Author's Headnote: Well, I got that chapter out of the way, here's the next one.

RWBY: Festival of Blood: Red and Black

Ruby Rose:

Aura Status: 94%

Thirst: Very Thirsty

Semblance: Wilted Petal Burst

Grades:

- Grimm Studies: B +

- History: B -

- Dust Studies: B

- Combat Practice: A -

- Mathematics: C -

- Weapon's Smithing: A -

- Tactics: B -

- Training Missions: C -

Team Activity: Done.

Team Relations:

-Weiss Schnee: Wonder how the date with her and Jaune went. Is planning for Ruby's birthday.

-Blake Belladonna: They're dating, and planning for Ruby's birthday with the rest of the team.

-Yang Xiao Long: Although a bit distant sometimes, they still care for each other. Even though Ruby can sense Yang's tiny fear. Is planning for Ruby's birthday.

End of main character status report.

Beacon Academy, 10:23 AM (Daylight warning), Friday, History Class (weekly exams)

Ruby was taking her weekly history exam. She had to wear her costume makeup on today because the bandana could be used to hide outside sources and cheating and stuff. Although Ruby doesn't understand how without it being obvious, but she had to comply. It feels weird for her to not have her bandana on though. Guess she kind of grew used to wearing it in public. But it doesn't matter, Ruby had a test to take... thankfully she studied so she knows most of the answers.

However, the test itself wasn't easy. But at least she knows that she'd know the current curriculum. It's really hard to study for multiple exams in one night. So... chances are she'll score lower in some of the tests than she usually scores. Doesn't help she's feeling all the stress and tension from the rest of the class, which make doing the test even harder. Feeling stressed is one thing, but sensing an entire room filled with stress is a whole other thing. She just has to get the bare minimum to participate in the Vytal tournament anyway. Along with her team.

She than went on to finish writing the last couple of essays and turned the test in.

She turned in the test second... right after Cardin who most likely put 'C' in all of the multiple-choice questions. Chances are team CRDL would likely end up having to repeat the first year... or get transferred to a second-rate academy where the test standards are lower. That or have to take Spring classes.

After that, the bell has been rung, and Ruby and the class were dismissed.

Beacon Academy, 10:33 AM (Daylight warning), Friday, Beacon Corridors

Ruby was using this time to relax a bit, the reason for the thirty-minute transition times is to help students unwind a bit before heading to the next class. It's brief, and it's needed... however, it's soon negated by the stress of an entire classroom. Another reason for this is that Beacon Academy is a large school with multiple buildings, Including the old CCT. After some incident around twentyish years ago, the CCT in Beacon was retired and they built the new one in central park. However, it's still used to hold the headmaster's office. Although at times... multiple people are seen entering it. The old CCT doesn't have any computers or terminals in it, unlike what the rumors claim. Ruby's been inside the building. The rooms are mostly used for storage.

Ruby was relaxing for a bit while walking to the dust studies classroom. Although she stopped a bit after being slapped in the back of the neck.

"Ow!" Ruby exclaimed.

"Sorry, there was a bug on your neck." the man said, he had greyish blue hair... and grey eyes... wearing the haven academy uniform.

"I didn't feel any bug." Ruby said in objection.

"You typically don't."

"True."

"Mercury Black by the way." He introduced himself.

"Ruby Rose." Ruby introduced herself back.

"Well, I'll be heading to my class now, I'll be seeing you in combat practice."

"Kay... see ya."

He seemed... weird. And not the kind that one would shrug off, and not in the good way either. It's more so of a... suspicious weird. Ruby just can't put her finger on how he's weird, but it's definitely not in anyway good. It's fall, so most of the bugs would be asleep or dead. The flying ones no less. But he looked familiar...

Then Ruby remembered he was the guy who fought Blake in that duel last Friday. He forfeited despite that he was winning for some reason. Which is weird in of itself. He's a good fighter though, Ruby wonders if Yang could take him on. Likely not, he's most likely at fourth-year level despite claiming he's a first year... he may have repeated a couple of times, which would explain his experience. Which explains why Blake had trouble fighting him. Although the rest of his team is very distant.

There's the girl with green hair and red eyes... not sure what her semblance is. Ruby can feel fear around her sometimes... that's a weird emotion for a student to have, what would she be afraid of...

Then there's... the woman with black hair and orange eyes... she looks older than the fourth-year students... Ruby swears she's seen her before but couldn't identify where she saw her. She also sounds like the woman who broke into the CCT back at the dance. Might be the same person. Ruby would likely need to keep an eye on her. Her fight with Violet was also interesting to watch though. A semblance maybe? Never saw anyone who could conjure up a weapon at will.

