There is a sense of satisfaction in waking up in the morning. Stretching out her arms, Weiss rubbed her eyes and gazes the sun rising from her window. The moment Team RWBY called their ride and later arrived at the manor when nighttime came, they dragged their tired bodies to their respective bedrooms, and immediately fell asleep. A good night's rest, after all, was indeed needed for them to recover after their fight with Lux yesterday.
It has been a long time since Weiss has slept in her own room. Most of it remained the same back when she lived in the manor like the portrait of a suit of armor she fought in enrolling to Beacon while some such as the gold conductor's stand she used to practice for her recitals was removed. According to Klein, most of her things were either covered in sheets or discarded when she left the manor.
By the time her younger brother contacted Weiss and her teammates, Whitley had ordered his servants to clean her bedroom before she arrived. He also provided her teammates a place to sleep at one of their guest bedrooms. She sardonically thought it was considerate him to bring it back while she and her teammates are on a mission.
The only addition in her bedroom was the flower that Lux gave he gave her, which was placed in a vase on top of the desk next to an enormous window. Even though the flower served as a bitter reminder of Weiss and her teammates' failure to capture Lux, she did admit that it looked pretty and it would be a waste if it wilted away on the pavement. Weiss had asked Klein to bring a vase up to her bedroom and the butler faithfully had complied.
Speaking of the devil, there cace there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
The door opens and Klein enters the bedroom. He pushes a small trolley that has a cup and a pot of coffee in it. "Good morning Miss Schnee" Klein greeted. "Did you sleep well?"
Weiss nodded. The then butler poured her a cup of coffee and gave it to her. The fresh smell of roasted coffee brought out good memories back when she studied at Beacon. It reminded her of those nights studying for her lessons and exams while her teammates were snoozing away to slumber land. As she drank it down and savored the bitter flavor, she let out a satisfied sigh.
"Thank you Klein. You've always made the best coffee," Weiss compliments after finishing her drink. "How are Ruby, Blake and Yang?"
"They are sleeping soundly Miss Schnee" he answered as he poured more coffee on Weiss' cup. "Assuming by the state of them yesterday, I would presume that you and your teammates must have met with your target and tussled with him yesterday." Then Klein gave her an inquiring look. "However, I see no additional person come back with you. That means that you were unable to…"
She looked down. That was enough for her butler to give a sympathetic look.
"How come?"
Weiss and Klein turned their heads at the doorway to see Whitley leaning on its frame with his arms cross. She furrowed her brows as she sees him smirk. Great. Just when she thought her day was starting off well.
"Whitley…" Weiss muttered warily as she and the butler eyed him as he sauntered towards them.
Whitley let out a low chuckle. "I was wondering why my dear Sister and her teammates didn't bring in their target and came back empty handed," he said. "Care to elaborate?"
She hesitated, before judging that it was best to just tell him. "We underestimated his abilities, so he beat us. He escaped while we were down."
Whitley raised his brows. "Oh? I did not expect Team RWBY to be beaten by a single man," he said. "I thought you and your teammates could bring in him without much trouble since you all fought against the Creatures of Grimm multiple times. This should have bee a piece of cake for you and your teammates." Whitley sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "Ah well, can't expect everything from Huntsmen. This is why my friend Lucius should have hired the military to help him instead."
She gripped her cup tightly. Does he have any clue how hard being a Huntress is? Weiss shook her head. Her younger brother looks down on her profession. What would he know? Before Weiss could tell him off though, Klein's eyes turned red and marched briskly towards Whitley.
"Now listen here young man!" he barked, much to her surprise. "You have no right to bad mouth your older sister's profession and make a mockery of it like that. Surely, you know that she and her teammates will expect any setbacks during the mission, yes?"
Whitley slowly backed away from the enraged butler. "Yes but…"
"No buts!" He yelled. "Have I not taught you siblings to be respectful to each other?"
