A/N Meetup
Alt title: Potato
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Mangouschase: OH YEAH!
Samejake: Thanks! I might do a future chapter where I delve into how Ruby became Ruby.
XxZenkeixX: Thank you! It was definitely something different as opposed to what I'm used to, so I'm just glad it turned out alright.
Thaumarune: Sorry.
GideonBlackthorn: The onion cutting ninjas sneak into your house too?
A dancing leaf: I'm sorry, *pats on the back* I hope the ice cream is good.
cassnova5424: I don't even know what use knowing every lie ever told to you would be.
Eseer: ah.
Anyumaaka: just wait for prom night, she'll get a "happy ending'
Rex-Mortuorum: I can only write wholesome fluff! It's my curse! MY FUCKING CURSE!
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
(Text)
Sounds/Actions*
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-SLBR Dorm, 10/12, 7pm-
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Cyril Leon POV
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Brushing my teeth as the girls change, or rather Ruby and Blake do. Weiss still isn't back and didn't answer her scroll last we checked. Ruby says to give it another hour and then we'll go looking for her.
Though my thoughts are cut off by a knock on the door.
"You can come in!" I say after I spit into the sink.
Looking in the mirror, the door opens to reveal Weiss. Out of her day clothes, and in her icy blue nightgown. Heels off, putting her a head below me.
"Oh, was wondering when you'd get back." I say as I wash the toothbrush off and put the cap on.
"Yeah, I'm, I apologize for my, abrupt departure." She says demurely as she steps closer.
"It's fine." I say as I turn around and face her. "I've no doubt you had quite a bit to talk about."
"I, did." She says with a growing blush.
Knowing how this is going to end. I take the lead and step forward, wrapping my arms around the small girl as she eeks in surprise. Before relaxing and bringing her arms up to hold me as she takes a deep, calming breath. Her tail coming around to assist her in holding me tight.
"My, father wants to meet you next week." Weiss says.
"Here I thought he'd want to meet as soon as possible." I chuckle as I run my fingers through her hair.
"He wants to meet in person." She says, shocking me a bit.
"Oh, that changes a bit." I say as I pause my ministrations.
"I'm sorry." She mutters into my chest.
"It's not your fault." I tell her as I resume running my fingers through her hair.
"It, kind of is." She says. "I'm the one who rushed off, and, rmm, told him, about."
She's getting more and more distracted as we continue. Taking deeper, calmer breaths as she relaxes.
"Can, can I sleep with you tonight?" Weiss asks softly.
"Sure." I say with a small chuckle. "Though you might have to fight Ruby for that right. She called dibs while you were out."
Me and Ruby have both noticed Weiss's, neediness and hunger for physical touch and affection. So, we made this whole concession where if Weiss doesn't sleep in my bed, Ruby sleeps with Weiss in hers.
Sometimes Ruby will call dibs, and I won't offer. Because Weiss has this thing where she's shit at just saying what she wants.
"What was that whole thing about not treating you like a commodity?" Weiss glares up at me. "How come I don't get that luxury?"
"Because." I whisper as I lean down and pick her up by her thighs, turn around and set her down on the edge of the sink where she looks down at me. " You have yet to take issue with it. At any point you don't like what we're doing, you just have to tell us, and we'll stop."
Again, Weiss will not ever say yes, unless she's desperate. She's one of those tricky, no sometimes means yes, types. She wants hugs, but will never say she wants hugs. She'll just put herself in a position to get them, or make up a narrative of, I was doing it for you!
"W-well you need to start asking." She stutters while averting her gaze.
"Okay then, can I kiss you?" I ask with a knowing smile.
"Y-you should already know the answer to that." She huffs out with a pout, still not looking me in the eye.
See what I mean?
Time to take it up a notch. Just to prove a point.
"Can I touch you?" I ask as I bring my hands to her sides.
"Y-y-you already are." She whines as I run my hands up her sides and back down to her hips. "Y-you didn't even ask." She says while biting her finger to keep her voice down as she shudders, her tail wrapping around my right arm possessively and keeping my hand on her hip.
"Do you want me to stop?" I ask as I lean closer, my hands on her hips.
She doesn't say anything, instead she throws her arms around my neck and pulls me in for a kiss.
See what I mean? She'll never say what she wants.
"Ha!" She gasps as she separates for air, eyes half lidded and face redder than Ruby's cape. "You're such a lech."
"Yes, I'm the lecherous man. Forcing himself on you anytime he gets the chance." I chuckle.
"I'm glad we agree." She says before pulling back in for a kiss. Only, this one only lasts a few seconds before she separates from me. "Now let me down already!"
