Chapter VII: Freezing

January 7, 2007 5:24 PM Vale Standard Time (VST)

Lord Vincent sat at his desk with his hands folded, sitting quietly as he stared at the email on his computer screen that was sent some two weeks ago by now. Alchemy and Noel stood in front of him waiting patiently. "We expected this," Vincent said under his breath. "To a degree, at least."

"Is he truly furious?" Alchemy asked.

"When Jacques sends a one sentence message, he's not happy." The email on his screen read only as 'We're talking about this.' Below that was today's date; the Lord of the Winter Court, Jacques Schnee, was visiting today. And, unlike Orpheus' visit, this one was going to be an official meeting, most likely fueled by anger. Vincent sighed. "I had hoped that he'd understand the purpose of betrothing Jaune to Pyrrha."

Alchemy nodded. "He never did quite adjust after the war ended. He likely views it as a display of power and sees it as a threat to the security of the Winter Court."

"That's ridiculous!" Noel said hastily. "The Spring Court has always been an advocate for peace! We're the ones who pushed for the cease fire all those years ago! Not to mention, all four courts were allies in the Hundred Year War! Why would he see this as a threat?"

Vincent shook his head. "Jacques never saw things quite the same as the rest of us. I had worried back then that Qrow and Tai Yang would be the hard ones to convince, but Jacques was the last to agree to a peaceful resolution." He smiled, though it wasn't happy. "Qrow, Orpheus, and I had a very, very strongly worded debate with him over that all those years ago. I'd hoped that we'd moved past such things."

"You were young during the war, Noel," Alchemy added. "You never saw just how horrible it was. All the courts were stuck in trenches for the first sixty years, and even after we finally pushed back and started to gain some ground we lost more soldiers than we could keep track of. Both sides did." He shook his head. "I still don't understand why Jacques was so against the ceasefire or the Pro-Faunus laws."

"He's stubborn," Vincent explained. "It's a deep seated hatred of the Faunus that he inherited from his father, who in turn gained it from his father, and so on and so forth. The Faunus had every right to instigate that war, and they weren't the only ones who took it too far." He sighed. "He's likely to bring his eldest daughter along too."

"To teach her how to put her foot down and be as stubborn as he is, no doubt."

"You're not going to bring Jaune into the meeting, are you?" Noel asked.

Vincent nodded. "If Jacques lets Winter sit in, then I'll have to. He needs to learn how to handle such affairs if he's going to rule after me."

"But he's too young!"

"Shut up, Noel," Alchemy said with venom in his voice. "You've coddled those children far too much. We may be in peace time, but they're going to grow up and learn that the world isn't as sweet as castle life."

"He's right, Noel," Vincent agreed. "They'll be fine."

"S-so Miss Rose will also attend the meeting?"

"I haven't decided yet." Vincent took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Ruby and Jaune were sitting in Jaune's room, waiting patiently. The two friends were both nervous and uncertain, and had already been dressed for the occasion; Jaune in his best suit, and Ruby in her finest Garde d'Arc uniform. "You nervous?" she asked as she tried to play a handheld video game; she couldn't focus on it.

"Y-yeah," Jaune answered as he fidgeted thoughtlessly with a small puzzle box, not even trying to solve it. "This is the first time father has told me to attend an official meeting. I don't really know how to take that."

"W-well, it's important for you to learn what your duties are as future lord of the Spring Court, you know. I'm sure it'll be fine."

"But it's the Winter Court, Ruby," he said as he tossed the unsolved puzzle box to the side and plopped down onto his bed. "Father's told me about how Lord Jacques Schnee is. He's got a short fuse."

"Is he upset because you and Pyrrha are betrothed?"

"I think so." He closed his eyes in thought and crossed his arms. "I'm not even sure how I feel about that."

"D-don't be that way," Ruby tried to assure. "She's really nice, and she's pretty. I'm sure it'll be okay."

"Yeah, but how does she feel about it? We didn't really have a choice, you know."

"Well, how old was your dad when he was promised to your mom?"

"I don't know. Fifteen maybe?"

"That turned out fine, right?"

"Yeah, I guess it did. I don't remember much about mom, but she always seemed happy." He shook his head. "But that's not Pyrrha and I. That's my parents. What if Pyrrha isn't happy with the arrangement? You already know how much of a disappointment I am. I can't even beat you in a friendly spar."

"That's just because you're gentle. You're really nice and loving, so you don't want to hurt anyone. I'm sure if things were serious I'd never beat you."

