A few hours ago…

I felt like running. I really, really did not like the idea of Jaune winning our little bet and me having to do his stupid work for him. I was with Ruby and Weiss. Ruby was, for some reason, very excited about the fact she got to spend time together with her friends. Does that mean I'm considered a friend in her eyes? If so then: Great! I've already made a friend in a world that is supposed to be fictional. I guess it's a win for me, eh?

I looked to my right and there she was, regal and beautiful. Not going to lie, Weiss was a sight to behold. Even though she has an attitude I'd like to pummel into the ground and spit on, I still think she looks very handsome. I know looks aren't everything and that it's the inside that counts, but I mean come on! You can't deny the fact that if you had the chance you would tap that without the slightest hint of hesitation.

But alas to every beauty there is a downside… and Weiss' would have to be her status as the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. I mean her theme song literally tells her story. She is burdened by her father to become the best of the best. The girl is seventeen for crying out loud! She should be having fun, not… not this. I get the feeling that whenever someone is having fun she doesn't know how to respond to it because she's never experienced something simple as "a day off" or something. I know it sounds weird, but this is just how I see it. Of course there was the whole food fight incident. I don't know what to think of it. Luckily I have a way to test out these new theories.

"And then I was like 'whoooaaa!' And the Grimm were all like 'we're dead and Ruby is so much stronger than all of us'."

I looked at Ruby, who had just finished her "epic" story on how she defeated several Beowolves all on her own. I mean it is quite a big thing not going to lie. I mean if I were to face off against a Grimm then… well I'd be dead! I stand no chance against a Grimm, let alone a whole pack of them. So, yeah, Ruby is a badass, not going to lie about that.

"Cool story, Ruby," I said, earning a smile from her. "By the way, is there a water tap out here? I'm getting kind of thirsty."

Ruby nodded. "There are several inside the school. I'll get some for us all. You guys just wait here," Ruby replied. Before anyone could object, she was gone, leaving a trail of rose pedals behind.

I whistled, clapping my hands slowly. "She has to go for the regionals. She'd win a lot of money with that speed of hers." I said, looking at Weiss. "Am I right?" I asked, wiggling my eyebrows.

Weiss simply looked at me, as if she were scanning me. She shook her head and turned to play with her nails.

So that's how you want to play it, eh? Hard-to get is not going to work on me, little girl. I can get anyone to talk. It just takes the right approach. I cleared my throat, getting her attention... somewhat. "So what do you think of this school? I've been here for almost two weeks now and I've got to admit that there have been some interesting things happening to me here. Would it surprise you if I said I've never seen a Faunus before I came here?" I asked.

That seemed to get her attention as she turned her head to me and raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? That's impossible. Faunus are everywhere on Remnant, even in the places you'd think they wouldn't be. So you're either a very bad liar or someone who is eager to get my attention." Weiss replied, puffing her chest slightly. "Honestly I don't even know why I decided to come with you."

I shrugged. "Beats me," I replied. "But I'm not a liar. Up until now I had only heard about Faunus from my friends and my uncle. I've seen some pictures in the past, but seeing them up close is a whole different story. I didn't know they all had different kinds of animalistic features, you know?"

Weiss shot me a glare. "They're not animals." She hissed. "I used to think they were until… until someone changed my mind and made me see things from a different perspective. What you're saying is wrong and not to mention: offensive." She crossed her arms. "I could comment about that little cross hanging around your neck. What does that even represent? It seems like some cheap fashion gift you get at a souvenir shop."

I looked down at the silver cross that hung from my neck, its presence not even crossing my mind since I've had it there for such a long time. "This cross represents many things. Peace, prosperity, remembrance, sorrow. It basically can be anything you want it to be. For me it's something special. Something to remember. Good times I had a long time ago." I held the cross between my fingers, playing with it. "A long, long time ago I lost one of my closest friends in an accident. His loss saddened me to the extent that I wouldn't even come out of my room anymore. Eventually I did, because of the help of my best friend. He helped me pull through and when I finally found the strength to forget my sorrow and move on, I bought this." I took off the cross and held it out to her. "This cross represents my friend. It represents his soul and the good times we have spent together. This way a part of him will always be with me. No matter how many years pass."

Weiss' reaction was somewhat a mix between confusion and disbelief. She held out her hand and touched the cross before retracting her hand and looking at it. "You talk about it like it's nothing. That story sounded pretty personal. Why share it?" she asked.

I smiled slightly. "You know, I honestly couldn't tell you. Maybe it's because it's become kind of a natural thing to do. You wanted to know what it represented, so I told you," I replied, placing my hands behind my back.

