"Use your legs, not just your arms, that's how we generate power." The seasoned voice instructed. It was a forgotten underground alcove that was the base of operations for the slaves.
"Got it." The young man confirmed as he went through the motion again with his practice blade.
A silver haired slave, absent of his collar, approached the Wilding, "We have to go, she'll be coming back soon." Mercury warned as he handed Nadir the collar.
The Gladiator took a long look at the collar before clipping it back around his neck, "So close." He muttered.
"We'll get there one day." Adam stood at the alcove's exit, "You, my friend, are invaluable to our cause." He shook the fellow slave's hand.
"I only want to see my friends walk free," Nadir's gaze fell to the ground, "They don't deserve this life any longer, they're good people." He thought mostly of Ruby, beaten down to depths not even he could relate to and how each time she had painstakingly found the strength to get back up again and again.
How much more could the little warrior take before she no longer can stand up again?
He didn't want to know, not now, not ever.
"We all do, that's why this is necessary – they will pay for everything that they have stripped from us." There was a strong conviction in his voice that Nadir admired, but through it all he could see the absolute detest the Faunus held for the nobles of Mistral. Nadir was no fool, he knew it was going to be bloody, but as long as he could get his friends out, he didn't care about the means.
"Until next time then." Nadir smiled to the leader of the cause.
"You fit in well." Mercury let out. A little too well.
"And I didn't take you to be the type to revolt." The Wilding quipped back.
"I've got my morals too, and I know when I need to push back." The stroll back to Fall Villa was uneventful, Nadir found it ridiculous at how easy it was to slip in and out of the compound. Something that would be quite the impossible feat to do in the Torchwick Villa.
Polished stone and dark wood is what made up port, or mega port is what Yang wanted to call it. There were huge galleons docked in as well as the dozens upon dozens of smaller vessels and boats that lined piers. And then the sheer amount of people as carts and wagons filled with cargo and packages were pushed along while citizens scampered about from stall to stall. The goods were plentiful and diverse, she recognized things from Vacuo and the signature soft cotton that could be found all over Vale.
A blond whistled at the magnificent sight.
"Well, this is where I'll see you guys around then." Yang had her bag slung over her shoulder, the monstrous sword was wrapped up to make it a little less conspicuous while moving around time.
"Wait." Winter called out from below deck, she was overseeing some things below deck with the Captain in terms of timing.
"Major." Yang beamed at the officer, "What can I do you for?"
"You helped us out a lot out there." Winter motioned to steel ship, there was some dents in the hull from the Grimm encounter, but they determined that she was still seaworthy. "I mentioned my sister living here, do you have anything set up in terms of sleeping arrangements?"
Yang raised a brow at the suggestion, but figured she shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. "I was just gonna crash at an Inn somewhere."
"Weiss has an accommodating Villa, I'm sure she wouldn't mind. It's just her, Klein, and a slave she purchased." Winter recalled from what her younger sister wrote.
"A slave?" Yang was no stranger to the concept, but since Vale has all but abolished slavery in name and Vacuo was more of a country for bandits and rough riders, it was still intriguing to see it face to face.
"Does that bother you?" Winter questioned.
Yang shook her head, "Not so much bothered by it as I am intrigued, but if you insist, I'm open to the idea of free room and board."
"It'll definitely be interesting to see you meet my sister." Winter laughed at the thought.
"You make it sound like you're getting ready to drop a Grimm on her." Yang laughed as she tried to imagine what her sister Weiss was like, "How long are you staying in port for?" She set her bag down and sat up against the railing.
"Actually, we'll shove out in the morning." Winter looked the port over and noted a few vessels that bore the signature Schnee emblem on the sides, a slight smile could be seen on her face at the sight.
"So soon?" Yang was surprised, "Why not a few more days?"
"It's better if we make it back to Atlas sooner rather than later," She motioned to sailors and soldiers alike, "A lot of these men haven't been home in months and I don't have much official business here other than to refuel and restock our supplies."
Yang nodded her head in understanding at the sentiment, "Qrow was right about you." She smiled.
Winter rolled her eyes at the cheeky grin, "It'll be a while before I'm ready to go, why don't you take a look around port. I'm sure you can help entertain my men for a bit."
"Don't have to tell me twice." Yang set her sword and bag off to the side before disembarking from the vessel. Her eyes danced around the several stalls and stores set up around port. Mistral was by far the busiest and biggest port she had seen in all of Remnant.
