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video;
[ A couple of hours had passed since Roman had made his announcement. It took her a while to calm down. After the hard learned lesson about not reacting emotionally from the first time Roman had attacked her, albeit in a very different manner, she knew better than to say anything while she was still reeling. Anxiety, stress, hatred, fear of losing her new friends, and fear of losing what she'd just begun to build on top of what she'd already lost to Torchwick were overwhelmingly keeping her from trying to react without thinking things through first. She'd turned her phone off for a short while- it was probably a mistake, it probably made it look like she was hiding, but the reality was that she was just a teenager who was trying to make some kind of a difference.
But after she'd had a chance to breathe, she worked out what it was she'd wanted to say. Because Torchwick wasn't the one she had to answer to- it was everyone else. The people who had put their faith in Schnee Company here, the people who believed in her and thought she was a good person, and even the people who didn't know what to think yet. They were who was important, not someone using her father's sins to try to destroy her. ]
Here we go.
[ Weiss took a deep breath and flickered the video on, her gaze unwavering as it did. She looked determined, serious. If any member of her family ever came here, she would likely be ruined after this video, but this was the only way to save the life she'd started building here. ]
Many of you may have seen Roman Torchwick's video and accusations earlier. The answer is yes.
Yes, many of those things are true. My father and our company under his leadership have been accused of doing those things and I have personally witnessed some of them. I don't have evidence of some of the things that Torchwick detailed in his apparent report, the source of which I find suspect given that while Schnee Dust Company in Remnant has managed to evade essentially all charges. If a report like that were legitimate, it certainly would've risen much sooner and certainly not in Genessia instead of back home. And I happen to know at least a couple of those are false, but the important ones aren't.
Yes, my family has used money to corrupt politics to get away with.. less than moral business practices. Yes, we...
[ Weiss took another deep breath. This was, honestly, hard for her. She hated the idea that her family's name was being dragged through the mud and that she was confirming it, even if she knew what was true. She wanted nothing more than to scream that Torchwick was a liar, but that wouldn't solve anything. ]
Schnee Dust Company has been known for both Human and Faunus rights abuses, most condemningly the forced labor of the Faunus people. Yes, Torchwick was telling the truth about that, but as usual he ran his mouth without knowing or including the entire story.
My family didn't claim our name in bloodshed or the sweat and tears of Faunus. It was my grandfather's company, and until my father took over it was a moral company. The Schnee family name didn't start off standing for these gross violations of humans rights, and I have no intention of allowing it to stay that way. Perhaps if Torchwick had taken a moment to question why the heiress to the company in question was busy attending a combat school for Huntresses instead of living easily in the comfort of my multiple homes and a plush office on the top floors of Schnee Company headquarters, he would have realized that leveling those accusations here was a mistake.
I chose to become a huntress because I have every intention of taking my family's company back from my father to make certain that the Schnee Dust Company doesn't operate in the dark, because I will need those skills to reclaim it from him. I never brought any of this up here in Genessia not because I had the intent to deceive any of you, but because by saying this publicly, I run the risk of my family finding out if any of them come to Genessia. I don't intend to back down back home, nor do I intend to let Torchwick take Schnee Company down to his level here. Schnee Company in Genessia is going to be a prime example of what Schnee Dust Company in Remnant should operate like.
The entire reason that the people from my world agreed not to start a witch hunt for Torchwick when he first arrived was on the basis of second chances. Torchwick squandered his when he attacked my friend and I, killing her and kidnapping me out of a sick need for vengeance because we've cut a couple of his heists short- a part of our jobs as huntresses.
Don't take Schnee Company and my second chance away from us because Torchwick decided to share what my father is responsible for and I haven't had the chance to fix back home yet.
But after she'd had a chance to breathe, she worked out what it was she'd wanted to say. Because Torchwick wasn't the one she had to answer to- it was everyone else. The people who had put their faith in Schnee Company here, the people who believed in her and thought she was a good person, and even the people who didn't know what to think yet. They were who was important, not someone using her father's sins to try to destroy her. ]
Here we go.
