Jaune Wick 2: Relighting the Wick
A RWBY crossover John Wick fanfic story
By Donovan Ray Castillo
Prologue
Here it is ladies and gentlemen. The start of a new story that follows after the first which many of you guys seemed to like. I wanna give another shout out to GeraltRex for actually suggesting the title of this story. I think it is way better than what I was going to do (Which we won't get into).
Also thank you masterbroly for your opinion, I understand some people have their ups and downs about how I killed off Ruby in the last story.
Cargo docks (Upper Class district of Vale)
A dark red and grey Cadillac strolled quietly and slowly through the maze of cargo containers that were marked with the same matching snowflake symbol with a very powerful title beneath it in bold letters 'Schnee'. Most of the Schnee Power Company resources being transported from Atlas was brought by ship or bullhead, but regardless they unloaded here in the Upper Class area north west of Vale city.
The Cadillac creeped through the misty air like a predator sneaking on its prey. The headlights were off to better conceal itself, the nearby lamp poles providing enough light.
The glass surface of the rippling waves reflected the light of the moon like a diamond.
The silent car ghosted its way to the far side where the area was darker and closer to the water. Several boat houses lined the water, but only one was the main target. The car came to a halt without making a sound behind some wooden crates. The driver and passenger door popped open letting two figures step out.
The figure exiting the driver side seemed to be a tall man with a lean build. He wore a red-lined white suit with long black pants and black shoes. His accessories included a small gray scarf, black gloves with buckled sleeves, and a black bowler hat with a small feather tucked into its red band. He held a small zippo-style lighter on hand with a cigar in between his lips. The man brought the lighter to the end of the cigar and flicked at the lighter a couple times before getting a good flame. The light from the lighter revealed the face of the man who had slanted, dark-green eyes and bright, long, orange hair, with long bangs covering his right eye. Black eyeliner traced his visible left eye.
Closing the lighter the crime lord puffed his cheeks with the ash and let it out with a pleasing sigh, "Man is it a nice night. You know if we didn't have to do this I would probably find a few drunk wealthy men to pocket pick, there usually in abundance this time of night ." the man walked around to the hood of the car with his cane tapping on the ground with his pace.
Waiting for him was a short girl with the accessories of a grown woman who looked as though she was born of neapolitan ice cream. She has the appropriate trio of colors in her hair and on her outfit. Her hair color is typically half pink and half brown, with white streaks on the pink side. She appears to have a condition known as heterochromia iridum, where the eyes have two different colors. In her case, it is complete heterochromia, where one iris in its entirety is chocolate brown while the other is a sweet strawberry pink. Her face had a pouty puff and a frown on her face as her arms were crossed in annoyance. Her hands suddenly began making gestures, "(We're late.)" she signed.
The man seemed to understand as he smiled with his cigar in between his teeth, "Fashionably late, Neo. We don't wanna be early and seem desperate, that'll make them feel in control." he stated as he tucked his cane under his armpit and removed his scroll.
The multi-colored woman raised an eyebrow, "(Well they are Schnee's after all.)" she stated.
"Yeah, more control is the last thing they need. Let's just keep it to one person who has strings on us right now kay?..." he scrolled through his messages as he took a puff of ash, "This one…" he nodded to the middle boathouse cascaded by a thick blanket of fog. He let out a cloud of smoke as began casually walking towards their destination, "You got my six single scoop?" he turned to Neo with a cheeky grin.
Neo just rolled her eyes as she rested her parasol on both her shoulders for her hands to hang from. She'd known Roman long enough to get used to tacking cracks about her height, but only from him.
"Oh!..." Roman raised a finger, "And let me do most of the talking." he let out a small chuckle which grew as Neo whacked him with her parasol.
They were still working on the mute jokes.
Roman peered into the boat house which was basically pitch black. The sound of sloshing water echoed inside, "Knock knock. Anyone home?" he went in first.
Neo tailed close behind, switching the qrip on her parasol to one of being on alert. Her mis-matched scanned what her eyes could as they adjusted to the dark.
The partners were about to use their scrolls for light, but that was suddenly provided. However, a bit too much as two blinding beams of light that scared away the darkness.
Neo reacted like lightning, getting in front of Roman and opening her parasol. Shielding the two with its ranged stretch, it allowed their eyes to recover quicker.
