Beginnings

Weiss despised many things about her heritage, but the barbaric instincts she had to tamper down each and every single day were a special breed of frustrating. They had only gotten worse in recent years, and if all faunus had to deal with something even remotely similar, then it made sense why many were annoyed by somewhat normal human behaviors.

For Weiss, it was like she was hard wired to react to movement. Even small things like waving, hand gestures out of the corner of her eye, fidgeting, all triggered various levels of instinctive movement. It was like having a hair pin trigger on her fight or flight response, and the intensity only compounded when she was preparing to attempt something nerve-racking.

Like talking to her father, or taking care of her mother.

Standing directly in front of his door, she could practically feel the movement of servants down the hallway. The way they took note of her first, before turning and heading back the way they had come. It hurt, but she was used to it. Used to the loneliness. To the cold shoulders of all those around her. That was why she was here today after all. To bring about a change.

Her knuckles barely made a sound as they rapped on the heavy door of her fathers private study.

"Enter."

Jaques' voice didn't boom with authority like Ironwoods or Winters. It was cold, clear, and practiced. Weiss knew from experience, he rarely needed to speak louder than a normal conversation level in order to get his point across.

His current tone was more droll than pointed. Nothing terribly inconvenient had occurred yet today. Nothing he would take out on her anyways, which was as good a start as she could hope for.

Drawing a single deep breath, Weiss pushed her way past the white engraved doors, and into the chilled air of her fathers study. The small room was always kept slightly colder than the rest of the house, despite the fact it was thoroughly insulated and soundproofed. Hundreds of SDC files, records, and other books filled the double stacked shelves that covered most of the walls, while a single wooden chair sat before Jaques' own desk. It was an impractically large, beautifully carved piece, gifted to Weiss's great great grandfather three generations back. The age and quality alone truly dominated most of the room, demanding attention despite the presence of the many other exquisite paintings that hung on all of the studys open walls. Even the Schnee Family portrait he had commissioned after Whitleys fifth Birthday, that hung right above him was overshadowed completely.

It was quite the fitting if Weiss was honest, because despite all these seemingly personal touches, she knew that everything in the room was a facade. A farce. Even the smallest details, like a lack of cushioning on the seat before his desk, was done with the sole intent of putting Jaques at an advantage. To catch his opponents off guard, or make them uncomfortable. To fight Jaques in this room was to fight at an immediate disadvantage, and Weiss knew it all to well.

Closing the door behind her as she stepped to the center of the room, standing right behind the chair as she waited for him to address her. The sounds of shuffling papers filling the air as Jaques deliberately made her wait for a few more seconds than was strictly necessary.

"I don't believe I requested to speak with you today." His eyes never weavering from the papers he had spread out before him as he spoke.

"You are correct. I have come with a proposition to submit to you." Weiss took a small breath, steeling herself entirely, before finally speaking the words she had been practicing since the shower incident. "I want to study at Beacon Academy."

A distinctly condescending scuff erupted from him as the papers were dropped to the desk. "You stupid animal, is this your idea of a joke? You want to risk having your disgusting heritage revealed to the world for the sake of schooling? No. Absolutely not."

Scuffing again, he immediately went back to his work, all but ending the conversation before it had even began.

Not so long ago Weiss would have also accepted his answer right then and there. She would have left his study believing that her request to study at the single most prestigious huntsman academy in the world was immediately being denied on the sole grounds of her secret.

Because that's what it always came down to. Her secret. The unsightly, flightless, abominations on her back were the beginning and ending of every single conversation she had with her father. She was not a Schnee in his eyes, just a walking PR disaster waiting to happen.

That ended today.

Anger coursed through her veins, and Weiss allowed it to spread. She needed it. Needed something to help temper her nerves, and distract her from the physical discomfort she was in. Not enough to lose her composure of course, but enough to bring her own teeth to bear.

She had learned long ago there were a number of ways to leverage a predictable avenue of attack, and intended to make full use of the advantage he had just handed to her.

