Imprisoning Purple

"Well, we found a whole lot of nothing."

Qrow stated after turning Jacques's office upside down to find any sort of clue, but as he said, we found nothing. Winter then comments after finishing her examination of the office.

" No sign of any struggle. Nothing misplaced or missing."

I, Silva Branwen, added some false speculation on the matter as I knew what happened since I am the one who kidnapped the fake Schnee.

"Could Jacques have gone with whoever got him willingly for some reason?"

" Maybe, but there's too little information to work with, like the previous cases."

Qrow said as he drank a hidden stash of brandy that was probably Jacques's and then decided.

" Might as well give Jimmy the good news then."

We headed back to Atlas Academy to give our report and soon found ourselves standing in front of James Ironwood again. The general sighed at the lack of information on the fake Schnee's disappearance and said.

" Thank you for your efforts, Qrow."

" Yeah, whatever, some effort on my part Jimmy but putting that aside, I got the feeling that the theory that Jacques got kidnapped by the same person or group that is involved with the other two cases is likely, considering there's practically no evidence like at the other crime scenes."

Tindick laced his hands together while his elbows rested on his desk and looked deep in thought. After a few moments of silence, he said.

" Qrow, please continue your investigation for the time being, and specialist-in-training Schnee, Silva Branwen."

" Yes, general!"

I looked at James Ironwood's face to try and get a read on his thoughts as he told Winter and me.

" I am taking the two of you off the case as it seems likely it won't amount to anything at the moment and Silva."

" Yeah?"

I curtly asked Tindick, and he told me.

" I would like you to stay within the dorms of the academy for the time being until you have completed our agreement."

While I wanted to refuse, I knew if I wanted to avoid any suspicions, I couldn't, so I complied... for now.

" Anywhere, in particular, you have in mind, Tindick?"

The general was stunned by the name I called him, and Qrow got a laugh out of it.

" Ha, Tindick?! Nicely said, snowball; I wish I had thought of it first!"

Winter gaped at me, and after a moment, James shook himself out of his stupor and said.

" Silva, I understand you may have... reservations about staying at Atlas, but it is necessary to ensure your cooperation for the time being."

" Are you going to assign me a handler as well, General I-wish-my-wood-was-made-out-of-iron?"

My uncle winced with a smile and commented.

" I can feel the burn on that one."

Ironwood ignored my insult and said.

" Yes, I have someone in mind to help you get used to Atlas. Specialist-in-training Schnee, your next assignment is to serve as Silva Branwen's liaison during his stay here in Atlas."

It took Winter a moment to process what the general had just said and then saluted him as she accepted her new orders.

" Yes, General!"

" Good, now Silva and Schnee, you are dismissed as I need to pick Qrow's brain in private. Schnee, lead Silva to his dorm room."

The ice queen looked at me and curtly said.

" Follow me."

Aside from letting the girls know that I am going to be stuck here a while, which sucks. But on the bright side, I at least get to spend time with Winter. I am worried about Argint, so I need to inform the girls at Vale on how to handle her during my absence. I really hope I don't stay stuck in Atlas for too long.

***

After Silva and Winter left the headmaster's office, James and Qrow started talking in private.

" Qrow, I would like to hear your opinion on Winter Schnee and Silva Branwen."

The reaper frowned as he took out his flask and sipped from it, then told his ally.

" Well, for starts, snowball, while a good kid, has a ruthless streak in him that my sister put there, and he is no stranger to killing and hurting like usual bandits, so don't treat him like a kid because he is not one by any means except age."

The general nodded in agreement, and his ally gave his thoughts on Winter.

" As for ice queen, she has a big stick up her butt, but you like that in your subordinates, don't you, Tindick?"

James sighed as he knew Qrow wasn't going to let that nickname lie anytime soon, and the reaper continued.

" She was reluctant about working with me and trying to find her father, but she followed her orders like a good little soldier. Is there any particular reason why you wanted to know about her?"

The general had a serious expression as he explained himself.

" You know the current Winter Maiden is not long for this world as well as I do."

" Ah, I see how it is, Tindick! You wanted me to see if she could be trusted."

James nodded in reply and started to make plans in earnest to guide Winter's career to ensure she was under his direct command. The general then asked his ally.

" Qrow, can you continue the investigation for another month or two? By then, the incidents should have blown over if things stay quiet."

The reaper drank from his flask again and answered.

" Sure, Tindick, I would've stayed anyway to keep an eye on snowball for a bit to make sure you aren't forcing him to do anything too... well you."

" He is an asset, and I hope to change his mind on attending Beacon instead of Atlas."

Qrow smirked and told James.

" Good luck with that; you're going to need it."

***

As I followed Winter, I accessed the systems of the academy through my Scroll, thanks to the back doors installed. I saw the conversation between Qrow and James; I am not surprised as I had my suspicions since Tindick in the show planned to have Winter serve as the next Maiden. I considered my options as I looked through the security systems of Atlas Academy. The good news is that there are no cameras or microphones in the dorm rooms. I can sneak out without too much trouble as long as I am careful and continue working with Willow and see the girls at Vale.

Speaking of which, I sent a text message explaining my current circumstances to the girls, so they don't worry too much. Emerald told me to be careful. The Malachite twins wished me luck and asked when I was going to be able to come back. Neopolitan said that it sucked to be me with a smiley emoji, typical Neo. I also gave Raven the heads up, and she replied not to trust Tindick. Not that I would in the first place.

Winter stopped and told me while sounding unsure.

" Here we are?"

I opened the door to my dorm-slash-cell and saw books cluttered on the floor. Seeing that there were belongings scattered around the room, I asked out loud.

" I wonder who my roommate is?"

There were bunk beds on one side of the room, and I picked the one closest to the floor that didn't have anything personal on it and claimed it for my own. As I took a seat, I looked at Winter and extended my paw towards her, and greeted her.

" I look forward to working with you."

Winter just stood in front of me, looking stunned, and I called out to her.

" Winter, you alright?"

That shook her out of her stupor, and she replied.

" Ah, yes, I'm fine."

She then walked past me and picked up the books on the ground then set them near the bunk bed by the window. The ice queen then sat on the bed, looking nervous, and I realized that Winter was my roommate! I guess Tindick isn't so bad after all, and I said to my new roommate.

" Looks like we're roommates now."

" Yes..."

Winter absentmindedly said, and I left her alone to get used to the idea.

***

Jacques Schnee has been stuck in his cell for over a week now, and it shows. His clothes are now tattered and to one end of the pit-like cell was his bodily waste in one corner of the cell opposite of where he was sitting with his knees against his chest. The fake Schnee begged, threatened, pleaded, and even tried to entice his captors, but all Jacques got in return was silence. If it weren't for the food and water he was being given once a day, he would've thought he was completely by himself.

The fake Schnee hated the indignity of having no proper restroom as he vocally complained, sometimes arrogantly and other times humbly, when the food and water were dropped off. Jacques was being treated no differently than an animal locked in a cage which grated his nerves to no end. He was the CEO and owner of the biggest Dust company in the world and should be treated as such; at least, that's what he told himself. The fake Schnee ranted to vent his frustrations.

" James, you better find me soon or so help me. I will double the price of Dust sold to the military!"

Unfortunately for him, no one will find him anytime soon, and he won't see any civilization until he loses everything the fake Schnee worked towards and be left with nothing but his name.