There was something childish in their escape. As if they were two elementary schoolers running down a hallway, who had made some mischief and were now hastily fleeing the crime scene. Jumping over obstacles, darting between passersby and laughing wildly, scaring off anyone and everyone in their path.
Okay, only Egrer was laughing, Weiss was just smiling broadly. She had already discarded her surname and the standards that came with it, just to do something foolish for the sake of folly, without looking back at the consequences or how it looked from the outside. Having spent her whole life under strict control, she truly learned to appreciate such moments when you could just relax and fool around. Who knows, maybe the next such opportunity wouldn't present itself anytime soon.
They ran out of the plaza by the train station and ran along the highway. A dense stream of cars roared on the left, while an equally dense stream of citizens buzzed on the right, stuffing their ears with the thick cotton of city bustle. Weiss and Egrer ran between them, right along the narrow curb, causing displeasure from both sides. Cars honked, passersby grumbled, but the two of them were too fast for anyone to actually do anything.
Four mysterious figures in dark clothes didn't fall behind, but didn't catch up either - they kept their distance. They were also doing something foolish, but they exactly weren't having fun. In any case, it didn't stop them from quite successfully continuing the chase.
Egrer realized they couldn't just shake them off that easily, which meant it was time for cunning. He knew perfectly well how to evade a chase, and even having never been here before, he already saw places where they could lose the tail.
"This way." He took Weiss by the hand and sharply pulled her to the side.
"Do not forget about the second rule!"
Barely managing to run across the road on a yellow light, they ducked into a shopping mall. Slipping through the revolving doors, Egrer nearly tripped in surprise, amazed by the spaciousness of the building and the dozens of shops, boutiques, salons, and cafes. Four floors up, one down, and a long, long wide path forward, where another entrance was barely visible. Too many places to hide, the eyes ran wide.
After a moment's hesitation, Egrer quickly led Weiss to the very first place that caught his eye - a trendy boutique on the second floor. Running up the escalator, they nearly crashed into the automatic glass doors, they opened so painfully slowly.
Inside, they were met by about a dozen bewildered stares from shoppers. Blushing slightly out of awkwardness, Egrer stepped away toward the racks of patent-leather men's shoes, while Weiss grabbed the first dress that came to hand and began examining it with a businesslike air. In short, they assumed a businesslike and serious demeanor. So the store patrons collectively pretended they had merely imagined that two teenagers had barged in here, nearly knocking over the mannequin at the entrance.
When the attention to their persons died down, Weiss allowed herself a tired breath. This sprint had clearly proven quite exhausting for her. Nevertheless, a wide smile played on her face, which hadn't vanished for a single second this whole time.
"Fun doing foolish things?" Egrer asked.
"Ha... ha..." she was either giggling or just exhaling loudly, "I better not get used to this. To be honest, living spontaneously is much more fun than following a pre-made plan. But still, having a plan is much better."
"You're like always," Egrer chuckled. "You want one thing, but do the opposite."
He leaned against the glass and looked down at the first floor. From here, there was a very convenient view of the mall entrance.
Almost immediately, four mysterious figures flew inside, but got stuck in the revolving doors. They packed themselves like sardines into a single door compartment, and it simply refused to spin further because someone was constantly pressing against the glass. Yort alone took up half the entire space.
"Yeah, didn't expect that," Egrer smiled in satisfaction. A security guard was already running toward the failed pursuers.
"Since the cards fell this way, we should lose the tail for good."
They ran straight through the mall and went outside through another exit. As soon as their stalkers were left behind, the clouds in the sky parted, and the sun began to shine brighter than before. Sunbeams straight from a nearby skyscraper illuminated the previously dark paving stones, as if lighting their way forward.
After running a couple more streets and ensuring there was definitely no pursuit, Weiss demanded a break. Her skin radiated heat, a couple of sweat drops rolled down her face, and her erratic breathing prevented her from talking normally. She never got high grades in P.E. Which made it all the more surprising that, despite this, she held the honorable fifth place in the first year's Combat Training shooting range.
