Everything Stays: In the Future

The New Schnee

Inside Atlas Academy, a single team dorm remains perfectly quiet. Inside is Sterling Schnee, typing on his computer and pulling up a chat to call home. It was around noon on a Saturday afternoon and the rest of his teammates were fully aware that this time was meant for him and his family. So, he called his mother and waited for her to answer and within a few shot seconds, she answered and gave him a large smile.

Sterling: Hi mom.

Weiss: Oh, finally dropping formalities with me?

Sterling: I'm sorry! I just thought that with the family name and-

Weiss: Sterling...sweetie. It's fine. And you know fully well that-

Sterling: I don't need to worry about family image. I know.

Weiss: Sterling, baby. I am proud. Look at you. Great team, great friends. I couldn't be more proud.

Sterling smiled a bit before resuming focus on the topic at hand.

Sterling: So, how has things been at the offices?

Weiss: You concern yourself to much with the company. There's nothing to worry about. At least for you. Just the usual business transactions here and there. General Inverno and a few others are stopping by later tonight for a dinner meeting. That will be a show. But enough about me, how have things been with you?

Sterling: Not much has happened. Grades are looking higher and I have been asked to give the closing speech for the graduation this year since, you know, student body president. Eh?

Weiss: That's great. See? Look at you go!

Sterling: I know, mother. Still, I do not believe all the credit should go to me. My teammates have done quite a lot as well. Hunter was award a medal last week for his service to military development for both Atlas and Vale. He misses his family quite a lot. Phoenix is holding a charity ball later tonight. All of SPHE will be attending.

Weiss: And Emmy?

Sterling: Eminence? She and her family have been having...debates. I'm worried about her.

Weiss: As any good leader should. You still are doing great, Sweetie.

Sterling: Thank you, mother. Uncle Whitley visited last week. He was considering proposing to Anastasia.

Weiss: I am aware. He visited me as well.

Sterling: Oh...apologies, mother. I didn't mean to-

Weiss: Sterling. What did we talk about?

Sterling: Right, right. Apologies...again. Again.

Weiss giggled at her son's antics. She then regains her composure and smiles back at him. Sterling rubs his chin a little and sees if he has any facial hair growing. He then looks back at his mother.

Sterling: Do I remind you of him?

Weiss: Of who?

Sterling: Grandfather. Do I remind you of him.

Weiss: Sterling, do you feel like I...oh, baby I'm so sorry if I came across this way. I-

Sterling: Mom. Please just answer the question.

Weiss: (Sighs and takes a deep breath) Physically, you do remind me of my father. But that doesn't mean you ARE him. Believe me when I say this one sweetie, you're already twice the man he even was. Don't even doubt yourself there.

Sterling: Does the same go for Dad?

Weiss: Well...um...

Sterling: Ok. I got it. The team will be back soon. I have to run. It was nice to see you again.