Here we are at Chapter 24. Let's see how things are going for Velvet and the gang. I do not own RWBY or Tales of Berseria. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 24. Enjoy.
Chapter 24: Exchange Students
A few days have passed since both Ruby and Velvet have admitted, either to themselves or to others, that they like each other. Ever since, things have been a little awkward between the two. Ruby would make subtle glances at Velvet before looking away the second Velvet glances back. Meanwhile, Velvet would have occasional thoughts involving her and Ruby in romantic settings (excluding anything…mature), or looking at Ruby more thoroughly and thinking how cute she is. While they try to make it seem like everything is normal, Yang, Weiss, and Blake when she's around, can tell that's not the case. However, that's not the only thing that's bugging them. Since the school dance is coming up soon, many students, both male and female, have returned to asking Velvet out, this time as a date to the dance.
Of course, Velvet would send the boys packing and let the girls down gently, but this seems to only fuel their desire to get a date with her, like it has become some competition. Even some of the exchange students from other schools have been asking her to the dance. Not only does this give Velvet a major headache, but it gets under Ruby's skin, irritating her to the point where even she scared some of them away with her scythe (of course, she would never tell Velvet that). Currently, Velvet is venting her frustrations on some training dummies in the training room.
Velvet slashes at one dummy with her blades, ripping it to pieces, then fires off her gauntlet gun at a second, leaving several holes in it. Finally, she runs up and deals a powerful roundhouse kick that knocks a third dummy to the ground. With her makeshift anger management class over, Velvet wipes some sweat off her brow and proceeds to leave the training room.
"Not bad," she hears ahead of her and looks forward. She sees male exchange student that she met that one time with the gray hair, leaning against entrance to the hallway. He is wearing a gray and black two-toned partial-zip jacket, covering his upper body. He is also wearing a single notched belt with a sash or bandana draped over it, with a black winged-sandal shown on the sash. On his arms are sets of rerebraces and vambraces. He is wearing black pants and a pair of black, metal boots with a design similar to Yang Xiao Long's shotgun gauntlets, Ember Celica. "I'd hate to be those test dummies right about now. Don't need this pretty face getting messed up, you know," he jokes.
Velvet looks unamused, "You were one of those exchange students I met that one time. Your name is?" she asks, not really in the mood for talking.
"Mercury. Mercury Black. And you are Velvet Crowe. You've got quite a reputation around here," he says.
Velvet starts walking past him, "Then if you know that, you know not to get on my bad side. Otherwise, they wouldn't recognize you when you get back to Haven," she warns him.
Mercury starts following her, "Well, I like taking risks sometimes, especially with pretty girls like you. I hear that there's this dance coming up. You wanna-," he begins, but then stops when her arm blade is an inch from his throat. "-Or maybe not," he finishes, a little nervous.
"I'll only say this once. I'm. Not. INTERESTED," she declares, eyes narrowed at him. "Anything else you wanna ask?" she says.
"Well, I-," he begins.
"Mercury!" they hear behind him and look to see a girl walking to them.
Her hair is a light, mint-green cut with a straight fringe and bangs, as well as two long locks on each side, in the back. She is wearing two bronze-colored rings on her middle fingers as well as a pair of high-heeled shoes. Her attire consists of an intricate, exotic-looking, thin white top and shallow-cut, olive undershirt, on the back of which shows the symbol of a cut gem. She is also wearing a three-ring armband on her left arm. She also has on white pants and brown chaps ending at her calves and an overlong belt, twice-wrapped, where she has a pair of what seem to be pistols in rectangle-shaped holsters on her rear waist, and a single pouch.
"Hey, Emerald, think you can help me out here?" he asks. Emerald walks up them, looks flatly at Mercury, and then pulls his head back by his hair and smacks his skull. "Ow! What was that for? I didn't even do anything," he says.
"Oh please, like I'm going to believe that. You were hitting on her, weren't you?" Emerald says and then looks at Velvet, who had retracted her blade. "I'm sorry about him. He's…an idiot," she says.
