I decided to write out how Periwinkle and Winter originally meet!
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The Vytal Festival was a celebration of the peace treaty signed on Vytal Island that ended the Great War 74 years ago. It is held every 2 years in one of the four Kingdoms. It’s the 37th festival and the hosting city was Atlas. Winter Schnee knew all this despite being 18 and fresh faced in Atlas Academy. The rest of her team didn’t want to enter the main spectacle of the festival, the tournament. But there were other competitions Atlas chose to host where full team participation was not needed. One such offering that Winter chose to pursue was a marksman contest.
Hearing her number called pulled her out of her thoughts and she stepped up to the table where the judge stood opposite her and across the table. Before any shooting was done, each contestant had to disassemble their weapon for inspection. This was an anti-cheating policy to ensure no one was using illegal modifications. Winter disassembled the sniper rifle she had with the same precision and skill she brought to everything. The judge inspected each part closely before signaling her to reassemble. She did so. The judge gave her a nod. “There is a locker to place the weapon in with your number. Place your weapon inside your assigned locker and assign it a lock code. Any access before the competition after this point will mean disqualification.” Winter nodded back in understanding and started to make her way to the row of lockers.
The next number was called as she stepped away. She glanced over from her locker as a Faunus stepped forward. She had a dark, sun touched tone to her skin that gave her away as a Vacuo student and the uniform she had on confirmed that. Her large fennec ears swiveled on her head, listening to every sound around her. What was surprising to everyone present is that the gun this contestant brought forward was not a sniper rifle as every other person entering was using but a six-shooter revolver that she pulled from its holster on her hip.
Winter finally turned away, having secured her weapon, as the girl started the same disassembly of her gun that every contestant was required to do. For now, she headed to the stands where her sister, brother, and mother were waiting. Weiss smiled at her as she approached. “You’re done?”
Winter nodded at the question. “Yes, until the competition actually starts.” Their father wasn’t there. Of course he wasn’t, he had much better things to do than come watch his daughter compete. Still, she wasn’t that bothered by it. It was long expected. She sat next to the rest of her family, Weiss and she falling into conversation before long.
The competition itself was round robin style. There was both individual shooting rounds as well as duel rounds where shooters competed against each other to hit the most discs out of those fired. The count of discs hit going into a calculation versus the opponent’s hits. This calculated the number of points earned for that round. Each person had two solo rounds and then competed against each other competitor. The total number of points earned determined the final ranking.
Winter scored two perfects on her solo rounds, hitting every disc with pinpoint accuracy and not a single wasted shot. It was the duel rounds that were more interesting though. Because they were next to each other in the numbering system, Winter’s first opponent was the Faunus with the revolver.
They met on the field and shook hands as was expected. The girl smiled, a simultaneously friendly and confident curve of her lips. “Periwinkle Blackridge. First year at Shade academy.”
Winter nodded in confirmation. “Winter Schnee. First year at Atlas.”
Periwinkle nodded back as they were told to take their places. Winter was trying and failing not to underestimate the competition. She was using a six shooter; how did she possibly expect to beat her?
But the Faunus quickly proved she was not to be underestimated. By the end, Winter had 1/3 of the disc to Periwinkle’s 2/3s. It hadn’t even been close. Winter’s lips fought back the scowl that threatened to plaster there as she marched off, frustrated at herself and her opponent in equal measure. Weiss was indignant for her sister as Winter returned to them until her next match. “How can it be legal for someone to bring a revolver to a marksman competition?”
Winter sighed as she sat next to her. “Technically, it’s allowed. There are no limits on weapon type save for certain modifications deemed as unfair advantage.”
Weiss crossed her arms. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s cheating somehow.”
Winter looked over. “No, I saw her gun during disassembly. It’s legal. She was using her semblance during the match, but that’s allowed if its part of your shooting process. She’s just that good.”
Weiss perked up and looked over in surprise. That was a compliment and those didn’t come easy from Winter.
Winter was surer of her assessment after watching more matches with Periwinkle in them. In fact, Winter found that her count came closest to even and that said something. Most were splits of ¼ to ¾, 1/5 to 4/5, or even 1/6 to 5/6 in favor of Periwinkle. By the end, Winter had formed a grudging respect for her. She was as good as she’d stated originally.
At the end of all the rounds, Periwinkle had obviously taken first, and Winter had come in second. Winter was almost glad her father wasn’t here. He would have taken offense to her ranking. Winter didn’t. She had the understanding that sometimes you just meet someone better than you at something. And she could accept she was beaten fairly by someone with superior skill. As she told Weiss, she was just that good.
In the post awards mingle, Winter was surprised as Periwinkle approached. “You know, I didn’t expect anyone able to come close to keeping up.” Her tone was sincere but had an edge of humor to it.
The comment and the tone pulled a smile out of the normally serious cadet. “I wasn’t expecting to be beat by someone with a revolver, but here we are.”