Weiss let out a small sigh. "I… apologize for the comment I made. I meant no disrespect towards you or your friend. I am sorry to hear about his passing. My condolences." She bowed slightly.

I laughed, patting her shoulder, which came as a big surprised to her since she yelped at the sudden touch. "There is no need to be so formal about it. I mean the past is in the past and even now I sometimes joke about my friend. Whenever we're together we'd say stuff like 'did he go back in time? Or back to the future?'"

Weiss stuttered for a bit, trying to find the right words. I decided to continue talking and maybe give her some sort of ground to stand on since she was having trouble finding it on her own at the moment.

"What I'm trying to say is: As much as you miss the person you've had to say goodbye to, it doesn't mean their memory is gone. Unless you have Alzheimer, then you're pretty much fucked," I said, looking at her. "You didn't insult me or anything. If you had, my reaction would have been a whole lot different than the one I just gave you. But it does seem my comment about Faunus did not go well with you. So I'm sorry about that. I meant no disrespect." I mimicked her little bow which she gave me a few moments back. I swear I heard some sort of a laugh escape her mouth, but I did not press on. This was a good start.

"Apologies accepted," Weiss replied. "Now where is Ruby? Any longer and I'll die from dehydration." She sarcastically commented.

"Ha! Funny!" I exclaimed, earning a slight glare from Weiss. I looked at her, grinning slightly. "For the record, that was indeed sarcasm. But you tried, though, and it was a good joke nonetheless. Just not used to it since, well, you know… it's coming from you."

Weiss crossed her arms. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. It's just that you're very serious most of the times."

"You've only seen me twice including this one. You have no right to make that assumption," Weiss countered.

"Two times serious is enough for me to know you're a girl who takes no BS from anyone," I replied, shrugging. "I mean it's logical seeing as you're the Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company and whatnot."

Weiss chuckled softly. "Ah, now your true intentions are shown. You're one of those guys. Yeah, not going to work, buddy." She sneered.

"Uh, one of those guys?" I asked. "By the way, I like how this conversation just went from 'touchy' and 'emotional' to 'I don't give a fuck about you and I hope you die.'"

Weiss glared at me. "I just don't like it when guys, heck even girls, try to act like they're my friends or try to befriend me. Some people might think it's fun being like me, living like me. But it's very, very hard for me to make friends or even trust someone." She looked up at the sky, inhaling slowly. "My life isn't all fairy tales and buffets. Just keep that in mind next time you try something with me." she finished, looking at me, her eyes showing anger but also… sadness?

Sadness. Well, that was NOT what I was expecting to come out of this conversation. Guess I should have picked my words more carefully. "Listen, I… didn't even finish my sentence. You cut me off." I looked at her before continuing. "What I WAS trying to say is: You must have a hard life, being the Heiress of the Schnee Dust Company and having to uphold that status. One slip up and that might cost you a lot more than people might actually think. I don't understand what you're going through, I can just imagine and compare it to the things I've had to go through. Actually, let me rephrase that. The things I AM going through." I looked at Weiss, hoping that her eye would show me something else. I looked in them and, well, they were still a bit sad. But, I mean, not as before.

After a good thirty seconds of waiting, I decided to speak up again. "I guess I messed this one up, huh? Talk about a first date, am I right?" I said, hoping this edgy joke might lighten up the mood.

Weiss looked at me for a good minute before slowly shaking her head. "I don't know if it's because someone told you, or that you're actually a lot more sympathetic than I initially thought, but all that you have said up untill now is…"

Oh boy, here it comes, fellas.

"Completely accurate."

I knew it! Wait, what did she just say?! I was accurate?

"Not sure if I got that correctly," I said, cleaning my ear with my pinkie finger. "But did you just say that my assumption was accurate?"

Weiss nodded. "Yes, that was a good assumption of my current state of mind right now. And if you're wondering why I, Weiss Schnee, Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company am telling you this, bartender Ramses of Beacon Academy is because… you're not as bad as I initially thought you'd be." She smiled slightly. "You're vulgar, don't know when to shut up every now and then, but when you mess up you somehow make things right. Your words, even though they were kind of weird at first, pretty much summed up everything that I've gone through." She poked my shoulder. "And for the record, I CAN be funny."

I nodded slowly, patting her shoulder. "I'm sure you can be funny when you want to. But you still have a lot to learn. I mean I'm teaching Jaune a few things here and there about-.

"Jaune? As in team JNPR's leader? That Jaune?" Weiss cut me off.

I nodded. "Yep, that Jaune. Although he now goes by the name Jizzthroat. He is my apprentice."

"Well if you can teach him to stop trying to make a move on me then I would very much appreciate it! He's one those guys I mentioned earlier. The guys that are only interested in me because of my last name." She scoffed.