The sound of a low rumbling engine drew closer as a decent sized boat entered the boat house. Once it had docked the lights dimmed to simple room illumination.
Neo lowered her parasol but her hand gripped the handle hard, ready to attack if necessary.
The boat was a sleek silver and white High Top with blacked out windows, the side bared the sharp edged snowflake with the bold family name screaming itself for the world to see.
"Looks like daddy Schnee knows how to make an entrance." the fiery haired crime lord smiled as he adjusted his bowler hat.
Neo kept her focus sharp on the boat as she closed her parasol.
A figure arose in front of the lights.
The fiery haired man taped his cigar to discard the burnt tip, "Mr. Schnee it is once again a ple-" his words suddenly hitched in his throat as his expression dropped into a mix of surprise and confusion.
Neo was just as shocked.
For when the tall outlined figure stepped down he appeared smaller in fact. Once the small form stepped into better lighting it turned out to be a boy with white, snow crisp hair and light ice blue eyes with a fair complexion. His hair is mostly pushed to the left, although he does have a cowlick. The boy is fairly tall with a slender build and stands a few inches. His attire consists of a short-sleeved white dress shirt, the sleeves fastened just above his elbows by navy blue cuffs, each with twin gold buttons. Over his untucked shirt, he wears a light blue vest, with a black handkerchief in his right breast pocket. He also wears a black necktie, navy blue trousers and black dress shoes, "The Infamous Roman Torchwick. You seem surprised?" the young man's tone was formal and calm, yet it gave a frigid tingle that set off some alarms.
From the boat a short, slightly heavyset man with balding brown hair and a large mustache exited. He seemed timid to speak and kept his posture like the boy's with his hands behind his back
Roman closed his eyes as he let out an airy laugh, as if he were trying to play off his drop in guard and regain himself, "I must have missed the memo. Didn't know it was bring your kid to work day..." he let his cigar fall and stepped it out, "Mind telling daddy to come out Junior? We're kinda on a schedule here and uhhh…" the crime lord took out a yellow lien card, "Get yourself something from the vending machine while the adults talk." he tucked the card in the kids breast pouch giving it a couple pats.
The young man seemed unfazed by the action, his icey blue gaze grew only colder, "You really do act like you are in your messages." he stated as he looked back to the ice-cream themed girl, "And this must be your lap dog I presume?".
His words sparked a fire in Neo as she went from shocked to grinding her teeth. She stomped forward before Roman's arm cut her off.
This got Roman to raise an eyebrow, "Excuse my friend here, but who are you? Because I don't normally play grown-up games with underlings".
The boy's eyes fluttered as his mouth went slightly ajar in surprise, "Oh well where are my manners, I'm the one who advised this meeting. Whitley Schnee, and over there is my family's butler." Whitley addressed
The skeptical hefty man gave a slight bow, "Klein Sieben, a-at your service." his voice gave off hints of fear.
Roman's eyes married in suspicion, "Riiight… well…" he let his arm drop from Neo who crossed her arms and glared daggers at Whitley, "This is my colleague Neo.".
"(Call me 'lap dog' again, and I will teach you proper manners, kid.)" Neo aggressively signed.
"Who doesn't take too kindly to name calling." Roman smirked.
Whitley hummed a laugh as he redirected his blue ice orbs to her. His hands came from behind his back, "(You could learn a little respect yourself.)" he signed.
"Okay kids play nice." he calmed the brewing storm before lightning could strike, "Now listen snowflake, I don't bargain with children. Now either tell me where Jacques is, or you can tell him our deal is off." his tone dropped the joking tone for a more serious intensity.
Whitley sighed, "My father has other matters to attend to, but do not forget that it was me that you were initially messaging." he placed his hand on his chest.
Roman squeezed his eyes shut and gripped his cane hard. Letting out a long, frustrated exhale to be rid of the negative feelings piling up. Now calmed down a bit, the crime lord tapped his fingers on his cane in a rippled formation as he took a knee in front of the young Schnee, "Alright kid. I'm gonna lay down some criminal life advice for beginners…".
Whitley's deadpan expression remained frozen, only he raised his chin more to get a more serious presence in his stare.