Yang smirked as she caught sight of the signature orange short hair of Lieutenant Penny Polendina with some of the Altesian men. From the looks of it they were having a really good time rough housing about at the pub they were situated in.
In a stall not far off was a certain manservant and Faunus slave as they looked over the several produce that was laid out in front of imported fruit and vegetables made the stall look very vibrant and appealing with it's different colors, shapes, and sizes sorted out into different crates. Blake wondered how some of the vegetables would taste if they were tossed into a salad with some fresh tuna she was eyeing from a fisherman a few more stalls down.
"Blake, are mangos in season right now?" Klein was looking over the fruit as he mulled the decision over.
Blake shook her head, "Best time to eat them is in the summer, they're bitter in the winter." The fruit was a staple in Menagerie.
"Thank you for that." Klein put the fruit down and proceeded along the row of stalls, Blake hummed to herself, it wasn't too cold that day, thankfully and the sun was out and the wind wasn't all that harsh.
Till suddenly, the hairs on her neck stood on end, and a chair from a pub, two stalls over came flying straight towards her and Klein.
"Klein!" Blake called as she pulled the man aside, the chair crashed into the ground and cracked itself in half. A yell could be heard from the pub and a stream of white uniformed men came running out haphazardly with huge smiles on their faces.
"You get out too! You damned trouble maker!"
A giggling blond came running out with an orange haired woman who wore the same white uniform as the other men. A quick nod from the blond to her uniformed companion and the two went separate ways.
"What in the world…" Klein was perplexed, "Those are Atlas sailors!" He exclaimed, "Winter must be in town."
He looked around for any sign of an Atlas ship, but in the midst of it all he couldn't tell. He supposed that they would have to wait until Winter herself came by to the Villa. "Looks like I should buy more food then." He hummed to himself as he looked over the produce, thinking if they should stop by a butcher and make a plump roast.
Blake nodded her head as she watched the blond stroll straight through them, as if she wasn't part of the reason a chair had almost smacked her and Klein dead on if she wasn't paying attention.
"See something you like?" The voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
Blake hadn't realized that she was staring.
"I was just trying to figure out why and how a bar chair managed to fly 20 feet this direction." She deadpanned and pointed towards the broken chair.
The Faunus looked her over, long brown coat with a high collar that was buttoned up for the colder weather and black breaches tucked into her calf high boots. She spotted a dagger at her side and the tell tale signs of plates could be seen underneath her clothing. 'A hire sword, maybe?' Blake thought.
"Well, someone thought it would be a good idea to start an old fashioned bar fight, but before the fight could begin the chair that a certain someone was about to swing slipped out of their hands."
Blake blinked, did she just hear her right? The chair slipped out of their hands, "And do you happen to know the culprit?"
The blond shrugged, "Can't say I do."
"Would it possibly be you?" She raised a brow at the devil-may-care attitude the stranger had.
"Would that bother you, kitty cat?" A charming smile. "Or are you hoping that it was me?"
The Faunus nearly growled at the comment, "It's Blake."
"Yang." That infuriating smile once more, "I didn't mean anything by it, but I do think your ears are really cute." She looked Blake over as she wore breeches and a long sleeve tunic to accommodate the cold, a far cry from the loose dress that Blake had grown accustomed to wearing in the warmer months. "That's an interesting necklace there."
Blake frowned immediately as she stepped back, "It's not… a necklace."
"What is it?" Yang cocked her head to the side.
"It's a collar. Is this your first time seeing a slave?" Blake looked away.
"Well, no. I just never had seen the collar before." She was curious about the contraption. "Does it… hurt?" There was genuine look of concern as Yang looked the Faunus over.
"N-No, it doesn't..."
"If you're ready Blake, we can go to the butcher now." Yang caught sight of the elderly gentleman standing a ways away.
"Your master?" Yang's voice was low, there was a slight look of concern on her face. She's seen old men with beautiful young women in captivity and it was never anything chivalrous in her experience.
Blake shook her head, touched by the protective response of this Yang, "My real master is busy running her empire." She winked as she walked away with Klein, Yang could see now that the old man was harmless.
Yang Xiao-Long watched the slave walk away, lilac eyes hanging on every step she took. "Definitely has some claws tucked away in there." The swing in her hips was a nice touch.
