{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

The ride was silent, as it should be.

It was bad enough that I have to do this with the Schnee family. What's worse is I'm forced into a role I don't want to be in.

Of course I glanced over at Weiss a few times. Her outfit was… I'm not sure my words would do it justice.

Her sleeveless dress differed from the show in a few ways, for one the skirt was more sparkly that went down to the floor. It seemingly flowed like a snow storm in a weird way. Its colors were white and light blue.

She had a necklace with a ruby as the centerpiece.

And I don't really know what she did with her makeup but it's gorgeous.

It distracted me long enough for us to make it to the venue.

"We've arrived." Jacques told us. "Now, I'm going out with Whitley first. You and my daughter will follow a moment after. Just for… that dramatic effect you love so much."

I didn't bother to reply to this snake.

He exited with Whitley which gave me and Weiss time to talk.

"You know I saw you stealing glances right?" She asked.

"Can't help it. It's been ingrained in my brain to appreciate the beauty in things." I replied with a shrug.

She glanced down to my feet where I placed my sword. "Are you sure about this? You're still having a hard time holding it."

"Positive. Now let me attach it." I swiftly replied as I grabbed it and tucked it into the sword frog that came with it. Handy that Ironwood was a step ahead of me on that one.

In the same motion, I stepped out of the limo and offered my right arm to Weiss who stepped out elegantly, wrapping her arms around mine as we walked down the red carpet.

I kept a poker face up as much as possible. Though it was difficult, despite my nature of being over dramatic and stylish I'm not really one to be the center of attention. And having all of these cameras in my face certainly doesn't help.

What happened between then and getting to the stage was a blur, it felt like a lot happened so fast that I didn't know how to react. Weiss let go of my arm with a sigh. "You did good back there. I expected you to crack."

I chuckled, "You'd be surprised what I'm capable of."

She gave me a smirk as she replied "Yeah, I can tell why your fiance has stayed with you so long."

I deadpanned at her in silence.

She threw her hands up "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insinuate that night, I meant your personality." She then gestured to the stage and told me "Now let's get ready for that song you had us practice."

I peaked out at the stage and saw a lot of people in the stands. "Why are there so many people here? I was only expecting like… maybe 12 people?"

Weiss gave an annoyed sigh and explained "How could you expect that? Your family has been presumed dead, so you being here is a big deal… and they're willing to pay any price to see you."

I raised an eyebrow at her and asked "Even if I make a complete fool of myself?"

She nodded "Yes, even then."

I turned back to the audience as I deadpanned "Suuuupppperrrr… Hope Jacques is ready to give refunds."

"Don't doubt yourself, you've improved since the last lesson." She then shoved an earpiece into my hands "Well, as you say: It's showtime."

I once again deadpanned to her "Don't steal my bits." I warned her as I put the earpiece on.

{Aaron's perspective}

"It's Starting!" Ruby yelled to me as I came back with the popcorn.

"I'm coming, hold on!" I yelled back.

Yang sat down next to me once I had already seated. She stole a handful of popcorn as the live broadcast of the Schnee fundraiser popped up on screen.

Team JNPR joined after Jaune finished making other foods for the rest of us. It was mashed potatoes and mac & cheese. Simple but good as he put it.

"And here he is, the last remaining Vermilion that we know of, Please welcome Achilles Vermilion!" the tv host said as Justin walked out on stage. Jeez he's overdressed. Looks almost like his profile pic on every social media he has.

I turned to the group and warned them "Prepare your ears, he's not a good singer. Even if he got lessons from Weiss."

Yang retorted "Eh, so what? He can at least say he tried."

"That… is true, just make sure you're prepared for the drowning cat that is his singing voice." I again warned.

Yang shrugged, "They'll probably autotune it for the live broadcast."

Justin looked like he took a deep breath before he started to sing. As the music kicked in, I could recognize the beginning beat. He apparently chose to cover Never Ending Nightmare by Citizen Soldier.

He started out by hanging his head as he sang the opening. He then picked his head up with his arms outstretched as he paced to one side of the stage. He then clenched his robot hand near his heart with his right raising up to the sky.

He then turned sharply as he quickly dropped his arm as he paced to the other side with his hands in a claw motion as he made it back to the center as he pointed to his eyes. Before turning 180 and walking towards the stage.

Weiss then came out in a dress that looked rather pretty, with her dress flowing as if it were snow as she sang her part of the song. She definitely had more of a presence on the stage than Justin did.

