Chapter 17

"I could do porn." Yang suggested. "Solo porn even, make a mint."

"Where did that come from?!" Pyrrha gasped, sitting on the couch beside her. Yang just shrugged.

"Dibs on camera!" Nora cheered.

"I'd pre-order that." Sun added.

"Hmm...maybe solo isn't necessary." Yang thought aloud. "Hey Sun, how's your below the belt situation?"

"Well it…" Sun started.

"Disappointingly small!" Nora cut him off.

"You just have very large standards." Sun countered. "I've seen your Ren-dos."

"Nora, how do you know about his…" Pyrrha started to ask before trailing off.

"I spied on him in the shower." Nora replied.

"Why was he hard?" Yang asked.

"I wasn't being subtle about it." Nora laughed.

"Can we...can we please talk about something else?" Pyrrha requested, blushing so hard it looked as though the blood would spurt from her face at any moment.

"Fine." Yang said with a wicked grin. "Nora, what's a Ren-do?"

"I'll show you!" Nora exclaimed, leaping to her feet. She skipped to the bedroom before digging around under the bed. The others followed and gathered around. "Ren would go away for business a lot, and I would get lonely, so I took a cast of him." She found a large white box and slid it out, opening the lid to reveal a plethora of huge, brightly colored dildos. She grabbed one and held it up. "Ta-da!"

"Nora that's enough." Pyrrha admonished.

"Fine." Nora sighed. She put the Ren-do back and slid the box under the bed.

"I can't believe you took a cast of his dick." Yang said, shaking her head as the group returned to the living room.

"I can't believe he managed to stay erect long enough for you to do that." Sun said.

"I can't believe how big he was." Yang added.

"I can't believe we're having this conversation!" Pyrrha shouted.

"I can't believe it's not butter!" Nora cheered.

Yang and Sun burst out laughing as Pyrrha buried her face in her hands. "Can we please just play the game?" She groaned.

"Alright." Sun said. "I think we got everything setup before the...distraction." Four large briefcases, each containing a television and game console, were arrayed around the living room. "Winter didn't have to get us all portable setups, but I'm glad she did. Even playing on a big screen our own parts would be tiny if we had to share."

Pyrrha sat before her own setup and picked up the controller, looking at it nervously. She looked at the screen, the pregame lobby waiting. "Which character should I be?" Pyrrha asked. "Is there an easy one?"

"All the characters play exactly the same." Yang explained. "They just look different. I'll be the biker." Yang selected a gruff character wearing leather vest.

"Angry old man!" Nora called. She selected and older-looking character who wore a military uniform.

"Business casual." Sun sighed. She selected a bald man in a button-up white shirt and tie.

"That just leaves the girl." Yang said. "Guess that's you Pyrrha."

"Oh, okay." Pyrrha said. "I guess that works."

"And we all get to look at your character's fine ass." Sun laughed. He hit start and a countdown timer appeared as the game was about to begin.

"So...how does this game work?" Pyrrha asked.

"There are zombies, you shoot them." Nora explained. "And we try to make it to the safe room to beat the level."

"Oh...well...I'll try." Pyrrha sighed.

"I'm dead again." Pyrrha announced.

"How did you die this time?" Nora groaned.

"I walked off the edge." Pyrrha answered.

"Again!" Sun shouted.

"I wasn't looking where I was going." Pyrrha admitted. "I was too focused on the zombies."

"Didn't stop them from killing you the last time." Yang teased.

"I'm just not very good at this." Pyrrha sighed as Nora revived her character.

"Pyrrha, over here, auto-shotgun." Sun said. He jumped his character up and down so Pyrrha could find him and she picked up the new weapon.

"Why is my screen blinking red?" Pyrrha asked.

"That's the zombie punching you in the back of the head." Yang sighed. With a slash of her sword she took care of the offending zombie.

"Alright Pyrrha, when I open this door, we're going to be attacked by a giant zombie." Yang warned. "We need to set it on fire if we want to survive. You're the only one with a petrol bomb so you have to do it. Don't miss."

