The next day to say the least, was kind of a damp and gloom, with Ruby still depressed, Blake staying up for long periods at night, and Drago who didn't even show up to the dorms. He was currently napping on top of Ozpin's tower, while Blake was in the library, looking up more info on Torchwick and the White Fang. Ruby was in her team's dorm eating her cookies with a depressed look. Thankfully it was a day off for them, since they were in charge of getting the dance ready.
"Uh...Ruby." Yang said taking a glance at her sister. "You may want to take it easy with the cookies."
"Shut up, I'll eat how I want." Ruby muttered sadly through a mouthful of cookies.
"Ruby, that's your fifth pack of cookies." Yang said shaking her head. "Look, I promise you everything will turn out fine at the dance."
"You don't know that." Ruby said with a sadden voice. Yang sighed as she shook her head at her sister's doubtfulness. First Blake and her obsession with the White Fang and Torchwick, now Ruby who is really depressed. Yang looked at Ruby just sitting there very upset. She was debating to either stay here or go deal with Blake who is constantly tired and obsessed. She then thought to herself, this needs to stop now, as she exited out of the room. Ruby sniffed as she rubbed her eyes. She has never dealt with this kind of pain before. Her heart felt like it was shattered beyond repair, and those pieces were scattered to every corner of Remnant. She was about to stuff another cookie in, until she stopped. This isn't me, she thought as she sat there. Yes she didn't get a date but maybe she can still try to have fun? It wouldn't feel the same, but it's still a good occasion to deal with. Moping around isn't gonna solve anything. She got down from her bed and placed her cookies under Weiss's bed, where the rest of her stash of cookies were. She then left the dorm rooms, hoping to get everything ready for the dance tonight.
[Drago, on top of Ozpin's Tower]
*CLANG* CLANG* *SWISH *CLANG*
The sounds of blades hitting each other was sounded loudly from on top of the tower. If people looked closely at what was happening, they would see Drago who was having a power struggle...with himself. Now you may be wondering, how is he fighting himself? The answer: The Multiform Technique. It's a technique he learned during his time training in the DBZ universe, at first it weakened him due to how much it reduced his power with each clone, but he trained enough where even in his new body, it didn't weaken his power or aura levels. It took him months to perfect it, but he did it in the end. So he can make as many clones of himself, without any drawbacks or problems at all.
He, however keeps getting interrupted by thoughts from yesterday. It isn't very simple to forget, nor is it helping him concentrate either. Everytime he brought up those thoughts, his clone copy would take advantage of it and try to knock him off the tower. Drago barely dodged an overhead strike from his clone as he retaliated with a side swipe, cutting the clone in half. Once the clone started to dissolve, he looks towards Beacon, and sees Team RW(B)Y working on the dance. He was only fixated on Ruby, who was currently hanging ribbons and setting up tables. Due to his race, he has great eyesight from far away distances. Ruby looked depressed though from what he could see, while Yang was carrying a huge speaker. Blake was nowhere in the room, no doubt in the library, again. Honestly, she was starting to act like him, but less violent. While noticing her as the way she acted, he started to see why people aren't exactly fond of him whenever he is not exactly kind to others. He was hoping she would get better, the school didn't need two of himself. If not, then he would have to talk to her about it, or have one of her teammates do it.
It may sound hypocritical to others, even to him, but he didn't want Blake to end up a loner like himself. The moment you start becoming one, you could never go back, and you rather distrust more, and only trust yourself. He looks at Ruby again, who finished a table and sat down on a chair and looked down, very saddened expression as everyone else worked. He did as Yang suggested and kept his distance, but everytime he sees her like this, it made him feel more pain than any weapon could deal out. He could just go down and tell her right away, but thinks he would make matters worse. As much as he wants to, he just stays on top of the tower and does the only thing that sometimes helps him: Train. This, however, is starting to be more difficult once the day continued on. How could he not see it? How could he not see Ruby's feelings towards him? Oh wait, he did, but thought nothing of it. He thought it was like puppy love, but he was dead wrong. Her feelings were stronger, and he shattered it by saying the wrong thing. He needs to make this right, he was only going with Cinder as a friend and partner, so things should be fine, right?
[Meanwhile, with RW(B)Y]
Yang just finished with the giant speakers as she looked behind her, seeing Weiss and Ruby, though slowly, work. And no Blake in sight. This is starting to get irritating, one with Blake too worried about Torchwick and the White Fang, and Ruby's broken heart.
'I swear, that overgrown lizard better do something amazing for her at the dance, or I'm breaking his body.' Yang thought with an irritated glare. 'I have enough with Blake's obsession, I don't want to have to deal with a heartbroken sibling!' Said person was having difficulty with choosing which napkin to chose, courtesy of Weiss who held them in each hand. Ruby didn't pay much attention to her as she was worried for two things, Blake who wasn't getting much sleep, and what might happen if she ran into Drago again. She wasn't quite ready to confront him yet, but felt like she was being cruel for running off like a coward.
