The building they entered was something of a new experience for Blake, though, at a time like this everything could fall into the category of new experiences.
It was a kind of… hall, not as in a corridor hall, bust a massive room with dozens of doors lining the walls to different places. On the far side a man stood behind some kind of greeting desk, and there were crowds of people going back and forth through the place. None had their own personal Guard like Weiss did though, and their eyes were drawn to the noble as she walked up to the man.
It was obviously a big deal judging by the stares and whispers from onlookers, and the man (greeter?) before them looked slightly nervous.
"Can I help you my lady?"
He asked politely.
Weiss nodded. "You can," she replied, and the way she said it made it sound like he should be thankful for that. "I am looking for a man with the name Roman Torchwick, I believe he conducts his trade here does he not?"
A-ah! Yes, he does madam, but, forgive me, mister Torchwick will only speak to those who have arranged proper meetings." The Schnee regarded him for a moment as he shifted under her look. Blake may not have been overly enthusiastic about her 'owner' but she could admit it was impressive to see a man taller than her quell under the nobles look.
"Inform him that the daughter of Jacque Schnee has come to see him. That should be enough of an appointment."
He swallowed "I see." He said before bowing deeply. "I will speak to him right away lady Schnee."
With that he hurried away, a sharp spring in his step.
That had been… odd.
Blake had expected some kind of respect when dealing with a noble but this?
Weiss saw her questioning look.
"Torchwick is a big part of this industry from what I can tell, he works with nobility a lot of the time and what he brings back is often a large sum. Considering what his business is however it makes things like accountability all the more costly for them. Actually, I think he's one of the heads."
"And… what business is this exactly?"
"Hm? Oh, right!" Weiss blinked. "Hold on, are you being truthful? You don't know? Please tell me you know."
Blake frowned. This was beginning to get tedious, being given that look of incredulity as if it was a shock she didn't know something about a foreign country.
Weiss sighed. "Oh for… it's Merlot trading industry! They have centres in every kingdom!"
"So… they deal with trading?" Blake guessed.
The girl scowled. "They are involved in food, resources, amenities, weaponry, defence, labour and anything else you can imagine whether it be within the lands of a kingdom or across the sea." Weiss put a hand on her hip, and Blake suddenly felt like she was being lectured to. "The Merlot Trading industry is one of the most profitable organisations in all the kingdoms because of this, and is recognised by the four kingdoms as an essential part of everyday life for most residents. They employ thousands and offer their own resources and workforces to the kingdoms desires." She actually scoffed. "There are only a few industries they do not have their hands in, which makes them very powerful."
Blake bit her lip. The information was… welcome and perhaps it was useful for some people, but what stuck in her mind was.
"You say they deal in labour forces? Does that mean… people like me?"
Weiss nodded, but didn't look like it was something worth thinking about. Blake felt something burn in her chest.
"Yes, Merlot Trade is the second biggest suppliers of slaves in the world. It is a very profitable area too, there are always people looking for competent workers."
"And they pick people with no choice but to work?" Blake growled. She wasn't sure if Weiss noticed her tone, but she glanced back at her all the same.
"Of course, it's a great opportunity for them don't worry. They're fed, watered and have shelter, not to mention most are put to work on farms from what I've heard. I believe that they should be proud of their work serving the kingdoms"
Blake felt her jaw clench.
Hard.
She had plenty of things to say about that but before she could the greeter came back.
He bowed low as Blake took a step away so she wasn't a part of their little talk.
"Torchwick has agreed to speak with you my lady Schnee. If you would follow me," he glanced at Blake, and she saw the way his face twitched. Perhaps it would be best to leave animal here."
Blake blinked.
Had… had he just said that? It… it had been so quick, so casual that the comment flew over her head for a moment and left her staring at the man.
Weiss didn't even flinch at it.
"I think it best for her to accompany me," she said reasonably. I have some personal investment in her you see."
He bowed again as if nothing was wrong. "Of course, but I should inform you that armed guards are not permitted any further."