[ Weiss took a deep breath and flickered the video on, her gaze unwavering as it did. She looked determined, serious. If any member of her family ever came here, she would likely be ruined after this video, but this was the only way to save the life she'd started building here. ]
Many of you may have seen Roman Torchwick's video and accusations earlier. The answer is yes.
Yes, many of those things are true. My father and our company under his leadership have been accused of doing those things and I have personally witnessed some of them. I don't have evidence of some of the things that Torchwick detailed in his apparent report, the source of which I find suspect given that while Schnee Dust Company in Remnant has managed to evade essentially all charges. If a report like that were legitimate, it certainly would've risen much sooner and certainly not in Genessia instead of back home. And I happen to know at least a couple of those are false, but the important ones aren't.
Yes, my family has used money to corrupt politics to get away with.. less than moral business practices. Yes, we...
[ Weiss took another deep breath. This was, honestly, hard for her. She hated the idea that her family's name was being dragged through the mud and that she was confirming it, even if she knew what was true. She wanted nothing more than to scream that Torchwick was a liar, but that wouldn't solve anything. ]
Schnee Dust Company has been known for both Human and Faunus rights abuses, most condemningly the forced labor of the Faunus people. Yes, Torchwick was telling the truth about that, but as usual he ran his mouth without knowing or including the entire story.
My family didn't claim our name in bloodshed or the sweat and tears of Faunus. It was my grandfather's company, and until my father took over it was a moral company. The Schnee family name didn't start off standing for these gross violations of humans rights, and I have no intention of allowing it to stay that way. Perhaps if Torchwick had taken a moment to question why the heiress to the company in question was busy attending a combat school for Huntresses instead of living easily in the comfort of my multiple homes and a plush office on the top floors of Schnee Company headquarters, he would have realized that leveling those accusations here was a mistake.
I chose to become a huntress because I have every intention of taking my family's company back from my father to make certain that the Schnee Dust Company doesn't operate in the dark, because I will need those skills to reclaim it from him. I never brought any of this up here in Genessia not because I had the intent to deceive any of you, but because by saying this publicly, I run the risk of my family finding out if any of them come to Genessia. I don't intend to back down back home, nor do I intend to let Torchwick take Schnee Company down to his level here. Schnee Company in Genessia is going to be a prime example of what Schnee Dust Company in Remnant should operate like.
The entire reason that the people from my world agreed not to start a witch hunt for Torchwick when he first arrived was on the basis of second chances. Torchwick squandered his when he attacked my friend and I, killing her and kidnapping me out of a sick need for vengeance because we've cut a couple of his heists short- a part of our jobs as huntresses.
Don't take Schnee Company and my second chance away from us because Torchwick decided to share what my father is responsible for and I haven't had the chance to fix back home yet.
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Huh, didn't know you were older than me... Being 18 doesn't sound too bad or too young but remember, we're often burdened at home. When's a foreseeable chance of finding something this happy and great feeling with everything we have to prepare for. Sadly, we're children who have grown up too soon...[Their torture and death certainly didn't help things. They experienced more in their short lives than most in their entire lifetimes.]
I doubt Zuko expects you to be a baby machine. But...the forgetting thing I understand... There are too many factors that come with such a thing that- it almost doesn't seem worth risking the heart break... [That was also more an underlying fear of her own; another reason she's considering breaking things off with Sun.]
The future is uncertain no matter how we look at it. But just live for the now. Maybe think a month or two ahead of now. And it sounds like those are some worries you need to open up and be honest with Zuko about. Who knows, maybe he wants to be a stay at home dad and be the man behind the woman who runs a great company.
Have you talked about your worries with him?
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[ She moves over to sit down next to Blake on the bed once the other girl clears room for her, then narrows her eyes at Blake at that comment about not being worth risking heartbreak. Weiss already knows that Sun feels it's totally worth it- they actually talked about that once, though for a far different conversation. ]
Some people would say it is worth it. I think it's worth it, or I wouldn't have gone this far already. Zuko thought he was being stupid just for bringing it up and I don't want to teach him that yes, bringing things up to me while I'm stressed is stupid, because I want him to think I can handle it because I want to be able to handle it. What if I end up talking to him and convince him it's a bad idea and he takes it back?