"And what if I don't want to?" I ask teasingly, my arms wrapping around her waist as I look her up in the eye.
"Then I'll just let myself down." She reinforces.
See, that's the double down you gotta look for.
"Alright." I concede as I move my hands down to thighs, lifting her up off the counter as she twists in my grasp so that I'm princess carrying her.
"You may set me in your bed now." She says haughtily, her eyes closed as she rests her head against my shoulder. Though her prideful image is ruined by her blush.
"Don't you still need to brush your teeth?" I ask.
Weiss's eyes snap open. She looks up to me, then to the sink. Then stares out in front of her.
"Drat."
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-Beacon Library, 10/14, free period-
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"I play my Tarakian archers that I got three turns ago." I say as I lay the card down. "They get a plus five bonus to stealth in the desert and don't suffer any mobility debuff while in the desert."
"When did you get that!" Ruby demands as I wipe out her Valean knights.
"He traded them." Blake says.
"I still don't understand what we're doing." Weiss says. "Is it my turn or?"
"Yes." I say as I play resourceful raider and take the equipment cards Ruby had on her knights. "Go for it."
Remnant the board game, is like if Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, Risk, and The Red Dragon Inn had an orgy, and Risk popped out a kid. And no one can tell who the father is.
Still pretty fun. Especially when Ruby doesn't know anything other than attack. Weiss is learning, and Blake is treating it like a card game, as opposed to resource tactics and strategy game.
I wanted to play as Menagerie. But noooo. I got Vacuo and as such I'm making it everyone's problem. By spamming my semblance to think and memorize everything.
Petty? Yes. But I never once claimed to be a good person.
"Okay, um. Who should I attack?" Weiss asks.
"Anyone really." Blake says with a shrug. "Ruby just lost her best troops so, she's wide open."
"You don't have to rub it in." Said hooded girl whines.
"What about Cyril?" Weiss asks. "He hasn't really attacked anyone."
"He might not have a good hand." Blake shrugs.
She's diverting Weiss's attention away from Menagerie. Looking to the black haired girl with a glare, she looks me in the eye for a brief second before looking away.
Someone has shit cards. And it isn't me.
"Very well then." Weiss says. "I send my Atlesian Air Fleet to secure your CCT extension relay."
"Sandstorm." I say as I play the card.
"B-but that would take out your own-" She starts.
"Tarakian forces are immune to all direct desert weather debuffs and are three times resistant to desert terrain damage." I say as I play resourceful raider and take her fleet.
"But, but, but." Weiss stammers. "That was my best fleet!"
"And now it's Blake's turn." I say with a smile as I look to the nervous girl. "What're you gonna do? I've deflected two nations assaults, can I deflect a third and destitute another division? Or will my defenses finally crumble? Leaving me scrambling my next turn to rebuild, and leaving me vulnerable for a whole round?"
Blake nervously looks to me as she draws her cards. Looking from her hand to me, and back to her hand as I stare her down.
"I, um, I'll send my Ylvtan fleet to the eastern shores of Sanus." She says warily.
Thank god she fell for my bluff! I could not rebuff a third attack.
"But that puts you-" Ruby starts.
"Within strike range to destroy your trade ports." Blake says.
"I hate this game!" Ruby whines.
"You're the one who suggested it you dolt." Weiss mumbles into her hand as she rests her elbow on the table.
"Yeah, but you guys weren't supposed to be good at it." Ruby groans.
My turn starts as soon as Blake destroys Ruby's warm water trade ports.
"Hey guys!" I hear sun say behind me.
Turning around, I see the monkey Faunus walk up with the blue haired Neptune. Deep red jacket and everything being the same as before.
"Hey Sun." Blake says, with a, smile.
Dear god that's creepy. Blake never smiles.
"What?" Blake asks as she sees me staring.
"Julianos is sleeping today, that's all." I say as I look back to my cards.
"Um." Sun hums in confusion. "Who's Julianos?"
"One of Cyril's gods." Weiss says. "He's the god of wisdom and logic."
"Oh, cool." Sun says casually. "Anyway, I'd like to introduce you guys to my partner and brother in crime."
"Isn't the saying, partner in crime." Ruby asks as she looks up, lifting her head up from the board.
"I know what I said." Sun says simply.
"Um, aren't libraries meant for reading?" Neptune asks.
"We are reading." I say.
This guy better not flirt with Weiss.
"Uh." Neptune starts uncertainly.
"See?" I say as I hold up my cards. "Reading, the cards have words. Therefore, we're reading."
"I think he meant books. Cyril." Weiss says with a flat look.
"What is a book, but a collection of parchment. All with words, bound together?" I smirk, putting the beauty of technicality that earth loves, into play.
