A fist pounded on the door several times.

"Weeeeeeiss, we're waiting!"

While Yang sang in a chipper tune, her roommates sighed. It was too early to be so full of energy. Just watching her knock on the door drained them.

She's gotta be in there, Yang thought. I can feel it.

After what felt like several minutes, the door finally flew open. Before Yang could greet Weiss, a hand covered her mouth, and she was met with a deadly scowl.

"Be quiet, would you?" Weiss hissed in a hushed tone. "You'll wake the neighbors," she looked to the two reserved girls behind her. "Why didn't either of you reprimand her?"

Blake only shrugged and rubbed her eyes. "We weren't sure you'd come out."

I'm glad she didn't ditch us, Yang thought, beaming a smile.

"Well, I'm here," Weiss huffed in annoyance, closing the door.

"We're glad you are," Ruby chimed.

In truth, the girls were surprised the transfer student decided to join their walk today. She'd been elusive so it felt like they caught some exotic, rare animal.

After Weiss locked her door, the group headed out. The halls were vacant, leaving them to use hushed voices. When outside, the sky was dimly lit and the chilly air pricked their skin.

Despite being so boisterous earlier, Yang heaved a sigh and felt her energy drain. "Ugh, I didn't get much sleep again."

From her whining, Ruby rolled her eyes. She remembered seeing a light under her door late into the night and knew what that meant. "Don't act like you weren't playing that new game."

"I never denied that," Yang replied, smiling from the memory of how much fun she had. "I got pretty far into it."

"Then don't complain!" Ruby yelped and flailed her arms, but relented. "It is pretty awesome, though. Can't blame you too much. Don't you dare play over my saved game!"

Yang put her hands up in defense. "I would never dream of it! Don't look at me like that, I haven't touched it, I swear!"

"Suuuuure," Ruby egged her on.

"I take offense that you don't trust me," the blonde retorted.

While the sisters bantered, Blake was content to listen. Until she realized that their new companion hadn't said much during the walk. It looked like her eyes were heavy. Good thing she had a way to fix that. To break the ice, Blake held out her Yeti bottle to her.

"Do you want some coffee?" Blake offered, hoping she'd accept. "It wakes me right up."

For a moment, Weiss stared at the bottle. Normally, she would avoid germs, but she could really use a pick-me-up right now.

"Is it black?"

Blake nodded. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

Grateful, Weiss took a few sips. In the cold air, the hot caffeine soothed her throat and surged in her system. She would have more, but didn't want to take advantage of Blake's generous offer and handed the bottle back to her.

"Black coffee is nasty," Yang commented, recoiling from the thought. "How do you stand it?"

Ruby nodded in agreement. "You need at least a cream and five sugars."

"I'm trying to wake up, not die of sugar overdose," Weiss retorted and smiled at the faunus. "Thank you, Blake."

"You can have more whenever," Blake offered. "I'm definitely not going to finish this."

"Why not?" Weiss asked.

Before she could reply, Yang announced loudly. "Runs right through her."

Blake's cat ears flickered wildly and she raised her voice in a hiss. "Shut up, Yang!"

That earned a playful shove, which caused Yang to giggle.

"It's nothin' to be ashamed of!" Yang reassured. "You can't handle coffee, most people can't handle this," she gestured to her whole body, which earned multiple eye rolls. "We all have our flaws."

"I can't handle coffee," Blake said sarcastically. "And you have a healthy sense of modesty."

"Exactly," Yang jokingly agreed.

Before the girls realized, they arrived at school.

Tennis shoes skidded against the wood floor.

Cautiously, Weiss scoped out the area. This area in the school was new to her, so she was hesitant to walk inside. Several students gathered by the volleyball net and even more congregated in the room to the side.

This is for Winter, Weiss told herself. She'd want me to enjoy life while I'm here.

It appeared that Yang was on the volleyball team and sent her a flirtatious wink. Then, she spiked the ball and scored on the other team. Poor Blake was left to glower from her failed dive.

They never mentioned they're on the volleyball team, Weiss blushed from the wink. Then again, I didn't ask.

Rather than venture to the net, Weiss walked to the room on the side of the building. Several students were listening to a teacher who spoke fast and various robotic parts scattered in front of them. Gradually, Weiss made her way over to the small group. The sound of a volleyball smacking against skin lingered as she ventured in the opposite direction.