[ Because she doesn't want him to take it back, as weird as that sounds. Weiss is definitely leaning against the headboard now and looking like she absolutely wants to slump down on the bed like a lump of confusion- but she's too disciplined for that. ]
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[She shakes her head at that.] No. I don't think that will constitute as 'cheating' on Zuko. I told this to Yang because, well, she was rather emotional about another 'her' being here.
Right now, in this moment, you are you. Nothing will change that. The dream dock? That's-- you at home, I suppose. That's you continuing your life in a world where things like this are impossible. But you're still you here. You're living your life, just in a different story.
And from everything you've said, Zuko doesn't seem the kind to take it back. He loves you more than anything even with your moodswings.
Just...speak from the heart and mind; voice your true concerns and however he reacts, well, take it from there but as calm as you can.
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[ Out of everything she said, that was the only thing that Weiss could find something to argue with. ]
If he's already decided that he might want to one day, doesn't that mean he's already thought about all of this and decided we should anyway?
[ Which is, in its own sense, slightly comforting. If he actually thought that through already. Zuko was the type of person who had decided before she'd even brought it up that they couldn't have sex because he didn't know about birth control, so maybe he had thought about all of this. ]
Torchwick started focusing in on me, too, so there's a huge chance that none of this is even going to matter.
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Or he could just be that lovestruck. Maybe he's not thinking too much about the technical details and only realizes that you're the one he wants to be with no matter what.
[There's a small twitch and a twinge of pain over her heart at the mention of Torchwick.] I fairly sure he's doing nothing more than showing his true colors and soon people will see just how crazy he is. It could be a blessing in disguise.
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Are we supposed to just hope that blessing doesn't come at the cost of any more lives than it already has?
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So if he's the type to think about it, then it seems like he's in for the long haul. If you keep worrying about the negatives, you deny yourself the happiness you deserve and often those things lead to far more pain than just living in the moment.
Hope all you want, it might help,but still denying yourself your own happiness won't do any good. I do understand your fear and share it and maybe it's a good incentive to train harder so we can protect everyone we can.
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[ To use Blake's word. ]
I feel like that coming from you is something of a contradiction, but I think you're right.
[ She knows how Blake tends to doubt herself and focus on the negatives of situations, denying her own happiness in the process, after all. ]
Thanks, Blake.
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The 'very vigorous made her give a small snort since, well she knew what that meant.] So I guess after the big deed was done it became a bit addictive?
[She gives a small shrug at her thanks, only nodding at the thanks.]
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[Rubs the back of her head awkwardly.] Oh well. With the scar over my heart it's probably for the best.
So have you and Zuko become closer since doing-- that.
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Of course we have.
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We were on the roof as soon as Roman appeared, trying to scout out where he might of been..but uh,we had to do something to keep warm. I tried the--..[Taps her mouth.] -- thing too. That was the last time we really spent time together.
Then he seemed...mad when I was in the hospital but- I'm sure it was at the situation. [Gives another shrug.] I'm not about to push him with my needs and- keep chasing him for attention.
That is good at least, between you two. The soundproof walls seem to help a lot in that case.
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Also, chasing him with attention is exactly what he wants. If Zuko ignores a text for too long I get upset with him. But with you, it always seems like if people bother you then they're actually bothering you. So go be needy with him and tell him what you need.
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With a sigh she rolled her gaze over to Weiss beside her.] You say that as if I'm okay doing those kinds of things. It's not particularly in my nature to be clingy. I've been alone my whole life, it's just something I'm used to more than having someone's attention let alone affection.
If he wants something, he knows he can come to me or whoever else he wants to to fulfill his needs.
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He got a cat because it was a form of payment that someone tried to weasel out of after his hard work; granted I'm grateful there's not another stray on the street.
