He knew headmaster Theodore would do as he asked, the politics in Vacuo ensured it. Still, there was no guarantee little Red would come. He expected to see her in her combat gear, not a professional black long-sleeved dress with a dark red ribbon tied around her waist. Knives up her sleeves and Crescent Rose hidden under her skirt. He smirked, it suited her just fine.

He moved closer to a lamp and delighted as she made sense of his visage. Bright orange hair and bangs obscuring one of his eyes.

He was a tad disappointed in her calmness as she gestured to the small table between them. "Shall I pour tea, Roman?" She didn't wait on him to respond as she moved her sleeve slightly so he could clearly see the silver glint as she poured a cup.

Sitting in his chair, "First name basis aren't we?" this would be more fun than he thought, he rested his ankle over his knee.

Her mouth pursed, "You're willing to work with Shade academy," She still his mug towards him, "so it seems like we're on the same side."

"Not yet Red-"

"Please, my name is Ruby."

"I'm not working with Shade yet, Rubbles." He winked handsomely, "I believe you are here to convince me."

Dread crept up in her features, and she swallowed her tea to steady herself, "I imagine you want to stay alive, and you know you can't fight Salem. We hunters" She pressed her hand to her heart. "Could use the intel you have."

He nodded slowly, "Working with you is in my interest. Salem only wishes for destruction." he lazily twirled the spoon in his tea.

Her lips quirked, "And how can you keep stealing the pretty things if the world is ash?"

He chuckled, "I'd like you to sweeten the deal, as it were."

"You would let the world burn because having a fighting chance isn't sweet enough for you."

Her condescending tone irked him, and he reached over their cups to grab her chin, pulling her close, "Red, the world will burn. Maybe we can slow it down. I told you neither you nor I could stop them. I'd like to have a few memories before I die."

She gently took his hand in hers, "Roman, why am I here?"

He stared at her tiny hand before recovering himself, "I wanted to know why you pervaded my dreams these past 4 years. Seeing you now, I understand." He stood, rolling up the sleeves of his black button-up. Soon he strode closer, looking down, watching those silver eyes move up his scarred forearms and then to search his face. "You are infuriating, with your sense of right and wrong, childish really." His fingers gently traced her jawline; he expected her to freeze or swat his hand away. Instead, a sunset bloomed over those pale cheeks, and she narrowed her eyes at him. "Now look at you. You've become a woman beyond anything I might have expected." He removed himself from her space to settle back into his chair. "I can offer intelligence of Salem's movement. How she has been utilizing Arthur Watts and Tyrian Callows here. Also, an army that needs some training in fighting Grimm, which I'm sure Shade academy can provide."

He watched the gears in her mind work as she tried to weigh just how valuable that was, "The price...or what memory do you want?"

His eyes ran over her and settled on where the hem of her skirt met her thighs.

She gasped, "You...want me to spend the night here...with you?"

He tilted his head, "I would like to pride myself on my endurance, but I am humble enough to admit. I couldn't last the whole night." He pulled out a pocket watch. "Maybe a bit past midnight. Depends on you, I suppose."

She gapped, then closed her mouth, staring into her lap. Intel and an army for a single shameful night? "What you have to offer I cannot in my right mind pass up. So I'll...spend the night with you."

She looked everywhere but still saw him grin wolfishly at her. Then he stood and made a lazy gesture to follow him out through his opulent halls. She found them outside in the cold desert air, and she was grateful for the bright moon, so they could see clearly, but he could not view how red she got.

"Out here?" She squeaked and began to tremble.

He sighed and approached her, "You'll warm up soon in this cold desert air." his hands brushed her thighs, lifting her skirt slightly. Feeling his calluses on her skin, she pressed her legs together. His scent made her ache in a way she never expected. Suddenly a strap on her leg loosened, and he held up Crescent Rose at eye level.

"Hey! That's my weapon!"

"How do you open this gardening tool?" He eyed it curiously.

"W-What?"

"You're going to show me how to use this. I've had nightmares about you wielding it for years."

"Huh?"

"What did you think we were going to do?"

"Um...cross weapons? I didn't think you wanted to learn how to use her."

He chuckled, "Well, teach if you want to know about Salem. Direct me on how to use this solid metal death machine."

"That is the memory you want?" She nodded curtly, "Flip that lever, and now you are in sniper mode."

His eyebrow drew up, "Cool."

Ruby bounced on her toes, "I know, right!"