She had her hand on her chest as she sang this part, then afterwards clenched it and threw it off to the side. She sang the chorus copying Justin's movements.

Justin then started singing the part of the song that talks about how tired he is of the trauma that he's been enduring. He clawed the air at the sides of his head. He then clenched both fists close to his chest as he paced to the other side of Weiss where they ended up back to back as they sang the chorus together.

They were on a rotating platform that seemed to have rotated in a way that showed Weiss first who threw her hands out to the side when her part came up then Justin raised his arms up to the sky slowly as the platform stopped.

There was polite clapping in the audience whereas the rest of us glanced over at each other.

Yang had a smirk "I thought that was pretty good." She commented.

"Yeah, who knew they could work off each other so well." Ruby then added.

Meanwhile I was surprised that he didn't kill anyone's ears. But at the same time his voice definitely needs more work. Like a lot more.

They both exited the stage as the host greeted everyone again and told them the rest of the event will be available after the commercials. Of course I'm paraphrasing because everyone was talking over the top of it.

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

"I will NEVER do that again." I told Weiss as I ripped the mic off my ear.

She shrugged "It wasn't as bad as it could have been. You did well." She said as she took her mic off.

"Bullshit, you're just being polite." I pointed out "I doubt they even understood the lyrics."

She shrugged "They never do, they just like to see some performance and not pay attention to the details."

"That sounds like the rich…" I deadpanned.

"Hey," She protested "Do you have a problem with the rich?"

I shook my head "not all of them, other than you I despise the 1% due to their chokehold of the working class. Treating us like slaves."

She gave me a slight glare before she said "Whatever, let's just get through the rest of this event my father organized." She wrapped her arms around mine as we walked out.

"Do we really have to keep this act up?" I asked.

"Unfortunately, yes. We have to, otherwise the media will eat us up." She said with a tinge of disdain in her voice.

I sighed, "And people wonder why I don't wanna be famous." I mumbled.

"It has its moments." Weiss retorted before we stepped out onto the ballroom floor. Where Jacques beckoned us to join his side.

And so we did. At this point I dissociated as he was talking about his shady business practices.

Weiss tugged at my sleeve to get me back down to Remnant.

She gestured to the painting with her head, My guess is that she wants us to be over there.

Right before we did, Jacques grabbed my arm and hissed "What do you think you're doing?"

"Getting some water." I replied.

"We have people for that." Jacques said as he gestured to one of the waitstaff.

"I can get it myself, I have these things called legs. You should try to use them at some point." I replied.

We glared at each other for a moment before he returned to his normal conversation. That was trying to convince a guest that he cannot give refunds on a fundraiser. Have fun with the Richard (Male Karen) Jacques.

We then walked to the giant painting of Vale. The place I lost my arm at.

I felt my hand start to shake again. I stabilized it with my robotic hand to little avail.

Weiss said something to me before she left to go wherever she told me she was going. I wasn't paying attention.

Henry Marigold tried to talk to me, and much to his annoyance, I ignored him.

But when I heard someone say "I mean really it was only a matter of time before Vale fell."

Which made my blood boil.

I turned to the sound of that absolute Karen go on about "proper kingdom defenses" and such which I've had enough of.

"WHY DON'T YOU HELP YOURSELF TO A BIG HEAPING PILE OF SHUT THE FUCK UP!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

Which made everyone turn to me.

Jacques called my Remnant name, which I ignored.

"And who do you think you are?" Said the Karen in a purple dress.

"One of those huntsmen who lost his arm in that fight."I retorted, raising my prosthetic "Countless men, women, faunus and humans fought their damn hardest to protect the school and you sit up here in your floating city MOCKING THEM?! DO YOU LACK ANY FORM OF EMPATHY?!"

"I do have empathy-!" She defended herself before I cut her off.

"Really? Because if you did, you wouldn't be here making fun of the people that are, by occupation, recruited to protect your sorry asses. When's the last time you've dealt with a grimm? Huh? NONE."

At this point my legs carried me towards her as I was going off. "All of you spend more time here worrying about your hair, your clothes, your reputation, and constantly judging others. All while you're in your ivory towers. And you claim you have it just as bad as the rest of us? I don't see you down there fighting against the Grimm every day just to survive. Nor do I see you having to choose between eating and keeping a house!"

I heard something behind me but ignored it as I thought it was something else.

