So, I recently got a huge influx of story ideas. Most of them are based off the butterfly effect kind of concept, where some event or a decision changes a character's life and impacts the course of the story. This is the one I picked, as I can sort of see where it could go. Still, I don't have any great plan so we'll see how long the story will end up being.

Weiss walked down the empty corridor of the Schnee mansion. The sound of heels hitting the floor echoed quite loudly – courtesy of a marble floor and an annoyingly acoustic ceiling.

Weiss didn't like this place very much. It was ridiculously large, mostly empty and there was too much white and blue used even for her tastes. It made her family home feel depressing and cold, although the architecture wasn't the only, or even main reason for that.

The Schnee family was messed up. There was really no other way to put it. Jacques Schnee was a ruthless businessman, more concerned with his company and the family name than with any of the family members. His wife, Willow, was always distanced both from her husband and her children, spending most of her time drinking or just brooding in solitude. More distant family members either lived in their own estates across Atlas or lied several feet underground, the effects of White Fang's crusade against the Schnee Dust Company. Winter was the only person from Weiss' family that showed her any real affection, but right now she was far away from 'home', likely on some mission from General Ironwood.

And then there was… him.

By the time Weiss reached her destination, Jaune Schnee was already standing before the door of their father's office. Well, not his father, at least not biologically, as Jaune didn't have a drop of Schnee blood in his veins. For outsiders it might have seemed like Weiss looked down on Jaune for that reason, but it really wasn't the case. She did look down on him, but she had other reasons for feeling this way. He was just so… Jaune. He was an utterly unbearable mix of an annoying younger brother and an entitled brat. Everything about him, from his lack of academic prowess to his brute-like fighting style brought shame to the Schnee name. And that was without even getting to his constant attempts at flirting with any attractive woman who came around and somehow managing to fail each and every single time. It amazed Weiss to no end - how could a member of the richest family in Atlas not be able to get himself a date? By being Jaune, that's how.

And then there was this thing about inheritance. After Winter joined the military and was subsequently disinherited, Weiss was named the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company due to being the second oldest child in the family. But there was no guarantee her status would last. Father had his plans regarding his children's future and Weiss' ambitions didn't necessarily fit with those. Sometimes she felt as if her father was just waiting to make Jaune into an heir and all he needed was for Weiss to give him a good excuse to do so.

Like she was about to in a few moments.

Right now Jaune was wearing his armor and had his sword at his waist. It was a good sign, as it probably meant that he would stick to the plan. Then again, it could have been a deliberate deception on his part. There really was no way to know.

"Hi sis." He said upon seeing Weiss approach, though there was little warmth in his voice. Instead, there was this grave seriousness with a hint of worry. "You haven't changed your mind about anything?"

"No. I'll stick to the plan." Weiss responded. "I just hope you haven't changed your mind. And that you won't change it the moment father asks you to."

Jaune simply snorted in response, though him being Jaune, it came out rather theatrically, ruining the desired effect. He then gestured for his sister to enter the room first.

Weiss obliged, pulling the door open and stepping into Jacques Schnee's office. The room was large, had a rectangular shape and was furnished with two rows of bookcases, two couches, a glass table and an old-fashioned desk , behind which sat the president of the Schnee Dust Company. It was really a testament to how poor his parenting skills were that Weiss often caught herself thinking about him as a businessman first and father second.

Or maybe it was something about his appearance. Her father had perfect looks for his role. His hair was grey, or rather outright white, which made him look wise and experienced, but he wasn't old enough to be physically appalling or even just ugly. His blue eyes were sharp, constantly surveying the environment as well as people around him, as if he was literally trying to see opportunities to make more lien all the time. His current pose made him look confident and authoritative as he leaned in his chair.

"Weiss. Jaune." He said as his children entered the office. "It is good to see you. Sit down please. There are some things we have to discuss."

They both took their seats, Weiss on one couch, Jaune on the other. The heiress was mentally running through the responses she has prepared, and her brother was no doubt doing the same thing. Well, unless he was thinking about how to seduce his latest crush. There really was no telling with this guy.

The father stood up from his chair. He looked just as authoritative standing as he was while sitting. He stepped down from the podium his desk was situated on and approached the glass table, situating himself so that he could look down on them both at the same time.

"Weiss." He turned slightly towards his daughter. "I was led to believe you are planning on attending Beacon Academy from this year onwards. Is that correct?"

Of course it was. Weiss made her plans clear on multiple occasions now, but her father would always suggest some alternative and end the conversation, as if expecting her to follow. This kind of tactic made sense in lesser affairs, but right now Weiss was pretty determined to have her way.

"Yes, father." She nodded. "I wish to become a huntress. Huntsmen and huntresses are the greatest warriors in the world. And aiming high is befitting of a Schnee."

"Indeed. But why Beacon is particular, may I ask?" The question sounded innocuous, but Weiss could feel the weight it carried. "I am certain General Ironwood would accept you into Atlas with open arms."

"I am not thrilled with the thought of studying in Atlas Academy. I heard they tend to pressure the graduates into joining the specialist units after the training, which I have no intention to do." The girl picked her words carefully. "Besides, I don't see myself in one of their uniforms." She allowed herself a small joke.

Father stayed silent for a moment. It was clear he was considering Weiss' words and contrasting them against his worries.