Okay. Being angry is one thing, but this bitch just… nah, not taking this! Friends have to look out for one another, and even though Jaune and I are on a competitive streak right now, I still have to look out for him. "Now just hold on a second!" I said, my tone a little harder than I initially planned. This resulted in startling Weiss, making her go quiet and having her full attention. I decided now would be a good time to get some thins cleared out. "Jaune might be weird, bad with words—which I am trying to fix, mind you—but if there is one thing he is then that would be a good friend. The guy is always there for everyone, looking out for everyone. Didn't he save you during your training? When you went to pick the chess pieces that would place you in your team?"

"How do you even know about that?" Weiss asked, confusion written all over her face as she continued staring at me.

"He told me." I lied. Goddamnit! Why do I keep messing up! Brainfarts everywhere!

"Let me guess," Weiss began. "He probably told you he was the big hero who save the damsel in distress. And that I am forever in his debt." Weiss finished her sentence with a "princess" voice. Sounding very high pitched and in fake awe, holding the back of her hand to her forehead as if she were about to faint.

I shook my head at her miserable display of sarcasm. "Actually, he told me he completely failed the landing, messed up his chance to impress you, and was ashamed at himself knowing he messed up again," I replied.

"Oh…" Weiss trailed off, regaining her normal composure. "Well I guess… I guess that makes things a bit less troublesome. How nice of him. However," she squinted her eyes at me. "If I find out you told Jaune about what I just said I am going to freeze you, cut you up and use your cut up pieces as ice cubes that they'll be serving at your bar." she finished with a small smile. "Do I make myself clear?"

I gulped. "Yes, ma'am."

"Perfect," Weiss replied, looking over me one last time. "Not going to lie, that tie kind of suits you."

"Uhm… thanks?" I replied, unsure of how to react to what she just said. It was at this moment that I saw the edges of her mouth starting to curl up. She wasn't… oh shit, she was! She is actually smiling! "You just tried to intimidate me as a joke, didn't you?" I asked.

And there it was. Laughter. Uncontrollable laughter. Looks like she could not hold up her façade for much longer. She was laughing her ass of. What a sick sense of humor this girl has. And what timing too.

I like it.

"Okay, not going to lie, that was pretty good." I clapped slowly, congratulating the white-haired girl. "You had me there for a second. Maybe it's just me, but is this what you normally do to strangers?"

"Just the ones that pique my interest," she replied. "But seriously, don't tell Jaune." she said, her expression turning serious.

I gave her a thumbs up. I heard shouting and looked to my right. Looks like Ruby was back already. The girl sure was fast. I waved at her and she waved back. This day was, in my opinion, a success. I got to talk a little more to Weiss, and Ruby seems to be having fun hanging around me too. I am living every self-insert guy's dream! Now I just got to find a girl to fuck and I am all set! I turned my attention to Weiss.

Weiss looked at me, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

"What's the legal age to have sex with someone again? I seem to have forgotten."

"You have got to be joking."

Weiss and Yang watched as Freddy paced around the bar, holding his hand to his head and letting out a long sigh. "I cannot believe he would ask such a thing! Well… actually that does kind of make sense since, well, it is Ramses we're talking about. But still it's rude and inappropriate." He looked at Weiss and walked up to her. Clasping her hands between his, he stared into her light-blue eyes. "I am sorry for my nephew's actions. I hope you can forgive him."

Weiss shrugged. "He's going to have my handprint on his face for quite some time. Even Ruby was wondering what that was on his face. I just told her that he had a bug on his cheek and I got a little too carried away," she replied.

Yang patted her back roughly, earning a small glare form the huntress in training. "Looking out for our team leader? How nice of you, Ice Queen!"

Weiss rolled her eye at the nickname, but did not press on or make a snappy comment towards her teammate. She turned her attention back to Freddy, who seemed to have calmed down a bit after his little freak-out. "I don't have any grudges against him. His question was just bad timing, that's all."

Freddy chuckled slightly. "Yeah, he is good at timing things," he sarcastically commented, rubbing the back of his head. "So, you two excited for the dance? Got a date yet?"

"Nope," Yang replied casually.

"There is someone…" Weiss replied, trailing off.

"Oooh," Freddy said, moving grabbing an empty bar stool and sitting down beside her. "What's he like? Is he cute? Does he have a nice body? A nice bulge in his lower regions? Is he single?"

Questions bombarded Weiss, and she held her hand up as a signal to Freddy to stop asking. "Yes, he is single… at least I hope he is. He has a nice body, I guess. And, ahem, that bulge…" she started blushing slightly, stuttering a bit.