"Holy crap, think I discovered a bigger nerd than you." Sun says.
"Hey, intellectual." Neptune raises a finger. "Come on now."
"Cyril just likes being a pest." Weiss says as she stares me down with a flat look.
"You're just upset I took your precious fleet." I smirk back at her as I save my cards. "Ruby your turn."
"Any how, I don't believe I've introduced myself." Neptune says as he walks around the table. "You lovely ladies can call me Neptune. And, I don't believe I got your name Snow Angel."
Weiss gains a small blush and Ruby glares at the man. Actually no, she just stares him down. It's that owl eye, yandere look that, combined with the hood, genuinely scares me. Like, I don't think I'll get my turn to lay into him.
"No." Weiss immediately shoots him down.
"I just want to know your name princess." He says smoothly.
I go to say something but Ruby holds a finger up to silence me. And I see it. Weiss looks over to him with that, 'Oh you're that dumb' look.
"You can call me never." Weiss says coldly. "Ruby it's your turn still."
"I pass." She says, relaxing her stare.
Now that that's over- he's dead.
He just walked around to Ruby.
Turning to Sun to see what the hell this guys' damage is. Sun just shrugs before crossing his arms.
"Let'em learn." Sun says easily. "He's got aura. He'll be fine."
Free game then.
Neptune leans an elbow on Ruby's chair as he opens his mouth.
"And what about you my shy little-"
"Hey Neptune!" I cut him off, earning his attention, as he looks up and locks eyes with me. His widening in recognition. "What's your least favorite organ?"
"I uh, huh?" He asks uncertainly.
"A collection of cells is a tissue, a collection of tissues that perform a specific function in the body is an organ. What is, your least favorite?" I ask with a calm smile as I stare him down.
"Um, I don't underst-"
"Because if you don't knock it off that's where I'm going to start." I drop my smile.
His eyes widen as he looks to me, then to Ruby, then me. And raises his arms in surrender. Backing away, around Ruby as he goes to stand by Sun.
"Did you, just not tell him?" I ask Sun.
"I thought this would be funnier." Sun admits. "And it was."
"Dude." Neptune says.
"Why didn't you say anything when he was hitting on me?" Weiss asks with crossed arms and a glare.
"She stopped me." I point to Ruby, who is in her own world as she stares at the table. Blushing with a small smile, for some reason.
"Why don't you try hitting on Blake?" I suggest to Neptune, hoping to change away from that.
"I will stab both of you." Blake glares at me.
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-Beacon, Library, 10/14, 5pm-
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Laying down on one of the bean bags, I close my eye as I think on more words of power.
Faas, fear. The primal response of all living creatures put in harms way. Fear, is not a bad thing. It is a necessity. Fear, is a tool both for the hunter and its prey. It is good to fear, you should always have fear. It is a driving force and motivation. To stay alive, to get stronger, to protect others. It drives you to defy what would see you harmed. To not have fear, is to not have a will to live on yourself. Fear, is not a good thing. It makes you rash, panicked, clumsy, foolish. Fear, can break the will of one subject to it. It can strip the individuality of a sentient, thinking creature and render them an animalistic slave to their instincts. Fear, is neither good, nor bad. It is merely a tool for survival. Every tool has the capacity to hurt its wielder if they don't know what they're doing.
"Sneak attack!" Ruby shouts as she lands on top of me. "Whatch doin back here?" She asks as she crosses her arms, her hands on my head as she lazily kicks her legs
"Enjoying the quiet." I answer as she sets her chin on my head.
"You can do that in the room." Ruby says.
And then Ruby or Weiss would do something that'd lead to another makeout session or more. And I wouldn't be able to think on any more words.
I've been feeling their pull in my mind. I just haven't gotten a decent span of time to myself.
"I felt like being here." I say with a shrug.
Case in point.
"Okay then." Ruby shrugs, still on top of me. "Don't mind me then, I'll be quiet."
She then pulls back the collar of my jacket and shirt. Before proceeding to kiss my neck.
"What is your obsession with hickeys?" I ask as I shrug her off as she begins sucking.
"They're special! They let everyone know you're off the market!" She insists. "Now hold still!"
"Um, no." I say simply as I turn to the side.
"Come, on!" Ruby grits out as she tries to pin me down.
Having enough of this and not looking to get another mark. I bounce to my side, causing Ruby to bounce off me with an eek. Grabbing Ruby, I roll over so that we're face to face with me on top of her.
"H-hey, no!" She stutters. "That's not how this goes!"
"Too bad." I say as I rest my head under her chin as I hold her tightly.
"Cyril!" She cries out as she squirms.
"Ruby!" I growl out as I push up, now hovering over her and giving her my best glare.