"I'll...do my best." Pyrrha groaned.

"Opening." Sun said. After a flood of normal zombies the ground shook as a gigantic one burst into the room. "Pyrrha, now!"

"I'm dead again." Pyrrha said.

"God damn it!" Yang yelled.

"Got the bomb off her corpse, we're fine." Nora announced. Her toss was perfect, setting the monster aflame. After a few shots it fell.

"All we needed to do to win was have Pyrrha die." Yang observed.

"So...in a way...I'm the hero." Pyrrha said.

"Sure pal." Nora said.

"Why am I in a closet?" Pyrrha asked. "I thought I was dead."

"That's how you come back." Yang said. She walked her character up to the door but hesitated. "Should I even bother? She'll be dead again in, like, thirty seconds."

"I think I'm getting the hang of it." Pyrrha protested. "Give me a chance."

"I get the feeling I'm going to regret this." Yang sighed. She tapped the button and her character opened the door. Pyrrha walked her character out and the others led her to where she had dropped her weapons and gear. After Pyrrha was reequipped they continued through the level, fighting through waves of zombies before making it to the safe room. The next section started with more zombies, and somehow Pyrrha managed to survive.

"What's behind this door?" Pyrrha asked. She tapped the button to open the door, a bloated green zombie appearing in the doorway as she did. "Eek!" She fired, hitting the zombie and causing it to explode, covering her screen in goo and summoning more zombies. "What?!"

"Protect her while she's blind!" Nora called and the others gathered around.

"Oh God, how do I…" Pyrrha gasped. She started firing blindly in all directions.

"Stop!" Nora screamed.

"No!" Yang shouted.

"Fuck!" Sun yelled.

"What the fuck is happening?" Pyrrha whined. "I'm sorry!"

A game over screen appeared. "Pyrrha...you killed...all of us." Sun complained, barely containing his anger.

"I...I couldn't see and everyone was yelling and…" Pyrrha started.

"Heh...you said fuck." Nora laughed.

"Did I?" Pyrrha gasped. "Oh no, I'm so sorry for my language."

"Man, we got fucked by a Ren-do there." Sun groaned.

"No, that's actually enjoyable." Nora sighed.

All eyes turned to Pyrrha. Angry eyes. "I'm sorry!"

The future was starting to seem real. A quick meeting with a lawyer and Winter had everything in place. All she needed to do was pull the trigger. Blake and Velvet were onboard, given her job search woes Yang would be sure to join, and Winter was willing to get her own hands dirty if need be. It was really, really happening.

Winter walked in to see Raven sitting cross-legged on the couch. She was staring up at the portrait of Yang that Ruby had painted and Winter had hung on the wall, a distant look in her eyes. An empty scotch glass rested in her hand. Winter walked up and stood behind Raven.

"She's beautiful Winter, so beautiful." Raven said. Bleary eyed, she turned to look at Winter. "I remember when people used to look at me the way you look at her. It made me feel so...strong, confident, like I could make the world bend the knee. I'm so thankful she has you Winter, you make her so happy."

"She makes me happy Raven." Winter said. "For that I'm just as thankful."

"How did you meet?" Raven asked.

Winter chuckled, circled the couch and took a seat beside Raven. "I got drunk, called her a bimbo, and she punched me." Winter laughed.

"How romantic." Raven deadpanned.

"I got her fired." Winter continued.

"And she stuck with you?" Raven asked.

"After I tracked her down, shoved a wad of cash into her hand and begged forgiveness." Winter explained.

"I can't imagine…" Raven trailed off and grinned. "Actually, yes, I can imagine you on your knees." Winter scoffed and lightly slapped Raven. "Why do you put up with me?"

"It's fun, and flattering, and I know you mean well." Winter replied. "Besides, you're beautiful and it get's under Yang's skin, something that's very hard to do."