"I understand your concerns," She began, tactfully bowed her head in acknowledgment, holding just long enough to know he would be satisfied she was not being sarcastic in her response, before raising back up, and bringing out a collection of black fabric straps from behind her back as she did so. "However, I have already taken steps to ensure that it won't be an issue."

This was not the first time she had tried to argue against her fathers decision. However it was a change from her usual brute force tactics, and he absolutely noticed. A flash of intrigue crossing his face for a fraction of a second before he placed the papers he was reading down, and leaned forwards to examine the harness, gesturing for her to continue.

"This is a new harness that Klein helped me make," Weiss explained, laying out the complicated series of straps and fabric on his desk for him to fully see. "It has been designed to keep these things bound indefinitely until I can have them removed on my next birthday."

She could tell he was at the very least drawn by the offering, choosing instead to examine the complex contraption with a critical eye, rather than go back to his paperwork, or respond immediately.

Weiss had seen her father do this many times at meetings; usually in these moments he allowed one more person to speak while he formulated the best possible response. Biding his time to find the perfect moment or crushing response.

However, this also made it the perfect time for her to strike.

"It's not just about schooling either. Beacon Academy is where Grandfather trained to be a Huntsman. It has a long illustrious history of producing the best huntresses and Huntsmen in the world, unlike Shade or Haven Academy which only have a few renowned individuals to their name." Weiss paused, allowing her words to fully digest, despite knowing that it was the weakest part of her argument. "If I am to continue the family legacy, I need to not only have accomplishments to my name outside of the SDC, but also accomplishments that are different from Winter or Whitley. I can't have it appear that I am simply copying or following in their footsteps."

Jaques' small nod in agreement was more than enough for Weiss to continue.

"I am aware you don't care for Huntsmen, however it would not only be a very public showing of the Schnee households' strength, but also have the added benefit of securing the company's relations with the future Huntsman and Huntresses of Vale. It is the area the SDC has the weakest influence in, and should we ever choose to expand, or need protection for our shipments out there, I will already have trusted contacts for us to reach out to."

It had taken almost a month of comparing numbers to work out that little tibet, but the fact her father still didn't respond made the time and effort well worth it in her eyes.

"I understand that it is a risk. However I truly believe that the risk will be minimal with this new harness, and the rewards, exponentially higher. That is why I am hoping you will reconsider, and allow me to study there this year."

Clasping her hands together to hide the small tremble that had developed, Weiss bowed her head respectfully as she waited for her fathers response.

Minute after minute ticking by, as he continued to slowly examine the new harness. His eyes roaming every stitch, every buckle, every inch of fabric, looking for faults. Faults that he would not find as Weiss had spent days on end re-stitching, fixing, adjusting and ensuring that the straps bore not a single thread out of place.

Finally after a stretch of time, he glanced up. "The construction is excellent. But we have seen harnesses fail before. How do you know this will even work?"

Despite the spike of aggravation that came from hearing him practically ignore her entire speech, Weiss could barely suppress the smile that came from hearing those words.

Checkmate.

"Because that is simply the back up." She spun slowly on her heels, giving her father a full look at the dress she wore. It was a light blue tulle prom dress, one he had gifted her to wear at the SDC gala a number of years past. Back when she was allowed to attend such gatherings, and her wings weren't so large that she needed to use shawls or jackets to cover the tops of them.

She hadn't worn the dress since that evening, making it the perfect choice for this display. The fact she knew he would recognize it, and had complained on several occasions about what a waste of Lein it had been, only adding to the effect.

"I've actually been wearing the main one constantly for the past two weeks." Twirling several more times as she spoke. "As I'm sure you can see, it is not only very effective at keeping the unsightly appendages hidden, but given my records, has also not impacted my abilities in the slightest."

Pausing in her spins, Weiss did her best to avoid grimacing as she settled back into place. The way she had tightened the harness for this show was compressing her wings substantially more than normal, and the hard edged clips were already digging quite a bit into her shoulders. She knew the discomfort meant he couldn't see any visible imprinting on her back, but every moment here it was beginning to hurt just that much more.