"Hm." She gives a tiny squeak as she freezes up, wide eyed and, with a growing blush.
"Shhh." I bring a finger up to her lips, causing to awkwardly follow it until she goes cross eyed. Needing to blink several times after I take my finger away.
"Just be gentle." She whispers as she bunches the collar of her cloak up in her fists and brings it up to cover her blush.
This girl's horny button is in the weirdest places.
"Ruby." I whisper.
"It's fine." She says, clenching her eyes shut as she is clearly falling into her own little world.
"No, I was shushing you because we're in a library." I point out, causing her eyes to snap wide open. As though she forgot.
She blinks several times in rapid succession before suddenly petaling away.
I'll never understand that girl. And honestly? I don't think I ever do, it's part of her charm. That weird mix of dorky, horni, socially awkward yet oddly perceptive battle junkie weirdo that she is.
Part of me is ready to just say 'Fuck it, let's fuck.' Just to get her to calm down a bit. Another part of me is scared that her getting laid, will only make her worse. And half of me just isn't ready for that yet.
I have my standards.
Falling back onto the beanbag with a pomf. I go to think on more words. Before I'm cut off by my scroll ringing.
"Hello?" I ask.
"Cyril, do you have any better outfits than your Beacon uniform?" I hear Weiss ask.
"Define, better." I say.
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-Beacon, SLBR Dorm, 10/15, 5am-
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" Why, do I need to be up at-" I pull out my scroll and check the time. "Five oh two in the morning?"
"Because we need to get ready!" Weiss stresses as she goes through her clothes and sets out several pairs on her bed.
"For what?" I ask tiredly as she mixes her clothes around, holding them up in front of her vanity, switching back and forth.
"For the meeting with my father, Cyril." She explains.
"Isn't that a lunch meeting at one?" I ask incredulously.
"The reservation is at one, but we should plan to be there at twelve thirty." She answers as she picks up a two other dresses.
Are, you, shitting me!?
She woke me, she wasn't even sleeping with me this time. She was sleeping with Ruby. She got up, woke me up, to get ready for a meeting, that is happening six, seven, eight hours from now!?
"Weiss, stop." I say seriously, causing her pause and look at me. "Put the clothes down and come here." I say as I motion a finger to bring her over.
She sets the clothes down neatly on her bed and walks over to stand in front of me. Hands clasped in front of her as she looks down to me.
"Weiss, I love you, and I get it. You want this meeting to got well." I start out, her tail swaying as soon as I say love. "But, I'm on five hours of sleep right now and the meeting is in eight. It can wait, and while it does, I'm getting the rest of my full eight hours. Might just make it nine."
"But-" She starts.
"Yes you have a butt, there's a tail above it. It's fluffy." I cut her off. "I'm going to bed, do you want to join me, go back with Ruby, or go to your own?"
"I should stay up and-"
"That's it." I say as I reach forward and grab her.
"Hey! Cyril what are you- eep!" She struggles as I set her in my lap before I hit the reset.
"Weiss, it'll be fine." I say as I bring my other arm around to hold her against me.
I don't say anything further as she just relaxes in my arms. Even her tail doesn't move and just stays limp against my hip.
Seems she was forcing herself to stay awake. Or was staying awake due to stress.
I don't care. I sleep.
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-8am-
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Opening my eyes, I'm greeted to the sight of, oh.
Well okay then.
Ruby has decided to not wear pants to bed. She's sitting cross legged in her bed, one arm above the other that's behind her head as she stretches. Puffing her chest out as she groans.
"Hrrrrmmm! Ah!" She sighs as she leans forward, putting her arms in front to hold herself up as she smiles at us. " Gooood morning lovebirds!"
"Ruby where are your pants?" I ask.
"It was hot last night." She says, before Blake leans out of the bathroom mid brushing her teeth.
"She was upset when she woke up and the girl she went to bed with was in someone else's." Blake says quickly as she pauses her brushing. "So she was planning on getting you two excited and blueballing you as revenge."
"Blake!" Ruby shouts in embarrassment and frustration, ears splayed back and all. "Why would you tell them!?"
"Because I don't want to be here for your half thought out attempts at getting lucky!" Blake calls from inside the bathroom.
Weiss sits up awkwardly as I prop my head up in my hand. Giving Ruby a flat look. And then Blake leans back out.
"Also, she's wearing shorts." Blake says. "She just rolled them up to make you two think she was in her panties."
She gives a sarcastic smile and slides back into the bathroom.
Again, staring at Ruby, who's getting redder by the second.
"I, bdyai yai I- Don't look at me!" She says as she petals around and hides under her blanket.