A flicker of red grabbed her attention that sat in the back of the room.

Ruby's here? Is she in this club?

Casually, Weiss sat next to Ruby. When Ruby noticed her arrival, she beamed and kept her voice low.

"Weiss!" Ruby whispered enthusiastically. "You want to join the tech club?"

"Perhaps," Weiss leaned back, watching the professor move a million miles a second. "Is it worthwhile?"

"Well…" Ruby trailed off, trying to think of what would impress her enough to join. "This semester, we're building drones. Then we get to fly them."

"A drone…" Weiss breathed, thinking she hadn't taken on a challenge like that in a while. "That might be fun."

"Right?" Ruby agreed.

I haven't worked with technology in a while, Weiss thought. This could be a good opportunity for me to keep my skills sharp while I'm here.

The pair drifted into silence and waited for the professor to stop speaking. When he did, the students were free to do as they pleased. It was encouraged that they find partners for the semester-long project.

"Wanna team up?" Ruby asked and held out her hand.

Knowing this was a longer commitment, Weiss shook her hand. "Let's build the best drone."

"Yes!" Ruby chirped with glee. "What kind do you wanna build? I was thinking of a nano drone. I want to test my skills. But I understand if you don't want to or want to build a different size. Ireallydon'tca-"

Weiss silenced her by putting her hand over her mouth. "Let's build a nano drone like you want. Either way, this entire experience will be new to me."

"I had no idea you're into tech," Ruby said, glad they shared a mutual interest. "How good are you?"

"Mediocre with drones," Weiss joked, which elicited a giggle. "I know much more than the average person. Have you built a drone before?"

Ruby nodded, energized from the conversation. "Me and my dad made a nano one when I was younger. It was the coolest thing until I broke it."

"Let me guess, you stepped on it?" Weiss asked.

Ruby sighed from the memory. "Sat…"

"This one will make up for that, then," Weiss tried to reassure.

Before the pair realized, the tech club had ended with a final bell ring. Across the room, the volleyball team dispersed, retreating into the nearby locker room.

"Yo!" Yang called from across the gym. "Come hit a little with us!"

Blake tossed the volleyball to Ruby, who bumped it back over to her.

"Only a few times!"

Racing, Ruby zipped over to the pair and Weiss reluctantly followed.

"Come on, ice princess," Yang encouraged, tossing the ball to her. "Show us what ya got."

Plainly, Weiss caught the ball and threw it back to her. "I'll pass."

Since her town lowered slightly, Yang decided not to push her. "Suit yourself."

When Yang tossed the ball over to her sister, Weiss couldn't help but notice Yang's toned physique. Her legs and her arms were intricately sculpted like some kind of goddess statue. When Weiss realized her gaze lingered, she glanced away in a fluster.

She looks cool when she's so focused, Weiss thought, feeling a blush rush into her cheeks. I never see this side of her in class.

"Y-you never told me you're on the volleyball team," Weiss stammered, trying to hide the fact that she was flustered.

"Been on it since last year," Yang informed and tossed the ball high near the rafters. "Heads up, Rubes!"

Ruby frantically crouched when Yang spiked the ball over the net. After Ruby bumped it, she yelped from how much her skin burned.

Blake smirked at her reaction. "That's how it normally feels from her."

Yang jokingly flexed. "No one wants to be hit by these babies."

Reluctantly, Blake brushed her friend's ego. "She's the best spiker on the team. Besides Pyrrha."

"The tall redhead?" Weiss asked, wanting to make sure.

"Yep!" Yang confirmed and beamed a sunny smile. "Hey, I know. You should totally join us for dinner tonight."

Since that was unexpected, Weiss couldn't swallow the stutter. "T-tonight?"

There she goes again, suddenly inviting me to things, Weiss thought, suppressing a small smile. Is she purposefully trying to catch me off guard?

Blake gave a small shrug. "I don't see why not."

"That's a great idea," Ruby agreed and assumed she'd accepted. "I hope you like meatloaf. I make a mean one."

Yang tried to encourage Weiss to accept the offer. "She puts brown sugar in the ketchup. It's awesome!"

When the group looked at her with such twinkling hope, Weiss found it difficult to decline. The offer was too enticing.

If I eat another sandwich tonight I might lose my mind, Weiss thought. Just this once, I'll go over to their place.

"Fine."

Stay dandy,

~Toto