"My hands are already dirtied, Miss Rose."
Those words sent a chill down the redhead's back as she stared wide-eyed at the woman before her, who was now casually pouring each of them a drink from a crystal decanter. Weiss was elegant and clean, put so well together, but Ruby could now see the signs of stress. Deep bags under her eyes and thin, pale fingers looked almost drained of all life. Handing her a small tumbler full of the soft brown liquid, Princess Schnee took a seat behind her desk and gazed at the pirate captain with an expression of self-satisfaction and pleasure.
Ruby took a sip, looking back into those icy blue eyes. "Why am I here?"
"Already asking the wrong questions, Miss Rose," Weiss downs her drink. "The question is, why are you alive."
Ruby internally noted that the heir had a chip in that glossy purple nail polish. "I like to avoid questions that might lead to you changing your mind on that point. So, answer mine first and maybe we can circle back around to that later, eh?" She couldn't help but see the flicker of amusement in those piercing eyes, or staunch that spark of pleasure in her gut at the idea she was the maker of that beautiful smirk.
"You are here because I need you," the perfect way to start that sentence, Ruby thought. "You are the key to everything this kingdom needs. A public figure… A role model."
"Never thought I'd hear a Schnee calling me a 'role model'," the redhead smirks back, eyes twinkling with mischievous mirth.
"Yes, well, you've inspired many uprisings… Which is exactly what I want to spark."
"An uprising? Against your own monarchy… That's a new one." Ruby gets another hit of pleasure, now seeing the woman in front of her look vaguely uncomfortable.
"Ah, now you're asking the right questions…" There's a slightly tense pause as Weiss seems to gather her thoughts. "I've been… Unhappy with my father's rule for some time now. After spending some time in Vale undercover I started to see the consequences of his actions firsthand, and became even more restless against him. I wasn't sure how to respond until I came across a group called the White Fang, immediately interested in how much of a following they've gathered and what they have achieved so far. I've made some friends within that group, and we have come up with a plan. That plan, Miss Rose, has a lot to do with you."
Ruby has heard of the White Fang, a group of faunus who advocate for equal rights. Recently she's heard rumours about them acting out against the Atlesian crown, which makes a Schnee wanting to work with them seem… Unlikely to say the least. "A Schnee and faunus militia? Do pigs fly now too? Though I must say, I am flattered."
The amusement comes back, "flattered?"
"Of course, I mean it isn't every day a hot blonde princess says she needs me to overthrow her father." Smirk set in place, Ruby watches as it clicks in the heir's head that she is being flirted with. Amusement turns to confusion turns to shock turns to shy embarrassment turns to intrigue.
"I can't say it is every day a cute pirate captain flirts with me either." They hold eye contact, something buzzing between them for just a moment before the princess breaks the tension, "but as for me and the White Fang… It is very real. As you may have noticed I have a crew member from Vacuo who introduced me. At first I got some push back as you seem to be well aware would have happened, but with persistence and some… Proof of loyalty… I got the leader's ear. Ghira Belladonna himself."
That name was familiar, too familiar. Yang's wife… Blake… Her maiden name is Belladonna. A weird shock went through her stomach and Ruby swallowed. "Yes, yes, I know… The father of your sister's wife. Figured that out after we had tea the first time, but it added an interesting layer to the fold. One of those layers being I got to know you through the family… And hear all about that glorious birthday present." Ruby's stomach does a flip, and not in any way a good kind. "From there I tracked you down… So, here we are."
Stunned, Ruby's mouth hangs open slightly. "They… let you find me?"
"Miss Rose… When was the last time you spoke to your sister?"
The question made her stop and think. She heard about the wedding nigh on a month ago in a letter to which she responded with her own and a gift, but since has heard nothing back. Which in of itself isn't unusual, with her lifestyle Yang sometimes has difficulty finding a place to put the post in. However, a Schnee calling attention to it makes her suspicious. "A month, why? What did you do–"
"Nothing, but my father on the other hand has been putting pressure on the Vacuan troops guarding Menagerie. Supplies have been scarce. I've been part of the movement to give them what they need through alternate trade routes, but now… Well, it's time for all of us to make our move."
Bile rose to her throat and she growled, "make your move? Are you seriously using those people's lives as leverage?"
"You misunderstand… I see what my father is doing as the final straw that breaks backs, and will spur the movement to overthrow him. Previously he was a bad king, now he is a heartless tyrant. I hope to end his reign and use his actions as a catalyst for those who need a reason to step forward." The heir sips her drink, and Ruby notices the light pink smudge left behind on the glass.
"Fine then, let's say I believe you. What's your plan?"
"You've already captured one ship… Let's say you got greedy. You take over this one and march onto Menagerie as support with this ship and yours, the Crescent Rose. Little do they know you have the compliment of two crews… And between us and Vacuo, my father's defeat will go public. From there we will meet with the White Fang and I will send the order for the rest of my troops to mutiny. If all goes well, we will storm Atlas and take the throne." Calm assurance with veiled anxiety laced delicately through those words, so simple and clear cut.
"You make it sound easy," more of an observation than anything… Both knew the cost of the lives that would be lost.
"All war is easier said than done, Miss Rose." Nails tap rhythmically on mahogany, chipped, rich purple polish drawing the eye. Silence fell over the room as the two captains pondered the decision before them, but the redhead's mind could not help but wander. There were maps on the walls with little pins stuck in various places, a globe detailing trade routes, five–no six decanters with various shades of liquor, quill dipped in an ink well carved to look like a Grimm from the myths. This was no quarters or cabin, sharpening station and polishing tools are the only furnishings besides this desk and a bookshelf piled with maps, old and thick volumes, and ocean specimens preserved in bottles. This was a study, a war room, with no personal effects that were obvious to the outsider. The woman sat before this young captain was prim and delicate with an iron that made her eyes steely and sharp, she was a work of art fashioned from years of discipline and strict decree. No room for selfish interests.
"What do you get from all this?" The question was hollow sounding, but it was genuine. Ruby couldn't see the angle for anarchy, and this room of obsession and duty only blurred the picture more.
"Freedom."
A/N: Hey guys! Thanks so much for being patient with me while I wrote this chapter, hope you enjoyed!
