"I'm here to escort the ice princess to dinner."

Graciously, Yang held out her hand. The door in front of her was slightly propped open. A head peeked out the door. From the sight, Weiss rolled her eyes and stepped into the hallway.

"Thank goodness you're here," Weiss said and adjusted her purse, placing a hand on top of hers. "I would have gotten lost if not for you."

"These halls are truly a maze," Yang replied, elated that she placed a hand in hers. Suddenly nervous, she cleared her throat. "This way."

She's too much sometimes, Weiss thought, stifling a smile.

"Careful, careful," Yang held onto her arm and pointed at the plastic wrapper on the floor. "Watch your step."

Dramatically, Yang took a large step over the trash. Weiss shook her head and walked over it like a normal person.

Weiss tightened her grip on Yang like she feigned terror. "Feared for my life there."

Together, the pair took a grand total of one more step before arriving.

Proudly, Yang opened the door and let her guest walk inside first. The smell of beef wafted through the room along with delicious, melted cheese. Weiss was impressed with the apartment. It had lots of decorations including a couple of bookshelves, picture frames, and fake plants.

This is nice, Weiss thought as she glanced around. They have so much stuff.

"You're right on time!" Ruby greeted, zipping around the counter. "I was worried about you. The journey here is arduous."

"We're quite famished," Weiss replied with sarcasm.

Yang announced loudly. "I'm parched!"

"Take whatever you want, weary travelers," Ruby encouraged. "Blake and me made plenty for everyone."

Multiple plates full of color rested on the countertops. Each steamed and begged to be eaten. The food beckoned each girl over and they started a line like they were at a buffet.

Weiss was shocked by the organized set-up. "Wow, you made a lot."

"You should try the green beans," Blake moved behind her and built her own plate. "Ruby soaks them with bacon. It adds a lot of flavor."

This is amazing, Weiss thought. Do they eat like this every night?

Since there was so much food, the girls grabbed a little of everything. There were mashed potatoes, green beans, meatloaf, garlic toast, and corn. They sat at the dining table, almost drooling.

"Thank you for the meal," Weiss said in appreciation, which earned smiles. "How did you have time to make all this?"

After Ruby scooped some fluffy potatoes, she said. "Blake made half. If we have a friend over, we do our best."

They consider me a friend?

Yang watched their guest in anticipation. "Do you like it?"

After Weiss took a bite of meatloaf, her eyes widened. "Is that cheese in it?"

"Sure is," Ruby confirmed. "That's the best part besides the sauce."

"It's really good," Weiss praised, reveling in the burst of flavor. "I haven't had a meal like this in too long."

Probably before mother picked up the bottle, so when I was a child. Father never liked to cook much, either.

Since the girls knew very little about their friend, Blake wanted to fill in some blanks. "Your parents don't make anything like this?"

Weiss shook her head. "They didn't. And I live alone now, so…"

Yang swallowed some corn. "You can stop by for food all you want. We don't mind, right?"

"Right!" Ruby eagerly agreed, sipping on some water. "Hey, didn't you say you're from Vytal?"

Since Weiss' mouth was full, she only nodded. It wasn't true, so she didn't want to verbally confirm it.

"That's really cool," Ruby said. "We're all from an island, too. Me and Yang are from Patch. We came here for a change of scenery. Why'd you come here?"

Weiss tapped the glass in front of her, enjoying the condensation. To her, this was starting to feel like an interrogation. Although she understood why they wanted to know more about her.

"Vytal was far too small," Weiss said. "I had to get away."

I definitely had to get away.

"That surprises me," Blake said after nibbling on some toast. "You look more Atlesian, but I bet you get that a lot."

Maybe because I am Atlesian, Weiss thought, trying not to frown. I don't… I don't want to lie to these girls...

They looked at her with such curiosity and only had pure intentions. The more they questioned her, the more she felt guilty. But they couldn't find out her real background. A simple misstep might throw them in danger.

Weiss nodded to agree with Blake's observation. "People from Vytal are typically tan, so I don't exactly fit the stereotype."

Yang put down her fork to joke. "If you were any whiter, you'd be dead."

Collective laughs.

"I know, I know, I look like a ghost," Weiss admitted with a forced smile. "Haha."

The atmosphere in this place was full of bubbles. As Weiss sat in her chair, she felt like that one spec of darkness that tainted it.

Yang sent her a sunny smile. "You know we're just teasin'. I gotta know, why Vale, though? Why didn't you go somewhere like Vacuo or Mistral?"

