The Difficulties of being Weiss Schnee - Oneshot

Old idea I had. Weiss is characterized in canon by her rebellious nature against her father and her desire to redeem the Schnee name. So, what if she acted like that in a world where Jacques was a loving husband/father, a good CEO, and a champion of equality and fairness? Well, she becomes Britta from Community.

This'll just be a oneshot. I can't really think of anywhere this would go without it being dragged out. Just enjoy one chapter of Weiss being a delusional wannabe redeemer.

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Weiss' heels clicked sharply against the polished marble floor of the Schnee manor, each step echoing her determination as she strode down the hallway toward her Father's office. In her mind, she was a warrior marching into battle, the lone voice of truth in a family shrouded by secrets, lies, and layers of wealth so thick they obscured the cold, hard reality beneath. She would break through all of it - tear down the veil of deception that her Father had draped over the world. For far too long, Jacques Schnee had been pulling strings from his high tower, manipulating people and expanding his empire without anyone daring to question him.

Or so she convinced herself, despite all evidence to the contrary.

Yes, people hailed the Schnee Dust Company as the most ethical corporation in all of Remnant. They spoke of Jacques Schnee as a visionary - a man who prioritized fair pay, safe working conditions, and environmentally sustainable Dust mining practices. The SDC even had a reputation for philanthropic efforts across the kingdom of Atlas and beyond, supporting disaster relief, healthcare, and education initiatives for the needy. It was a pillar of integrity, admired by business leaders and civilians alike, and Jacques was regarded as a paragon of corporate responsibility.

But Weiss didn't buy it. Not for a second. No one amassed that much power and wealth without getting their hands dirty somewhere. She was sure of it. And just because she hadn't found any real evidence didn't mean there wasn't any. If anything, that only made her more suspicious. Her Father was cunning, after all. Deceptively charming, with a silver tongue and the ability to smile in a way that made people forget the influence he wielded over them. It was no wonder no one questioned his motives - everyone was too dazzled by his polished image, his warm speeches, and the apparent "good deeds" of the company.

But Weiss knew better. She had to know better. She was the only one willing to look deeper, to see beyond the immaculate surface. There had to be something there, she told herself. And if no one else was going to expose it, she would.

As she neared the door to her Father's office, Weiss took a deep breath, rehearsing the speech she'd prepared over and over in her mind. She'd thought of every possible retort he might throw her way, every line of reasoning he could use to trap her in her place. This was going to be her stand, her moment of defiance. She would tell him that she was leaving the SDC behind, rejecting its legacy, and going to Beacon Academy to become a Huntress. Her mission would be a noble one: to reclaim the Schnee name from whatever buried corruption her Father was hiding, even if she had to dig it up herself.

With a final steadying breath, she pushed open the door, stepping into his office. Father sat behind his desk, glancing up as she entered, his expression immediately softening into a warm, welcoming smile.

"Weiss! What a pleasant surprise," he greeted, setting down the pen he'd been holding, "Is everything all right?"

She scowled at his genuine tone, but didn't let it throw her off-course. He was always like that, hiding his evil under a mask of affability. She had to focus, to remember why she was here, "Father," she said, her voice hard with resolve, "I'm here to tell you that I've made a decision. I'm leaving the SDC. I've decided to go to Beacon Academy and train as a Huntress."

Father raised an eyebrow, listening intently, but without the faintest hint of shock or disappointment. In fact, he looked almost...proud? Weiss didn't let herself pause, "I...I refuse to be a puppet for the Schnee Dust Company, to become some kind of...figurehead that covers up whatever skeletons you've buried. I know there's something hidden here, some dark secret behind all of this-" she gestured vaguely around the office, "-and I'm not going to be a part of it. I'll redeem our family name on my own terms, and I won't let you stop me."

There. She'd said it. She waited, almost trembling, for the explosion she was certain would come, for her Father's mask to slip and reveal the ruthless mogul beneath. She'd finally made her stand and showed him that she wouldn't be his puppet. He wouldn't be happy.

But Father only laughed - a gentle, affectionate laugh that made Weiss feel like she was twelve again, presenting him with some childish declaration about her future, "Well, that's wonderful news, Weiss," he said warmly, "I can't think of a more honorable calling than becoming a Huntress." He paused, rubbing his chin with a small grin, "Well, being a Specialist counts too, of course. Wouldn't want Winter to think I was playing favorites now, would I?"

