Chapter One: Acquisition

The Kingdom of Atlas

Weiss, princess of Atlas, sat atop her white silver throne. Her posture was perfect, her tone was strict, and her looks were perfect. She sat and watched as the guards brought in someone.

Weiss' princess gown, while not her favorite, was made specially for her by her grandmother, so she would wear it with pride. She quite admired the late queen Willow, ruler of Atlas. Her iron fist was matched only by her grace and compassion. She guided Atlas into peace. Weiss quite enjoyed that herself. Weiss' hair was snowy white, almost like the snow falling outside. Her eyes were as blue as the sky on a clear day (like that would happen often in this sun forsaken kingdom). She wore light armor under her gown for protection's sake.

The guards brought in a person, throwing them facedown at Weiss' feet (well, more like the steps that lifted her throne about four feet from the normal floor. Weiss looked down at the person, taking in their appearance and judging them as her father had taught her.

The person was a female most definitely. She was a little scrawny, but didn't seemed to be that way due to starvation. She was curled into a ball, but Weiss noted she was probably taller than her (not that that was a feat, mind you). Her clothes, which consisted of what was left of a sleeveless dress, were tattered and had the slight odor of the dungeons on them. Her hands were cuffed with shackles that resembled arm bands that were four inches in width, held in front of her and connected by a short chain. She was barefoot and had small cuts in her feet and arms, though they seemed calloused enough. Clutched in her arms was a red scrap of fabric. Her hair was a wild, unkempt mop of ruby red hair. Within it were streaks of black, quite visible in the red. Tied around her mouth, Weiss could observe the gag they'd silenced her with. As to why, Weiss didn't know and both didn't care and probably didn't want to know. Small puddles fell from underneath, which were clearly tears.

Weiss looked down at her using her stern voice. She could tell the girl heard her.

"Look up," She commanded, the small girl looking up at her. Weiss blinked in shock. Her eyes were pure silver. There was once a story she'd heard, but couldn't recall it.

"What is your name?" Weiss demanded. The girl looked down, sniffling and crying once more, Weiss then remembering that she was gagged.

"Remove her gag," She demanded, a guard quickly doing so. The entire time it was being done, the girl clutched the fabric tighter.

"Tell me your name and tell me quickly," The princess said to the crying girl. The girl looked up to Weiss, tears streaming down her face through the dirt covering it.

"R-Ruby," She said in between sobs. "R-Ruby Rose."

"The prince gave us orders to take her into prison," One of the guards said. "We figured you ought to know that since you're acting ruler for the moment."

"Like I care," Weiss said. "He can have his little harlot."

"Madam," Klein, Weiss' advisor, leaned over and whispered in her ear, ruffling his suit slightly in the motion. "Your last handmaiden left in a huff over your mistreatment of her. Perhaps you could use this slave girl as your personal handmaiden?"

Weiss sighed; she knew Klein had a soft spot for children and teens and she also knew he certainly wasn't for letting someone be abused by Prince Shitley, er, Whitley. Weiss personally didn't like his deviancy and debauchery any more than he did, but frankly, she could care less if someone ripped his spine out through his ass at some point for fucking their wife or relative.

"Fine," Weiss groaned. She turned to Ruby, who was staring at the princess, fear, sadness, and… something else in her eyes.

"You are to be my personal handmaiden starting now," She demanded, Ruby shrinking back, almost as if expecting to be hit.

"But, your highness…" One of the guards began. However, before he finished the sentence, a blade of solid ice was at his throat, Weiss holding the hilt.

"Are you questioning my direct statement?" She asked in a dangerously cold voice. "Because I certainly do not appreciate backtalk in my court. Father may be the king, but I am in charge right now."

The guard almost pissed himself as he bowed his head.

"Yes, your highness," He said. "Forgive me. I was just under direct orders from the prince and only suggested we bring her to you to give you knowledge of this."

"Well, you tell him that I am taking her to suit my own personal needs," Weiss said. "And, if he has any problems with it or deals with you harshly, I shall personally take it out of his hide."

"Y-Yes, your highness," The guard said, the group of guards taking off as fast as their legs could carry them.