"Indeed. Klein really has outdone himself this time." Jaques slowly nodded, leaning back in the plush white leather chair of his office. Hands clasped in front of him as he seemed to take his time thinking the proposition over.

Then he stood up, and everything nearly came crashing down.

It took a large portion of her willpower power to not to step away as he stalked towards her with an angry intensity in his eyes. To not move a muscle despite the phantom sting she felt in her cheek, and the unnerving feeling of his eyes raking over her back.

She couldn't even come close to stop her animalistic instincts from flaring up, as he placed a hand on her shoulder, holding her in place.

The harness was far too tight to allow any wing movements, but the muscle spasms that came from the attempted flaring of her wings, all but ensured the cramp that had been building up the entire time, finally tore free across her back.

Weiss tasted copper as she drew blood, biting her tongue hard to prevent a single sound from coming out. Gripping her hands so hard her fingertips turned a bright cherry red. She knew her father could tell she was in pain. It was impossible to hide it fully, but if she could suffer through it without reacting too much…

Suffer in silence, and you win. Suffer in silence, and you win.

Weisses mind repeated the statement over and over like a mantra, while her eyes drilled holes into the family portrait above his desk.

Suffer in silence, and you win. Suffer in silence, and you win.

It felt like ages, but eventually he finally let her go. Seemingly finished with his examination as he came to stand directly before her, making full use of his considerable height advantage.

"It seems I will have to give a raise to your business tutor." He nodded. "Your negotiation thus far has been quite well executed. They have clearly taught you very well."

"Yes father." Weiss spoke through slightly gritted teeth before bowing once more, keeping her eyes from his.

Despite the physical pain she was in, this would be the hardest part of his test. Swallowing her pride, and letting others take the credit for her hard work. It never got any easier, and the words still tasted like bile, but if she wanted to win…

"Your selected tutor was…

A babbling buffoon who I stopped listening to three years back…

… absolutely perfect."

Jaques nodded his agreement before continuing. "And your control over your more undesired instincts has improved considerably as well. Just a year ago you would have run from this room the moment I stood up. My lessons seem to finally be sticking."

"They have indeed helped." Weiss almost choked on the words as she spoke. "Thank you father."

Still keeping her head bowed, Weiss watched as his feet carried him slowly in a familiar pacing pattern. Four steps left, heel turn, four steps right, repeat.

"Truth be told, I was actually beginning to question if sending you to Atlas Academy was the best option, given your siblings' recent propensity to be moral sticklers. But it seems you have made that decision very easy for me."

Pausing in his steps he took a moment to consider.

"Beacon is indeed very prestigious, and having fresh contacts in Vale would make an expansion out there much easier…"

He motioned with his hand she could look up. "Very well. As long as you swear to wear that harness at all times, then Beacon Academy it is."

Elation flooded her as his words took root. Genuine, real happiness that her face betrayed none of, as her father walked back around the desk to sit. Most of her anxiety dropping as well once he took his seat, and continued to speak.

"I do, however, still worry you may end up like your sister. Influenced by your teammates. By those beneath you. Filling your head with pathetic ideals. So we will have to lay some ground rules to prevent this. Weekly calls, academic requirements, just to na…."

His scroll ringing interrupting him, and a deep sigh following when he glanced at the name on the caller ID.

"But we will have to discuss those details tonight at dinner. You are free to go."

The details were to be expected, but victory, no matter the cost, had never tasted so sweet, as she schooled her expression to ensure he saw none of her internal celebration, bowing as deeply as the harness would allow.

"Thank you father. I will see you at dinner then."

Leaving the room as gracefully as possible, she waited until half way down the hall before allowing the breath she had been holding to finally escape.

She had done it. She had actually done it. Despite everything, the shaking of her hands, her lungs heaving, and even her wings cramping, she had done it.