Jaune rolled his eyes. "You're just saying that."

"Well...yeah, but that doesn't mean it can't be true." Ruby sighed. "Look, it can't be that bad. Besides, this is great! It means you're growing up!" She smiled widely at him to emphasize her excitement.

"Yeah...I guess." He shrugged. "What about you though? Where do you fit into all this?"

"I'm your body guard, dummy. I'm not going anywhere that you aren't." She tossed the mobile game onto the bed and scooted to sit next to Jaune where she wrapped her petite arms around his frame. "You'll never get rid of me."

"I don't know if that makes me happy or scared," he said with a laugh.

"Don't you worry your little head about it, Jaune. I'll be sure to escort the blushing bride down to aisle on his wedding day, with Pyrrha waiting for you at the end getting all teary eyed after she sees you dressed in white."

"Why am I the bride in this scenario?"

"Semantics."

A knock came from the door. "Come in," Jaune said, and Ruby sat upright and stood, straightening her suit.

Noel entered and met their eyes. "It's time, young lord."

"Right." Let's go, Ruby."

"Yes, sir!"

Once again, just as back in November, Ruby and Jaune found themselves standing side by side next to Lord Vincent and Alchemy as they waited patiently in the entrance hall of the castle. "Still nervous?" Ruby asked.

"Of course," Jaune said in a hushed whisper.

"It'll be fine, son," Vincent said with a faint smile. "This is an important part of being a lord. Be sure to pay close attention both to Jacques and his daughter Winter. Winter will be the lady of the Winter Court after Jacques, so it's imperative that the two of you form at least some semblance of familiarity with one another. This will be the first time the two of meet, so first impressions are of the utmost importance."

"Yes, father."

"What about me?" Ruby asked.

"I'm sure Jacques will have a few members of the Frost Guard with him. Study them if you can. They will be studying you," Vincent instructed. "Much like how Alchemy is the head of the Garde d'Arc, I'm sure Jacques will bring Sir James."

"Wait, Sir James? As in General James Ironwood?"

"The very same. I know you've read about him and his strategies in your studies."

"Now I'm nervous." Vincent chuckled, though to Ruby is felt forced.

The doors opened, and a pair of maids bowed and held their arms open invitingly into the castle as a group entered following behind Noel. Dressed almost completely in white, Ruby noticed that out of the group four of them stood out. In the front were two men; one with bright white hair combed back neatly and a well kempt white mustache, the other with jet black hair and graying sides, and a clean shaved face. The white haired man's suit had a pale, sky blue tie with a white snowflake emblazoned upon it; the crest of House Schnee. Beside him but slightly behind was a young woman, and a girl about Jaune's age; both had the same bright white hair and sky blue accents, each wearing thick white coats to protect against the January cold outside. "I present the Lord Jacques Schnee, my lord," Noel said matter of factly. "In his company; Lady Winter Schnee, heir to the title of Lord of the Winter Court, Lady Weiss Schnee, and Sir James Ironwood, Knight of the Snows, and General of the Frost Guard."

Winter and Weiss both gave a curtsy, Sir James gave a polite bow, and Jacques simply nodded, his face expressionless to Ruby's eyes. "Your estate is as impressive as always, my old friend," Jacques said calmly. "How do you do it?"

"It's a lot of work, but we manage here," Vincent replied just as dryly. "It's good to see you again, Jacques."

"You as well, Vincent," he replied. "I'm sorry to jump straight to the point, but I'd very much like to begin our deliberation if that's okay with you."

"But of course. If you'll follow me to the sitting room, I'll have Noel pour us a brandy. Or do you prefer wine?"

"Brandy is fine," Jacques said plainly. "But, one thing before we begin."

"Yes?"

"My daughter, Weiss, insisted on coming with us to the Spring Court, but I'm afraid she isn't quite ready for the responsibility of such a discussion. As one of my younger children, she's like as not to never hold the title of lord, so I don't want her involved."

Ruby looked over to Jaune curiously, who simply shook his head. I don't know, he seemed to say.

"Is that so?"

"Might I request that you allow one of your staff to give her a tour of your estate? Or, perhaps your son?"

"I'm afraid I do intend to involve Jaune in this discussion, so I must decline."

"What of her, then?" he asked, pointing to Ruby. "She's a member of your guard in training, correct?"

"Y-yes, that is correct."

"Splendid. I want her to keep an eye on Weiss for me while we talk."