"So…" Yang said standing next to her. "Have you picked out a dress yet?".
"...Kind of...but what's the point if Blake isn't going?" Ruby asked with depression.
"Oh don't worry, she'll come." Yang said with her hand in her hips. "Just like another certain faunas." Ruby visibly flinched at this, making Yang look at her with sympathy. 'I swear, he better do something good.' She then turned her head away, then gained a look of annoyance.
"Weiss! I said no doyles!"
"If I can't have doyles, you can't have fog machine." Weiss said pointing a finger at her face. It was then that the doors to the Ballroom opened up, causing the girls to see Neptune and Sun walk in.
"Your dance is gonna have fog machines?" Neptune asked with a grin.
"We were thinking about it." Weiss said, completely forgetting the dispute she had with Yang.
"That's pretty cool." Neptune said grinning, Sun sliding in next to him.
"You ladies all ready for dress up?" He asked with his own grin.
"...Not really." Ruby said with a sigh.
"Well, I am, and I'll be turning heads tonight." Yang said with confidence. Weiss rolled her eyes at her blonde friend.
"What are you two wearing tonight?" She asked with her grin.
"Uhh, this." Sun said gesturing to his normal attire, Causing Neptune to put a hand up in front of him.
"Ignore him, for he does not know what he says." He said with a shake of his head. Sun just moved it out of the way as he jabbed a thumb at himself.
"Hey I may have moved to Mistral, but I lived in Vacuo, it's not exactly a shirt and tie kind of place."
"Yeah...we noticed." Yang said shrugging with an unimpressed look.
"...So, what does Blake have to say about all of this?" Sun asked rubbing the back of his head. "Is she still, well, acting all "Blakey", or, in other words, are we gonna have a second Drago?" Yang didn't like hearing that, but she knew he was a bit right on that.
"... I'll be right back." Yang said in a sort of low growl as she turned and stormed out. Her friends looked at her with confused glances as she left, wondering where she could be going. Whenever she gets like this, people know to stay clear, unless they want to feel her wrath.
[Beacon Hallway]
Drago just left the top of Ozpin's tower a few minutes ago, and was hoping for a peaceful time before the dance tonight. He has forgotten how nice the outside world was, especially the sight of people having normal lives. He then thought of his massacres as he saw Rodriguez walking with the faunas he was about to kill that day. He was standing in front of the school while Rodriguez passed him, Brittany getting away from Drago's eyesight out of fear. He couldn't blame her, he did kill many of her kind right in front of her. Soon he felt a bit of guilt when she looked back with a saddened look on her face. He started having the oath repeat in his head, specifically one part: We swear to protect, not to kill. Even if they're evil, we will not kill unless there is absolutely no choice left. Over his entire life, Drago has somewhat abandon that part of his oath on occasions. The amount of dead enemies behind him would prove that. He rarely, to almost never spared his enemies, always saying to himself that he was doing the right thing, to ensure humanity always stayed protected. He personally knew of a few once great heroes who took his idea too far, and became powerful and evil dictators, such as the man of steel or the dark sith lord, who would kill even their own friends and close allies if they broke their laws or challenged them. Unlike them though, Drago would never enforce laws to protect the humans, nor would he kill those who would try and break them.
But now he wonders why he only applies it to only humans? He has killed a few in the past, but they were either beyond help, or were tuned into something that made them more of a monster than a human. He only said that Rodriguez would be the third human, but that was because he would've been the third pure human he would've killed. The first two were honorable warriors who earned a warrior's death, he even burned them to honor them. But you could say Rodriguez wasn't human, he was a skeleton turned human, so it didn't really count him as one. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a hand grab his arm and pull him away towards the inside of the building, the hand belonged to none other than Yang who looked somewhat angry.
"What the-"
"Shut it, you and I are gonna have a talk, along with Blake." Yang said in a serious tone as she kept her grip on the giant fauna's arm. Drago just stared at her with a furrowed eyebrow as he just stayed quiet for the rest of the trip. Halfway walking to their destination, which turned out to be the library, she handed him a silver pen like object which turned out to be a blue laser pointer. He was confused at the object she gave him as she pulled out her own laser pointer.
"Care to explain to me why we are in the library with laser pointers?" He asked with a slightly annoyed and bored a look. Yang only shushed him as she looked from behind the bookshelf they were hiding behind. He was confused why she wanted him here with a laser pointer until she started to flash hers at one of the computers, the one belonging to Blake. He was now very confused when Yang signaled him to do the same when she put hers out. Out of sheer boredom, he turned his on and flashed it at Blake's computer screen, making her tired eyes follow the new colored dot. The blue dot disappeared a few seconds later, before the red dot appeared in its place. The blue dot returned next to the red dot as they slowly moved up and down, Blake's eyes following every movement. The two dots then moved down to the table, then to her hand. On instincts, she tried to grab them, but vanished before she did. Her eyes drifted to the floor where the two dots were, the blue dot spinning around the red dot making a blue circle around it. They then started to move away slowly away, making her get up from the computer and follow the dots, never taking her eyes off of them.