"Who was that?" Klein asked as they strolled through the crowds.
"Some one that likes to start bar fights." Blake shrugged, those eyes and charming smile still fresh on her mind.
Yang looked about the cart, Penny was hanging back on the ship with the Captain and the rest of the outfit back at port. The tight streets of the city were beginning to open up to the view of Villas that varied in size. Each one was either big or bigger, according to Yang, they were spread out as each Villa had it's own plot of land that it was situated on.
"They manage to keep all this inside stone walls?" Yang was impressed by it all.
Winter nodded, "Mistral profits heavily from the slave trade, from what I understand it doesn't take much for them to expand their walls."
"The sheer landmass and amount of people make Vale look so tiny." Yang whistled as they were trotting down the dirt road, "And your sister owns one of these Villas?"
"And she's getting ready to open up a headquarters soon since business has expanded so much." The older Schnee added on.
"She sounds like a go getter, reminds me of someone I met recently." Yang eyed her companion.
"You definitely are Qrow's niece." Winter smirked.
"We're getting closer to the Schnee Villa," The cart driver called behind them, the sun was beginning to set and the pair was starting to get a little hungry.
"About time," Yang hummed merrily.
The Villa was large, easily bigger than most Inns that Yang had stayed in during her travels. The orchard trees in front were a nice touch to the neatly trimmed walk way. The Villa was surrounded by it's own stonewall and wooden gate that was left open during the day and locked up at night.
"It seems Weiss has done well for herself." Winter commented, she reached in her lien pouch to pull something out for the driver, but Yang already beat her to it.
"It's the least I could do, since you're about to do me a favor." The Huntress explained, she waved the cart off while Winter walked to approach the door.
"Lady Winter, it's been far too long." A familiar voice rang out, but Yang couldn't quite put her finger on where she had heard the voice before.
"Klein, I hope Weiss hasn't driven you up the wall." She patted the man's shoulder and took a step in.
Once Yang got a good look at the man, that's when it dawned on her, "You were at the port today, with the Faunus, Blake."
"My, you're the one who likes to start bar fights?" He looked the stranger over, "And who might this be?"
Winter was surprised that the two had already met, "You met Klein?"
"He was outside the pub that we got kicked out of." Yang rubbed the back of her head once she saw Winter's eyes flash, "Did that bit of news not make it to you?"
"No, it did not, but believe I will have a word about discipline and upholding an image when I get back tomorrow." She pinched the nose of her bridge, "Was Penny there?"
Yang looked to the ground, Penny was actually the one who tried to swing the chair and let it slip from her hands, "Of course not."
"Uh-huh." Winter sighed, she was glad Penny was enjoying herself, maybe a little too much, "Anyways Klein." She cleared her throat, "This is Yang Xiao Long, she's a Huntress, and a good one at that. She saved us on our voyage across the water to here."
"It was a group effort, that canon fire was what scared it off in the end." Yang shook her head, "No way I could have done that on my own."
"Lady Xiao-"
"Just Yang is fine, I'm not one for fancy titles. Just an average person trying to make a living in the world." She shook the manservant's out stretched hand, "And it's nice to properly meet you, Klein."
"Like wise, Yang." He smiled, he could see now why Winter had taken to the young woman.
"Where's my sister?" Winter questioned as she took a peek inside the Villa. Everything was prim and proper and the décor reminded her a bit of Atlas. "I was hoping my… friend here could perhaps stay with Weiss while she visits."
"She's in the study with Blake going through some paperwork." Klein motioned to the room across the parlor.
"The Faunus that's educated, correct?" Winter looked to Klein for conformation, "Weiss mentioned that she was, injured upon her arrival." She put it lightly, Weiss confessed that she had never seen such a mistreated or abused state of a person in her life. "Has she recovered well?" Winter also didn't share the same views upon slaves as their father did.
"She has." Klein nodded, "If you'll excuse me, I have a roast to attend to that we may all eat for dinner." He took his leave and left the two to their own devices.
Winter walked purposefully and rapt her knuckles on the door once but very loudly, it was silent on the other end but the elder Schnee walked in anyway. She knew that Weiss knew who it was, Winter was the only one to every knock that way.
"Winter." Weiss gasped as she stood from her desk.
"Weiss." The elder Schnee smiled as she wrapped her arms around Weiss for a quick hug, "How are you?"
