We are Schnees first and foremost, Weiss. What we want must always come second."
Weiss wilted under her mothers gaze, fighting back tears as she struggled to speak. "C–can we go home early mother? Please?"
"Yes. I think that would be fine," Willow said with a nod as she stood before slowly leading Weiss back towards the front hall. "I'm feeling a little tired myself."
"Thank you mother," Weiss sniffed, her throat burning as she followed behind her mother, the two of them quickly making their way to the valet and coat check.
"Early evening Miss Schnee?"
Weiss ignored the valet and attendant as they made small talk with her mother, her eyes drawn to the dance halls, open doors and the families beyond. The music, smiles and laughter that echoed out. Was Issabella still there or had her family left already?
Moments later Willow's hand nudged her out the front door. The cold wind nipped at her face as their valet drove around the large ornate fountain toward them.
"Have a good night Weiss!"
Weiss' head snapped over just in time to see Issabella waving at her. Her family was already climbing into the vehicle that had pulled up just before theirs. Their eyes locked just long enough for her to send a small wave and smile to Weiss before she entered the vehicle.
"It's going to be alright Weiss." Willow assured her, as she glanced down with a tight smile just before their car pulled up.
Weiss couldn't answer, not without losing control of her barely contained emotions, so she remained silent until the car finally rolled out of the driveway, following behind Issabella's car. Only once the event hall was out of view and they had a moment of privacy did Weiss bury her face into her mothers shoulder and allow herself the luxury of letting her emotions free, breaking the silence with quiet sobs.
Willow's arm wrapped around her, pulling her close. "Oh Weiss. Don't cry. It's okay. You're going to be–"
Weiss was torn from her mothers arms as their vehicle violently stopped. Willow screamed but the sound was drowned out by the sounds of metal shearing as their vehicle slammed into something, and Weiss was shunted head first into the car door-
…
Weiss could hear a sharp ringing sound and the muffled voice of… somebody…
Weiss…!
Her body shivered violently as a deep chill crept through her, slowly washing away the aches and pain–
"Weiss?!"
Weiss winced as her eyes snapped open; bright red and blue flashes of light intermittently illuminated the torn metal shell that used to be the car. The comfortable chill ebbed away, replaced by the warmth of her mother's embrace and an unnatural cold that permeated the air, biting at her exposed skin.
"Oh thank god!" Willow cried as she pulled Weiss further into a crushing hug. Weiss winced again as her wings protested the extra pressure, but Willow refused to let go. Weiss could feel tears dripping down her mother's face and soaking into her hair. "You're okay!"
As her senses slowly returned to her, Weiss became more and more aware of blaring emergency sirens mixing with her mother's choked sobs, and of the painful throbbing that wracked her body.
The tense voice of Russet, their concierge, filtered through the vehicles. "Miss Schnee? Are you two okay?"
Weiss groaned as a wave of aches rolled through her. "Mother…? What's going on?"
"Don't worry about that, Sweetheart," Willow whispered as she gripped her tighter. "Russet, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Ma'am. Got some glass in my arm and leg, but other than that, just peachy; thank god for the reactive panels. I don't think the car's going anywhere anytime soon though."
Weiss tried to struggle out of her mother's arms, if only to get a better look around them, but she refused to let go and her grip only grew tighter when she spoke. "What do we do?"
"We need to evacuate. The emergency crews won't want to enter until they've checked for more charges," Russet ground out. The sound of crunching glass and groaning metal filled the car a moment later. "Just our luck. My door's stuck."
Weiss finally succeeded in squirming out of her mothers arms enough to check herself over, making sure her bindings were still in place before she turned towards the front of the car. The sight of a massive spike of ice punching through the front of the vehicle greeted her, reaching a point just ahead of where Russet had been sitting.
"Back doors look a bit less obstructed," Russet said as he clambered over the center console to muscle Willow's door open just enough to see out, allowing a rush of cold air into the vehicle. "Alright. Miss Schnee, if you could please keep the young miss safe?"
Metal screeched as he kicked the door off its hinges, sending it skidding across the asphalt before he ducked out of the vehicle and snapped his head about, motioning for the two to follow him. Willow slid out behind him, dragging Weiss out behind her as she stumbled after him.
Russet quickly stepped beside Weiss, blocking her view and pointing toward the end of the tunnel they found themselves in, where a number of emergency vehicles were gathering. "Keep your eyes forward, Weiss. You don't need to see any of that."
Weiss simply gave a jerky nod.
Apparently satisfied with her response, Russel stood and looked to her mother. "Keep her behind me, Miss Schnee."