Drago gave a small quiet amused chuckle. He almost forgot that she was a cat faunas, and in her tired state, she almost acts like one. Really, he was just following Yang's movement not really sure where she is leading her. He got his answer when Blake walked towards their location, her eyes still on the dots. Soon they disappeared and she was confused until Yang grabs her arm.
"Helloooo~, We need to talk." Yang said as she pulled her. Blake looked at Drago in confusion. He shrugged as Blake gave a small scream in surprise as Drago followed.
[About a few minutes later, Ports classroom]
Blake was currently sitting on top of the teacher's desk as she looked Yang looking at the board with her hands on her hips. Drago had a bored expression as he stood with crossed arms.
"If you are here to tell me to stop, you are wasting your breath."
"I'm not telling you to stop, I am telling you to slow down." Yang corrected.
"I don't have the luxury to slow down."
"It's not a luxury, it's a necessity."
"the necessity it stopping Torchwick."
"And we will, but right now I want you to listen to me while I tell you this story." she then looks at Drago. "You don't have to listen If you don't want to."
"Nothing interesting has happened yet, I'll listen in." he replied boredly.
Yang looked back towards the board as she took a breather. "Ruby and I lived on island off the coast of Vale. Our parents were Huntsmen. Our dad taught at Signal, and our mom took on missions around the kingdom. Her name was Summer Rose, and she was, like... Super-Mom: Baker of cookies and slayer of giant monsters." she said with a visible smile, before it faded into a saddened one. "Then, one day...she never returned from one of her missions."
'...So that is why she loves cookies…' he thought about it. He then remembered when he threatened her about sending her to her mother's grave due to sharing his emotions with her. He felt like an idiot for saying such things to her, especially if she had feelings for him. Blake looked at Yang with sympathetic eyes.
"It was tough. Ruby was really torn up, but... I think she was still too young to really get what was going on, y'know? And my dad just kind of... shutted down." Yang continued. Drago looked away with a tiny glare, remembering how he was when his father died. Yang looks down.
"It wasn't long before I learned why. Summer wasn't the first love he lost; she was the second." Yang said with her head down. "the first...was my mom." Blake gave a look of surprise from this as Yang looked at her and Drago. His reaction was more of confusion.
'So Yang and Ruby are born from different mothers, but same father, interesting.' He thought as he listened closely to Yang.
"He wouldn't tell me everything, but I learned that the two of them had been on a team together with Summer and Qrow, and that she'd left me with him right after I was born. No one had seen her since." Yang said as she leaned on the clean chalkboard.
"Why did she leave you?" Blake asked. Yang sighed as she got off the chalkboard and looked towards it.
"That's the question...why?" she asked as she picked up the chalk. "I didn't know the answer, but I was determined to find out. I would ask anyone I could so I could find her." Drago looked away with a small glare, thinking how that would've been a small waste of time.
"Then, one day, I found something. What I thought was a clue that could lead me to answers, or maybe even my mother." Yang said as she started to wrote the story out as well. "I waited for Dad to leave the house, put Ruby in a wagon, and headed out." she stopped writing writing for a moment, took a deep breath and continued. "I must've walked for hours. I had cuts and bruises, I was totally exhausted, but I wasn't gonna let anything stop me."
'She would risk not only her life, but her sister's as well to find a shadow?' Drago wondered with a glare, growling quietly.
"When we finally got there, I could barely stand, but I didn't care; I had made it. And then I saw them. Those burning red eyes…" she puts down the chalk as she looked down, her hands resting on the edge of the chalkboard. "There we were: A toddler sleeping in the back of a wagon and a stupid girl too exhausted to even cry for help. We might as well have been served on a silver platter." Drago looked a bit angered but he let's her continued. "But, just our luck, my uncle saved is in time." she said nothing for a moment. "My stubbornness should have gotten us both killed that day." Drago wasn't exactly sure what this story was all about, until he gave one good look at Blake.
'I guess you were just too focused on finding someone who might not even want you anymore, and that almost costed your lives.' Drago thought giving a small glare to Yang. 'Much like….Blake trying to find answers to stop an enemy…'
"Yang... I'm sorry that happened to you, and I understand what you're trying to tell me, but this is different. I'm not a child, and this isn't just a search for answers! I can't just-" Blake tried to protest, only to stop when Yang clenching her fists.
"I told you: I'm not telling you to stop! I haven't! To this day, I still want to know what happened to my mother and why she left me, but I will never let that search control me. We're going to find the answers we're looking for, Blake. But if we destroy ourselves in the process, what good are we?" she asked, slightly spreading her arms.
