Chapter 11 - Goldilocks and The Second Bear.

"I'm telling you it was a wind change!"

"It's not that big a deal, Ruby. You missed one shot." I look over my shoulder to the trailing crimsoness who continues to rant about her one missed shot after 29 consecutive bulls-eyes from well over 200 feet.

"It is a big deal! I never miss an idle target. NEVER." She rants on. Her voice getting louder, but her tone getting cuter the more she whines and complains.

"Alright, Ruby. The wind changed mid-shot and it made you miss your mark." I roll my eyes, answering in a non-caring sarcastic tone. We are already off the roof and on the first floor walking down one of the long hallways. According to Sebastian he lead Yang and Blake to the sparring room that I've used to practice against him with Myrtenaster. I have no doubt that it was Yang to ask for an area to spar. She's so restless and aggressive. I have no idea how Blake is able to keep Yang under control.

"That's exactly what it was! I had everything lined up perfectly! It's not my fault bullets can't avoid wind!" She continues to protest on our way down the hallway. Eventually we come to the large double door that I push open.

"Besides, if it were a Beowolf then it would've had its arm torn off! That shot was barely off!" Ruby's rant continues while she walks into the doorway with me and goes completely silent to the sight we are both amazed to see.

Yang is out cold. The confident, nearly indestructible heavy-hitter of team RWBY is in a dream-like state while her other half is kneeling with the blonde's head and hair on her lap. Blake raises her head and makes eye contact with the two of us and motions us closer.

At her gestured beckon the two of us walk over. Standing near Yang's feet just before Blake speaks up, but in a slightly hushed tone that is still able to echo throughout the room.

"I won." Blake says with her casual, monotone nature.

"That much is obvious." I answer.

". . . Is Yang okay?" Ruby's concern is noted with her slightly rushed words.

"Oh, she's fine. She's actually taking a nap. She wasn't out cold that long after our match." Blake explains and passes a look down to Yang to see if the brawler is still asleep before passing an idle hand through the golden mane.

"How long was she out, then? Just for knowledge's sake." I ask, curious as to how Yang - an undefeated fighter in the gruesome combat arena known as The Pit - was knocked out by Blake. That is by no means any offense to Blake's combat abilities, but last time those two sparred it ended up with Yang winning and Blake with a sprained ankle.

"Only about 5 seconds, but I told her we were done there. Last thing I want is to find out she has a mild concussion and I made her continue a spar."

"A mild concussion!? Blake! What did you do to her!?" Ruby shouts. Her loud, echoing voice enough to wake up her sleeping sister her expresses her disapproval with a mighty groan and a suck of her teeth.

"Why can't I ever get some shut eye when I want it?" Yang sighs and opens her eyes to the sight of both Ruby and I staring down at her. "Oh, hey you two."

I raise my left hand up to my face and use my index and middle fingers to pinch the bridge of my nose while exhaling into my nearby palm. I will never understand the mutual display of a non-caring attitude between the two of them. It's rather intimidating to say the least.

". . . Will you two care to go upstairs and get ready? The limo will be out front in a few minutes for us to leave." I release a loud sigh, trying to remember that this is my team before me and not him.

"It's still pretty early to be leaving. Isn't it, Weiss?" Blake looks at me with confusion. It is daylight out, and as usual Blake is too observant for me to slip anything by.

"I figured you'd all want to have a look at Atlas. I doubt being locked up in here for the next few days is anything to enjoy by itself. Atlas is a great place . . . the people in the city are wonderful." I add the last part with a hesitant pause. Several thoughts of my more social past emerge and fill me with a strong sense of nostalgia. Back before I had anything expected of me as an heiress and was free to socialize as I wanted . . . with an escort nearby of course.

"Did Weiss just . . . say something nice about people!?" Yang sits up in a startle, mocking my lack of praise for the basic person as if I should be giving praise to any and all who show effort but lack results.

"I did. Mind you that is the last time I will." I shake my head. Just before I can add more to it there is a gentle touch to my left hip. I make a quick turn of my head to see several fingers and when I turn to my right I make note of Ruby's arm hidden behind my back along with Ruby giving me one of her brightening smiles. Something I can never seem to look at and not want to smile myself, even if it is just a slight grin.

"Do we need to get all dressed up?" Ruby asks me. I know she hates to dress up. Her attitude towards dress shopping for the prom was proof of that, meaning that she is just trying to change the topic for my sake.

"No, and I'd prefer if only Yang and myself were to carry our weapons." The odd request earns 6 eyes to lock onto me. The several moments of silence that follow are eventually broken up by Blake who utters only one word.

". . . Why?"

