"Well, well, well," Tyrian drawls quietly, careful not to draw attention to himself and his hiding spot. "Isn't this interesting."
The girl on the rooftop across from him remains oblivious as she pushes herself to her feet. He certainly hadn't been expecting to stumble across something like this today, when he'd set out to appraise the slums of Vacuo for the best spots to create some mischief. He'd assumed he would find the usual refugees from Atlas and Mantle, miserable and crowded into the already cramped buildings, adding to the tension in Vacuo that had been present long before their arrival.
A few well-placed and coordinated attacks by Grimm and the city and its people would easily fall into Salem's clutches, and the relic of destruction would be theirs. It was practically child's play. Yes, of course there was still the matter of locating the Summer Maiden, but with her kingdom already in shambles Tyrian seriously doubts that she'll be willing to put up much of a fight.
But of all the things he could have stumbled across during his reconnaissance, Tyrian certainly hadn't expected to spot the Rose brat herself, in the flesh. Alive and well, despite what he'd be told. He's sure of it, that it must be her—he'd recognize the insufferable child anywhere.
Cinder had been so triumphant, and certain that she'd finally squashed the girl for good, solving the problem that was Ruby Rose once and for all. (Never mind that killing the brat hadn't even been part of the plan in the first place, as Salem had other ways to deal with her kind.) But then again, Cinder had always been a screw-up. The only reason she'd managed to accomplish anything for Salem in the first place was out of sheer luck, along with Salem's invaluable assistance.
And it seems like this is yet another case of Cinder being unable to properly finish the simple job she was assigned. Because although she'd claimed that Ruby Rose was dead and gone for good, there she is, standing on the rooftop across from him, alive and well. Completely oblivious to the fact that she's being observed.
Or, perhaps not completely oblivious, Tyrian amends, as the brat glances quickly over her shoulder before descending down the stairs and out of sight—almost managing to get a direct look at him before he ducks at the last minute. The Vacuo midday heat is legendary, and no one in their right mind would be out in the direct sunlight in the middle of the day, so it's just him and the Rose girl. His usual method of blending into the crowd won't really work in this situation.
But, it's no matter. He's located Ruby Rose. Salem will be incredibly pleased—with him, anyway. Cinder will be facing her wrath once more for yet again failing at what should be a simple task—but that's not his problem. It is curious that the girl is living in the slums among the Atlesian refugees, instead of with her precious little friends. Perhaps she's trying to lay low and avoid detection by Salem?
Well if that's the case, she's failed miserably at her attempt—and delivered herself to him on a silver platter to boot.
But it's not time to act yet. Unlike Cinder, he has self control. He has the patience to wait to get what he wants. He'll report his serendipitous finding to Salem, keep tabs on the girl, and wait until the time is right—and he has Salem's blessing—to strike. Ruby Rose won't know what hit her.
After all, Tyrian hasn't forgotten that she was the one who'd had the audacity to cut off his tail. And he certainly hasn't forgiven her for her transgression. And although he knows that Salem will want him to keep the girl alive, he still fully intends to seek his revenge. Just because he can't kill her doesn't mean he can't make her suffer.
Yes, today is a good day indeed. And things are only looking up from here.
Time to report his latest findings to Salem.