Isolation

Amendment

One week, it took one entire week for her to receive authorization for a few days of leave. Three things kept her from agonizing over the delay. One, the employee had already been in the household for some time without incident. Two, Weiss continued to send her occasional messages about her training. Three, Penny served as a great distraction during her spare moments of free time.

Once she received the green light for her leave, Winter wasted no time heading back to the Schnee estate. Seeing the estate always brought back mixed feelings. Some of her happiest and worst memories were tied to the estate. Thankfully, the people responsible for the worst of those memories were not people she needed to interact with. Her unannounced visit surely helped to avoid any shenanigans on their part as well.

The estate guards did not attempt to stop her entry. They knew better by now. Though she may no longer be heir, she was still a Schnee. She had the Schnee bloodline, the power to prove without a doubt what it meant to defy a Schnee.

Though they did not attempt to impede her progress, one of the guards did inform her of where her siblings could be found. Both of her siblings were currently practicing at a firing range at the back of the estate. She needed to see for herself, to see their training. Weiss learning to use a firearm was expected, Whitley was less expected but it made sense given their gifts. She approved of both of them learning how to use firearms, assuming they were being taught correctly.

A short walk later, she spotted both of her siblings alongside two others. One of the additional figures was one of the members of security of the estate, the other was the entire reason she made her trip. Whitley was standing near Weiss and seemed to be correcting her firing stance. Both the member of security and the butler seemed to notice her. Winter held a single finger up to her lips to tell them to keep quiet.

Winter moved closer before stopping a short distance away from the firing range. She continued to watch Whitley make small adjustments to Weiss's stance. At the very least, she could approve of the Atlesian firing stance her siblings were being taught.

"No, Weiss. You need to extend your arms a little more," Whitley extended out his own arms for a moment.

"It's still uncomfortable, how long did it take you to get used to this?" Weiss sounded irritated to her ears.

"Who said I was comfortable with the stance? I can only practice for so long before my arms turn to noodles."

The butler took a step towards the pair, "Just use your Aura, Miss Schnee. It should help stabilize your muscles."

Winter watched a small trace of white light enveloped Weiss, "Wait! This is so much easier. We've been practicing this for a week and you only just now tell me I could just do this?"

Jaune shrugged, "Not everyone has Aura, it's a crutch. Why would I bother mentioning a tip that doesn't even apply to everyone here?"

"Do not be a cheater, Weiss. I am relying fully on my arm muscles."

Winter had to hold in her laughter. Weiss was grumbling while Whitley was posed next to her showing off his lanky arms as if he honed them in a gym. Both of her siblings seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was nostalgic in a way.

The last time she remembered seeing both of them playing happily together was right before she left home at sixteen. Weiss was eight years old at the time and Whitley would have only been five. Disrupting Weiss and Whitley's lives by departing the household early was something she regretted. A part of her wished she stayed around a little longer before taking the plunge into preparing for a life in the military.

Whitley took a step away from Weiss as she readied the revolver. Weiss fired her revolver at a distant target. From her position, Winter was able to see Weiss's shot had been a success. She could not help herself, Winter clapped her hands. The attention of all four individuals immediately fell upon her.