(3rd Person POV)
Oscar sat on his bed in his room, reading a book by the light of a lantern. While he did so, Oscar's Aunt yelled out to him from another room.
Oscar's Aunt: Oscar, supper's almost ready!
Oscar: What're we having?
Oscar's Aunt: Doesn't matter! You're eating it!
Oscar jokingly spoke out against her.
Oscar: I never agreed to these terms!
Oscar's Aunt: It's part of the "living under my roof" contract! Read the fine print, then come wash up!
Oscar closed his book and stood up. He was walking toward the door when a voice resounded, causing him to pause.
Ozpin: We have to leave.
Oscar continues forward, ignoring the plea from Ozpin.
Ozpin: Oscar. Oscar!
Oscar was about to grasp the door handle, but held back.
Oscar: I've decided you're not real, so you might as well give up.
Ozpin: I understand how you're feeling. I went through the same panic and confusion.
Oscar turned around and looked at an open book on the floor. He bent down and shut it, talking aloud as he put it and the one next to it away on a shelf.
Oscar: It's not real. It's not real. It's not real.
Oscar stood up and his reflection was visible in the window.
Ozpin: I can assure you, you are perfectly sane.
Oscar: I'm talking to a voice in my head.
Ozpin: I didn't say you were normal. I said you were sane.
Oscar started to leave his room again.
Ozpin: There's quite a significant difference between...
Oscar: Shut up! You think this is funny? It's not.
Ozpin: We are in complete agreement on that matter, I promise you. Believe me, I wish this weren't the case. But as I've told you, our Aura, our souls are combined.
Oscar looked up at the ceiling without really focusing on anything but clearly showing his disgust.
Oscar: I'm done listening to you.
Ozpin: Have you ever been to Haven?
Oscar: I told you I'm not going, and I told you I'm done listening.
Ozpin: Do you think you could describe the Headmaster's office?
Oscar: No. Why would I know that? I've never seen...
Ozpin: Try. Right now.
Oscar: It's probably... It's...
His eyes widened and his face slackened.
Oscar: It's autumn-colored... with a large mahogany desk. There's a small table with chairs in a corner for guests, with a tea set that... I... I gave him.
He put his hand to his head, disconcerted.
Oscar: Why did I say that? Why did I know that? Why did I say that?
Oscar became increasingly bothered and he started backing up, dropping his hand.
Ozpin: Because I helped build that school, and the tea set was a gift to the man running it now.
Oscar sat on his bed and held his head, groaning.
Ozpin: If you don't believe me, you can look it up. If I recall, your aunt has several books on Mistral downstairs. I'm certain you could find a picture in one of them.
Oscar straightened up and lowered his hands from their place.
Oscar: That... that's right, I must've seen it in a picture.
Ozpin: Oscar...
Oscar stood upright, tightening his fists at his sides and shouted.
Oscar: Stop talking to me!
Ozpin: I have a grave responsibility to uphold. We both do.
Oscar fell to his knees at Ozpin's attempts.
Oscar: I never agreed to anything.
Ozpin: No, you didn't. And neither did I, at first. But you do have an opportunity.
Oscar: For what?
Ozpin: Greatness, hopefully. Greatness in knowing that, when the world needed help, you were the one to reach out your hand. It won't come without hardship, without sacrifice, but I know you don't want to live the rest of your life working as a farmhand in Mistral.
Oscar's hands were on his head again as his eyes widened.
Oscar: So you just decided to read my thoughts?
Ozpin: I... well. They're our thoughts, now.
Oscar: Get out of my head!
Oscar's Aunt: Oscar! Supper time! I better see clean hands!
Oscar looked toward the door, but remained silently on the floor.
Weiss sat on her bed in her room with her head bowed and her hands folded in her lap. Jacques paced in front of her.
Jacques: Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.
Jacques suddenly stopped, then turned and pointed at her.
Jacques: Do you have any idea what your stunt cost us?
Weiss: I...
Jacques cut her off, stopping her from saying anything.
Jacques: And don't think I'm just talking about Lien here! Our reputation! Our... our...
Jacques sighed angrily and held his head, unable to come up with the words to finish expressing the gravity of her mistake. Weiss waited for a moment before speaking.
Weiss: I want to leave.
Jacques: I beg your pardon?
Weiss: I said I want to leave. I don't want to stay here anymore. I don't want to stay in Atlas anymore!
Jacques: Young lady, I don't give a damn about what you want! This isn't about you. This is about the Schnee family name and your apparent insistence on dragging it through the mud!
Weiss now stood up from the bed.