"Of course." The Schnee waved a hand at the twenty or so armour men following them, and they suddenly saluted, standing straight and in formation as they moved to the side to wait.
The man nodded. "Very good, please follow me."
With that said Weiss did indeed follow the man. Her back was straight, her walk confident and her head held high. It was obvious she was intent on making an impression, one of regal professionalism. And that meant Blake was forced to follow too. It didn't stop Blake glaring holes into the back of the man's head.
This bastard called her an animal? The fact that he said it was bad enough, but the fact that he could get away with it?
Her ears flattened against the top of her skull as her eyes narrowed at him.
Blake didn't know how she'd get him back for it, but she would.
Or maybe she wouldn't judging from the warning look the Schnee had suddenly sent her way. She'd noticed her glaring and was looking her straight in the eye as they walked.
'Don't try anything´ the look said.
The Faunas looked away first.
Moments later they came to a door; it was wooden with golden trimmings around the edges. Blake baulked at it.
Who needed something like this anyway? Neither of the humans seemed to share her thoughts.
"Mister Torchwick is right beyond this door, for the sake of formality I must request that you keep your works polite and professional, and considering your… company I must also advise you to keep a careful watch on it."
She grit her teeth as Weiss nodded. "I understand."
"Very good." He said, and after one more disdainful look sent Blake's way he opened the door and stepped aside.
Weiss strode in and Blake followed quietly behind.
What she saw was just another mild surprise today:
The whole room was golden, or at least most of it, decorated in lavishness and expensive decor that probably cost somewhere in the millions. In the centre of the room was a low table, and two sofas.
They were wide with red velvet seats. On one was a man wearing a white coat and bowler cap, arms spread out behind him as he grinned lazily at them.
"Well, well, well, the daughter of Schnee really does grace me with her presence."
Blake tensed.
He'd only said a few words, but she already didn't like this man. No, it wasn't that she didn't like them, there was something wrong about him, something that made her instincts scream danger, that it was a bad idea to be near him.
Weiss apparently didn't feel the same way, and sat down on the seat opposite him.
Neither looked at Blake or offered her to sit, so she stood behind Weiss. It must have been the right move because neither seemed perturbed by it. Blake supposed she should feel proud with reading the room, but she didn't she wanted away from here.
"So it would seem," Weiss began. "It is a pleasure to meet you Torchwick."
"Please, call me Roman," he waved. "It's easier to get business done if my clients know we're on a first name basis."
"…I see." Weis said after a moment. "Very well… Roman. Will we discuss business then?"
"Depends on what business you're looking to get done really." He shrugged. "But yeah, if you have the lien we can provide."
She nodded. "A simple obtaining and transport of food and material should be enough for now," she said. "If you can provide a satisfactory service I will return for other transactions."
"Testing out the service huh?" he grinned. "Alright, I can see the value in that. I'm guessing you're not going to be managing our payment yourself."
"A man named Klein will be doing that," she said. "He serves me personally and as such as an awareness of my current costs."
"Quick and efficient, I like it. Anything else?"
"One or two things," she replied. "Transport deals as such, but we can discuss them as soon as I am sure this transaction is reliable."
"Hm, guess trust in the business is a little weaker with all the dangers on the seas. You know we can provide extra ships to guard the cargo from pirates if you're willing to fork over a little more."
"Not right now, but next time for sure."
He nodded and smiled again. Blake didn't like it one bit.
"Alright then, I'll admit this was a lot fast than I was expecting. Most big-wigs like to flaunt their lien before settling anything."
"I'll be sure to flaunt once I have a steady position here in Vale, don't worry."
He laughed. "We'll see, oh, by the way, there something I want to ask you before you go."
She tilted her head a little. "And that is?"
Roman lifted the cane he'd been holding across his lap up until that point and suddenly pointed it in Blake's direction. "How much for her?"
Blake froze.
Weiss frowned. "I beg your pardon?"
"How much," he repeated. "For the Faunus?"
