Chapter 22

It only took a few weeks for Ruby's routine to begin feeling monotonous. Go home tired, say hello and goodbye to Blake and Sun before they left for work, make or order dinner, the latter only if she felt like walking down to the lobby. She had cleared that at least with Blake. Then she would spend a few hours watching television, browsing online and chatting with Yang, mom or dad depending on who was free. Sometimes it might even be Coco, though Ruby was finding it harder and harder to tell the difference between the fashion designer and her sister. She often considered introducing them.

The previous night, Ruby actually remembered to do some homework on the Faunus. It was...educating to say the least. It was also disheartening at times. She never knew just how little she had known about the world. The SDC's controversial business practices, the White Fang fighting in Mistral, and the passing of Jacques Schnee were widely known, but she had only paid passing attention to them before, and only learned the basics when doing research on the SDC.

The SDC had once staffed its dust mines and factories with overworked, underpaid Faunus, mostly immigrants from Menagerie. Centuries of archaic attitudes, reinforced by Atleasin law, left the Faunus people helpless. There was little that could be done, the deck was stacked in favor of the corporations, and the SDC was far from the only company to take advantage.

Enter the White Fang.

The Fang had started life as a political party in Menagerie. The old guards in the government were isolationist, happy to deal with local matters without concerning themselves with Faunus overseas. The White Fang quickly won control of the government through its promise of support for Faunus rights worldwide. It started as a peaceful movement, based around organizing protests and labor strikes, mainly in Atlas, before expanding to aggressive and direct lobbying. The party saw success, even in Atlas, but trouble lie ahead.

The White Fang began to fracture. Many in the ranks saw the steady change as too slow and demanded more aggressive, even violent tactics. Most of the leadership could not countenance such a step, knowing that their efforts were already succeeding, and such a shift would only strengthen resistance to their reforms. Enter Sienna Khan. Using her position as an influential priestess as a platform, she pushed the aggressive line, drawing a large following. Despite lacking anything approaching a majority of the party, she used threats and intimidation to force the leadership out, taking over herself. The party's previous leader, Ghira Belladonna, started a new political party, the Faunus Freedom Party, that quickly resumed control of Menagerie. The successful political efforts overseas largely stopped, as internal political upheaval drained the efforts of both parties.

After the split and the White Fang's fall from power, the movement turned to terrorism. Sienna tried to direct the movement's violence abroad, but still stinging from their loss of power at home, the most violent elements pushed for a violent coup to take over Menagerie. That was a step even Sienna could not countenance, and the White Fang split once more, this time in a bloody outburst of violence, directed at both the Faunus Freedom Party and Sienna's followers. The uprising failed, largely due to its focus on attacking White Fang members who were not willing to join in the violence. That drove many more moderate members to join the Faunus Freedom Party for protection if nothing else.

In the wake of the failed uprising, the White Fang was outlawed in Menagerie. Sienna began a self-imposed confinement in her temple, knowing that the remnants of the White Fang now aimed for her assassination. Driven from their homeland, most of the White Fang fled to Mistral. The southeastern part of Mistral was largely free of central government control and had a sizeable Faunus population. When the Fang found little support for revolution among the populace, they launched an armed takeover that captured large swaths of the country. Inevitably, this started a war, first between Mistral and the White Fang, then with international troops joining to assist Mistral.

Once conventional forces became involved, the war went badly for the White Fang, which returned to its reliance on terrorism. They targeted not only the forces arrayed against them, but the nations supporting Mistral in the conflict, which included all the major kingdoms. Most of the territory the Fang had taken was by now recaptured, with only isolated cells of fighters remaining. Special operations forces took over the conflict, as they were more suited to the White Fang's unconventional style of warfare. Winter had been among them.

"Hey Ruby, I think Weiss' mom is here." Jaune's voice interrupted Ruby's thoughts. She jolted, looking up from the paperwork she was supposed to be completing. Jaune pointed to the screen displaying the inside of the elevator. "That's her, right?"

"That is indeed Willow Schnee." Penny confirmed.

The elevator chimed and the doors slid open, revealing an older, ivory-haired woman. Her gait was a bit unsteady as he made her way to Ruby's desk, a smirk on her face. "Weiss didn't tell me her new secretary was such a cutie." Willow slurred.

"Uh...I…" Ruby fumbled, not having any idea how she should react to flirting from her boss' mother. "Mrs. Schnee, I'll just tell Weiss you're here." She tried to change the subject.

"Relax, I won't bite...unless you're into that sort of thing." Willow grinned, swaying as she winked at Ruby.

"The thing is...paperwork...I have to…uh..." Ruby panicked.

Just in time the door to Weiss' office clicked and swung open. "Mother, please stop harassing my employees."