"Much better now that you're here." The younger sister smiled brightly, "Klein mentioned he saw some Atlas uniforms today by the pier and I've been anxious ever since."
"I wish we could have come sooner, but I had to help inspect the hull before I left – you wouldn't believe the journey we had. Pirates tried to board us, and then shortly after we encountered a Grimm Sea Dragon." Her tone was exasperated.
"Should have seen your sister, she could have fought off the hoard of pirates on her own and charged straight on against the Grimm." Yang crossed her arms proudly as she leaned against the doorway.
"No way." Blake piped up, though a part of her regretted it when she saw Winter's eyes rest on her collar, but the woman paid no mind to it as a slight smirk grew on her face instead at the Faunus' reaction.
"What is it, Blake?" Weiss was a bit concerned at the small out burst.
"It seems Klein and Blake ran into Yang earlier, after causing some commotion at the pub there." Winter explained sheepishly.
"That was you?!" Weiss practically shrieked, "You almost took out both Blake and Klein with that irresponsible stunt, what if it was someone else?"
"Oh geeze." Yang held up her hands, "It was an accident," She took a few steps back as she watched the Merchant march over to her, finger pointed.
"Do you know how invaluable they are to me? Do you know-"
"Alright, Weiss, I think she gets the point." Winter interjected, she could feel Yang's cold sweat from where she stood, "She's been a handful mostly due to my Lieutenant," She narrowed her eyes at the Huntress who once again looked to the ground, refusing to instigate her orange haired friend, "Who was probably there to help pour fuel to the flame."
"You mean Penny? Penny was at a bar?" Weiss tried to imagine the mild manner girl at a bar.
"She could drink half the outfit under the table, I watched it happen in Menagerie." Yang added, Blake perked up at the mention of Menagerie.
"Penny drinks?!" Weiss had an incredulous stare, Winter merely laughed at her sister's reaction.
"Pretty sure she picked that up from the men, her and Yang met about a week ago while we were in port in Menagerie and they've been interesting together to say the least." Winter sighed at the thought, "But I digress, I actually have a favor to ask."
"What is it?" Weiss was excited, her older sister rarely asked anything of her.
"I was wondering if you could allow Yang to stay here while she's on vacation in the Kingdom."
Winter crossed her arms as she observed the situation; she expected the long silence since this was Yang that she had just dropped on Weiss.
Blake was shooting eyes back and forth between Weiss and Yang.
Weiss' mouth hung open as she stared between her sister and Yang.
And Yang simply stood there, a goofy look on her face as she looked to Winter for assistance.
"You want me to let this bar fighting buffoon to stay here?"
"Who are you calling a buffoon, Princess?" Yang wasn't going to back down against the insult.
"Well, I'm just wondering how throwing a chair around in public is appropriate behavior."
"At least I don't have to worry about getting a splinter when I do."
Winter smiled to herself as she watched the two go at it, she expected as much to happen between the two. After to getting to know Yang she knew that this woman would be the oil to Weiss' water.
"Why do I get the feeling you planned all this?" Blake asked to Winter.
"This couldn't have gone better even if I did."
The evening went on after Winter defused the situation between the two and some civil conversation took place. The elder Schnee told the story about the pirates and the Grimm attack from start to finish with Yang interjecting with juicier bits to keep things entertaining, Blake certainly appreciated the Huntress' enthusiasm when she went on to talk about the Grimm Sea Dragon.
Klein eventually called everyone to dinner and soon the evening turned to night. Yang was allowed to stay in one of the spare quarters that Klein had spruced up a bit with Blake's help, once the whole Villa had turned into bed it was just Winter and Weiss.
The two sisters sat around the hearth, both with a cup of tea in hand.
"On a serious note, can Yang stay here?" Winter pressed again, "My men owes her their lives, I owe her my life – despite what she said, she took on that beast head on with no hesitation what so ever." She sipped her cup thoughtfully, a serious look on her face as she eyed Weiss.
"I know you're not the type to keep bad company," Weiss sighed, "And yes, she can stay while she's here. If you think that much of her, then how can I refuse?"
"It'll be a good change of pace." She reasoned, "Sounds like you might need it from all those reports and paperwork you're behind on."
"The sooner I can get the office open the better." Weiss was close, they had the space, but now they needed the people and it helped that Velvet and some of her people were on board.