"Forgive me but this seems like an odd moment to question me on such a thing. This there a particular reason you are asking?"
He shrugged. "She looks like she's got some meat on her bones. I know plenty of rich men and women who like that in the entertainment. The ears are a plus too for the added fun."
Blake bristled. "What type of fun is that?" she grit out.
Weiss' gaze suddenly snapped to her, and the Faunus was taken aback by the icy look Weiss sent her way.
Roman grinned wider. "She's got some fight in her, that's even better. Well kitty cat cause you asked so nicely, it's for hunting. A lot of people find sport in setting Faunus free on their lands and chasing them down again. Makes a lot of money for us too."
Hunting. Hunting!
Blake swallowed nervously.
He meant the type of hunting were Faunus would be run down by nobles with their bows and swords and chased by hounds. It was a death sentence purchase! One of the many miners would talk about in the caves, hoping that if they were ever sold it wouldn't be for that reason.
Her eyes flickered to the Schnee. She wouldn't sell her for that.
Would she? She'd said she was going to be her bodyguard, she needed her!
Right?
"My apologise Roman," the noble lady said at last. "But she is under my employment, not for sale you understand."
"I see, that's fine." He shrugged and gave a little wave to say he wasn't bothered. That just made her angrier, for him to act like her potential death wasn't something he should care about.
Because he didn't.
She didn't say anything though, Weiss' icy stare hadn't left her.
"Well, if that's all you should receive a letter of the transactions in a few days or so. Have your man, Klein was it? Look over the transcript when you get it." Weiss looked back to him. "Of course, thank you for your time Roman," she curtsied.
"No problem. I look forward to working with you in the future lady Schnee, if your anything like your father it should be profitable for us both."
Weiss nodded and without another word turned to leave. Blake followed hurriedly behind as looked back as the door closed.
Romans eyes were on her, and he was grinning wide.
It closed a second later and they made their way down the corridor. Well that had been a-
"If you ever speak like that again," Weiss suddenly snarled, spinning around to face her and gripping her arm. "I will have you disciplined for it. You are to stay silent in the presence of important individuals unless I give you expressed permission to speak. Your words affect my reputation now, and I will not have it ruined because you cannot mind your manners. Is that understood?"
Blake nodded rapidly, throat closing up in shock. The sudden flip was terrifying, and the Schnee's eyes froze her soul.
After a moment she sighed and let go of Blake's arm. "At least it was not in the presence of another noble, and that he took it in good humour. If it had been someone with more sway, it may have been a different situation."
She snarled again. "Do not put me in a situation like that again, do I make myself clear?"
"Y-yes." Blake managed to force out.
What had she been thinking? In all the novelty and newness of her current situation, she had forgotten a very clear fact.
Her owner was a Schnee.
And Schnee's were the most terrifying people a Faunus could meet.
"I-it won't happen again."
The white-haired noble let out a small huff, that suddenly viciousness vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. "See that it doesn't. Come, we have nothing else here for us in the city at the moment."
She nodded, but hesitated for a second.
"So… what's next then?"
Weiss looked back. "Next, it is time we commence our work to make you into a proper bodyguard."
…
…
Blake coughed as a fist crunched into her stomach, folding her like paper as she fell to the ground.
She clutched at her stomach and curled up on herself.
Her ears twitched and she barely had time to roll out of the way as a boot came down.
"Come on now lass," Port huffed. "The enemy isn't going to wait for you to get back up."
She staggered up to her feet and sent him a hate-filled glare as she worked to get her breathing under control.
Port wasted no time and was on her in an instant, sending a crushing right hook towards her face. She barely got her hands up in time to cover her face. It was useless though; the first hit as if her hands weren't there and sent her sprawling again.
"Don't use your hands for blocking," he instructed her as she tried to shake the stars from her eyes. "Use your arms. Firearms block hits, hands redirect them."
She didn't say anything in response, glaring again and getting to her feet.
The man nodded and moved in again.
Blake moved back in time to avoid the same swing as before, but was unprepared and so cried out when he stepped on her toes and barrelled his shoulder into her chest. She fell over and clutched her bare foot painfully.