Weiss blinked, thrown completely off balance, "Wait, what?"

Father leaned forward, his eyes shining with what appeared to be genuine pride, "I always knew you'd find your own path, Weiss. If Beacon is where your heart is calling you, then I'm fully supportive. A Huntress is a protector of the people, and there's no role more fitting for someone with our family values."

She was speechless, her meticulously crafted arguments wilting under the sheer positivity of his response, "But...but aren't you...concerned about...the family image?" she stammered, trying to find some crack, some sign that he was hiding his true feelings.

Father tilted his head, clearly puzzled by her question, "Our family image? Weiss, I couldn't think of anything more beneficial to our image than having a Schnee in the ranks of the Huntsmen and Huntresses. It would bring even more honor to our name, especially since you'll be doing what you believe is right. Isn't that the very integrity we hold dear?"

Weiss bristled, irritation flaring up in her chest. He's just saying what he thinks she wanted to hear, she thought, clinging to her suspicions. He had to be. This was some plot, some scheme, some nefarious plan just waiting to unfold, "And you're sure you don't mind me...abandoning the company?"

Father gave her a gentle smile, his expression as kind and unbothered as ever, "Weiss, the SDC is more than just a company. It's a legacy built on fairness and respect for all people. We strive to set an example of ethical business practices that I hope will inspire others. Whether you're with the company or off saving lives as a Huntress, you're a part of that legacy. And if you want to take that spirit of integrity and fairness into your new career, I couldn't be prouder."

She felt a flush of irritation rising in her cheeks. He was supposed to push back, to try and convince her to stay and be his perfect little heiress, to keep up the family's gilded image. Instead, he was encouraging her. He was proud of her. And worse still, he was making her feel as though this was all part of some well-intentioned plan that aligned perfectly with his own ideals.

"But...but surely there are issues," she blurted, struggling to keep her tone controlled, "There are workers out there who might...not feel as...fairly treated as you say. Or...or Dust supply issues we're not hearing about, something hidden, something you've kept from us..."

Father's face softened with sympathy, and he sighed, nodding as if understanding her concerns, "I know that it can be hard to believe, Weiss, but we've worked very hard to make sure everyone at the SDC is treated with respect and dignity. Fair wages, comprehensive healthcare, and even profit-sharing for long-term employees. I don't hide these things from you, Weiss - they're part of our family mission. But if you'd like to investigate yourself, please do. I encourage you to seek the truth if it gives you peace of mind."

Weiss swallowed, her frustration now mingling with a peculiar kind of confusion. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Her Father wasn't supposed to be...well, he wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to be distant, scheming, so obsessed with wealth and power that he'd lost sight of everything else. And here he was, encouraging her to pursue justice, to be true to herself, and to question everything - even him.

"I won't pretend that things are perfect, of course. There are those who let their greed and lust for power subsume their morals, but I've been doing my best to punish those who think their positions make them immune to consequences. I understand if this life isn't for you. Winter chose the life of a Specialist and I gave her my support back then too." Only because he wanted to use her to manipulate General Ironwood. She wasn't fooled, "If you wish to pursue your dream as a Huntress, then I'll support you all the way."

"Then...Then I expect to still be the heiress!" Weiss demanded. Surely now, she thought, he'd show his true colors.

"Are you certain?" Father raised a brow. Not angry, as she expected, but...bemused? "I wouldn't be against it. Your grandFather, Brothers bless his soul, did the same thing. And while I admire the man's work ethic, it led to to being stretched thin, especially during his final years. If you wish to take up the responsibility, however, then I'll support you. The virtuous road is not the easy one, as Nicholas often said."

"Well, fine!" she snapped, feeling unsteady as she tried to keep up her defiant stance, "I'll...I'll do just that. Then I'll make sure I uncover anything you're hiding, anything that's been kept from the public."

"Good for you," Father said with a bright smile, nodding approvingly, "After all, a Schnee is nothing if not determined. And I know you'll do our family name proud, Weiss." Her defiant mask cracked for a moment, a hint of exasperation seeping through as she turned to leave, muttering a quick farewell. She was halfway down the hall when she heard him call after her, his voice warm with encouragement, "Weiss, remember. If you ever need support - or just someone to talk to - I'm always here."

She barely held back a groan, stalking down the corridor with her fists clenched at her sides. This wasn't over, she told herself. I'll dig up his secrets, prove he's hiding something. There had to be something. There just had to be.