"A life in the underworld is like gamballing. You got the dealer, and you got your opponents…" Roman talked with his hands, "When life deals you a good hand you put on your best poker face and roll with things normally, as to not draw attention. And when life gives ya something less adequate… you take risks." his tone seemed to reflect from his own experience, "But there is one thing both scenarios require you to have in order to be successful… wanna take a guess as to what that 'thing' might be?".
Whitley's expression didn't change hence for the raised eyebrow, "Do tell mister Torchwick." he said with a tone that made it seem though he had little care.
Roman smirked with a light chuckle, "My boy you gotta be able to 'know'. Just by knowing can you call a bluff, or make someone falter in their decision making…" Roman stood and began to pace as he continued, "In this world knowing keeps you alive, gets you an edge, and can keep you from getting wrapped around someone's finger…" he stopped dead in front of the young Schnee. Turning his visible eye which looked down at Whitley with a new seriousness being clouded by his previous act, "Which is why I know that daddy didn't play his cards well with Jaune Wick and paid the price for it…".
Neo smirked and made a 'tsk tsk tsk' motion with her mouth and hand.
Whitley sneered, "In all honesty Mr. Torchwick, I could give a damn about that man. The only value my father had to me was that he gave us a roof over our heads. Other than that I saw lien and Klien here more as a father figure. Mr. Wick did me a favor." the pale boys expression and face was blank of sympathy or any twinkle of grievances.
Roman was slightly caught off guard, "Damn you really are the spitting image of a Schnee if I ever knew your father well enough. Ice fucking cold hearted. I mean the news of your mother's death all those years ago hit like a cannon shot, but this was like dropping a nuke on the power industry.".
Whitley's head dropped slightly to give his narrowed eyes a more impacting strike.
"Okay okay back on topic…" Roman twirled his cane on his finger, "I knew it was you contacting me, but I couldn't let you know that I knew because then I couldn't get answers. So, before coming here I had a few snipers form a perimeter around this building to ensure you don't try and do something you might regret. Is all this sinking in? Have you realized just how much you've overstepped your bounds?" he taunted the young Schnee with a shit eating grin, "That's okay, I was once a mischievous little shit once who shot NERF guns at my teachers.".
Neo gave a slight narrow of her eyes at her poker faced partner. Knowing pretty well what he was up to.
Whitley closed his eyes and nodded his head taking in what the crime lord was saying, "So you say that it's important to… 'know', correct?" he rhetorically asked.
Torchwick raised an eyebrow as he leaned on his cane.
Whitley straightened his tie before resting his hands on the small of his back, "Then I know you're bluffing." he stated with his casual stoic stare.
Roman's face scrunched into one of annoyance, "Pardon me?" he put his hand to his ear.
Whitley smirked, "So you knew I was behind the messages…" his tone vocaled little care, "I highly doubt that you of all people would feel that threatened by a kid to bring anything more than the ice-cream broad…" he glared at Neo.
The creamy treat themed assassin growled silently in building rage as her small hand strangled the handle of her parasol.
Without looking at her Roman gestured for her to settle down. He narrowed his eye on the Schnee as the twerp was handed a tablet from his butler Klien.
"And I also know you won't be leaving here without securing an agreeable deal, ." Whitely smirked with a side glance.
"Oooo hehehe, you talk pretty high and mighty for an amature. Confidence is a tool that can be used do real good for yourself, but if you get cocky and slip up once…" The crime lord brought a thumb to his neck and dragged it across his trachea, "Ssshlirk!" he ended with a maniacal smile.
Whitely remained unwavering, rather he rubbed his chin in thought, "Hmmm, that is true, but you also said that knowing is a key component for this machine of a world we live in…" the Schnee began to pace back and forth, "Which is why I know that whoever it is your getting these weapons for must have a knife up to your neck…" his cocky smirk only engrossed in how right he was.
Roman stiffened, but kept his posture.
Whitely sighed, "The Infamous Roman Torchwick and the silent bittersweet Neopolitan, you spent years working only for yourselves, and now someone, I'll be honest I don't know who. Has you both strung by the neck where one wrong move will leave you swaying in the breeze." he taunted the two criminals.
"Kid…" Roman curled his hand into a fist and closed his eyes to take a moment to compose himself, "Your treading on thin ice here…" he pointed at the boy, "Actually more like burning hot glowing coals." he corrected.