He looked down at her.
"You're not moving fast enough. You Faunus have better reaction times than most, but you're too slow for them to actually be any use to you." He glanced at her feet. "Not to mention not wearing footwear gives people an easy target. How do you expect to move swiftly if you can't handle the terrain."
She growled under her breath at that, but louder she said. "All the shoes here are too tight."
"That's because the bugger gave you servants shoes," he laughed, 'bugger' referring to Klein judging from the numerous times he said it. Those two had an odd relationship. "You need a calf boot. Their bigger and will give you more roof until you can find something proper."
"Proper?" she looked up.
"We'll see what weapons you're best at using and base it off that. Now get up, I didn't say we were finished."
She opened her mouth to speak but dived to the side when Ports boot swung through the space her head had just been. She scrambled to her feet and raised her fists. He moved, and after seeing it so many times.
Blake still couldn't do much.
This man moved far too fast for his build. To be fair, he wasn't fat, Blake wasn't sure what was under that red coat of is.
But he was currently beating her into the floor, so she was going with fat.
She swung his right again, and Blake threw up her forearms this time like he'd said.
His knuckle crashed into her and she cried out as agony shot up her arm. She snapped away and cradled her arm but he didn't let up. The Faunus ducked under a left hook and stumbled back from another right. She was taken off guard however, when instead of another left he jabbed out fast, cracking against her nose as blood spewed.
"You bastard!" she cried as she fell again, hands covering her face as she tried to staunch the blood.
"You fucker!" she snarled between pained breathes, eyes burning into him. "You scum licking, dark-shad bastard!"
Blake didn't have the right mind to realise what she was saying to who, and if she had been she might have screamed at the realisation that she could be flogged for speaking to a man like him for that, maybe even worse considering her position.
He hummed instead. "Well it looks like we're done for the day. It's not much, but it's a start. I'll have a servant take you to Peach so she can make sure nothing's broken."
He clicked his fingers and a girl came to lift Blake to her feet. She didn't resist, taking the time to instead glare at Port as her nose dripped red.
She was carried out of the room as the man turned away and went about his business. She wanted to scream. She was supposed to go through that every day?!
When the Schnee had said getting to work on making her a proper bodyguard she'd thought she'd be fitted with armour and a shield and told to learn as she went. Instead the noble had instructed Port to train her up, scheduling two hours each day for one-on-one sessions.
That would have been fine maybe, if it was anyone but that man.
Saying he was merciless was putting it lightly. He didn't give her a second to breathe, assaulting her with overpowering strength speed and agility no man as stout as he should possess. The result of her first training session had now ended, with a bloody nose, aching arms and sore chest.
The only saving grace was that now she was going to see the woman who had patched her up before. Although, maybe that wasn't a positive, judging by the way she'd seemed to enjoy her pain the last time.
She was brought to the infirmary, or whatever qualified for a single room and the servant left her as she entered.
The sawbones didn't turn to her but she did let out a little hum.
"So, how bad was it?" she asked. "Did Peter go overboard again?"
Blake didn't respond, taking a place beside the table instead as she waited for Peach to actually look at her. She wasn't really in the mood for friendly chatter anyway.
The doctor noticed.
"That bad huh? Well I wouldn't hold it against him, he's like that with all his men."
The woman made her way over to the Faunus, inspecting the bruises that had begun forming. She saw the way Blake scowled.
"Or do hold it against him, not like it matters much to me. You have another hour of this today with him right? And it's supposed to go like that every day?"
"…Yes."
Instead of looking sympathetic, Blake was surprised when the pink-haired woman snickered. "Oh I can tell already that you two are going to get on like a house on fire. Looks like we're going to be seeing a lot of each other."
She groaned at that. Or maybe it was from how the sawbones was pressing a finger against the lumps on her skin. Either way, the thought of having to take a beating from that man every day was…
"Relax," Peach laughed. "Every brat he trained went through the same feeling. You might have a little extra training with him that the rest of them do but hey, that just means you have plenty of opportunities to pay him back right?"
