Ruby Rose was many things. First-year student of Beacon academy. little sister to one Yang Xiao-Long, even if she didn't look nor have a figure like Yang Xiao-Long, bumbling socially awkward girl who was accompanying her friends for an afternoon out. Currently she was glaring at the house before her with unease.

When she agreed to come to this party she had expected some backyard barbeque or tailgate party. What she saw before her was an anomaly of a Gatsby party, carnival fun house and a crowd to engulf the entire house.

The house in question was more-so a mansion instead. Ruby gazed in awe of the crowd.

"Looks like everyone in Vytal decided to show up" Nebula smirked and she got punched in the arm forcing her to look at Ruby who had a red face.

"Please… i'm going to die if we go in there" Ruby whimpered and her two friends chuckled at her demeanour.

"Fear not Friend Ruby, there is approximately 157 people inside most ranging from 15-20 years old with a few older people most if them servants and chefs" Penny exclaimed and received a punch of her own from Nebula

"Penny… I don't think we need to stress Ruby any more than she is. The poor girl is panicking."

The two girls glanced at their gothic friend and the girl was mumbling at a rapid pace glancing at everyone in her sights, as if they would come talk to her.

"Sorry Friend Neb" Penny apologized and Nebula clamped her arms around her two friends

"No problem, let's get in there and forget about stupid boys."

The party was in full swing when the trio had entered. Music echoed from speakers stationed in corner of rooms to make the whole house hum. A group of girls eyed the newcomers and snickered before pushing deeper into the party.

"Who knew your first party would be a Sun Wukong party, I heard he was a crazy dude but this is out of this world." Nebula gushed and her two friends gave her a look.

"Look, just because the two of you are sheltered doesn't mean I haven't been around." Nebula defended herself and Penny and Ruby gave each other looks.

"Whatever you say Friend Nebula" Penny smirked and she wandered to the front to take lead.

Nebula turned her gaze to Ruby who gave a grin and spoke up. "It's okay Neb, we all want to impress our friends… even if you've been with us for so long you wouldn't have found the time to go alone."

"Hey don't give me that, I'm not some sci-fi species coming to this world for the first time."

"Sure Neb, I believe you" Ruby said and she went to follow Penny. Nebula pouted and she took steps to follow her friends

One of the guys looked over to them and gave a smile before he whistled, his cheeks red and his eyes dazed.

Nebula and Penny glared at the teen before they guided Ruby away. "Honestly, i know its a party but Alcohol?" Nebula growled and they found themselves in what appeared to be a game room.

Several arcade machines sat plugged in and a pool table sat in the center of it all. Not to far away was a ping pong table with several people shouting with drunken stupor as they watched two individuals play beer pong.

Penny wandered to grab a board game and she ushered the other two into another room and away from the drunkards that roared as someone crashed into the table.

"Sheesh i heard that Sun likes things wild but this is something otherworldly" she scoffed and a group stumbled into them.

"Watch it" Nebula shoves and the guy goes flying into a table sending all of the content collapsing with a loud crash.

The room stilled as the party-goers watched with mild interest toward the two parties of interest. The man rose from the splinters of the table and gave a glare toward the trio. "Ladies… I believe an apology is in order…" the man said, liquid was dripping down the front of his shirt, the fedora dipping over his head to partially cover his shades.

Nebula growls. "Watch where you're going next time. Can't you see we're just walking here" Nebula says and the man tsks.

"I asked for an apology, don't blame me for being rough." the guy retorts and he lunges forward. Nebula braces herself for impact, shielding what she could when a shadow moved forward and blocked the lunge, sending the man backwards.

"Yo Flynt. Next time don't pick on my girl, and don't cause a scene." the new figure spoke and Flynt picked himself up once more before dusting what he could off his attire. "Tsk, Mercury I know your buddy buddy with Sun but don't expect to be all hot-shot just because you are." Flynt said and he signaled for his pals, a girl that was a mess of color, a tri-colored girl and two sisters and another guy.

"Thanks Mercury" Nebula said meekly, a blush on her face as she looked away to hide herself.

"No problem babe, I can't exactly leave you hanging." Mercury flashed a grin and then his eyes wandered to her two companions.

"Come along, meet the rest of the crew"

The rest of the crew consisted of four others. A girl with emerald hair and dark skin named Emerald gazed up from her phone, "Yo Merc, You back with that new girl toy of yours." She saw the three friends and gave a glare. "Ah, a set. You plan to disappear for a few hours? Don't bother trying to get me to join." Emerald scoffed.

