Classified

Before the start of this chapter I want to take a single moment of your time. Not as a writer, or a creator or anything, just as a person. A Minecraft youtuber I follow by the name of Technoblade (Alex) passed away on June 30th. For the past 6 years he never failed to put a smile on my face when I was down, and for that single fact alone I will miss the absolute hell out of him. So here's to you Technoblade, you beautiful, maniacal, pig.

"Skyblock teaches us that no matter how ridiculous the odds may seem, within us resides the power to overcome these challenges, and achieve something beautiful. That one day, we'll look back at where we've started, and be amazed by how far we've come." - Technoblade

If there was one requirement for her stay at Beacon that Weiss absolutely abhorred more and more with each passing week, it was the weekly scroll calls to her father. Not because of Father per se; she had long grown accustomed to the idea that nothing would ever be good enough for him. That he was always pushing her to do better. Be better.

No, she loathed them because of how they felt so much like a leash at times. Yes, they were necessary to keep her on track. Yes, they helped keep her mentally grounded, and stopped her from flying headlong into social pitfalls like she had in her first month. But all the same, it often felt like she was calling to either be yelled at for things she already knew, or to simply remind him she existed.

This, however, was not one of those times.

"It does please me to see you have finally begun to take your schooling seriously. Despite falling behind Winter's academic scores, you have successfully maintained our agreed-upon placement, while simultaneously elevating your boorish team's scores above mediocrity. Clearly your leadership is worth something."

To anyone else, Jacques' voice would sound clipped and neutral. To Weiss however, even with the ruckus her teammates were making around her, and the questionable audio of the scroll, she was positive she heard a hint of pride in his words.

Casting a quick glance around the joint rec room as she struggled to make out every single word her father said, Weiss noted the bulk of team JNPR and RBY was still thoroughly distracted by the planning of their joint evening out. Completely unaware of the extraordinary moment unfolding not ten steps away.

It had been months since she had heard him deliver anything even resembling approval, and despite the room's occupants, she couldn't help practically beaming as her father continued to speak. Unable to contain the sheer joy that came from hearing him finally praising her efforts, and allowing herself the moment to relish in finally doing something right for a change.

"I have also been told by Goodwitch herself your glyph and Dust handling are easily some of the best she has seen from any of the Schnee household, your sister included. This makes your inability to maintain your solo combat scores is all the more disappointing."

The sudden shift in tone toppled Weiss off her hard-earned pedestal with all the grace of a Beringel in a Dust shop. The moment of praise, torn right out from under her feet after only a taste, leaving nothing but an empty void in her chest, and a stark reminder that she was supposed to be used to this by now. Her father was always looking for a new facet of her person to polish after all.

It hurt, but then everything in her life that was worth it hurt. And her father was only trying to help. Push her to be better.

Even when it hurt.

"As if that's not embarrassing enough, I have still yet to receive a report on your successful use of summons, something I find difficult to believe as you are a Schnee."

Weiss felt her throat tighten at the anger that swelled up from her very core at his words. "I am a Schnee father. The bindings are a hair tighter than I anticipated and-

"You said the bindings wouldn't hinder your performance. This failure falls entirely on you."

The anger in his voice was clear as day. It would be a pointless exercise to even try to argue the point now, so Weiss simply nodded in agreement. "Yes father. I am aware of my shortcomings and have spoken to Goodwitch about acquiring extra sparring practice in the months leading up to the Vytal Festival Tournament. I can assure you that my scores will improve dramatically in four months time."

The reason for the improvement remained unsaid as they both knew full well what she was referring to. Four more months until her birthday. Four more months until she could be free of the useless, dead weight on her back.

It was what she wanted…

What would make him happy.

"As to be expected." Jacques coughed. "It is good to see your time outside of Atlas has not dulled your common sense. I shall await your call next week. Good night… Weiss."

"Good night fa…"

The call disconnected before she even finished speaking.