They slowed to a walk, and then found a bench in the cool shade of a tall office building. Weiss relaxed onto it, leaning back against the bench with a deep exhale. She closed her eyes, bringing her breathing back to normal. This sprint hadn't been easy for her.
Egrer couldn't deny himself the pleasure of admiring her in such a vulnerable state.
She very rarely let herself be seen as weak. Always perfect and proud, showing weakness was unacceptable for her. Even in those P.E. classes, she held on with all her might, just so no one would realize that she was actually dead tired. That was how she was raised: never show weakness to anyone, never expose your back to anyone, never trust anyone.
Egrer found those moments quite cute when, through the reflexes and habits beaten into her since childhood, Weiss's true nature slipped through. Not the Schnee heiress, but just a girl named Weiss, who loved causing a ruckus, laughing, and having fun just as much as she loved discipline, order, and control. There was definitely something to that.
After her momentary weakness passed, Weiss immediately assumed a posture befitting the SDC heiress - back straight, legs slightly bent and tucked under the bench, hands clasped together and resting on her stomach. Even when they were alone, she was very reluctant to relax, and here it was full of people anyway.
The city center was a very crowded place, but no one had time for rest or idle curiosity. So if they did recognize Weiss, they just let their gaze linger on her and walked on. But that was enough for her to show her surroundings exactly Schnee, not Weiss. A kind of defensive reflex, an icy shell that didn't allow her to let strangers see her true self.
Even at Beacon, not everyone was granted this honor. Only her own team, Egrer, and to some extent Team JNPR. To everyone else, she was Schnee first, and only then Weiss.
Right above them a suspended train passed by, creating a gust of wind that picked up a couple of flyers and candy wrappers.
"So," Egrer said. "How late are we for the tailor?"
"Not at all." Her voice still had an erratic quality, as if she hadn't fully caught her breath. "I didn't know how much time you guys would need to discuss everything, so I simply bought out his entire workday."
"In that case, we've got time to take a walk, am I right?"
Weiss smiled.
"I suppose so. Though, I wanted to order a taxi... but I won't turn down a short walk after all."
Egrer stood up and, like a true gentleman, offered his lady a hand. Weiss turned her head, as if wanting to make sure no one was looking at them right now, but someone was constantly walking by. Eventually, she just sighed and accepted the help.
"Are you really so afraid that your reputation will plummet if you're seen next to someone not from high society?" he smiled. It always amused him how Weiss, usually indifferent to others' opinions, would start worrying in public around him.
Weiss didn't answer, although she was clearly about to say something. This slightly tensed Egrer, as he didn't want to accidentally hurt or insult her. So she stayed silent for several seconds while they unhurriedly walked along the pedestrian path.
"I will be honest - starting our relationship was the biggest foolishness of my life," Weiss said with deadly seriousness. "I have never done anything so thoughtless and spontaneous."
Something squeezed Egrer's heart tightly.
"Are you saying that it was... a mistake?"
Weiss poked him in the side, offended. Which was strange, because Egrer should have been the one offended right now.
"Not a mistake. Mistakes are something I am ashamed of and try to avoid in the future, while foolish things are simply thoughtless actions. I am not ashamed of them, and sometimes I wouldn't even mind repeating them just for the pleasure of it."
"Ah..." Egrer exhaled. "I was already starting to overthink it."
Weiss pressed slightly against him, as if wanting to encourage him. Now they were walking practically flush against each other.
"To be honest, I wanted to reject you then. But at that moment, my brain froze, and instead of logic, I was driven by emotions. And my emotions told me to agree." Her lips curved into a smile. "And then... The next day I simply decided, so be it. You are the biggest foolishness of my life."
"If you say it in that tone, it sounds like a compliment."
"That is what it is."