Weiss fought the urge to smirk at she watched Whitley flustered at his own lack of response. For once, she could see the calm façade he had built up for the past few years crack as a trickle of sweat fell from his face and gulped when Klein was looking straight into his eyes. She was grateful that her butler came to her rescue and chewed out on her brother for sneering at her profession. Still, Weiss wished she were the one to tell him off.
He cleared his throat. "I'm sure you did Klein. You taught us that when I was young" Whitley responded sheepishly. "If you excuse me, I'll be going to my study to work on some paperwork." He eyed at Weiss then to Klein and made a quick bow before hastily leaving the bedroom.
The moment he left, Klein's eyes turned pink and he shrank back, realizing what he had done. "O-oh dear me," he stammered. "I-I didn't mean to scold Master Whitley. Don't you think he–"
She shook her head. "Don't worry about it" Weiss told him with reassurance as she smiled. "I'm sure what you said to him was enough to go through his head. Thank you for standing up for me Klein. " She snorted. "Serves him right for criticizing my profession. Still, I wish I was the one to tell him off."
Klein chuckled once he reverted to his jovial self. "I'm glad that you cheered up Miss Schnee. But do be lenient with Master Whitley" he said as he packed up. "While he may not act like it, I'm sure he just wanted to check on you, however unconventional the way he does it is. After all, he and I and the rest the household staff saw you and your teammates arrived at the manor in such a haggard state."
Weiss furrowed her eyebrows and scoffed. Him? Concerned at her well being as her teammates? She found it hard to believe that Whitley would act it that way. "He has a funny way of expressing his concerns then. I bet that he just said it to make me look bad when we didn't bring back our target."
Her butler was taken aback by her words. "Come now, Miss Schnee. I know Master Whitley is known to show contempt to you and your sister over the years but how could you say that to him? Surely the arrest of your father should have brought you closer than ever, yes?"
Weiss shook her head. "I highly doubt that. I believe that he still resents me because I was the one who personally arrested him."
Before Klein could respond, she told him, "Klein, could you wake up my teammates?" Tell them to meet me at the dining hall once I get dressed. We'll be leaving as soon as we finished breakfast."
"Of course." As she turned her back and gazed at the skylines of Atlas through her window, her butler pushed the cart and went out of her bedroom with a disappointed look on his face.
It was quite lively by the time Weiss arrived at the dining hall after she had finished dressing up. She saw her teammates scarfing down food down their throats as if they haven't eaten in days. While she was miffed by their table manners, Weiss just shook her head and she sat down as one of her servants serve her a plate of omelets. As she quietly ate her food, her partner Ruby mouthed her a good morning while she continued to stuff herself with pancakes. Her teammates Yang and Blake too preoccupied notice her presence, with the former downing on a protein shake and the latter gorging on salmon. Surprisingly, Whitley had his servants serve them with such high quality meals to them. Their Aura is replenished once they had their fill.
The atmosphere in the airship was no different after the Team finished their breakfast and flew down to Mantle. Before they left, Weiss had told the pilot of the airship to drop them off at a district where Chiaroscuro was located. While they waited, most of her teammates were doing last minute maintenance on their weapons in case they had to fight Lux or some others. Sure, they were on edge from their loss but thanks to her pep talk the other day, plus a good night's rest and a hearty meal, they feel revitalized. Weiss, in particular, was pumped and was looking forward to wipe the smirk off of Lux's face the next time she meets him.
The district where Team RWBY had arrived in was filled with scars of the Grimm invasion from years ago. While there are many people rebuilding their homes and establishments, most it there were either abandoned or in ruins. Some Atlesian Knight-200s stood vigilantly on various sidewalks as they kept an eye on people passing by. Several drones hover above them as they patrol the streets. Even though the Grimm had been neutralized in the district they were in and the people being safe, the presence of the Atlesian military makes them feel uneasy in spite of it.
