Leash
"Please welcome Weiss Schnee."
Applause rang out in earnest throughout the auditorium as Weiss took a deep breath, collecting herself fully before stepping out onto the stage.
It was a powerful feeling, striding straight to the center of a stage all alone, watching the crowd fade away into a sea of black formless shapes as the auditorium lights dimmed and the light of the spotlight above slowly illuminated her and her alone.
Applause petered off as she stared out into the black expanse, waiting patiently for the music to begin. Soft piano notes barely cut through the silence as Weiss closed her eyes, took another deep breath, and sang.
"Mirror, tell me something…"
Weiss loved the stage. Loved how it let her feel. It was the perfect platform to finally let out all of the feelings she kept trapped inside. It was the one time where she was almost expected to allow herself to feel, to show all those emotions that social propriety demanded she keep locked away, even if the crowd thought it was all a simple act.
However, the spotlight… She hated it. Hated how it drew every eye in the crowd to her and her alone. It was a wholly unpleasant experience to suddenly be shunted into the limelight when she was so used to being hidden in her family's shadow. Where she could typically allow herself a small measure of laxity, she was forced to monitor every act, every word, every miniscule motion, for fear of her body betraying her secret to the world.
She was a Schnee after all. It wasn't simply her own name that was at stake should she falter, and that single fact alone fueled Father's paranoia in full as he personally selected the outfit for her and demanded that her wings be bound far tighter than normal. Yet, despite his complaints, the performances weren't something he could simply avoid, especially once he realized they provided him ample opportunity to glad-hand and soothe tensions with important political and business figures.
It was frustrating. Humiliating. The fact that her singing wasn't anything more to him than a simple side act - a mere distraction for an audience that knew nothing of music - was disappointing. Her teachers oftentimes praised her abilities, offering her chances to sing to people who would see her singing for what it truly was.
Yet she had a role to play.
The music swelled before quickly dropping back to just the piano once more. The pace was more hurried.
She knew she had a role to play.
Normally this was an interlude into the next verse. A moment for her to collect herself for the next verse, prepare herself for the climax of the song.
And yet…
Weiss felt something inside her snap as she took a deep breath and raised her voice to octaves she rarely crested. Anger, humiliation, discontent, she let it all out in a piercing series of notes that would have even those with no concept of talent raising a brow. Giving fully into her emotions as she began the final verse in earnest.
"I had assumed you knew better than to give in to your baser instincts, Weiss. It would appear I was wrong."
Her father's voice cut through the music with ease, the performance brought to a screeching halt as Weiss' eyes snapped open. Jaques' silhouette stood framed by the auditorium entrance.
"It would appear that, without me, you are nothing but a simple animal, unable to control herself."
White hot pain erupted from her back as someone cut through the material of her jacket and bindings, tearing it all away from her in one decisive strike.
"And you know what we do to animals that cannot control themselves Weiss. We put them down."
A moment of panic was all she had before the jacket was ripped off her shoulders, her feathered wings snapping out of the cut bindings. Shock gaps echoing out as the auditorium was suddenly alight with voices and scroll flashes.
"Father!" She cried out, as jeers and hatfield yells began to fill the auditorium. Her own legs gave out as red pooled around her. "Help me!"
His turned back was the only response she received before the mob of listeners descended upon her.
When Weiss' eyes snapped open, her throat ached with a barely restrained silent scream. Pain rippled through her back as her wings flared out, straining against her night bindings. Her panicked eyes swept the dark room, picking out details almost at random. Blake and Yang, still sleeping. A desk. Pen holder holding a single feather and some pens. The cheap slats of a bed overhead. The hysteria slowly died away as her mind finally registered that she was in her dorm room. Her wings were still bound. The crowd wasn't there. Her father hadn't disowned her. Everything was fine.
The panic slowly subsided as she allowed the uncomfortable yet familiar sensation of her bindings to provide a small feeling of safety. Nobody knew. She had not failed. That knowledge alone allowed the tension in her shoulder to slowly fade, easing the pain in her wings with each breath.
It had been some time since she'd had a nightmare like that; if she recalled correctly, the last time had been long before leaving the manor. And yet, here at Beacon, this was the third night this month she had been torn from a restful night's sleep like this.