"You think I'm still beautiful?" Raven asked.

"You're like a window into Yang's future - a future I very much intend to be a part of - and I like what I see Raven." Winter confirmed.

"My face...perhaps." Raven sighed. "I've done a lot to hide the wrinkles. But my breasts...time and gravity are unstoppable foes."

"They seem fine by my eyes." Winter encouraged.

"I had surgery, a gift from one of my exes." Raven admitted. "They were even bigger, but after we split up I got tired of them always being in the way and got them reduced. Made 'em perky again too."

"They look almost exactly like Yang's." Winter observed.

"You think so?" Raven asked.

"Take your shirt off." Winter commanded.

"Normally I'd ask for a beer beforehand." Raven laughed.

"How many scotches have you pilfered?" Winter countered.

"Touche." Raven smiled. She took off her shirt and bra, allowing Winter a good look. "So, do you have a picture or something for comparison…"

"I have a good memory." Winter smirked, closely examining Raven's chest.

Yang unlocked the door and slipped inside. Her lunch with Sun, Nora and Pyrrha had been eventful - as any outing with Nora was - but a lot of fun. Upon spotting her girlfriend staring at her mother's bare chest, Yang froze in place. "What in the hell is going on here?!" She demanded.

"Ah, good timing." Winter said as she looked back at Yang. "Come over here so we can compare sizes."

"With Raven?" Yang gasped.

"No, with Nora." Winter teased. "Yes with Raven. Now get over here."

"Ugh, fine." Yang groaned. She placed her things on the table and walked over, stripping off her shirt and bra as she walked. She sat next to Raven with an annoyed scowl on her face, mumbling under her breath. Raven smirked at her and Yang glared back.

Winter looked like a kid in a candy store. "Hmm...Raven's are definitely bigger, but Yang's are perkier." Winter judged.

"Did I do something in a past life to deserve this?" Yang sighed. "Maybe in this life...hey!" Raven flicked Yang's nipple and giggled. Yang slapped at her mother's hands and Raven slapped back until they were having a slap-fight.

Winter slipped her phone out of her pocket and started recording the topless action. "Maybe this will go viral." She laughed.

"Send it to Nora!" Raven cheered.

Friday came quickly and Winter made a point of getting to the group meeting early. There was business to attend to. The others filed in, still surprised to see Yang on time, let alone early. Winter was certainly having an influence on her. Once everyone was present and seated, Glynda spoke up. "Winter, you have the floor." She said. "I understand you have an announcement to make."

"I do." Winter said with a smile. "I'd like to talk about my plans for the future. I'm starting a modeling firm. With Velvet's skills in photography and Blake's talent for makeup, we have the base we need to get started. Yang, Pyrrha, Nora, I'd like for you all to model. As I told Blake and Velvet, you can keep your day jobs, and I'll work around your schedules. Sun, I know you probably feel left out, but if we ever need a male model you'll be the first person I call."

"Male model?" Sun gasped. "Sweet! I'll be drowning in pussy!"

"And Glynda, if we need someone more...mature...I'd be happy to have you." Winter added. Glynda shrugged. "The job would come with a generous benefits package and partial ownership of the company. Pay would be based on the project." Winter paused and looked around. "So, are you in?"

"Oh yeah!" Nora cheered, leaping from her seat.

"Of course." Yang said, slapping Winter on the back. "Now I don't have to deliver freezers again."

"Uh...well…" Pyrrha hesitated.

"Come on Pyrrha, let the world see the new you!" Nora encouraged.

"As long as I don't have to do anything...extreme." Pyrrha said. "I guess I could give it a shot."

"I can't wait to shoot some nudes." Yang said.

"I'm game!" Nora exclaimed.

"Absolutely not." Winter said. "Not until the company is established. I will not have us gain a reputation as pornographers. We shall stand tall before we bare all!"

"I don't care how established we get." Pyrrha said. "I'm not taking nude photos."

"And I won't ask you to." Winter said. "None of you will be made to do anything you don't want to do."