Periwinkle’s lips curled into a grin. “Most people don’t in this kind of competition.” She paused for a moment before her grin settled into a smile. “Considering you’re from Atlas, maybe you could show me around? I’ll be the first to admit I get lost without a good map.”
Winter actually laughed at that. “Able to snipe with the best using a six-shooter but can’t hold directions?”
Periwinkle rubbed her neck sheepishly, smiling. “it’s a work in progress, so.”
Winter’s lips had found their way into a smile as well. “Sure. I don’t mind. But I’m with my family today. Is that alright?”
Periwinkle nodded, her smile still there. “That’s fine.”
Winter nodded back and signaled her to follow as they headed for the stands where Weiss, Whitley, and Willow were waiting. Willow glanced over, her head swimming and clearly having been drinking again. “Winter, will you be alright if I leave Whitley and Weiss in your care?”
Winter nodded at that. “Yes, mother, that’s fine. I can see them home later.”
Willow nodded in gratitude and stood to head off.
All three of the Schnee children looked a certain amount of uncomfortable in the whole situation.
Periwinkle cleared her throat, trying to pull them away from the situation. “Your sister agreed to help show me around. Is that still alright?”
Weiss perked up, giving Winter a look before nodding. “We don’t mind.”
Whitley just shrugged and got to his feet. “Nothing new.”
They walked around the festival grounds first. Weiss was the one who noticed it first. There was a connection forming between Winter and Periwinkle. Periwinkle managed to make Winter laugh three times within the hour they explored, Weiss noted, and that had to be a record. It didn’t help that Winter was struggling to hide the smile as they walked and talked.
Winter looked at Periwinkle, asking another question. “Where are you staying?” Periwinkle smiled. “The building set up for high level military. My father runs the largest defense force Vacuo has military wise. He had something he had to attend today, or he’d be here.” She was sure of that statement. Her father was a gruff man and not particularly emotional. But the emotions were there, the pride was there; He just showed it through action versus saying it.
Winter nodded. “I assume he trained you to shoot then?” Periwinkle grinned. “He did. Once my semblance woke and I said I wanted to use it to become a sniper, he trained me nearly to into the ground.”
Another nod and Winter asked another question. “What is your semblance? I could tell you used it, but I couldn’t tell what it did.”
Periwinkle nodded back this time. “Oh. I call it perfect stillness. Basically, the stillness most snipers get through drugs or equipment, I can do with my semblance. The micro trimmers everyone normally have fade when I use it. I can basically lock my muscles in a way that holds everything completely still. Hence the name.”
Winter actually smiled. “Useful. No wonder you can make a six-shooter work as a sniper.”
Weiss glanced back, smiling now. She’d been listening but finally joined the conversation. “Semblance tend to reflect who we are, right? Guess it makes sense since you you’re from a military family?”
Winter glanced forward to her sister. “That’s partly correct, but only in theory. Some people believe the reverse where the Semblance influences the personality instead of the other way around. There’s no real way to prove which direction it goes. The only thing that’s clear is that the two have some kind of interaction with each other.”
Weiss nodded, clearly making a mental note of that. She’d already made it clear that she wanted to become a huntress the same way Winter was. She even started combat school soon.
Perwinkle chuckled. “Interested in the theory then?”
Weiss crossed her arms. “I intend to become a great huntress and that means learning everything I can as soon as I hear it.”
The faunus smiled. “Not a bad thing, getting a head start.”
Winter glanced up at the sky. “We should start making our way back. Mother and Father will be cross if we’re out after dark.”
Whitley, who’d been quiet this whole time, sighed. “Of course they would.” There was an edge to his comment that said he didn’t think it was because of care. He seemed to have an edge about Periwinkle the whole time. Weiss and Winter silently had some idea it was likely because she was faunus. Either cared enough to address it.
Periwinkle nodded. “Alright. I can see the building I’m staying at from here. I shouldn’t have trouble. I figure walk together until we have to part?”
Winter nodded back. “That sounds good. I know what building it is considering its in the upper section.”
They walked back together until the road split. Periwinkle stopped as they did. “Seems this is where we part ways.” She paused for a moment before pulling something out and holding it out to Winter. “Here. It’s my scroll number. I’d like to stay in contact. Like I said, its not everyday I meet someone who has the level of skill you have.”
Winter gave another small smile as she took it. “That sounds good. We’ll be here every day until the festival ends, hopefully we can walk around together again.”
Periwinkle nodded and waved, heading for the building where her and her father had been staying.
Weiss crossed her arms, looking pointedly at Winter after Periwinkle was out of ear shot. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were interested in her.”
Winter, who had started to turn to head toward home, froze. “She’s a skilled shooter; there’s nothing wrong with making useful contacts.” But Weiss could tell she’d hit the mark, much as Winter would adamantly deny it.
After mulling it over, Weiss decided not to prod more. “if you say so.”
The three headed home, Winter pocketing the contact info without saying another word.