Now this I can answer truthfully.

"I randomly picked a spot on the map. My finger happened to land on Vale."

"Woah seriously?!" Yang yelped in surprise. "How spontaneous. Look at you, and here I thought you were a planner."

Ruby almost jumped from her explanation. "I wish I could do that! That's so awesome, did you have any reservations about it?"

"No, it seemed like a good fit for me," Weiss said.

And it should be, Weiss thought. I want to be a part of this...

Blake felt she should add her own experience. "I'm from Menagerie, which is overcrowded with faunus. So I understand you wanting to leave an island."

From that piece of information, Weiss' interest peaked. "How did you become their roommate?"

Yang blurted out. "Ilia."

"She's on our volleyball team. The girl with a bunch of freckles," Blake clarified. "We grew up in Menagerie. She eventually moved to Vale and went to Beacon. She told me how awesome it is, and that these two were looking for a roommate. I wanted to leave anyways and took the opportunity. My parents want me to experience the world, so they're more laid back than most."

Yang crossed her arms. "She regrets it."

Playfully, Blake shoved her. "Shut up, I love it here. Even though you guys are way too loud for me sometimes."

Ruby shook her head to disagree. "We aren't that bad."

"You really are," Blake sighed like this wasn't the first time they discussed this. "How am I supposed to focus on my books when you two are yelling all the time?"

"We don't-"

Weiss interjected before Yang could rebuttal. "I hear you a lot, too."

"Weiss, whose side are you on!?" Yang yelped, feeling betrayed.

"She threw you under the bus, sis," Ruby said smugly.

Yang set down her fork. "Hey, she was talking about you, too!"

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"Was not!"

While the sisters bickered, Weiss and Blake shared a look and eventually giggled.

What am I doing? Weiss questioned herself, stopping her laughter. I can't be part of this. I shouldn't be here. They're happy. I would only burden them.

Yang admitted defeat and sipped some water. "Alright, alright, point taken. We can be a tad loud."

Ruby pouted. "A little bit."

"That's progress," Blake said like she was their proud therapist.

When there was a pregnant pause, Weiss suddenly stood.

I need to leave. Coming here wasn't a good idea. I've just made it harder for all of us.

Noticing something was wrong, Yang asked. "What's up?"

"I'm sorry, but I have to go now," Weiss said robotically like she didn't want to.

"What?" Yang asked. "You didn't eat much. Are you sure?"

"It can't be helped," Weiss said and avoided her sad gaze. "I'm sorry."

Ruby looked at her with puppy eyes that begged her. "Please stay?"

It's better if I don't involve myself with them. I can't ruin their happiness. What was I thinking?

"Thank you for having me. It was nice. Really nice."

When she turned to leave, Yang called after her. "We'll see you tomorrow, Weiss. Thanks for putting up with us tonight!"

From the comment, Weiss almost smiled. How was she so understanding? It seemed like whenever Weiss was troubled, Yang helped in her own way.

Blake and Ruby stared at Yang, wondering why she didn't try harder to stop their friend. But Yang didn't want to press her or make her upset. She could tell something was amiss.

Weiss left the apartment, leaving them confused. She didn't want to lie to them for another second. She needed to clear her head. The sky swirled in the darkness around the shattered moon. The rays guided her to the nearby park, where she intended to think things through.

The farther she walked, the angrier she got.

It's his fault I can't live normally.

She felt torn. She wanted to enjoy life here while she could. She promised Winter she would do exactly that. But it was hard to, considering the consequences she will face from her father due to leaving.

So far, her brain and heart were at war. But at least they agreed on one thing...

He put me in this position.

Weiss gritted her teeth and clenched her fists as she walked across the park. Dew from the grass soaked into her shoes and part of her stockings.

I wouldn't feel like this if it wasn't for him. He's to blame.

"Hey, girlie."

From the sudden low and ominous voice, Weiss whirled around. Two guys with smug smirks poked through the darkness. The sight caused her adrenaline to spike to the sky.

Slowly, the pair inched closer to her. Under the moonlight, Weiss saw that one guy had blazing red hair and horns while the other had gray hair.

Blue eyes clashed with theirs. The punk with gray hair flashed a knife.

"Be a good girl and give us your purse."

So you're from Vytal. Why are you white?

Oh my god, Blake you can't just ask people why they're white.

Lyrics from Redo: "Where do I start? My vision's growing dark- I blindly choose a path."

Stay dandy,

~Toto