Ugh. Just why couldn't she have sent one of the caravan hands to do this? The stench of booze alone that seemed to have soaked into the very floor and walls of the inn itself was enough to almost make her turn around and head back without trying to find a person with the skills she needed. There was no need to even mention the layabouts scattered around the place, some playing card games around a table in the corner, a couple of others slumped over the back of their chair or the table in front of them, the alcohol in their systems ensuring a sound sleep as they snored away.

Maybe it was lucky that she had chosen to come here at noon, ensuring that the usual crowd of drunkards wouldn't have yet arrived after their day's work. It definitely meant only a couple of men turned to heckle or catcall the girl as she walked in, arctic eyes quick to send a scornful glare their way that threatened to turn them into ice. The hem of a snowy white dress tinged with deep blue swirled around midway down the lower half of her legs, the waist of it tied snugly by a cream sash to help show off her figure. Silver hair was tied off to the side in a ponytail by an ornate piece of jewellery that almost resembled a crown. Tall ivory boots that hugged her calves made a repetitive clacking noise with their heels across the oak floor as she strode through to the counter that surrounded the bar.

Looking up from washing a dirty glass with an even dirtier rag, the balding bartender was quick to put his work away on the cabinet of liquor behind him as the lady approached, her expression never changing from grim and annoyed for a second. He gave a welcoming grin, revealing a few gaps where teeth were supposed to be but weren't. One side of her lips pulled back slightly into a sneer for a second, before she remembered that she was supposed to be polite, at least until she got what she wanted from this dusty town.

"What can I getcha?" The question rolled easily off his tongue, used to saying it multiple times each evening when a potential customer approached him. A scent of chewing tobacco wafted across with his breath, the girl pulling back slightly as she cringed from the smell.

"Nothing," She replied stiffly, leaning her arms across the counter as she eyed a worn stool next to her. No, that didn't look remotely clean enough to hop onto. "Not unless you can tell me of any guns that are looking to be hired." That was the turn of phrase that she was supposed to use, yes? When looking for an extra guard to accompany them through the state? He paused at the words used, sensing that the girl was not at all used to what she was attempting to do. And wherever ignorance could be found, was also the chance for a quick buck to be made before said ignorance rubbed off.

"Well, I suppose I could help you find some, but I'd need a little bit of grease for my trap, you know?" He responded subtly as he could, though the eager way that he also leaned across the counter towards her, and the conniving smile on his face spoke gave away exactly what he was trying to do. Take her money on the promise that he would find some people for her, and then say that he couldn't find any without even trying. Her eyes narrowed swiftly, having seen this kind of play done many times before, though a lot better than he was attempting.

"Then I suppose I should take my business elsewhere." Her back turning to face the slimy bartender, the girl made as if to walk straight out of the inn, prompting a rushed call from him as he tried to undo his mistake.

"Wait, wait!" He pleaded with her, certain that while he might not have fooled her that time, there would be another chance for it. "Whoa there, I didn't say I wasn't going to help you at all now, did I? Surely there's gotta be a way that-"

"Can it, geezer. She's already seen right through you." A new voice interrupted them, coming clearly from the other end of the counter. "You're not taking her for a sucker today. Or any other day, it looks like." The bartender sneered openly, but turned away to stomp off out through a nearby door to the kitchen out back.

Turning her head to look down towards the figure poised on a stool that had spoken up, the girl's eyes landed first on the long tousled mane of blonde curls that were cascading down the other's back. Black gloves that didn't cover her fingers allowed the woman to trace one fingertip round a shot glass in front of her idly. A thick orange scarf was circled around her neck, half ducking below the collar of the tan leather jacket hanging loose around her torso. Although she was turned to face the bar and the jacket covered most of her upper body before finishing up around her thighs, a bright flash of yellow could be seen from the gap it left over her chest. Black pants flowed out from under the jacket, covered with leather chaps for most of it, a length of grey fabric wound around above the right knee and tied off in a simple knot. The pants were long enough to hide most of her boots, though more of the same dusty tanned leather peeked out from around the cuffs.