Weiss: I have done nothing but fight to uphold the honor of my family name, a name that you married into!
Jacques slapped Weiss hard on her left cheek, sending her head to the side as she gasped in reaction. She put her hand on her cheek and turned to face her father, looking at him a little incredulously as she lowered her hand. He looked right back at her, unrepentant. When he began speaking again, his voice suddenly sounded calm yet intimidating.
Jacques: This behavior of yours is incredibly disappointing. You couldn't possibly understand the lengths I've gone to in order to keep this family where it is. You think running off like your sister is going to make the Schnee name stronger? You're wrong. Siding with her only divides us.
Weiss: I'm not siding with anyone. I'm doing what I feel is right, and that does not include wasting my time up here...
Jacques walked away, rolling his eyes as his daughter finished her rant.
Weiss: ...with these clueless people in Atlas. The Schnee family legacy isn't yours to leave. It's mine, and I'll do it as a Huntress.
Jacques stopped and slowly turned to face her again. As he spoke, he moved to stand in front of his daughter, peering down upon her.
Jacques: No... you won't. You're not leaving Atlas. You're not to leave the manor grounds unless I specifically allow it. You are going to remain here, out of sight and out of trouble, until you and I come to an agreement on your future.
Weiss: What?
Jacques: Your presupposition that you can simply have whatever it is you want is a clear sign of our failure as parents. But from now on, I'll be giving you the full attention you require, starting by keeping you where I can see you.
With that, Jacques turned once more and walked away.
Weiss: You can't just keep me from leaving!
Again, he stopped and turned to look at her.
Jacques: I can, and the staff here will make sure of it.
Weiss: So now I'm just your prisoner?
Jacques: You are my daughter. You're a child, and children are grounded when they misbehave.
He walked away, and this time, he continued walking even while his daughter spoke.
Weiss: This is only going to make things worse, Father. People will ask questions! They'll want to know why the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company is suddenly nowhere to be found!
Her father stopped in front of the door and faced her.
Jacques: Which is why you are no longer the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company.
Weiss took a step back, stunned.
Weiss: Excuse me?
Jacques: Clearly, the trauma you endured at the fall of Beacon was too much for you. Which is why you've generously revoked your claim to the company and its earnings and passed it on to your brother Whitley.
Weiss stared at Jacques, breathing heavily as she digested the news.
Jacques: It's time to wake up and face reality.
Jacques turned and left. Through the open door, Weiss saw Whitley waiting and clearly having been eavesdropping. Jacques turned to the left without acknowledging his son.
Weiss took a moment to deal with her emotions and then stepped out into the hall with her fists clenched, calling out to her brother who was moving down the hallway in the opposite direction his father had gone.
Weiss: Whitley?
Whitley turned around with a small smile on his face.
Whitley: Yes, sister?
Weiss walked to her brother and crossed her arms.
Weiss: Did you know about this?
Whitley: About what?
Weiss: You never liked Winter. You never liked me. But you've been nothing but supportive since the moment I came back.
Whitley: If being kind to my big sister is some sort of crime, then I suppose I'm guilty.
Weiss' eyes widened with realization.
Weiss: You wanted this to happen.
Whitley: It's foolish not to do as Father asks.
As he spoke, he leaned forward, his feigned innocent smile changing into a threatening and angry expression. Weiss stared with a look of hurt and betrayal.
Weiss: I can't believe you.
Whitley: Don't worry, Weiss. The Schnee family name is in good hands.
Whitley turned and walked away, Weiss staring after him.
Weiss returned to her room, collapsed face down across her bed and cried. Two airships flew past the window. A second or two later Weiss lifted her head and tightened her fist, a determined look in her eyes.
She walked to the window and pulled the curtains shut. She walked over to her dresser, taking out the envelope that she had read so many times. She thought back to her last meeting with Edel, how he didn't seem to care anymore.
She thought back to how much he meant to her. How she did everything to make him notice her, and how when he finally did, back at her birthday party so many years ago. How happy, how nervous, how angry she was that it took him that long...
He was different.
While everyone else praised her because of her name, he didn't seem to care. There was no mention of money, family, all he wanted to talk about was her, what she liked to do, what she loved...
He was different.
When he had to leave it crushed her. He didn't go to Atlas Academy, perhaps it was because he would have gotten in too late. Weiss never understood, he never seemed to have any interest in fighting, being a huntsman, he seemed to only protect her...
He was different.
And Weiss missed him. Her one true friend, the one she could count on... gone. The years passed and Beacon came around. She met people, her teammates, Team JNPR, (Y/N), and many others. She made friends, people she could count on.