"Hey!" Mercury retorts.
"Don't worry. I've dealt with plenty of idiots like him. Just keep him on a tighter leash, will you?" she says and turns to leave.
"See you around, good-looking," Mercury says, waving at her before Emerald smacks his head again. "Ow!"
Velvet sighs as she walks back to her dorm, "Besides, I still don't know if I'm going to the dance…Or if I could even go…with…Ruby," she mutters, blushing.
Shaking her head to get rid of her blush, she eventually makes it back to the dorm and opens the door, seeing the others besides Blake in the dorm.
"Hey Velvet. Did you have a nice training session?" Ruby says from her bunk.
Velvet walks in and flops down on her bed, "I guess. I'm starting to wish this dance thing would have been yesterday. These psychos are driving me nuts. It's even worse now because of the exchange students being here now," she groans.
Hearing this makes Ruby puff her cheeks as she looks away, something Yang doesn't miss and gets a mischievous smirk.
"You guys planning on going to the dance with anyone?" she asks.
"I've had a few people ask me, but I turned them all down. Even if I know how to dance now, it's still not really my thing," Ruby says.
"Not sure I'm even going. Can you really see me at a dance?" Velvet answers.
This makes Ruby look down, looking sad, though Velvet doesn't notice. Yang does, but looks more concerned and decides not to get too deep into it since she knows the reason behind it. However, Yang also notices that Weiss is looking a little melancholy as well, though she doesn't know why.
"I have some studying to do. Since you guys can't be quite, I'll go somewhere with a little more…silence," Weiss says and leaves the dorm.
"Is she okay?" Velvet asks.
Yang hops off her bunk, "I'll take care of it. You guys wait here, and keep an eye out for Blake while you're at it," Yang says.
"She's been gone a lot lately. And has been more reclusive than usual. It's starting to get annoying," Velvet notes.
"I think this investigation is starting to get to her," Ruby adds.
"We'll deal with that soon enough. For now, I need to find Weiss," Yang says and leaves.
Yang leaves the dorm and proceeds to search for the exalted heiress, first checking the library where she figured she'd find her, but no luck. Didn't even find Blake there either. Next she checked some of the empty classrooms, but still nothing. A while later, she finally finds Weiss out on the balcony, watching the sunset.
"Nice view, don't you think?" Yang asks as she approaches Weiss, who was startled by her voice.
"Yang, what are you doing here? I'm not really in the mood," Weiss says as she looks away from her.
Yang sits next to Weiss, "Looking for you. Something's bothering you, and so for you to lie about studying, it must be really bugging you. So, what's the problem? I'm sure I can help," she says.
"I highly doubt that," Weiss retorts, not meeting Yang's eyes.
"Weiss, it's bad enough that Blake's becoming more distant to us again, but I don't need you doing that too. We're a team, more importantly, we're friends. And friends help each other out when something's bothering them…So let me help you. Tell me what's wrong," Yang asks.
Weiss looks down in thought, thinking on her words, and then she looks back out into the sunset a moment later.
"I'm…envious," she admits.
"Envious? Of who?" Yang asks, raising an eyebrow.
Weiss sighs, "Of…Velvet and Ruby. I know they're not together yet, but you and I both can see that that's a highly likely possibility. What's more, they both like each other, that much is obvious. They may not ask each other, but I know that they'll basically be together at the dance," she explains.
"Okay, that still doesn't explain why you're jealous of them," Yang says.
"Because…I won't be going to the dance with someone like that. Believe me, plenty of people have asked me to the dance, but I turned them all down because they were only interested in one thing: my looks. Worse, they were interested in my last name. Back home, my father would sometimes try and set me up with suitors, sons of business partners for my father's company. He was hoping to get us together, just so he can make a profit. What made it worse was that none of them were interested in me for me. They only wanted money, or to get in bed with me. I've just…I'm envious of Ruby and Velvet because they have something I've never experienced before. The chance to find someone who likes me for me, maybe even love me for me. That's why," Weiss confesses, looking very sad. Now understanding, Yang wraps a comforting arm around Weiss's shoulders and pulls her closer to her. "Yang, what are you doing?!" Weiss asks, surprised.
