Chapter #9: The Dance Arrives


With the Beacon Dance in but a few hours there was a sense of urgency within the student dormitories as all attending were getting ready, and those who were not were either helping or uninterested. Inside the room where team JNPR resided the team was getting ready. Jaune and Ren had gone and got themselves ready save for their black blazers with red trimmings, the standard dress code for all the boys attending the dance, though the red trimmings could be changed out for a preferred colour.

Underneath they wore a white dress shirt with a greyed vest. A bowtie was standard with the option of a neck tie being avoided by the two boys from team JNPR. Nora dressed up in a pink shoulder-less dress with a white skirt. The two parts were joined and the seam made the top part look like a pink heart. Something that Pyrrha found suited the bomber rather well.

Pyrrha helped her put her make up on and even helped with her hair. She'd hurried the boys out into the hallway for a time leaving just her and Nora alone. This allowed them to get Nora dressed without the risk of slipping up and exposing the shorter girl.

"There we go. All done". Pyrrha announced with a bright smile. Nora went to take a look in the mirror and smiled brightly. Doing a couple of twirls, she stopped and faced Pyrrha, her smile fading to a more serious or natural face.

"You should come. I'll dance with you for a bit and I'm sure the others will too". Nora told her, hoping to get the redhead to attend the dance. She knew how being turned down by Blake had crushed her teammate and friend.

"Thank you, Nora. But I'll just stay here and you can tell me about it later". Pyrrha put on one of her well-practiced smiles as her thoughts drifted to doing some training while everyone went off to the dance.

"Why don't you go ask her again?" The thought made Pyrrha feel cold. She didn't want to go through another rejection. "I bet that dress you got would look great!" Nora continued trying to egg Pyrrha into going.

"Yes well… I guess I'll have to wait for another occasion to wear it". Pyrrha rubbed her arm and looked out the window. I hope… There was a knock at the door, the boys wanting to know if their female counterparts were finished getting Nora changed.

"We're done now!" Pyrrha yelled as she moved to her bed, once more looking to Nora who again looked in the mirror with a big grin. She does look… There's another knock at the door puzzling Pyrrha since she just said they could re-enter.

This time Nora went to open the door with a hop in her step. Pyrrha just grabbed her scroll and lay back on her bed as she opened it to the school's student page. There, taking up most of the home screen was the dance. It churned her stomach seeing it and knowing she wasn't going.

Why couldn't Blake say yes… or someone else ask me to go. Pyrrha wondered, almost letting tears well up in her eyes. Of course, there wasn't anyone else she wanted to go with anyway. Her name is what stopped her and made her blink a few times. It was Nora calling out to her. She doesn't bother to sit up. She was just about to ask what she wanted when.

"Pyrrha! It's for you". There was a bit of enthusiasm in her voice, or was it excitement, anticipation. Sitting up She glanced to the door with tedious eyes. That was until she saw standing at the door, a pale girl with black hair and these captivating amber pools she had for eyes that made her heart stop. Only for a moment.

Pyrrha got to her feet quickly and walked to the door, shaking ever so slightly. What? Why is she here now… she'd not going either? She thought, seeing Blake in her normal clothing. Blake too was visibly nervous, while behind her both Jaune and Ren quickly turned away. Pyrrha peered out the corner of her eyes to see Nora trying her best not to jump up and down. She stopped a meter from Blake and smiled.

"Good evening Blake. What can I do for you?" She asked her usual happy tone, but underneath she didn't know what to think. Blake looked a lot better though. Her eyes didn't have the same bags as they had under them yesterday. Yang must have gotten her to sleep, What a relief. Pyrrha puts it down to before a soft cough made her focus.

"I came to ask if you were serious about asking me to the dance the other day?" Because they all knew about her being a Faunus Blake didn't even hide how her bow moved as the ears beneath turned back signalling she was anxious. Pyrrha had to take a moment to think and clasped her hands together in front of her.

"I was serious". Is all she said before waiting to see if there was anything more. And to her relief Blake's eyes seemed to light up and her bow straightened.

