Anywhere

"Hey Winter." Her head snapped up from her book, blue eyes settling on him. What? They'd been quiet for the past several hours. What could have changed so suddenly? "Huh?" Her blood ran cold as he looked away. "I have some errands I need to run today. I thought you'd be at work for the day, so I would have the time with you being none the wiser." Scratch that. Her heart turned to permafrost. He wouldn't just leave her, would he? They had to be important. Of course, but he wouldn't just go, right…? She just… She still didn't trust him but he was all she had. "I-I see. What…are your plans?" No, she'd be fine. The reason he'd brought the animals in the first place. These were aura breeds from a warrior people. They'd be able to defend her against some untrained, aura-free asshole from the upper class. Plus, she was Major Schnee; she could protect herself… She would be fine for a few hours. Surely. "Honestly, that's what I've spent the past couple hours doing. I talked with one of my falconry buddies and he's willing to give me some supplies. And I need to go to Vale for awhile too." Her grip on her book tightened. Out of the country? But ho— Oh right, his sister. "I-I see…" She'd be fine. She'd be fine. It was just a few hours. The birds and dog— "My thought was to have my sister drop you off in Vale with one of our old friends. I can do my running here in Atlas, have her use Iroki—" She felt the dog raise her head, not able to understand. "—as a portal point, drop the stuff off, then I come to Vale to do my errands there, and we head back. Does that sound okay?" She closed her book, pulling her knees to her chest. She didn't want to be alone but she'd never left Atlas. The people outside of it made so little sense. How was she supposed to deal with it? A new kingdom, a new culture… Strangers she'd never met… A shiver went up her spine. But by the same token… She'd be so far away that whoever had gotten in wouldn't be able to attack her… "…Who is this contact of yours?" Qrow just motioned to the TV screen where the AI had pulled up a picture of a much younger Qrow and a girl that looked like him. his sister obviously. Between them stood a little old lady with navy hair though faded with age. How long ago had it been taken? Qrow looked so much happier—lighter even. A glance revealed the prematuring grey that hadn't stuck out before. Had Summer's death truly caused that much stress for him? "I don't think I need to explain who the insufferable bitch is." He rolled his eyes. "But the old woman you see is the contact. Her name's Persia Kersey. I know she looks ready to keel over in this obviously old picture, she ain't. She's still alive and kicking…quite literally. She's a vet of the Great War." While his tone warmed, her heart just buried deeper in the permafrost. A woman that had no doubt seen the atrocities the Mantaline people caused… And she was Atlas military… How was she supposed to deal with it? Of the few elders she'd heard speak of even Faunus Wars, they hated all that stood against them… How much worse would this be? "I... see." "You'll have the birds with you. They can sun in her backyard." She glanced at Kiyay who fluffed up and a faint smile crossed her lips. A minimal reassurance but about the only consolation she had right now. "I suppose there are no other options, are there?" "I mean… I guess Raven could come sit with you… Would you prefer that?" It was simpler but… Another shiver went down her spine. Why did it feel worse than leaving Atlas? "I…think I'll go." She paused. "By the way, I can speak Valian if needed. I was brought up bilingual from birth." It was only so she could have an attractive skill to help entertain guests, but it'd saved her ass more than once since leaving the manor. "No need to worry unless my sister sticks around. Persia's fluent in a number of languages. And, by the way, you should probably change into something much lighter and more casual. You'll roast if you step a foot into Persia's backyard." She blinked before nodding. Right. Vale would be far warmer than Atlas and she didn't need to be in uniform. She slipped into her room, pulling the light jean jacket over the lavender, knee-length dress. A quick swap over to some matching flats over the light grey tights completed the look. It was about as light as she could manage without showing off too much skin. Hopefully the woman would still have that 'air conditioning' thing she'd heard about on in her house. Grabbing her keys. she headed into the living room where another woman sat. Raven… How intimidating, especially that sword sheath of hers. How did Qrow not freak out every time he saw her? The woman stood up and stretched as she smiled before opening an ominous black and red portal. He wanted her to go through that?! No, she couldn't… How could she…? It felt like walking to her deat— "Hey Winter, c'mon." Qrow extended his left hand, Mono perched on the right. She looked at it, then at him. But she wasn't supposed to touch men. No, they were dancing. Yeah, it was just an invitation for a dance… She placed her trembling hand in his. The warmth… With a faint smile, she followed him through the portal…to find a quaint little kitchen, filled with the scent of baking goods. Oh… Stupid, silly little girl for being so afraid. Seriously… What a stupid worry… She could defend herself against anything. She was Major Schnee. She just had to keep telling herself that and it would turn out true. Right? Qrow settled Mono on the table before turning to her. "Anyway, I need to go meet my buddy. I'll be back in a few hours, k'ay? Persia'll keep you company till then.'' Her heart sank a little but she nodded. This was for the best and she knew it but still… Being stranded in another kingdom with a complete stranger…? Even a few hours without him felt far too much… But there was no other choice. "Of course." Even tone flat expression, neutral body language… She couldn't let him— Her head just bowed at his expression. Right. Aura reading. This was far worse than Coco being tapped into her scroll most of the time. Without another word, he hopped through the new portal Raven opened. Hesitantly, she grabbed the back of the woman's…garment. "…Could I…talk to you a bit? " This was stupid. She was stupid. Asking a complete stranger for such an intimate favor. She simply sighed and dropped her head. But... it'd be beyond helpful. "Yeah. What