"But since logic was telling you to refuse, it must've had its reasons," Egrer noted. Weiss darkened slightly.
"I am not blaming you for anything, but it would be foolish to deny that a relationship with a Faunus will hinder the execution of my plan."
Arguing with that really was foolish. Just as Egrer openly told her about his life under Roman's wing, Weiss also told him about the dirt in her company. In the SDC, the oppression of Faunus is the norm; that's exactly how the company gets such huge profits. And if the board of directors found out that she was in a relationship with a Faunus, they would conclude that Weiss wouldn't be able to continue her father's policies and provide those parasites with fabulous salaries. And in the beginning, she would need their approval.
Besides, her father definitely knows everything, but it's unknown whether he is keeping this information a secret. Perhaps he wants to resort to blackmail, like "Sleep with whoever you want, but otherwise you'll obey me, or your fairy tale will come to an end." He wouldn't miss the chance to get another point of leverage over his willful daughter...
"Always hated politics and your dad. And now I hate them doubly so."
"Do not worry, everything is under control," Weiss said confidently. However, he felt her doubts through his skin. "As long as I am outside Atlas, my father can do little to me."
"You have a brother," Egrer said quietly. "Jacques could disinherit you in his favor, like what happened with your sister."
"That is an extreme measure, the absolute extreme. When my father did that to Winter, it caused him huge losses. You know, big business can be compared to feudalism. Other 'Lords' and 'Kings' built their plans based on the fact that Winter would head the SDC. They spent a lot of resources and time on that, sometimes even took risks. And then she was simply disinherited. Naturally, this causes dissatisfaction and the logical question 'What kind of father is Jacques if he cannot raise his own replacement?' If such a thing happens twice, the SDC's losses will be much more severe."
Most likely, that's exactly how it was; in any case, Weiss definitely knew better how it worked. But despite her confidence, Egrer was sorry that he was creating problems for her. Even in such a non-trivial way, just by existing in her life. Apparently, this somehow reflected on his face, because Weiss frowned angrily.
"Do not dare blame yourself for anything. I told you that I thought carefully about the consequences and decided that I was ready to go through with it. And let me remind you that my coup is not something you should worry about."
"Is there anything wrong with a simple desire to help? Your problems are my problems too. I might not be super useful in these intrigues... but I'll always lend you a hand if you fall." Egrer lightly touched his palm to hers. Weiss responded in kind, and their fingers intertwined. "I believe you have the power to change the SDC, and then the whole world. And I want to be there when it happens."
"Thank you." One simple word, but spoken with genuine warmth. "It is much more reassuring when there is someone who can watch your back in a difficult moment and who you can trust without looking back. Living in constant tension is difficult, you stop distinguishing friends from enemies. Thank you."
Egrer wasn't lying; he truly wanted to help her achieve her dream. And not out of a desire to help his race, though that was part of it, but simply because Weiss wanted the world to be different. And since she wanted it so much, Egrer would help. No more reasons were needed.
Maybe Egrer was useless in matters of politics and economics, maybe his ideas always fall apart, maybe he isn't capable of reading a page of text in a couple of seconds or multiplying three-digit numbers in his head, but he could simply be there. To help her endure the blows of fate, to pull her forward if her own legs failed, to hug and comfort her.
Of course, Weiss would achieve all her goals even without his support, he didn't doubt that for a second. She was strong enough to wipe away her tears and stand up on her own after a fall. She couldn't be broken so easily. It would seem, why would such a strong and independent woman need anyone at all? A true careerist who goes towards her intended goal regardless of any obstacles.
And Egrer knew the answer.
Weiss had always been full of contradictions. A manipulative nature, striving to understand sincerity. A girl hiding behind a wall of ice, craving warmth. A passion for freedom, which she achieved through a strict plan and self-discipline. Care, hidden behind a mask of detachment.