Weiss took a glance at Ruby to see her reaction to her threat, seeing as it was kind of a turn-on to see someone in fear of her judgement. However, Ruby's attention was fixed on Weiss' blade rather than the words of the princess herself. Even the tears from earlier seemed to be gone, minus the streaks that still remained on her cheeks.

"Why do you stare at my blade?" With one swift motion, Weiss placed the tip of the blade right in between Ruby's eyes. However, instead of fear of the deadly blade she'd summoned (or even a reaction to the very cold the ice blade produced), Ruby's eyes crossed and stared at the blade with a strange mix of awe and a strange type of lust.

"It appears she is fond of your weapon," Klein said. "I see no fear from her."

"She must learn to fear this blade," Weiss said, dispelling it and grabbing Ruby by the throat. She found it easy to lift the clearly scrawny girl by her throat.

"Do you fear me?" Weiss said in a louder than normal voice. Ruby's tears returned, the redhead sniffling as she limply hung there in Weiss' grip. There was no struggle, no resistance, nothing. It was as if she knew struggling would be worse.

"Weiss, be gentle," Klein nudged her and whispered. "She can't serve you very well if she's always under the fear of you chopping her head off."

"You are to follow me to my chambers," Weiss said, walking from her throne. She turned to see Ruby slowly walking, limping and almost falling several times.

"Perhaps she is hungry," Klein said. "If you will carry her, I shall bring you both some food."

Weiss groaned inwardly. She walked over to the scrawny slave girl. Ruby looked up at her from the ground.

"Give me your hand," Weiss said, extending her own armored hand. Ruby took it, almost gingerly, like she was afraid it would pierce her flesh should she take it too hard. Weiss hauled her to her feet with a forceful yank that would have pulled someone's arm out of socket. However, Ruby only seemed shaken up by the sudden movement.

"Durable," Weiss mused inwardly. "This one must come from fighters."

The princess slung Ruby over her shoulder, carrying her like a sack of grain or something similar. Ruby didn't fight, didn't struggle. She just hung there, limply. Weiss almost sighed. This girl was very strange.

Weiss carried the lightweight redhead to her personal chambers, throwing her roughly on the bed.

"Stand up," She commanded the girl. Ruby shakily stood, standing with shaky legs, holding out her arms in front of her. They were still shackled, so they weren't able to spread more than about a foot and a half apart, giving her less balance.

"How long has it been since she's actually been on her feet?" Weiss thought to herself.

"Now, you are to be my personal handmaiden," Weiss said in a firm voice.

Ruby simply looked at her. Even though she wasn't gagged, she still did not speak much to the princess. Weiss expected some sense of not talking, however, this girl seemed unnaturally quiet.

"Stand still," Weiss commanded the heavily shaking Ruby. Ruby tried her best to follow the order, losing her balance and falling forward after about ten seconds, almost dropping the fabric in her hands. Weiss held out an arm and caught the scrawny girl, holding her. Ruby latched onto her like her life depended on it.

"Let go of me," Weiss said in a less firm voice this time, meaning it as a simple command. Ruby hesitantly did so, Weiss standing her up and holding her steady.

"Th-Thank you," Ruby spoke in a soft whimper of a voice.

"At least you have some manners," Weiss said with less irritation than she expected. "Now, are you aware of the duties I will demand of you as my handmaiden?"

Ruby looked down, shaking her head timidly as she ran her fingers along the fabric she held. Weiss crossed her arms. She had expected the answer, but had never expected the reaction… or the candidate. If this didn't work out, she'd have some words with Klein.

"You are to wait on me hand and foot and follow each and every one of my orders," Weiss said. "Without question. Your duties will be befitting of your title, so I shall not expect much of you in terms of other areas. Do you understand?"

Ruby nodded, looking up at Weiss. Weiss pulled her closer, pulling the fabric from her hands. Ruby, for the first time Weiss had seen, reached for it, pulling it as if to fight Weiss.

"Release this fabric," Weiss said. "I wish to examine it. Why do you hold it so close?"

