"Fret not, Ruby."
"How?" the girl named Ruby flailed her arms. "It's my first mission as a bodyguard! Your bodyguard no less!"
"Your childish nature is very deceiving. It works perfectly well with your affinity for combat."
"And?" Ruby dragged her hands across her face. "I'm just gonna look like a dumbass most of the time and I'm sure there will no attempts on your life whatsoever!"
"Ruby, relax."
The brunette sat on the couch across the office in the SDC main office, "I can't. I really wish I could but nope."
"Hm," her white-haired employer hummed. "Then stick close to me and keep quiet."
"Uh-huh, sure."
"Ruby..."
"I know Weiss. I know I'm freaking out over nothing," Ruby groaned. "But it's out first time meeting these Belladona people. I don't know their habits or patterns."
"Observe them while I do the talking," Weiss stated matter of factly, fixing the sleeves on her shirt. "But please refrain from talking too much. I'm banking a lot on this alliance."
"I mean, screw whatever your dad thinks," Ruby shrugged.
"It's not about what he thinks," Weiss sighed. "It's about what he did. I'm trying to fix our relationship with the Panther of Menagerie. The one my father screwed up spectacularly."
"Depends on who you ask, really," Ruby rolled her eyes. "For many it was the right call I heard."
"Try not to think too much into what some of the Elites here converse about. This deal will improve situations for both sides."
"Provided they actually agree to listen to you," Ruby reasoned. "Heard Faunus can hold quite a grudge."
"Mhm," Weiss nodded. "Which is why I need you by my side. It's one of my first business meetings since I've been appointed CEO."
"Wouldn't Whitley be more suited for more monetary dealings?"
"Whitley is CFO, yes but this situation is hinging on emotional response."
"So," Ruby switched gears. "When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"I guess I'll go kill time for now," Ruby shrugged. "Maybe visit Yang."
"How is she, by the way?"
"Not terrible. Still in physical rehab."
"It's been months," Weiss's brows shot up.
"I know. I think it's just taking a bit longer for her to get used to things," Ruby flexed her right arm. "You know, she lost much more than a hand then."
"I cannot imagine," the CEO answered. "Anyways, you do that. I'll make sure everything is in order."
"Okay, see ya tomorrow."
"Dad you can't be serious!"
"Blake-"
"No, no!" black-haired Faunus shook her head and sent a chair sliding all the way to the opposite wall. "This is bullshit of a highest order!"
"Blake!"
The young girl stopped in her tracks. It was rare for her father to raise his voice and it was never directed at her but rather board members who got out of line. For him to yell at her… Blake exhaled and reeled herself in.
"Dad," Blake started in a respectful manner and went to retrieve the abused chair. "What SDC did was unforgivable. And now you might play into their hands once more."
"Perhaps," Ghira Belladonna rubbed his eyes, tired of having the same argument he had with his colleagues. "But if there's a chance, I'll take it."
"But there's got to be a hook," Blake parried.
"Sometimes I worry I taught you bit too well," the Faunus man chuckled tiredly. "Won't know until we try, dear."
Blake stewed and stewed in her thoughts before relenting, "Fine. I would hate to be the one to say 'I told you so.'"
"Thank you, Blake," Ghira looked out the window. "Now, how are the workers fairing?"
"Better but still not good enough," Blake grumbled. "Their lung condition deteriorated yet again."
"Unfortunate."
"You don't say."
"Ilia and Adam. How are they taking the news?"
"They're not thrilled."
"The delegation will arrive tomorrow by dinner," Ghira informed. "Will you accompany me?"
"What use will I be there?"
"Your presence would be a boon."
"Fine."
"Okay, go help your mother," Ghira smiled. "I'm sure she's having a great time right now."
"Prepping the dining hall for the Atlesian snobs?" Blake snorted. "Sure."
"Blake..."
"Okay okay, I'm going."
Weiss watched out of the window as the island appeared from the wall of clouds and dare she say, the land was pretty much like she imagined. Ruby was snoozing on her left, her head resting on the armrest. Menagerie was beautiful this time of year. At least that's what Weiss heard back in the day. Baby-blue lagunas, golden beaches and green jungles on western side of the island with many houses dotting the edge of the woods. And of course, the large mountain just behind the residential area, now serving as mining facility built in SDC's name in unfair deal. Weiss frowned.
"A chance to start anew," Weiss reminded herself. "To right the wrongs."
"Oh goody, they're here,"Blake scowled, looking at the plane that was landing in their airport and fixing her dress.
"Hey, maybe it won't be as bad as we fear," Ilia decided to inject some positivity.
"Suuuure," Adam drawled next to her, his large sunglasses hid his eyes and eyebrows. "Like it was last time."