"Look, I can sort of understand what you're going through. Not all of it, but some. That's why I have an idea, if you're up for it," Yang says.
"Up for what?" Weiss asks.
"Up for ME taking YOU to the dance," Yang answers.
"What?! What could possibly make you suggest that?!" Weiss exclaims.
"Not like a couple, but just as friends. Just because you may not have a 'date' date, doesn't mean you'll have to go alone. And, if you would like, we can grab a bite together in town, just the two of us. It can be just as friends as well if that helps," Yang explains.
Weiss appears stunned by this offer, "Yang…Why…Why would you make such an offer like that. I mean, I'm…flattered, it's just…" she trails off.
"Yeah, truth be told, when I told you how back at Signal, guys asked me out but I turned them all down. Well, one of the reasons about that is because, well, I'm a lesbian," Yang confesses with a sheepish smile.
This makes Weiss blush a little, "I…I had no idea…I guess it explains a few things" Weiss begins.
"Wait, you're not freaked out?" Yang asks.
"No, I'm not that shallow. I told you, I'm not my father, and I never will be…But wait, does that mean…" she begins.
"Don't worry. Believe me, you're really cute, and a really nice person when I got to know you better, and I would be honored to take you out on a date. But, I'm not going to push you into something you don't want to do. So, if you want to go just as friends to the dance, that's fine with me. So what do you say?" Yang asks.
Weiss thinks for a moment before looking back at Yang, "I guess…I'll take you up on your offer. But for now, I think it would be best if we went just as friends for right now. I…may need some time to build up to something…closer than that," Weiss replies.
"No problem. I can wait. I just want to make sure you have a good time at the dance," Yang says.
"Thanks Yang. You're a true friend," Weiss says as she leans her head against Yang and they watch the sunset.
…
The next day, Team RVWBY is in Glynda's combat class, watching as Pyrrha wipes the floor with all four members of Team CRDL. The group takes a feeling of joy at seeing the four stooges get their butts handed to them. Down in the arena, Pyrrha has already taken out three members of the group, though the third member was actually knocked out accidently by Cardin with his own mace. Cardin swings his mace down, releasing an explosion that moves towards Pyrrha. Pyrrha backflips over the attack and runs at Cardin, swinging her sword at him several times before knocking him into the air. She jumps up after him, slashing at him a few more times, sending him back and then propels herself off her shield towards him. When she gets close, she wraps her weapon around his neck, swings around him and starts spinning him around as they fall, slamming him into the ground and following up with a backflip kick for good measure. Cardin lands on the ground with his aura depleted and Pyrrha lands on her feet, signaling the fight's end.
"And that's the match," Goodwitch says as she walks up next to Cardin.
"Lucky shot," Cardin weakly says before falling back onto the ground.
"Well done, Miss Nikos. You should have no problem qualifying for the tournament," Glynda praises her.
"Thank you Professor," Pyrrha replies.
"Alright, now I know that's a tough act to follow, but we have time for one more sparring match. Any volunteers?" Glynda asks, checking her scroll before looking up to the stands with the other students in them before focusing in on Blake. "Miss Belladonna?" she gestures, making Blake jump up and close her book. "You've been rather docile for the last few classes. Why don't you-," she begins.
"I'll do it," Mercury interrupts, raising his hand.
Goodwitch adjusts her glasses, "Mercury, is it? Very well, let's find you an opponent," Goodwitch says, working on her scroll.
"Actually, I wanna fight…HER," Mercury points at Velvet.
"Me?" Velvet replies.
"You look like I good fighter. Plus, this will be a good chance to get some payback for last time," he says as he stands up.
"Velvet' what's he talking about?" Ruby asks.
"He was hitting on me," Velvet replies, and the team quickly understand what happened after that. "Fine, but this time, you're green haired friend won't be there to save you from my blade," she says.