Both her and Willow clung to one another as they made their way in their direction. Russet no doubt following close behind-
Weiss' head snapped around at the sharp crash of glass shattering behind them. She barely failed to restrain her gasp when she saw the tunnel behind them, only for Willow to grab her and pull her along, blocking her view once more.
Most of the tunnel lights were non functional, with only quick flashes of sparking electricity providing the briefest amounts of illumination. To a human, it would have almost been impossible to see anything, but to Weiss it wasn't even necessary. Her eyes easily cut through the darkness, revealing the horrific scene they had been trying so hard to hide from her. The entire tunnel was filled with sharp, jagged spikes of ice that tore through the ground, and in the center of it all was a familiar car, held aloft by dozens of spikes piercing through the underside of the carriage, allowing a slow trickle of bright, crimson–
The unnatural chill from earlier crashed into her again, dulling her aches and chasing away the biting cold, locking it all away as she let out the breath she had been holding.
"Eyes on me, Sweetheart. Everything will be ok."
"What do you mean you don't know?! What am I paying you for then?!"
"Sir, the situation is still unfolding. We can't be sure of any details just yet."
Weiss kept her eyes glued to the hard light screen in front of her, staunchly ignoring the yelling in the background.
"–investigators are still on scene. However, initial reports indicate that the attack was targeting the Schnee family."
"So you're telling me that the Atlas Exclusive has more information than my own security team?!"
"Sir, with all due respect, AE has a reputation for sensationalizing stories. The White Fang has never pulled an attack like this. It wouldn't just be an attack on you, it'd also a hell of an escalation–"
Weiss winced as a glass shattered somewhere in the room behind her, Willow's slurred voice following close behind it.
"Do you think this is a joke?! Who else could it possibly be?! What other terrorist organization is large enough to pull off something like this?! Between the scale of the attack and the number of Faunus in the area, there's no other logical explanation!"
"Ma'am, please. It's far too early to tell. I've sent the help home until we can vet them, and I have contacts in the Atlas Military Police telling me they're still interviewing witnesses and reviewing footage. Ghira hasn't made a statement yet, but Sienna Khan's already publicly renounced the attacks. She said the lack of leadership is hurting them, but that this attack is not sanctioned or affiliated with them. That's all we-"
Weiss wanted to cover her ears but her hands remained clasped in front of her, eyes riveted to the news. Waiting. Hoping.
"The owners of the vehicle hit by the underpass bombing this evening have been confirmed. We here at Atlas Exclusive are stunned and dismayed to report that Atlas and Mantle will be mourning the loss of one of our rising stars. Thomas Abel and his wife and daughter, Maria and Issabella Abel, are all confirmed to have been in the vehicle when it was struck. May their souls rest easy in the stars above knowing that Atlas will not shine as bright without them."
"Izzy," Weiss muttered as her vision slowly went blurry. Cold tears streaked down her cheeks as she repeated the name over and over in her head. "She preferred Izzy."
"Oh, Weiss," Winter cooed as she carefully pulled her into her lap, arranging her so her wings were not being pressured. "It's going to be ok…"
No, it wasn't going to be okay. It was never going to be okay again. Weiss buried her face into Winter's shoulder, muffling her cries as she thought back to the warning her mother had given her not even a few hours ago.
She should have listened the first time she'd been told to stay away. If she had, then Izzy might still be alive. Instead, she had been selfish, had failed her first – her only friend. Grandfather would be ashamed of her…
The world around her bled together as her parents continued to yell, the news droning on in the background, but none of it stuck. What did it matter? Her friend was gone, and nothing would bring her back.
"Winter?" Willow said, nudging her sister's arm and tearing Weiss out of her haze. "Take Weiss to her room. Your father and I need to discuss a few things in private."
Weiss felt Winter nod before scooping her up and carrying her away from their fathers study and through the empty manor halls. Her face still buried into her sister's shoulder, her body shaking as she stifled her cries.
"I know. I know," Winter cooed as the cold pressure of a glyph materialized against her back, holding her tight while her sister opened her bedroom door. A moment later, Winter eased her down into her bed before closing the door behind them with another glyph, summoned with a simple flick of her wrist.
Weiss shifted to the edge of the bed amidst her sniffles and sobs, desperately trying to get at the zipper, until Winter walked over and helped her unzip it. The no-doubt expensive garment pooled onto the floor as Weiss stood up and scrambled to her dresser pulling out her sleeping gown and setting it aside. She didn't even need to think as she unclipped the leather harness and tore it off with a frustrated sob.
Winter made her way around and helped her pull the pins out of the wraps, unraveling the fabric until Weiss was finally free of the bindings and could slip the soft nightgown over her head, shifting it until the two slits on the back aligned with the tips of her wings. She quickly pushed them through the slits before unfurling and stretching them as the moonlight reflected off the snowy down.