"..ther…'' she finished quietly, before closing her scroll with a bit more force than was strictly necessary. She could practically hear the last words Kleins spoke worming their way into her traitorous mind.

Most importantly Weiss, make sure you do what makes you happy.

Those words had been popping into her head more and more as of late. It was frustrating. Infuriating even. Klein, Winter, Whitley, everyone but her father seemed to have this belief that she had a choice in the matter. They just didn't understand that it didn't matter what made her happy. What mattered was the impact she would have after.

Her wings were the price of changing the world, and ironically only her father seemed to understand that.

Turning back to her present company, she let the hurt and anger that had accrued from the conversation slowly ebb from her mind and instead reveled in feeling a certain amount of pride at how she was keeping up with the absolute insanity that was her life now.

A month ago, the idea of going out during the evening with another team would have been a pipe dream. Now though? Now she could count the entirety of her own team and team JNPR as acquaintances. Seven out of fifteen first-year students. It was certainly not the worst ratio she had ever achieved, especially after the absolutely abysmal start she had.

However that same pride was instantly drowned out by the ice cold hands of panic that gripped her chest as Blake's amber eyes drilled into her from across the room. The expression she wore was both confused and painfully accusatory, a clear indicator she had at least been partially listening in on her and her fathers conversation.

Weiss had thought she was being clever, calling while everyone was gathered and planning. The noise was meant to indicate to her father that she was being social, and making contacts like she promised, and also helped hide anything she said. Of course, she had completely forgotten about her four eared faunus teammate whose sense of hearing was likely on par with her vision.

Really, it wasn't so much a question of if Blake had heard anything, but rather how much, and whether anything heard would lead her to a conclusion they absolutely could not afford her to reach.

Weiss was quite confident she hadn't said anything incriminating, and her father was naturally quite discrete as well, so there were only a handful of things Blake could have heard that would have her wearing that expression. And there was also very little doubt she would want to talk about whatever it was, so the only question was whether she would bring it up now or later…

As if reading her mind, Blake very slowly shook her head just enough that only someone looking right at her would be able to see. Her gaze receded for the time being, allowing Weiss to let out a small breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The bindings clamped down on her chest once more as she quickly coughed to cover her shortness of breath.

A lovely little worry for after the evening's events, Weiss concluded before turning back to the group, and allowing the two of them to instantly be dragged into the final stages of planning what seemed to be a trip down to Vale to see the Vytal Festival market.

It was an event Weiss had been planning on dragging the rest of her team to regardless. Given the sheer amount of publicity the event garnered, and the chance to see some of the other teams that they may well be facing in the upcoming tournament.

Many of the competing students were due to fly in this week as part of a long-term exchange program between academies, something Weiss had considered for a time as a possible secondary option for herself should her negotiations with Jacques fall through.

Either way, she wasn't about to raise any complaints about going this evening.

After a quick trip to the bathroom to tighten her bindings in preparation for the crowds, the small group found themselves all aboard a Bulkhead headed for Vale.

Weiss of course kept her back to the bulkhead's wall, content to listen to her compatriots talk about what foods they wanted to try and which attractions they wanted to see. It was times like this, surrounded by others her age, so carefree and unworried about anything, that she could almost taste the life she would have after her eighteenth birthday. Could almost feel the freedom from her bindings. These moments of utter normality, unbroken by the secret hanging over her head, or the constant worry that the moment she let her guard down everything would come crashing down. Free to just be herself. To just be Weiss, and not the Schnee family's faunus bastard.

Yet even as her wings twinged and cramped from the extra tight bindings, there was also another concerningly loud voice in her head that cropped up once more. One that asked a painful question each and every time.

Wouldn't they treat her the same despite the wings?

They had all been so accepting of the rabbit faunus Velvet, so much so that she and the rest of the second year team CVFY, despite being a year ahead, regularly made stops by their table to check in on them. She was also quite sure they would be just as accepting of Blake, who barely wore her ribbon around their dorm anymore.