A few minutes later, Velvet is already out on the arena floor, waiting as Mercury casually walks by to take his position. Ruby watches, fidgeting in excitement as the match gets ready to begin. A few moments pass before Mercury runs at Velvet, who remains in place. When he gets close, Mercury spins his body around and then thrusts his right foot at her. However, Velvet swings her arm blade to deflect it and uses the momentum to sweep her left leg at his, sweeping him off his feet, and then throws a right kick that sends him to the ground. Mercury spins his legs in the air, using the momentum of the action and his hands to jump back to his feet before doing two backflips to get some distance between them.
"You'll have to do better than that," Velvet says, looking unimpressed.
Velvet runs at Mercury this time, swinging her arm blade when she gets close, to which Mercury deflects with a spin kick with his left leg, and then activates her left foot blade before throwing a side kick at him, but he parries it with a right side kick. The two then parry three kicks from each other, but then Velvet jumps up and performs a front flip downward kick, slamming her foot into the ground with Mercury leaning back to dodge it. Mercury tries to counter attack with a right front kick, but Velvet deflects it with her gauntlet blade before firing off a shot at his left knee, staggering him, and then throws a hard left punch. Mercury blocks it with his arms, but ends up sliding back on his feet. When he stops, Mercury then hums, impressed.
"Still waiting. I thought you wanted payback. I guess most men are just all talk these days," she taunts him.
"Hey, your friend's doing pretty good, heh-heh," Ruby says to Emerald smiling behind her before she looks back to the fight, While Emerald looks annoyed.
Mercury smirks and then jumps, spinning his body in the air as he throws a right downward kick, which Velvet blocks with her arm blade. Mercury spins again to try and leg sweep Velvet, but Velvet backflips away and blocks a left spin kick from Mercury. Mercury spins around and slams his left leg down on Velvet, but only hits the ground when Velvet jumps back to avoid it. Mercury then runs at her and jumps up, doing a front kick that Velvet evades. Velvet counters with a few spins kicks with her foot blades, but Mercury intercepts each strike with his own. Mercury jumps back a few feet and then makes a jump kick aimed at her. However, Velvet activates her demon claw and grabs Mercury's thrown leg, swinging him around and slamming him into the ground before throwing him behind her like trash. Mercury lands on his feet, and hums to himself, smiling. However, the second he turns back, Velvet jumps up into the air and launches a fire arte at him. Mercury jumps back, spinning in the air and lands some feet away from Velvet. Velvet starts running at him again, demon claw poised to strike. But Mercury calmly turns to Goodwitch.
"I forfeit," he declares to her.
Seeing this, Velvet flips over him and lands behind him as she deactivates her demon claw.
"That's it? You're not going to try to fight?" she asks in disbelief.
"What's the point? You're a top-class fighter. We're obviously leagues apart," he plays it off.
"And Velvet Crowe is the winner of the match. Maybe next time, you may want to think a little harder before choosing an opponent," Glynda tells Mercury.
"I'll be sure to do that," Mercury replies and walks away, while Velvet just glares at him, a little aggravated.
After that, the bell rings for the end of class, making Blake bolt up, showing the dark shadows under her eyes.
"That is all for today. And remember, the dance is this weekend, but you all have your first mission on Monday. I will not accept ANY excuses," Goodwitch informs them.
The students leave the amphitheatre and as Team RVWBY walks away, Sun sees them and leaves his team to approach them.
'Hey, Blake, you uh, doing okay?" Sun asks, grabbing her shoulder to get her attention.
"I'm fine," she says, turning to him.
Sun coughs into his arm, "So, I hear there's this dance going on this weekend. Ah, psst, sounds pretty lame, but you and me, I'm thinking not as lame, huh?" he says, giving her a hint.
"What?" Blake asks.
'The dance, this weekend! Do you wanna go, or what?" he asks her.
"I don't have time for a stupid dance. I thought YOU of all people would get that, "she harshly rejects him, making him slump in defeat, while she walks away.