But as she stormed away, her Father's kind words echoed in her mind, stubbornly undercutting her resolve. It made her question, for just a fleeting moment, whether there was anything to fight against at all. Then she shook her head. No, she was right. She had to be. The SDC was suffering and she was going to save it.

Weiss found herself still fuming almost an hour later. She'd gone in prepared for a battle, ready to stand her ground against his ruthless corporate agenda, only to find that he was...supportive. Encouraging, even. It was almost as if he wanted her to chase her dreams and make something meaningful of herself. And somehow, that made her even more annoyed.

Determined to reassert her sense of purpose, Weiss marched down the mansion's grand staircase, hunting down the rest of her family to announce her decision. Her mind spun with all the ways her siblings and mother might react. Maybe they'd offer the kind of pushback she hadn't gotten from her Father. Maybe they'd try to talk her out of it, tell her she was being foolish, question her priorities. She could feel the righteous fire building up within her again, imagining herself as the lone rebel in a family of complacent elites.

She found them in the sitting room, an opulent space with high ceilings, plush furniture, and walls lined with artwork and family portraits. Her mother, Willow, was curled up on one of the velvet sofas, sipping from a teacup with a calm, slightly dreamy expression. Her older sister, Winter, stood near the window, her posture as perfectly straight and disciplined as ever. And Whitley, her younger brother, was lounging in an armchair, flipping through a book with an almost smug air of detachment.

Clearing her throat, Weiss squared her shoulders and launched into her prepared speech, "Mother, Winter, Whitley, I have an announcement to make. I've decided to go to Beacon Academy to become a Huntress. I'm leaving behind the Schnee Dust Company and our family's legacy to pursue a noble path, one that will allow me to bring honor and justice to the Schnee name." She was still the heiress, of course, but they didn't need to know that yet.

She paused, waiting for the gasps of shock, the outrage, the inevitable resistance. But there was nothing. Mother merely took another delicate sip of her tea and offered her a soft smile, "That sounds lovely, dear. It's good to see you following your dreams."

Weiss faltered, taken aback by her mother's placid response, "Wait...what?"

Winter turned from the window, nodding in approval, "I think it's a wonderful idea, Weiss. Becoming a Huntress is a noble calling, and I believe it will suit you well." She smiled softly, "I felt the same call when I joined Atlas Academy myself. Father's role is an honorable one, but my place is on the battlefield, not in a boardroom."

Weiss opened her mouth to say something, but Whitley snorted from his chair, his lips curving into a smirk, "Oh, let me guess," he drawled, not even bothering to look up from his book, "This is another attempt to 'prove' that Father is some kind of mustache-twirling villain, isn't it?"

"Whitley!" Weiss snapped, her cheeks flushing, "This has nothing to do with Father! I'm doing this for...for justice! For the Schnee name!"

Mother sighed, a wistful look crossing her face as she set down her teacup, "Ah, teenage rebellion," she murmured with a small smile, "Brings back memories. I remember back when I was a teenager and I ran away down to Mantle to start an art commune. We all have hour phases, dear."

Weiss gaped at her mother, "This is not teenage rebellion or a phase!" she said, her voice climbing an octave, "I'm doing this to cleanse the Schnee name of any...any hidden darkness!"

Winter raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with the faintest hint of a smirk, "Hidden darkness?" she repeated dryly, "Weiss, you do realize that our family has the cleanest reputation of any major corporation in all of Remnant? SDC employees are practically treated like royalty compared to other Dust companies. Father's policies have made us a model of corporate ethics."

Weiss crossed her arms stubbornly, feeling her resolve waver but clinging to her convictions, "That's exactly what they want you to believe! How can you all be so blind?"

Mother shook her head, an amused glint in her eyes, "Weiss, darling, I understand your passion, but perhaps one day, you'll need to...outgrow this fantasy that you're some kind of redeemer."

Weiss felt her face heat up, both with frustration and embarrassment, "Redeemer fantasies?" she spluttered, indignant, "I do not have redeemer fantasies!"

"Ugh, Weiss," Whitley drawled, finally deigning to look up from his book with an exaggerated sigh, "This is just like that time you tried to investigate the housekeeper because you were convinced she was hiding a stolen painting. Turns out she was just moving it to another room to get dusted."

Weiss' cheeks burned even hotter, "That was different! I had...reasons to be suspicious!"

