Chapter Text
Tonight was the big night. Months of preparation and planning all led up to this. Her first big speech on behalf Schnee Investments. While it was certainly an important event for the company, it was important to Weiss on a deeper level as well.
Though she was still under orders from her father at this event, she felt it was symbolic. She was far from home, giving a speech she crafted herself from the ground up to a room full of important people. And what she did would have consequence. It was nothing major. Really just a dinner and a friendly address to butter up potential clients. But still, if even one of these old aristocrats was convinced by what she said, that was potentially millions of dollars. Conversely, if she floundered, the loss could be substantial. If she could really do this, she was one step closer to having what it takes to leave the family company behind and find her own way.
In the spirit of this growing independence, Weiss had decided to forgo her usual arrangements. She did not take a company jet, stay at a company hotel, or host at a company venue. She selected everything by her own standards, and she felt quite satisfied with nearly everything.
She wasn’t entirely sure, however, about the security she had hired.
“And then I swear to god he started crying.” Yang said. “Seriously! I didn’t even hit him that hard!”
Yang sat beside Weiss in the back of the car. Weiss had only known her for about 45 minutes, and she was fairly certain Yang had talked for that entire time.
“Tell her, Blake.” Yang said. “Tell her it wasn’t that hard.”
“It was pretty hard.” Blake said from the driver’s seat.
It was Blake that Weiss had contacted originally. She had conducted a brief phone interview, but Blake had made her feel fairly confident that Rose Red Security was a professional and qualified organization.
Now, however…
“Well, moral of the story is if a stranger offers you an unearthed mailbox, just say no.” Yang said.
“I don’t think most people require a story to know that, sweetie.” Blake said.
“Wait, you two are a couple?” Weiss asked.
“That’s right.” Yang said. “The wedding’s in spring.”
“That’s news to me.” Blake said, glancing into the rear mirror.
“Two words, babe. Tax benefits.” Yang said.
“You always know how to speak to my heart.” Blake said.
“Doesn’t that seem… unprofessional?” Weiss asked.
“Whaddaya mean?” Yang asked.
“Well... couples on the same protection unit.” Weiss said. “It seems… unorthodox.”
“Ms. Schnee, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” Yang said. “We are as professional as they come. My middle name is professionalism. Yang Professionalism Belladonna.”
“Aren’t we making some assumptions there?” Blake asked.
“What, do you mean you’d rather be a Xiao Long?” Yang asked.
Weiss sighed deeply. Maybe she really should have stuck with company staff.
“Don’t let our demeanor fool you, Ms. Schnee.” Yang said. “The truth is we’re well trained, well equipped, and well organized operators. We’ve even got an undercover division.”
“I swear if I see a pair of Groucho Marx glasses tonight you’re all fired.” Weiss said.
Yang boomed laughter, startling Weiss.
“Oh man!” Yang said. “That’s actually pretty good. You’re alright, Ms. Schee.”
“Appreciated.” Weiss said as dryly as she could manage.
The car came to a stop outside the restaurant.
“You’re up, dear.” Blake said.
“Alright” Yang said, rubbing her hands together. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Yang opened her door and stepped out. As she circled around the front of the car, she stopped by the driver’s side window for a kiss from Blake. Weiss groaned in exasperation. She could only see Blake’s eyes in the rear view mirror, but she could swear she was grinning. Yang reached Weiss's door, and after a quick scan of the area, opened it. Weiss stepped out and moved toward the entrance, Yang following closely behind her.
The staff greeted her and guided them to their seats. A small table in the center of the dining area was already prepared for them. From here Weiss had a clear view of the entire restaurant, from the menacing stage at the far end to the small bar near the entrance. Weiss had wanted to be early enough to have time to calm her nerves. The restaurant was nearly empty but for the staff preparing tables and a few diner’s at the bar. Weiss decided to take advantage of this brief period of solitude to combat the knot in her stomach. She hadn’t expected to be this nervous. She took deep breaths and calmed her mind.
An hour passed before she knew it. Dozens of guests had shuffled in and found their seats, filling half the dining area. Weiss knew there would be many more before she went on stage. Still, she wasn’t so nervous anymore. She scanned the room, eyes clear and focused. She saw two types of people: those she found distasteful, and those she had not yet met. They all had something in common, and that was they were no one worth being afraid of. This thought made Weiss smile as she looked over the sea of faces. Just a collection of old, pompous, self important…
And then Weiss saw the girl in the red dress.