Mercury gave a glare in return. "Come on Em, can't you keep your mouth shut for once. This is the girl I'm seeing, her name is Nebula Violette." He practically showcased her to his group of friends, the other three gave varying degrees of interest from the Monkey faunus's excited whoops, the blue haired and red jacket guy who flashed a grin and the nervous pirate who shrunk back.

"The others are her friends."

"Sun Wukong" The monkey exclaimed, he jumped forward and took their hands and began to shake. "It's exciting to meet new people."

"Neptune Vasilias, remember ladies… hands above the waist" Neptune flashed a grin

"..." The last of the group just stared and Sun just sighed. "Come on man, don't be shy it's just people." Sun scolded and the pirate exclaimed.

"Easy for you to say, to you its just people. To me its New people."

"Ignore him" Emerald chipped in"

"Scarlet David, our lucky awkward friend, I don't know how he survived this long" Mercury also put his tidbit of conversation in.

"Ha ha, very funny you guys, crack jokes at the the pirate why don't you" Scarlet scoffs and he promptly turns around and starts ignoring everyone.

"Well there he goes again, come on Nebula lets go have fun. I hear the dance floor has our name on it." Mercury smiles and Nebula flushes and starts to mutter incoherent words before she was soundlessly led away."

"Alright and the two of you are?" Sun asked and Penny stepped forward with a firm hand raised. "I am Penny Polendina and this here is my Friend Ruby Rose. This is our first time to such a wondrous and ill-organized event… The lack of adults is unsettling… Do you have permission?"

The group milled around with uncertainty before Emerald broke out laughing. "Oh how rich, a lacky of the law." Emerald laughs and laughs before she snaps to attention and gives Penny a look and a smile.

"Sweetie, parties are organized events yes, but being a teenager is all about rebellion. We don't ask for permission, we take what we want… Get the picture?" Emerald grins and Penny stood still.

"So you're telling me that none of this is an organized event with approval of those who dictate our lives?" Penny questioned and Emerald nods her head.

"Penny?" Ruby asked, intimidated by the new people before her she found her voice for the friend who was still around.

"I'm… not sure how to process this." Penny struggled and Emerald just sighs.

"Alright girl, it's clear that we need to show you how to have a fun time." And with that both girls were lost to the crowd.

"Wha…" Ruby exclaims and the three remaining boys looked toward the socially awkward girl before them.

"Wha… ah… I… Ruby Rose… I…. Ah…. Drink?"

"Scarlet you got this man, time for both of you to break your shells I guess" Sun said and he pushed the Pirate toward the Reaper and they both collapsed into a pile of red, white and black on the floor.

They both emerged and looked to see the two friends retreating into the crowd with words such as "Snow Angel" and "Blake" fell back to their ears.

The duo glared at the figures before giving an eye to each other. "So…"

"So…"

"So…

"The drinks?"

"Should be in the kitchen... " and after seeing her confused look Scarlet gave a sigh of defeat. "Follow me"

The tension between the two was thick, enough to cut it like butter yet it wasn't a good kind of tension. The awkwardness of the duo scream abnormal. Both were socially inept and both made no strive to engage in a conversation. Ruby had things to say yet Scarlet was content with leaving the status quo as is.

As the duo walked through the house Ruby began to think about the about the party, people were having a good time, people were dancing, playing games, spending time with friends and having fun.

Speaking of fun… this is a party her cousin Yang would most certainly frequent. Ruby gazed around at the crowd wondering if she was here. Looking for a mane of blonde hair in a crowd wasn't as easy as she had anticipated but Yang certainly stood out if she was here.

Distracted as she was, Ruby was unable to stop herself from colliding with the person and she fell back to the floor, her tush aching from collision with the marble floor.

"Are you alright?" A male voice asked her… sounding a bit familiar but the pain clouded her vision with tears.

"Sorry… I wasn't watching where I wa….. Go…." Ruby froze as the tears cleared away to reveal the figure looming over her, hands outstretched to help her up. A similar scene from the past replayed in her head and she could feel her cheeks deepening.

"Let me help you up, can't have you stay on the floor now can I?" the voice spoke again and Ruby took it this time. She felt the air rush past her as she was pulled to her feet and with a hop she landed and she bowed to thank the person who helped her.

"Thanks…. Jaune."

Winter Break…. Finally some free time to write again…. No exams, no assignments to turn in, to studying for hidden tests around the corner. Ooh to write again is so nice… Sorry for any delays and the destruction of the weekly schedule. Sadly due to the upcoming winter semester I won't be forming any schedule. I will be releasing in bulk releases once more… and possibly during the summer months, maybe an early spring if the groundhog decides to grace us with such.