"I'm glad." Winter looked down at the tea, "Plus, I would like to have Yang around here too." She looked up stairs, "She's strong, Weiss, and has good sense. I could trust my life in her hands if it comes down to it and I think it's time you start having some protection around with your growing business. With success comes rivalry, I would be surprised if you didn't have a few people plotting against you."
The thought had crossed Weiss mind a few times, but the thought of putting her safety in someone else's hands that she wasn't familiar with did not settle well with her. "I'll think it over some more, but do you really have to leave in the morning?" A slight plea.
"I don't have much official business here, and the men have been away from home too long. But I promise to plan a proper trip back here, while I'm on leave." Winter set her tea down and leaned back in her chair, Weiss visibly perked up at the thought of her sister coming back on a real vacation. "So what else has been going on?" A light smile.
Weiss responded joyously and recited some of her more successful ventures and some of the parties she had attended, Winter didn't miss the way Weiss' face would light up once she started talking about someone who went by the name of the Reaper and some of the glorious matches that the Gladiator had taken part of and triumphed.
Winter was glad that Weiss was enjoying herself out here and away from Jacques.
The stifling collar was laying out somewhere near the bed, Mercury stretched his limbs out as he felt his form sink further into the luxurious bedding. Beside him, he watched Emerald trace fine lines along their Mistress as a content smile played out on her lips. He watched intently as her deft hands combed through Emerald's hair, a sigh could be heard as she scratched lightly at her scalp.
A rare genuine smile graced his lips, he would do anything in order to keep this going.
"Something on your mind, Merc?" Cinder looked over at her supposed slave.
"Nothing much, just some business." He dashed the thought, "A concern and a brewing problem." He rolled over on his side to get a better look at Mistress Fall, "Nadir, he's going to be a problem for us." Mercury reported, although his ton still remained languid after the bit of exercise he went through.
"He's just a slave." Cinder dismissed.
"Not just any slave, he's a Torchwick Gladiator, he's been helping to train the rebel slaves and it's been showing. They're getting stronger and most of all, they like him."
"They like him better than you?" Cinder smirked at the notion, Emerald giggled at the light jest.
Mercury rolled his eyes, "Yes they do, but what I'm saying is that if we go ahead with our plan to kill the bull Faunus in the middle of the chaos, then whatever remaining forces will likely look to Nadir to lead them instead of me." He played with the sheets, "I won't be able to lead them if that's the case and Nadir will most certainly continue down that fool's path."
"That won't do…" She looked down at Emerald who remained content with staying snuggled into her Mistress' side. "Did we get everything we need out of having him around?"
"For the most part, the biggest one was just trying to gain the slave's trust and getting that inside information on who they had infiltrated, as well as their specific battle plans for when the time comes."
"We've made moves on informing those loyal about the infiltration, they're planning to plus up their guards in the incoming months." Cinder thought aloud, "Roman is moving funds and men appropriately - it's definitely been a lot easier to set our plans in motion with him on board to do the footwork."
"It helps that the string of robberies and murders by Adam's group has the Kingdom paranoid, the plus up of private guards shouldn't raise too much suspicions." Mercury smiled to himself at how well things were coming together. "How has your Mother been fairing?"
"She's been successful in gathering support," Cinder replied coolly, "Haizel Rainhart, the war hero, was more than happy to comply – the man loves his wars."
"Can we not talk about work in bed?" Emerald pushed herself off.
"Well, with our new guest this is the only place I can discuss business." Mercury smirked.
"I believe you were the one who volunteered to be the slave." She teased as she leaned forward to the Fall champion, she pointed a finger at his chest accusingly.
"Just because I don't think you'd survive without these comforts for too long." He shot back, he planted a sweet kiss on her cheek, "Mistress" A rather dark gaze encompassed his face.
"Well you have been such a good boy." Cinder Fall complied and captured the slave's lips with her own.
Weiss Schnee clutched at the receipt in hand and a few other papers before replacing them back into her bag. Roman Torchwick sent word that there was a discrepancy in his books about his 3% cut on some of the deals he had helped broker during the company's initial start up.
Weiss racked her brain as she tried to think about what was off exactly, she had Klein and even Velvet help double check the books, but it was all the same outcome regardless.
'There may be a mistake in his book keeping.' Was what Weiss thought as she left the carriage to enter the Torchwick Villa.
