Chapter 9

Ruby sighed as she stepped off the airship she was suffering from a Nora/Yang induced headache. Why do they find it so difficult to simply sit still and leave her alone? She wants nothing to do with those two considering she has to make a conscious effort to not duct tape both of their mouths.

"Hey Ruby where're you goin!" Yang called to her. Ruby groaned internally and turned to face Yang.

"Somewhere to spend time… alone…" Ruby said already walking off.

"Well… Weiss wanted to go 'enjoy the festivities' and by that she means to scope out the competition for the Vytal festival. I was wondering if… you would… come with us?" Yang asked clearly hopeful that Ruby would agree. Ruby sighed, she didn't even know how she got roped into participating in the Vytal festival. It seemed like a giant waste of time to Ruby, but the others seemed pretty excited about it. So in the effort to "keep up moral" Ruby conceded to the others wishes to participate. Ruby groaned she new she was going to regret this.

"Fine… I'll go if you'll leave me alone for the rest of the day." Ruby said.

"Alright well we're leaving at nine so… see you there!" Yang waved to Ruby's back as she was already walking away.

Yang sighed as she watched Ruby walk away.

"Having trouble there?" asked a voice from behind Yang. She turned around to see Blake with an understanding look in her eyes.

"I just don't know how to approach her." Yang sighed "Every time I try she instantly shoots me down." Blake walked over and patted her partner on the back.

"Maybe you need to go with a different direction, find some common ground, try and find out what she likes."

Yang groaned "How am I supposed do that if I can't get close to her?"

"Well…" Blake began "we do have the rest of the day free, we could… do a little espionage."

Yang looked a Blake "you want to stalk my little sister?"

"It's not stalking it's just a little research to find common ground." Blake said with a mischievous smirk.

"You know Blake I would expect this from Nora, but not you."

"Well…" Blake began "I know what's like to have someone close become distant..." A reassuring smile from Blake to show she was fine and the two were off.

Glynda walked through the beacon's library looking for city maps to help with the planning of the Vytal Festival. She sighed it seemed that she ran everything around here recently. Not to mention trying to keep an eye on Ruby and her… volatile personality. Though it seemed she was handling things alright no one was dead, everyone still had their limbs… Glynda remembered when Ruby was younger she almost bit off a doctor's finger. That girl acted cool and composed, but every once in awhile that composure would break and reveal what was underneath, a scared child. Glynda chuckled to herself.

"Look at you Glynda reminiscing over her like you're her mother." That brought a sad smile to Glynda's face. She volunteered to take care of Ruby mainly because she did not think anyone else at the school was capable to look after a young girl. Yet over the years of looking over Ruby she couldn't help feel a maternal love for her. Ruby had been through so much she just wanted her to be happy. Lost in these thoughts Glynda wandered through the library until a mass of blonde hair caught her eye.

Glynda walked over to the mass of hair that she assumed was Yang. Normally she would have the left a student in the library to their studies, but the only reason Yang XiaoLong would be in the library is mischief. Glynda walked over to the blonde and noticed that there was a raven haired girl with her. Yang must have dragged Blake Belladonna into her scheme.

"What's she doing?" whispered Yang.

"I don't know, I can't see her computer screen" Blake responded"

"Ahem" Glynda coughed to get their attention.

"Ah!" they both responded. "P-Profesor Goodwitch w-what are you doing here?" Yang asked trying to sound casual.

"I'm here picking up some materials for my work, but I don't believe you can say the same"

Yang gasped "Professor Goodwitch is that a lack of trust I here? I'll have you know what I was looking for is right here" Yang stated grabbing a book.

Glynda looked at the title of the book "How to Tame a Wild Love Bunny? I'm don't believe that is school appropriate work miss XiaoLong"

Yang looked at the books title and turned bright red.

"Now" Glynda began "why don't you tell me what you're really after."

Yang sighed "Alright we were spying on Ruby to find out what she's interested in, so I could hold a conversation with her that lasts more than five seconds"

Glynda gave them both a stern look. "I do not approve of you violating your fellow student's privacy, but I'll let you go this time due to the reason." The relief on both their faces was palpable.

"Thank you Professor Goodwitch!" Yang said already leaving dragging Blake along with her.

"Wait!" Glynda began. Both Blake and Yang tensed and turned to face her. Glynda put on a soft smile that clearly caught them both off guard. "Ruby won't show it, but she's a huge fan of fantasy novels. Though I'm not sure of you'll be able to get her to talk about it."

Both looked shocked. "How do you…" Blake began, but Yang cut her off grabbing her shoulder.

"I'll explain it to you later" Yang then looked at Glynda "Thank you"

With that last more heartfelt thank you the two girls were off. Glynda sighed. What was she going to do with that team?

Author's note: (; ̄ー ̄) pairings?