The Pale Rose of the Tides {Bloodborne X RWBY X Arknights}

Chapter 9 Players and Pieces II

Chapter 9
Players and Pieces
II

As the dust finally began to settle within the crater, the damage to the forest floor became evident. Deep cracks spread out from the impact, a testament to the force of their fall. The swirling debris slowly cleared, revealing the form of a silver-haired girl, kneeling at the center of the crater. Her slender figure was framed by the lingering haze, and she was cradling someone tightly in her arms-a white-haired girl in a white dress, clinging to her with her face buried in her chest.

For a brief moment, there was nothing but silence. The two girls remained still, as if frozen in the aftermath of their chaotic descent. Then, with sudden grace, Ruby stood up, her expression cool and collected as she held Weiss securely. The pale Schnee heiress kept her shaking arms locked around Ruby's neck, her face still pressed tightly against her chest as if she were seeking refuge from the world.

But that serene composure lasted only for a heartbeat.

Without warning, Ruby's entire demeanor shifted, her calm poise vanishing as excitement surged through her. "That... was... SO COOL!" she squealed, her voice ringing out with pure joy. She leapt into the air, still holding Weiss, and began bouncing up and down with uncontrollable glee.

Weiss, still clinging to Ruby, could do little but hold on as her friend jumped and spun around like an overexcited child, the heiress secure in her arms. Weiss's flushed face peeked out from Ruby's chest, her wide, icy blue eyes reflecting disbelief and embarrassment. "R-Ruby! Stop! Please!"

Ruby, ever the ball of boundless energy, halted her spinning with a bright grin. "Whoops! Sorry!"

Weiss, still dizzy from the sudden stop, managed to catch her breath. "That's better. Now, can you drop me, please?" she requested, trying to sound composed but still flustered.

Ruby's smirk widened as a playful thought crossed her mind, one her aunt had shared with her during vague lessons on the arts of romance-something involving a book about Picking up Maidens by one named Reinhardt v. Alst.

The dia made her expression shifts to a teasing one as she leaned closer to Weiss, their noses nearly brushing. "I would... if only you let go of me, my Fair Maiden."

Weiss's face immediately turned a deep shade of red, and she stammered incoherently before jerking her arms away from Ruby's neck.

At the sudden loss of weight, Ruby grinned. "Thanks!"

With that, Ruby swiftly released her hold on Weiss, causing the Schnee heiress to drop unceremoniously like a sack of potatoes.

Weiss let out a muffled yelp as she hit the ground, landing in an ungraceful heap. Her pristine white dress, now streaked with dirt, only added to her frustration. She glared up at Ruby, who stood over her with an unapologetic grin.

"Was that really necessary?!" Weiss grumbled, brushing dirt off her sleeves and adjusting her dress, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.

Ruby chuckled, extending a hand to help Weiss up. "You asked me to drop you, didn't you?"

Weiss ignored her teasing, reluctantly taking Ruby's hand and standing up. As she dusted herself off, she took a deep breath and surveyed their surroundings. The forest canopy loomed overhead, casting long shadows across the clearing. Yet, as her sharp blue eyes scanned the horizon, she realized Ruby's reckless plan had worked.