"Then it wasn't just you guys trying to convince me the dance would be… Fun". She paused and looked away. When her eyes came back to Pyrrha's the redhead gently shook her head, a small smile crawling onto her face. Blake's eyes darted to that smile and she too started. That was until she took a deep breath.

"Pyrrha. Umm… Would you… still like to attend the dance with me?" There was a silence that hung over the two as neither dared to say anything. Blake for fear of pushing, Pyrrha because her scrambled brain was still trying process what was just asked.

A small squeal from within the room made Pyrrha jump a little before glaring at Nora who was making hand gestures to the champion. Blushing, Pyrrha returned to her view of Blake who looked terribly nervous, petrified even.

"I'd love to". She said with a huge smiled on her face. Blake in realising her answer relaxed her tense posture and beamed back.

"I hope you had a dress ready… If not, we can…"

"She has a dress! It's really pretty!" Nora yelled, interrupting Blake from around the corner out of Blake's view. She'd forgotten Nora was there even though she had answered the door. Pyrrha growled Nora out of embarrassment and the bomber covered her mouth with both hands.

"I'll message your scroll when I'm ready. Or perhaps when everyone else is ready? How does that sound?" The Faunus nodded and gave a small bow before leaving. Jaune and Ren entered the room once she'd left. And as soon as the door closed Nora charged into Pyrrha hugging her tightly. It was tighter than Pyrrha thought it would be, forgetting that although Nora was small, she was probably the most physically strong in their group.

Patting her head Pyrrha looked to her male counterparts. Ren had a soft smile while Jaune gave her a thumbs up. Pyrrha was embarrassed yet at the same time overjoyed that Blake had gained the courage to ask her to the dance. It was all coming together and she was incredibly thankful. What did you do Yang? She wondered.

But she only had a short time before the dance and Nora had already moved to get the red dress ready. After a quick shower and the boys being expelled from the room once more, Pyrrha, with the aid of Nora gets into her dance dress. Though it was a dance it was akin to a prom, something that normal girls in normal school looked forward to in their final years.

Yet at Beacon, a school for huntsmen and huntresses in training the occasion was because of the Vytal Festival and Tournament. It served to entertain the students of the hunter school from each year group. The contestants from the other schools that had already arrived were their honoured guests and most welcome at the dance. That and every student at the host school, this time Beacon, are allowed to partake in the dance.

She tied her hair back in her traditional waist length ponytail curled into a very slight and loose ringlet. She had Nora help her with the make up since neither usually wore much before Nora aided her in putting on her red dress. The turtleneck dress had a split down the righthand side to allow her to move easily and show off a little bit of skin. Being sleeveless was another plus for Pyrrha.

For the final additions Nora insisted on putting the champion's dark red high heels on making her even taller than her already six feet. While Nora did that, Pyrrha secured her bronze circlet, something that was necessary anywhere she went or anything she did, it made her feel at ease.

Standing she looked in the mirror and smiled, but she'd rather have someone else's opinion. "How do I look Nora?" She asked and did a twirl. It was then that the door opened and the boys returned. Jaune just gawked while Ren let out a whistle that made Pyrrha blush.

"See even Ren thinks you look good, and Jaune can't even speak". Nora grinned ear to ear.

"Pyrrha, I am sure Blake will be blown away". Ren's reassurance lifted a huge weight from Pyrrha who looked into the mirror once more. The dress did pronounce a few things but she was more than willing to put up with the staring, so long as Blake was the main one doing said staring.

Team JNPR sat around and talked waiting for the time to head out. Pyrrha remained mostly quiet and thought about certain things on her mind. She thought herself incapable of forming meaningful relationships, but that was before she'd gone to Beacon. There she'd found herself a part of a team filled with people with their own quirks and thought it wonderful as she fit in so well.

Her confidence had been near shattered when Blake had brushed her off earlier in the week. But with a night of entertainment and fun ahead of her, as well as a choreographed dance Jaune had so adamantly insisted they learn. It was setting up to be a night they would never forget. Even more important for Pyrrha was the fact that this dance was going to deepen the bonds with the people closest to her. People she thought she would never have found. Especially Blake.