"Yes," Winter said, her tone lightly teasing, "Because you thought it was 'the perfect cover.'" She chuckled softly, shaking her head, "Weiss, your instincts will serve you well as a Huntress, but not everyone is hiding a deep, dark secret."

Mother laughed, too, her gaze fond as she looked at her with warm eyes, "You always were our little detective," she said with a sigh, "I remember you wouldn't let your Father leave for work one morning because you were convinced he had...what was it?"

"A hidden dungeon of slaves," Whitley supplied, smirking.

Mother nodded, trying to hide her amusement behind a hand, "Ah, yes. A hidden dungeon of slaves in the basement that he was using to...oh, I don't even remember." She shook her head, "You had poor Jacques checking every closet in the house to prove he wasn't keeping Faunus locked up in chains."

Mother let out a laugh, and even Winter chuckled softly, while Whitley was clearly enjoying every moment of her discomfort. Weiss' indignation flared, "I was just...thorough!" she protested, her voice cracking slightly, "You all just don't understand!"

Winter gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder, "We do understand, Weiss. And we're very proud of you for following your dreams. Just...maybe remember that there's not always a villain to fight. Sometimes things really are as they seem."

Weiss felt her face flush, her carefully rehearsed speech and righteous anger completely undermined. She looked between her family members, all of whom seemed to be looking at her with a mixture of love and gentle amusement "I..." she stammered, momentarily lost for words. She didn't want them to think this was just some phase, a teenage whim that would fade away. But standing there, with Winter and Willow's patient smiles and Whitley's infuriating smirk, she felt like exactly that - a rebellious teenager with overdramatic ideas.

"Fine," she muttered finally, lifting her chin defiantly, "I'm still going to Beacon. And I will bring honor to the Schnee name."

Winter smiled and gave her an encouraging nod, "Of course you will. Just don't forget to stay in touch, all right? Father and Mother will miss you."

"Winter and I will as well, even if your head is in the clouds." Whitley grinned.

Weiss huffed, flustered and frustrated beyond words. She turned on her heel, storming out of the room while trying to ignore the light laughter that followed her down the hall. They didn't understand, she told herself. They were just too comfortable in their perfect little world.

But as she marched back toward her room, she could still hear Whitley's words echoing in her mind, and her mother's soft sigh about "teenage rebellion." She gritted her teeth. She would show them, she vowed to herself. She would prove them all wrong in the end.

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As Weiss stepped onto the sprawling campus of Beacon Academy, she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. This was it - the beginning of her path as a Huntress, the start of her mission to prove that the Schnee name could stand for something more than wealth and influence. She'd spent the entire airship ride from Atlas mentally preparing herself, rehearsing her defiant stance and reaffirming her convictions. This was her chance to strike out on her own and uncover the "truth" hidden beneath her family's perfect image.

Lost in thought, she barely noticed the girl standing in her path until it was too late. The black and red blur bumped into her, causing her luggage to spill its contents. The next moment was a blur of chaos. The collision sent the contents of the case spilling out, colored Dust vials clattering to the ground with a few on impact. The air filled with a glittering haze of powdered Dust, the particles shimmering in the sunlight like something out of a fairytale. But just as Weiss registered the scene, a sharp sneeze sounded from the girl she'd crashed into, and-

BOOM!

A large explosion erupted, sending both of them stumbling backward, their hair blasted back and their clothes covered in a light dusting of Dust particles. Weiss coughed, fanning the air in front of her as she glared at the clumsy girl with silver eyes who was frantically trying to gather the scattered Dust vials, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"What on earth are you doing?!" Weiss snapped, irritation flaring as she brushed her dress off, attempting to regain her composure, "Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? Dust isn't something to be handled so carelessly!"

The girl looked up, her face sheepish, "Uh, sorry! I didn't mean to...It was an accident, I swear! I just...kind of tripped, and- " She fumbled with the last of the vials, carefully placing them back in her case, "Sorry! Uh, the name's Ruby!" she yelped, her voice meek and sincere. She didn't let it sway her from her righteous anger.

Weiss crossed her arms, her glare intensifying, "Sorry isn't going to put these vials back together or make up for the potential hazard you just created." She huffed, feeling a familiar sense of superiority rising within her as she looked down at the clumsy girl, "Honestly, are you some kind of dolt? Do you even know how volatile Dust can be?"

