Long white and blue corridors made of pure marble echoed with the thumping of boots. Rot's black and red outfit was obviously contrast to the white hallways as he walked. In full huntsman gear, black jeans, black Atlesian overcoat with white trimming, red snowflake embroidery on his back. His red hair a styled messy look, contrary to Whitley's combe over and Jacques' slick back. His brown eyes glancing at every other painting he passed.
Rosenrot made his way through the mansion with a purpose. Ever since she's returned Weiss hasn't left her room. The only who's seen her is Klein whenever he gives her food. Rot can understand why she would want to be alone but that doesn't necessarily mean she needs to be.
When her door came in sight he held in his breath. Stopping before the white door sighed before knocking, "Weiss, can we talk?"
He stood in silence for a moment, "Come in." Weiss said through the door.
Rosenrot didn't miss the near monotone of her voice. Turning the knob he pushed open the door. Looking around the room he found Weiss sitting in a chair by the window looking out to the sky. Walking up to her he noticed two airships flying by. Living in a floating city means you get to see a lot of airships up close.
"Are you here to ask if I'm alright?" Weiss asked indifferently.
Rosenrot shook his head, "No."
Turning to look at her older brother she saw his attire, "Are you going on a mission?"
Shaking his head again, "Nope."
Quirking a brow she asked, "Then what are you doing?"
"I am going to tell to get your weapon and come with me to the garden." Rosenrot informed before walking away, "Make it quick, I want to see if your time at Beacon has honed your skills."
Soon they stood before each other weapons at the ready. Rosenrot had his arms up in a defensive position and Weiss stood with one arm out and the other at her side. With both Rosendorn and Myrtenaster fully loaded with dust, they waited for the other to make the first move.
Smirking, Rosenrot made the first move. A line of glyphs appeared from under Rosenrot towards Weiss. Lunging forward, Rosenrot skated across the glyphs in blinding speed. The cylinder spin until ice dust was at the top. His clawed fingertips were encased in ice, extending his claws.
Weiss quickly blocked the slash and jumped back. Rosenrot didn't relent unleashing a fury of swipes. The clanging of metal rang throughout the garden. Every swipe of claws was blocked by the thin blade.
"Was defense all you learned at Beacon?" Rosenrot mocked.
Glaring at her elder brother she took a stance. The cylinder in her sword spun before landing at lightning dust. Beneath her feet, a yellow glyph in the shape of a clock formed. The hands of the clock began to speed up as yellow light edited for Weiss.
In a burst of speed Weiss charged at her elder brother. Before the redhead could react he felt a sharp pain in his gut and was flying across the garden. Flipping back he landed on his feet in a skidding halt.
"Time Dilation, not bad." He said looking up at Weiss, "But not enough." Crossing his arms in an X as a glyph appeared behind him.
The glyph grew until it towered above him. The scratching of claws and the sounds of snarls were heard as a pack sabyrs emerged from the glyph. Weiss took a step back as the the sabyrs eyed her. When the summons charged at her she quickly flipped back as to avoid a pounce.
A second sabyr rushed her but before it could sink its teeth into her she flipped over it and slashed across its back. When she landed the sabyr began to fade away. When a second sabyr pounced at her she put a glyph between them, blocking the attack, thrusting her sword through the glyph she impaled the summon.
When two more sabyrs charged at her she flipped back as the cylinder changed to burn dist. Landing, she swung her sword unleashing a crescent of fire, obliterating the two summons. Another pair appeared behind her and charged. Jumping, she flipped in between them and slash the both of them with a spin, finishing the last of them.
Her heels clicked as she landed. She's finished all the summons so it's only Rosenrot. Spinning around ready to attack she was met with a pair of brown eyes and razor-sharp claws at her throat. She saw her mistake, she was too focused on the sabyrs and paid no mind to Rosenrot.
Lowering his hand he stepped back, "You've gotten better." Rosenrot commented, "Before you left the sabyrs would've been enough to take you down."
"I've improved a bit I guess." Weiss mumbled looking towards a blue rose bush to the side.
He chuckled, "You've never been one to be bashful Weiss." Smirking he continued, "That team of yours must've made a big impression on you." Weiss immediately stiffened at the mention of her teammates and Rosenrot noticed. Sighing he put a hand on her shoulder, "You can think about them you know, it's ok."
Looking up at her older brother she replied, "It's not that I don't think about them it's that I always think about them. Ruby, Blake, and Yang were more than my teammates they were-"
"Family." Rosenrot cut in. When he saw her guilty face he quickly added, "It's fine. Fighting side by side, facing death together is a very dangerous and intimate thing. It was like that with Team GRNT." He allowed a fond smile to break in his face before he frowned, "But that all fell apart when Garnet died. But by the way, you've written about them I can tell that what you have is unbreakable."
"I miss them." She finally admitted.
"If you want I can sneak you out of Atlas." He offered, "Then you can go to your friends and as far away from here as possible."
Looking up at him she looked up at him questioningly, "I can't tell if you're joking."
"Exactly." He smirked before he noticed something over Weiss' shoulder, "What is it, Klein?"
"Pardon the interruption, Mr. Schnee but your father wishes to see Ms. Schnee." The butler informed.
"Thank you, Klein." Weiss nodded to the older man before turning to look up at Rosenrot, "Thanks for this. I needed to clear my head and let some things out."
"Anytime." He assured.
"Back into the fray." Weiss sighed before walking away.
When Weiss was out of sight Rosenrot turned his gaze to the far side of the garden. There sat on a stone bench was his mother, Willow Schnee. Alongside her rested a bottle of wine and no glasses. Taking a deep breath he made his way to her.
She didn't notice his approach so when she raised the bottle to her lips he caught her arm. Her tired blue eyes looked up in shock. Rosenrot gently took the bottle from her hand. Looking in her son's eyes Willow looked away.
"I hate disappointing you." She whispered.
"And I hate that he does this to you, that he does this to all of us." He replied.
Willow sighed, "Sometimes I wish your grandfather was still here but then I remember how disappointed he'd be. In the company... in me."
"You're right, he would be disappointed but not with you." Rosenrot assured, "With himself, for allowing you to marry someone remotely like my father."
With that, he walked out of the garden, bottle in hand.
Having been asked to lunch by Weiss was a pleasant surprise. They sat at the circular table in Weiss' room. Their plates are full of steak, asparagus, and carrot slices. Whilst Rosenrot eagerly ate Weiss only took a few nibbles before picking at her food.
Taking the last bite of steak he sighed, "What is it, Weiss? I've been waiting to finish my food to ask."
Weiss dropped her utensils and rested her hands on her lap. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath. Looking up to her brother she spoke, "Father has asked me to sing at a charity auction."
Leaning back on his chair he asked, "Huh, who is he scamming this time?"
"It's to send aid to Vale." Weiss replied.
Freezing at this Rosenrot sighed. Jacques was using her ties to Vale as a means to get her to agree with his idea, "Weiss." He leaned forward and took her hand in his, "Tell me, do you honestly think an ounce of that money will get anywhere near Vale?"
Weiss was about to reply before signing, "I played right into his hands."
Seeing how much this meant to her he said, "What if we could play him into our hands?"
Looking up at him she asked, "What do you mean?"
"I mean we humiliate his pompous ass in front of everyone in Atlas." Rorenrot's smirk spread into a smile, "Do you still have that one song you showed me before you left for Beacon?"
Weiss only smirked.