One of the buildings they encountered was a store that appears to be old yet undamaged from the Grimm invasion. Its rusting façade was tinted green and the lights shine through the opaque windows, almost as if its glow was inviting them in. Above its front door was sign that says "Chiaroscuro" in it. This was it. Lux was probably waiting for them inside.
"This must be it" Weiss said as she looked up the sign.
"Do you think he's really here?" Blake wondered.
She nodded. "I'm sure that he's here," Weiss replied before she turned her head towards her teammates. "Are you guys ready?"
"Ready as ever!" Ruby cried as she pulled out Crescent Rose.
"Isn't that obvious?" Yang smacked her fists, activating Ember Celica. "I'm going let him know that he shouldn't mess with Team RWBY!"
"Wait," her partner stopped them. "I don't think it's a good idea to barge in like that. The last thing we want is trashing up the place when we're not sure if he really is in there. We might be walking into a trap, but we also might be walking into a civilian property. We should think this though first."
"Aww, there's no need to be a killjoy Blake."
"I'm serious Yang. In case you haven't notice already, this district is being patrolled by the Atlesian military. If word goes out that Team RWBY is causing property damage or worse, they'll swarm us. I don't like the idea of being fugitives again."
The thought never occurred to Weiss and she mentally berated herself for not thinking it through. "You're right," she said. "But he did say that we'll meet up with him here."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Ruby asked, impatient as she twisted the doorknob. "We won't know until we see for ourselves. Let's get going!"
Weiss tried to stop her. "Ruby wait–"
As soon as her partner opens the door, the Team was greeted by the fresh smell of flowers and dew. It was just any other typical flower shop when they went inside. The air inside was a cool but not cold enough to be the same temperature as the streets outside. Roses, chrysanthemums, violets, sunflowers, and other varieties of flowers are planted in pots and arranged for them to see. They were careful and watched their step, lest they might kicked the pots or bumped into the flowers that are hanging from the ceiling.
"Ruby, you dolt," Weiss scolded. "You could've at least waited for us to at least plan on what to do when we confront him."
Ruby stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. "Sorry…"
"So what are we supposed to do?" Blake asked.
Yang looks around the store. "It looks like no one is here but us," she observed. "I guess we can look at the pretty flowers while we wait for something to happens, or until that Lux dude shows up."
"If you think that fighting in a flower shop is a good idea…"
"Actually, that's not a bad idea. Why didn't I think of that?"
Blake shook her head. "That aside, what do you think we should when we do meet him?"
"Let me handle that" Weiss told her.
"I don't want to burst your bubble Weiss, but the last time you handled this was when you kinda spooked him and we ended up fighting the guy."
She was taken aback by her words. What did Blake mean that she "spooked" Lux? Did she mean that Weiss scared him? Unbelievable, Weiss thought. She tried to chase after Lux since she was lucky enough to bump into him and tried to bring him in.
"Trust me Blake, I'll handle this" Weiss said confidently. "I won't try to 'spook' him or anything. I'll just persuade him in letting him go back to his brother and have him meet his grandmother. That's all."
"I'm still not sure about this," she said doubtfully
"Don't worry about it Blake" Ruby reassured Blake as she gave her partner a side hug. "I'm sure Weiss will think of something while we're here."
Blake could only nod in response to her leader's reassurance, but she remained skeptical about how Weiss will handle it.
While they looked around, Weiss finds a service bell on the counter and immediately presses it. Once it rings, she hears a peppy voice saying, "Please hold on a moment" from the staff room. When it opens, a woman, dressed in a black turtleneck, a green apron and khaki slacks, appears before them with a smile on her face. For some reason, Weiss thought there was something familiar about her green eyes and the way she smiles.
"Welcome to Chiaroscuro" the woman greeted them. "How can I help you young ladies?"
"We are looking for someone named Lux Midknight" Weiss stated as she dons a business-like persona. "Does he work here?"