Weiss sighed as she shook the nightmare from her mind, readying herself for the day as the soft buzzing of her scroll told her that it was time for her to wake up. Wordlessly, she turned to look out the cracked window, taking in the pre-dawn skies. She allowed herself a small smile as a cool breeze swept through the dorm room, followed closely by a rather annoyed whine from Blakes bunk.
When she heard the tell-tale sounds of Blake bundling herself further under her covers, Weiss took advantage of the noise to quietly extricate herself from her own bed, relishing in the cool air before she slipped on her jacket and tiptoed slowly over to her desk. Her glasses - the one charitable thing her brother had provided her - sat waiting for her alongside a small stack of forms that looked just as dreary as they had the previous evening.
Now was not the time for complaints though.
She took her seat, aimlessly training a finger down the soft white feather still resting the pen holder before quickly selecting a pen and getting to work.
If someone had told her that, one day, she would be using her plethora of negotiating experience and knowledge to convince a school into letting her modify a dance, she likely would have scoffed at the notion of falling so low. Yet here she was at the tender age of seventeen, half bribing, half strong-arming the Beacon staff into letting her bring some upscale class to the Vytal Festival Dance.
She blamed her teammates for the plan she had hatched. It was, after all, very much along the same vein of dramatics that the three of them all seemed to prescribe to. A simple "thank you for not throwing me out after the first week" would have likely sufficed, but she had learned that more personal touches were favorably received.
She had already thought of how to avoid her fathers questions on the spending as well, though she would need to talk to Pyrrah about that. Although, she needed to do that anyway before the weekend, so really it was just being efficient with her time.
Form after form flew by until the soft morning sun finally filtered through the blinds. As she finished another paper, she heard the familiar sounds of one of her teammates slowly stirring from their sleep. Weiss turned to see Ruby sitting up in her bed with a sleepy smile, stretching her arms up as she yawned.
"Mornin'," Ruby mumbled, letting her arms flop down onto the bedding with a yawn.
"Good morning," Weiss nodded back, before turning once again in her chair to work.
"I must be up early if you haven't left yet…"
Ruby's words froze Weiss in her seat. A quick glance at her scroll quickly confirmed that yes, she had indeed lost track of time. Again.
Dust be damned, she was getting sloppy.
"Scheisse," Weiss muttered as she quickly shuffled the papers and shoved them away before bolting out of the chair, grabbing a change of clothing and dashing towards the bathroom.
There was little doubt in her mind that she looked like an absolute mess as she flew out of the bathroom, hair still wet and bindings barely in place. She snapped up her bag and all but sprinted out of the dorm room. Her wing protested the rough treatment from her hastily donned bindings as she rushed down the familiar hallways with all the haste she could without drawing unwanted attention.
Atlesian curses flowed out of her lips in a hushed whisper. She barely paid heed to her surroundings as her feet followed the memorized path toward Glynda's office. It really did irk her to know she had lost track of time so severely. It was yet another reminder of just how lax she had been as of late. She would need to rectify the issue before she went back home, lest her father-
bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Weiss' train of thought was brought to a screeching halt as her scroll went off. No doubt Ruby was wondering what was up with her rushed exit or maybe she had forgotten something important, like her glasses. Again.
Once again, she was failing to maintain her oh-so-crucial smokescreen. Unfortunately, it seemed to be happening a lot more in recent weeks. Nobody had started asking questions yet, but it was still necessary to maintain appearances.
Weiss continued her brisk pace as she snatched her phone from her bag and answered the call.
"Sorry if I woke anyone. I forgot my glasses on my desk, could you bring them? I am running late for my meeting with-"
"They can wait. You and I are going to have a little chat first."
Weiss stopped mid step. Ice flooded her veins as her heart hammered against her chest in earnest.
"Father! My deepest apolo-"
"Another word and I will personally come down there to remove you from that wretched place."
Weiss felt the words in her throat immediately die as she stood stock still, not even allowing herself to breathe or make any unnecessary noise lest her father interpret any sound she made as defiance.
The seconds dragged by until his voice finally came through the scroll once more.