In Atlas, she wasn't allowed such feelings and desires, so she had to carefully hide them from prying eyes and mimic. This habit was still with her. It took a rather large credit of trust for Weiss Schnee to let anyone see her other side, much less cold and much more friendly.
After all, she didn't run away to Beacon just so everything here would be like in Atlas. Here, Weiss wanted to find true friends and comrades. And she found them, even if she couldn't immediately rid herself of the coldness and arrogance instilled since early childhood.
But as much as she was protected by her shell, her exclusion zone, she was just as vulnerable to whoever she finally decided to let close. However, this was exactly what she wanted. To let someone so close to her that none of her defenses would be effective anymore, so close that a single strike could prove fatal to her.
Weiss wanted to be defenseless while simultaneously knowing she was in no danger, that she was safe.
Contradictions. She breathed them and lived by them.
They walked along Color Revolution Street, saying nothing and simply holding hands. It was that kind of silence when everything had already been said and there was simply no point in words. When you just want to walk and enjoy the stroll.
The streetlights flickered on. It wasn't evening yet, but it got dark early in the city center; the dense cluster of skyscrapers blocked out the sun and most of the sky. Only a narrow blue strip was visible above their heads, which had just begun to darken.
The end of the wide pedestrian road couldn't be seen because of the many passersby. Most of them were tourists who had come to look at the cultural heritage of history, which was abundant on this street. Humans and Faunus in a wide variety of outfits and the most diverse appearances flooded the street. In the crowd, the colorful Vacuan outfits, strict Atlesian suits, and exotic Mistralian clothes were easily recognizable.
In essence, Color Revolution Street could be called an open-air museum, there were so many monuments, statues, and memorial plaques here. Practically every event of global importance found its own bright corner here.
Everything was fine until the click of a camera was heard from the side, after which a colorful couple jumped out as if from nowhere.
"Miss Schnee, hello!"
A young girl in a wide-brimmed hat and dark glasses, holding a notepad and pen, was obviously some sort of journalist. Adding to this theory was the fact that the red-nosed man next to her was carrying a camera with a lens so big and long that if you removed the glass, a bird could easily build a nest inside it. And this very lens was aimed right at them. Another click was heard, after which the girl bombarded them with a bunch of questions.
Egrer didn't know how he should react to this, but a familiar Weiss just grumbled a single word - paparazzi, after which she quickened her pace. To all the questions, she answered "No comment" or didn't answer at all, absolutely not wanting to share the details of her life at Beacon.
They were interested either in the personal life of the famous Weiss Schnee, or the internal structure of Beacon, which was always kept secret. Only parents and guardians were sent grade reports and told about team compositions. Not that this was a terrible secret, students were allowed to say whatever they wanted about the academy to anyone, but the administration itself kept all information closed.
So all outsiders could do was rely on rumors and social networks. However, all of Weiss's accounts died along with her move to Vale and enrollment in Beacon, since they were managed not even by her, but by hired people. The last post on them was her farewell concert, where she ended her singing career and her past life. Even in the natively Beacon-based "In the Know", Weiss reluctantly maintained a page, preferring to communicate in person.
When the girl realized she wouldn't get a proper answer from Weiss, she started pestering Egrer. The camera in the man's hands clicked, capturing his bewildered face.
"Tell me, are you members of the same team?"
"Uh..." Egrer couldn't think of anything better than to just parrot Weiss. "No comment."
He didn't understand why they kept pestering them if it was clear to everyone that no one was going to tell anyone anything. Or did these two want to thoroughly piss them off first, and then say "Just answer one little question, and we'll leave!"? In that case, it made at least some sense. Provoke emotions, take a picture, and make a profit. A simple scheme.
Weiss began swiveling her head, as if searching for an exit.
A barred fence caught her eye, behind which lay a park. A little further on was a beautiful patterned entrance with a small ticket booth that read "Feel the Wildlife." There was also a sign with a crossed-out horned head - Faunus entrance prohibited. Naturally, this couldn't stop Egrer or Weiss, and she immediately dragged him in that direction.