"Just for impressions sake, and to avoid carrying anything like that into a restaurant. Myrtenaster has always been on my hip. People seeing me without it is highly irregular. Yang's Ember Celica are barely noticeable in their passive form, otherwise I'd ask her to not bring hers as well. It's her choice, honestly. I just can't force her with that reasoning . . ." I pause a moment, repeating what I just said in my head and make haste to correct myself, "I can't force any of you, at that. It's just a request."

"Can we keep them in the limo?" Ruby's voice makes me turn my head to look at her and meet the infamous puppy stare I have become far too familiar with over the past few months. Thinking on it now, it is nearly impossible to separate Ruby from her Crescent Rose. Making the request for only Blake to not bring hers would be highly unreasonable, and while this is just to avoid bringing any highly visible weaponry to the more etiquette dictated district of Atlas, Ruby's suggestion is very agreeable to.

"That's fine. It's more reasonable, I guess."

My response earns a few nods from Blake who stands up and offers her hand to help up Yang. The two of them walk towards the corner of the room and pick up their respective weapons that I hadn't noticed earlier.

"So, where are we going? You always have things organized." Ruby's curiosity finally peaks now that her sister and Blake are both out of earshot. I was expecting her curiosity to peak a lot quicker and have a more hyperactive effect, but it seems Ruby is either much calmer or is trying her best to mask her excitement.

"Well. There's a large mall sitting near the restaurant I want to take you all to. Plus, this will be the first time I would have stepped into the city in a while. Before I went to Beacon all I ever did was learn about my grandfather's company, my other studies, and how to wield Myrtenaster." My explanation to Ruby concludes itself just before Yang and Blake make it back to join us.

"Alright! All set!" Yang announces in her usual loud and hearty voice. I lean to the side a little, unable to move much thanks to Ruby's arm holding me close. With what little lean I am able to do I see that Yang's hair is slightly tangled, but decide to not make note of it otherwise we may end up staying here for another hour for Yang to comb out her golden lockes.

"I need to go get Myrtenaster. I'll walk you all to the lobby and head upstairs."

With that said, the four of us leave the sparring room and make a right turn to head down the long hallway, bypassing a perpendicular hallway on the right side along the way until we eventually come into the opening into the large lobby and elevated ceiling that makes up the entryway to Schnee Manor.

"I'll be right back." I reassure the three of them while I go up the main stairs and turn left to go up the perpendicular set to arrive on the second floor. By habit I've always began my ascent by going up the main stairs instead of using the spiral staircase that I will end up using now anyway to get to the bedrooms.

Straight ahead of me is that exact door that I push open and begin my climb up to the fourth floor with the help of the golden banister on the inside part of the swirling stairs. The entire time I wonder exactly how the evening should progress should everything go alright. The restaurant is planned. It's not the most elegant place, but the food is very acceptable and the menu is something that can cater to everyone in my team. Mr Xiao Long, Mr Qrow, and Shun relayed to me through Sebastian that they have no interest in going. Mr Qrow because he is working on a project for Ruby. Shun because she claims if she hears a faunus comment and the threat of Mr Qrow over her shoulder not being around will easily let her take matters into her own hands, and Mr Xiao Long claimed he did not wish to go for reasons he wished to keep to himself.

I push my way out of the stairwell after getting to the fourth floor and immediately turn right to head down the long hallway. The entire time my eyes are locked onto the door at the far end with my emblem displayed on the top. I push my way into the room and look ahead of me to the bed as well as passed it to the layered stand of teddybears I have. From the door I can easily spot Myrtenaster leaning against the wall between the bed and stand. I walk around my bed to fetch my weapon and place it on my left hip. My room is one of the larger ones in the house, and the only one with the walls painted with two solid coats to assure the designs do not fade or get painted over.

I nod to myself and turn to make my way back around my bed, but as I near the foot of my bed I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. The first thing I note is my side ponytail. I've gotten so used to seeing myself in twintails that I can hardly recognize myself without them.

I won't wear twintails in Atlas, but I guess I can wear my hair down for her.

I sigh in defeat to my own weakness for making Ruby happy. What was supposed to be a quick trip for Myrtenaster now turns into me taking a seat at my large dresser and grasping the comb that sits right in the center. I have anything that I would need on my dresser or in one of its drawers. All the way from cosmetics to different brushes to assure my hair gets parted correctly, and top of the line curlers for the extremely rare occasion I want my hair to have a special flare to it.

"Need help?"

My eyes widen at the familiar voice and my head turns to the right to gaze at the doorway with Blake standing in it with her friendly grin plastered on her face. I don't get a chance to respond before she begins stepping in and snatches the comb from me in one of her assertive manners that shows a slight lack in consideration, but also a caring attitude that can be compared to Yang's tough and motherly affections towards Ruby.