"Seriously!" Blake shouts from the bathroom. "Just give me a timeframe and I'll find somewhere else to be!"
"We don't have time for this." Weiss says as she stands up and heads for her dresser.
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-Vale Upper Districts, Dîner Paradisiaque, 10/15, 12:30pm
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Dressed in a black tuxedo with white accents as we travel up the elevator. I can't help but think about how much I hate this suit. It's tight, itchy, and I want to burn it.
But hey, that's what you get with a rental.
"I still don't know why you insist on the hair clips and makeup." I say as I check my scroll.
"Because, being the only Faunus in a room of aristocratic humans is eye-catching as it is." She explains softly. "Being the only Faunus with two traits is more so."
"That's dumb." I scoff. "And pointless."
"Well excuse me if-"
"You're eye-catching enough as is." I cut her off. "Tail and ears or not."
She's quiet for a few seconds as her face gains a dusting of a blush.
"Shut up." She mumbles as she looks away and schools her blush.
"Make me." I smirk.
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Jacques Schnee POV
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Sipping my glass of merlot, I peek an eye open at the reflection and spot Weiss being escorted alongside the Silver Eyed boy, Cyril. The, not inventor of dustless energy from what I gathered.
But for all intents and purposes, he is the only one with any knowledge on the field. His mind right now is an untapped gold mine. One I need tread carefully. He's already shown to be resolute and somewhat stubborn.
"Father." Weiss says curtly as she approaches.
"Weiss." I say with a smile as I regard her. "Please, have a seat, Cyril as well."
The two nod as they take their seats across from me, a quick glance at the window reflection shows Weiss's tail comes up to wrap around the boys waist.
"Mr. Schnee." Cyril says as he sets his briefcase down.
A closer look at his suit shows the cuff line on the sleeves are a tad too short. And the chest is taut while the mid section is slightly baggy. A rental, obviously. But that's fine, I'm not some snob who'd be snubbed at a man's refusal to by a tailor made three piece for a single meeting.
"Please, I told you to call me Jacques." I offer.
"We're not that close." He says simply as he rests his arms on the table. Staring me down with an unimpressed gaze as Weiss says nothing.
"Very well, then I suppose I shall refer to you as Mr. Leon." I say evenly. "Now then, shall we order, or would you like to discuss business first?"
"Business." He says. "And I'll be honest, I'd rather not order."
"Suit yourself I suppose." I say easily enough. "Though I'd like to remind you it is my treat."
"I'm fine." He says.
'Odd, perhaps it's an intimidation tactic?' I think to myself. 'Weiss did say he hails from a village with a culture foreign to most on Remnant. Perhaps he seeks to unnerve me? Seeing as I can't help but be puzzled over it, I suppose it's working.'
This, should be interesting. I can't wait to see how this man thinks.
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Cyril Leon POV
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'Like HELL is he poisoning me!'
I've read all those stories of people making cars that run on water and I am not going down like that! If I'm dying, it's either like Cu Cuhlainn, or Genghis Kahn. On my feet in battle, or snu snu.
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Jacques Schnee POV
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Truly must be unique.
"If that is all, Father." Weiss speaks up. "Perhaps it is time we continue the discussion."
"First." Cyril interjects. "How confident are you that we're not being listened to? We're in a restaurant full of people."
He passed the first test. Caution, it's a promising sign.
"You need not worry about that." I chuckle as I snap my fingers. Causing all the actors as well as my security that is hidden in with them to stop what they're doing, and look at us.
Weiss goes wide eyed as she looks out at the crowd. Clearly not having seen that coming. Cyril, meanwhile, merely glances to the side, and looks back after a split second. And, I saw something in his eyes, no, that's not right.
Must've been a trick of the light.
"You own the restaurant, not directly but through another. The staff has been replaced with actors and your bodyguards." He, very accurately and quickly deduces.
"You were able to determine that, in less than a minute?" I ask curiously.
This boy is proving more and more promising by the second. If this is how Nicholas saw me, no. I made a promise to myself and I'll not break it.
"I think fast." Is all he says on the matter as Weiss composes herself.
"Well, you're mostly correct." I tell him. "I do own the restaurant through a subsidiary. And all but one person here is under my direct employ."
"I'll sooner die before you take me away from this line!" Sheffield, the head chef says.
"He's very passionate. And the owners told me he comes with the restaurant." I say as I snap my fingers, the actors and security resuming there roll. "So, it's as I said. Everyone here is on my lien. So you've nothing to worry about, and Weiss."
"Yes father?" She says automatically.
"You can take the hair clips out." I tell her. "None here are upper class save us and the food."
"Of course." She says as she removes the clips and begins freeing her ears.