Before the girl could respond, a calm, measured voice interjected, "Actually, I think she handled the situation quite well." Weiss turned, her eyes narrowing as she took in a new face - a girl with dark hair and amber eyes who had been observing the scene from a distance. What really stuck out, however, were the cat ears that crowned the top of her obsidian mane. A Faunus. She walked over, her expression serene, and greeted Weiss with a faint, polite smile, "Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear. Are you Weiss Schnee?"

Weiss felt a prick of irritation at the mention of her name, "Yes, I am," she replied coolly, folding her arms even tighter. She was proud of her identity, of course, but something about the way this new arrival said it burned at her gut, "And who might you be?"

The girl extended a hand, her gaze unwavering, "Blake Belladonna. It's an honor to meet you. The Schnee Dust Company has done a great deal for Faunus rights in recent years. Your family's policies on fair wages and equal treatment have set an example for the entire industry."

Weiss' expression soured. For a moment, she almost couldn't believe what she was hearing. Here was someone - a stranger, no less - praising her family's company as if it were some kind of...of paragon of virtue. She clenched her fists, feeling her jaw tighten as she forced herself to remain civil.

"I see," Weiss replied, her voice clipped, "Well, don't be so easily fooled by appearances, Miss Belladonna. You might think the SDC is some kind of shining beacon of fairness, but I'm afraid you're mistaken. My Father is a master of deception, and he's used that same charm to fool the world into thinking the SDC cares about anyone but itself."

Blake tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful, "I don't think that's entirely fair, though. The SDC has actively supported Faunus rights and has even partnered with various Faunus organizations. Thanks to those efforts, Faunus workers now receive equal pay and have protections in place to prevent exploitation. It's rare to see a corporation, especially a Human led one, with that level of integrity."

"Oh, the SDC? They're so nice." The stranger who ruined her Dust said, "My home, Patch, had a really nasty forest fire a year back. They donated a whole bunch of plant Dust to so we could start growing everything back."

"Integrity? Nice?" Weiss felt her face flush with anger, her fists clenching even tighter, "That's just a carefully crafted image! My Father is a businessman first and foremost, and he knows how to keep people happy by showing them exactly what they want to see. It's all a charade to protect his interests."

Blake blinked, taken aback by the vehemence in Weiss' tone, "Are you saying that the efforts to improve working conditions and fair pay are...insincere?"

"Yes!" Weiss nearly shouted, before catching herself and lowering her voice, realizing that her outburst had attracted some curious stares from nearby students. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, "What I'm saying is that you shouldn't believe everything you hear. The SDC might look squeaky clean, but I'm telling you, it's all a cover-up. There's something deeper at play. Something...hidden," she said the last part in a dark, conspiratorial whisper.

Ruby, who had been watching the exchange with wide eyes, finally found her voice, "Um...I think it's nice that your family's company is doing good things for the Faunus," she offered tentatively, glancing between Blake and Weiss as though she wasn't sure whose side she should be on.

Weiss shot her an incredulous look, "You too?" she muttered, her irritation simmering, "Look, I don't expect either of you to understand. You're both just...too idealistic. The world isn't as simple as you think it is."

Blake gave her a curious look, her amber eyes studying Weiss with a calm intensity, "It sounds like you're trying very hard to distance yourself from your family's accomplishments."

Weiss felt her cheeks grow hot, and she straightened, unwilling to back down, "I am distancing myself because I refuse to be a pawn in whatever schemes my Father is concocting. I came here to make a name for myself, to prove that I can stand for something more than just being the 'Schnee heiress.'" She put her hands on her hips and turned her nose up, "When Father shows his true colors to the sheeple, I'll be there to guide them back to the path."

Blake's expression softened slightly, a faint hint of understanding in her gaze, "Well...whatever your reasons, I respect your decision. But I think it's worth saying that your family's made a real difference for the Faunus. There are a lot of people who found dignity and security in their work thanks to those policies, and that's something worth acknowledging."

Weiss bristled, feeling a pang of frustration that this Blake couldn't see through the carefully constructed facade her Father had built, "Believe whatever you want," she muttered, turning away sharply, "But one day, you'll see the truth. And then you'll understand why I'm doing this."

Ruby blinked, looking between Weiss and Blake with a baffled expression, "Uh...so, should I...say sorry again for the whole Dust thing?" she asked hesitantly.

Weiss shot her a look, exasperated, "Yes. Apology accepted. Just...try not to be so careless in the future." With that, she turned and strode away, leaving Ruby and Blake in her wake, her frustration still simmering.

