After the guard left and didn't rechain her left wrist, Ruby began to think in more detail about what she could do to escape. It was doubtful she'd get her hands on a rifle, but a sword or dagger was more likely. Hell, she'd take a kitchen knife. Her hand-to-hand has never been good, but hopefully, the element of surprise will be to her advantage. Even with her older sister, Yang, schooling her on brawling, the young woman never seemed to pick up on it. Her footwork never lacked; however, her punches and kicks had a dearth of power behind them.

Another three hours passed and nothing. It was well past dawn now, and a further pit formed in the pirate captain's stomach… Surely, they won't do a public execution? That would be weeks of wasting food on her before they got back to shore… No, no… Weiss just wanted to make her sweat. That must be it.

The cell door opens, and five guards undo the bindings and lead her out carefully, two rifles on her back at the ready, a hand on each of her arms, and the one taking the lead holding a whip with several bolas on his belt. She was secure alright, more secure than she'd like to be on this damned ship. They lead her up to the deck, soldiers lining it, only a passageway in the center free of people for them to walk… Right up to the heir to the throne.

What the hell is this? The five guards take her right up to Princess Weiss Schnee, Heir to the Atlas Throne, Commander of the Five Stone Armies.

The soldiers force her to her knees, and the barrel of the rifles are now to the back of her head. The woman before her looks so incredibly calm… In control and pleased with herself. A glass of wine in one hand, sheathed rapier by her side and sharp blue eyes. She sips it, then smiles. "Miss Rose… Captain of the Crescent Rose, so delightful to finally meet you."

The pit twists and tightens, but Ruby's jaw only clenches in disgust. Screw her and her fucking formality.

Weiss seems only amused by this and signals for someone to move closer, offering up a plate–of sugar cookies, one of which Princess Schnee takes and bites into, eyes sparkling with mirth as she chews. "Give our guest one, I do know how she enjoys them," the servant obeys and brings it over. It's been a long time since Ruby has wanted to scream so badly, to snarl and kick and bite… All for the insult, the pure mockery this… This tyrant was giving her. The redhead's hand lashes out and knocks away the plate, it shatters on the ground and the cookies scatter. Silence on the deck.

Slowly and deliberately, the Princess stands and sets her wine glass down, taking the four steps over to Ruby with an air of grace and power. "Now, now… That wasn't very polite, Miss Rose." A slender, pale hand goes to Ruby's jaw, gripping and forcing it back so that their eyes meet. "I was trying to offer you a gift, I suppose now I see how you repay those, hm?"

Tears of anger prick her eyes and she only tenses more, fingers itching to claw out that perfect little collared throat. Her voice is rough when she speaks, shaking with the rawness of her anger. "I repay gifts with grace and reward. I repay insults with blood and mangled flesh."

Pale blue eyes turn curious, interest piqued in them. "How have I insulted you? I offer your symbol and take part in the enjoyment of it on my ship, do I not?"

"You've mocked me! If you want to kill me then do it, Your Highness, but don't play games and act like you have honor when your hands are coated with the blood of my family, the blood of my friends, the blood of children and starving dogs. Don't flaunt your grace and money in front of someone who dove into polluted reefs for lost treasures to sell for a half pence, who was lashed for not bowing to your father's statue, who held their mother's dead body after soldiers of Atlas slain her for the fun of it! Your power and money and gifts mean nothing here… They are all insults."

It was almost as if everyone held their breath as the Commander just stood there and… Took Ruby in. There was no anger in her eyes or any signs of having been insulted or upset in any way by her words. Just curiosity and calm interest. "I have no interest in upsetting you, Miss Rose. Or killing you for that matter. In fact, I rather like you alive."

Anger dissolved and turned into confusion, disgust, fear… "You see, I need someone to introduce me into the world of mercenaries and pirates."

The redhead stayed silent as the confusion turned to shock and back to anger.

The Vacuo soldier stepped forward, a high ranking of a First Lieutenant Ruby hadn't noticed before fastened onto her breast. "Her Grace… May that name never be used again… Has brought you here to see her for what she is. Not a princess, but a pirate."

A moment goes by… Then Ruby can't stay silent any longer.

"A pirate? That bitch is a pirate?" Ruby Rose was about to explode, eyes bulging from her head as her mouth hung open on its hinges. "There's no fucking way... A cute little 'princess' cant be a pirate!" Her eyes narrowed at the white-haired woman in question. About two years older, perky breasted, and even now in the most elegant of clothes... The heir to the throne. A throne Ruby is in the habit of pissing off.

"Actually the definition of 'pirate' isn't based on previous social status, but rather current proceedings." The woman, Weiss Schnee, smirks. A stupid fucking... Gorgeous smirk. The kind that lets you know who is in charge and sends shivers down your spine. The kind that reminds Ruby she has a thing for blondes.

"'Previous'? Like you'd give that shit up... Someone would actually have to get her delicate hands all dirtied." Speaking through gritted teeth, memories of gutting fish and helping her father carve wood for a living flashed through her mind. This bitch had no idea what brings most to this profession... The poverty on the streets she herself endured at the hands of the Schnee monarchy. No pirate who took orders from that was a pirate... They were dirt. Scum and the slime of fish blood and scales new sea-farers scrape off her deck.