"Better. Make no mistake, we will be discussing your absolutely abysmal greeting. However, that can wait until you have convinced me why, after your numerous failings, I should even allow you to stay at that so-called 'school' in the first place."
Weiss staggered back as her father's words hit her, driving the air from her lungs. Numerous failings? Convince him she should stay? But she had been doing so well-
No, that was another lie. She hadn't been doing well. She had been lax as of late. Lazy. The blood drained from her face after realizing just how long the list of transgressions he could be upset about had grown in the last month.
"Have you nothing to say for yourself? Did you really think I wouldn't find out that you and your sister have been talking again? Or about your little deal with Ozpin? Academic Leader?"
Blind instinct clamped down as Weiss almost threw the scroll away from her. It had been a long time since she had heard that tone. Heard that cold anger that cut exactly where it needed to get what he wanted.
"Father, I-"
"Do you take me for a fool?"
"No, father. I-"
"And yet you have lied to me. In fact, you've lied to me on many occasions now. So clearly you must think yourself clever."
"I was just-"
"And that's not even mentioning the sheer amount of my money that you've been wasting. On both exorbitant amounts of dust - something which, I might add, has had zero impact on your combat record - and worthless individuals that will amount to little more than an obituary in the Sunday paper."
"I told you that costs-!"
"And now you dare talk back?"
A small whimper escaped Weiss as her wings flared out, the pain racking her thoughts and forcing her to bite her lip to try and stay quiet.
"Simply tragic. Not even three months and you have become almost worthless as an heiress. Clearly, you are not cut out for life away from the manor. And after all of my hard work too."
"I'm trying-"
"I have told you many times that trying is meaningless. You either succeed or fail, and make no mistake Weiss, you are failing."
Dread crept into Weiss' mind as she collapsed against the wall and sank to the ground. Her wings screamed in protest as she tried to keep the tears from flowing. She could feel a strap of her bindings slip off, and yet, even as she felt her wings moving more freely, she couldn't dredge up the will to do anything about it.
"You have failed to deliver on your end of our deal, failed to uphold the Schnee name, and failed to convince me why you should be allowed to stay. I should be sending someone to pick you up right now, I doubt anyone would notice your absence anyways."
Weiss' eyes stung with barely restrained tears as she reached over her shoulder and dug her fingers into her loose wing. It hurt so damn much, but the clarity it brought was so much more important right now. She had to focus. Find a way out. She had-
"However. Your position there may prove beneficial to me. For now anyways."
Releasing her wing instantly Weiss had to keep any hope she felt to a minimum as she simply stayed quiet and let her father continue to speak.
"Tell me everything you know from your conversations with Ozpin. If you give me something I can use, I may consider forgetting this distasteful incident."
Weiss' eyes shot wide open, wings still painfully pressed to the wall.
"... I… what?"
"I want to know every notable scrap of information you may have heard or seen. Including anything that that treasonous sister of yours may have let slip. Do not make me repeat myself again, girl."
"She didn't tell me-" A flash of panicked inspiration hit her as her first conversation with Winter ran through her mind. "Wait, Penny! Penny Polendina. Winter said that she was - that she was different! Even by Atlesian standards!"
Silence perpetuated the other line as Weiss waited, panic thick in her throat.
"And what of Ozpin? What did you tell him?"
Weiss knew her voice was wavering but powered through all the same.
"I didn't tell Ozpin anything outside of needing to be a team leader to stay. Glyn-Professor Goodwitch was there as well. They agreed to help! We didn't talk about anything else! I swear!"
"You didn't hear anything else? Think carefully daughter."
"B-" Weiss barely cut herself off before the name exited her mouth. "Students. I know a number of students who they have made… exceptions for…"
It may well have only been a second, but the silence from her father seemed to stretch on for an eternity as Weisss held her breath and prayed to anyone who was listening that it was enough.
"Much better," her fathers voice taking on a sickeningly sweet tone. "Document and send everything you know about Ozpin, Glynda, this Penny individual, and the students you mentioned by this time tomorrow. Do not be late."
"Yes Father." Weiss bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, keeping herself from saying anything more foolish in response.
"I will take the provided information into consideration while I decide what to do with you. For now, you may return to your studies."
