Chapter 11—Heartbeat
Surprisingly enough to Weiss, a cool collected mood replaced the anger she felt waiting for an ever late Ruby as she sat quietly at Vale's center. Sipping away at her coffee, the sky looked rather beautiful. Evening had moved in with not a cloud in the sky, stars visible despite the light pollution of the city. It wasn't a horrible place to wait even if Ruby had managed to be thirty minutes late. Nevermind, Weiss was angry again.
The week after returning home Weiss had rarely seen Ruby outside the pillow debacle. The dolt could have just asked if she had wanted to borrow her pillow. Getting that flustered over it was ridiculous. The pillow's new rose smell wasn't too bad though, if a little distracting. After that, however, Ruby seemed to just disappear, always cancelling on plans and ignoring practice. They would speak briefly during the evening before bed, but that was the extent of their conversations.
The warm home she had come to expect seemed a lot lonelier than before. The thought that Ruby was simply ignoring Weiss wasn't that shocking. Most "friends" grew tired of her as soon as they realized the Schnee name did not mean her "friends" would be as wealthy by association. The thought that Ruby was just pretending brought too much anxiety, so Weiss decided against it. Her being late on their weekly get together would have some sort of explanation. If not, Weiss would destroy her. Well, maybe that's a bit much, but something along those lines. Ruby always brought Weiss too much worry.
"Umm, hi, Weiss. Sorry I'm late." Hushed and meek, the voice was Ruby's. All the fury she had built up dissipated when blue eyes met silver. Her partner was dressed per usual, but with makeup, done perfectly. Lips made a dark red, light amount of blush and eyeshadow. Not a layer too much and way too professional for Ruby to have done it. Definitely Yang's work. Ruby was always a pretty girl, but with the extra effort and the help of a sweet, nervous expression she was absolutely adorable. Weiss, as a rule, preferred the natural look, but this was an interesting surprise.
"You look great." Weiss had meant to drill her about being tardy, but instead just muttered praise, still in shock of what she was seeing. Ruby blushed at this, looking even more unsure of the situation.
"Yeah, Yang helped me, I'm really glad you like it. I was hoping to look more adult-like," Ruby said, giving off a very pretty, but nervous smile. Adult-like was not exactly how Weiss would phrase it, but she supposed her partner did look a little older. The age difference always was a bit difficult to deal with whenever it reared its ugly head, but it was best to ignore it. Ruby wasn't really that much younger, just barely two years, though the number fifteen was a bit daunting.
"You look fine. You're late again, Ruby, what's been up with you lately?" The anger came out half-assed, not nearly as stern as Weiss needed to be. Ruby would never learn without someone on her back about it, and who else could do that other than Weiss?
"I've just had a lot of stuff on my mind. I promise we will talk about it later tonight, when we get home even, but for now let's go out and have fun!" Ruby shouted with a touch of glee, her hand reaching out for Weiss', who did not reject it.
"And what exactly do you have planned?" Weiss grumbled, irritated at being dragged along without a clue every single outing. When would Ruby learn she was no fan of surprises?
"It's a surprise." Clearly not today at least.
Their little journey put the pair squarely in the industrial district, not exactly the best part of town, though thieves would think twice before striking two armed huntresses. Vale was never as crime free as Wintertown was, Weiss noted. Both were industrial powerhouses, but father had a way of handling crime that simply wouldn't be acceptable in the capitol.
Ruby stopped before a large, run down v-shaped intersection, the leading building unremarkable except for slight beats echoing from inside. The front entrance had a small rope, arbitrated by a lone guardsmen dressed in only black and white, aside from red shades and tie. The sound was distant, but even from afar Weiss could tell what it was.
"Are you seriously taking me to a nightclub? Have you forgotten you're fifteen?" The heiress adopted her aggressive stance, arms crossed, an evident scowl on her face. Ruby replied only with a smile and shake of her head. She stepped closer to Weiss, sliding an arm around her.
"Exactly, but I don't look fifteen with the makeup, do I? I got this partner!" The smell of roses was even more intense on her tonight, a pleasant scent for an idiot.
"Yeah, instead you look sixteen. Congratulations. We're still never getting through the door."
"Relax," Ruby responded, hands up in protest, "If it doesn't work I've got a backup plan." She gave Weiss a wink. It was more unsettling than reassuring.
Stepping up to the doorman, the beats from the club became more noticeable, and Weiss became acutely aware that Ruby was completely serious. Snow fights to clubbing was a bit of a leap, to say the least. The doorman looked down at the ever daring Ruby before quickly turning to Weiss with an expression that just said, 'really?' This was clearly not going to work.
