They found Weiss at the outer transit ring of the military base, standing beside a panoramic window that looked out to Atlas city. Weiss had her scroll in hand and waved to the two of them.
"Took you long enough, what were you two doing?" she asked, without any bite in her words.
Jaune smiled faintly. "We got a bit caught up."
Blake folded her arms. "How was the talk with Winter?"
"It was fine." Weiss replied. "She had to step away, but we were able to hang out for a little bit." She paused, then added without a hint of dry humor, "She also briefed me on something very interesting."
She paused for a moment.
"Apparently there was a sighting of a Sleepless agent in a city called Rime, just today."
"A sleepless agent?" Jaune's face took on a serious look.
"Mhmm. But before you ask, I don't know much else about it. The higher ups are keeping it hush-hush. Not sure why."
Jaune cupped his chin. "That tracks. LUCID tends to do that for some reason. I just hope it isn't a team leader or whatever their called."
Blake pondered for a moment before asking Jaune. "Team leader... like that Fleshy monstrosity guy in Belmont, right?"
"Yeah. Supposedly my father is a team leader as well, but I don't have much information regarding that."
"Fair enough."
Weiss reassured him, "In any case, Atlas is sure to be on the job. There's no need worry about Sleepless right now." Weiss then glanced between the two of them, her eyes lingering briefly on Jaune. "Are we all finished with LUCID for the day?"
"Yeah, I'm a little tired of training now." Jaune said. "And apparently I can't access anything too important without having clearance either."
"Too important? What were you looking for."
"I was just curious about some of the information surrounding the centurions. Don't worry about.
"Alright," Weiss nodded. "Then let's leave. We still have some time to ourselves before the ball."
They moved quickly after that. Clearance gates parted at and the controlled atmosphere of the military base gave way to the open grandeur of Atlas city.
They wandered without a strict destination. Weiss guided them through districts she knew well, places she had grown up seeing but rarely truly explored. Blake lingered near storefronts that sold books and antique tools. Jaune found himself distracted by the sheer scale of it all, the way the city balanced beauty and control so seamlessly.
There was laughter somewhere below. Music carried faintly from an open plaza. Atlas was preparing for tonight just as the Schnee manor was.
Eventually, Weiss checked the time and slowed. "We should head back," she said. "The preparations should be finished by now and guests will probably start arriving in two hours."
Jaune nodded. "Yeah. Probably a good idea not to show up late to a Schnee event."
Blake gave him a look. "You say that like you expect consequences?"
"I do," he replied mildly.
The car ride to the upper city was quiet. Snow thickened as they ascended, the city lights below becoming a distant constellation. The Schnee manor emerged from the snowfall like something carved from marble and frost. Its grounds were immaculate, the pathways cleared and lit, banners and subtle decorations already in place.
When they stepped inside, the change was immediate.
The manor was alive with motion.
Workers moved with practiced efficiency, adjusting lighting fixtures, placing final floral arrangements, checking seating layouts. Servants passed through hallways carrying trays and fabric rolls. The atmosphere was controlled chaos, every detail being polished to perfection.
"We're done here," Weiss told one of the coordinators briskly. "Please inform Father that we'll be ready on time."
"Yes, Miss Schnee."
She turned to Jaune and Blake. "You both know where your rooms are. Get ready. We'll meet in the main hall in an hour and a half."
"Understood," Blake said.
Jaune nodded. "See you then."
They split up.
Jaune's room was quiet when he entered, insulated from the activity below. He exhaled and headed for the bathroom.
The shower was hot and grounding. Steam filled the space, washing away sweat and lingering tension. Jaune rested his hands against the tile, eyes closed, letting his thoughts slow. His body ached in a familiar way, earned rather than inflicted. When he stepped out and dressed in his suit, the world felt clearer.
Blake's preparations were similar, yet her room was dim and curtains were drawn to soften the light. She moved languidly, but showered quickly. She had already prepped her attire beforehand with with care.
She paused briefly, catching her reflection in the mirror. It was beautiful black and purple dress that had layers to it. It showed her figure quite well too. She never wore it, so this time, would be her first time, yet she was a little curious to see Jaune's reaction to her outfit.
It was just unfortunate that tonight would be crowded and political.
She adjusted the clasp at her neck and turned away.
Weiss's room was a study in controlled elegance. Every surface gleamed and every garment was arranged with purpose. She moved through it all, showering, styling her hair and selecting her dress with an eye for detail that bordered on instinct.
As she dressed, she caught herself hesitating.
A variety of different guests would be arriving. Council members, military officials and even some influential families who knew of the dream realm. Eyes that would weigh and measure every word she spoke.
She slumped her shoulders, wondering why she even bothered to come to Atlas. While it was true that she had a chance to see her siblings, these types of events were simply a pain to go through.
She sighed and straightened her shoulders.
She was ready.
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.
Jaune stared at himself in the mirror. He adjusted the collar of his outfit, fingers lingering briefly as he checked his reflection. He didn't look anything like the boy who had once drifted through life unnoticed. Strength had changed him. Responsibility had shaped him.
He picked up his phone from the dresser, hesitated, then slipped it into his pocket.
When they reconvened in the main hall, Jaune was a bit stunned to see the two gorgeous women in front of him.
He stopped a few steps short of them and the words he had been about to say were quietly abandoning ship.
Blake noticed his reaction and couldn't help but to tease him for it.
A faint smile tugged at her lips as she folded her arms, eyes sharp with amusement. "Been a while since I've seen you speechless," she said lightly. "Cat got your tongue?"
Weiss seemed amused as well. She stood poised beneath the lights of the main hall, the crystal chandeliers reflecting softly off the pale blue of her gown. The dress flowed like freshly fallen snow, layered silk and delicate embroidery catching the light with every small movement. It hugged her well trained body with ease, easily highlighting her womanly assets. Her hair had been styled with care, framed elegantly around her face, accentuating sharp features softened by a rare, genuine calm.
Blake, in contrast, wore something darker and richer. Deep black fabric with subtle purple accents traced her silhouette, the layers shifting like shadow and ink when she moved. The cut was elegant without being ostentatious, wrapped around her frame with a cadence that left little to the imagination, even though it was a very modest looking dress. Her hair fell freely down her back, a deliberate choice that only heightened the quiet confidence she carried.
Jaune blinked once, then exhaled slowly.
"Wow... you both look incredible," he said, his tone steady and sincere. "Not in a 'fancy event' way. Just… you. The kind of beauty that could make even a room feel smaller."
The effect was immediate.
Weiss's composure faltered for just a heartbeat, with a faint flush rising to her cheeks before she turned her head slightly, pretending to smooth a wrinkle that did not exist. Blake's mouth twitched subtly, her smirk wavering as she looked away.
"…Tch," Blake muttered, then kicked his shin lightly. Not hard enough to hurt, but pointed enough to make her intent clear. "You're not supposed to say it like that."
Jaune winced slightly, then smiled. He could feel it anyway. She was happy.
Weiss cleared her throat and looked back at him, gaze more measured now. "You clean up well yourself," she said, eyes traveling briefly over his suit. "It suits you. Very… Atlas appropriate."
Jaune chuckled softly. "High praise."
Weiss straightened, slipping fully back into her hostess role. "Alright," she said briskly. "That's enough staring. Guests will be arriving shortly and we should be in the event hall before that happens."
Blake rolled her shoulders once and nodded. "Lead the way, Schnee."
Jaune took one last glance at the two of them, then followed as Weiss turned toward the grand doors, the sound of distant music already beginning to drift through the manor.
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AN: Advanced chapters are available on patreon.