genessia | [Video]

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[A woman's face is perfectly framed in the communicator screen, neither too close nor too far. Her blue-eyed gaze is serious, not a trace of warmth reflected in her elegant features.]

I will keep my queries brief, and I would appreciate it if the answers supplied in kind were kept succinct.

[Funny how her appreciation sounds a lot more like an irrefutable demand. Her head inclines slightly as if to indicate gratitude, though vocally she gives none.]

First, I would like a status update on what is being done to remove ourselves from this situation. Is there an organized effort. Are studies being conducted.

[No questions, just statements that require explanation.]

Second, I would like a list of names of those who have been within this realm the longest, including the date of arrival. If you were able to return to your home at any point, whether through the Dream Docks or other methods, I would also like a summary of what you experienced.

Third, and last, I wish to know the structure of your emergency response personnel. If there is a breach in the barriers, who responds? What kind of leadership has been set in place for such events?

[Her chin lifts imperiously as a means of indicating that her ~~orders~~ requests are given in completion.]

I thank you for your assistance in this matter. Should you wish to contact me at a future date, my name is Winter Schnee. But I trust that your responses will be punctual.

['Trust'...'insist'...same thing. The feed ends crisply.]

* * * * *

[Private to Weiss]

[This follows just seconds after her initial public announcement, and her tone is just as brisk. However, there's just the faintest incline of her snowy brows to hint at her true concern for her sister.]

How long have you been a part of this world?

[No formal greetings, no 'how nice it is to see you's. This is no time for pleasantries as far as Winter is concerned.]

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[ He hesitates for a moment before reaching towards the device, switching the feed to something more private. As soon as he's sure the connection is only between the two of them his facade falls a bit, feigned pleasantry giving way to something a bit uncertain. ]

This place... presents us with a unique opportunity, Winter. As a family, in a world where our name does not carry one one-thousandth of the weight that it does in Remnant. Father is here, but his influence is nowhere near as great.

[ He lowers his eyes, frowning a bit, trying to determine how best to focus on his point. ]

... I made decisions, back home. We all did, and we went in very different ways. You and Weiss remained somewhat close, while I...

[ Had no one left to distract Jacques' attention away from him. ]

... followed my own course. But all paths have led here, somehow, so I suppose what I'm getting at is that I hope, in time, we may mend some bridges that were once burned.

[Whitley's change legitimately surprises Winter. The one thing a Schnee never does, whether waging war on battlefields or in social circles, is show vulnerability.]

[She's been to plenty of high class affairs, Winter can easily spot pretense and manipulation. Whitley seems entirely sincere. The harsh set of her brows eases as she studies his young face. Honestly, she should reproach him for allowing himself to display this kind of weakness. But she's honestly rather touched.]

I don't recall severing any ties with you, Whitley.

[As the feed is private, the militaristic tone is absent from her voice.]

The reason Weiss and I remained close, as you saw it, was due to her own desire and admiration. Had she wished otherwise, I would have left her alone. Your choice to resent me was...regrettable. But one I understood.

[She inclines her head, briefly closing her eyes.]

Do not think I held you in any sort of disregard, whatever your feelings toward me might have been. Perhaps I have been lax in my own duties as your eldest sibling, for not making it clear that the door remained open.

[She holds her shoulders squarely.]

For that, I apologize.

Edited 2017-10-02 04:09 (UTC)

[ It may be manipulative, in its own way, but not maliciously or even intentionally so. This place is, in some ways, rather wonderful. It's presented him with some good opportunities, unique situations that had led him to his place in charge of the Schnee Company here in Genessia. But he's also seen and heard of its worst side.

It's terrifying.

He's not sure he can handle it alone.

So what else is there to do but to try and find some comfort in the presence of someone strong, someone who might protect him if things went awry? It's hard to say how much of his sincerity comes from a genuine desire to reunite with his sister and how much is from the Schnee in him that will do what he must to survive and persevere. But maybe, for right now, it doesn't matter. He has issues with some of the things she said - his "choice" to resent her, especially - but the negotiator in him knows to let it slide. ]

Let's do away with apologies and simply call this a clean slate.

Hm. As you wish.

[There's even a faint little grin that hints at her amusement. No apologies. Considering how rare it is to extract such a thing from her in the first place, she's impressed with his maturity.]

Once I have had an opportunity to become settled with personal quarters, I'll extend an invitation for tea. Is this acceptable to you?

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