She was sitting back at the bar, illuminated by the soft light of the lamps above. She was talking with the diner to her right, so her face was turned just enough for Weiss to see her smile. It was enchanting, to say the least. Weiss realized her mouth was hanging open and she snapped quickly back to attention. She had to focus on her goal. It wouldn’t be long now. She had to be prepared.
Weiss closed her eyes. She emptied her mind, preparing to fill it with what she needed to succeed and nothing else. She had her goal. Get on that stage and say what she had to say. Her speech was second nature by now. There was no risk of forgetting, just failing the delivery. To that end, she needed to remember there was no one here worth fearing. She pictured their faces, almost comically pathetic. The thought made her smile again.
To Weiss’s horror, she found she could no longer picture their faces. They were overpowered by one face. She saw the smile of the girl in the red dress. Weiss opened her eyes. Looking back at the bar, the girl was still there. This wouldn’t do. Weiss’s nervousness was already returning. She had to do something about this.
Alright, Weiss. What do you want? Why are you thinking of that?
No answer came, hard as she thought. Why would she even think of her at all? She wasn’t afraid of her. She didn’t know her. Weiss was getting frustrated.
Well what do you want to do? Date her?
And suddenly it all made sense.
Goddammit.
This realization only served to further frustrate her. Of all the times to develop an infatuation, her useless brain chose now. All the same, if she was to what she needed to do, it would have to be dealt with.
Alright then. If that’s the problem then I’ll just find her afterwards. Let’s make this a problem for later.
Weiss mentally filed this new goal after her current one. For a moment she felt like it was working, but doubt wormed it’s way into her mind.
I have no idea if she’ll be around afterwards. Even if she is, what if I can’t find her? Or what if I get bogged down by chatty old people and she leaves? Or what if…
Weiss silenced the line of thought. It was obvious she couldn’t wait. Part of her won’t stop obsessing until it’s done, and she couldn’t afford the extra mental weight right now.
Alright, if that’s how it’s going to be, I’ll just have to ask for her number or something. If she says no, I won’t have to worry about it anymore. If she says yes… well we’ll just work from there.
Weiss made up her mind about what needed to be done, but the very moment she set her plan in stone she realized she didn’t have the nerve to carry it out. She looked back at the girl again and found that it didn’t help. She was so pretty. It was exhausting. Weiss waited in agony, putting off what needed doing as long as she could.
Weiss finally worked up the courage. Or at least half of it.
“Yang, could you do me a favor?” Weiss asked.
“Sure thing. Whaddaya need?” Yang said.
“That girl at the bar. In the red dress. Could you ask her number for me?”
Yang looked over at the bar, seeming confused.
“Her?” Yang asked, pointing at the girl.
“Discretion, please!” Weiss said. “I would do it myself, but… it would hardly be proper at an official event.”
“Right, sure.” Yang said.
She paused for a moment.
“And you do mean her?” Yang said, pointing again.
“Oh my god, Yang.” Weiss, burying her face in her hands. “Yes, her. Do you see another girl in a red dress?”
“Okay, boss.” Yang said with a grin.
She raised her sleeve to her mouth, speaking into the microphone within.
“Hey, Ruby.” She said. “Can you remind me again what your phone number is?”
Weiss looked at Yang with confusion, then back to the girl, who now seemed equally confused. She seemed to play with her necklace, which she brought close to her mouth.
“My phone number?” Yang’s earpiece, which she had removed to hang at her shoulder, buzzed just loud enough for Weiss to hear. “Why on earth do you need my number? Wait, why on earth do you not know my number?”
“Eh, autodial has ruined me.” Yang said. “I just need it for the pretty lady in the white dress.”
“What pretty lady in a white dress?” The girl asked.
She began to scan the crowded room, until at last her eyes stopped on Weiss. They were both frozen, staring at each other, for a long moment. At last, the girl raised her hand, offering a timid wave. Weiss struggled to return one of her own. She could feel her face burning. Yang leaned close to her ear.
“Ms. Schnee, meet Ruby.” Yang said. “Our undercover division.”
Weiss was embarrassed enough to die, but she just might kill Yang first.