Wouldn't it be nice to also be accepted like that? To never have to hide who she really wa-

"Awwwwh I think that's the first time I've seen you smile, Weiss."

The words spoken to her were like a bucket of cold water. Her ironclad discipline crushed down the rogue thoughts, slamming the door on that small measure of hope that she had allowed to leak through.

"Annnnnd back to scowly Weiss." Ruby all but sighed, a soft smile paralleling the teasing words as she rolled her eyes. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you, but we're here."

A quick glance around confirmed that yes, the bulkhead had in fact landed, and people were beginning their departures. Just how long had she been lost in her own head?

One quick breath was all Weiss needed to quickly school her expression and manner, glancing at her partner.

"I'm fine," she replied curtly. "Thank you. I was simply lost in my thoughts. That's all."

"Yeaaah I could tell." Ruby chuckled, tucking her hands behind her back as she slowly rolled back and forth on her heels. "Must have been something pretty awesome. You were smiling like crazy."

"Yes, well, I suspect we all enjoy dreaming of the impossible at some point." Weiss coughed to cover the small waver in her voice, smoothing her skirt as she stood.

Ruby, to her credit, did not press any further as Weiss quickly led them off the shuttle, blasting toward the growing group of acquaintances accompanied by a flurry of rose petals that buffeted Weiss as she walked down the bulkhead loading ramp.

A small smile graced her face as she couldn't help but think wishfully back to the entrance exam. To the feeling of wind whipping past her face, stinging her exposed skin as she flew towards the horizon, free from all the burdens of the ground…

"Weiss?"

The intimately familiar voice had her stopping in her tracks so fast any normal human would have lost their balance. Spinning on her heel towards the other bulkhead that had landed, and the two figures that were standing off to the side of the crowd not twenty meters away.

While the orange-haired girl drew Weisses eye first, her bright colors and cheerful demeanor did little to hold her attention. Instead, her gaze was drawn to the girl's all-too-familiar, tall, white haired, stern-mannered companion.

A flurry of contrasting thoughts and emotions crashed into her, crushing any semblance of the pleasant reminiscing she had experienced moments ago, and leaving only a single name in their wake.

Winter…

Weiss couldn't help but tread towards her, while Winter stood stock still, and waited. The feeling drawing them together was so similar to the barbaric instinct that drew Weiss to roof tops and ledges, yet all too familiar and comforting to ignore.

A storm of emotions passed between the two of them in only half a heart beat as they stood before one another for the first time in over a year. Each waiting for the other to make the first move, just as they had been taught.

"Hello spec-"

"Sister." Winter immediately corrected. Glancing at Weiss with a very assertive glare that almost immediately softened when she saw how her words had impacted her. "or Winter. That is also fine."

The unspoken message was clear. She was trying to keep a low profile, and Weiss had to keep that in mind.

"Weiss?" Yang slowly walked over as casually as she could while eyeing the two in front of her with a healthy dose of suspicion. She could see the rest of the group heading their way as well. "You ok?"

"Just fine Yang." Weiss ground out, resigning herself to what was going to likely be a long evening of questions. "I am simply surprised to see my sister of all people here."

"Woah." Yang instantly eyed the taller of the two with a critical eye. "Wait, you have a sister?"

"Yes!" Weiss quickly clamped down on the angry blaze as her wings reacted. Flaring out a bit and straining her breath for a second. Instantly regretting not telling the rest of her team about anything related to her family. "And a younger brother."

"Oh…" Yang quickly glanced again between the two girls. "Ok, I'm sure I can guess, but I also don't want to make any assumptions…"

"...The white haired one…"

"...Got it…"

The curl of a smirk could be seen in the corners of Winter's mouth as she listened to their exchange. Her hand reaching out and down towards the blonde brawler. "Winter Schnee. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss…"

"Yang." Taking the outstretched hand, her eyes flashing red as she gripped down with likely a sizable amount of force. "Yang Xiao long."

