AN: I'm splitting the party into parts, and here's the first one. Hope it's alright so far, though there's probably some errors since I wrote it pretty fast. In response to a recent review, I would like to do a 'Dr. Xiao Long' chapter with Neo at the aftermath of all this, among some other fun things to close out the story :) -CakeLegends
The Ghost of Vale - Chapter 44
The car pulled up to the mansion's property. A crowd had already begun to form.
Just from this sampling, Weiss knew it was filled with Aristocrats. She knew what that meant. Suits and dresses. Classical music. Wine and champagne that was expensive as possible.
Weiss' fingers tapped nervously against the steering-wheel. She glanced over to her partner. "It's time to out-asshole rich assholes."
"Looks like you're going to have to channel the old Weiss." Ruby grinned, taking off her shades.
The Heiress sighed, pushing her chin to crack her neck in anticipation. "It's Showtime."
The car doors opened. The Valet's eyes widened as he recognized the driving figure.
Confused murmurs erupted through the crowd. The sound was a mix of fascination and jealousy.
"You guys are acting like you've never seen one before." Weiss laughed, pointing a thumb casually to the supercar behind her. Her eyes widened in over-dramatic realization. "Oh wait, you probably haven't."
Weiss threw her arm around Ruby's shoulder, leading her forward.
"Here, kid." Weiss called towards the valet, tossing him the keys. He reached out to catch them, his shaking hands catching the object as it gleamed in the moonlight. "And don't put it near the others."
A man stepped forward from the crowd.
"Ms. Schnee." The man acknowledged, extending his hand. "Obviously you remember me. I worked with your father on occasion."
Weiss frowned at the man's demeanor.
"I didn't know they let millionaires to this." Weiss stated, shaking her head in disgust. "I guess they'll let anyone in these days."
Whispers and laughs erupted through the crowd. The man's face reddened as he awkwardly shuffled back to his place.
Weiss walked towards the garden path to the front door. The crowd separated, making way for the couple.
"That was easy." Ruby mumbled as they walked up the garden path. They made their way up the steps and through the opened double doors.
Ruby had to actively remind herself to keep her jaw from dropping. The mansions large rooms and elaborate designs made it a modern-day work of art.
The main hall was littered with hundreds of the wealthiest people she had ever seen. Classical music rang from somewhere in the sprawling manor.
"You better socialize. It'll help us blend in." Weiss suggested, pointing towards a woman sitting on the living room couches, conversing with a group. "I've met that woman over there. Her name's Elaine, I think. She's...alright, considering the circumstances."
Weiss took her partner by the hand, leading her through the crowd and into the living room.
"Elaine?" Weiss questioned, stepping towards the group. The group recognized her immediately, inviting her closer.
"Weiss, darling! I was unaware you'd be attending." The older woman called out, rising from her seat and hugging the Heiress. She broke the hug, turning towards the caped-girl. "And who is this?"
"This is my partner, Ruby Rose." The Heiress announced, waving an introductory hand towards the girl at her side. "Ruby, I'm going to have a look around. You'll be alright by yourself, right?"
The caped girl's silver eyes widened. "Wait, what-"
"Great. Watch your Scroll: I'll call if I need anything." Weiss interrupted, kissing her partner on the cheek. She waved goodbye to Elaine and began to walk back to the main hall.
"Wait!" Ruby called out after the Heiress. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "What do I say?"
Weiss shrugged as she walked away backwards. "You're funny. You'll think of something."
Ruby watched in horror has the only person she knew walked out of the living room, disappearing back into the crowd. The caped girl turned around. Several dozen confused eyes met her own.
She swallowed her building nerves. They were still just people, right? She liked to make friends. How different could this really be?
"Hi, nice to meet you!" The caped girl chimed, extending her hand to the older woman.
Elaine's brow rose at the sudden motion. The group's faces were confused and unimpressed. Ruby dropped her hand to her side, mentally berating herself.
The Valet released a nervous sigh as he pulled the parking brake: the car was fine.
He pulled the key out of the ignition and stepped out, closing the door carefully. He wouldn't take a gig like this again, he decided. Parking cars worth three houses was not worth the pressure.
The Valet walked out of the parking lot, leaving it in silence. For a moment, the lot was peaceful. Everything was quiet.
The trunk opened of the Chiron opened. Blake and Yang climbed out, taking large gulps of air as they panted for oxygen. The cold night wind was a refreshing change from the stuffiness of the trunk.
"Okay. That was awful." Yang managed as she caught her breath. "I almost passed out."
'Really?' Neo smirked, climbing out last. 'That was easily the most comfortable trunk I've been in this year so far.'
"At least Step 1 went off without a hitch." Blake mumbled, looking to the nearby mansion.