And than there's... the fourth one... which Ruby has yet to see outside of classes. She also can't remember what their fourth team member looked like.

And Ruby knows they're in a team because typically team-mates tend to walk along with each other. Although for some reason, her team is not with her right now. Weiss most likely is heading to class right now. Blake is taking a short read, and Yang chatting with friends. When it comes to social stances... team RWBY is very disorganized. But it's her team, and they're her friends, no matter what.

Ruby just sighed and headed on down to the dust studies room to take her exam there, then she and Blake can go to the spot where Ruby would spend time relaxing and take the exams for the rest of the classes and than on to combat practice.

Beacon Academy, 4:30 PM (Daylight Warning), Friday, Indoor Combat Arena

The qualifying matchups were still ongoing for the rest of the teams. Her own team managed to pass it. Now she just has to wait for the rest of the Beacon students to either pass or fail. A golden rule is, if one team member fails, the entire team fails. Sure, it's a bit repetitive to say that, but it's a good thing to know... well, until Ruby graduates.

As of current, she's just watching people who she doesn't even know trying out. Well, it's a better change of pace than the tests. Which were stressful and hard, especially considering Ruby was feeling the stress of the entire class... especially Yang's... seriously, Ruby is going to have a talk with Yang after all of this, she needs to mellow out during tests. Ruby swore she saw her eyes turn red during one of those!

Ruby was sitting with her team during all of this... coincidentally, Mercury was also next to Ruby... which is making her uncomfortable. So... Ruby scoots closer to Blake.

But that doesn't help... the uncomfortable feeling, kind of feeling like untrust from all the negativity she felt from other people.

"Yang, do you think we could switch seats? Mercury's making me uncomfortable." Ruby asked.

"Who's Mercury?" Yang asked.

Ruby pointed at Mercury, who than waved after being pointed.

"Oh, him. I remember, he fought Blake last week. Blake, can you get up for a bit?" Yang asked.

"Don't worry, I heard your conversation." Blake said... getting up.

Ruby than went to switch seats with Yang, with Blake sitting back down. Ruby's now less distracted and can concentrate with watching the fights. She notices that one of the fighters is using a bullpup. Which sparks Ruby's curiosity. Considering bullpup weapons tend to be impractical and get in the way with weapon transformations. Bullpup combination weapons are rare. Or at least she thinks they're rare, since she almost never sees a weapon that uses bullpup configuration.

Wait... Is Ember Celicia a bullpup? Ruby never thought of that until just now... it's going to go through her head for a while until she knows whether or not Ember Celicia can be considered a bullpup... and what would be considered a bullpup/conventional variant of it. Nah, it's too distracting right now. Besides... chances are those terms wouldn't work because of the way it's shaped...

With that distracting thought out of the way, Ruby can now focus on watching the fight. And not have to worry about Mercury making her uncomfortable.

Character Change: Ruby Rose - Mercury Black

Beacon Academy, 5:44 PM, Friday, CMSN Guest Dorm

The guest dorms in Beacon Academy were smaller on average than the regular dorms, being that they typically don't have a kitchenette. So, guests will have to go to the cafeteria if they need to eat anything. At least the guest dorms have showers and closets. The entire eastern half of Beacon's Dormitory is filled with these kinds of dorms. Whereas the western dorms are normal sized with a kitchenette, and than there's these two large apartment sized dorms. 1 bedroom, 1 living room, 1 kitchen, 2 bathrooms. From what Mercury's been told, those dorms are reserved for special students. In comparison, the guest dorms are like cheap 2-star hotel rooms... minus all the decay.

Mercury himself is not sure how long he can put up with this school charade. Ever since phase 2 has failed, Cinder has been going through Plan B. She didn't tell Mercury or Emerald what Plan B is exactly. But it involves Mercury getting all chummy up with teams RWBY and JNPR. He asked why Emerald can't do it, with Cinder replying that she was needed elsewhere. Which Mercury had to do... despite that he really doesn't like any of them.

Mercury did manage to find the silver-eyed girl... Ruby is what she called herself. And from what Neo signed to Cinder... Ruby is not exactly... living. That, and Emerald owes her 500 lien. Which is a surprise to Mercury, considering she's not what one would picture would be a vampire. Considering that the typical vampire would be dark and brooding according to Cinder... and she's bright and cheerful. Mercury finds her annoying. Even slapped her neck and made an excuse that there was a bug... but in reality, Mercury just wanted an excuse to slap her.