Adam was older than both Blake and Ilia, he was there when Jacques Schnne tricked Menagerie into giving up most of its natural resources. And get little in return, all thanks to wordplay and fine print. Remembering all of Adam's late night rants, Blake couldn't help but quietly growl.
"Let's get this over with," the cat Faunus jerked her head to follow her.
Making their way to the landing strip, the group watched the commercial plane skid to a stop. Schooling their expressions to look professional, they waited for the mobile stairs to move up to the door. Blake did not know what she expected but a only two girls was not it. One was a somewhat clumsy brunette with short hair, black costume and a red scarf. The other girl was much more sharp-dressed with electric-blue eyes and white hair, reaching all the way down to her lower back, much like Blake's. Her light-grey suit reflected the sunlight like a dim mirror, making her look almost ethereal.
"Good day," the white-haired businesswoman nodded. "Weiss Schnee and this is Ruby Rose, my entourage."
"Big words already," Ilia whispered to Adam behind her who grunted in response. A brow twitch from the Schnee gave away her nervousness. Or perhaps irritation?
"Blake Belladonna," Blake nodded in response and pointed at the two behind her. "This is Ilia Amitola and Adam Taurus, my colleagues and friends."
"Hello," Ilia waved and Adam offered a very curt nod.
"N- nice to meet you," Ruby stammered.
"Now then, onto matter at hand," Weiss Schnee looked around. "Are you here to escort us to the Chieftain's office?"
"We are."
"Lead the way."
Leading the pair to her house in silence, Blake minded to keep an eye on the Schnee girl. So far she's been respectful and candid but Blake knew better. SDC were nothing if not cunning. Ilia was walking to the side of the two and Adam brought up the rear and Blake could see the Schnee's eyes scan the two, gears obviously turning in her head. Good, let her sweat a bit. The Ruby girl was three inches to her left and was much more obvious, barely able to hide her nervousness. Walking down the streets, Blake watched as people walking by ogled the group even if discreetly. Reaching the house, the Faunus trio opened the doors and invited the pair in.
"Adam, Ilia," Blake called her companions. "You two are free for now. Go and do whatever."
"You sure?" Ilia glanced at the delegation.
"Mhm."
"Okay, we'll see you later."
The two exited the house and Blake was left alone with the two humans who examined the woodwork of her childhood home. Perhaps it was a bit premature to let Adam and Ilia go, Blake thought, now feeling slight jitters.
"Come along, my father is expecting you," Blake beckoned them, wondering how dad will react to how young the newest CEO was.
Knocking on the door, Blake peered inside, "Dad, the SDC delegation is here."
"Oh?" Ghira took off his glasses and set them down. "Let 'em in."
The Faunus ushered the two and and closed the door behind them.
"Hello," the CEO bowed lightly. "I'm Weiss Schnee. The newest CEO of SDC."
Ghira's brows rose up as Ruby and Blake stood near side wall, "Oh. Did not expect for someone so young to be in such position."
"If you're uncertain of my capabilities, please keep those thoughts to yourself," the girl's voice became much stronger. "I'm here on the behalf of SDC, yes and I aim to fix what my father broke."
"You've insinuated as much in the message," Ghira raised his hands in placating gesture. Blake snorted at that which earned side glances from the other three people in the room.
"Have a sit, all of you," Ghira Belladonna pointed to the guests table and couches. Without a word, Weiss sat down and beckoned Ruby to join her who awkwardly sat down as well, putting her hands on her knees and not facing either Blake nor Ghira. Blake took opposite couch along with her father. "So, let's get down to business."
"Indeed," Weiss exhaled quickly. "I know my father deceived you when the contract was signed to build SDC mining facility in the mountains. Thanks to a small caveat, SDC diluted your shares of the income of the Dust mining."
Blake rolled her eyes and huffed, crossing her arms and facing away from the two. Ghira sat, uttering no word.
"Which is why I would like to increase your share by 40% and provide the materials to build up the medical facilities and widen residential districts."
Blake's eye automatically slid to the side to look at the CEO. Ghira's small grunt of surprise was enough to make Blake irked. 40% seemed large but the years of dwindling population and just average income for the working class dwarfed the numbers in her mind.
"Why sudden change of mind?" Ghira asked.
"Reasonable question," Weiss nodded to herself. "I believe the sooner I repair this injustice, the better the relations between Atlas and Menagerie will become. And that is a boon for everyone involved."
"I'm sure not everyone support your decision," Ghira assumed.
"Correct but I'll deal with it on my own," Weiss's stare was even. "All you need to worry about is making sure the mines keep working and the workers are in good health and financial stability."
"That's a nice fairytale," Blake grumbled quietly which in turn earned her a small shove from her father and low-key glare from the Schnee girl. Blake shrugged, she couldn't care less if the Schnee didn't like her or her opinions.