"So," She spoke up again, interrupting the girl's examination of the stranger from going much further. Though she made no attempt to get up, the woman did glance towards her, lavender eyes gleaming as a toothy grin broke out. "You're looking for some people who know how to use their guns. I think I can help, but I need to know what's it for first."

"...It's for guarding some caravans." The explanation was short, but it was obvious that she wasn't keen to give even that away. A pair of pale arms crossed over the front of her dress as the blonde tapped her finger on the glass rim a couple of times, thinking it over.

"You mean the one that's been camped out near the entrance to the town since this morn?" There was a hesitant nod as an answer. "Hmmm. Where are ya headed then?"

"The city of Beacon, in the state of Vale." A low whistle rang out. That was a long distance to take what looked like a simple trading caravan line. There was something going on here, but she wasn't about to question it right now.

"Then I guess you're in luck." The mysterious grin widened broadly, showing off more gleaming white teeth against tanned skin as she turned on the stool to face the girl better, one arm propping an elbow up on the wooden counter. "I was actually heading that way myself, and could use a chance to earn some coin along the way. I even know someone who's pretty much an expert with the rifle, if you're looking for that." That got the attention of those blue eyes, eyebrows rising up. "I'm Yang. What's your name, princess?" The girl bristled at the nickname, mouth turning down in a sour line.

"It's Weiss Schnee to you, not 'princess'." She was barely able to keep herself in a polite tone and not hiss the line out. She had to keep in mind, they were two hands down now thanks to a couple of the guards choosing to run off in the night and join one of those roaming gangs of bandits that seemed to keep springing up all over the country. If she even got one more cowboy to stick with them long enough to hire a proper gunman that was affiliated with her father's company once they reached a decent city, then she could sleep a lot better at night. What little she could when travelling. "I expect you to either call me Miss Schnee, or Boss, considering I would be your employer."

The stupid grin on Yang's face didn't go anywhere, much to Weiss's annoyance. "So when do we leave, princess?" Brows furrowed, the girl tried hard to keep her growing anger with the flippant dismissal that the woman was talking to her with. Keeping her arms crossed, she managed to keep her hands curling into fists out of sight as she sought to hold onto her composure.

"...Tomorrow morning, at dawn." Weiss answered curtly, turning her gaze over to the saloon's entrance. "Be there on time, or we'll leave without you and you can kiss goodbye to the job." A small nod of farewell, the princess strode off, eager to get back to organising the caravan for the trip that would start tomorrow. Yang chuckled to herself as she watched her leave, eyes surreptitiously dropping down to watch how the skirt part of the dress moved.

"Well, that was a thing." Icy attitude aside, she was looking forward to working with the girl and earning some money. Oh, guess she would have to tell Ruby too about this change in plans to how they would travel over to see uncle Qrow. She probably wouldn't be too happy about having to move with other people for a while, but it was most likely for the best, the girl needed to get out of her shell more and talk to other people. Not to mention that they would both get paid then.

Speaking of getting paid. Her gaze turned towards the group of men still playing poker in a secluded corner of the inn. There was a screech of wood on wood as Yang pushed the stool out from the bar, jumping off to her feet with a thud. Not a one of the players seemed to notice her swaggering over with a predator-like gaze to her face.

"Gentlemen." One of them glanced up at the word spoken right next to him, balking at seeing the blonde looming right over him. The others soon took swift notice, their faces all turning a shade of pale as they recognised her instantly. "I believe there is a matter about you all owing me some amount of cash from last night's game?"

A chair slammed against the nearby wall as one tried to make a run for it. He didn't get far, one hand grabbing him by the collar, the other doing the same to another that had opted to reach for a revolver tucked into his belt, hauling them both up into the air with ease before slamming them down onto the table simultaneously. Chips and cards scattered everywhere as the remaining three players froze where they were, not wanting to risk any more wrath from the strong woman. Not a breath of noise stirred as Yang grinned yet again, in control of the situation.

"Now then," Keeping her hands on two throats to hold down the pair, she leaned back slightly to allow her hair to slide out from her vision, letting the rest of the men see the violet eyes starting to stain crimson. "How are you going to pay me?"


Hope you like the chapter! If you did, please consider leaving a review.