"A pleasure." Winter nodded, gripping Yang's hand for a fraction of a second longer, before releasing it, a sharp hiss escaping Yang as she pulled her hand back. "This is my… companion, Penny Polendina."

The orange haired girl instantly snapped a salute. "Salutations! Winter has told me so much about you Weiss! It is wonderful to finally meet you!"

Weiss couldn't help the smirk that came from watching her sister slowly clasp her hands behind her back. A practiced motion Weiss knew she made when feeling agitated. At least she wasn't the only one feeling out of place.

"Penny…" Winter began.

"And this must be your team! It is wonderful to see you have so many friends Weiss! Winter was so worried you would struggle due to being from Atlas." Penny practically gushed as Weiss heard the footsteps of the rest of her friends approaching. "Are you all going to the Festival market as well?"

"Heeeeeey, um, Weiss?" Ruby said, stepping up next to her as she looked back and forth between the pairs. Team JNPR were all standing a comfortable distance back from the sisters. "I really don't mean to interrupt or anything, but can you maybe let us in on why you and Yang are having a stare down with two random people who apparently know us?"

Yang immediately pointed towards Winter. "The white one is Winter, Weiss's sister, and the orange one is Penny, her… friend?"

Bearly a breath passed before Weiss found herself blinded by a wave of rose petals and nearly flung to the ground as Ruby threw herself on her shoulder, vibrating with excitement. The absolute joyful squeal she let loose doing little to help Weiss's hope of her partner making a good first impression. "WIESS! Why didn't you tell us you had friends coming from Atlas Academy?! Oh this is gonna be so awesome!"

"She didn' t-" Winter began.

Only to be interrupted by Nora as she immediately grabbed both Ren and Jaune's shirt collars and began dragging the two of them towards the bustling stress of Vale.

"Of course it will be awesome! Two more people will bear witness to the queen of Whack-A-Mole in action, plus Weiss and her sister probably have soooooo much they want to catch up on and who in their right mind wants to be stuck listening to boring stuffy rich person stuff like that. Now C'mon gang! A festival worth of food awaits and I feel like I could eat a Manticore!"

"Actually, we were-" Winter began, only to be stopped again as Penny walked right up to Ruby with a bright smile.

"Oh, sensational! My Father was hoping I would be able to make friends here! My name is Penny…"

Ruby, already brimming with energy, was practically dragging Penny towards the rest of the group as the orange haired girl tried to introduce herself, leaving Winter with a particularly confused look that Weiss chose to take a few more seconds to commit to memory.

"Weeeeeelll, I'll let you two get caught up then." Yang all too casually turned on her heels, bumping Blake to follow as well, before slowly sauntering towards the group, hands clasped behind her head. "Just don't stray too far behind ok?"

Weiss smirked, enjoying the way Winter tsked in annoyance before straightening herself back up.

"I assume you're here to keep an eye on Penny?" Weiss gestured, walking after the orange-haired girl currently being dragged away. Winter easily fell into step with her.

"That's-"

"Classified. I guessed as much," Weiss all but spat, her wings tingling as the spike of anger shot a jolt of pain down her spine. The pain did wonders in helping her ignore the icy glare Winter no doubt sent her as she began to lead her sister, following behind the growing group of her classmates and friends. "You also don't want anyone to know your title, meaning you're either not supposed to be here or you're supposed to keep a low profile. Either way, it would be best if we didn't cause a scene."

Weiss took the subsequent lull in their conversation to chance a glance in her sister's direction just in time to catch the small piqued look she wore.

"I see," she nodded, glancing down at Weiss once more. "If it is agreeable then, perhaps we would be best served in saving the more personal matters for a different time."

Weiss rolled her eyes at the formal tone and words. Even when supposedly undercover, Winter had "military" written on every word and step she took. But that was clearly not Weiss's concern, so she simply nodded her assent.

