The doors to Batman's lab looked like everything else in the Watchtower, dull and metallic. It reminded Weiss of Vale, with how monotone and boring the construction of everything was. The other three kingdoms always added their own touch, to make their buildings unique. Atlas didn't usually use color, but they had some of the finest architects in the four kingdoms. Grandfather Nicolas made sure to only hire the best when he laid the groundwork for the Schnee manor, not that Weiss was being too biased of course.
"If we're lucky, then Batman must still be here, and not holed up in some dark alleyway in Gotham." Dinah pressed a button on the control panel beside the door. She didn't walk in without asking, unlike the other rooms they had visited.
"I think he'd prefer a nice cave somewhere." Weiss said sarcastically, crossing her arms. She was feeling angsty, she missed Myrtenaster, and needed to see what condition her beloved weapon was in. That and if she had any Dust that came with her, such as her earrings, which were made of the finest fire Dust crystals that money could buy. In a world without Dust, they'd be priceless, at least until Weiss managed to grow more.
"You wouldn't be wrong." A deep, unfamiliar voice came from behind the duo. Weiss flinched, whipping her head around to come face to chest with a tall man wearing a costume that was dark gray and black, with a bat shaped cowl that covered the upper half of his face. A matching black bat was stylized on his chest.
H-How did he manage to sneak up on her without Weiss noticing?
"Miss Schnee." He said, with just the slightest nod of his head, which was just barely noticeable, Weiss' aura enhanced eyes almost missed it.
"Batman I presume." Weiss regained her composure quickly. She had to look up to meet his eyes, which were hidden by the white film in the holes in his mask. "You're taller than I expected."
Batman's exposed jaw was unreadable, his lips pressed into a thin line. He kinda looked like General Ironwood, from an angle and if Weiss squinted her eyes.
"Batman." Dinah spoke up, placing a hand on her hip. She didn't look surprised that he managed to sneak up on them. "Just the person we wanted to see."
"Canary." Batman said neutrally, giving her a brief look before turning back to Weiss. "I assume you're here for your sword." She was pretty sure that he already knew that; Batman clearly wasn't an idiot despite the ridiculous name he chose for himself.
"Of course." Weiss answered evenly. Dinah and Oliver might've been polite, but assuming that Batman was like them would be a big mistake. Just one look at his costume compared to the two blondes easily spelled that out. "They're my belongings."
"Don't touch anything." Batman pressed another button on the control panel, causing the door to slide open. He walked in without another word, with Dinah and Weiss following.
The lab was dimly lit, with the lights in the ceiling increasing its power as it sensed the trio enter the room. Advanced machinery and gadgets filled the lab, it reminded Weiss of the labs back at Beacon. Batman led them towards the back of the room where a long table sat.
Weiss' eyes drifted around as she followed the strange man, technology here looked to be about the same level as back home, more or less. While she did like to play around with computers, and the latest technological baubles that Father liked to buy, Weiss wasn't a true expert. Her interest was more of a hobby.
Batman paused at a table, earning Weiss attention. A familiar blade sat on the table, along with her scroll. There was nothing she could do to stop a smile from forming on her face. Myrtenaster!
"Bats can be intense sometimes, but he knows his way around weapons and technology. Myrtenaster's in good hands?" Dinah whispered low enough for Weiss to catch. She butchered the pronunciation again, but the effort was cute.
"I see." Weiss mumbled back as she approached the table, reaching to grab Myrtenaster. The metal was cool to the touch, and familiar, it felt like a piece of Weiss' soul was put together again. She lifted the rapier in the air as Batman watched from the side.
"That's one of the finest swords I've ever seen." The Bat spoke up, it was his turn this time to cross his arms. "What kind of metal is it made from?"
"The alloy used was Atlesian steel." Weiss didn't offer any details. "I came up with the design myself."
She ran an aura protected finger along Myrtenaster's blade, inspecting the metal. It was in perfect shape, down to the old Mantle runes that Weiss had carved herself during Myrtenaster's creation. The vials in the Dust chamber were empty.
"Is that common in Remnant?" Dinah stood beside Batman, her blue eyes still as kind as ever. "Designing your own weapon I mean."
"If you were able to afford it, yes." Weiss spared no expense when it came to building Myrtenaster. Others weren't as fortunate, like Jaune who used an old hand-me-down. She aimed Myrtenaster towards the ground, closing one eye as she analyzed the point. "Our weapons are supposed to be an extension of our body, our very souls, so the designs vary."
That seemed to placate Batman's curiosity, who changed the conversation. "Can you go into more details about Dust?"
Dinah's eyes widened as she shook her head side to side slowly. Oh great, was the man who named himself after a flying rat a nerd? That was kinda cute if Weiss was being honest.
"Maybe when I'm feeling better." Weiss wasn't going to ignore a warning. "I'm still recovering after all."
That earned her a smile from Dinah. Batman, on the other hand, gave Weiss a slight glare, but nodded. She grabbed her scroll, sliding it into one of her pockets.
"Very well." He started moving to another part of the lab. "I'll bring your Dust."
"Thank you." Weiss said, raising her voice a few octaves. Her gaze drifted back to Myrtenaster. "I appreciate your help."
"There's no need to thank us." Batman's shrug looked invisible. He started touching a large box shaped machine a few feet away. It opened up, revealing a briefcase that matched the rest of the monotone room. He grabbed it with ease and walked back to the long table. "The Justice League does what it can to help others, no strings attached."
So, they were going for the soft sell, in trying to convince Weiss to become 'associated'. As much as she hated the thought, and owing people, their strategy was working.
Batman opened the briefcase, revealing an assortment of Dust vials and crystals, all in some sort of containment bottle. They were divided by color, even her red earrings. Weiss licked her lips as she stared at each one. She had a little of every Dust type, all which she should be able to grow in time, except for the hard-light Dust, which was created in a lab. That would be harder to replicate.
"Without aura, these are nothing more than a fancy paperweight." Weiss felt relieved. Myrtenaster and Dust were essential to her fighting style, along with her glyphs. She grabbed the vial that held one of her earrings, holding it at eye level with her free hand. The once dull red of the Dust started to glow.
These were her only belongings, and her last pieces of Remnant. She was going to need them if she was to survive in this world.
"Fascinating." Batman stared at the Dust along with Dinah. Weiss pressed her lips together as she lowered the Dust back into the briefcase. She really didn't have much of a choice did she? If Weiss made the wrong decision, she was pretty sure that finding a way home was going to be a lot harder. The Justice League, judging by the space station and everything in this lab, should be able to help find her way home.
Weiss twisted her head in the direction of the lone blonde.
"Dinah, that offer you gave me, what would it all entail?"
Hopefully she made the right choice.
A/N
Another update! And much closer to Weiss meeting the team.
I'm debating whether to commission a drawing of Weiss for the story, but I still haven't decided how her costume would look.
Any suggestions?