"Excuse me, it's ladies night out. Mind letting us in?" Ruby said in a surprisingly good mock Yang. Had she been practicing?
"Go home, little girl." Ruby went a little red, but kept her composure, all that training Weiss had put her through finally seemed to help her confidence.
"Come on, don't be like that. No one minds a few extra girls, I'm sure you wouldn't either," Ruby said, pitch perfect replica of her sister, complete with a Yang smile. Wow, this really was rehearsed. Did Yang write her lines for her, too?
"Come back in three years, then we can talk." It would have worked for Yang, but blondie was a seventeen year old woman, complete with a seductive attitude and hot headed appeal, Ruby was fifteen, an adorable fifteen year old, but not exactly what a man in his thirties would be looking for. At least Weiss hoped not.
"Well, uhh...Yang says if you don't let us in she's coming back!" Ruby said in a panicked jumbled mess, her mock-persona broken and her normal panicky awkward self back. In a way it was relieving. Weiss couldn't help but smile lightly at her, these moments were strangely endearing.
"Yang? Who's that?" the doorman asked, brow lifted in a strangely bored interest.
"Tall, blonde hair, violet eyes, big," Ruby motioned over her limited chest, "Gauntlets." The doorman let out a surprised cough, eyes bugged out and an angry scowl formed on his lips. Clearly, Yang had not endeared herself to the staff. Watching Ruby try and argue her way through the door was charming, but tedious. Weiss would do things her way. Where charm fails, fear succeeds, just like father used to say.
"I apologize for my companion, but I think you will find we are on the list," Weiss said coldly, using false disinterest, expression marred with a displeased scowl. She tucked strands of her bangs behind her ear as she crossed in front of Ruby, letting the scarred eye be more pronounced, a useful tool to look intimidating.
"And who are you, little girl?" the doorman said, offended by Weiss' audacity. It was better he be aggressive to start before the poor man realized how outclassed he was.
"My name is Weiss Schnee, heiress to Schnee Dust Company and Lady of Castle White." The silver huntress mustered the coldest glare she could manage, filled with aggravation and irritation. Over half a year since she first came to Beacon she had learned exactly what the perfect amount of cold anger was needed to frighten the opposition. Father would be proud, if he knew how to be.
"Oh." Checkmate. "I had no idea, Miss, let me get you my boss. Right inside ladies." A title meant quite a bit when applied properly. Soon enough the inside was theirs to rule. The club was complete with the usual dance floor, pumping music, neon lights, bar, and hazy atmosphere Weiss had always heard about. The heiress found herself completely unimpressed, although Ruby seemed the opposite, eyes wide, absorbing the spectacle. She was wise enough, however, to stick rather close to Weiss, who as instructed followed the doorman inside.
"Well, hello ladies. I'm surprised to see the young lady Schnee at our club here today. My name is Junior, anything I can do for you two?" This 'Junior' seemed to be the club's owner, or manager, but his posture only screamed thug. His grin was toothy, a few missing to boot, marking him as an experienced brawler, or very bad one.
"Yes, I wanted to see exactly what your establishment had to offer, but your doorman was less than hospitable." The disinterested act was still on as Weiss scanned his business with a critical expression. If she had to be stuck here for a while, she might as well milk the owner for the best the club had to give. Luckily Ruby was quiet for the most part, still transfixed by the atmosphere.
"I'm sorry about that. Here, why don't you two enjoy the VIP area. Girls of your standing like their privacy, right? Anything on the house, just remember: Junior is always a friend of the Schnee family." More like a snake. He would have eaten her alive if it made the man a pence, well, he would try at least. Myrtenaster would make short work of all of them.
"Weiss, you're kind of cool when you're acting scary like that," Ruby let out, finally saying something to her. Weiss replied with a laugh, only the lightest of grins tugging at her lips. She had never been called "cool" before, but it was kind of ego boosting.
The VIP area was a solitary platform open to, but held above, the main dance floor. It kept the same style as the rest of the club, but had its own couches and open area, all far less populated than the rest of the establishment. Weiss definitely appreciated the space. The floor below was suffocating and sitting in her own corner was strangely empowering. Letting herself sit at the head of the couch, the room around Weiss altering color every few seconds, she supposed the VIP experience had its appeal. Ruby slid next to her, silver eyes darting from corner to corner of the club.