In such a large city as Vale, there was little room for nature. Only a couple of paid parks, where a ticket for an hour's walk often cost as much as a used car or a new Scroll. Many city dwellers saw greenery only in pictures or during intercity flights. To breathe fresh air and lounge on the grass could only be done by the richest and most influential.
The paparazzi, of course, didn't have that much money on them. Sensing that their prey was getting away, the photographer started clicking his camera like a madman, and the journalist fired off her questions even faster.
The cashier met Weiss with eyes bulging in surprise. Especially when she, without any pacing around, slammed her fist on the counter with a card clutched in it.
"Two unlimited."
"Are you on a date?" the journalist asked brazenly, scribbling something in her notebook. "How long have you been dating? Please, answer at least one question for your biggest fan! Your music saved my life!"
The cashier printed two green tickets with gold trim and handed them to the buyers. Weiss and Egrer crossed the threshold where the park began, leaving the city bustle behind.
"It's hard being famous," Egrer said, looking back at those annoying folks. The photographer only took one more parting shot before they left to pester someone else. "That kind of attention must be very flattering."
"No. Their very profession is searching for compromising information. Stars usually dress up before going out to photographers, and their job is to take photos of everyday life, and preferably as personal as possible. If Beacon were located right inside Vale, I guarantee these parasites would plaster the entire fence three layers deep, just to get a single shot. And the boldest wouldn't hesitate to sneak inside."
"On our next non-date, you need to be disguised," Egrer concluded. "Less trouble, and I'll be able to hold your hand without that 'Do not forget about the second rule' of yours."
"To Grimm with the second rule." With these words, she squeezed his palm demandingly, and even somewhat possessively. "And as for a disguise... I don't like hiding, but otherwise they'll just keep bothering us all the time. I'll have to think about it."
It was much quieter and more spacious in the park. No crowding, only occasional rich folks enjoying nature. The noise of the crowd was left behind, and the further they walked, the more the lush trees and bushes muffled it.
As the sign by the cashier promised, they were clearly trying to create a semblance of wildlife here. Moss-covered boulders stood right in the path of the trails, making them weave from obstacle to obstacle. The vegetation was ostentatiously unkempt, and the grass was tall. But if anyone had ever walked through a real, dense forest, they would easily spot the traces of intelligence in this park.
There were almost no insects here, and the grass was unnaturally green, lush, and dense. Any dead branches that broke the color scheme of the juicy green hue were simply pruned from trees and bushes. Clearly, anything 'extra' was frequently cleared from the ground so guests could have a picnic in practically any spot or just lounge on the grass. No twigs, no rocks, just leaves, and even then in small quantities.
Posing. No one needs actual wildlife; they aren't willing to pay for it. But for an upgraded version, brighter and more comfortable, they are ready. For a city dweller, it was just the thing, but anyone else would just scoff at the smug title "Feel the Wildlife."
But ignoring this little deception, the park was a pleasant and quiet place.
"How much were the tickets?" Egrer asked.
"Do you think I looked at the price tag?"
"Got it, stupid question." He looked at the ticket in his hand, but the price wasn't listed there either.
"Unlimited pass," read a large inscription in the center, and in parentheses below was an explanation that unlimited meant until the park closed. The next day, you'd have to buy a new one.
"It's just a bit wasteful," Egrer said a second later. "We just needed to walk through this park, we aren't planning on strolling here until nightfall."
"Is your conscience starting to torment you for so shamelessly using my wealth?"
"Pfft, when have I ever used it? That samosa doesn't count, that's just honoring the contract. The suit jacket too, that's exactly your fault it got ruined. And we won't count the tickets to this park either, I didn't ask you to buy them. I might have lived practically my whole life under the motto 'If they give it, take it; if they hit you, run', but I'm not gonna ask you for money for some whims of mine. I have my pride."