"Ah, Weiss." Roman greeted her warmly, his parlor was very warm from the winter weather outside, a few house slaves quickly set out some wine and snacks on the polished table before her. "So glad you had time to make it out here."
"Roman." Weiss returned the courtesy as she smoothed out her dress and took off the warm shawl she had over her shoulder for the ride over, "Other than the discrepancies, how have you been doing?" She sipped the wine, it was a nice port wine, something that was a vintage out of Menagerie.
"Swimmingly," His usual charming self as a house slave poured a cup for himself, "Despite Bolin and Nadir stepping down from the mantle of being a Torchwick Gladiator my others in the crop have been filling in quiet well." He motioned to the open view of the courtyard as the slaves trained, "There's two more that have been performing exceptionally well, they've been around for a while but they were something of a lower caliber in comparison to the Core Four."
"Oh? And whose that?" Weiss craned her neck over to get a better view.
"The red hair with a tattoo on his face, goes by Scarlet, he was a pirate that our Navy captured when his ship tried to raid our vessels. I've been entering him in more matches lately and he's been winning, maybe not at the same caliber and finesse that I'm used to, but he wins. " Roman pointed out, his eyes scanned the crowd.
"He looks pretty roguish too." Weiss pondered a moment what the man would look like dressed like a buccaneer.
"Ah, that one, tanned with green hair, has two tattoos on his chest." Weiss nodded in confirmation as she caught sight of the Gladiator, "Excellent with a great sword, was still a little rough around the edges and not quite as strong as Nadir is in hand-to-hand."
"You keep very good tabs on all your fighters." Despite what she really felt about the man, she was impressed at how well he kept up with his slaves.
"My father taught me well," Roman nodded his head, "But on to business, if you don't mind." He motioned for his slaver, Neo to step out from her spot nearby the window, she held some papers in hand.
"Of course not." Weiss smiled as she reached into her bag, "So I ran my book a few times just to be sure and I didn't catch any of the mistakes you mentioned, I even had Klein…" She trailed off as she looked down at the parchment set in front of her.
It was a contract dictating 40% of her monthly profit be turned over to Roman.
"What is this?" She was perplexed.
Roman took a sip of his wine, "It's our new contract that was implemented last month, that's where I'm seeing the discrepancies."
"I didn't agree to this." Weiss wasn't sure what kind of stunt he was trying to pull, but she was surely going to shut it down.
"But you did." Roman motioned his hand, a few of his guards surrounded the two where they sat. The Merchant noticed that Neo had a blade at her side, which was unusual since the slaver usually didn't carry one in the Villa.
"Roman." There was an authority in her tone, "What in Oum's name is this?" She stood her ground, cursing the echoing words of her sister before she had left.
"Follow me, please." He stood, and Weiss followed reluctantly, wanting to punch him in the face for trying to make it seem like she had a choice.
The small detail was close in trail of the two, Neo stood at Roman's side while Weiss was directly behind them. They were going under ground, a place Weiss had never seen before. She took note of the storeroom and finally some rather plush quarters where she assumed the house slaves slept in.
Then suddenly they approached an underground iron gate, a long tunnel could be seen with several rooms on either side – some more ominous than others.
"Ah, I'm being rude by not showing you around here." Roman opened the gate, "There's an underground tunnel that connects the Villa to the slave compound, you see, the courtyard is settled on top of this tunnel." He motioned to his left, "There's a couple of rooms we'll use, like this one."
Weiss recognized the armor that was hung on display and noticed a woman that went by Melanie keeping them polished with the help of another slave. There were clothes and fine silks that she recalled some of the house slaves wearing to entice people for their services.
"This is a dressing room of the sorts, and then down the hall is the gladiators and prospects bathing area, it smells like blood and sweat all the time so you'll have to excuse the stench."
"Where are we going?" The knot in her stomach tightened with every step.
"You'll find out." Roman waved it off, "And now we've reached the slave compound, a set of stone steps led up stairs and he ushered her up them. "This area is a general quarters area, at night we'll lock up the prospects but our full-fledged gladiators are given the privilege to roam as they will.
There were iron bars and gates that ran from the floor to the ceiling, and then some rooms were sectioned off by stonewalls. A peak inside and Weiss could see some of them had some personal affects.