Ruby held tightly to the fabric, refusing to let go. Weiss pried one of Ruby's hands from it, looking over the fabric. Even with the armored gloves she wore, she could tell it was a remarkably made fabric. Weiss then realized that it was folded. She began to unfold it, Ruby holding tight to it.

"Release the fabric," Weiss commanded her. "I will not harm it. I promise you that."

Reluctantly, Ruby released the fabric, Weiss fully unfolding it. Her eyes widened slightly as she realized it was a cape. Burned and stitched into it was an emblem like that of a rose. It was beautifully crafted; soft, yet something potentially more durable than a set of light armor. Whoever had made it was a master of their trade.

"There is Dust in this…" Weiss said in a near mumble.

"Mom…" Ruby said.

"She put Dust in this?" Weiss asked. Dust was a powerful force, said to be the basis of the magical powers some had, referred to as Semblance in some parts. It wasn't found naturally, but some could manifest it in some way using their magicks. However, this cape was not only infused with it, it seemed to be made of it. Only the most powerful craftsmiths could forge such a beautiful item, but as to why they forged it into a cape, Weiss was confused.

Ruby simply nodded, taking a hold of it. Weiss released it, allowing her to hold it.

"I will not take such a valuable heirloom from you," She said in a matter of fact tone. "I am not heartless as certain citizens of this kingdom would have you believe."

Ruby looked up at her with tears in her eyes, latching onto Weiss as best she could with her shackled hands.

"Th-Thank you… mistress," Ruby whispered.

"It's princess, dolt," Weiss reached up and flicked her forehead. "Now, the first matter of business is to go over your training."

"Training?" Ruby asked, her voice soft still.

"Of course," Weiss said, prying her off of her. "You didn't truly expect to be able to do this without any formal training, did you?"

Ruby actually blushed slightly. Weiss raised an eyebrow, making a mental note that this one was quite a dolt.

"We shall also acquire you attire," Weiss said. "You cannot wear that ratty dress."

Ruby nodded slowly, making motions to remove it.

"Hold it, dolt," Weiss said. "You are still shackled and you also don't have an attire yet. You shall commence training before we get you an attire to fit your role."

At that moment, Klein wheeled in a tray of food, which ranged from healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and meats to some sweets.

Ruby tripped, lunging for the cookies she saw, practically inhaling them. Weiss raised an eyebrow, looking at the dolt of a slave girl.

"Seems someone likes her sweets," Klein chuckled. "I shall bring her more."

Ruby licked her lips, holding the cape to her chest, smiling. She certainly liked Klein and Weiss wasn't the worst person she'd ever known…

"Before you get cookies, you shall receive a bath," Weiss said, her voice leaving no tone foe argument.

Elsewhere—The Island of Patch

Yang opened her eyes, yawning. She looked at the clock beside her bed, groaning. It was way too early to get up. At least by her standards anyway. She wanted at least three more hours, maybe six.

The phone beside her bed was ringing, making Yang hate the fool thing. She picked it up, putting on an irritated voice to get across the point of how irritated she was.

"What do you want?!" She growled/groaned.

"Yang, have you not gotten up yet?" Came the voice Yang loved hearing more than almost any other.

"Hey, Pyr," Yang grinned, hearing her best friend (and NOTHING ELSE, upon her insistence) perking her right up. "Did you sleep okay?"

"I did," The voice on the other end said. "I'm sure you slept great as well. Sorry I didn't stay later. But, I got a surprise."

"What?" Yang asked.

"I'll tell you when I get there," Pyrrha said, a small smirk crossing her lips as she knew Yang wouldn't like that answer.

"Aww, come on, Pyr," Yang practically whined. "I don't wanna wait. You always make me wait… I'll let you sleep on me this time in bed."

"Darn it…" Pyrrha said, Yang grinning as she knew she had her there. "You drive a hard bargain, Yang Xiao Long."

"I try," Yang chuckled. "I'm pretty Yang good at it."

"And there's why your mom kicked you out of her house," Pyrrha giggled.

"Her loss," Yang grinned. "Not my fault she can't handle a good pun."

"Summer taught you well," Pyrrha giggled more.

"Yeah," Yang said. "Didn't she have a kid at some point?"