Vincent seemed to hesitate for a moment before turning to Ruby. Ruby met his gaze and gave a small, barely noticeable nod. "Very well. Ruby, give the Lady Weiss a tour of the estate, and see to it that she is comfortable during her stay."

Ruby saluted. "Yes, my lord."

"Run along, Weiss," Jacques said. "The adults need to talk." Weiss opened her mouth as if to refute. "My word is final!"

She flinched. "Y-yes father." She gave a passing glance to her older sister, who only gave her an apologetic smile.

"Now, about that brandy."

"Right this way, Jacques."

"This is the castle's library," Ruby explained as the pair entered the room. They were still on the first floor. "We have a wide variety of books here, ranging from history to mathematics, as well as a handful of journals from previous lords. The more prominent of those are kept in Lord Vincent's office for his convenience."

"I see," Weiss said quietly. To Ruby, she seemed bored.

"Is everything okay, my lady?"

"Y-yes. I'm fine. Please, continue."

"Very well. If you'll follow me this way, I'll take you to the dining hall where we-"

"Um...Ruby, was it?"

"Yes, my lady."

"Is...is there anything more interesting here?"

Ruby turned her head to the side, puzzled. "How do you mean?"

Weiss' eyes shifted nervously to the side, and Ruby noticed for the first time that she had a scar over her left eye. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to come off as demanding. I'm your guest, after all."

"Not at all. Lord Vincent told me to make you comfortable during your visit. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."

The white haired girl sighed. "Well, the whole reason I came was so I could learn just like my sister. I didn't expect father to ban me from the meeting."

"I'm sure that's okay," Ruby said, trying to reassure the young lady. "It's probably all stuffy and boring anyway." Her eyes went wide as she realized how informal she sounded. "I mean, uh, well..."

Weiss watched her in silence for a moment before a genuine smile crossed her lips, followed by a short giggle. "You're probably right, I suppose. I never did like how authoritive my father gets during such meetings. It's probably for the best."

"If it's any consolation, I didn't get to go either," Ruby pointed out.

"Yes, but aren't you a servant?"

"Hardly. I'm Jaune's best friend, training to be a knight and his personal body guard," Ruby said with a proud smile. "First female member of the Garde d'Arc in generations. It's kind of a big deal."

"Have you been knighted yet?" Weiss asked with a coy smile. Ruby was loving this change in the girl's attitude. She seemed so down only moments ago.

"Well...no, not yet. I don't know when I will be either. But I will be some day!"

"That must be nice," Weiss said with a smile, though it seemed sadder than before. "My sister and I have been trained in fencing, but it's more of a formality than proper combat training. Father won't even let me train with fire arms, where as my sister has."

"Well, I haven't hit that point myself just yet. They don't let the Garde d'Arc practice with guns until near the end of their training." She patted her long sword on her right hip lovingly. "But that's fine. I like this little guy well enough."

"Little?" Weiss said with a confused look. "That thing would break my rapier in two if we sparred."

"Well, a rapier isn't meant for offensive combat against heavier blades. Where a long sword and broad sword are about cutting and swiping, a rapier is more precise. I'd imagine you'd be more agile than me to get around the sheer force of my strikes." Ruby smiled. "Wanna try?"

Weiss' smile faded and she looked around nervously. "No, I'm afraid I can't. Father wouldn't approve."

Ruby thought about pressuring her, but the Lord Jacques' face flashed in her mind. "Y-yeah, that's probably for the best. He doesn't seem as laid back as Lord Vincent."

"He isn't laid back at all," Weiss confirmed.

"Well, I don't want you to be bored, Lady Schnee." Ruby looked around and a nearby window caught her attention. "Hey, it's snowing!"

Weiss glanced over and saw the snowfall. "Yes. It started shortly after our car pulled up. I guess it gets cold even here in the south."

"Is it always cold in the Winter Court?"

"Not always, but our snows are heavier in the winter time because we're so far north. I hear we have some good winter recreation, but Father would never allow us to partake."

"So...you've never played in the snow?"

"No," Weiss said flatly.

"Then that's it! Let's go build a snowman!"

"W-what?"

Ruby grabbed the white haired girl by the hand. "Trust me, it'll be fine."

"B-but father..."

"It isn't sparring. And, if anyone asks I'll just tell them that you wanted to see what our garden looks like."

Weiss chuckled. "A tour of a garden in the middle of a snow flurry...no one would buy that excuse."

Ruby laughed as well. "Well, do you have any better ideas?"

Weiss thought for a moment before smiling brightly. "No, I don't."

Ruby became lost in that smile for a moment before she returned to her senses.