"So, a noisy club filled with the scum of the earth. Exactly what's this all about, Ruby?" Weiss asked with double purpose. One, to shake Ruby back into reality, and two, to find out exactly why she was in this seedy place to begin with. The heiress hated the club scene for the most part, anyways. The atmosphere felt like a poison bog, lights were headache inducing, and the music was like white noise. She preferred orchestras to dance floors, and strings to turntables.
"I just… I remembered you use to say that you always got left to babysit me when Yang and Blake would go out. I wanted you to know you don't have to miss out on anything, we can go wherever you want. Guess that kind of blew up in my face, huh?" Ruby let out a sigh, collapsing onto the drink table. Poor girl really didn't do much to prove her point, but Weiss felt fairly awful. She had never really perceived herself as a babysitter, she just kind of said things, sometimes forgetting Ruby was actually very sensitive to criticism. Weiss let out her own sigh, knowing this was at least a little her fault.
"Who said I minded? I mean, I did ask to keep our Saturdays just us, didn't I?" Gods, it was hard to look Ruby in the eye while she said that. Instead, she turned to meet the gaze of a leather couch as heat began to build on pale cheeks. She could see Ruby smile from her peripherals, a look between longing and contentment on her face.
"Weiss," Ruby started, standing up, arm stretched out, her hand for the heiress to take. "Dance with me."
"Oh, no! This is not my type of music. Plus, I sing, I don't dance," Weiss replied, shaking both her arms in protest, expression panicked. Her only experience dancing was in father's ballroom parties, super formal affairs, and she was bad at that even. Ruby was completely undeterred, and with a huge smile she snatched Weiss' hand, dragging her to her feet and onto the dance floor.
"No, seriously, I have no idea how to dance," Weiss muttered, starting to get a little angry. She hated how Ruby just willfully would ignore her sometimes.
"I don't know either, so just move with the music, I guess. Just do it," Ruby responded, starting what could conceivably be called dancing. It was awful, but pretty cute. Weiss closed her eyes, trying to let the music flow into her. Even if it wasn't her style, it had rhythm and a pulse to it that coursed through her, and, if she let it, make her body move. Only a few moments later Weiss managed to finally give her body over to the rhythm. The melody controlled her movements and the trance effect had fully taken root.
It felt strange, but Weiss could understand the appeal, losing oneself in the midst of music. Fully immersed, she finally was able to open her eyes without fear of losing the rhythm. She found Ruby's smiling, silver gaze. The girl had achieved a more natural sway, dancing having improved greatly. Without either of them thinking much of it, they drew closer with every motion, very quickly their moves became intertwined. The atmosphere drained inhibitions and Weiss made no attempts to prevent the growing intimacy. The proximity emphasized her partner, and over the pumping beats she couldn't help but notice how pretty she looked. Eyes always a gorgeous silver, darker makeup brightening them. Ruby's skin almost as pale as the Schnee alabaster, and the way her highlighted hair seemed to just flow on its own accord expressed a tomboyish charm.
At some point, as the music died down just a little, as the mix began to change up, the atmosphere cooled for a moment. The dancing quieted right along with it, allowing Weiss to breath in reality. Fine, she could admit it, this was a little fun. Right as Weiss had begun to relax again familiar small arms wrapped around her from behind, the Ice Princess reflexively tensing up.
"Thanks for coming, Weiss," Ruby's small voice let out into the back of Weiss' coat collar, the only thing separating her neck from the little huntress' lips. It was uncomfortable knowing exactly how comfortable Weiss would be without the cloth barrier.
"Of course, you dolt, we do this every week. I'm used to your bad ideas," she muttered, flustered by the sudden affection.
"Do you hate them that much?" Ruby sounded so sad, and again, the little reminder of how sensitive she was sent Weiss' mood into a mild state of depression. She really didn't mean to be so callous.
"I guess not," Weiss muttered barely over the volume of music, starting up again with a new fiery mix. Ruby's arms wrapped around tighter. It was almost a little panic inducing, but in a good way. With a sigh, Weiss pulled out of the hug, turning towards Ruby.
"Come on, we're here. Might as well keep dancing."
A few hours passed, and by the time they left the club it was already near midnight, the moon bright and full the entire walk back to Beacon. The entire way Ruby jabbered on and on about all kinds of nonsense, seeming nervous yet filled with energy. Weiss, however, felt exhausted, the club atmosphere proved exciting, but toxic. A headache pounded behind her scarred eye, the frosty night unable to dull the steady throbbing. Not a moment too soon had they arrived at the dorm building, warm air flowing from inside. Ruby went quiet, paused at the door.