Weiss raised her head to the sky. Her thoughtful gaze wandered among the clouds.
"You know, I've always been afraid that people around me would only see me as a bank card, which you just have to ask politely and it will give as much money as you need, without emptying itself even a fraction of a percent. And if it refuses... no matter the reason, it's simply bad and greedy. In Atlas, that's exactly how it was. At least with those who didn't have influential parents or businesses. Waiters, taxi drivers, all of them expected fabulous tips from me, simply because to me they are pathetic pennies." She looked at Egrer. "Tell me, is such an attitude fair?"
If someone else had asked him this, the answer would have been obvious - the rich must share. But from Weiss's lips, this question revealed new, previously unknown facets. It made him think not only about the correctness of this state of affairs from the perspective of an ordinary mortal, but also from the perspective of the powerful of this world. Why should they give anything to anyone if they can do nothing and face no consequences for it?
Weiss decides herself where to spend her money, and she decides for herself what tips a waiter deserves. The money is her property, which she is free to manage as she pleases, and it is wrong to expect that she will hand it out to everyone just because she has a lot of it. This isn't greed or stinginess.
But on the other hand, Egrer believed that if someone spent millions of Lien on expensive parties and yachts, it would be fair to share wealth with those who are less successful. Who are starving or don't have a roof over their heads. Who don't have enough to treat a loved one or themselves. But no one is obligated to help anyone. The world is just an unfair place. Billionaires won't share their wealth just because someone lives worse than them. And that is sad.
If someone helped those who, without outside help, are forced to die of hunger or commit crimes, Remnant would become a better place. If that were the case, Egrer's life might have turned out completely differently.
"I think you should decide for yourself who to give money to and how much," he replied thoughtfully, looking where Weiss was looking - at the blue sky. "But I also think charity is mandatory for all rich people. A waiter at a prestigious restaurant will update his wardrobe with your tips, but a beggar will buy food and a roof over his head. It's a matter of who you're giving your money to."
"Charity," Weiss said, rolling the word on her tongue. "A good deed, it's a pity that everyone usually spends money on themselves. But I meant something else. How fair is it to expect that I will give large sums to my friends simply because I have these sums?"
This time Egrer didn't waste time thinking.
"Only if you're buying their company. That's a mutually beneficial friendship - you pay them, and they provide you with company. That shouldn't happen in a true one, it's about something else, about the personality. That kind of friend will be with you not only in joy, but also in sorrow. So if someone is constantly begging you for money, then think three times about whether you even need them at all."
"I will trust a professional," Weiss nodded with a chuckle. She seemed to like that answer. "I have little experience in matters of friendship, after all. I was taught to manage and manipulate the people around me, to make them do what I need. And almost all of my acquaintances, to one degree or another, became mannequins on which I practiced various techniques."
Egrer noticed that subconsciously she always tries to twist everything in her favor, to present herself in a favorable light and avoid problems. It just happens automatically - echoes of an upbringing that she's trying with all her might to tear out of herself by the roots. Weiss hates this trait of her character and always catches herself when she realizes she is using others.
After all, she didn't run away to Beacon just so everything here would be like in Atlas. Here Weiss wanted to find true friends and comrades. And she found them, even if she couldn't immediately rid herself of the coldness and arrogance instilled since early childhood.
They continued walking in comfortable silence.
After ten minutes of a leisurely stroll, they exited the park and returned to the bustling life of the metropolis. And after another ten, they arrived at the threshold of a tall skyscraper, twisted like a huge noodle. Egrer involuntarily admired such a curious architectural choice, while Weiss pressed the necessary button on the intercom.
"Yes-yes?" a voice came from the other side. Egrer involuntarily tore his gaze away from the sparkling windows and lowered his head. This voice seemed vaguely familiar to him.
"Mr. Adel, this is Weiss Schnee, we came about the suit."
'Mr. Adel?' he began to remember. 'What a meeting. Hope Roman didn't complain to him about me...'