I hate her ears. They're a stark reminder of Willow and. No, I need to stop. It's not Weiss's fault her mother is a-
"I, believe I'll keep them in." Weiss says suddenly as she stops. "I went through the trouble of putting them in, I'd rather that not be wasted."
"If, that is what you wish." I say.
I'll not pretend to understand. I'd imagined the hair clips would be irritating if nothing else, uncomfortable.
"If that's all then." Cyril says. "Let's begin."
"Quite." I agree. "As it stands, your, hand crank generator has no equivalent patents in the Valean, Atlesian, or Mistralian record systems. So it's safe to say you have a wholly unique and marketable device. I'm willing to assist you in obtaining a patent in all five kingdoms. In exchange, I'd like the right to market-"
"No." He cuts me off.
"Excuse me?" I ask, more than a bit, upset, at being spoken over.
"I'll lend you the right to market my generator and it's branch of technology." Cyril says. "But the technology's intellectual property and marketing rights stay with me."
"That's not how this works." I say, hoping to appeal to his reasonability. "This, is a negotiation my boy. We discuss, we don't demand."
"Jacques, as it stands. You're simply the most convenient avenue to get my product out into the world." Cyril, points out. "If you try to screw me over, or hold out on me, I can easily walk."
He's not wrong. All the power is in his hands. But it's best not to let him know that.
"Where would you go?" I ask. "Not only that, while your device certainly shows promise, you won't find an RnD department like that of the SDC's to best utilize your device. It is a marvel of ingenuity but do you honestly believe it viable for mass sale? Is the average man just expected to go into his basement and crank a giant wheel to power his TV?"
Propose a question, boast, and compliment while tearing down their side. Make it seem like the only option they have, is the one you're giving.
"Jacques, I built this, in a week." Cyril says as he takes the brief case and opens it to reveal the device. "Off of memory. You think I don't know how to improve it? And who said anything about people powering it?"
This is, unexpected. But not unwelcome. It's been so long since I actually negotiated with someone.
"And what would you have power it? The wind?" I chuckle, further tearing into his false confidence.
"Yes." He says simply. Earning a look of disbelief from both me and Weiss.
"Cyril now is not the time for unbacked boasts." Weiss whispers.
"She's right." I agree. "We're being serious here."
"As am I." He says as he crosses his arms and nods to the generator. "This, is a very basic and inefficient version. It merely shows off the basic principle to be expanded on. Give me a month, and I'll show you how to get energy from the wind, the rivers, the sun and even a potato." He boldly claims.
"Cyril, please." Weiss tries to reason with the man.
"I'm being serious." Cyril stands his ground as he never once breaks eye contact.
He's either being deadly serious, or he's a master of bluffing. I should've included one of my scientists in this talk. I suppose that's on me for being wistful and wanting to have something approaching a family lunch.
"Well then." I say with a raised brow. "I suppose we should get down to business for real then."
I know it's a bluff. But it worked in impressing with his wit. I can see power from the rivers or maybe from the wind. Don't see how he'll get it from the sun. But seriously? Because honestly, power from a potato?
If he managed to do that then I might just sell him the company.
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-Beacon, SLBR Dorm, 5pm-
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Ruby Rose POV
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"Okay, I got the text." I say as I enter the room. "What do you mean you broke Weiss?"
I was taken from my acrobatics practice for this!
What? You think all the swinging and twirling just comes naturally? I wish.
"That's what I mean." Cyril says as he steps aside and points to Weiss, under the window desk. Who is balled up and hugging her knees as she stares at the wood of the desk's drawers.
"What did you do!?" I ask as I run over and get down on my hands and knees to comfort my snowflake.
"Seeing how she reacted to me proving it." Cyril says. "I'm scared to even mention what happened."
'Wait what?' I think curiously as I look back to him. 'What, did he show her?'
Could be bigger than you thought.
'Shut up!'
"Hey!" Cyril shouts. "Eyes up here. Don't make me get the spray bottle."
'My own weapons used against me!' I bemoan as I focus on Weiss.
"Weiss, Weiss." I say as I tap her shoulder. "Wanna talk?"
"Potatoes." She says.
"Um, what?" I ask.
"The Schnee Potato Company." She says. "The SPC. We've been doing everything wrong. Who needs dust anyway? Sure there's different kinds of dust, but there are different kinds of potatoes too. Fire dust, red potato. Lightning dust, yellow potato."
Did, did she go insane? Is all the stress of, everything finally getting to her?
Is she on the Hyperbole?! I knew it was a drug!
"Weiss, just talk to me okay?" I reassure her. "We're here for you."
"Papa Nicholas was wrong." Weiss chuckles. "We didn't need to risk all that time and effort on mines, and survey teams. We just needed to be potato farmers."