That… was true. If they were going to be fighting so much it gave Blake the chance for revenge! The more she learned the more she could pay him back for this! Her hands clenched into fists at the thought. Oh yeah, she's enjoy pummelling him into the ground.
The doc saw the look on her face and rolled her eyes, muttering something about it 'being too easy' under her breath.
"Well," she said after a moment. "There's not much we can do about the bumps apart from applying this." She said, holding up some sort of jar. There was a grey cream inside and Blakes' nose turned up at the smell.
"That's what I thought," She chuckled. "Smells bad, but it'll soothe the pain, or, numb it I suppose. I'll a put it one and then will have a look at…" she glanced at Blake's bloodied nose. "That."
The Faunus didn't even get to so much as nod before the sawbones dipped her fingers in the salve and rubbed it onto her skin. Blake winced at the cold feeling, and even more as it hit a few particular sore spots.
It wasn't exactly a nice experience, especially when the older woman reached under her shirt to finish the job running fingers along her abdomen and sides.
She shivered at that.
It was over mercifully soon though.
"Alright," she said after she wiped the stuff off her hands. "I need you to look up at the ceiling for me while I take a look at that, understand?"
Blake sighed but did as she was told, raising her head and keeping it there as Peach ripped her chin with one hand and inspected the injury.
She hummed to herself.
"From the looks of it… it's not broken. That's good at least, but it'll hurt for a while. I can make sure it doesn't make it hard to breathe or swell, but it'll be red for a while. Come on, let's get this over with."
'Getting it over with' turned out to consist of the doctor looking up Blake's nose and scraping out the dried blood. It was painful. Very painful. Blake did her best to bear through it all, but she couldn't stop the pained whines that slipped through her clenched teeth. It took a mere five minutes, but felt far longer to the Faunus, her nerves tingling as she sat there.
In the end, Peach put a white patch on her nose that Blake obviously didn't know the name of and stood up.
"There," she said. "That should be fine for now. I know this is probably more of a wild hope considering Peters the one training you up, but try not to get punched in the face anymore."
She wiped her hands, flakes of dried blood falling off.
"You best get going back; Peter might extend the training session if you're late."
Blake nodded, getting to her feet and making her way to the door. The doctor might have said some kind of farewell as the door closed behind her but she didn't hear it, more intend on groaning as she thought about how she was going to get hit again.
She made her way down the halls back to the training hall, alone in the corridors she for a few servants who passed her with clothes or sheets in hand. They were still cleaning up and furnishing the place after all.
Blake stopped. There was a door opened ahead of her to the right, just slightly ajar. It wouldn't really have been a concern to her, but for the slight scratching on… something.
It couldn't hurt to take a look could it?
Cautiously Blake creped over to the door and peeked in. she blinked.
It was… some kind of study, with a wide window at the opposite side and a white desk to the left, candles surrounding it for light. Weiss sat in the chair, rapidly scribbling something down with some sort of feather in hand.
What was she doing?
Blake leaned in to try and get a better look, but the door decided it was feeling treacherous in that moment, and squeaked loudly.
Weiss' head snapped to her and she blinked.
"Ah, Blake, what is it? Did you need something?"
The Faunus flinched at the attention of the noble. Maybe she could excuse herself? She could say that she needed to go back to Port.
… Never mind.
"I-it's nothing," she protested. Damnit! Why was her voice suddenly unsteady? "I was just walking by and saw the door was open. I was curious and…"
She trailed off, but the noble simply hummed.
"Curious you say? About what it is I'm doing?"
"N-no I-"
"Come then," she interrupted. "You may as well see, it can't hurt."
Weiss motioned for Blake to stand beside her and after a moment's hesitation Blake knew it would be better to just do as she was told in this instance. No point defying the noble on such a simple order. She still kept about an arms distance between them. Not so much because she feared Weiss physically, but because it made her feel more comfortable.