Whitely hummed a laugh to himself as his eyes narrowed. Raising his hand he snapped his fingers.
Men dressed in white and ice blue bearing the Schnee snowflake symbols on their ties began to exit the Schnee vessel pushing three carts with cases on them, "I may lack gambling experience…" the cases were strolled into a line behind Whitely, "But even I know when I've been dealt a good hand.
The white haired boy stepped aside as the men popped open the crates to reveal… reveal…
Roman stepped forward. His eyes extended into dark green oceans of unlimited curiosity and absolute want. The stars in his eyes sparkled like gems, and might have even been drooling a bit.
The cases each bore different symbols of different colors. One glamored red accents, the other yellow, and the last blue. The crates contained a gun like weapon with very distinguishable features with parts that glowed with pulsing energy.
Whitley's confident smile only found itself more at home at Roman's reaction, "The Schnee power company has provided the people of Atlas and much of Remnant with its essential power… but while the company continued its old ways to hold its success, the world kept turning. We found ourselves slipping, and Wigeon's influence wasn't helping…" Whitley paced around to Roman's side as he began to explain.
Neo kept a looming death glare on the boy with a hand on her parasol sword, ready to draw.
"My father, a while before he passed, was working on a new energy source that not only could fuel the fire of technological evolution, but also to give the Atlas military the edge it needs to look over the other countries, so he said." Whitely halted next to the gawking crime lord, "Thoughts?".
Neo smacked Roman upside the head knocking his hat into his eyes, "(Control yourself will you?)" she signed.
Roman blinked several times coming back into reality, "Ahem! Well I gotta say, for a gambling man such as myself…" his hand inched closer to one of the cases like it was being lured in, "These are some beautiful Aces." he smiled as his gloved hand brushed the metal exterior of the red cased weapon. It felt unusually warm, "I always knew the Schnee's and the General had some shady contracts.".
The young Schnee sneered, "Oh the General can only day dream in the shower about having such a source of self sustaining energy. Father loved the attention and name sake he would gain from partnering his supply of energy with military demand, but never once thought of what the High Table could use with it. Thinking of their methods as too old fashioned.".
"Aww. Jacque did always love tying people in tight with business contracts, but he at least knew who needed to be kept loose." Roman admired the memory of the old Schnee, "I wouldn't exactly be keen on the military in possession of whatever potential these hold, the General's iron will to be superb from the other kingdoms gives me goosebumps. Even so, I wasn't expecting something like this to pick and pry at my interest so much. What kinda energy did you say these run on again?" Roman looked back at the Schnee.
Whitely raised his hand to pick at his nails subtly as he explained like he had somewhere better to be, "My father named this energy, D.U.S.T., which stands for. Dangerously. Usable. Source of-".
"Stop!" Roman raised his hand, "You had me at dangerous." he grinned, "However a little show and tell I think is only necessary." he stated stepping back. From the weapons.
"Gladly…" Whitley nodded at his men.
The first guy gently removed the red glowing weapon from its home.
"This is the Kelvin Flammer 5778K. Capable of producing a flame as hot as the sun and can reach as far as thirteen yards… you might wanna step back." the Schnee warned.
The criminals did as told to witness the guy wielding the weapon to turn on the flammer as two small blue flames popped to life at the front of the barrel. Aiming upward the flammer hummed before spewing a river of orange flames that looked as though it were lava. The flammer cackled and hissed as it continued to breathe such an intense heat it caused about everyone to cover their faces and retreat a few steps.
Once the demonstration was over the smoking barrel was lowered and out popped three disk like coils from the barrel guard on the sides. They hissed glowing red as steam lifted off into the cool air
"However, such an instantaneous amount of energy causes the fusion coils to quickly overheat." the boy pointed out.
Roman hummed as though something was distasteful, "Flamers are a bit old fashion don'cha ya think?".
"I guess it depends on how you look at it. This revolutionary model out classes that bulky heavy weight tank you have to carry around. Now…" Whitley proceeded to remove a metal red distinguished cylinder from the case, "You only need a power cell of D.U.S.T. no bigger than a can.".
Roman nodded his head in seeing the advantages of the weapon in a better light, "What else you got in your toy chest?".