"Just give it up." Drago muttered quietly. "There is almost no point in searching for someone who probably doesn't want anything to do with you."
"And I bet you would just give up right away, with unanswered questions." Yang said with a glare. This statement causes Drago to look away.
"...You're wrong." He muttered again, before turning to Blake. "I was once in your situation, and I didn't stop looking for answers." He then glared at Yang with a growl. "But I didn't bring people with me to endanger just to search for a shadow."
"I know." Yang said with a saddened look, which wasn't a response Drago expected. "My stubbornness was at its peak, I wanted to find her so badly...but ended up finding nothing." but she looks at Drago. "But that won't stop me from looking for her, I am just not having it as my main attention, or to take complete control over me." she then looks at Blake, Drago finally understanding the message Yang was trying to give across.
"You don't understand, Yang! I am the only one that can do this!"
"No YOU don't understand!" Yang shot back, her eyes turning red and pointing at the door. "If Roman Torchwick walked through that door, what would you do?"
"I would fight him!"
"You'd lose!" Yang pushes Blake but she still stood.
"I can stop him!" Blake tried to push Yang, but is too exhausted and tired to even budge her.
"You can't even stop me!" Yang said pushing her again, causing her to fall onto the desk. Drago shook his head in disappointment at Blake. Yang walked up to Blake who was getting up, still having an angered expression. However, she does the unexpected, and hugs Blake, embracing her and her eyes going back to normal. Drago went wide eyed for a moment at this.
"I'm not asking you to stop. Just get some rest." Yang assured as she stops the hug to look at her partner. "Not just for you, but for the people you care about." with that being said she steps back and walks past Blake and Drago, before stopping and looking back. "And if you ever feel like coming out tonight, I'll save a dance for you." Yang walked away and out the door as Blake looked at the chalk board.
"I'd take her advice Blake, if you keep doing what you're doing right now, it won't be pretty in the long run."
"Thats rich coming from you." Blake said with a shake of her head as she got up and glared at Drago.
"Blake-"
"Why should I not be worried twenty-four seven, once I drop my guard, they will attack! I can't do that! You said it yourself, they attack at the worst possible moment and we must be ready for it, so why-!"
"Because you would end up just like me!" Drago shouted slamming his fist on the table. Blake and him were silent as Drago closed his eyes as he looked down, then went to look at Blake with...worry. "Remember when I said I was in your situation once?" she only looked at him as he continued. "When I was younger, I was asked to find some rogue killers who were part of a cult, and I did everything to find information on them. I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, I just kept looking. And when I found their hideout, I was captured." Drago looked away with a glare. "I was tired and weakened, I couldn't do anything." Blake looked down saddened by this as Drago stood up. "So please, just go to the dance, get sleep, eat something...anything." he then turned to leave the room before he turned to her. "Like Yang said, you don't have to stop, but just take it slow. Otherwise, when you do find them, you will potentially be captured and tortured, or just straight up killed, like how I was." he then leaves, having Blake in a thinking attitude as she looked at the board. Blake's eyes were wide as dinner plates as she listened to both stories and gave it some thought. Drago was in a life death situation and here she was tirelessly working to find info on the White Fang.
[Later that night]
The night was glowing brightly as the stars appeared to light up the sky. What lit up even more was Beacon Academy, as the party was about to start officially. It pans over to Yang behind a booth in a short white dress with black heels. She smiles as someone walks towards her slowly.
"You look beautiful!" she said energetically as Ruby had major difficulty walking in her heels. The little sister groans in frustration.
"Can we have a serious talk in how Weiss fights in these things!?" Ruby complained as she stumbled slowly to the podium, much to Yang's laughter in amusement. Despite it, however, there is still a look of sadness in her sister's eyes, she just hopes she will be alright, or better yet, Drago does something spectacular. Ruby was wearing a dress almost similar to Yang's, but was red and black, and the skirt was longer. Just outside was the familiar monkey faunas, Sun, in a new black suit and tie as he struggled specifically with the tie.
"Dang...stupid...neck trap!"
"I thought you would look better in a tie." a voice was heard behind Sun as he looked behind him. He see's Blake, who is wearing a bright blue bow and a dark purple dress, she has officially traded her dark bags into purple eyeshadow as she smiled at Sun. She walks towards him and holds onto his arm.
"So...does that mean we are here together?" he asked.
"Technically yes, but my first dance is spoken for." she chuckled a little.
The night went on as everyone was in the ballroom now, most of the boys in dark black suits as the girls wore bright colored dresses. Yang was still at the podium until she heard the sound of wings flapping. She looks up to see Drago, wearing a black suit...with armor? His suit was black with dark blue armor that covered his chest, upper arms, and his shins. His hair was still slightly spikey, but did looked more combed and shiny.
"Couldn't leave the armor at home huh?" Yang joked as she leaned on the podium. Drago shrugged as he gave a small smirk.