Because of her training and upbringing, she had never been around many people, save for family and trainers, tutors, and the occasional person of her age. This is what lead to Pyrrha's slight awkwardness around others and her slow process into trying to show Blake that she was interested in her, in a way more than a simple friend should. Though neither of them had openly admitted this to one another there was one who had seen the connection, the desire early.

Yang Xiao Long. The brawler had caught onto the mouse and mouse game with both looking at one another with longing, but neither having the courage to tell the other how they felt. She'd tried to help Pyrrha and did so. She was glad when Pyrrha asked the Faunus to the dance but it all fell through thanks to Blake's obsession with the White Fang.

Pyrrha began to wonder what Blake was going to look like, her date to the dance and person of particular interest. A knock at the door made her jump. Ren went to get it and surprisingly it was someone she hadn't expected, none of them had. A friendly wave and smile with the flick of a tail, Sun.


After Blake had asked Pyrrha and the redhead had said yes, she'd walked back across the hall to her own room where her team was all getting ready for the dance. Yang was wearing a short, white halter neck dress with a pale grey hem and white pumps. Her hair was still like it usually is, wild and untameable. Blake couldn't help but stare for a moment. Her partners lilac eyes and golden hair in combination with that white dress just seemed to work.

"So? How did it go? You coming?" She asked while tying the strap that held her dress up around the back of her neck. The enormous amount of hair was getting in the way so Blake pushed her around and took over. She made quick work of tying it up and turned Yang around, giving the dress a small tug to make sure it was secure.

Yang didn't thank Blake, she was too busy waiting for her Faunus partner to answer her question. Blake nodded shyly, the bow on her head lowering a little, a dead giveaway that she was feeling a little uncomfortable. But the squeal and sudden embrace helped. Feeling the floor beneath her again she cleared her throat.

"Can you help me with my dress?" Yang just brushed that question aside as if it were a give in and happily started helping Blake out of her clothes so she could get changed. This was right when Weiss go up from her seat on her bed, giving Blake a clear view at her attire. Another short white dress that was also sleeveless, with cutouts on both sides of her waist showing a rare glimpse of skin. Around her neck and upper chest was a translucent mesh and lastly, pumps like Yang's.

Then from behind the heiress popped Ruby. The dress suited her oh so well, handpicked by Yang who had insisted her little sister attend the dance like Blake. I wonder how Yang managed to convince Ruby? She found herself wondering as her eyes examined their team leader.

A short, red, and sleeveless dress with a thick black sash around the waist and black edging at the bottom. The centre or bodice of the dress split vertically to the sash and laced with black lacing. Just like Weiss's dress, around her neck and upper chest was a translucent mesh with an opaque collar and hem, as well as opaque lines connecting the collar to her shoulders. Unlike the other two Ruby was wearing black stockings and matching black pumps.

"She's gorgeous". Blake breathed as her clothing fell to the floor. Thankfully Ruby was shying away and Weiss was fixing up something on the dressso they weren't looking a Blak'es rather exposed body. Yang was quick to help Blake into her own dress and fasten it around her. She'd showered earlier just in case, in anticipation for asking Pyrrha.

Feeling her hair being pushed aside Blake knew that Yang was doing the same for her as she'd done her Yang not five minutes ago. As the brawler spun the Faunus about, all that was needed was the pumps to finish off her outfit. Yang had a smirk on her face and hands on her hips, obviously proud that she got Blake to attend, but also admiring her partner's looks.

"Damn, Pyrrha had better thank me after the dance. And do tell her that you both owe me at least one dance during the night". Blake blushed and pushed Yang away who just burst into laughter at how easily she could make Blake blush. Grumbling her thankfulness, she made her way to Weiss's rather large mirror, she was finally thankful it. Brushing her hair aside and making sure her bow was secure she looked herself over.

Covering her body and some of her legs was a short, purple, asymmetrical, halter neck dress that had a split up the right side and a black collar. Translucent black mesh covered her shoulders and chest, décolletage and back, much like Weiss and Ruby's. Decorative black swirls covered the left side of the dress and continued up the left strap. Smiling at how she looked, happy with how she felt, dressed up and ready to have fun there wasn't a single thought about the White Fang.