Blake watched her go, a thoughtful look on her face, "She's...interesting," she murmured, almost to herself.

Ruby sighed, looking down at her Dust-streaked clothes, "Yeah...interesting is one word for it."

As Weiss walked away, she clenched her fists, telling herself again and again that she was right - that she had to be right. Everyone else could praise the SDC all they wanted, but she would expose the truth. She was certain of it. And if the rest of Beacon didn't understand her mission, then she'd just have to prove it to them one day.

Sadly, everyone else shared Blake and Ruby's view of her Father and the company. At best, they were neutral to the SDC. At worst, they couldn't stop singing its praises. Like that Velvet Scarlatina girl who thanked Weiss profusely once she realized who she was. Apparently, Father had given her a stipend of hard-light Dust as a thank-you for the work Velvet's parents had done for the company. Which was clearly an attempt to manipulate her into being a future slave to the company. Who cared if it was done without a contract? Father was clever and manipulative. He'd find a way to ensure she had to pay him back for his 'generosity'.

To make matters worse, she was forced to share a team with those two gullible lemmings, Blake and Ruby. Her third teammate, Yang, wasn't a sycophant, but she also thought her righteous crusade was, to quote her words, 'a whole lot of rich girl bullshit'. Which was frankly insulting. Her cause was one of sacrifice, of standing against a world that would never appreciate her kindness because they were wilfully blind to the truth.

She was seething in the cafeteria a week later. She barely even cared that the role of leader went into that naive girl Ruby instead of her. Leader or not, she'd make her mark and redeem the family name.

"May we join you?" a soft voice asked. Weiss looked up, schooling her face into a neutral expression, and nodded to Ren and Nora. They were two members of team JNPR. She didn't know a lot about them, though she found Ren polite in the few interactions they had. Nora less so. Nothing against her personally, but she wasn't too fond of 'high energy' people. How Ren dealt with it daily, she had no idea.

"Of course." She nodded and gestured to the other side of the empty table. Her team was busy. Ruby was off tinkering with her weapon, Blake had gone to Vale to call her parents, and Yang...honestly, she had no idea what she was doing. Probably off picking fights or something.

"Why the long face, Weiss?" Nora asked, her mouth full of pancakes. Ugh, how uncouth.

"Merely considering how lonely it is to be the bastion of sanity in a land of willful ignorance." She sighed. She couldn't blame them, not completely. Father was a cunning, ingenious man. A villain who'd fooled even the likes of General Ironwood (who Weiss did NOT have a crush on, thank you very much, Winter). That he also fooled Huntsmen hopefuls - many of whom relied on Dust to fight - was a sad inevitability.

It didn't mean she wasn't frustrated, of course.

"I don't understand, but would it help to talk about it?" Ren asked softly.

"I doubt it, not unless you've seen through my father's carefully crafted facade to see the villain underneath."

"Your father? Do you mean-"

"Oh, the guy in the white suit!" Nora screamed, chunks of pancakes splattering the table. Weiss twitched, "He's the reason me and Ren are here!"

"Excuse me?" Weiss grit her teeth.

"The Gelé scholarship fund," Ren said for Nora, "Nora and I came from outside the walls. Normally, one needs to have gone through Combat School or found some other way to impress the headmasters in order to be allowed entrance into a Huntsman academy. Nora and I qualified for neither despite our skillset. There was always someone...more worthy of attention." Meaning someone with better connections, "We'd almost lost all hope when we were contacted by your father's organization."

"And now we're here!" Nora grinned, syrupy sweet. Literally, there was syrup on her lips, "Thank your dad for us!"

"I'll...be sure to pass it along." Weiss clenched her hands into shaky fists. She wanted to scream, to rage, but seeing the pure gratitude in their eyes made her curb her tongue. It wasn't their fault that they were in such desperate straits that they were forced to rely on his manipulative 'charity'.

Weiss pushed herself off the table and made her way to the bullhead docks. Being at Beacon wasn't the liberating experience she thought it'd be. She needed to cool off, find a way to lighten her mood. As she made her way down to Vale, she searched her scroll for the nearest jazz bar. Not to get drunk - she had no desire to be an alcoholic - but to let the calming atmosphere calm her troubled soul. Thankfully, Vale had some clubs that sold non-alcoholic theme drinks.