There's Jaune Arc... he doesn't know much about him... other than he pretends to date someone in the ballroom... which weirds Mercury out. So... he's going to stay away from him... because he weirds Mercury out.

The Cat Faunas Adam doesn't shut up about is also here. Not sure why he cares about her... considering that she was going with Jaune with the ballroom thing. She's also a good fighter, but Mercury was better... and he was holding back when he was fighting her last week. She's going to be a cakewalk at the Vytal tournament... if he fights her that is. Other than that, she's pretty anti-social given that her nose is more under a book than anything else. There's also rumors that she's a good matchmaker though.

The loud girl and the quiet dude. Mercury always sees them together. Guess they're friends or something, or dating... not sure which one. But they seem to be like opposites, being that one is hyper and jumpy and the other... surprisingly calm all the time, as if his emotions are woodened. From what Mercury knows... is that the girl really likes pancakes. And that the guy is a master chef. He spent Monday and Tuesday with them. Of all of the people he's tasked to hang out with, he likes the quiet guy the most.

The Heiress. Mercury knows very well about Weiss Schnee... and her semblance. Given that His father used a Schnee semblance against him when he was undergoing combat training against Mercury's will. Let's just say that Mercury is not fond of his father, nor is he fond of the Schnees. Although he doesn't know which Schnee he stole the semblance from.

The Invincible girl Pyrrha Nikos. Mercury tried to duel her a week ago, but she declined. From what the reports say, she's typically the nicest one among all the people he's been tasked to hang around. But Mercury can never find her outside of classes, so he has a very limited window to even talk to her. Mercury still doesn't even know how she fights that well, or what her semblance is... perhaps the two are connected.

And finally, there's the bimbo. Mercury doesn't even bother trying to learn her name. Or anything about her... from what the reports say... she gets stronger the more she's hurt. So, this is all Mercury needs to know about her, really.

He's not sure why Cinder had kept him out of the loop of the whole vampire thing. But Cinder says that the Duke of Bloodshire's a wildcard in their plan and could hinder progress. So, since the failure at Monday... Cinder's focusing on having the White Fang smoke out the vampires. Prior to this, it was a secondary objective. Oddly enough, she wants the Duke alive. Not sure what Cinder would need with an ancient vampire.

Mercury had just walked into the guest dorm... he really doesn't like trying to be all gushy and friendly with the enemy. He's an assassin, not a spy!

"Why can't Emerald play nice with the enemy?" Mercury complained.

"She's more so focused on finding the vampire hideout outside of classes." Cinder stated.

"Why not put a tracker on the silver eyed girl? She's a vampire, which means she must go there every once in awhile." Mercury said out of curiosity.

"Because I theorize that Ruby may not be 100% affiliated with the Duke, sure that she was turned by one of the vampires in his clan, but does not affiliate herself with them."

"So... that's what Emerald is there for?" Mercury asked.

"Yes. Although we could use her semblance to have Ruby lead us right to the hideout."

"So... why aren't we?"

"Because we don't have a tracking device on her!"

"And that's a problem? Couldn't Emerald just text the location?"

"Mercury. There's a reason I come up with the plans here. And you're just the muscle and the backup smile. So, why don't you get all chummy with the enemy?"

"Not like I have any other choice here, do I?"

"Nope."

Mercury sighed and exited the guest dorm. Guess it looks like he has to get chummy with people he really doesn't like.

Character Change: Mercury Black - Ruby Rose

Beacon Academy, 6:20 PM, Friday, RWBY Dormitory

Ruby was just relaxing. She was wearing sweat pants and a tank top, pretty much her pajamas. Plus, a bandana incase anyone walks in without knocking. No need to accidentally revealing her vampirism to some accidental walk by.

She has a whole night to herself, although her training mission grade has suffered from the breach. She thinks she recovered enough to barely pass. Next week is the start of the second batch of training missions, from what she knows... they'll be quick and brief. Hopefully she can manage to pick some mostly indoor ones, she doesn't want to be out in the sun for long periods of time. They start on Tuesday, because Pyrefest is on Monday. AKA: Her birthday.

Weiss was practicing her dancing and Yang at the gym. The two of them need to keep up their combat shape. Blake was also at the gymnasium doing acrobatics. Ruby was the only one who doesn't need to worry about her shape because she's a vampire. She's in the condition she's been in since the Blackout, and she was doing exercises before the blackout and was mostly running for most of the time before the blackout. And the blood won't add on any weight in her body, or her muscles won't degrade... since she's post-living... or undead.