"This isn't my armor, this from the metal I sent to the tailor to make." He said with his small grin. "This maybe a dance, but I still keep some armor on, including my wrist blades at least."
"Either way, you look nice." Yang complemented, Drago smirked a little wider, before he looked around the room.
"Do you know where Ruby is?" He asked with a look of slight desperation. Yang was about to say until more people are heard behind him, which he looks behind to see Cinder with Mercury and Emerald. Cinder smiled as she walked and stopped next to Drago.
"I thought you would be here." she said with a grin. Drago rubbed his head as Yang gave a small glare at him. Just his luck, he is here to make things right and the person that invited him to the dance is there. Cinder, without even greeting Yang, took Drago's arm and pulled him to the dance floor. He was hesitant about this, not sure of the outcome. To make things even more convenient, it was a slow dance. Drago and Cinder looked at each other for a moment before they slowly started to dance in the ballroom. He took this time to look at Cinder in her dress. She wore a long black dress with black silk gloves that reached to her elbow, her hair hadn't changed that much, but did look more combed. For once, he was actually enjoying himself. Though he hasn't exactly danced for awhile, he still knew exactly what he was doing. He looked to his side to see Ruby looking directly at him. Time felt slow as she gave a saddened look as he saw her eyes engulf with some tears in it, turning and quickly leaving the room.
He gave a look of sadness and worry. Did he just forget what he came do? He only took the dance as she was just a teammate and friend, nothing more. He looked at Cinder, who noticed it too.
"Cinder...I-..I have to go-"
"I understand." she said suddenly, giving him a smile, which kind of surprised him. Last thing he wanted was an upset friend. "Go on." it was her turn to be surprised when he gave her a hug that lasted for fifteen seconds. Cinder doesn't know why, but she felt her heart skip a beat as he hugged her, shocked someone like Dragonheart would do that.
"Thanks." He said after he stopped the hug and went to find Ruby. The professors were watching this from a distance as Port and Oobleck gave puzzled looks and looked at Ozpin.
"Seems you were right all along." Port said in surprise. He gave a shrug in response. Glynda was standing next to him as she looked at the dancing students. What caught her eye was Anthony walking in with something she did not expect to see him wear. A nice brown suit, black dress shoes, and a black tie. He didn't bring his hat, which showed his shaved head, though he started to grow it a bit more...better yet, he had a clean shave as well. He walked over towards the professors as he greeted Port and Oobleck.
"I must say lad, you look absolutely dashing." Port said with his normal jolly tone.
"I needed a shave anyways." Anthony joked as he rubbed his clean chin.
"Eh, it looked okay." Ozpin commented with a small chuckle. Anthony gave a small laugh in amusement at the neutralness of the grandmaster. He then looked at Glynda, who couldn't stop looking at him in his suit. He gave a small smile at her, who in return looked away slightly. Without exchanging words he walked up to her and offered a dance to her. She was a little hesitant, but took it as they both went to the dance floor. Oobleck took a sip from his mug.
"Who would've thought eh?" he said to Port who chuckled with a shake of his head.
"You owe me ten lien now." He said with crossed arms. Ozpin rolled his eyes at the two professors as he watched Anthony and Glynda dance to the slow music. He noticed Anthony is a pretty well defined dancer himself. He looks at Glynda, and what he sees in her expression is that she did have feelings towards Anthony. It pans to Jaune as he stood near Ren and Nora, who was also dancing, though Nora was a bit more impatient than Ren. Jaune looked on as he had punch in his hand. Ren looked at him.
"What happened to Weiss?" he asked him with a furrowed eyebrow.
"Oh, she is going out with Neptune." Jaune said with a light sigh. " Which makes sense, he is cool."
"What do you mean?" Nora said with a small chuckle. "He rejected her." Jaune stood silently and then looked at them both.
"...What?" he asked with a surprised look. Nora pointed at Neptune across the room who was making Sun and Blake laugh with funny gestures. She then pointed at Weiss who was trying to keep a white flower standing up. Jaune turned back to see Neptune leaving for the balcony. He gained a glaring look before setting his punch down.
"I'll be right back." He growled, leaving a confused Nora and a slightly confused Ren. He started to lightly stomp towards the balcony, only to see Pyrrha walk past him, a bit saddened, giving him a look of surprise and confusion. It shows Pyrrha going towards the balcony alone as she looked out towards away from the school.
"Hey Pyrrha." a familiar voice said behind her as Pyrrha turned to face Jaune.
"Hello Jaune." she said with a smile. Jaune looked at her nervously.
"You okay? Haven't seen you all night."
"Arrived late I'm afraid."
"Well you look really nice…"
Pyrrha put her hand close to her mouth. "Thank you…" it then went away as she looked slightly away. Juane nervously taps his toes.
"Your uh...your date isn't gonna beat me up for saying anything right?" he asked with a meekish smile.
"I believe you are safe." Pyrrha said simply.