"I can see the logic in that," He finally spoke. "but from what I know Beacon is more demanding of new students than Atlas. Their initiations are brutal and expectations usually quite high. I would rather make absolutely sure my daughter isn't in danger of death or serious injury. I'd like to suggest some form of… preliminary exam first. See you fight some minor Grimm or a robot, so that you can test your skill in a safe environment."

Weiss hasn't heard anything about Beacon being particularly harsh on its students. She was also sure that whatever test her father wanted to put her through would be designed so that she would fail and be humiliated. Still, father didn't know just how strong she has become thanks to Winter's training and it was very unlikely he would compromise further. She was just about to voice her agreement, when…

"I don't think that will be necessary." Jaune said his first word since entering the room. "Weiss is an exceptional fighter, I can attest. Better than me in that regard, that is for sure. She should do just fine in Beacon and if she doesn't… well, that would be a shame, but with the experienced huntsmen around, I don't think she is in risk of dying. She would be risking expulsion and some humiliation at worst, after which she can always just return to us."

Which would paint her as unreasonable and reckless, which in turn would be a decent pretext for disinheriting her. Weiss narrowed her eyes, letting a bit of her anger show. Did Jaune just betray her? Was he willing to trade his shot at being huntsman for a better chance at inheriting the company?

Father now wore an expression of pleasant surprise. "You truly do believe in you sister. It is good when siblings place such trust in each other."

A small compliment that would also 'unintentionally' remind Jaune of how little respect for his abilities Weiss had. Classic Jacques Schnee.

"Well then," father continued. "I will also show my daughter some faith and let her go to Beacon once the semester starts. But what about you, Jaune? If I remember correctly, you had aspirations in that field as well."

"And I still do. I would want to study at Beacon as well, in fact."

And in that moment, Weiss understood.

Jacques Schnee remained silent for almost a minute. Again, he was considering different scenarios, but this time the matter was more complex… and yet the decision was more obvious. If he denied Jaune his chance, he would be showing him far less trust than his daughter. Jacques would end up having the heiress in another Kingdom and his youngest, now disgruntled son in his grasp. If he made Jaune a heir later on, there would be nothing more to threaten Jaune with from then on, no way for Jacques to control his son. If he didn't, then it would look like his biological daughter was getting some major parental favoritism, which wasn't good for the reputation. Worse yet, it would show Weiss that she can have whatever she wants without much consequence. It was a losing outcome for him either way.

"Are you sure about that? No offence son, but you are yet to unlock your semblance, are you not?" Still, her father would try to persuade Jaune peacefully, as getting him to agree would solve his biggest problem. Sadly for him, his son did have quite a bit of resolve.

"There are fighters who manage themselves quite well even without a semblance." Jaune retorted. "And I'm not half bad if you trust the tutors."

"I agree." Weiss decided it would be appropriate to back her brother up on this. "I spar with Jaune quite often and he is a formidable opponent."

"I have no choice but to trust you on that." Father commented dryly. "But I must ask, what is your reason for choosing Beacon in particular?"

At this point it was clear Jacques gave up. The question he gave Jaune had an obvious, satisfying answer.

"It's mostly about reputation. I would love to see the Schnee family gaining popularity in other Kingdoms, and with my biological heritage I should have at least some advantage in Vale."

A tiny smile appeared on father's face. Perhaps he was just satisfied with Jaune's response, or maybe he could appreciate cunning in his children. It was always hard to tell with him. "Very well. If you both plan on receiving huntsmen training, you might as well go to school together. You'll be able to watch each other's backs this way."

The president stepped on a podium again and sat on his chair, indicating that the exchange was over. "Still, if either of you changes their mind, there is always a place for you among your family. Do not forget that."

"We will not." Weiss nodded, stood up from the couch and headed for the door. Jaune did the same thing, except he stayed silent. He had already said all he needed to say.

The moment they exited through the door, Weiss elbowed her brother, putting quite a bit of strength into it. "What was that? Our plan didn't involve vouching for each other, and it certainly didn't involve playing with the father like that!"

"Well for one, I didn't say I'll stick to the plan. You should have asked." Jaune grinned stupidly, though that expression disappeared as anger grew on his sister's face. "Look, I'm sorry, but I needed you genuinely surprised. If not for that, father would have seen through the ruse like through clear ice. And it worked in the end, hasn't it?"

It has. Despite having lived with Jaune for most of her life, Weiss would still occasionally find herself surprised at how cunning her adopted brother could be. He was not smarter than her overall of course, but he certainly had his moments.

"I suppose you are right." She conceded. "You helped me out and you have my thanks. But if you think I'm going to go easy on you because of that, then you are dead wrong."

"I would never count on that." Jaune responded, his voice grave serious. "Not from you."

Two sets of blue eyes stared into each other. Paradoxically, their common victory would just serve to make their rivalry more intense than ever. Soon they would both be at Beacon and without any other way to judge them, their father would note their achievements and base his decisions off that.

They were now in a game, in which the Schnee legacy was the main prize.

A game Weiss didn't intend to lose.

This is actually the first chapter that I got somebody to grammar-check. Hope it shows. Unless it doesn't show because my grammar is good anyway. In this case, I hope it doesn't show.