The next case was accented with blue stripes and white Atlesian writing. The Schnee servant pulled large black gloves onto his hands before equipping the gun. This weapon was less sleek and seemed like a last minute science fair project put together in a garage. The barrel was short but wide. Wires stuck out in strands of yellow, red, and white. A large sphere rested snug in the center, making itself obvious to its contribution in the design.
Whitley gestured with a graceful open hand to the weapon, "The Sub-Moroz Cryolator. The first ever prototype 'freeze ray' as the scifi fans would call it. The process causes the metal on the gun to drop to such a dangerous temperature, four times as cold as dry ice. Thick gloves are recommended if you wish to count to ten with your fingers." the Schnee warned.
"I feel sorry for the unfortunate soul that found that out." Roman slightly winced.
Whitley hummed in agreement, "Well when he threatened to press charges because of his misfortune we had to take away a little more than his fingers." the devilish smirk spoke for itself on the boy's face.
Roman shook his head, "Fuckin' ametures… what's next?" he gestured to the yellow-silver crate.
The Schnee's goon removed the weapon from the crate. I was the smallest of the three. From the trigger of the weapon the body was in a bulky disk like form, and the barrel was nothing like a barrel at all. Resembling more of a tazer of some kind.
"Last, but not least, the Dynamo Tesla 1913 Ohm Mk1.".
"Who the fuck is naming these things?".
Whitley's extended arm dropped lifelessly to his side along with his expression, "Is that really what you're complaining about? The names? Not, maybe, how it works?" the Schnee ranted.
Roman rolled his eyes, "Just from 'Tesla' it's probably a zappy zappy gun blah blah blah. From what I've seen you got a little too spoiled at Toys R' Us and made these based on some random draws from your toy box." Roman quipped.
Neo stifled a laugh in her fist as her chest hitched from laughter.
Some of the Schnee's escorts ahd to try their absolute hardest not to lose their composure. Several of them looked away to hide a twitchy grin or clear their throats to stifle laughter.
Whitley's face scrunched in displeasure at the crime lord mocking his age. He gave the case a good slam shut bringing all the attention on him, "Mr. Torchwick. If these aren't to your acquired taste. I can always find someone more willing and devoted to testing the next generation of energy weaponry. Then you show up to your boss empty handed… well, I only wish I could be there to see what happens." his coy smile returned with an uncaring side glance.
Neo looked up at the ginger and smacked his side.
Roman gripped his cane as his face cringed in his forced compliance with a kid of all dealers. He relaxed, letting his frustrations out in a hot heavy sigh, "Fiiine, but I do have one last question before knowing what it is you want." he negotiated.
Whitley turned back with the smile of an innocent smile and his hands behind his back with his trademark formal stature, "Ask away." he quipped.
Roman began to pace as he lifted his cane to speak with, "Why come meddling into unlawful affairs when you could make a better name for yourself and even your investors with the General? Your eldest sister is even in the military, men of business can only dream of having it this easy." he explained with high emphasis.
Whitley quirked his head to a tilt, "I thought you said you preferred these not to be in possession of the military?".
"Like I prefer Neo with the top button of her jacket undone…" he declared with a pointed finger he suddenly blocked a heavy swing from the silent assassin's parasol with his cane, "But the High Table isn't exactly into what's new and shiny. Like your company, they only want what will prosper them, and even they still have something to gain just having one of those chairs around the table when things are just normal. So what is your true endgame here kid?" he asked in a mix of suspicion and curiosity, "What are you looking for in the High Table?" he continued to close the walls around the young Schnee.
The snow white boy raised a curious eyebrow, "Do you really believe that dealing with the military can be any more legal?".
"Well it certainly keeps the police off your back and questions from being asked. Even more, you could prosper better from them." Roman clarified.
"Hahaha!" Whitley chuckled, "Prosper more than from the High Table themselves? Granted that to my knowledge which isn't much to off of about the High Table. I at least know that the General has shook a few hands from the table which tells me that even he must answer to someone…" the boy mentioned proudly from what he was able to gather, "As for Winter, she doesn't know. No one knows except for the handful of men I brought, my most trusted associate of my fathers Klien, me, and now… you two. To the rest of the world these don't exist, they are MY property, not the Schnees, not yet at least. And I'll continue to keep them discreet. I've already cut enough loose ends, and you're no exception." he kept his tone hard and cold as ice on that last statement to make his point indefinitely clear.