Instead her mind was filled with what Pyrrha would be wearing, what she would look like and how they'll interact during the night. Dear Oum! I asked Pyrrha Nikos to the dance. She realises. A Faunus with a questionable background and the four-time champion of Mistral. Beauty and the beast though she was sure Pyrrha would explain how she was the beast with her preferences for combat while Blake would be the beauty in her eyes.

Seeing the joyous look slipping from Blake's face Yang quickly slung an arm around her. "What's up partner?" She said as if it was nothing.

"You think Pyrrha will find me acceptable?" Her question wasn't simply about the dress, the dance, or even as a friend. She wanted to know if Yang thought Pyrrha would find all of those aspects acceptable, more than acceptable. A huff and a simple rumble of laughter was all it took to make Blake's smile return.

"Please. If she doesn't find this…" Yang gestured to the entirety of Blake. "… Then I suppose I'd have to kick her ass". Blake had to cover her mouth as she began to laugh. Yang got this look in her eyes as though she needed to now prove she could.

"I'll do it. I will". She reiterated with the utmost confidence. Weiss caught her sentence and looked over having finished with Ruby.

"What are you going on about now Yang?" She asked crossing her arms.

"She said she'll beat up Pyrrha". Blake quickly said. Yang just stood there with a look of disbelief on her face. She was sure she could do it yet none of her teammates believed so. Even her little sister Ruby started to laugh making Yang uncharacteristically back down.

While the three laughed and Yang melted away into the background, Blake stopped, thinking about how grateful she was for all the support the brawler had given her. All the guidance she'd provided and the secret of the sisters. She walked over and took Yang by surprise with a hug.

"Well now. This is… something". Yang said happily wrapping her arms around Blake.

"Shut up, you'll ruin the moment". Blake retorted with a smile.

"Oh… Pyrrha wouldn't want us having a moment". Yang replied making Blake push her away. There was a face full of satisfaction. Yang had teased Blake and she'd walked right into it. But if it meant that bright smile the brawler sometimes wore was back then she wouldn't complain too much.

They still had some time before the dance so the questions were beginning to be asked. They all found out pretty quickly, from Yang, that Blake did in fact have a date. And that date was quite the renowned person. Of course, Ruby and Weiss both immediately guessed Pyrrha and Blake's flustered mumbling and questioning about how they knew only confirmed what they'd suspected.

Weiss refused to answer who she was going with and Ruby ended up just going alone. Yang however was the surprise of the group when she admitted she had in fact been asked to the dance and said yes. But she wouldn't tell them anything more only. "You'll see". Which made Ruby extremely curious.

She had just started to beg her sister to tell her who it was when there was a knock at the door. Luckily too as Blake was sure Ruby would've messed up her and Yang's dresses. Weiss answered the door and as Blake's eyes meet the blue that belong to Sun, her smile quickly faded.

Behind him she could see Ren looking over his shoulder mouthing something. Why is their door open? Did he go there first? She wondered. Hearing her name called brought her back to reality and she got up. Standing by the door with Weiss slightly in front of her Sun asked a single question.

"Blake… Are you actually taking Pyrrha to the dance?" His voice was filled with disbelief and hurt. Blake could only nod to his question. She knew she had to hurt one of them and had chosen to hurt her fellow Faunus in favour of a human girl in Pyrrha.

"I see. If you'd rather choose a human over one of your own kind then so be it". There was an anger, a disappointment in his eyes that. That spark in his eyes made Blake's blood run cold as her already pale complexion turned even sicklier colour. She had seen that look in someone else's eyes, a certain Faunus that she used to be involved with. Adam.

He took off and while no one moved for a time, Ruby using her semblance darted out the door and after him. Blake stood there breathing heavily, a slight sweat had begun and threatened to ruin some of her makeup until Weiss cooled the area with a glyph made with ice dust.

Although the two had a rocky start Weiss certainly knew the times when she needed to be supportive and it really did help. She thanked her teammate and friend before looking back out the door. She saw a blur of red before Ren shut the door.

"It'll be ok Blakey, I'm sure Ruby will get through to him. She's good like that". Yang told her, a reassured hand resting on her shoulder.