She's lost to us. My cute little foxy girlfriend overdosed on hyperbole!
"Cyril what did you do!?" I ask, now getting angry at Weiss's condition.
"I showed her a simple experiment!" He defends.
"Okay? You can experiment with each and still not, do this!" I gesture to Weiss who is now listing off every kind of potato.
I only thought there four kinds. Sweet, mashed, baked, and normal. But, if anyone would know about more potatoes it would be Weiss.
'Not now brain!'
You need help.
'Later!'
"Not that kind of-rmm." Cyril groans in frustration as he runs his hands through his hair. "Fuck it! I'll just show you."
He marches over to the wall desk where a bag of, potatoes is.
'What were they doing with the potatoes!?' I think with a reluctant horror.
Food play?
"Here, look." Cyril says as he takes a potato out of the bag, and shoves two wires into it. "This is called a potato battery."
He then attaches the wires to the little socket light thingy he had attached to the wheel crank thingy. He has a lot of thingies.
The light is on.
Why is the light on?
"You said this was a, potato battery?" I ask as I walk over and look at it. "What uh, what's so different about this potato?"
"Nothing." He says. "It's just a potato. Literally every potato can do this."
"Every potato is a battery?" I ask as I feel the pit in my stomach grow.
"They can be." Cyril confirms.
"Oh, oh my Oz." I start to feel my heart pound.
"What? No it's fine, it's just the-"
"I've been eating batteries my whole life!" I freak out! "Am I going to die!? Am I infertile!?"
"For fuck's sake!"
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Blake Belladonna POV
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Entering the room with a sigh. I spot Cyril.
"I got the text, what'd you mean you broke Ruby and Weiss?" I ask tiredly. "If this is a weird sex thing, I will hurt someone."
Cyril steps aside and points to, a catatonic Weiss, curled up under the window desk. And then to the bathroom where, focusing in. I hear Ruby crying.
"But I want to be a mother." She cries. "Have my own little baby boy, or girl. How can I be a good mom if I eat batteries!"
"What, the fuck did you do? " I ask.
"At this point I'm scared to even talk!" He yells.
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-Beacon, SLBR Dorm, 10/16, 7pm-
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I had to get Tai into the room to solve that shit. And it involved eating a raw potato, and then throwing it at Weiss. Who snapped out of it because her now had potato juice in it. And her getting angry helped snapped Ruby out of it.
Never, again.
Anyway, I got a decent deal out of Jacques. I already had a patent for my generator here in Vale, Weiss filled it out for me. But, I'll lease him the rights to sell, research and market the tech in the handcrank generator. I'll get eight percent royalties on all related sales. That includes selling of the actual generator tech as well as any future energy gained from the devices built using my patent.
Of which I'm in the process of 20 more patents as I recall how turbines, solar panels, and dams work. Only one of those is a real head scratcher. I know how to make the most basic versions of them, I just don't know how they work.
Then again, I don't need to.
I'm in the middle of changing when I hear a knock on the bathroom door.
"Occupied!" I call out.
"I gotta pee!" I hear Ruby's voice call out.
Sighing. I step into the shower, grab the curtain and close it.
"You're good!" I call back. Hearing the door open and click shut.
I continue changing into my nightclothes as Ruby does her business. It doesn't take much longer for the toilet to flush. And for Ruby to head back to the sink and wash her hands. For, longer than,
Is that brushing I hear?
"Are you done?" I ask.
"Yeawh." Ruby says as she brushes her teeth.
Opening the curtain, I go over to the sink and begin brushing my teeth as well. Ruby gargles and spits into the sink. Grabbing the mouthwash and rinsing out as I finish as well.
Spitting into the sink, she hands me the mouthwash and I do the same. We both finish our routine by washing our toothbrushes and putting them up.
Though, as soon as we're done, Ruby grabs my hand and holds me there as she hops up on the sink. Wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my midsection. Resting her forehead on mine as she closes her eyes.
"And just where is this going?" I ask.
"Hmmm, nowhere really." She hums. "Just wanted to talk, thought this would be a good way to get your attention."
"Words work too." I point out.
"Words are boring." She counters as she opens her eyes.
"Anyone ever tell you, you have too much energy?" I ask.
"All the time." She says with a soft smile. "But before I forget, I want that second date. I have the eighteenth free, and was, wonder- if you, I mean we can, aaahh!"
She then lightly taps our foreheads together. Clenching her eyes shut in frustration.
"Why is this so hard?" She whines.
"I don't know, you tell me." I say as I bring my hands up her sides, earning a shiver. "We've kissed and, done a bit more than that. I'd thought you'd gotten used to this by now."
