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Weiss fidgeted as she stood backstage. She hated that her own sense of responsibility made her keep this commitment. This performance was one that her fath… sperm donor had set up months ago. He would get one last parade of Weiss before she finished the paperwork that would officially disinherit her.
Her tail was cramping under the long skirt she was wearing, held down with a soft silk bandana to minimize its appearance. Her ears were held down under a broad headband.
She hated it.
“Everything alright, Snowflake?” came a soft voice.
She smiled as she turned to see Klein, family butler and closest thing to a father she had growing up.
“It’s just…” she gestured to the headband. “I kind of got used to not hiding them.”
“Between you and me,” the kindly man said. “You were always happier when they were out. Shame you can’t make a clean break with Jacques.” His voice took on a harsher tone at the mention of the patriarch. “Have you decided what you were performing?’
“I haven’t. I have a few to choose from, but I don’t feel like any of them should be unveiled here where it would benefit him. He’s got it rigged so no royalties will be paid here.”
Klein patted her on the shoulder and gave her a gentle smile.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I have faith in you, Snowflake.”
As he wandered off, Weiss resumed her pacing. This outfit was so uncomfortable! How much longer until she was due on stage?
It was then that she caught sight of a small child, maybe seven or eight by the catering table. Weiss frowned for a moment, certain she knew all the staff and to a degree their families.
She started over, making it seem as though she wanted something from the table as well. A bottle of water would be of good use anyway, she decided.
When she reached the table, she saw that the child was a young girl, and a fox Faunus at that. The girl’s ears had been hidden by the extremely curly hair. She was staring back and forth at the table, eyes gleaming at the variety.
“Hard to decide sometimes, isn’t it?” Weiss said conversationally. The fox girl jumped as though Weiss had just appeared out of thin air. “I never know why they set up such elaborate tables. A few sandwiches and fruit would be more than enough.” She smiled down at the girl. “Can I fix you a plate? There’s plenty here.”
“N-no thank you, m-Miss Schnee.” the girl stammered, keeping her eyes down. “I just saw it and thought it looked amazing.”
Weiss looked the girl over. Slightly dirty clothes, mostly tamed hair and fur. Likely a child of a stagehand or someone that had wandered backstage.
“You’re welcome to some if you’re hungry. And, please, my friends call me Weiss.”
The girl continued to keep her eyes averted and she once again cursed the man that dared call himself a father. The Schnee name once stood for something, but now it made even a girl this young afraid.
Weiss looked around for a moment, then crouched down by the girl, tilting her face up.
“Want to know a secret?” she asked.
When the girl nodded slowly, Weiss reached up and pulled her headband away enough for her ears to flick free. As they stood proudly again, the fox Faunus child’s eye grew wide in surprise. Weiss pulled the bandana back down and gave a secretive grin as she raised her finger to her lips to indicate silence.
“Have a bite to eat or two,” she said again. “I have to go tell the band what to play. Feel free to stay for the show…
“It’s going to be a number to remember.”
***
The curtain slid apart smoothly and she stepped forward towards the microphone. She had a long cloak draped over her form and the spots hadn’t come up yet.
“Thank you for coming,” Weiss said. “I originally was going to perform a song from one of the famous Solitas epics, but recent events have made me change my mind.”
She adjusted the microphone as the piano started to play.
“Many of you are aware of Mirror, Mirror and it’s sequel.” A cheer and some clapping came form the darkness. She knew that whoop anywhere. “Well, tonight, I decided to bring to you the third and final part of that story.”
She cleared her throat and began to sing as the piano gave her the cue.
Mirror
Can you hear me?
Do I reach you?
Are you even listening?
Can I get through?
She didn’t even open her eyes as the crowd went silent. It was a new song and she was singing softly.
There's a part of me that's desperate for changes
Tired of being treated like a pawn
But there's a part of me that stares back
From inside the mirror
Part of me that's scared I might be wrong
That I can't be strong
Weiss opened her eyes and sought out the box her sire would be sitting in, unaware of what was coming.
I've been afraid
Never standing on my own
I let you be the keeper of my pride
Believed you when you told me
I was nothing on my own
Listen when I say
I swear it here today
I will not surrender
This life is mine!
Weiss flung the cloak away, revealing her traits in full display. A ripple of shock ran through the crowd as she fixed her gaze on Jacques Schnee.
Amazing how you conquered me
Chained me in servility
And made me see
The world the way you told me to
But I was young, and didn't have a
Way to know the truth
Born to live your legacy
Existing just to fill your needs
A casualty of this so-called "family"
That you have turned into a travesty
But I don't intend to suffer any longer
Here's where your dominion falls apart
I'm shattering the mirror
That kept me split in pieces
That stood between my mind and my heart
This is where I'll start
The band had changed from a soft piano accompaniment to a soft rock feel. She never let her gaze waver from the private box. She could almost see the anger and worry on his face. This was her last jab, the last point on the choice she had made. The manor she grew up in was spacious, opulent, and rich, but it was also cold and devoid of love.
Her dorm room and the family cabin back on Patch may have been smaller and less opulent, but they were so, so much warmer.
And she wanted that over the privilege her name could bring her.
Shame that it took so long
To rescue me
From the guilt you used
To tie me to your family tree
I guess your training failed
You're not in charge, I'm free
Your patriarchal prison won't hold me
Now this conversation's finally over
Mirror Mirror, now we're done
I've pulled myself together now
My mind and heart are one
Finally one!
Weiss stalked to the edge of the stage, making sure everyone knew where she was looking as the girl pointed at the shadowed figure of the Schnee house. Weiss pulled the microphone along with her, leaning forward as she sang the words with as much conviction as could be pumped into them.
I'm not your pet
Not another thing you own
I was not born guilty of your crimes
Your riches and your influence
Can't hold me anymore
I won't be possessed
Burdened by your royal test
I will not surrender
This life is mine!
As the music ended, Weiss stood panting, still glaring towards the box until the lights went down.
Ruby was backstage waiting for her with Klein and, surprisingly, the little Faunus girl.
“That was a very succinct way to put a cap on your dealings with the bastard,” Klein said. “If he gives you any more trouble, just let me know.”
“That was amazing, Ms. Schnee!” the girl exclaimed. “I wish I could sing that good.”
“Talia, her name is just Weiss,” Ruby chided softly.
“Talia, what a lovely name for a lovely girl.” Weiss knelt down, tail brushing against the floor. “Remember this, no one limits what you can do except yourself. And sometimes, you need to remind yourself that you make your own path in this life.”
Weiss patted Talia on the head and stood. She pranced off to meet an older Faunus with a fluffy tail, Weiss took to be her father.
“That was a really amazing number, Princess,” Ruby said, the nickname and her smile making the wolf Faunus’ stomach do flips. “I hope nothing bad comes from this though.”
“There won’t be. He’ll be too busy trying to dig his way out of suddenly having a Faunus child after all the anti-Faunus legislation he’s pushed for. On top of that, the court injunction was filed today, so he can’t claim any of my accounts and I am officially no longer a Schnee.” Weiss breathed out a shuddering sigh, the full weight of everything coming down on her at once.
She giggled. The giggle grew into a laugh, light and full of joy.
She grabbed Ruby and pulled her into a kiss.
“I’m free, Ruby. I’m finally free.”