They'd grown again. No longer mere decoration, they were now nearly as wide as she was tall; bulky even, with just the smattering of new feathers peeking through the down.
She could see bent quills where the harness had been resting, but Weiss didn't pay the discomfort any mind. Instead, she simply pulled Winter to her bed before crawling under her blankets and shoving her face into a pillow.
"Oh, Weiss," Winter cooed again. The sounds of rustling fabric accompanied her words as she slid onto the bed and curled around her. "I was so scared when I heard the news. I just… I want you to know, no matter what, I'm just happy you're safe."
Her words did little to comfort Weiss as she howled into the pillow for all it was worth. Winter simply stroked her hair and clung tightly to her as she cried herself ragged once more. "It's going to be okay, Snow Angel."
Jacques scoffed. "Training her would not have helped her survive. You have lost your mind."
Weiss hung her head, resisting the urge to cover her ears as her mother began to scream, the drink in her hand sloshing out of the cup and staining the carpets as she gestured wildly. "I was in the car, Jacques! She nearly died, and awakening her Aura is the only reason she survived! You're an arrogant fool for refusing to even consider training her after what happened!"
"Really? I'm the fool? Not the drunkard claiming an over glorified Grimm magnet would have protected her from that colossal blast?"
They had been arguing circles around each other for what felt like hours, now… An empty bottle of wine sat discarded on Jacques desk, left there after her mother had poured out every drop she'd been able to an hour ago, while Father had staunchly refused to look away from his work the whole while. By now though, his shoulders were sagging and the original disdain in his voice had long since been replaced by something more akin to boredom.
"It's not just about the bombing, you imbecile! When she becomes Heiress - and she will - she will have a target on her back. Even if you think Aura doesn't offer much protection, any protection is better than none; or maybe you don't want her to be protected? Maybe you just want her to–"
Weiss' gaze snapped to her father as the clack of his pen hitting the desk filled the room. When she saw the sheer unrestrained fury in his eyes, her breath caught in her throat.
"I do not appreciate these accusations, Willow."
Willow accented each word with a small shake of her drink. "Then. Train. Her. She is your legal daughter. You can't delay this any longer!"
Weiss held her breath as her father finally - finally - looked up at her and clasped his hands together, tapping his thumbs together as he began to think. For the first time since Willow had forced her out of her room and into Fathers office, she could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Willow leaned against his desk and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It will look good for your campaign. We can say she's following in Nicholas' footsteps at the announcement, that she's determined to uphold the Schnee legacy."
Weiss could practically see the cogs turning in her father's head as he processed what her mother had said. "She will have to be classically trained to sell the image. None of that boorish fighting the Vytal Festival showcased."
"Mm, of course," Willow hummed as she placed her half full glass down on the desk. "Fencing perhaps? Fencers wear jackets quite frequently; it would be much easier to hide her back."
Jacques glanced over Weiss' shoulder at the exposed wings pinched together by her harness. After a brief moment of silence, he slowly nodded before finally looking up at her mother. "I suppose it is high time we begin thinking about what comes after the surgery, even if it is ten years away."
Willow smiled down at him, adoration shining in her eyes. "Indeed. Winter is a lost cause dear. Weiss is the future of this household. She will make the right choice when she comes of age. Of that I have no doubt."
Weiss kept her expression schooled as her mother spoke, not daring to voice any objections, or even shift from her position. She would be obedient, would do as she was told this time.
"Of course she will," Her father let his hands fall to his desk, drumming the hard wood for a second before he finally nodded and said, "Take her down to see Ira. She should be training Winter in the lower hall."
Willow smiled and leaned down towards him only to slip off her perch on the desk. By the time she righted herself, Jacques was already back to his work, ignoring her clambering attempts to catch herself.
"I'll have the engineers begin working on a weapon for her. Something befitting of an Heiress."
Willow's smile dropped. Her shoulder hung as she reached out and took the bottle from his desk with a heavy sigh, motioning for Weiss to follow her.
"Thank you, dear…" she muttered, haphazardly draping a shawl over Weiss' shoulders, before quietly opening the study door and leading Weiss out.
"Mother?" Weiss asked cautiously, watching as her mother's eyes fluttered before glancing down at her.
"Weiss? Would you be a dear and go down to the hall yourself? There are fencing jackets in the changing room. I think I'll go to the library… sit down for a little."
"Yes mother," Weiss said, shuffling away with a small nod. She spared a glance over her shoulder just in time to see a single tear fall down her mothers cheek as she let her head drop.
She didn't look back again after that.