"That would be for the best."

They walked in silence after that, the sounds of the market sweeping past them as they both kept a steady pace with the group. Weiss caught all three of her teammates glancing over their shoulders at various intervals, giving her silent gestures and expressions to gauge if they needed to step in or intervene. It was both quite endearing and humorous as they were not even remotely subtle about it. Something Winter picked up on quite easily as well.

"It would seem you have made some friends." Weiss swore she could almost see the ghost of a smile cross her sisters face as Nora pulled Penny with great gusto towards one of the many festival games that were setup.

"I'm not sure if I would call them that quite yet." Weiss sighed, a grimace growing as she thought back. "The first month here was a rather painful adjustment period…"

"I can imagine," Winter gestured to the glasses Weiss wore. "And the other adjustments? Have our gifts helped at all?"

"They have." Weiss smiled, glancing up to make eye contact. "The jacket especially. So thank you for that."

"You are welcome." Winter nodded back, glancing around the rather packed market. "I can see you're quite trusting of it as well. You're not worried about the crowds or someone bumping into you?"

"Oh I am." Weiss sighed, taking care to move around an oblivious couple. "But it's practically infeasible that anyone would notice anything incriminating off of a random bump."

"Hmm." Winter frowned, before very slowly and deliberately placing her hand on Weisses back. Applying pressure for a brief moment before removing it. Weiss's wings tingled a bit at the small increase in pressure. "I see. Fashionable and functional."

"Klein's eye for fashion is better than anyone in the mansion, including Fathers." Weiss snorted, watching as Nora started to show Penny how to operate the Whack-a-Mole machine. "Though I have had to be more reliant on Dust and glyphs in combat than I would like. The Dust prices here are chewing through my allowance."

"Father mentioned something about a few train shipments being stolen as well. Even finding Dust may be an issue soon." Winter agreed. "With that in mind you may want to put some time into practicing your summons. That would help immeasurably in keeping you from putting unneeded stress on your shoulders."

"I've been trying…" Weiss scowled. The words of their father rang in her head as she glanced up at her sister who was watching Penny out of the corner of her eye. "I keep getting to the critical point you talk about. The summon begins to take shape but then it just… falls apart."

Winter laid a comforting hand on Weiss's shoulder as the crowd thinned and the sounds of cheering from their small group grew quite loud. "You will get it. I know you will"

"I hope so." Breathing deeply, Weiss allowed herself a few scant seconds to soak up the feeling of her sister beside her once more. "But enough about that. We came down here to enjoy the festivities. So why don't we both try to relax a little."

Winter nodded, though her posture didn't change at all. "Very well. I suppose it is a good time to see exactly what kinds of people you have allied yourself with."

"Do not get your hopes up…"

The beginning of the night flew by in a haze of chaotic activity. Strange festival foods were forced upon both Winter and Weiss, games were played, prizes won, and Penny broke the Whac-a-Mole game with Nora's help, while Yang broke the punching machine after the owner claimed it was supposedly Huntsman proof.

By the time they all finally sat down in one of the pop up food booths that littered the alley, one that Blake personally requested as soon as she saw it was Menagerie cuisine, Weiss found herself relaxing more than she had in quite some time.

Yes there were substantially more open faunus around them, but the food smelled rich and enticing, and the atmosphere felt intoxicatingly friendly.

Blake slid into the booth next to Weiss and Winter. "Are you two going to be ok?" Blake whispered to her, a small grimace as she eyed the area. It took a moment for Weiss to fully register what she meant, before Winter quickly waved a hand.

"It's fine. Outside of Atlas barely anyone recognizes us."

Blake grimaced a little as she motioned towards a small group of six faunus about twenty or so meters away with her head. "I already saw three or four of them staring at Weiss' jacket…"

Weiss shook her head, bitterness flooding her voice as she spoke "Let them look. Maybe it will help the family image."