Yang clapped her hands together, laughing hysterically. "Come one, Weiss! We were just getting to the good stuff! So does Neptune have a big package or what?" she asked, making Weiss' blush a deeper shade of red.

Weiss closed her eyes, trying not to blush even harder. "Well… I never really paid much attention to it." she trailed off, trying to get them to drop the subject. She sighed heavily when Freddy just stared at her blankly, while Yang had this smug smirk on her face that said "keep going, keep going." She shook her head furiously. "Gosh, you two are such perverts! No wonder you get along so well!" she exclaimed.

Freddy chuckled even louder. "I am a man whose curiosity sometimes gets the better of him. But remember, my dear Weiss, I always find out the 'good stuff" about everyone. And I mean everyone." He smirked, leaning closer to her. "So, does he or does he not have a big-."

"STOP!" Weiss exclaimed, covering her hands with her face. "Okay, I like him, that's all! He looks good!"

Freddy smiled slightly. "See, was that so hard?" he asked.

Before Weiss could reply, Yang suddenly spoke up, getting their attention.

"Freddy, by the way, is Ramses single?" Yang asked.

Freddy nodded sadly. "Yes. Yes he is." He got off his bar stool and went to the bar counter. He poured himself some water before he walked back to where he was seated. "My nephew has been single for a long, long time, actually. He is always busy working. I tell him to take a break but he never does it. Back in our old bar, whenever someone called in sick, he would be the first to take their place. I remember he worked an entire week on four hours of sleep a day. All because he wanted his mom and stepfather to take a week off." He smiled a bit, remembering how much he wanted his family to get some rest.

"Wow, that little sleep for seven days straight? Guy must have been on some kind of energy drink, eh?" Yang joked, nudging Freddy.

Freddy, however, could only chuckle, albeit it softly. "After that week he did not take his rest. He worked a little bit less, but still every day. During that time he started smoking too. He says he wasn't stressed out, but I could see all those hours were weighing down on him. Sometimes he'd smoke one pack a day."

Weiss' features became one of disgust, remembering how some of her family members, even her own mother sometimes smoked… and drank too. "One pack a day," she repeated. "And for how long has he been smoking? Does he still smoke or did he quit?"

Freddy shrugged. "He says he quit. He does sometimes smoke some cigars to easy his mind. Or so he says. I wouldn't be surprised of he bought some cigarettes here. But alas the boy is old enough and does not need any more counseling. Although a little push in the right direction never hurt anyone, right?"

Yang nodded. "Sometimes that's all we need. But sounds like Ramses has a lot weighing down on him, huh?" she asked.

Freddy nodded sadly. "He is planning on taking over our bar when the time comes. And when that time comes he will face true hardships. Now he is just constantly proving himself for his parents. To show them he is ready to take full responsibility." He looked at Yang, and then at Weiss. "There is a certain rule I want to tell you about. A rule you must obey no matter what. Do I make myself clear?" he asked.

Both of the teenagers nodded.

"Good." He smiled. "The rule goes as follows: "What is said between these walls, stays between these walls. No matter the situation. This is a safe-haven for people to come and put their troubles beside them. Remember that. Once you walk out of that door, you have to make sure that everything you have heard stays with you until the very end."

Yang raised her hand. "Question!"

"Shoot," Freddy replied.

"So, is this like a bartender oath or something? Because I kind of like the whole idea of it," Yang said, looking at Weiss. "You agree with me on that, right?" she asked.

"I suppose," Weiss responded.

Freddy looked at them before responding. "Well, I just think it's the right thing to do. As a bartender you are also a psychologist. Or something along the lines of that. You listen to people's burdens and troubles and you can choose to press on and try to help them, or give them some form of encouragement. If you're just going to stand there behind your bar, listening to people but not doing anything with it, you might as well quit your job as a bartender." He finished.

Yang placed her hands behind her head. "You have my word, Freddy. Whatever is said between these walls, stays between these walls." She looked at Weiss, who nodded in agreement.

"You have my word," Weiss said, looking at Freddy. "I must come and visit this place more often. I used to have a distain with bars, especially the alcohol they serve because of reasons I would rather not discuss. But this bar has some kind of atmosphere to it that just intrigues me. You will be seeing me here more often," Weiss finished. She got up, gave Freddy his money for the drink she had bought—with a small tip for the kind tender—and took her leave.

Yang watched as her teammate left the building, impressed by her act of kindness and how open she seemed to be towards someone she had literally met a week ago. She looked around the bar before saying.

"This place shows a whole different side of people." She looked down at her empty glass before finishing. "I hope it does the same for Blake."

"I hope so too, Yang. I hope so too."