Blake looked down at the desk. There was scattered paper everywhere, not what she expected from a noble, but one in particular – the one currently in Weiss' hands – caught her interest.
It was filled with black symbols she didn't understand. She said as much to Weiss, and it stung a bit to admit that she was incapable of reading.
Weiss simply waved it off however. "Do not worry," she assured. "Most commoners are illiterate too, it is not a thing exclusive to former slaves. In fact if Port is to believed most soldiers cannot read either. The higher ups can I think, for issuing orders and commands you see. Apart from that only nobility and scribes can read and write, as is needed for their tasks."
Blake nodded slowly. "I see."
Whether she actually did or not was up for debate.
"It's a letter," the Schnee went on. "To an acquaintance in Mistral. There are many things I need to do and reaching out to other families will be vital for that."
"I see." The Faunus said again, more out of politeness. Why would the Schnee need to speak with a noble in another… kingdom, was it? She wasn't entirely sure what counted as a kingdom yet.
After a moment, Weiss sighed and turned to face Blake fully.
"I would like to… apologise, for what happened earlier today."
The dark-haired girl looked at her with a startled expression. Weiss could see the shock on her face and coughed, perhaps a little guilty.
"I should not have reacted the way I did to your words with Torchwick. I understand that you are not entirely used to your position here yet. It was… as much m-my fault," Gods it sounded forced. "as it was yours at the time. Can you… forgive me?"
"I…" Blake stared. She wasn't really sure what she was supposed to say to that. It was an apology for how terrifying she'd been with her, but it had sounded like it had been dragged out of her. Then again, it wasn't like she could just refuse it, could she?
"It's all right Miss Schnee," she tried, keeping it formal like she's seen Klein do it. Maybe that would be better. "You're right. I don't really know how I'm supposed to act. And well, what he was saying..."
"Yes," Weiss agreed. "Hunting Faunus populations for sport is something I find particularly… distasteful. It is a waste to be sure."
Blake nodded, a little unsure if she was referring to a waste of life or a waste of resources. Either way, it was better than she expected.
Suddenly, Weiss put a hand to her chin. And hummed in thought.
After a moment she looked up at Blake.
"It has occurred to me that as my bodyguard it is important for you to have a wide variety of skills. Simply being a brute would not do, even with your abilities." She nodded to herself. "I have decided. You must learn to read as well, as to make you more effective."
Reading? She… she was going to be taught how to read? Her, a slave? Was that even allowed? Was it possible? Who would teach her?
Weiss did not hear her internal questioning, still bobbing her head up and down as she stood, wandering over to a bookcase on the other side of the room. "Yes this will be important, perhaps invaluable depending on whether or not you can learn fast enough. I will arrange it to take place after your physical classes. An hour-long class should be enough. It can start tomorrow."
Tomorrow was there even anyone else in this place that could be available for that? She hadn't seen anyone else.
She voiced it allowed and Weiss smirked confidently, flicking her hair back. "I will teach you of course."
What?
"I am well suited for such a task, and I cannot leave the job of teaching you the written language to anyone else. It will also be an apt time to teach you proper etiquette too. Besides, it will allow me to fill my time with something other than going through correspondence and letters. It gets awfully boring after a while."
Blake wasn't listening, frozen still. She was going to be learning to read with Weiss.
Reading with Weiss.
Reading with a Schnee.
Stuck in a room with a Schnee for an hour.
Blake wondered. Had she done something in a past life to deserve this? Was she cursed?
Because this was going to be the end of her.
...
...
Another chapter done and we get into Blake's little workout, something she'll no doubt refer too as Ports eternal torment.
For now that's it, and next week we'll be moving on to something slightly more tense. you'll have to wait and see what it is.
What did you think of this one? A little more Wiess andBlake interaction, as well as Blake interacting with the other characters. did you like it? Hate it? Let me know.
Well, all I can say right now is that if you liked it be sure to follow, favourite and Review if you haven't already.
I hope you enjoyed it and stick around for the next one.
Bye!
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