"Oh, I'm just teasing her a little." Willow scoffed. "She's a darling, isn't she? And what a strapping young bodyguard you have!" Jaune shrunk behind his video screens.

"Mother." Weiss admonished. "Please, come into my office."

"Oh alright." Willow rolled her eyes. She wobbled a bit before following Weiss' instruction, following her into the office. The door closed and locked behind them.

"Did she uh...seem a little off to you?" Jaune asked. "I think she was drunk."

"Biometrics indicate that Mrs. Schnee is intoxicated." Penny confirmed. "I suspect she is using alcohol to cope with the news of Winter's disappearance."

"Gods that was awkward, I haven't felt like that since my history teacher told me my legs were shapely." Ruby groaned. Jaune snorted. "It's not funny!"

"It's good to see you, Mother." Weiss greeted. "Have a seat if you like." She gestured toward the chairs before her desk. Willow plopped into one less than gracefully. With a sigh, Weiss turned another chair to face her and sat down herself.

"Klein says hello." Willow noted. "He would have come in to see you himself, but he had errands to run."

"Give him my warmest regards." Weiss responded before pausing paused, her face taking on a more serious expression. "You're drunk again."

"I'm sorry dear, it's just...no, no excuses." Willow shook her head, her previous levity evaporating. "I should find a healthier way to cope."

"I understand." Weiss nodded. She was happy to see her mother at least taking responsibility for her drinking. "It is a very trying time."

"I'm sorry I didn't come to see you sooner." Willow apologized. "I was...not in any condition to visit. How are you coping?"

"The same way I always do, working." Weiss replied. "Security arrangements, plans for the gala, financial reports, meetings-"

"You should relax." Willow advised. "At least a little."

"Keeping busy takes my mind off...Winter." Weiss sighed. "I don't want to think about it."

"I'm sure she'll be rescued." Willow encouraged.

"We don't even know if she's alive." Weiss countered.

"I know she is, mother's intuition." Willow insisted.

"Or wishful thinking." Weiss mumbled. "Regardless, I will continue to run this company as before."

"I'm so very proud of you." Willow admired. "You're here, taking charge, still working to make the world a better place...all I do is drink and think about revenge...I swear, if I get my hands on those...the filth that took my daughter, I swear I will throw them down the same stairs I did your father!" Her expression suddenly softened. "I'm sorry...I shouldn't say such things. I know it upsets you."

"Yes, well...I've had my share of revenge fantasies." Weiss admitted. "But revenge would be wrong, counterproductive. Better to bring them to justice." She slumped in her chair, tears welling in her eyes. "That's all Winter and I have been fighting for, justice, for the Faunus, for the people of Mistral…"

"I know dear." Willow rose from her chair, meeting Weiss in a warm embrace. "And your efforts will be rewarded in the end, I promise you. Look how much you've done already."

"Thank you." Weiss managed. "I needed this."

"I'm sorry I couldn't provide it sooner, or more often." Willow apologized. "Would you like me to go? I know you must want to get back to working so you-"

"No...no, please stay." Weiss interrupted. "Just a little longer."

"Of course dear." Willow rubbed her daughter's back, the way she had done when Weiss was a child, distraught after one of Jacques' frequent scoldings. "I'll be here if you need me, just call."

"Thank you." Weiss nodded into Willow's shoulder, tears soaking into her shirt. "I love you mom."

Willow's visit had somewhat lifted Weiss' spirits. She rarely saw her mother, and it was even rarer that she received her affection. Now she needed it more than ever. Perhaps she would take some time out of her usual weekend routine to visit her at home, the palatial Schnee Estate just outside Atlas City proper. Weiss hated going there, for the place held far too many bad memories. For her mother however, she could and should make the effort, in spite of the discomfort.

Unfortunately, just the following day any boost to her mood Weiss had received was wiped away with a single call. She had contracted a champagne supplier for the gala, her favorite vineyard in Mistral. True, the SDC had a vineyard of its own in Vacuo, and produced copious quantities of champagne of its own, but Weiss was not a fan. She felt the Schnee brand sacrificed far too much quality in favor of quantity, and wine from Vacuo just did not match up with Mistrali wine anyway. Weiss knew her guests would appreciate the choice. Then the supplier called.

Apparently, the building containing most of their champagne stock had burned down. Any bottles not destroyed in the fire had their contents ruined by the excess heat. They simply did not have enough left at other locations to both supply the gala and fulfill their other commitments. Weiss had raged on the phone about how she would sue, about how the broken contract would not be forgotten or forgiven, but it was futile. Even if the vineyard diverted all available stock to the gala, they would fall short. Weiss would need to find an alternative, and she was not about to take the desperate step of substituting the Schnee brand.