"Yang. You and I should get to the hall. We need to be there to greet the guests". This made the brawler sigh, but she quickly smiled and spun.

"See you soon Blakey. Don't forget to pick your date up". Date, this word was one that made her blush. Date made it sound like a relationship to Blake, she wondered if it had the same effect on Pyrrha.

She closed the door being the only one left. Having time alone let her mind wander, but this time it didn't wander far, only to the next room over where Pyrrha was getting ready and waiting for Blake to pick her up and escort her to the dance she was now eagerly awaiting.

The door burst open making Blake jump to her feet and reach for Gambol Shroud which wasn't on her back. Staring wide eyed at the door and the culprit she growled lowly causing Ruby to apologise incessantly.

"Time to grab your date". Ruby finally said, signalling the beginning of the night and the start of Blake's constant worry about how she should now act. With Ruby knocking on the door and Jaune answering it made Blake's heart began to work overtime. Ren and Nora left the room first, arms linked like a real couple while Jaune had to go and grab something. Ruby went with him leaving Blake standing at the door, terrified of what was to follow.

And that's when it happened. From her right, someone could be heard moving, stepping closer, someone in heels. Her cat ears could make certain of that sound. A dark red heel containing a pale foot and lower leg, then more leg followed by a red that continued up past pronounced hips, a thin waist and over a bosom she knew was larger than her own.

She came to meet those emerald eyes with her amber ones and her heart skipped more than one beat as she stood stunned by Pyrrha's beauty. She looked over the dress again in awe. The turtleneck dress had a split down the righthand side just like her own and she could see a little pale thigh skin. Oh my Oum! She is a goddess. Blake concluded before looking up into Pyrrha's eyes once more.

Only, she found Pyrrha's eyes absent from the meeting. Pyrrha was letting her own eyes travel over the attire Blake wore and she had the cutest blush Blake had ever seen. She obviously thought Blake was still looking her over and had taken the opportunity to do the same. Check out her date and admire the view.

As her eyes finally came up and met Blake's, she blushed even redder. A smile followed it and the two stood there simply gazing into each other's eyes. Either too afraid or just taking their time, it soon took too long as Ren coughed from down the hall. The pair giggled and Blake, since she'd been the one to ask when the answer was yes, held her arm out like the gentleman would.

Pyrrha glanced down and slipped her arm around Blake's making their skin touch. It was a sensation that Blake wouldn't soon forget, and when Pyrrha stepped closer she had to look up. She realised how short she was beside Pyrrha, around half a foot shorter. Clearing her mind, she breathed.

"Shall we go to the dance… Milady". Pyrrha giggled and grabbed onto Blake's arm with her free hand, securing herself to the Faunus's side with both arms.

"Lead the way Blake". She said happily. The smile on their faces was genuine and in front of them Ren had to keep turning Nora's head back to face in front of them as she constantly glanced back at the awkward couple with a joyful expression.

Behind them both Jaune and Ruby appeared to be without dates and silently talked among themselves. Both saying how happy they were that Blake was going to the dance, but also that their own respective dates would show up or already be at the hall waiting for them.

Once they arrived and opened the door Jaune and Ruby went in first. After that was Ren and Nora. Finally, the duo of Blake and Pyrrha, with the latter still holding onto the Faunus with both hands. Their greeter was none other than the one who had tried so hard to get them together and to the dance. Yang.

"Now don't you two look perfect". She said immediately causing them both to blush. They turn to each other. The champion looking down and the Faunus up. Blake's heart skipped a beat at the closeness of the two. I could just… tip toe and steal a kiss.

"Thank you, Yang. I'll be sure to give Blake a night she'll never forget". Those words made Blake's ears tingle. A promise like that, a positive memory that she would hold dear, that was something she was looking forward to. But right then, she was the happiest girl in the room with her want to be girlfriend wrapped around her arm.


So, I finally got to the dance. The Renora couple was a give in, I love that coupling. As for the rest of the usual party I'm sure some of you can guess whose going with who.

As always, if you want to leave a comment or so constructive criticism I'd appreciate it. Thanks to everyone who is following or just tuning in.