"Rmm, words are hard." She whines.
"Alright then." I say as I bring my hands back down to her hips. "I'll meet you halfway. What day?"
"Eighteenth." She says with a small groan as I roll my palms against her hips.
"Time?"
"Lunch." She huffs as she relaxes and closes her eyes.
"Where?" I ask as I get her a quick kiss on the lips.
"Buba buba boba." She says.
"Anything else?" I ask as I kiss her cheek, and slowly work my way down her neck.
"Weiss." She says breathily. "Want, to invite her."
"I can do it for you." I offer as Ruby takes my right hand and brings it up under her shirt. Placing it on her supple breast.
"No, already asked her." She says as she squeezes my hand. "We're all go ing!"
"Is that all?" I ask as she shudders.
"Uh huh." She nods.
"Alright then." I say as I stop and remove my hands.
"Huh?" Her eyes shoot wide open.
"Well, we're done talking." I say with an innocent smile.
"Yeah, b-but, we can, you, I'm here!" She says desperately.
I can't help but chuckle. Ruby is almost all false confidence. Sure she plays the commanding, take charge roll well enough. And she is the one taking charge more often then not.
But the moment you take that control away, she devolves into a whiny, needy little puppy. Eager to please, and way too easy to mess with.
"And?" I ask with a smirk.
"And, and, I have, you and, we can. We have time for, more, if you want." She says, wiggling her hips as her legs are still locked around my midsection.
"Hmm, I suppose we do." I say as I bring my hands back to her sides, causing her ears to perk up as she looks me in the eye expectantly.
"R-really?" She asks with a growing blush.
"Really." I say with a grin, as I run my hands to her hips and thumb the hem of her pajama pants. "Not, too much time though."
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Bonus
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-Atlas, Schnee Manor Garden, 3 years ago-
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Jacques Schnee POV
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I don't mind the cold. Never have.
But staring at the memorial plaques to the man I most respected in this world. The man I looked up to. The man who gave me everything I ever wanted.
It fills my chest with a cold so harsh it burns.
"Hello there Nicholas." I say softly. "I know I've not talked to you in a while. But a few things happened that I feel you'd like to know."
Silence. Nothing but the wind in response.
"Winter is, just like Willow. You always said she was." I say. "Though, I know you meant it in a good way. She's developed her temper and, her lack of a head for politics and business. She's got your ambition and drive though. That'll see her through more than anything I'm sure of it."
I have to pause in my recounting. It wouldn't due for me to be remiss and fumble my words.
"She's been disinherited for Weiss." I continue. "She, didn't believe me when I said I'd do it. But, I believe I've made the right choice. Weiss is, so much like you. She has your drive, your ambition, your strive for betterment and your cool head. There's no doubt in my mind she'll take to the roll of heir quickly."
The autumn air is fierce this time of year. Chills one to the bone. Even one who is so used to the cold as I.
"Perhaps, perhaps it's best that she wasn't mine." I whisper softly before adding. "Gives me hope that she'll be better than me."
She will be. It's a rather low bar after all.
"I don't know what you saw in me Nick. I'm not half the man you were. If I was it'd be twice the blessing I have now." I tell him. "I took the Schnee name and rose it to new heights never before seen. We're a household name now. Not a village on Remnant hasn't at least heard of us."
Silence.
"I, don't even care." I tell him honestly. "I rose to the top, so what. I always knew I would. What was it even for Nick? You wanted to secure your legacy, and I did that for you. But it doesn't even matter. All the success in the world, and it doesn't matter. Success, doesn't equal happiness."
Nothing.
"If you ever had a fault. It's that you only ever saw the best in everyone around you. I'm not the man you said I'd become, Nick." I admit painfully. "I tried, but, I just couldn't measure up."
Cold.
"I wish I believed in god, or an afterlife." I tell the cold stone slab. "Then maybe, I might have hope that we'd be able to talk again."
Turning around, I leave the memorial stone honoring the man who became like a father to me. And head back to my office. There's work to be done, and I've wasted enough time.
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A/N
Next chapter, (possibly) contains heavy petting.
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Jacques told Weiss she can take off her clips, because he thought they were uncomfortable for her. And they are.
Thing is, Weiss can see hostility. It doesn't matter how well you can act, she can see if you don't like something. Hence, her keeping the pins in.
Same thing applies to Winter. She was frustrated at all the responsibility she had on her. She never did or said anything directly to Weiss. She was just, cold to her.
And Weiss could feel how annoyed Winter was.
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The real reason Cyril refused to eat at the restaurant, is because he'd heard all those stories of people inventing cars that run on water and how they poisoned at restaurants.
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Fuel me my NOOBS!
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