"So where is the guy?" Jaune asked looking around. Pyrrha faced the balcony as she looked down in sadness.
"There is no guy."
"What…?"
"I wasn't asked."
"But that's-! You are Pyrrha Nikos! H-how could no one ask you?" he said dumbfounded no one asked a celebrity.
"I...I guess it's because they think I'm out of their league." Pyrrha then looked at the balcony. "I've been blessed with incredible talents and opportunities. I'm constantly surrounded by love and praise, but when you're placed on a pedestal like that for so long, you become separated from the people that put you there in the first place." she then looks at Jaune. "It's become impossible to form any sort of meaningful relationship with people. That's what I like about you. When we met, you didn't even know my name. You treated me just like anyone else. And thanks to you, I've made friendships that will last a lifetime. I guess, you're the kind of guy I wish I was here with. Someone who just saw me for me." she gave Jaune a good look as she turned to leave, Jaune completely astonished by this.
"W-wai-" he tried to say until he sees Pyrrha turn a corner as Neptune appearing on the balcony.
"Hey, uh, Jaune right?" Neptune asked, obliviously.
"Yeah…" Jaune replied with a sigh.
"I mean, this party is just lame right? I mean, ballroom dancing? Pfft."
"Yeah…" Jaune looks out towards the balcony.
"Cute girls, huh?" Neptune declared as he gestured towards the ballroom. Jaune growled as he fully gave Neptune attention.
"Is that all you think about!?" Neptune raised his hands to wrist level.
"Huh?" he said surprised by this reaction.
Jaune opened his arms wide. "How could you turn her down like that?"
"Wha-who-"
"Weiss!"
"I uh..I uh..it just didn't work out, ok?"
"What? You think that you're too cool, too many other options? Weiss Schnee asked you to the dance. What in the world could possibly keep you from go-"
"I can't dance!" Neptune said quickly as he looked down in shame.
"Beg your pardon?" Jaune asked with confusion and slight shock.
"I can't dance, man!" Neptune repeated, even in more shame.
"But...you're so cool!"
"Thanks, I try really, really hard."
"You would rather break a girl's heart and go to a dance alone just because you can't move to the rhythm to the music?"
"That sums it up, yeah."
"...That's probably the second worst way to break someone's heart." Jaune said facepalming. "...Well I certainly feel better about myself."
"Please, don't tell anyone. Look you can have Weiss, I won't get in your way." Neptune assured as Jaune leaned on the stone pillar.
"Do you like her?"
"Yeah...I mean, I don't know her, but she's pretty cool.
"Then go talk to her, no pick-up lines, no suave moves...just be yourself."
"Yeah, but-!"
"Hey! You don't have to look cool all the time. In all honesty, if you could be a little less cool, I'd really appreciate it." Neptune looked down, placed his hands on his hips as he considered Jaune's advice.
"Yeah….ok."
"Go talk to her...I'll guarantee you'll make her night."
"Thanks...you know, you are a pretty cool guy, Jaune." Neptune said as he walked up and gestured for a fist bump.
"Alright, don't lie to my face." Jaune said, with a furrowed eyebrow, still complying to fist bump him. Jaune looked back out towards the balcony again as he sighs.
"Well just one more thing to do."
[Beacon Rooftop]
Drago speed walks around from the inside, when he heard faint, yet loud sniffles coming from his hangout spot: The rooftop balcony. He silently went to the door and opened it slightly; seeing Ruby sitting in a ball, covering her whole face with her arms and knees. Drago looked almost heartbroken at the sight, before he shook his head and walked towards her, without alerting her.
"...Ruby." Drago made his presence known from behind her. She made a small sniff as she looked up and over her shoulder.
"Hi…." she said sort of weakly towards him. Drago looked away with a slight nervous look before he sighed.
"Look, I just want to talk." He said looking at her.
"Why waste your time talking to me…? I thought you had Cinder." Ruby said looking away. Drago rubbed his head as he made a small sigh.
"Ruby...just, let me explain." He walked a little closer to her until he was only twelve inches away. Ruby got out of her ball formation as she gave him full attention, some tears on her face, but still complied to listen.
"I'll be honest, yes I like Cinder, she's someone I could call my partner, and a...friend." Drago started out with a little sigh. Ruby slightly tilted her head at him as he continued. "But, that's what she is to me, just a friend and a partner. I love her, but not in the same way how I...how I…" He growled to himself while clenching his fist looking away. Ruby slowly got up as she looked at Drago with a surprised look, but wasn't sure what he wanted to say. He then took a deep breath before turning to her. "I don't love her, like how I love you." Ruby's heart skipped a beat at this information.
"You…" she said with a shaky voice, moving a bit closer to him.