"Didn't I ask you all to wait at the limo?"

My question comes out far more hostile than it how it sounded it in my head. Thankfully when I gaze up at the mirror I can't see any signs of offense taken on Blake's behalf. Instead she undoes my side ponytail and begins to comb out my hair.

"Don't try too hard. There's not a mask in this world that we won't see through." Blake's amber eyes meet mine through the mirror. I'm not entirely sure what she is trying to say and my returned glare portrays that lack of knowledge well enough for her to continue. "Acting confident and in-control won't make us not see that you're stressed and worried."

I nod my head and listen to Blake while she takes her time combing out my hair until every last tangle that I feel the teeth of the comb tug on are no longer felt anywhere. Blake is probably the last person I would expect to follow me upstairs just to relay a simple message, yet she is also the person I would prefer it from the most since she has a way of getting words across with her calm attitude.

"It's not that easy. My father will be home in within the next 48 hours. Needless to say I don't get along with him for several reasons. I rather not go down the list right now." I sigh and take a long, deep breath to calm my nerves.

"Twintails?"

"No, I'm keeping it down."

"Alright. Anyway, you don't need to deal with him alone. You have Yang, Ruby, me, Mister Qrow, Mr Tai, and believe it or not, Shun too." Blake smiles at me through the mirror while she leans over my shoulder and starts to carefully comb out my bangs to make sure it hangs carefully above my right eye without covering it and to assure that the spot where it parts over my left eye is clear. After dealing with Yang's hair I am not surprised to see Blake is very capable of helping me in a timely fashion.

While Blake fixes my bangs we are both completely silent. When she is done she puts the comb down on the table and leans off of my shoulder so I can stand up and turn myself to see how my hair looks from the side and partially from the back.

"Thanks, Blake." I say to her while we both leave my room and begin heading to the stairwell.

"Yang's is a much harder challenge." She answers back to me with a brief chuckle.

"I meant that for what you said. Was it that obvious?"

"I noticed it before we left Patch. You've been somewhat okay while we've been here . . . but you went back to being all super formal and somewhat robotic with your organization. You need to remember that we're here. Especially Ruby."

". . . I know." I nod my head to Blake as we continue our way down the hallway and then down the stairwell until we make it back to the main lobby. The two of us exit through the front door to see the same long, white stretch limo waiting in front of the walkway with the door open with Ruby and Yang sitting inside, but within view.

"Took you long enough, Ice Queen!" Yang shouts from inside the limo. At the moment Ruby is the one sitting closest to the open door and Yang is on the other side with her back against the wall, making herself comfortable with her arms spread apart on the top of the seats.

"Weiss! You put your hair down!"

Of course Ruby would notice it immediately. It amazes me just how observant she is. At least when it comes to me.

"I wanted to go with something besides my side ponytail or my twintails." I explain, gesturing Blake to slide into the limo. After she climbs in and gets herself comfortable next Yang I do the same and close the door behind me, not needing to wait long before Ruby has her head laying on my shoulder and my left arm held tightly in her grasp.

"So, where exactly are we going?" Yang is the first to ask about our destination after the limo begins to U-turn to exit the main gate and begin the trip towards the more populated section of Atlas.

'You'll see. There's something there for each of you to enjoy. There's a weapons museum for Ruby. One of the largest bookstores for Blake, and I believe there is a shopping center close to the restaurant that has clothing that will fit your style well, Yang."

Everyone appears to be satisfied with my answer and explanation of what will be going on but for some reason I feel the need to add something just for the sake of giving out information.

"The restaurant is near some club I hear is everything you could ask for. That may be somewhere Yang would want to check out for the fun of it." I give a shrug of my shoulders. Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned it, but knowing Yang's eye she would have seen it the moment we arrived and asked about it. "If I recall correctly it's ran by someone named Jiù Xióng."

"Xiong?" Yang's interest immediately peaks at the mention of that name.

"Yes. You know that name?" I look over to the blonde brawler who is hold Blake by the hip, practically crushing the small faunus against her side but without any complaints from Blake who has her head on Yang's shoulder, similar to how Ruby has her head on mine.

"I do. Someone in Vale has that name, but he goes by a different name." Yang smiles to herself and reaches into her pocket to pull out her scroll and open up an image. From my angle all I can make out is a figure with long, black hair but nothing else is sharp enough for me to make sense of. As Yang closes her scroll and places it back into her pocket I see that confident grin of hers appear before she utters her next words.

". . . Everyone calls him Junior."


I'm sure people know what's gonna happen . . . Then again I'm unpredictable :P