And than after a bit of doing some reading on the encyclopedia... well... skim reading...

KNOCK KNOCK

Huh? She's not expecting a visitor, and she sure won't let her team order chain-eatinghouse pizza, or fast-food. That stuff is bad for their systems and the junk would get into Blake's juicy and tender veins, and her soft and bitable neck... wait, what? Ruby's got to stop thinking like that. She's a huntress, not a mindless bloodsucking monster. Sure, a bloodsucking monster, but she puts her huntress duties first. And as team leader, she would be providing healthy meals for her team, especially Blake.

As soon as Ruby opened the door aaaand...

It's Mercury... greeeat. He really makes me uncomfortable, and I don't know why.

"Heeeeeeyyyy... Mercury." Ruby said in an awkward tone, faking a smile.

"What are you doing?" Mercury asked... smiling, although Ruby thinks it's a fake smile.

"Reading... by myself... with no one else around... which I'd like to get back to... because I'm studying something..." She said with awkward pauses in an awkward tone.

"Oh. Can I come in?"

"NO! You can not come in!"

"Why not?"

"Because I barely know you and it's getting late!"

"It's only 6 PM!"

"The Sun is down!"

"Still... 6PM!"

"I'm fifteen!"

"fifteen? What are you doing in Beacon than?"

"I got enrolled early by the headmaster himself."

"Well... in that case you're no slouch. Perhaps you'd like a spar."

"Alright... I seem interested. Where's the place?"

"Training yard."

"mmm... the training yard is close to the gym... Just let me get changed and I'll meet you there."

"Alright than..."

Ruby likes to have a friendly fight... even if it's with someone she barely knows, just keep the aura above dangerously low, and keep her grimm in control incase she loses. Duels are also a good alternative to resolve disputes other than causing a scene. Hopefully having a spar with Mercury would get rid of that uncomfortable feeling she has around him. And It's the kind of uncomfortable that feels like he's not actually genuine.

Beacon Academy, 6:29 PM, Friday, Training Yard

Ruby was dressed and had her bandana on. She got out Crescent rose because she doesn't want her favorite weapon to collect dust. Also, she's a lot more skilled with a Scythe than a blade disc launcher that's designed off a pizza cutter.

She stepped into the outdoor arena, with Mercury on the other side of the arena. There's no one to call the match. And the condition here is that Aura has to go to 20% or below to stop... or forfeit... the latter would most likely happen to Ruby if she falls below 50%, mostly to avoid the grimm crawling out.

The two of them put their scrolls on the arena counter, their auras are in display for both to see... thankfully Ruby's aura is at 100% because she kept herself fed and avoided any combat during the day.

Mercury initiated the fight, starting with a punch which Ruby dodged... but she was baited, since Mercury sweep kicked and knocked Ruby off balance. Caught by surprise, she fell down... but got back up. She isn't getting fooled that easily. She just has to get off ground level. But Mercury went straight back to fighting to prevent her to quickly come up with a plan... using a variation of martial arts and dance-moves. And that's when it hit her...

He fights exactly inverse to Yang's fighting style... whereas Yang focuses on strength and strong attacks and damaging the enemy. Mercury focuses on agility and fast attacks, keeping the enemy from attacking him in the first place...

So... she quickly jumps back, changes Crescent Rose to rifle form and starting firing... and he's deflecting the bullets with his boots. Ruby swears that his feet shouldn't be doing that... unless they're made of metal. Which would explain that... but than that would be uncomfortable to wear... unless it's a prosthetic, in that case that'd be one of the worst prosthetic legs ever made. Even Ruby could make better, and she doesn't specialize in prosthetics. So... chances are any prosthetics she made would be just like... attachable weapons. Not something one would have for everyday purposes. Ruby hopes her sister doesn't need a prosthetic in the future.

Ruby continues to attack Mercury from a range... whilst Mercury keeps firing projectiles from his boot. How is he doing that? Having bullets stored in a boot would be really hard... and uncomfortable. but than Ruby realizes that his boots have a hole in there... sometimes when he kicks... the boots fire a wind-dust projectile... so bullets aren't stored in the boot... rather a wind dust crystal. But that is still weird... how is he fitting that in there? If Ruby could fire at the boot... well, that'd guarantee a victory...