"You know...I feel like a fool." Drago said with a small chuckle. "I always thought it was just a simple crush but...I didn't realize how dense I was being until you told me your feelings." he then looked away in a bit of shame. "And I end up saying the wrong thing." Ruby said nothing as she looked at him. "I'm sorry for that, I didn't mean to hurt you, I was just trying to be a good partner and leader-." He soon felt Ruby walk up and hug him. He was taken aback by it at first, but slowly embraced it.
"I think I am the fool." Ruby said with a small smile as she wiped her tear-filled face. "I over reacted, didn't give you a chance to talk things out…sorry for being selfish."
"You don't need to apologize…" Drago said, hugging her closer. "Like I said, it was my fault for not noticing your feelings...like Jaune is to Pyrrha." Ruby made a small giggle as she smile widely at him. Seeing her smile like normally again? Drago felt amazingly happy to see it again. Soon, he gestured over his shoulder towards the door.
"We should head back, I'm pretty sure Yang would love to see her sister with her crush, don't you think?" He asked with a smirk. Ruby slightly rolled her eyes as she gave out a small chuckle.
"Probably cry like a proud parent." she said jokingly as she walked next to Drago closely. Halfway to the door, Drago stopped before facepalming with a chuckle.
"What am I doing, I know a faster way to get down." He said before spreading out his wings, and lifting Ruby up bridal style. She did a cry of surprise as she laughed a bit, caught off guard from the sudden movement. Drago chuckled before he flapped his wings, slowly lifting up into the air, and flying down to the ground by the entrance of the Ballroom. He gently lets Ruby down who smiled at him. He was about to enter as Ruby kind of laughed nervously.
"What is it?"
"I...don't know how to slow dance…..kind of awkward…" Ruby said, rubbing her neck a bit. Drago stared at her for a moment before he gave off a small laugh.
"Oh don't worry, I can help you with that." Drago said as he grabbed her hand. "Little gemstone." she blushed wildly as Drago gently pulls her into the ballroom. Then gave a little giggle.
"Little gem stone? Thats new coming from the big bad Drago." she smiled at him with half lid eyes.
"Well…" he chuckled with a smile. "It was either that, or, you know." He then looked at her with a smug glare and grin. "Crater face." Ruby playfully punches his arm with a small blush.
"You be quiet." she said.
"Or maybe, little rosebud, I kind of like it, but gemstone sounds nice to." Drago said in thinking tone with a hand on his chin.
"Either one sounds nice…" Ruby commented, she tried to walk before she stumbled a bit, looking down at her heels in a frown. "Dang...women shoes…"
"Just lose them, I'd rather you feel comfortable with our dance." Drago said with an eyeroll. Ruby eagerly complies as she quickly slid off the heels. They make it to the ballroom as Drago slowly started to teach her how to dance slowly. It was actually pretty simple and straightforward, which Ruby liked greatly.
"I find it quite funny." Drago said. "Here I came in as a jerk, and I am dancing with the kindest girl in the school."
"Sounds like a fairy tale coming true." Ruby said with a sweet smile.
"Also, little question, where has that fool Jaune been?" Drago said looking around. Ruby looked around a bit too until she quietly laughed.
"I think you should take a look for yourself." Ruby said pointing towards a direction.
"Huh?" Drago said turning around with a raised eyebrow. He instantly snorts as he puts a fist covering his mouth. "Oh you poor mother fucker." The one thing he see's is Jaune, straight up walking casually in, with a pure white dress and a pink ribbon around his waist. He is seen walking to an oblivious Pyrrha who was turned away. She then looked behind her, at first confused, then a rather amused face. They both exchanged words as Pyrrha laughed loudly.
"Jaune, you didn't have to!" Pyrrha laughed out.
"Hey, an Arc never goes back on their word...now, are you gonna stand there and laugh at me, or do you wanna dance?" Jaune asked with a hand out for her. Complete confidence showing on his face. Drago is trying to comply how he can be so confident in a dress. Ruby silences a laugh as she looks at Drago's entire body, he took notice and gave her a small glare.
"...No.."
"What?" Ruby said with a meek smile.
"I do not look good in a dress!"
"You'll never know."
"Ruby, come on, work with me here." Drago's eyes looked up a bit, seeing an oblivious Yang who hasn't noticed them yet, and gained a tiny grin before looking back at Ruby. "You up to giving your sister a little show?" Ruby looks confused as the music started to kick up intensely.
[Play I'm Still Standing by Elton John]
"Just the song I need." Drago said grinning. He grabbed Ruby by the hand and spun her around a bit before pulling her in. She made another cry of surprise as she looked at Drago, who smiled at her. She gave one more listen to the music as she smiled back, more of a grin really. Yang was currently leaning on the rail as she looked at all the people down there dancing their hearts out. She glances down, and she nearly falls off the ledge as she gave wide eyes and her mouth gaped in surprise. There she saw her little sister, dancing with Drago who gave her a small grin. Yang's surprise became more of a proud look as she hits the railing with excitement, and laugh a bit. Drago grinned from her reaction before he picked up Ruby and spinned her over his head before putting her back down into a spin. She is having a blast at this as she laughed in excitement, who would've thought Drago, a fierce warrior at best, could dance so well. He then pulled her close and spun her around lightly before stopping with a small chuckle.