Ruby sadly looks at her before turning to see Sun with his head hung down in sadness. Meanwhile, Velvet narrows her eyes at Blake.
…
"You WHAT?! Blake shouts as she sits on her bed with Yang while Ruby and Weiss sit on Weiss' bed across from them, while Velvet sits on Ruby's bunk.
"We want you to go to the dance," Ruby says.
"That's ridiculous!" Blake replies, arms crossed.
"Blake, we're worried about you. This investigation is starting to mess with your head," Yang points out.
"You can't sleep, you hardly eat, and to be honest, your grades have been suffering," Weiss lists on her hand.
"You think I care about grades? Peoples' lives are at stake," Blake retorts.
Yang puts Blake's right hand down, "We know, and we're all still trying to figure out what Torchwick is up to," Yang says.
"Blake, even the mightiest huntsmen and huntresses need time to rest. You think they fight 24/7. They would burn out eventually, and that will cost them, just like what you're doing," Velvet adds.
"Exactly. Look, thanks to you and Sun, we know they're operating somewhere outside of southeast Vale," Ruby says.
Weiss raises a finger, "AND, the Schnee Company records singled out Vale as the primary target for dust robberies over the last few months," Weiss adds.
"Don't forget about their missing military tech, too," Yang says.
"But there are still unanswered questions," Blake says, still not listening.
"Blake, you won't be able to find anything if you can't even keep your eyes open," Ruby points out Blake's lack of sleep.
"In your current state, even Jaune could beat you," Velvet says.
"All we're asking is that you take it easy for ONE day," Yang says.
"It will be fun! Yang and I will make sure of it," Weiss says.
Yang bounces on the bed, "Yeah, we're planning the whole event," Yang happily replies.
"Excuse me?" Blake questions them.
"Team CFVY's away mission lasted longer than expected," Weiss informs her.
"So Weiss and I were asked to pick up where they left off. That way, we can make sure you have the perfect night," Yang says, pointing at Blake.
"And once it's all over, we'll return to our search, rested and ready," Weiss says.
"So what do you think?" Ruby asks Blake.
Blake thinks for a moment, "…I think this is a COLOSSAL waste of time," she rejects their idea and gets up to leave the room. "I'll be in the library," she says and leaves the room.
Yang sighs, "Great," Yang voices her displeasure.
"If she keeps this up, then when the time comes to actually fight, she'll go down in the first five seconds," Velvet angrily notes.
They then hear a knock at the door, and Weiss opens it to find Jaune with a guitar.
"Weiss~~," Jaune sings her name while playing the guitar, rather poorly. Jaune winks at her, but Weiss closes the door in his face and crosses her arms, an irritated look on her face. Jaune knocks on the door again. "Oh come on," he says, which makes Weiss rest her face in her left hand as he knocks again. "Open the door. I promise not to sing," he pleads. Weiss decides to open the door again, and Jaune goes back on his promise. "I lied~~!" he poorly sings again, and she facepalms. "Weiss Schnee~. Will you accompany me~. To the dance on Sunday~?" he sings, still playing the guitar.
"Are you done?" Weiss asks.
Jaune hesitates for a moment, "Yes?" he says, more of a question though.
"No. I already have a date," she says and slams the door in his face.
"When did the Ice Queen get a date?" Velvet asks.
"Hey!" Weiss yells.
"Date or no date, none of this will matter if we can't get Blake to go," Ruby says.
A second later, another knock hits the door, and this time, Velvet opens it up to find three guys with flowers in their arms.
"Velvet Crowe, will you go to the dance with me?!" they all yell.
Weiss and Ruby groan while Yang snickers, but Velvet just cocks her gauntlet and aims it at them.
"…NO," she rejects them and fires off her gauntlet gun…
And that's the chapter. A little longer than normal, but I wanted to add a little Freezerburn into the story. Sorry about skipping Pyrrha's fight, but I wanted to focus on Velvet vs. Mercury. Anyway, will Velvet go to the dance with Ruby? Will they help Blake? Until then, please Read and Review.