The moment she said his name to her, the woman raised her brow as she scanned Weiss up and down. "Oh yes he works here. May I ask why you want to see him?" Before Weiss could elaborate, the woman suddenly let out a mischievous smile. "Hold on. Are you his girlfriend?"
Her business-like façade broke as she took a step back. "G-girlfriend?!" Weiss spluttered as her face started to heat up at the suggestion. "What gave you the idea that I'm his girlfriend?"
"Well, you seemed to be the type of person my boy likes: strong, pretty and an no-nonsense attitude to boot," the woman said as if it was obvious, while Weiss was flabbergasted by her compliment. She peers over her shoulder and saw Weiss' teammates snickering behind her back. "And who are you all supposed to be?" she wondered. Before they could give an answer, the woman gasps. "Wait, don't tell me that my Lux has more than one girlfriend?!"
Her teammates immediately stopped as their jaws dropped to the floor. "WHAT?!" they cried out in unison.
"Oh my. I never knew Lux was such a flirt" she began, clasping her own cheeks as she immerses at her own imagination, much to Team RWBY's bewilderment. "I mean, he has this bad boy look that always seems to be draw the ladies in. Him being a troublemaker and a fighter is a plus though." She sighed. "Yet he doesn't seem to be interested in them at all, always shooting down their confessions down like it was nothing. I keep telling to be gentle in rejecting them and–"
Weiss felt the urge to mentally beat her own head on the counter as she listens to the woman ramble on about Lux. "Um, miss…?" Weiss interjected the woman as she tries to maintain her composure.
"Call me Penumbra, my dear" the woman introduced herself. "I am the owner of this establishment and mother of the boy you're looking for, Lux."
She pinched the bridge on her nose. That explains how the woman knew about Lux and spoke of him so fondly. "Right, Miss Penumbra" Weiss said as she composed herself. "I was wondering if he's still here since he told us to meet him here."
"Ooh, a meet up? Here? In my own flower shop?" Penumbra touched her cheek, embarrassed. "I didn't think my boy would use Chiaroscuro as a date location for his girlfriends."
Her patience with the woman was beginning to grow thin. Weiss just wants to get this done and over with already. How long is she going to listen her ramble on being Lux's girlfriend? She's not even in a relationship with him yet.
She stopped mid-thought. Had she just thought yet? Weiss shook her head to herself and tried to regain her composure, which was difficult seeing as the woman had already formed her own conclusion of their relationship with her son.
However, Penumbra's smile faltered slightly before Weiss could cut in. "Unfortunately, Lux is bit under the weather, you see," she said, the peppiness in her voice was replaced with worry.
Weiss raised a brow. "Under the weather?"
She nodded. "Well, he kinda collapsed when he came back from his delivery yesterday. Had to carry his butt to his bedroom and all. Right now, he's just resting." Penumbra made a low bow to Team RWBY telling them, "As much as I want to see my boy off to his dates, I cannot allow you to meet with him right now," she said apologetically before the peppiness in her voice returned. "But, I'll be sure to tell him that his girlfriends arrive to see him though. I'm sure he'll appreciate it."
Weiss looked stunned. She cannot believe this. She and her teammates came all this way to meet with him as promise, and they were this close to meet up with him. However, it seems that this person, his mother, is becoming an obstacle to their mission.
She began to ponder. Should they force themselves in for the sake of it? They'll cause a scene that will bring in the Atlesian authorities to their attention and cause a media fiasco, the last part being something their client wouldn't allow. Should they wait for Lux to recover for another day? Yes, for the sake of his mother, but they have a deadline to meet and they have no time to wait. She turned towards her teammates for suggestions but they too appeared to be stumped on what to do next.
As she thinks up a plan, she hears the door creaking behind Penumbra. Weiss instinctively reaches out her weapon on her side when it slowly opens.
But she didn't draw out Myrtenaster immediately.
Instead, her face flushed at the sight of a familiar face appearing before her.