(Y/N)...
He was different...
She knew that now. He spent time with her, just because he thought she was upset, he tried to make her feel included in things. He helped her, when she pushed everyone away, but he went with Ruby...
So she returned to Edel, and he was fine... different.
It made her sad to see how much he changed, in a few years he was different, and he seemed to not want to spend time with her.
And then that night happened.
When she was at her lowest, when she felt the entire world was against her, he was there, and it felt like old times.
He made her feel like he was there to stay. She needed his touch, his assurance that all was well. His mouth against hers in a kiss that never stopped, only deepened further.
She poured all her love into it, and she could almost hear him whispering against her lips. He loved her, it was like old times.
She wanted more...
But then he stopped.
She was already in the room, when he inhaled sharply, his hands gripping her arms, halting her.
Edel: Princess...
It was their thing. She never bothered to correct him when he called her that. To the world she was an heiress, to him she was his princess.
She had looked up at him with sudden doubt.
Weiss: Do you want me to leave?
Edel: No, I don't.
Weiss: So you want me to stay?
Edel: Yes.
That single word had pleased her greatly.
Weiss: For how long?
Edel: Here in this room, alone with me?
She had nodded, she couldn't trust herself with words.
Edel: If it were up to me, I'd never want you to leave... Ever.
She smiled up at him. His words healed everything that was ever wrong.
Weiss: Good.
There had been a confusion and pain in his gaze, so much suffering that she wanted to ease. But alongside the suffering she saw something deeper and endless, directed at her.
Edel: Are you sure about this? You were so upset a moment ago. I don't want to do anything you're not ready for.
Weiss: I'm sure...
She was more confident now than she'd ever been about anything.
Weiss: And I am ready.
Edel: You're so young...
Weiss: I've waited long enough. I love you.
She thought he might hesitate again, give her a look of doubt or try to argue some more. But his eyes filled with desire.
Edel: As you wish princess.
When he kissed her this time, there was no restraint.
At her command, Edel was hers... both body and soul.
She couldn't lie about this, not even to herself. She'd imagined being with Edel before, but her imagination hadn't done him any justice at all.
Her mother had often warned her about what it would be like to share flesh for the first time. She'd warned of the horrible things men like to take from girls with or without their permission. How one's chastity had to be protected at all costs, most especially the chastity of an heiress.
What a tall heap of lies those warnings had been. Love made all the difference, it always did. There was nothing foul or wrong about what she and Edel shared.
At first...
He was gone, and the world crashed around her. The stories were true. She had given everything to him and he had left, he was just like everyone else...
But she didn't really believe that.
She couldn't lie to herself.
And (Y/N) was there to rescue her again.
He did everything she asked, without question. Perhaps it was for Edel, but she had hoped, pleaded that it was for her.
But she knew that she only could trust in herself now. She had chased (Y/N) away, and now he was in danger.
If she could do anything to help, she would.
She ripped up the letter, the last thing she had of Edel, and threw it away. He made himself clear, he left, when she needed him most.
She moved her bed over several feet, pushed a desk and kicked aside a low glass bench at the foot of her bed. A cushioned stool was on its side on the floor, and a long white box marked with the Schnee snowflake symbol rested on her vanity.
She approached the box and opened it to reveal Myrtenaster and Dust vials inside. She lifted her weapon and posed with the blade held vertically in front of her face.
Tyrian pulled his tail back as Edel stalked closer to their secret weapon. Qrow stood away from Ruby, swinging around his weapon and holding at the ready by his side.
Edel: You shouldn't be here.
The figure said nothing, creating a sword, holding it in front of him, similar to the way that Raven had wielded her blade.
Edel: You will obey me or die. I will not tolerate evil in my world. I swore a contract to defend the common folk and you stand in my way.
Suddenly another flash of wind slammed into the figure who knelt down, creating a shield of darkness.
Tyrian: As I live and breathe, Qrow Branwen.
He mockingly bowed.
Tyrian: A true Huntsman has entered the fray!
Ruby got up and set Crescent Rose on its end. Qrow glanced back at her.
Ruby: I don't know, this guy's weird.
Qrow turned, facing Tyrian again.
Qrow: Look, pal, I'm not sure who you are, but you need to leave my niece alone.
Tyrian chortled in response.
Tyrian: Why, friend, my name is Tyrian. And I'm afraid that is not possible.
He placed his hands together before gesturing at Ruby.
Tyrian: My assignment from Her Grace was to retrieve this young girl. So, that is what I must do.