A small smile broke out, and Weiss found herself rushing back to her room to begin packing.

It was really happening. After over a year of planning, she was finally leaving the cold, suffocating walls of the manor behind, just like her siblings.

Arriving, she immediately removed the dress and harness. Her breathing labored as she undid the myriad of straps, until finally, she could breathe properly again.

To say it was extremely uncomfortable was akin to saying a beowulf was kind of vicious, or that the White Fang did not like the SDC. While both were true, it did little to encapsulate the magnitude of the statement. Years of hellish training, and binding had increased her tolerance to the point where normal binding didn't even grate on her anymore, but this monstrosity was a different story entirely.

Still though, the pain had ultimately been worth it. Her father had agreed, and she would finally be leaving Atlas for the first time in her seventeen year life.

"I take it things went well?"

Weiss nearly jumped as the voice of Klein filled the room. The slightly off-kilter cadance, muddled with the warm inviting voice that Weiss had run to with tears in her eyes more often than not.

When she was younger of course. Weiss could proudly state she hadn't cried in years.

"Klein. You scared me." She bowed slightly in his direction but couldn't help a smile as he inched his way through the doorway. Carefully balancing a silver tray in one hand while the other remained hidden behind his back. "To what do I owe the visit? Is mother ok? I haven't forgotten about something, have I?"

Finally slipping through, he huffed a couple of times before making his way to her side.

"Nono. Nothing of the sort. I simply thought that a celebration was in order." He smiled, placing the tray on her vanity, before pulling a mid-sized paper wrapped package, and a small black metal box out from behind his back. "Gifts to commemorate the manor's favorite little snowflake finally being let out of her cage."

Weiss couldn't stop the giggle that emerged from her as Klein bowed, extending the gifts towards her with an overzealous flair. A small well of bubbling happiness creeping up her chest, as she carefully took the two wrapped packages, before pulling Klein to his feet, and giving him the warmest hug she could muster.

"Thank you Klein." She whispered. The previous time with her father, a fleeting memory in the face of his kindness.

"Don't thank me yet." He coughed, pulling back. "Your sister had a hand in helping me. She is terribly sorry she couldn't make it."

"So she has time to help you find presents but none to see me outside of training…" Weiss couldn't help the cold tone that erupted from her. Winter's name always seemed to have that effect on her these days, especially after she had left for the military.

"Winter…" Klein hesitated. Reaching over to pluck the mug from the tray, a familiar scent rising from the steaming mug as he handed it to her. "Had her reasons for leaving. As did Whitley. You can't hate them for following their hearts when you're about to do the same."

Weiss nearly snorted at that.

"I doubt they have or ever will stop loving you, no matter how far apart you are Miss Schnee." Klein continued, handing her the small tea saucer and biscuit it contained. "Whitley will take some time, but Winter? She is trying to support you in all the ways she can, despite not being here…"

The delicate scent of white peony tea hit as Weiss took the offered cup and saucer, sipping the perfectly temperate beverage. Winter's favorite. Delicate fragrance, but bold, and strong taste. A perfect allegory for her elder sister; hard exterior hiding a soft heart. It only made Weiss miss her more.

Eyeing the biscuit on the saucer, she noted it was a Cardamom cookie. Whitleys favorite and an excellent complement to the tea. A small hint, no doubt, for what Klein hoped they would one day become. A perfect match. All of them working together, complimenting each other, fighting as one…

A dream, just like her wings that would never come to be…

Shaking her head clear of such thoughts, Weiss placed the cup and saucer back on her vanity before grabbing the large of the two boxes on the bed. Tearing into the brown paper packaging with gusto, revealing a beautiful white jacket, neatly folded within rip by rip.

The outside of the garment was clearly some form of reinforced material. The styling however in particular the embroidered cuffs, and red lining inside were more than elegant enough to fit in with her usual training and combat attire.