Neo glared at the boy, "(You best get some glasses so you can better see who you're talking to. I may have standards on age, but my blade has no morals when it comes to threats.)" she signed angrily and a look that could turn the water in the harbor toxic.
Roman raised a finger with a twinkle in his eye as he came to a realization, "So that's what you want? A good word for the person in charge that you could be of great benefit to the High Table with comic book weapons?" he accidentally mocked again.
Whitley glared at the bowler hat man as the mock in his tone was brought back into play.
"Kid it's just my thing so bare with it a little?".
Whitley rolled his ice cold glare, "I just need to obtain a higher status if I want these projects to be taken seriously is all." he explained.
Roman smiled with a fire in his green eyes, "Kid, anyone will take it seriously if you got the lien to talk at your side.".
Whitley's ice cold stare challenged that fire, "Like how you took me seriously when you first saw I was your dealer."
That torch in his eyes was extinguished by a wave of logic, "Okay good point, but I mean can you really blame me?".
Neo scoffed as she stepped in, "(Isn't your sister already appointed to take over from your father?)" she signed.
"Yeah, the High Table does not just willingly welcome twerps. And low quality prototype weapons like these won't guarantee you anything even with my praise. Without your dad's seat the High Table won't even bat an eye. Sorry" Roman explained in a less than sorry tone.
"I'm well aware of what I need Mr. Torchwick…" he pinched the bridge of his nose and calmed himself, "These weapons were merely to grab your attention and be your payment for the success of your mission.".
"Oh and you were probably thinking that once we brought them to our boss they'll see just how great they are and demand more werentcha?".
Whitley shrugged, "In one way or another, yes." he admitted.
"Ah! You hear that Neo? Suddenly he wants us to be advertisers for his little GoFundme ordeal. We gotta have a warranty policy for these." Roman joked, "And what exactly would the High Table want with weapons like these when they have about a continent's worth of arms dealers and assassins?" he gestured to the cases with the cane.
Whitley sighed going along with the game, "Oh I don't know, maybe they finally deciding that the way of the assassin was beginning to falter in loyalty. With all the rise in excommunicados maybe they wanted to give their soldiers something a bit more reliable since bullets can't even penetrate a damn suit these days. And if that's the case then your boss will be most displeased that you let such an opportunity go to waste over ignorance of the situation." the Schnee continued to force the two criminals' hands with that singular fact.
"(What is it you want for the weapons already brat?)" she sighed sharply.
Whitley sneered at the multi-colored haired assassin, "Oh I can only imagine the tone that sweet voice of yours must have." he soothed his voice in a bit of a sensual way. The way he said it however made Neo scoff in slight disgust. Returning to the matter at hand, "If I want this project to take form I need my fathers seat in the company, and yes my older sister Wiess is already filling that spot. So there's nothing I can really do unless… an unexpected event were to take her out of the picture." he cryptically led on.
The crime duo looked at each other in seeing if either of them could decipher the encrypted message in the young Schnee's statement.
"Oh and don't worry about Winter, she despises the Company as well as the Schnee name so she won't be a variable to consider in the equation." Whitley reassured even though that wasn't the thought plaguing their confusion.
"Right, but what exactly do you mean by taking your sister… out of the picture?" he asked requoting the Schnee's statement.
The air seemed to suddenly go thick and hard to breath. Whitley's depression remained confident, but behind that soft innocent smile was something dark and sinister, "You guys are killers… what do you think I mean… ?".
Both assassins seemed a bit taken back. The Schnee's men however seemed contemptuous with it, as if they had already been debriefed on the plan and were fine with it so long as the benefits were to their liking. The butler Klien on the other hand seemed to be hiding a squirming unease in his face as he pulled on the neck of his collar.
"Well Neo, I said it would happen, but we finally found someone crazier than you…".
Neo looked at the kingpin with a scowl.
Roman's gaze never left the young Schnee, "You're fucked in the head.".
"I'm devoted to making the Schnee company a necessity to the people, to the world, and to the High Table…" the young Schnee defended himself, "No matter the sacrifice.".