"Not sure," Pyrrha said. "You could ask your mom. But, back on track. I'll be there in about two hours. Then, I'll tell you. Not before."

"Fine," Yang tried to make an audible pout, but couldn't manage.

"Dammit, how does Summer do that?" She asked herself internally. "That woman could convince anyone to do anything with that pout… hopefully any kids she happened to have don't take after her with that…"

"Good," Pyrrha giggled once more. "I'll see you soon, bestie."

"You too, Pyr." Yang grinned, absolutely giddy as she hung up the phone.

Were she more of a hyperactive kind of girl, she'd have squealed with excitement and flopped back onto her bed. Instead, she optioned for fist pumping with a hearty "Yes!" and jumping into the air. It was always better with Pyrrha over.

She jumped out of bed, heading over to her dresser. Looking at her mane of blonde hair, she grabbed a brush and brushed it into a much nicer look so it looked glorious rather than a bird's nest. Pyrrha had told her that she loved it long, which was enough for Yang to let it lengthen. Plus, she would stop getting hit on by random weirdo chicks.

Her lilac eyes were as brilliant as ever, shining with a burning strength that really couldn't be noticed.

Throwing on a t-shirt that said "I'm puntastic" and a pair of yellow jeans with man pockets put in as a custom order (one too many incidents of dropping her cell phone had gotten her pissed off enough to demand it), she headed out into the living room, which was… less than tidy. While it wasn't a pit, it was certainly something she should have cleaned up days ago. Cardboard boxes littered the place and she hadn't gotten last night's food picked up.

She began her lengthy pickup process, getting it done rather quickly. Once everything was properly disposed of, she sat down on the couch, waiting for her best friend.

It was always great with Pyrrha there. She made the place super fun and not super lonely. Plus, she was a great cuddler. People always looked at them funny, but they didn't get their relationship. They were friends, nothing more. Why could no one get that?

After she had decided on a TV show to watch, the doorbell rang. Yang got up to get it.

She opened the door to reveal a woman who was taller than her by about six inches. Her hair was longer than yang's, tied into a ponytail. Her eyes were an emerald green, sparkling with grace and poise. She wore a spaghetti string top that was gold colored and black jeans. Her shoes were sneakers with the logo of the Vacuo Spartans on them.

"Pyr!" Yang latched onto her in a hug, Pyrrha hugging back.

"Hello, Yang," Pyrrha said with a smile. "It's so good to see you again."

"How was your trip to Vacuo?" Yang asked.

"It was awful," Pyrrha said. "I don't want to talk about it. I just want to spend time with my best friend in the world."

"That sounds like a plan to me," Yang grinned. "Let's have us some fun."

"I'd like that," Pyrrha said.

"So, what was it you wanted to tell me?" Yang asked.

"Well…" Pyrrha said. "I bought us a nice new… motorcycle!"

"Really!?" Yang exclaimed, becoming excited for the prospect of a new motorcycle. "What does it look like?"

"I'll let you see when I pick it up," Pyrrha giggled. "As for right now, let's just sit down on the couch and watch a movie while we cuddle. I could use a nice cuddle."

"Say no more, bestie," Yang said, closing the door behind Pyrrha as she entered. "One Super Special Yangarang Cuddlicious Cuddle coming right up."

Pyrrha laughed, putting an arm around Yang, Yang putting one around Pyrrha as the two best friends walked to the couch.

Well, it seems as if Ruby will undergo training to serve Weiss personally. I wonder what significance the cape has. Is Ruby something odd? Does she have a semblance like Weiss? And, what about Yang and Pyrrha? Is there something more to their relationship? I suppose we'll find out as the story goes along.

So, I kinda wanted to do this off of a crazy idea i had. The idea of Weiss having Ruby as a handmaiden came to me as something funny, what with their clashing personalities. I also wanted to do a 'useless lesbians' pairing, but the idea for it being Yang came from the fact that she's the most unlikely person to be one. She's with Pyrrha because... well, Greek Fire's my favorite Yang ship and possibly my favorite Pyrrha ship (second only to Reese/Pyrrha if not tied with it). Well, I hope you enjoy it.