Blake frowned but didn't press the topic. Sitting back and beginning to read through the menu herself.

"Soooooo. Winter. How are you liking Beacon so far?" The sudden question from Ruby caught the two off guard as the rest of the table quieted down to listen in.

"It has been quite pleasant." Winter nodded. "Penny and I only arrived yesterday and have yet to truly explore the facilities. I appreciate you and your team taking an interest in my sister though Miss Rose. I confess, Penny was not lying when she said I was quite worried she would struggle to adjust."

"Oh, um…" Ruby quaked under Winter's eyes, "No problem? It was our… honor?"

"She's definitely an acquired taste!" Nora piped up from the end of the table.

"...Nora…" Ren's deep sigh punctuated the brief pause that accompanied Nora's words.

"Sorry." He sheepishly glanced over at Weiss whose only response was a similarly exasperated sigh. It wasn't the worst name she had ever been called, and frankly was an apt description for how the first month had gone. Though she could have done without Yang wiggling her eyebrows quite suggestively.

Winter quirked an eyebrow, before glancing down at Weiss. "An acquired taste?"

"What she means," Weiss hissed, outright glaring at Yang, "Is that there were a number of misunderstandings and learning to be done early on. I may not have been the most open minded when it came to certain topics."

"Ah," Winter sighed, nodding. "Well that is to be expected for your first time outside of Atlas."

"She's come around a little," Yang spoke up. "Buuut she does have some… interesting… views about-"

"The Faunus?" Winter cut her off, the temperature of the table dropping several degrees as she spoke so matter of fact. "The White Fang? Civilians as a whole? Or perhaps you think this is new information and that I don't know anything about my own sister?"

Weiss shrunk down in her seat as Winter spoke like she was not sitting directly beside her, desperately trying to avoid attention.

"Wait," Nora said as she stood, pointing towards Winter with a rather shocked look. "You knew? And you did nothing about it?!"

"Of course I knew." Winter blinked, barely moved by the accusation. "Why are you all acting so surprised by this? Did she tell you nothing about our home life?"

The tables collectively glance between one another and Weiss as she shrank even further into the booth seat, more than enough to answer that question.

Winter's eyebrows raised even higher. "Nothing of our father or the Nobles of Atlas?"

Again silence.

"Well she must have at least told you that you're the first commoners she has interacted with outside of our manor's help?"

"No, she hasn't!" Blake slammed the menu onto the table, finally bringing her own anger to bear against Winter. "But none of that is a valid excuse to hold such disgusting views!"

Unlike Weiss however, the heat barely fazed the much taller sibling who looked down at the Black haired girl with mild interest.

"Of course it's not an excuse, but holding onto views and not knowing any better are two very different things, as I am sure you know Prinzessin Belladonna." Winter's words and glare had a tangible impact as Blake's eyes unfathomably grew wide, shrinking back into her seat much like Weiss.

The table at once was quiet, as a very awkward silence was filled by the background noise of the tables around them.

Winter sighed deeply, glancing down at Weiss before nodding at Penny. "Well as fun as this has been, Penny and I should really head back. We haven't yet registered her in the Vytal Tournament."

"So you two are here for the tournament then?" Pyrrha of all people quickly piped up, her voice tentative as she tried desperately to lighten the table's overall mood.

A small smirk quickly formed as Winter took in the tournament star. "Not quite. I am simply here to help her get acquainted, and to also take the opportunity to visit the place my sister had chosen to study. Penny however will be."

Penny beamed as Pyrrha nodded towards her.

"Oh, hey. You guys are part of the tournament as well?"

Weiss felt her head snapping towards the booth right beside their own. The same booth that had been empty until seemingly right at that moment.

The one now occupied by three strangers. Hunters and huntresses in training, if Weiss had to guess, based solely on the practicality of their attire… and the small Haven Academy signals sewn into their collars. Probably a second or third year team based on their age, though the range seemed a bit spread.