The call disconnected before Weiss even had a chance to respond, leaving her in silence.
Weiss took a long, shaky sigh of relief as she tucked her knees into her chest and allowed the tears she had viciously fought to restrain to finally fall.
She was safe… For now.
Guilt clawed at the edges of her mind at the realization that that safety might have to come at Blake's and Ruby's expense.
Could she really do that? After everything they had-
"Weiss? Are you alright?"
The tentative voice of Velvet instantly snapped Weiss out of her brief reprieve, as her tear stained eyes locked on to the two ears that sat atop the Faunus head.
"What did you hear?"
Weiss heard her voice as she spoke, the tone was so cold and flat she hardly recognized it anymore. The effect however was palpable as Velvet instantly shrunk back a step.
"I-"
"What. Did. You. Hear." Weiss pressed, her gaze narrowing as Velvet took another step back, her eyes flickering around in a panic.
"Just the bit about sending someone information on Ozpin. It sounded personal so I covered my ears after that. I swear!" Velvet nervously bounced on the balls of her feet as Weiss stood.
Weiss took a deep breath before finally meeting Velvet's eyes with enough steel to ensure the girl knew she was being serious.
"Good. If I find out you told anyone about this, Coco will have a lot of trouble finding enough dust to feed her favorite toy. Am I clear?"
Velvet barely buckled under Weiss' stare, instead matching the steel with an angry glare of her own.
"I would have kept it to myself without the threat, Weiss."
"Excellent. Then we are done here." Weiss turned and stalked off before Velvet could respond, pointedly ignoring the small, intrusive pang of regret that clawed at the edges of her conscience.
It took some time before Weiss felt she was presentable enough to even stand before Professor Goodwitch's door, only allowing herself a brief moment to fully compose herself before knocking.
The smell of fresh coffee barely even registered as the door swung open not a moment later, the professor's questioning smile greeting her as she motioned for Weiss to enter.
"Good morning, Miss Schnee. I dare say this is the first time I've seen you late for anything."
"Good morning, Professor," Weiss said with a polite nod, her back ramrod straight as she walked through the doorway and waited for Goodwitch to usher her into the office. "You have my deepest apologies for the delay. I had an unexpected addition to my morning itinerary."
"I see. Well these things do sometimes happen." The professor frowned as she led Weiss to her desk where two steaming mugs were waiting for them. As the two took their seats, the professor continued, "Please, try and relax Miss Schnee. I prepared us a Vacuan blend this time. I think you will quite enjoy it."
"Thank you, but I am afraid I will have to decline," Weiss spoke curtly as she smoothed out her skirt and clasped her hands in front of her. She watched the professor as she reached for one of the mugs before hesitating just long enough to spare Weiss a questioning glance.
"You seem a bit on edge this morning," Goodwitch remarked, pulling the mug towards herself and taking a small sip of the beverage. "Did you get a bad test score back by chance?"
"No." Weiss answered quickly, shaking her head ever so slightly as she set her cold gaze on the woman before her. "To put it frankly Professor, it seems my trust in you and Ozpin was misplaced."
A small furrowing of her eyebrows was the only response as she took another sip.
"You promised you wouldn't tell a soul about our arrangement," Weiss said with narrowed eyes. She quietly noted the way the professor's eyes snapped to her hard light display for an instant as she mentioned their deal. "Frankly, I should have known better than to trust anyone but myself."
Goodwitch carefully placed the steaming mug onto the desk before her and brought a hand up to adjust her glasses as her frown deepened. "Miss Schnee, I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about. Neither of us have spoken of our arrangement to a single soul."
Weiss leaned ever so slightly forwards in her seat as she said, "The call I received from my father this morning says otherwise."
Goodwitch narrowed her eyes into a sharp glare as she slowly leaned back into her chair. "I do not appreciate these accusations, Miss Schnee. I can assure you, we have not mentioned anything relating to our deal to anyone."
"Then you have an informant." Weiss scoffed, crossing her arms as she leaned back slightly. "The only others who know are my teammates and Winter, and I can assure you that none of them leaked this information to my father."
"Oh?" Goodwitch raised a brow at that, her glare all but disappearing as she quietly eyed Weiss.