"And then down here is a more private quarters if you will. Reserved for my very best." Weiss nodded, these rooms looked more livable than the ones she had just seen, not that the Merchant would call them proper living quarters.
"Get her."
Within moments the guards behind them made a beeline for the last room on the left.
"Wh-What?!" An exasperated cry and then a groan of pain, "St-stop!" She could hear the sound of flesh connecting with flesh and a brief scuffle.
"You all should know by now that it's better to tie her up." Roman called out, "And be mindful of her leg, I'm trying to get her back in the Arena sooner rather than later."
Weiss Schnee lost all feeling in her legs as she nearly toppled over as it all clicked.
"Woah there little Snowflake." Roman caught her easily, he looked up in time to see some of his guards sporting bruises and a bounded Ruby Rose. "I know that you get a little weak in the knees when you see her though, don't you?"
Ruby's eyes went wide, in a panic she looked at Weiss.
He knows.
A certain rage began to build.
"Dungeon, now, string up Red."
The rage quickly dissipated to fear at the mention of the place, she tried to look outside for Sun or anyone, but the slave master had come down through the underground tunnels and no one spotted him coming.
Roman helped Weiss get settled to her feet and the group moved on to what was obviously Ruby's most hated room in the place. Weiss watched in horror as Ruby was thrown into cuffs on the wall, she watched as her neck and arms strained and her feet barely touched the floor while a string of profanities left her mouth.
"Shut up, or else I'll put her there right next to you!" Roman's voice thundered, Ruby quickly became silent at the sheer thought of it.
"You wouldn't, I'll have the city guard breathing down your neck for this." Weiss seethed as she found her fire.
"Red is my property I can do with her as I please, and you, I want you to sign our new agreement." Roman produced the contract once more.
"Or else what." The Merchant narrowed her eyes.
"Neo." Roman didn't break his gaze on her.
With the hilt of her blade, Neo buried it into Ruby's stomach, a gasp of pain erupted from the slave's mouth and she found it harder to regain her breath from being shackled and hung from the wall.
"This is… This is coercion - no, extortion!" Weiss stared at the contract, if she signed that then it would be a struggle to stay a float, she just recruited more people and needed the profits to pay their salaries and then to run the new headquarters in town that she wanted to open up soon…
"It's not, you have a choice, just like how I have a choice." Roman flicked his eyes to Neo, this time the tip of her blade was buried ever so slightly into Ruby's slave's shoulder.
Ruby bit back a grunt, trying not to give her Master the satisfaction of her screams.
"And if I just walk away." Weiss twitched at the sight, Ruby's blood running down and staining her tunic.
"Then I'll just stay here to keep Red company." Roman motioned to Neo once more who then twisted the tip.
"Agh-" Ruby cut the yelp short as she gritted through with all she could.
"Like I said, we all have choices." A twisted grin as he crossed his arms, "Tell you what, it is a business deal, so how about this-" He grabbed a key from one of his guards.
"You sign that and I'll give you the key to get Red down from there. Sound like a fair trade?" Roman motioned to the writhing slave.
"Weiss, don't do it! Don't worry about-" With the hilt of the sword, Neo smacked Ruby across the face.
"What did I say?" Roman seethed, he grabbed Ruby's injured leg out of annoyance, "Did I say you could open your fucking mouth?" His thumb pressed into the still healing wound.
A howl erupted from Ruby's lips, blood was beginning to gush through the bandages and her hands tugged at the restraints.
"Stop! There! It's done, just please, stop it." Weiss voice cracked as she threw the contract on the ground. "I'll send you the funds from last month." Her eyes snapped up to Ruby, her face just a mix of emotions but through it all she could see the sorrow.
"Was that so hard?" Roman let go of Ruby's injury and noticed the blood on his hands, he merely wiped it on the slave's tunic. "And just like I said, here's the key." He picked up the contract from the ground.
"Don't even think about writing to your father about this." He looked the Merchant straight in the eye, "Or do you think Jacques would be happy to find out you gave up so much for a slave that isn't even yours or the fact that you're considering a Faunus to help run your business. I believe he mentioned something about your younger brother, Whitley, right? Jacques says he takes after him a lot."
Weiss bit her cheek at the mention of her brother, a carbon copy of her father, she didn't want Whitley to come over and take over everything that she had tried so hard to build. "This… This is a private matter." Weiss' voice held steady.