"Where do you get off yelling like this?" Said the Purple dress Karen.

"Someone who's been breaking his back to try to earn a place in this world. A guy trying to get by without having any debt to owe anyone. A man who is sick of all of the bureaucrats that sit in their ivory towers exclaiming "O woe is me" when someone gives them ANY form criticism."

At this point I was pretty much in her face. I then told her "Someone who wasn't able to be there for his grandpa for his final moments because of the cost of trying to go anywhere."

"ACHILLES!" Weiss yelled.

"WHAT?!" I yelled back as I shot my head towards her.

That's when I noticed she wasn't looking at my eyes. I followed her gaze down to my arm where my sword was fully drawn. I had been white knuckling the hilt without my knowledge.

I dropped it and clenched my right hand with my prosthetic left.

I turned back to her and told her "Enjoy the rest of the party." I then shoved my way past her and out the door to the outside area of the venue.

There was a gazebo area that I walked over to and leant against one of the beams of support.

I could feel my stomach turning as something was on its way up my throat.

I leant over in preparation, slicking my hair back. And without a moment to spare, I started to throw up.

I hate the feeling of this, it makes me feel like my body is rejecting itself. And I've been worried one day I'd puke my guts out.

After a dry heave or two I heard Weiss call out to me again.

I didn't bother to turn in case there was still something in there that my stomach wanted to get rid of.

"Achilles?" Weiss asked once again as she stepped forward.

I held a finger up to her before a final dry heave. "Ugh…" I wiped my mouth with my prosthetic before I turned back around "Yes Weiss?"

She tried to glance behind me before asking me "Are you ok?"

I shrugged "Well considering there is this morning's breakfast and this afternoon's lunch all over the ground behind me, no I am not."

Her hands were wrapped around the hilt of my sword that I dropped in the middle of the event, the blade facing down to the ground. I glanced back at her light blue eyes "This will reflect badly on your family won't it?"

She gave a small sigh before she answered "Who cares, you were in the right. Even General Ironwood agreed with your statements. Even if he wouldn't have worded it the way you have."

I gave a small chuckle before gazing back down at my sword.

Weiss noticed and let go with one of her hands to pass it onto me "Though I will say this Achilles; maybe next time don't draw your weapons in anger like that, it's not a good way to tell people to trust you."

I gave a nod agreeing with her statement. I then grabbed it with my right as Weiss released her grip with her left hand. I lifted it skyward, letting the moonlight glimmer off it.

After a brief moment of silence Weiss asked "What are you doing that for?"

I shrugged "Just felt like it. Feels… dramatic." I answered as I dropped my arm.

She rolled her eyes "You're so overdramatic."

I sheath my sword as I answered "I know." And that was when Jacques called for us to leave.

I know what's coming… I'm gonna have to make sure I don't lose it again.

{Yang's perspective}

"Where'd you say it was again Aaron?!" I asked as I headed up to his room.

"On the desk! I need to check to see if Achilles has messaged me!" Aaron yelled back.

"Why don't you keep it with you?" I asked.

"Because there's no outlets down here!" Aaron yelled.

"Alright alright!" I answered.

As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted with my sister in a silky robe and… I don't even want to imagine what she's wearing underneath.

"Why hello Aa-" She saw me and immediately sat up "Yang! What the flip! You ruined my plans!"

I held my head in disbelief. "Ruby… Please don't tell me that you got the idea from one of Blake's novels…"

"No…" Ruby lied and looked away.

She was hiding something behind her back. "Ruby… What do you have behind your back?"

"Nothing." She said defensively.

I put my fists on my hips.

She gave a soft sigh and handed me what was behind her back. It was an issue of her favorite comic series, AARK. There was a bookmark, and when I opened it, the page was on a scene where one of the main character's had a rose in his mouth before realizing another character was in there instead of his love interest.

I raised an eyebrow at Ruby. "You got the idea from this?"

She nodded slowly, unable to meet my eyes.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "You're adorable, my baby sister."

"I'm 16 Yang!" Ruby protested.

I sighed and sat next to her "I know, but I don't think you realize what's going to happen even if he was ok with it."

She crossed her arms and looked towards the floor. "... I know… But I can't help it… I like him, Yang."

I rubbed her back "maybe, but he already stated how he sees you."

She glanced up at me with her puppy dog silver eyes "It hurts though, I don't know how I'm gonna live with this."