"I am an energetic person but...I haven't felt this energetic!" Ruby said with excitement.
"I can sort of agree, most of my excitement though is from combat, not dancing." Drago chuckled with a grin.
"I guess it can be different every once in awhile right? Not everywhere is a battlefield." Ruby said with a similar grin.
"That sounds like something Ozpin would say." Drago said poking Ruby's forehead. She shrugged.
"Even if he did say it, he isn't wrong."
"...I guess you are right." Drago said looking away with side look. "Kind of weird to agree with you on occasions."
"You'll get use to it...maybe...someday….hopefully." Drago smirks at her silliness. He looks and notices Anthony and Glynda dancing to the music. Anthony he understood but Glynda? That is something he didn't expect in the slightest. He shook his head with a chuckle, thinking how some people would think the same thing about him and Ruby. Said person was just staring at him with a smile. Drago looked back at her with a grin, before it went away when he noticed someone leaving the room: Ironwood. He was confused why he was here in the first place, but looking past him, outside, he saw a strange figure in black sneaking around outside. He looked at Ruby, who seems to have noticed too. She gave a suspicious look, then looked at Drago.
"Should we?" He asked gesturing outside. Ruby nodded as she followed Drago. They snuck out pass Ozpin right after Ironwood left. Ruby pulled out her scroll and summoned her locker, bringing out her scythe Crescent Rose. Drago just flicked his wrists, revealing hidden Yautja blades connected to his suit.
"You are one flashy dude." Ruby commented.
"Funny thing is, I was debating if I should even bring them tonight." Drago said looking over his dual wrist blades. "Also, flashy? That's rich coming from you, with your overcomplicated scythe." Ruby hugs her weapon.
"Don't underestimate Crescent Rose!" she said with a small pout. Drago shook his head and rolled his eyes with a smile. They make it towards the CCT, or a Communication Tower. Now why would someone need to go in there? They entered and the first thing they noticed was knocked out guards, a whole lot of them at that. Ruby looked a bit shocked as she looked around, holding her weapon in a defensive position, just in case an enemy were to pop out. Drago raised his blades up in a warning fashion as they continued into the tower.
"We need to keep on guard." He said quietly. Nothing was happening around here, so the only option was to take the elevator up. After riding on it shortly, they entered the top of the communication towers. It was silent as both looked around. Suddenly, something went flying past Ruby and Drago, what seemed to be a long, thin black arrow. They both looked at the oppressor, which wore an all black latex suit, a mask covering her eyes, and her hair was tied up in a pony tail. She currently had a black bow in her hands as another arrow formed in it. Drago reacted first by dashing at the masked woman with his blades outstretched. She dodged a stab attempt as she kicked Drago in the back of the head, causing him to stumble forward. Ruby tried to retaliate by shooting at her with her scythe. The masked person blocked the first few shots before dodging the last three, causing them to hit Drago instead, further knocking him back. She looked at him worryingly as Drago swooshed his hand into a thumbs up.
"I'm okay." Ruby sighed in relief before she narrowly dodged three arrows by back flipping away. The individual nearly dodges a few stab and slash motions from Drago, and kicked his back, knocking him towards to where Ruby is. He growled threateningly as Ruby aimed her scythe at her. The burglar soon smirked wildly as they all hear the elevator beep behind both of them. Ruby smiled confidently as it was Ironwood, but as she looked back, the masked woman was gone.
"Oh god dammit!" Drago said slamming his fists together in annoyance.
"We had her…" Ruby said with a groan. They fully looked towards Ironwood next, as he walked towards them.
"You two mind explaining yourselves?" he asked cautiously. Drago looked him over with a glare as he slightly growled before he retracted his wrist blades.
"Intruder was in the building." He said with crossed arms. Ironwood, looked at both of them for a moment, and nodded to himself as he cleared his throat.
"...We will discuss this tomorrow, explain the full story at Ozpin's office." Ironwood said finally as he paced back and forth. Ruby took a seat at a nearby chair, with Crescent Rose on her lap. Drago stayed standing with crossed arms before looking at Ruby.
"This could've gone worse." He said looking over the computers, all bearing a chess piece on them.
"Sorry…" Ruby apologized as she did shoot at him.
"Don't worry, I've been hit by worse things, luckily I had armor." He said tapping his chest plate. Ruby smiled at him as he walked over, sat down and placed an arm around her. Ironwood only observed as he paced around the room. His main focus though was on Drago, as he kept staring at him with a small calculative eye. He doesn't seem like an ordinary Huntsman, yet...he is something way more than he usually is, and it was getting more irritating that he hasn't figured Drago out yet.
'...Who are you?'