He placed a hand on his chest.
Tyrian: One does not upset the Queen.
Ruby: Queen?
Qrow: Salem.
Ruby: Who?
Tyrian: Hmm, I think we've had enough talk now, don't you?
Tyrian assumed a crouching position.
Qrow: You took the words right out of...
Tyrian rushed Qrow before he could finish voicing the thought and the two began fighting. Qrow blocked two strikes with Harbinger, then slashed at Tyrian who jumped trying to pierce Qrow as he landed. Qrow dodged then swung but Tyrian back-flipped away and rushed back in.
The two clashed as Tyrian went flying, he came to a stop digging his weapons into the ground. He ducked to avoid a slash from Qrow then leapt aside to dodge a horizontal strike. He followed up with a slash, using the force to transition into a kick that Tyrian slid under, then the Faunus tried to strike his back but it was stopped.
Tyrian attacked again as Qrow parried several thrusts of his tail. As Tyrian blocked a downward strike pinning him on his knees a roof got damaged by the shock-wave and Tyrian used The Queen's Servants built in guns to get free.
As Qrow blocked the shots with Harbinger Tyrian circled him firing a steady barrage, Ren and Nora joined in, but Tyrian caught their sneak attack and dodged, then easily knocked them away. He moved to chase them as the two landed back near Jaune and Ruby, but Qrow intervened to hold him back.
Qrow: Don't come closer!
The two men continued to fight.
Ruby: Fine!
She took Crescent Rose to the top of a building and waited for an opening to shoot Tyrian. However, both he and Qrow moved too fast for her to get a clear shot. Ruby grimaced in frustration.
Qrow blocked a jab from Tyrian's tail then countered, Tyrian parried before retaliating with a slash followed by a kick. Qrow ducked before swinging three times as the Faunus avoided them all, before using his tail as a spring to gain altitude as he opened fire again.
Qrow blocked the attack then fired a shot of his own then dodged another thrust. Tyrian managed to use his tail to disarm Qrow flinging the sword away as he rubbed his wrist. This slowed things down enough for Ruby to repeatedly shoot at him from the roof, but after the first shot missed an amused Tyrian just deflected each with his tail.
From the rubble, Edel jumped forward, slamming forward as a line of spears made of wind slammed into the figure who blocked them with a sword, when suddenly he was propelled into the air by a gale and a spear stabbed through his gut, pinning him down to the ground.
He ripped away the spear tearing through his flesh as the darkness quickly rushed to heal it as it rushed at it and formed an axe in the other hand.
Edel imbued the spear with the power of wind and slammed the figure to the side, who stumbled away as Edel slammed his spear into the ground where he was moments ago. The figure stabbed the blade right above Edel's knee, tearing through the flesh with no resistance.
Qrow curled his hand into a fist then switched to punching Tyrian in the face. He groaned in pain backing up before Qrow landed a few more hits. With a final kick, he managed to send Tyrian flying and casually moved to retrieve Harbinger from where it was embedded in a wall.
A frustrated Tyrian waited crouched until Qrow had his back turned before striking, but Qrow merely leapt on top of his own weapon and partially changed it to scythe mode. Using the gun barrels he propelled himself to a rooftop, Tyrian followed as their battle continued.
They appeared evenly matched until Qrow noticed a damaged beam. He tricked Tyrian into landing on it and the Faunus descended into the building and used his tail to drag Qrow down, too. As the two landed, the remaining roof collapsed inward.
This was enough to make Ruby decide to no longer stay back. Staring at the dust cloud in concern she descended to street level. Just as she reached the building, Qrow came crashing out through a wall, his body bouncing. He tossed Harbinger which landed with its blade in the ground, and Qrow perched atop it. Red flickers of damaged Aura moved over his body twice.
Tyrian came out of the floating dust and grime inside the building, purple flickered moving across his body. As the two began to strike again, Ruby jumped in between and deflected Tyrian's blades with Crescent Rose.
Jaune: Ruby!
Edel grunted as he slammed the tip of the spear into the figure's face, slicing across it and sending him flying back.
Edel grabbed the sword, before yanking it out of his leg, the black, smoky material of the sword sizzling against his skin. He looked at it before throwing it away, turning back to the figure.
Figure: For an impostor of the most powerful warrior... you are quite weak.
Edel: I have not used my power yet, but I will not be denied.
He held his hands out, summoning power from another, his spear being covered by wind.
Edel: May the Demonic be vanquished.
Leave any questions or suggestions, if you so wish to.
Until next time!