is it?" Raven turned around and Winter bit her lip. there was no way she'd agree. It was just too personal… "I…was wondering if there's a way I could speak to Summer's AI more… There have to be source files, right?" Her voice shook a bit as she looked down. Computers weren't really her thing but she'd learned enough from Coco and this was just sort of basic. Qrow couldn't have coded that thing himself to be so like her. Tech didn't seem to be his thing in general especially if Raven was anything to go off of. Raven let out a breath and ran her hand through her hair."Do you have anything besides your scroll?" Winter shook her head, looking down. She could more than afford something else, but she just didn't need anything extra. She got on just fine without a laptop or desktop. "All right; give me a few hours and I'll be back." Winter blinked. "Wait, that's it? Even though that has such intimately identifying information attached?" Raven shrugged. "It's the most comprehensive, objective view of my brother. If it'll help you understand him, it'll be worth it. So yeah, just give me a little while and I'll be back." The woman took her sword off and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Winter staring blankly. What was wrong with non-Atlassian people? They made no sense. She was about to hand her brother's psyche and even her own personally identifying information over. Why wasn't she terrified of that? Winter might be able to use it against her someday— A soft chuckle came from behind the island and she looked over at the old woman. "Some things will never change apparently. That child still rushes into things headfirst if she thinks it's what's best." Winter shifted a bit awkwardly and the old woman motioned to one of the stools at the island. "Sit down, sit down, take a load off.'' The scent of baking goods flooded the room and she settled. Those smelled so good, like walking past the base bakery… She never stopped in; there was no point. But it tempted her every so often. "When these cool off, you can have some." The old woman winked and Winter offereda polite smile and shake of her head. "No thank you; I don't need anything of the like." Bread was probably the closest she'd get to anything 'sweet' and it'd bump her calorie count— Damn it. She'd need to make sure she got a rough estimate from Qrow for each meal. Going too far over wouldn't— Persia just gave her a look that made her smile falter. "Oh psh. You're a strong, healthy young woman. You just don't know how to enjoy life, do you?" What point was there in it? All that mattered was protecting her little sister. Nothing else really did. "I'm fine, thank you. Also forgive my rudeness; I am Major Winter Schnee of Atlas' Special Operatives, personal aide to General Ironwood." She offered the woman a polite dip of her head but she pushed her hand straight into Winter's space. "Persia Kersey, former Beacon combat instructor and Great War veteran." The woman grinned a bit and Winter just stared. This was not a woman's gesture. This was for men alone. Why was she doing this? Why was she expecting— "Oh right, I forgot those thistle-brained ninnies that run Atlas decided women can't shake hands." Winter flashed a bit at the statement and bowed her head. She couldn't break her old habits even after so long in the military. Gelé still ruled her mind and likely would for the rest of her life. What a sad person she was. A small tug came on her legging and she looked down, a small smile forming at seeing Kiyay. The bird chittered and she grabbed the glove. raising him up and settling him on the counter. He bent his head forward and she smiled as she stroked the soft feathers. He really was a blessing or so it felt. How could she already be so attached to an animal she'd barely met less than twelve hours ago? She heard Persia chuckle and the woman settled on the other side of the island. "Amazing things, animals huh?" Winter just remained silent, running her fingers over Kiyay's feathers. Just because she was sitting here didn't mean she had to talk. Who knew what would happen if she gave anything away? Nobody would be kind to a Schnee and not— She froze. She'd owe Raven a lot for doing whatever it was for getting her the AI. She didn't have anything to offer. And the birds and dog. She felt the blood drain from her face. No no no no no no... How was she supposed to pay the woman back? What was she supposed to do? She had nothing to her name but her modest paycheck. Would she want something from the general? She couldn't force him to do anything, but then again, she was obviously a powerful— "Here, dear." Winter blinked and looked up, eyes wide and chest tight. Cookies? But she already said. "Just eat them; you'll feel better afterward. And chase them down with the milk after you take a bite." So that's what it was for. She just sighed, not having the strength to fight. The past hours had been far too stressful. Why bother especially when it was clear the woman wouldn't budge? Plus, if she got offended, there wasn't much stopping her from just booting her out. Would the twins even be able to stand up to her? She just sighed and followed the old woman's instructions. Huh? She looked at the cookie in her hand, eyes wide. It was better than anything she'd had at even Schnee manor… The slightly crunchy edge but still chewy texture… The warmth and sweetness. cut and washed away by the cool milk… And there felt like something more, something never before present in food before… What was wrong with her? She should just put it down right now. She could start work with Kiyay. She needed to learn their language sooner rather than later. She shouldn't do something so unaccep- Kiyay just nudged the glass with his beak, eyes pleading. How did he know? "Animals have a sixth sense about things especially aura breeds." She looked up at Persia. "What? How did—" "—I know what you were thinking? I may not be an advanced aura user like those children, but your expressions and subtle body language speak volumes. You're trying but you're so off-kilter you're not very good right now. Now finish that before it gets cold. And there are more batches where that came from." Persia chuckled and Winter's gaze drifted back to the cookie in her hand. With a reluctant sigh. She bit into it again. Despite her best attempt, a small smile formed on her lips. Maybe she could allow it just this once…