She sat in front of the bar counter and looked morosely down at the varnished redwood. This wasn't going according to plan. Her dreams of rebelling against her father's evil and redeeming her family name had died before they even truly got started. Why was it like this? She was supposed to be the redeemer, the woman who stood against insurmountable odds and refused to break. Instead, she was seen as a delusional rich girl with a persecution complex.

Her scroll buzzed. She tapped the screen and her mood only tanked further when she saw a message from her devious father.

Hello, Weiss! How are you doing at Beacon? Ah, but you're doing well, I'm sure. The mansion feels so empty without my little girl around, but I knew this day would come one day. There comes a time when parents have to let their children spread their wings. I know that you'll make the entire family proud and bring honor to our name. I love you, dear. Oh, and don't forget to visit for the holidays! Willow and I are already missing your little deductions.

Weiss gnashed her teeth together as she read to the last word. How...How dare he?! Little deductions? And all that tripe about missing her and her 'spreading her wings'. He was taunting her, wasn't he? He was saying that even from here, he could pull her strings. Well, not if she had anything to say about it! Who did he think he was?! She

"Fuck Jacques Schnee!"

Surprisingly enough, it wasn't her who said that. In all the time she'd spent on her righteous crusade, she never actually cussed her father out. Despite doing what she had to do, she did still love the man, even if she knew that she shouldn't. Her head turned to the left to the source of the cry.

Sitting on the stool next to her was a rather striking figure. A tall man dressed in all black with striking red hair and aqua blue eyes. Between the thick locks of his red hair were two obsidian horns. A Faunus of some kind. He looked down at the countertop with a dry, withering glare. His features were somewhat masked given his stance, but she could tell that he was handsome.

"What did you say?" Weiss gasped.

He turned to look at her, both eyes meeting hers with the same withering glare. Anyone else would've been intimidated, but she found herself drawn to those blue orbs, "Fuck Jacques Schnee." He snarled, voice low and rough, "What's it to you?"

"I just...I've never heard anyone call him out like that." Weiss leaned forward slightly in her seat, "Do you see him for who he truly is?"

"Do you mean if I see past that benevolent CEO act? Of course, I do." She felt lightheaded. Finally, someone speaking sense! "It's disgusting how everyone can't understand that it's so obviously a trick. Even people who should know better. Sienna..."

Weiss' brows furrowed. The name sounded somewhat familiar, "Sienna...do you mean Sienna Khan?" She was one of the leaders of the White Fang, that peaceful Faunus protest group. A group her father was intimately connected to. He had championed their cause because he believed that everyone deserved equal treatment. Or so he said. In truth, she knew that it was because it was a nefarious plan of some sort. Likely planning to use them as a scapegoat for one of his schemes when he was finally exposed.

The red-haired man's eyes narrowed, "Wait, you look familiar..."

"Ah, I'm Weiss Schnee." She held up a hand, "Before you leave in disgust, know that I agree with you. Everyone sees my father as this...this living saint, but I know the truth. Behind that kind mask liies the mind of a schemer. And yet I can never prove it. He's covered his tracks well."

"...You're serious, aren't you? You know what he's like too?"

"It's a burden I've lived with for years." She sighed, looking far older than her seventeen years of age, "I've tried to tell the world the truth, but no one believes me. Not my family, not anyone else. They're all puppets dancing to father's strings. I came to Beacon to escape his influence."

"Huh...last place I expected sanity was from another Schnee." He shook his head, "I did the same thing. Sienna, the Belladonnas...I've tried to make them see sense, but they don't believe me. They'd prefer the comforting lie instead of the harsh truth."

Was...Was this destiny? She opened her mouth to say something when the bartender gently placed a glass in front of her. He did the same for the red-haired man before leaving. He picked up the glass and raised it, "If you're telling me the truth...then I think we have a lot to talk about. Call me Adam."

"Weiss..." She clinked her glass against his and drank half the glass in one gulp, "I...I believe we're kindred spirits, Adam, but I must make one thing clear. My goal is to expose my father's wrongdoing to the world and see him appropriately punished. No more, no less."

"Don't worry, I don't want him dead. Death's too easy for that bastard. No, it'd be better to watch that pedestal he's on come crumbling down." Oh, wow...was this her reward for being so patient? Finding a man who truly understood her?

"Then I believe this will be the start of a beautiful friendship, Adam."

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Oh dear, Weiss has just met Adam. Pity Jacques. Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this one. Needed something lighter to deal with some real life stuff. Like I said, this one's just a oneshot since I don't really know where else it can go.