"So, have you come up with a name since Sunday?" Blake asked.

"Maybe." Winter replied. "How does 'Solstice Modeling' sound?"

"I like it." Yang said.

"Sounds sexy." Nora observed. The others nodded their approval.

"Good." Winter said. "Now I just have to do a mountain of paperwork, get a logo made, and start advertising."

"That sounds like a lot of work." Velvet said. "We could help you if…"

"Oh, no thanks." Winter said. "I live for this."

"Only you would get excited about paperwork." Yang sighed, shaking her head.

"Aren't you glad though?" Winter laughed. "It means you don't have to do it." She turned back to the others, returning to her serious pitch. "I'll have contracts drawn up for everyone, and we'll do a test and promo shoot soon."

Yang and Raven chatted on the porch. Winter was happy to see it. It had taken a long time for Yang to feel comfortable around her mother, but they had finally reached the point where they could just talk without being stilted or guarded. Winter just leaned against the doorway, enjoying the picturesque ocean view and the scene of family harmony right in front of her. Then her cellphone rang. She slipped it out of her pocket and glanced at the screen. With a heavy sigh Winter retreated into the house, heading into her room and closing the door behind her.

"Seems like she's worried about that call." Raven observed.

"Yep, probably her father." Yang said. "She's been expecting this."

"So, are we going to eavesdrop or just sit here?" Raven asked.

"You know what we're going to do." Yang laughed.

Winter sat on the edge of the bed, tapped the screen and pressed the phone to her ear. "Hello." She said.

"Winter, it's time you came home." Her father said.

Winter took a deep breath before responding. "I disagree."

"This is not up for discussion Winter." Her father said.

"You're right, it's not." Winter said.

"Very good." Her father cheered. "I expect…"

"I will not be coming back." Winter announced.

"Is that so?" Her father asked.

"I no longer wish to be part of the company." Winter explained.

"Out of the question." Her father said. "This is your place Winter."

"My place?!" Winter raised her voice. "Coming from you that means very little."

"I am your father Winter!" He shouted back.

"By blood and nothing more." Winter hissed. "Not once have you treated me as anything other than an asset, an investment."

"I raised y…" Her father started.

"You had maids raise me!" Winter cut him off. "You paid tutors to instill your morals and beliefs in me, and thank God you had the stupidity to send me to college, or else I would have remained ignorant of the real world."

"How dare you!" Her father raged. "You have a duty…"

"I had a duty to Weiss!" Winter screamed. "The only person who ever truly cared for me, the only reason I had for living the life you set out for me, and it's because of you I had to watch her die. I held her hand and begged her not to leave me. I wanted to die in her place. The only reason I'm still alive now is because I got away from you. I'm not coming back. I'm never coming back!"

"You are a Schnee and you will control yourself!" Her father demanded.

"Fuck you Jacques." Winter said, her voice suddenly calm and emotionless. She held her phone in front of her, listening to her father scream and shout, threatening to cut her off and see her ruined. Then she tapped the button to end the call and flopped onto her back. She stared blankly at the ceiling, hyperventilating. There was a gentle knock at the door. "Come in."

Yang pushed through the door while Raven waited in the doorway. Winter looked up and smiled weakly, letting the phone slip out of her fingers and onto the floor. Winter reached out toward Yang who stepped up, took her hand, and pulled her into a hug. Winter sobbed into Yang's shirt.

"Yang, should I go?" Raven asked. Winter reached a trembling hand toward Raven. Raven quickly stepped up, allowing herself to be drawn into the hug with the other two.

After a few deep breaths Winter was able to compose herself. She looked up at Yang and Raven. "It's done." Winter sighed. "One way or the other, it's done."

"What happens now?" Yang asked.

"I start a new life." Winter replied. She smiled, properly this time. "With my family."

"We should celebrate then." Raven suggested.

"Pizza and wine?" Yang asked.

Winter chuckled. "Perfect."