"Let's move on to Step 2." Neo declared. "You guys sneak into the party in the garden out back. There should be just as many people out there."
"Alright." Blake agreed with a nod. "We'll tell you if we spot Cinder or anyone else involved."
Neo watched as the two girls walked away towards the mansion's garden.
'And now I need to find my way inside.' The acrobat mumbled. She frowned at the side of the building. '...I thought there were doors out here.'
1 hour into the party...
"So then I said: well, it didn't taste like a cucumber!"
Ruby leaned into her seat on the couch, grinning in satisfaction as the group around her burst into laughter once again.
"Ms. Rose, you are hysterical!" An older woman commented through her giggles.
A waiter entered the living room, holding a platter with a few lines of powdered sugar on top. "Ruby, would you care for some?"
The caped girl sat her Scroll on the couch cushion. She swiped her finger over the substance, licking the powder off of her finger. The bitter taste lingered on her tongue. "What is this, some type of sugar?"
The group burst into laughter. Ruby smiled, obliviously. She spooned up more with her finger, eating it half-consciously as she began another story.
2 hours into the party...
"Schnee!" Ruby waved energetically to her passing partner. "Get over here!"
The Heiress pointed a thumb across the room. "Ruby, I have to keep an eye out. He could show up at any-"
"Weiss, you have to try some of this white stuff! It's fantastic!" The caped girl grinned, scooping more up with her finger. "Now, it may seem bitter at first-"
"Ruby, you're eating cocaine." Weiss informed, grabbing the caped girl by the shoulders.
There was a pregnant pause.
"What?!" The caped girl's silver eyes widened in horror. She quickly wiped her finger off on the platter. "What's going to happen? Eating it isn't as bad, right?"
"I don't know." Weiss shrugged. "I don't do cocaine."
The caped girl grabbed the sides of her head in panic. Her heart began to race. "Oh no, oh no…"
"It's fine. People do it all the time." The Heiress kissed her girlfriend, walking back to the other end of the party. "Just try to stay calm, panicking will make it worse."
Ruby shuffled back to her group, her stomach turning with every step. Her fingers toyed nervously with her bullet-shaped necklace.
"You look quite shaken." The older woman commented.
Ruby sighed, nodding in agreement. "I'm not going to lie: I'm freaking out a little."
"Don't worry, darling. Take these." Elaine reassured, handing two pills to the caped girl.
"Thanks, Elaine." Ruby breathed, downing the pills with a quick motion. She grit her teeth as the pills passed down her dry throat. "What were those? Cough drops?"
"Cough drops?" The older woman chuckled with amusement. "Rose, you are hilarious."
Ruby's heart skipped a beat at the cryptic words. Her eyes darted around for an escape route. "Do you know where the restroom is?"
2 hours and 20 minutes into the party...
Ruby made her way down the darkness of the upstairs hallway. She grew ever worrisome with every door she passed.
"Which door was it?" Ruby mumbled quietly to herself.
The caped girl crossed her fingers, opening the door. White porcelain and tiles greeted her on arrival. Ruby was relieved: It was the bathroom.
She quickly locked the door behind her.
The platter was still in her hands. She set it down on the large counter and turned on the sink, splashing water into her face. The cold water relaxed her almost instantly. She turned off the sink-
There was a tapping sound.
Ruby turned to the window, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. She took a cautious walk towards the window. She slowly leaned her face in, attempting to see through the darkness of the outside.
A face slammed against the glass. Ruby leaped back in shock.
A moment passed. She recognized the face. The caped girl rolled her eyes. The caped girl clicked the lock, opening the window for the snickering acrobat.
Neo climbed through the window.
"What are you doing here?" Ruby whispered sharply. "I thought you were coming in on the ground floor."
"Sometimes you need to think outside the box." Neo summed, adjusting her bow tie. She noticed the platter on the counter. "Oh, sweet. You brought coke."
"You can't just change the plan like this!" Ruby whispered. "What if Weiss is dealing with that crime lord guy right now?"
Neo pointed a finger in the caped girl's chest. "That wouldn't be my fault. She's supposed to call you."
Ruby's hands checked her person. Her eyes widened in realization. "Where's my Scroll?"
The Heiress walked into the nearer quiet room. She pulled out her Scroll, her hands practically trembling. The phone rang six times.
Voicemail.
Weiss fingers quickly redialed the contact. She held her Scroll back up to her ear. "C'mon, Rose…"
Across the mansion, on the living room couch, a Scroll was vibrating.
A figure was approaching. The Heiress cussed. Weiss turned around, hiding her Scroll behind her back. Her brow furrowed. It was him. Of course it was him.
The crime lord looked Weiss up and down. His starved eyes locked with the Heiress' own.
"Hello, Ms. Schnee." Asher smiled. "I was unaware the Ghost of Vale was attending tonight."