"Well maybe this will be a good brother sister bond opportunity for you two to settle your differences because uuuuugh… what you want is impossible!" Roman exaggerated throwing his arms out, "We work amongst the world of low lifes, making the best from nothing. We conduct robberies and heists, and we have killed yes, but you're talking about killing one of the most influential faces on Remnant, now a newly appointed High Table member. Not to mention your own fucking sister. We can't afford to have that kind of attention from the Atlas military or High Table! It's literally wishing you were never born!" the crime lord slammed his cane on the ground.
"Our visions contrast too much to have any co-operation as business partners. Father was always too lenient on trusting business partners which leaves us vulnerable, and with his incompetence to let go of his fanus labor policies much of the public opinion frowned on us which made some investors turn away as to not be looked at as contributing to a racist man. Wiess on the other hand, while ambitious to make change and reshape the Schnee name for the better of her pride would be just too insensitive to take the necessary sacrifices and risks to allow the company to thrive in the cruel world we live in. Too many freeloaders...she'd just get stepped on. I can find the balance, I know I can…" Whitley stood himself tall proudly with determination and confidence, "Of course though I'm too young to challenge for her newly acquired chair amongst the High Table, but if she were murdered…" he froze in the midst of his pace and gave a side glare to the crime duo, "Well that's just a tragedy. Then I will be appointed the youngest head of the Schnee Energy company while also bearing the title as the youngest High Table member.".
The look on Roman's face was stern as the words from the boy were absolutely despicable, "Oh goody so you finally switch out of diapers and into some big boy pants!" he mocked, "What comes next once you're at the top of the world!?" his frustration built with each fuming second, "You don't just want to join the High Table because you want to make the world a better place. It's not some fucking science fair where you go to show off to teachers and get a university scholarship! It's literally a system of life and death where if you're not strong enough to get by, then you're not worth the time." The kingpin turned and made way for the exit.
Whitley narrowed at the back of the fire haired man's head, "Do you normally give up this easy? I thought you were a professional?".
"I am a professional, that's why I know when to fold…" he spared a final glance at the young Schnee, "Come on Neo, we'll find another way to get weapons that's actually fucking doable." he seethed as he tapped his cane hard in anger with each step.
Neo glared back at the young Schnee, giving him the finger before joining her partner's side.
Whitley closed his eyes as he let out a deep sigh, "Well I guess the General wouldn't mind having a hand in this project production, in fact I believed he'd be overjoyed…" stated as a way to bait him back.
Roman froze in his pace as his head hung. Neo stopped a few steps ahead and looked at her friend with concern
"I'm sure the High Table will be more than willing to strike a deal with him which would in turn cause them to have to come with me.".
"... you really think playing games with the General will get you your way?" Roman spoke low.
"It could still yield similar results…" Whitley shrugged, " just not how I would want it to go, and with more risk of having my property stolen. I don't want to have the General speaking for me through my work. I want to say what I want directly and make sure it is executed to perfection…" he declared, "But then you gotta ask yourself where that would lead you if they see you as just a liability. As long as the military is supplying them with my weapons they'll finally cut ties with you… and quite possibly your throats." the white haired boy threw in the last part for a bit of insurance despite it being unnecessary.
Roman clenched his fist and cane. Never would he have thought in all his years of crime and building his way to the top of the food chain. Would he have been debunked so far down because of a debt that he would get his arm locked behind his back and forced to comply by a kid. If it had been only his life that was being gambled with then he would probably manage better, but…
Roman looked up at the multi-colored haired woman who looked at him in confusion… he couldn't do that to her.
Suddenly like a shock of lightning, realization struck him. A plan exploded in his head like a supernova as his eyes seemed refreshed and once again the cunning, devilish Roman Torchwick was back in the driver's seat. As Roman turned a tiny arm hooked with his to stop him mid spin.
"(What are you doin!?)" Neo signed aggressively.
"Don't worry, I got a plan." the kingpin pulled himself free and pursued the young Schnee, "Alright kid, ya drive a hard bargain, but it seems my wings are clipped and I got no other option. As fucked up as your ambitions are, it's your sister not mine. You get your spot in the High Table, and I get my weapons…".
"A mutualistic deal. Although your sudden change of heart makes me somewhat curious." Whitley cupped his chin as he analysed the crime lord, trying to get a read.