"Supposing we do as you suggest," Ghira started. "What's stopping you from diluting the shares again? When hard times hit, for example."
"I give you my word that won't happen, not while I'm CEO."
Man, Blake could just feel irritation flooding her veins. Jacques Schnee was also seemingly honest, by Adam's words. But then again, this girl actually went to personally meet them. That had to count for something, right? Her 'entourage' was silent but her eyes kept shifting between her father and the CEO, almost frantic yet scanning.
"Please, believe me when I say this," Weiss dipped her head yet her eyes remained locked with Ghira's. "I wish to right the wrongs."
The panther-Faunus remained silent for few moments before sighing, "Child. You're too earnest for business world."
"I don't care," Weiss insisted. "I presumed this would be great news to you, Mr. Belladonna?"
"You'll burn yourself out," Ghira warned. "There are many who will want to take advantage of your generosity. To guilt trip you into helping them."
"So? Does that mean I should surrender myself to the infamy of my family name?"
"No, it's admirable," Ghira shook his head. "Dangerous but admirable."
"I will not thank you for this comment, seeing as how we do not know each other."
Blake had to restrain herself. She was offered a genuine compliment and this is how she replies? Then again, she was not wrong either. Ugh, this whole situation made Blake run in circles in her own head.
"I understand," Ghira nodded. "I will need to talk this over with other representatives of Menagarie. Until then I strongly advise you to stay with us for some time."
"Why?"
"Because it's best resolved while you're still here rather than abroad."
"Better ask for forgiveness than permission?" Weiss raised an amused eyebrow. "Present the facts to the shareholders rather than let them know beforehand?"
"It's tried and true tactic," Ghira chuckled lowly.
The CEO stayed quiet, mulling over the suggestion. Her bodyguard was keeping en eye both her, Blake and her father at the same time. Why was she so quiet? Did Schnee order her to remain silent? Probably.
"I understand," Weiss glanced around. "However I'm not sure there's a place for us to stay."
"There is."
Blake felt her skin crawl at the amused shade Ghira's voice took.
"Dad-"
"There's few rooms in our house that are currently not in use."
Oh Lord, Blake kept her arms crossed but the urge to facepalm was great. The rooms he talked about were probably the two on the second floor between her own and her mother's.
"Your own house?" Weiss questioned and smirked. "I don't believe we've grown this acquainted yet."
"Gotta start somewhere," Ghira shrugged and turned to his daughter. "Blake, my dear. Would you escort these ladies to the rooms?"
"Why me?" Blake cringed at how petulant she came off and the stares from the opposite couch did not help. "Uh- sure."
"Thank you, Blake," the CEO nodded to her, glancing at her companion. "Is that alright with you, Ruby?"
"Can't complain, really," Ruby shrugged unsurely.
"After you settle in," Ghira chimed in. "You ought to visit us at the dining table."
"Mr. Belladonna-"
"That's not up to debate."
"Now you sound like my mother used to," Weiss sighed and stood up. "Understood. Come along, Ruby."
"I'm goin'," Ruby gingerly jumped off the couch. Blake slid off her seat and followed the pair while shooting daggers at her father who just grinned in response. Exiting the office, Blake tried to salvage whatever dignity she had and straightened herself out.
"Come on, the stairs are this way," she led them down the hall from the office and main doors until they turned a corner and a large set of stairs stared at them. "
"That's an impressive house," Weiss noted and Ruby nodded along.
"It's a Chieftain's house, of course it's impressive," Blake pointed out. "Wish there were houses like this in Menagerie."
"When the deal goes through, there will be."
"Will it though?"
"Excuse me?"
Blake stopped just short of the last step on the stairs, facing the two, "I know you've stated your intentions and don't get me wrong, more profit is better than we have now but-"
"But what, Belladonna?" Weiss's eyes narrowed.
"I don't particularly trust the suits," Blake pointedly started at the CEO's and her charge's attires.
"Uh," Ruby fidgeted under scrutinizing amber eyes of the Faunus.
"I understand the apprehension," Weiss stepped in front of Ruby, shielding her. "But don't drag this girl into this discussion."
"Is she not a company worker?"
"She's not," Weiss snorted at the, frankly stupid question. "You think because she's wearing a nice suit, she's my subordinate?"
"That's generally the idea."
"This idea is wrong and foolish, then," Weiss scoffed at the stink eye from the black-haired girl. "I've asked her to accompany me on this trip, as a favor to a friend. I suggest we stop staring contest and move along."
Weiss grabbed Ruby's hand and went ahead up the stairs, not waiting for the Faunus to say anything. Grumbling under her breath, Blake quickly followed the two and got ahead.
Little exercise in writing dialogues based in business world. Reviews are welcomed.