Weiss' schedule was already packed with meetings, paperwork and more gala planning besides. She worked as quickly as she could, stealing what time she made to make inquiries with other Mistrali vineyards. By midday she still had no commitments, though two potential suppliers expressed interest, if they could manage to make the necessary arrangements. That was not good enough. There was no time to wait and see with the gala just a week away. Vytalian wine was rather good, perhaps she could inquire with some of the vineyards there…

Weiss' thoughts were interrupted by a harsh vibration. The scroll on her desk thrummed with a familiar, dreaded tone. With a sigh, Weiss picked up the device, tapping the speaker prompt. "Hello Whitley." She greeted, attempting to hide the fatigue in her voice.

"Good evening dear sister, how goes the company?" Came Whitley's snide inquiry. As usual he was polite but disingenuous, ever his father's son, if lacking in subtlety.

"The company still stands strong, in spite of minor annoyances." Weiss replied.

"Oh my, I thought I was a pest?" Whitley waxed with faux agony. "Have I been relegated to the classification of annoyance?"

Weiss grinned in spite of herself. "The role of pest shall forever remain your forte brother. How fares your study? Have you settled on a major yet?"

"Oh I'm swinging between marketing and management." Whitley replied. "The individuals in marketing are so much more charming, but management is more appealing as a career."

"Take it from me, brother." Weiss groaned. "Management is a fucking nightmare."

"Aw, are the little peons giving you trouble?" Whitley inquired.

"The vineyard I ordered from lost their stock in a fire, now I have to source a new supply." Weiss bit.

"And I'm sure you let them know how happy you were to hear that." Whitley surmised.

Feeling her brow twitch, Weiss slid open a drawer as quietly as possible, reaching within for the familiar, worn surface of her current stress ball. "I am sure they were quite aware of my displeasure."

"I don't understand why you don't just use the SDC stock." Whitley suggested. "It's quite fine by my tastes."

"Just because you are content with mass produced swill doesn't mean I will inflict it upon my guests." Weiss shot back.

"Winter didn't mind either." Whitley added.

Clenching her fist, Weiss carefully let out a breath before slowly taking another. "Speaking of the gala, I would prefer you not attend."

"But I do so love your parties." Whitley pouted. "Though we may disagree on the wine, your choice of caterers is exquisite! Be sure they bring plenty of those truffles, they ran out far too fast last time."

"Whitley-" Weiss started.

"And I have already gone to the trouble...well not so much the trouble, they're rather pleasant...but I have secured myself a lovely date, and I refuse to disappoint them." Whitley interrupted.

"Whitley!" Weiss shouted. "Our family is under attack. Our sister has been kidnapped. Mother at least locks herself in the estate most of the time. You are still at risk at the university. Drawing attention to yourself, like you always do, will make you a target."

"Because I am such a lucrative target." Whitley scoffed. "The disgraced protege of Jacques Schnee, reviled by his sisters and barely tolerated by his mother. Yes, I truly fear for my life. Maybe they'll find a nice set of stairs to push me down. Do you think that's what they did to Winter-"

The scroll did not stand a chance, hurled with a wrathful growl at the heavy duty file cabinets lining the left hand wall. SDC scrolls were durable, but only for accidental drops and light shocks. Malicious damage was not covered by the warranty, but right now Weiss felt nothing but ire toward the hellish little device and the cruel words it transmitted. The stress ball was next to go, bouncing around a bit near the shattered remains of the scroll.

Weiss clenched her fists tighter and tighter, gritting her teeth as she seethed. It was always this way with Whitley, never a single pleasant conversation. He always found something to set her off. Resentful, jealous, cruel, cunning little bastard, their father had ruined him.

"Ms. Schnee?" Penny's voice caused her to flinch. She gasped down a breath she had not realised she had been holding, fumbling blindly backward for her chair. "Would you like me to call Ms. Nikos or Mr. Ren?"

"No, no Penny, let them be." Weiss refused, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket as she sat. "Please ask Ruby for fresh coffee."

"Right away ma'am." Penny acknowledged.

Dabbing at her eyes, Weiss leaned back, attempting to school her thoughts and emotions, just as her father had taught her. It was futile of course. She had been attempting to school her thoughts and emotional all weekend, and she just could not, no matter how deep into her hobbies she indulged. She even drank at home. She never drank at home. The bottles were only there to be taken to Pyrrha and Ren's - good, expensive Mistrali wine, their favorites, and by proxy, Weiss' as well. She had downed them by the glass until she could not think or feel.

Even so, Weiss found herself plagued, not by thoughts, but sadistic realities conjured in her sleeping mind's eye, tormenting her with visions of Winter in cruel bondage. Father had lectured her at length about the dangers of Fang capture, the tortures inflicted upon those who crossed them. Beatings were the kindest, reserved for those the Fang decided had committed only minor slights. But the more high profile the victim, the more they suffered. Killings were rare at first, some accidental, but the ones that were purposeful...they grew in number, and severity. The ones that truly brought forth the Fang's wrath were horrific. Beaten, broken, strung up on display, evidence of their crimes scattered around the scene, their throats cut, and the Fang's claw marks scratched across their chests. Weiss would remember those pictures until the day she died, just as Father intended.