Roman clicked his tongue, "Well I could say the same about your persistent grudge against assassins…"
The young Schee's expression suddenly soured, despite the coldness of his character. His stare was hot.
Roman grinned as he hit a bullseye on the nerve, "You let a bit too much slip out. Rookie mistake…" he took a few slow daring steps closer to the Schnee.
The men around stood on guard as their hands settled to their pistol holsters in case things get dicey.
Neo eyed every one of them with a blood lust glare, slightly drawing her blade.
"I think I got your endgame… it's ballsy… I mean I don't really care, but I also don't see the point in it.".
"And you don't need to…" the boy fired back quickly, "And even if you did it wouldn't change my mind or reasoning." he declared.
Roman's face twitched a smile, "So it's a personal matter. That's interesting and dangerous.".
"If you are through wasting time with you incompetant rambling I'd like an answer now! Do we have an accord?" he sternly held out his hand.
Roman spared a quick glance at the ice-cream assassin who shook her head. Roman looked at the small pale hand and grasped it firmly, "For our own selfish desires… we do.".
A smile dawned on the young Schnee as he twirled his two fingers around in a circular motion and waved off.
The Schnee's men worked to reload the cargo back onto the boat.
"She has a recital coming up in two weeks to celebrate her claim to the company. I'll send you further details on where on a private number, so keep your scroll close." Whitley turned and boarded his boat as he explained.
Roman tipped his hat, "Of course." he then turned to walk out with a pissed off Neo.".
"Oh and one more thing Mr. Torchwick…!" the Schnee called out as the boat motor rumbled to life, "If you decide to get help outside of me knowing, make sure they're trustworthy… or cut them loose afterwards." he stated in stone. The expensive Schnee boat backed out and made its way out to the open waters.
Roman and Neo made they're way out and to the car.
"Well… that could have go-" next thing Roman knew he was pushed into a stack of crates hard causing his hat to come off, "AGH! What the hell Neo!".
"(What the hell me!? What the hell you!)" the mute signed sharply.
Roman picked himself up brushing his suit, "Just got this thing cleaned to.".
*SLAP!*
"AGH!" Roman brought a hand to his raw stinging cheek, "Will you stop and let me talk!".
"(Why would you just sign away our lives like that! As if we're not in enough shit already!)" Neo seethed with every pound of her fist as she signed.
Roman bent down to pick his hat up, "Look, the only thing we don't want is to kill the Schnee, correct? Because then we'd have basically all of Remnant after us." he explained as he fixed the feather on his hat.
Neo crossed her arms with a sharp nod.
"But the little shit did task us to kill the Schnee." Roman continued to state the obvious.
This only made Neo melt with more anger, "(Your point exactly!?)".
Roman flipped his hat back on his head dramatically, "What if he got someone else to pull this off. Someone who could do it getting their hands dirty while leaving us clean. No one would suspect us, no attention on us." the fire haired man proposed his plan as if it were genius. Which it might possibly have been.
Neo almost laughed, but her anger made it come out as an airy scoff, "(Who the fuck in the right mind do you know would take up such a mission?!)".
"Oh no one of course…" Roman stated instantly as he picked up his cane, "However, I do know someone…" his hand fished around in his coat and reared back with a silver medallion. Every inch of the palm sized coin was engraved with design and inscribed with "Quod Debitum Sanquine" (The Blood Debt). The center adored the side of a skull, "That oh's us a favor." he grinned sinisterly as the panel with the skull open to reveal a bloody thumbprint on the right of the surface.
Back on the Schnee boat.
Whitley stared at the moon in peace. Though his mind was screaming with thoughts.
Klien hesitantly stepped behind him, "Ahem! Um, master Whitley sir?".
Whitley did not turn to look at the butler, "Yes, Klien?".
Klien took a moment to gather his response, "I don't mean to doubt what you know sir, but… are you sure he bears THAT particular marker. These are very dangerous people after all.".
Whitley took a deep breath of the salty ocean air, "I'm aware of who I choose to make affairs with Klien. Don't take me for a fool, but yes… I'm sure he has it." he confidently stated.
"What do we do now sir?".
Whitley's scroll pinged as a message came up from an unknown number, "Got it boss.". Below was an attached file titled, "P.E.N.N.Y.".
Whitley's lips grew up to a smirk, "...we prepare phase two.".