I stood up to go grab Aaron's scroll "Well, here's a bit of advice. Sometimes it's better to know when to back off than keep persisting. Eventually they'll try to avoid you. Be his friend first. Let the feelings come naturally if they come at all."

She nodded "thanks Yang. I appreciate it."

"Though… I am wondering why you chose a silk robe. Unless there's something else you're hiding from me." I teased.

She gave me a look of terror as she quickly said "I need to go to our room!" She then used her semblance to speed out of Aaron's room.

That just confirms she's hiding something, and uses her allowance money to get it. Note to self, keep an eye on Ruby's money and don't let her be in charge of our finances when we do get the team back together.

I made my way downstairs to meet with Aaron on the couch. "Took you long enough Yang, what held you up?"

I handed him his scroll as I answered "You should know."

He gave me a confused look

I sighed "Ruby still is crushing on you."

He gave an aggravated groan "Still? Really?"

I gave him a slow nod. "Yeah, she was waiting upstairs in your room and everything. Though she was wearing a robe, thank the Gods. I don't want to know what ideas that comic gave her."

"Wait what?" He asked.

I waved my hand back and forth as I explained "She was laying in your bed in a robe, like a character in her favorite comic book AARK, which is a story about a group of adventurers roaming the world to bring peace to the other nations and save the world from a warmongering nation. One chapter involves one of the main characters, their love interest and an intruding third party that made the love interest go in the opposite way."

He mumbled something under his breath.

I glanced at him as I noticed a text message from Achilles that simply read GTG, prick of the year is about to go off on us.

Prick of the year? Who is he referring to?

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

Jacques brought us to Weiss' room where he berated us for my actions. I mostly tuned it out just because I hate it when people yell at me.

However I kept my eye on him in case that does still happen. We've strayed pretty far from canon from what I can tell, who knows what will happen.

"Unbelievable. Achilles do you have any idea what your little "stunt" cost us?"

I shrugged.

"And don't think this is just about Lien here. Our reputation-!"

"He's been through a lot, give him a break!" Weiss yelled.

"It's no excuse to pull his sword out of his scabbard!" Jacques yelled back.

I groaned "Enough already, It's not my fault you told me to bring it with me and have it on my person."

He turned to me and adjusted his tie as he yelled "I didn't think that you'd pull it out at a random person and spout the most foolish nonsense I've ever heard!"

I crossed my arms at him and simply replied "Live a month on minimum wage and see how much you'll like the rich afterwards."

He was taken aback by that statement "What do you mean? Minimum wage is only meant for those who aren't financially responsible like-"

"Like Teenagers and those who don't know better. I've heard it all before." I replied with eyes rolling.

He stuck a finger at me "You watch that filthy mouth of yours boy. Do you remember who you're talking to?"

"Jacque Schnee, head of the Schnee Dust Company. Gained after the previous owner Nicholas Schnee succumbed to old age and thus married into it and made the company more profitable at the cost of its soul." I answered with a neutral look upon my face.

Weiss then stepped in. "And a name you are trying so hard to drive into the ground!"

Everything went into slow motion as I saw Jacques raise his hand to slap Weiss.

Ain't gonna happen while I'm here.

I grabbed his wrist with my prosthetic hand before he could wind up any more power. He glanced at me with fear as I pulled him off balance and raised my fist to send into his stupid face.

Then I stopped myself… I realized that if I do, there will be consequences that I won't be able to dig my way out of.

That's the way it's always been, those who have suits in their closet play by different rules than those who don't.

So I let him go and lowered my fist.

He adjusted his tie as he cleared his throat "Clearly Achilles is too unwell to be out in public, let alone anywhere else. Which is why he'll remain here in your care."

She gently touched my right arm as he continued. "And this rebellion of yours against me has shown clear signs that we've failed as parents. So for now on I will give you the full attention you deserve. And until we reach an agreement on your future, you are not to leave the manor grounds."

"But then everyone will wonder why the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company is suddenly nowhere to be found." Weiss pointed out

"Which is why you will no longer be heiress." He then turned to us "Clearly the trauma you both endured at the battle of Beacon was too much for you to handle. And thus you, Weiss Schnee, have generously passed your heirship to Whitely."

Her eyes went as wide as the shattered moon after that announcement. "It's time to wake up. This is how the real world works."

He then slammed the door on us. I saw a glimps of Whitley outside with a smirk on his face.

God do I wish I could just punch it.

She was about to go after him. I stopped her by grabbing a hold of her wrist.