"You know full well that Ruby and Yang are not particularly subtle. If they had said something, I would have heard by now. Blake would never even speak to my father, let alone work with him. As for Winter, she would never speak of such things without some form of anti-surveillance technology. That leaves you and Ozpin as the only remaining potential leaks. Unless, of course, you believe your own security to be so ineffective that you cannot prevent information leaks like this."
"Miss Schnee I can assure you that neither Ozpin or myself would ever corroborate with someone like your father."
"Then I would advise you to perform a thorough examination of your systems. It is highly unlikely that I will be the only person who is affected by this breach."
Goodwitch's eye brow rose as she tapped the desk with her thumb. "Miss Schnee, what you are suggesting is frankly impossible."
Weiss leaned forwards once more. "You don't believe me?"
"It would be foolish of me to doubt your words Miss Schnee." Goodwitch narrowed her gaze. "However, much like your own faith in your teammates, I am quite certain that the school's security systems are not the source of the breach."
"In that case, please do explain to me how else my father could have possibly learned of our deal."
The question brought a pause as Goodwitch leaned back in her chair, glancing at her desk's hard light display as she did.
"Miss Schnee, I ask this strictly out of necessity, but how confident are you in the precautions your sister takes?"
"I…"
Weiss paused in her words. Thinking back on all the times over the past decade Winter had used the small EDE. All the scratches and scuff marks it had accrued.
"I trust the measures she takes. However she has been using the same EDE for quite some time. Perhaps we should call her, ask her to come speak with us so we may examine it."
Goodwitch's frowned slightly as she reached for her mug down once more. "I am afraid that will not be possible. Specialist Schnee is currently not within Beacon Academy."
"She left?" Weiss felt a wave of cold ire wash over her. Pulling out her scroll, she flicked open Winter's contact knowing full well what she would find.
No new messages, or calls.
"Of course…"
"She was given orders to leave yesterday morning," Goodwitch nodded, her eyes narrowing further. "I trust you to keep that information to yourself."
Weiss scoffed. "I've been keeping secrets my whole life, Professor. What's one more to add to the heap?"
"You're upset that she left," Goodwitch noted, reaching out for her mug to take a sip. "Or are you going to claim you're mad at yourself again?"
"I do not see how that is relevant," Weiss shook her head, still glaring at the scroll.
"She would have told you if she could."
"She could have," Weiss ground out, finally meeting Goodwitch's eyes once more. "She chose not to."
Goodwitch sighed. "If you insist."
"I do," Weiss said firmly, glancing pointedly at her scroll one more time before shoving it back into her skirt's pocket. "I suppose we shall have to wait until she returns then."
"It would seem that is the case, yes. Unless you wish to bring one of your teammates in?" The professor gestured towards her own Hardlight display. "I can send for any of them easily enough."
Weiss shook her head adamantly. "No, that will not be necessary."
"Very well," Goodwitch hummed once more, the ghost of a smile on her lips.
"Now, as a final matter, and since our original deal is null I would appreciate not being dragged into these meetings every month."
The smile on the professor's face quickly morphed into a frown. "Miss Schnee, before this conversation, I was going to suggest the same thing."
"Excellent. Then we are in agreement," Weiss made to stand before the professor held up her hand.
"On the contrary, Miss Schnee, I would prefer we continue these meetings. Despite the significant steps that you've made toward improving your attitude, I can see that you are still exhibiting several concerning behaviors."
Weiss tensed the moment the words left Goodwitch's mouth, her hand instinctively reaching towards the mug left on the desk for her, gripping it tightly to buy herself time as she worked through the distressing realization.
She had noticed? It was one thing for her father to notice. The Professor though?
"Rest assured Miss Schnee, you have made excellent progress."
Weiss took a shaky breath as Goodwitch spoke. She quietly raised the mug to her lips as she thought back on her family's warnings, about the changes she might not see happening. Breathing was much more difficult as the flurry of conflicting emotions and voices instantly flooded her mind.
"Miss Schnee?"
Her fathers warnings, Klein's reassurance, Winter's chiding, it was all blurring together into a roiling sea that threatened to drag her down and drown her.
