Ruby Rose

Pretty. In one word, that was how Ruby would describe Weiss Schnee. Frankly it was unfair, the silky white hair, gorgeous blue eyes, and that scar was doing her more favors then less.

Perhaps that last one was a matter of taste Ruby considered.

Still, it was perhaps the most strange situation Ruby had ever been in. A Princess arrived at her workshop, without a single guard or carriage in sight? And after a short discussion where Ruby managed to ramble about creature formulas to someone who might know more about it then herself, Weiss had come up with an idea.

"Allow me to take over your funding."

"Umm... you mean... continue my funding...?" Weiss rolled her eyes at that.

"No. In truth, if you wanted funding you could either report your findings or trust Ozpin to keep sponsoring you personally."

"Then-"

"I'm proposing that you instead accept my patronage. I can offer more then Ozpin can, and unlike my father I won't be trying to steal your research." Ruby didn't really like the sound of that... but even she wasn't dumb enough to guess that Weiss didn't have plans of her own.

"What's the catch?" Straightforward as always.

"The 'catch'. Is that you keep your research to yourself. You tell no one of the Formula or any of the Phrases, and when you do figure it out, you cast the spell for anyone that you might want to see become a Dragon as well. You would also be in my debt, and i would welcome the loyality of a Dragon." Ruby knew that hearing all of this should probably be proof that Weiss's offer wasn't the best idea... but she said "when"...

"...Alright." Ruby was only human.

For now anyway.

"I'll send you the details of the arrangement after they've been arranged. I assume you have enough Lien to last a week or so?" Weiss raised her eyebrow as if to emphasis her point. Even with that expression she was still the classiest thing on the street they now stood on.

"Y-yeah, I should be fine for a few days." Weiss rolled her eyes at that, apparently Ruby had answered wrong. The princess pulled out a small device, Ruby wasn't quite sure what it was at first, but after a closer look when it was unfolding she nearly squealed.

"Is that a Scroll!?" She was giddy even being this close to one. Weiss was taken aback at first, but she quickly smirked and handed the device to Ruby.

The Scroll was made of two chains that formed a parallel frame of sorts joined at the top and bottom with metal. The middle section had notches to slide other pieces of metal into, Weiss's own had five slots, 3 of which were filled. The slots were small enough that the device could be rolled up like a piece of parchment which seemed to be where it got its name from. The thing radiated with magic, each "attatchment" nearly glowing and leaking with mana, though the middle one seemed the weakest in that regard.

Weiss casually drew the centre attachment out of the side and focused for a moment, Ruby gasped as the piece of metal glowed brightly before transforming into a small pouch. Weiss held the pouch for a moment, seemingly weighing it before decided that was a waste of time and simply thrusting it into Ruby's hands.

"This should last you the week." Was all that was said before she extracted the bottom line from the Scroll and took a step toward the street. Ruby took the chance to look into the sack and nearly fainted.

She was currently holding a lot of Lien.

"W-Weiss-" Her stammering was interrupted as she looked up at the princess, a carriage now behind her on the road as she faced Ruby. The girl in red had to question if that had been there the whole time.

"Yes Ruby?" Weiss waited expectantly. "Is it not enough?" She frowned a little and seemed to start considering some things.

"N-no! Its more then enough...!" Ruby had to lower her voice, she wasn't sure announcing how much money she had was such a good idea.

"Are you sure?" Genuine worry on Weiss's face. Ruby had to wonder how much money she could get out of the Princess if she tried.

"I couldn't spend all this if I tried Weiss..." Ruby looked down at the pouch again while Weiss crossed her arms.

"I believe Dust costs quite a bit of money? I saw small amounts in your workshop... and that's another thing, we have to look at setting you up somewhere better then this." She waved at the building, Ruby didn't even want to touch that discussion for the moment.

"Small amounts aren't that bad... besides I don't need too much, just enough to test certain theories." Ruby mentally scolded herself for not putting those vials away.

"Like what? Forgive me, but most rituals are usually done with large amounts of dust are they not?" Ruby could lie, it would be so much easier if she lied...

"Well yeah, usually... but umm... I may have found another way to find Phrases...?" She was nervous about this part... explaining it to Ozpin had nearly killed her. Instead Weiss just studied her face for a moment.

"The ritual to test a Phrase usually takes rather large amounts of Dust and a quite extensive chant. Most high Wizards don't even bother with trying to find new Phrases anymore as the process is so time consuming... you found a better way?" Ruby nodded at this.

"It's... it's difficult to explain... but... to check a Phrase i only need a few minutes and a small amount of Dust." Weiss stared even harder at her face now, determined to spot a lie. Ruby knew she was telling the truth, but under Weiss's gaze she felt guilty of lying anyway.

"I trust you. Keep that method to yourself as well. I'll draw up a proper contract to bring to you once I've sorted your funding." Weiss turned to the carriage once more and stepped up to if, Ruby had to stop herself from asking where the horses were.

"B-bye Weiss...!" Ruby put on her best smile and Weiss paused for a moment before returning a soft smile.

"Goodbye Ruby, I should be back within the week." The door closed behind her and the carriage set off towards the castle.

"A princess just showed up, threw money at me and then left in her magic carriage..." Ruby took a moment to think about that... then groaned. "I wish I could talk to Yang about this..."

She looked around a bit and then thought about it for a moment. With a smile she shrugged and started heading down the road, moving in the same direction as Weiss had but splitting off much before she reached the castle's area.

"I mean... I haven't signed anything yet."