The one who had been eavesdropping, a young girl with mint green hair and matching garb, waved towards them, elbowing the prevailing gray clad man beside her. The other woman at the table, a gorgeous black haired woman clad in more bandages than anything else, rolled her eyes appearing equal parts exasperated and intrigued.

"Excuse me?" Weiss drilled the mint themed woman with her best glare. "Just who exactly do you think you are to interrupt our private conversation?"

"Apologies for my subordinate," tall, dark and intimidating quickly replied with a wave. Weiss stiffened slightly at the familiar feeling of her words and tone. She reminded her so very much of the veiled conversations of the parties she used to attend. "You can leave us be."

"And let your embarrassment end?" Yang leaned out into the table, glancing over their entire team. "Yeaaaaah not gonna happen."

"Dammit Em…" The gray themed boy's head was cocking slightly as he leaned an arm against the table, while the other two seemed to be quite unbothered by the attention. Mint girl quickly smiled and pointed to her black haired compatriot.

"Cinder, Mercury, and I'm Emerald. We just arrived from Haven Academy." She pointed in order.

Blake glanced over before gesturing to herself as well. "Blake, Ruby, Yang, Weiss, Winter, Penny, Pyrrha, Jaune, Nora, and Ren. Different teams, different academies."

"Hold up, Pyrrha? As in Pyrrha Nicos?" Mercury quickly glanced over to the red haired woman waving casually from near the back of the booth.

"And that's our queue." Winter muttered, quickly shuffling out of the booth along with Penny. "I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the evening. Weiss, you have my number. We should really talk before I leave."

Weiss could only nod before watching her sister turn tail, and practically drag the still-waving Penny out of the restaurant.

"So." Mercury quickly brought all their attention back to them, a cocky smirk etched from ear to ear. "What are the chances of Pyrrha Nicos taking me on?"

The rest of the evening was about as chaotic as Weiss could handle. Despite their rocky introduction, the three quickly found some common ground with the other members, and before Weiss even realized it, their group of eight was eleven for most of the remaining evening.

Eventually the teams parted ways for the evening, exchanging scroll numbers and promises to hang out, with Emerald all but demanding Yang show her her hair care routine before rushing back to her own teammates, a fact both Ruby and Nora mercilessly ribbed her for afterwards.

"What? None of you have nearly as much hair!" Yang all but cried, her cheeks tinged a bit pink as they all walked slowly back to the Bulkhead landing zone. "Well except maybe Weiss, but she has money and I don't!"

Surprising even herself, Weiss was the one to come to Yang's aid.

"If you ask nicely I may be willing to let you take advantage of my SDC discount on some of those products. Being their main Dust supplier has its benefits, you know."

It took her three steps for her to realize the rest of the group had stopped walking entirely. Turning back to them with an eyebrow raised at their apparent collective shock and confusion.

"What? It's not like being the Heiress doesn't come with some benefits you know."

Not even giving them time to fully comprehend her words, Weiss turned heel and walked away, the rest of the group almost instantly chasing after her with various levels of shock and elation in their steps.

The trip back quickly turned into an interrogation of Weiss as questions fell upon her like snow.

Yes, she could help them get better dust prices. Weapon parts were a hassle but possible. Why on Remnant would she have a pancake discount? No, hugs were not a form of payment. She was in fact capable of feeling things, thank you very much.

The questions thankfully fizzled out as the rest of the group slowly picked up on her discomfort at being the center of attention for so long, and quickly allowing the topic to drop.

The rest of the trip passed in relative silence as the excitement of the evening began to give way to fatigue. Weiss quietly took all the time she could between redirecting the group to recompose herself. Quickly leading them all eventually back to their dorm rooms.

Taking a deep breath before entering after a swift series of good nights, Weiss ushered her teammates inside before closing the door behind them.

She knew full well the night was far from done for both her and Blake.