She glanced back at me with anger in her eyes. I know that type of look better than anyone, she's looking to blame the first person she sees.

I slowly shook my head at her.

Her expression softened slightly. "Whitely had something to do with this." She speculated. "He's always been jealous of me and Winter."

"You're jumping to conclusions, Weiss." I warned her.

She forced her way out of my hand "Like you didn't either, you blamed my father for… that night you refuse to talk about."

"I have my reasons." I replied. "None of which I want to discuss at the moment."

She crossed her arms at me "Of course you don't want to talk. It's just like Beacon all over again."

I raised my eyebrow "What do you mean?"

"The cryptic speeches, the odd way you've predicted things down to the last minute detail." She glared at me "There's something weird going on with you. And your refusal to answer my questions makes me question who you really are."

One of two things occurred to me just then; Weiss seems to have been acting strange towards me ever since coming here. Even mistaking my actual name and Remnant name. The second is her act feels different somehow, almost like she knows the same things I know. Which is concerning, but I'm not about to bring that up at this moment.

She sighed and sat on her bed and buried her head in her hands "What am I going to do? I'm no longer heiress of the Schnee Dust Company."

I sat next to her and wrapped my arms around her.

She gave me a confused look.

"You can start living your own life, by your rules, not by anyone else's."

She stood up and out of my hug. She then turned back to me and told me "This company has been my life. I don't know if I can."

I shrugged "Alright, then fuck it."

She turned sharply back to me with confusion.

I slapped my knees as I stood back up "What I mean by that is, forget the company, forget Jacques, forget all the drama around Atlas. Fuck it all."

"Still not understanding what you mean." Weiss replied.

I crossed my arms at her. "Alright, how about this then: There's an old saying where I'm from; "I don't give a damn what you think." It's been my attitude throughout my life."

She gave a slow nod. "But how? How do you do any of that?"

I shrugged "it's quite simple, find that voice in your head that tells you that everyone's talking shit about you, they're judging you, etc etc. And shoot it. Shoot it in the goddamn face. Multiple times. With .50 Action Express and .500 S & W."

Weiss gave a slow blink with an expression of what I assumed was startled.

"Ok the caliber of the imaginary bullet doesn't matter. Point is you need to shut that voice up. You'll be in a much happier mood."

She nodded, "That's… a violent way to look at it."

"Violence is my vice. But that's besides the point." I started to change the subject. "We need to sneak out of here. I'm not going to be a prisoner to Jacques Schnee."

She raised an eyebrow at me "How? Jacques will tell the staff not to help us."

"... About that…" I said with a finger in the air "I actually made friends with the staff here. I'm sure some of them are willing to turn a blind eye if we ask. Plus I doubt Klein behind you will actually help Jacques of all people."

Weiss shot her head around to look behind her to see Klein standing in the door frame.

She then turned back to me. With a smile "Alright fine. I'm in."

I gave a smile.

"But first, you need to be able to at least hold your blade steady." Weiss pointed out.

"We can do that on the way to Mistral." I retorted.

"But how? We don't have access to Jacques' personal airship." Weiss argued

"Well Weiss, I have a solution." Klein pointed out.

Weiss turned to meet his voice as Klein shut the door. He then told us "There is a secret passage to the hangars of Atlas that will take you to Anima. And out of Jacque's hands."

I turned to Weiss "That sounds like a plan, besides our friends might be halfway to Mistral right now."

Weiss crossed her arms and looked out the window. She looked like she was debating herself for a moment before she turned back to me and said "Alright. Klein,"

Klein placed his arm across his chest with a bow.

Weiss then ordered "Give us a few days to prepare our things." She then glanced back at me "Besides, Achilles needs to be able to hold his blade steady."

I raised my eyebrow "Winter has tried, I haven't seen much improvement."

Klein exited the room as Weiss confidently told me "Yes, but she hasn't taken one thing into account."

I darted my eyes around the room out of confusion "... and that would be…?"

She strolled over to me and placed her hand on my chest as she answered "Well, it's actually two things. One of which is to let you hold what is your blade."

"And the other?"

"You'll see." Weiss said as she headed for her bathroom.

Whenever someone says "you'll see" It never ends well for me.

Authors note

Happy New Year folks!

I'll keep this brief. I'm going through some stuff IRL. So as always expect the next update to take a while due to these things.

Thank you all so much for reading my fanfiction, And for your continued support of my writing!