How could she have been so misguided? She was becoming so incredibly lax and blind. So lax even the professors had noticed. What else had she noticed and failed to mention?
"He was right," Weiss heard herself whisper, before instinct took over and she was bolting out of the room.
The world blurring as she sprinted down hallways and up staircases, with all the speed she could muster, until finally her shoulder hit the roof's door.
The metal door slammed against the stone wall as it swung open full force, Weiss barely stopping to throw it closed once more before she stormed to the edge of the dorm room roof, shivering for the first time since she was a child in the cold fall air.
Her breath was heaving, and her wings ached from being bound as tight as they were. The cold did little to help, especially compared to the warmth of Yang she had felt not even a week ago. The breeze on the roof was bitter and biting, but all of it - the cold, the pain - was something Weiss appreciated.
It felt like home. Like the frigid winds that filled Atlas' skyline, like the Schnee manor's balconies.
She needed this. To feel the sting. To remind herself of who she was, what she needed to be. She needed to remind herself of what she had been through. What she stood to lose when she gave into such paltry desires. When she gave into her base instincts.
Her father was right. Everything made sense. Everything had its place, and she had stepped beyond her own.
Here at Beacon she was losing all that had made her a Schnee. She was becoming worthless just as her father had said she would, and without even knowing it just like Klien had said. Their words were a prophecy that had come true.
How could she have been so blind. Of course all those nights spent with her team would impact her. Their shared lunches with JNPR, all of the pointless after school activities they dragged her into. Movies, board games, shopping. She had enjoyed those moments, but in her indulgence had missed the reality of the actions.
It was all making her soft. Her bindings were on their loosest setting more often, and one of her own feathers sat in her pen cup. She had even allowed herself to grow close to a former white fang member. What in Remnant's name was wrong with her?
She should be back home-
No. That felt much too close to giving up and running away. Like what she had just done in Goodwicth's office, bolting out the door before any further words could be said. She would need to answer for that at some point, however right now she needed a plan. A way to stop herself from losing herself any further.
The professors could not be trusted, Her teammates as well. Winter had left her behind again, and never even so much as mentioned the changes Weiss now saw, so she was next to worthless.
Really who else did she have here? Maybe it was high time she actually tried to befriend Pyrrha and JNPR…
The door behind her creaked open, Weiss' heart plummeting for a moment as her eyes caught a flash of red before fully recognizing the familiar face of Pyrrah Nicos, and her incompetent leader behind her.
"Oh! My apologies," Pyrrah smiled, beginning to close the door behind her. "We don't usually see anyone up here."
"It's fine," Weiss sighed, much too tired to play the game of social graces. "I was just leaving."
Walking briskly past the two fully armed and armored individuals, Weiss slowly made her way down the stairs, letting her feet leading her down the various hallways and nooks of the school as she continued to think.
Why did she need anyone's help was the real question. She never did before. Why did the idea of being alone seem so much more daunting? When did company become preferable to being alone? She hadn't needed friends in the manor. She hadn't needed Winter for seven years. She hadn't need anyone.
She had survived alone. She could do it again.
She just needed to distance herself from everyone once more. After that, all that was left was for her to regain herself in time for winter break.
Her resolve hardened as the plan took form.
She could do this. She was a Schnee after all.
Weiss paused as she entered the dorm room, carefully scanning the room. The three were dotted about the room, entirely distracted. Her gaze quickly settled on Blake. She certainly had the most history with the Faunus, which would make what needed to be done that much easier to accomplish.
With a quiet rustling of fabric, Weiss folded her arms behind her back. "I spoke with my father this morning. Your name was brought up, Blake."
Blake glanced up from her book, her eyes asking - no, demanding an answer.
Weiss pushed forward, allowing no opportunity to respond. "We feel it is best that you submit yourself to the proper authorities for questioning before you be allowed to continue residing in the same room as me."
There was a heavy silence as all eyes turned toward her. Blake's bow flattened slightly as her brow pinched.
Weiss kept her posture rigid and her head high as she spoke. "If you have any concerns, do try and remember that my family has been hunted by the White Fang since before I was born. While you claim to no longer be affiliated, we simply cannot afford for there to be any doubt in a situation such as this. I am sure you, of all people, understand the need for such assurances."