And that tie was not for me. We ran in to one another outside the dance that he didn't even know or think I was going to attend. He wore it because regulations. I appreciate you trying to find meanings in those actions but they're not what you think they are.
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He didn't have to keep it.
What about your first date? I know he dressed nicely for that, so you can't tell me it was entirely because I made Neptune make him.
Will you stop looking for reasons that he doesn't care about you? He obviously does, and he does back home too. With those abs he could have a fair pick of women to date, Faunus or not, but he chose you. It's not because you're a Faunus- there are plenty of those around- and he stayed single the entire time that it was just he, Yang, me, and Professor Ozpin from our world, even though he knew plenty of people. It's because he likes you. Stop looking for reasons he doesn't unless you're actually looking for an excuse to dump him.
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[Another groan and a roll of her eyes before stuffing her face on her knees she drew up to her chest.] I'm not looking for an excuse to dump him I'm just still skeptical about- everything.
I'm trying to stop myself from feeling so strongly that it makes me cry. That vulnerability is nothing I've ever witnessed and frankly it's terrifying.
I told him I didn't even care if he was using me to get closer to you, Yang or even Ruby because it meant I still would be able to have a minute bit of his attention yet I have to be the one to keep following him for it? That sense of desperation is maddening.
[Shaky breath and she rubs her tired eyes that already have tears spilling. She hasn't cried since...well, since she died.] I've never felt wanted in my life... [Raising her hand up to tug on her bow, she touches her cat ears only to push aside some hair, showing a few scars and a small hole.] I've been beaten, I've had stones thrown at me, I've been told that Faunus' deserve nothing. And yet I just...want his attention all the time like Zuko is with you.
[Another shaky sigh and she sits up, shaking her head of thoughts.] But, there are more important matters... Are you going to have to hire more security for your company? You may have to start a system where others- trustworthy people you know- can vouch for whoever applies... No risk of infiltration.
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He's not using you to get close to one of us. If he wanted to do that, all he has to do is talk to one of us. Also, each of us would think he was absolutely disgusting if he was trying to do that.
[ Weiss nudges Blake to unfurl, at least going to hold her hand though. Weiss wasn't the huggiest of people, at least not when it wasn't her boyfriend, but she knew when physical contact was important. Comfort was one of those times. ]
But you are right that it's scary. Obviously. I mean, I don't scare half as easily as you and I still have been avoiding my boyfriend because he asked me a question that I've been worrying about for more than two weeks after he barely wanted to ask me in the first place. Which, by the way, I had to try to talk him into telling me because he thought he was being stupid. It sounds to me that you need to take a bit of your own advice, Blake: don't let being scared ruin something for you.
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When she reaches out to touch her hand however, there's a small flinch, like an animal that has been abused and cowering away from being hit again but it soon dies down.] I guess Neptune does like talking sometimes... He's been here helping take care of me and brought me some books but- he hasn't mentioned anything at all.
Advice is easier given to friends then accepting it yourself, especially when doubting your own self worth. Sun can do better and if that better comes along, if he wants it, his happiness is my heart's desire.
And it's not a 'change of subject' per-say. It's a legitimate worry I have for your safety now that a target's been painted and the boarder lines between us and Torchwick.
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Also? You need to cut it out with the "I want him to be jealous over me" thing. He's not the jealous type and frankly? You're not a possession. He clearly trusts you and it shows. The only people who care about doing "better" are the people who are looking to socially climb. Most people are happy because they found the person that they like and want to be with. Their "worth" is what makes all of those gross boys from back home try to go after me because I'm rich. I'm not going to sit here and tell you what you should feel about yourself; I can't do that, you're the only one who can. But you need to stop caring what Sun's expectations are and just accept that he wants you for who you are.
A target's always been on my back. I just got a short break here. But right now, if you don't find something to keep you going here, that target's going to be too heavy to carry. I'm going to figure out what to do about Torchwick, and I may ask you to fight if you're still willing. I don't plan on losing anything else on his account.