"What I like to hear." Roman made a move to leave, "Take your time leaving, I have some business to attend to out in town. The slaves can help see you out. Neo, let's go." Roman sauntered out as he waved the contract around.
The guards made a face at the strung up slave before leaving the cell.
Weiss immediately grabbed the key and unlocked the chains, taking care of her injured leg and shoulder.
"Ruby… how should I treat this?" She was looking at the blood running from her leg, desperate to some how make it stop.
"He… just reopened it, Octavia can help me out later." Ruby grimaced, she couldn't get her leg to respond to what she wanted it to do, "I-I can't really stand right now."
"I'm so sorry." Weiss looked over the slave, a gentle hand was placed on the slave's shoulder.
"No, I am." Ruby propped herself against the wall, "You're in this mess now because of me."
"Stop, please," Weiss threw her arms around Ruby, mindful of her injuries, "You're hurt because of me, I should have just signed that damned thing from the get go."
"He's going to ruin you. He knows I care about you." Ruby bit her cheek.
"And he knows I care about you." A soft touch was felt on the Gladiator's cheeks, she looked up at the gentle gaze.
A small smile, "I know you do." Ruby turned her head to kiss the caressing hand, Weiss felt her heart flutter at such a simple act, "You shouldn't come here anymore."
"But I can't just leave you be here." Weiss was worried, "Ruby please."
"No, if you care about me then stay away from here. Stay away from Torchwick." A strong grip was placed on both her shoulders, "I can't protect you from him… and the thought of him… using you like this. I can't, please." Tears threatened to fall from those silver eyes, "Weiss, stay away." The way Ruby was pleading just struck a chord deep within Weiss.
"I…" She wanted to break down, she wanted to take Ruby away from this wretched place, "Will you be okay?" Both her hands found their way behind her neck, she watched as Ruby shivered at the touch – Weiss' finger's drawing soft circles at the back of her neck. She could get lost in the sensation for hours, if she had the luxury.
"I'm strong, don't forget that." The Gladiator said with such conviction, "Don't ever come back here."
"I promise." Weiss bit her lips as she said it, "I'm going to miss you."
"And I will miss you too, so much." Ruby's voice cracked at the thought, though their encounters were few and far between, they were meaningful and every precious moment was something neither would forget.
With a deep breathe, Weiss decided to ask the question that was beginning to burn in the back of her mind "Ruby… is it true you're from Vale?" She worried when she felt Ruby stiffen at the question.
"Weiss, where did you hear that from?" Her voice was quiet, Ruby wondered if the guards could hear them - she remembered Roman's orders to never make mention of that - ever. Silver eyes flicked to the cell's entrance and she strained her ears, Ruby was relieved when she didn't get any indication that the guards were nearby.
"Pyrrha, her and Jaune are investigating some of the missing prisoners. Your salute during your match gave you away." A small smile.
"That… That's…," A look of relief washed over Ruby's face, "Y-You don't know how happy you've just made me." A tear spilled down her cheek, "That they know the truth."
"Something happened, it was Roman, wasn't it?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Yes." An unreadable look was plastered on the Gladiator's face, "It's only a matter of time now, I'll be free soon and all of this is just going to be a bad dream for me." She looked down at her wounds, "A really bad dream."
"I'll be waiting then." Weiss wiped away the tears, "I'll wait for you."
"Hearing you say that makes me that much happier."
Ruby Rose leaned in and closed the distance to Weiss Schnee's lips.
For the first time their kiss was bittersweet.
A/N
It's my birthday today, so I figured I would celebrate with an update. Maybe not so much a celebration considering the predicament our White Rose has found themselves in.
Guys, thank you so much for the awesome reviews and messages. I really do take into account the different feedback I get so that I can apply it to later chapters (and story that's going to be a Bumblebee focus).
So here's the good news: I took a lot of time off from work for the holidays and found a lot of spare time to write - I'm working on Chapter 17 right now and the rest are going through some edits and clean up.
Bad news (sorta): I mentioned it early on, but Gladiator is going to be at least 22-24 chapters... and I'm getting distracted with my plot and outline for my future Bumblebee fic. Trying to stay focused on finishing this up (I don't want to get into the bad habit of leaving stories half finished) but there is the possibility that I might take a detour with a new story (the struggle).
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and maybe I'll see you again in the next update!
Cheers,
DevilRed