"I commissioned this for you when I heard you were applying to transfer from Atlas." Klein explained tapping one of the hardened areas on the shoulder, "Winter had it made of the same material as her specialist uniform, and the back modified to prevent imprinting. You shouldn't need to bind your wings quite as tightly when wearing this, if at all."

Flipping the garment over, Weiss couldn't help but gasp in admiration at the large Schnee house sigil that had been expertly embroidered to cover most of the back. The heavy amount of thread made the entire back of the jacket quite stiff, while the inside was covered in a fabric that felt almost velvety soft. It was exactly what she needed to help prevent imprinting, while also keeping them from getting irritated.

Turmoil churned in Weisses stomach as she placed the jacket down on her bed, quite unsure of how to feel about it, before picking up the black metal box, and after only a brief moment, popping the locks on it.

Inside sat a slightly bulkier scroll and a pair of very streamlined glasses.

"What..." Weiss hesitated, glancing between the box and Klein, "What is this?"

"A scroll. As I'm sure you can tell." He winked playfully, earning an eye roll from the young Schnee. "I have been told it is a military issue model. Shock proof, water resistant, encrypted, it can be linked to your aura reader, and I also had someone install every single navigation tool possible. Should give you a viable excuse for your directional sense."

Weiss blinked as she took all the information in.

"Winter also programmed it with her military issued scroll, and Whitleys school scroll, numbers. You can call them at any point should you choose." He added with a small smile.

"Oh…" she gingerly picked up the slim framed glasses next, examining them carefully. "And these?"

"Nonprescription, combat rated, they have a polarization transition based on available light, and are infused with some light dust so you will have an even easier time seeing at night."

Kleins sudden pitched voice and Whitley imitation had Weiss choking on a laugh before he had even finished. A conspiratorial smile etched across his face as Weiss took in the three gifts her most trusted friend, and siblings had prepared for her.

A smoke screen. All this was simply a smoke screen to help Weiss hide her faunus heritage, while still being able to utilize it. To help her have an easier time outside of the manor, while still helping her keep her secret. It was very clever. Very precise in its execution, and very much Whitleys style, yet at the same time…

Weiss sighed as she picked up the scroll. "I've wanted to be rid of these worthless parts of me for so long. Yet you three conspire to make me as comfortable as possible while I am away… Almost like your trying to lead me down a different path Klein…"

Klein at least had the decency to look guilty as Weiss glared at her.

"... Miss Sch-Weiss…" he stuttered, clearly unsure where to begin, "I… know you don't care for those parts of you... But believe me when I say I-we… did everything with your happiness at heart."

Weiss scoffed, having heard this speech more times over the years than she cared to think about. An old fight. Not one she wanted to indulge in when Klein had come to wish her well on her first foray out into the real world.

Unlike previous nights though, he continued to speak.

"You probably won't believe me when I say this," he continued, his eyes flashing a deep sea blue. "But you will change and grow once you leave this place. In ways you can't possibly imagine until it happens. And yes, I know that sounds like a fairy tail."

Weiss found herself almost snorting again at his accurate comparison. The real world did not function like that at all…

"I-we… truly just want to ensure that you don't come to regret your choice… later on down the road." He stuttered again. "I-it's only a year Weiss, but with you leaving the nest, you may be surprised by the answers you find outside of this manor's walls."

Klen gave her a sad smile before making his way towards the door once more, likely already feeling the confusion that his words had spurred in Weisses mind. Taking the tray but leaving the tea, and cookie behind.

"I'll let you be. Do enjoy the victory Miss Schnee. Don't let your Father talk you out of this, and most importantly, make sure you do what makes you happy."

The door closed, and Weiss was left alone once more. With nothing but a cup of tea and a cookie to keep her company.

A single tear sliding down her cheek as the door closed.

If there was one thing Weiss would never understand, it was why everyone cared so much about her wings, but never about who she was without them?

He will make you just like your brother and sister. No more hiding. No more secrets. Doesn't that sound wonderful?"

It did sound wonderful… it really did…