"Come on, let's go. It's late," Weiss voiced, pushing Ruby over the threshold. Whatever had paralyzed her could be dealt with in the morning.
Their own dorm room was left empty, the bumblebee duo still out, which meant Yang was liable to barge in at four in the morning, waking them all up. Sometimes Weiss wondered if Blake was the one really doing the babysitting. The heiress plopped herself down on the bed, considering falling asleep in her coat. Ruby, on the other hand, slid back the room's curtain, chasing away the darkness with moonlight. She was uncharacteristically silent, staring deeply into the full moon. She opened the window, both a draft coupled with a few specks of snow creeping in. After a day of fair weather, snow was returning home, ready to fall all over again. In truth, the whole scene was growing unnerving.
"Hey, remember when I said I was going to talk about some stuff?" Ruby sounded half her age, like she had gotten caught stealing cookies. It was so odd how her maturity fluctuated.
"Yes, will you seriously tell me why you've been avoiding me lately?" Weiss was ready to chew Ruby out for whatever her excuse was. If she had some sort of problem with Weiss she should have told her immediately. This hurt team unity… and more than that, it hurt Weiss, though she would never admit it.
"I… I don't want to avoid you… trust me. I just don't want you to hate me." Ruby wouldn't look at Weiss. Her eyes were glued to the moon.
"I don't hate you, Ruby," Weiss muttered. It wasn't fair, no matter what she did, Ruby didn't get it. She never hated her partner. She couldn't stand the thought.
"I know, but you might. It's so weird." Ruby was blushing, her expression one of embarrassment. She looked so scared. Why? What was this all about?
"What's weird? Ruby talk to me, we're partners," Weiss cajoled. She didn't know whether to be worried or a bit angry that Ruby didn't trust her. Was she not being supportive enough? This was way too confusing.
"I like you, Weiss! I like you too much. I like you in a way I'm not supposed to. I'm sorry, I just wanted to be your friend, I didn't mean for this." Ruby was loud, but it was like Weiss couldn't hear her at all. Her heartbeat was louder than the crimson huntress' confession, at least it felt that way. There was a stillness to Weiss that she had not felt in a long while.
"I'm sorry, I want to stay your friend. I won't, like, touch you. Well, I will, but like in combat training I have to, but like not in creepy ways, unless sometimes you're sad and want a hug, but like, that's only when you say so." Ruby was so red, the blush running from her neck to her cheeks, even brightening her ears into a crimson shade. It looked so pretty on her. The red contrasted with her silver eyes so well, a perfect color for a rose.
"Gods, I need to stop talking, I sound like such a creep. I'm sorry, don't mean to be weird, I just..." Weiss' hand reached out, lifting Ruby's chin. She turned the girl's face towards the heiress' blue eyes, the surface of cool still waters. Ruby was crying, and Weiss just couldn't tell why. She shouldn't be crying, those pretty silver eyes weren't meant for it. Everything was perfect, no need for tears.
While the moonlight danced around them the Ice Princess kissed Ruby's soft lips and the tears stopped.
**Hey guys sorry for the super long wait. I meant to get this done on Friday, but after finals week I just needed some time to relax. This is kind of the big step towards the last part of this story, but this is not the final chapter by any stretch.
I was inspired to do the club thing because personally that kind of environment always put me a little off, being someone more partial to Mozart than Skrillex. I felt kind of like I could feel for that disconnect. Little secret about how I write, the entire time I was writing the club scene I had the yellow trailer song playing on repeat. Got to say, it's not a bad song, but after about 4 hours of it on repeat I need a long break. XD
Also I remember reading a fanfic with Ruby doing a dance number in it, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was.
The ending for this chapter was, I'll use the word inspired, from one of my favorite manga's. Nopros will know what I'm referencing, but I love how it came together. If you haven't guess I obsess over people's eyes. I had a friend once with such pale blue eyes that, depending on the lighting, were straight up silver. Gorgeous.
Btw, frozenhikki posted another chapter of October Storm, you guys and gals should check it out, not going to lie I postponed writing this a bit to buy myself time to read frozen's wonderful goodies. Gods, he/she is so damn good.
This vacation is about relaxing for me, but I will be posting regularly again throughout the week. I look forward to pushing forward with you guys and thanks so much for the huge amount of reviews you guys all did and all the new favorites and follows you guys are awesome and it really means the world to me each and every one. See you soon and tell me what you think about how this went!
Oh! And I let this out with less read trough's than I usually do. I wanted to get this out before you all thought I died. XD If you notice any mistakes do not hesitate to PM me them it's super helpful. Love you guys later.