Now that image burned in Weiss' skull, terrifying, sickening. The faceless victims were replaced by her beloved sister - one of the few people she truly loved, truly trusted in her entire life - strung up, slaughtered like a hunted animal, glassy, tear-stained eyes staring down at her unblinking.

"Ms. Schnee." Penny once again startled Weiss from her thoughts.

Weiss jumped in her seat and scowled, looking at the time on her computer screen. Had she really been obsessing for half an hour? "What Penny?" She snapped, rubbing her temple in a sad attempt at quelling the thrumming within.

"Ruby is here with your coffee." Penny informed.

"Finally." Weiss slammed her finger on the buzzer and the door clicked open. "What took you so long?!" She yelled as Ruby hurried across the room.

"I'm sorry Weiss." Ruby apologized. "The pot was empty, and we ran out of coffee, and the breakroom a floor down didn't have your coffee, so I went to the cafeteria an-"

"Whatever, hurry up." Weiss waved away, holding her hand out for the mug.

"Careful it-" Ruby started.

Weiss took a sip and spluttered. It was piping hot. The painful liquid seared her tongue, lips and chin, and now her hand and top as it spilled due to her jerking response. "Fuck! Why is this so hot?!" She shrieked, shooting to her feet.

"I just made it Weiss!" Ruby defended. "It's usually been cooling for a bit before you ask for some!"

"Ugh!" Weiss growled. "How did we even run out of coffee? The entire kitchen should be overflowing!"

"All the cabinets are locked and I don't have a key!" Ruby replied.

"I gave you a key!" Weiss shouted.

"You gave me an earpiece!" Ruby countered.

"Grrh what the fuck else is going to go wrong today?!" Weiss began to pace, shaking her burning hand. "Gods damned, bloody vineyard storehouse fire, then my brother called, and as much as I adore his voice he has a terrible habit of being a fucking asshole! Here I am, simply asking him not to come to the incredibly public gala and throw himself into the spotlight, and there he is scheming his next stupid stunt. I wonder what he will do this time, maybe something actually amusing, one last hurrah before he's snatched from his dorm. Two down, two to go…" Weiss fell silent, chest heaving as she ran a hand over her face, the other wrapping around her chest.

"Weiss…" Ruby started, carefully approaching the huffing CEO.

"I'm sorry." Weiss whispered, then cleared her throat. "I'm sorry Ruby, I'm having a poor day and it isn't right nor fair of me to vent at you."

"I know how it feels." Ruby sympathized. "Sometimes I used to yell at Yang because I needed to."

"I can't imagine you yelling." Weiss scoffed.

"Yang said it would have been scary if it wasn't cute." Ruby noted.

"Your predecessors would agree I am simply scary." Weiss frowned.

"This happens often?" Ruby asked.

Weiss chuckled mirthlessly. "I am under many, constant pressures Ruby, and two days out of the week when I can vent them...the rest of the time...I inherited my father's temper."

"Is that why the others left?" Ruby asked.

"Mother likes to say the position is cursed." Weiss snorted. "Not a single assistant my father, nor I have employed has lasted more than a year, most less than a month. Sad to say I've had an uncharacteristically positive relationship with you."

"Well, at least I'll only leave to do my actual job." Ruby joked.

"We can only hope." Weiss smiled, looking to her assistant. "I'm going to have a shower, and change clothes. Don't worry about the mess, I'll clean it when I'm done."

"You have clothes here?" Ruby wondered, following Weiss as she turned away.

"This is a penthouse Ruby." Weiss gestured around her. "I could live here if I wanted to...I even did for a time."

"Pyrrha said there were gold fixtures in the bathroom." Ruby remembered.

"Ugh, that was my father's doing." Weiss groaned. "You should have seen this office before I had it remodelled. It was like a royal library."

"Libraries are nice." Ruby commented.

"Not Father's library, and I'll leave it at that." Weiss chuckled as they reached the door. "Thank you Ruby, I often forget that this job was forced upon you, yet you have not let me down once."

"Mom taught me to make the most of what life gives me." Ruby shrugged. "I try to take that to heart."

"I wish my mother was so wise, perhaps she would never have married Father." Weiss grinned.

"But then you might not be here, and I'd be out of a job!" Ruby exclaimed.

"And what a terrible state this company would be in." Weiss laughed, opening the door and heading to her private bathroom.

When Weiss returned to her office, it was to find the mess cleared and a fresh cup of coffee waiting for her, the temperature perfect. She was getting really tired of crying.