Predictably, Yang shot out of her bed, dropping down in front of her. Her eyes were burning with a barely restrained fury as she towered over her. "Hold up. You told your dad aboutBlake? Without asking her? What the hell Weiss!"
Weiss nodded, easily matching Yang's glare with one of her own. "I did. I realized I cannot afford to take such pointless risks. Not when everything I have been working towards can be so easily lost or ruined."
"Weiss, I don't know why your acting all bitchy-."
"Yang!" Ruby immediately cut her sister off, shaking her head as she turned towards Weiss. "Ok. Let's all just take a few steps back. There is clearly a misunderstanding-"
"A misunderstanding? No, it definitely sounds like Weiss just threw Blake under the bulkhead because she's a paranoid-."
"Yang!"
"It's true though!"
"No she's right." Weiss nodded adamantly. "You may call it paranoid, really I just can't afford to take any chances right now. Not when I'm so close to my goal."
"What goal?!" Yang threw her arms up, gesturing towards Weiss with red licking at her eyes. "You keep bringing it up but never actually-."
Ruby cut her off with a sharp jab to her side, speaking up before her sister could say anything else. "Weiss? Please just talk to us. What's going on? Why did you tell your dad about Blake? Where is this all coming from?"
Weiss simply crossed her arms and glared down at her partner. "Nothing is going on Ruby. I simply wish to ensure my own safety. Unlike my sister, who was content to let me room with a former terrorist."
"Your sister was fine with Blake though. You were fine with Blake until five minutes ago! Weiss, I don't understand. What's going on? What changed?"
"Everything changed. I changed. He-I can't have that Ruby."
Silence blanketed the room once again, before Blake stepped forward. "Speaking from experience, change can be a good thing Weiss."
"Not when that change could very well be yet another of the White Fang's attempts to undermine my family."
Blake shook her head, curling in on herself. "Weiss, you don't get it. Adam wouldn't waste time trying to change you. If I was still with the White Fang, everybody would have woken up to you with a bullet in your head one day."
Weiss could feel her wings straining against her binding- once more on their tightest settings.
That had practically been a threat. Far too easy.
"I see. How considerate of you. I would get to know exactly how my Grandfather felt when those animals murdered him."
The words left a vile taste in her mouth.
"Animals!?" Blake roared.
Checkmate.
"This is exactly why I didn't tell you in the first place Weiss! You might pretend to have changed, but you haven't. You say and do what everyone expects, but your disgusting views haven't changed at all! Your father must have been so proud of how you've fooled us!"
"Oh? I'm the one fooling everyone? You're still wearing that bow of yours Blake. Hiding from your past. It's no wonder you're so afraid of your parents being disappointed in you. Not even you can take any pride in who you are."
Blake's nails slowly extended out, blood lust in her eyes as a rage filled hiss filled the room.
Weiss barely even flinched as Blakes palm slammed into her cheek.
The blow stung, but Weiss forced herself not to turn with the blow. She narrowed her eyes and glared at a seething Blake as her wings flared, tearing against their bindings. "Really? I thought princesses were above such petty-"
"That's enough!" Ruby forced herself between the two of them, her steely eyes flitting between them. "What is wrong with you two?!"
Weiss almost took a step back from her partner, blindsided by the forcefulness of her words.
The brief moment of assertiveness faded away into a heavy silence that filled the room until Ruby took a deep breath and finally looked back up at her.
"I don't know what has gotten into you Weiss, but we can talk about this after class. Okay?"
"If that is what it takes," Weiss muttered, glaring at Blake as she nodded, her bow sagging.
Without giving a chance for a rebuttal, Weiss pivoted on her heel and swiftly walked out the door, only pausing long enough to grab her bag. She could still hear the sisters quietly comforting Blake as the door clicked shut behind her.
Weiss smiled sadly to herself as she strolled towards their first class of the day, quietly passing by the small clusters of students that now littered the hallways.
This was for the best. Really it was. With her wings, she was more of a liability than a help until after winter break. Her teammates would be better off with her in the background until then.
Besides, it was just like Father said. They would never have accepted her anyways.