Ruby aims for the hole in his boot and fired a shot... blocking it... when he attempts to fire one of the wind projectiles from his boot... it doesn't fire... rather the jammed boot flies the bullet around ricocheting the training yard... with the boot exploding... revealing not gore... but metal... Mercury groaning... but only in pain... he's not injured, but his prosthetic leg is destroyed... so he's only hurt, not injured.

"Owww... why'd you shoot my foot?" Mercury asked.

"I'd figure the bullet would destroy the crystal and send you flying... not create a wind explosion and destroy your leg." Ruby defended yourself.

"Still, you fought smart."

"Thank you."

"But you owe me a new leg."

"Oh... sorry."

"Well, you better cough up the Lien or buy me a new leg. What you did can't be repaired."

"Sorry."

"You better be."

Now Ruby realizes why she's uncomfortable around him. He's a jerk. A jerk that she owes a prosthetic leg to. Well... it's her fault. She has to build a new leg for him... or get enough Lien to buy him one.

"Let me see your other leg." Ruby said in a serious tone.

"What? Why?" Mercury objected.

"I need measurements so I don't end up getting you a leg too short or too long."

"Alright fine..." Mercury said... letting Ruby observer the other leg.

Ruby just took a picture of the leg. Thanks to advanced technology, measurements of the leg would be downloaded without trying to actually measuring. It's convenient for times like this. Now she just has to build the leg. Now Ruby has to go to the weapon forge... to build a prosthetic leg... something she has never done before...

Beacon Academy, 6:50 PM, Friday, Weapons Forge

Ruby has the measurements downloaded, now she just has to learn to build a prosthetic limb. The thing is... she doesn't know how. She can make weapons, but even than, she has to draft the schematics... guess she just has to find some schematics for a basic prosthetic leg.

She browsed the web for some prosthetic leg schematics... something basic and easy to build. She eventually found some schematics from a Vacuo prosthetic site. Looks identical to the one Mercury has too, it's cheap and quick to build... guess that's why it exploded easily when Ruby fired a bullet into it's projectile barrel. Although this schematic doesn't come with a wind-dust projectile launcher thingy. Guess that's something improvised. Well, atleast the leg won't explode when she fires a bullet into it than.

Ruby started copying the schematics and had them on her scroll. She started by building the joints. That's no doubt going to be the hardest part... considering the knee and ankle are use to connect the shin and shoe together. Shoe because the schematics don't make it look like an actual foot. Because it's a pretty cheap design. Yet again, someone with a prosthetic leg like THAT wouldn't need shoes, despite that prosthetic legs are typically worn with shoes. But the schematics makes the foot too big, and in the shape of a shoe... although chances are whoever made Mercury's pair hollowed out the shoe a bit to make room for the wind dust projectile launcher. And Ruby found those schematics directly under it... and she feels stupid for not noticing that.

But still... she starts with the ankle... joints are really hard to build... and Ruby can't really test prosthetics herself. She had spent the next couple of hours building the leg. Although she couldn't find a wind dust crystal, hopefully a lightning dust crystal would work. Although she didn't bother painting it... and she can't test it...

The Prosthetic looks slightly more blocky than the leg in the schematics. Ruby's not very skilled at crafting prosthetics... but Ruby thinks it's a good attempt. Well, let's just hope Mercury would forgive Ruby for blowing his leg up.

Beacon Academy, 7:12 PM, Friday, CMSN Guest Dorm

Ruby had knocked at the door. Waiting for Mercury or someone else to answer the door. Which than she sees the girl with black hair and yellow eyes answer the door.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"Yes... I have this for Mercury... I sort of blew his leg off." Ruby said, showing the new prosthetic leg.

"Oh... so you're the girl who blew up Mercury's leg. He really doesn't want to see you right now, but he'd be grateful for the new leg."

"I'm still sorry for destroying his legs."

"Now hand over the leg."

"Oh, okay... sorry." Ruby said, handing over the leg.

The woman had received the leg and slammed the door in front of Ruby's face, looks like they really don't want Ruby there. Ah well... she can just go back to the dorm.

Wonder what the rest of her team are up to... they're likely heading back to their dorm right now showering off. Ruby needs to make them something to eat though. Can't let her team go hungry... like the past two weeks she did. She needs to get in the habit of cooking dinner when she's not hungry. Because she synchronized her cooking schedule with her hunger, which she doesn't have anymore... since it's replaced with a thirst solely for blood. Something Ruby has gotten used to. Maybe she could ask Blake for a bite before making dinner... she just came from a fight and is slightly parched. Ruby is heading back to her dorm.

She's just glad Ruby doesn't have to owe Mercury a leg... hopefully he can walk with it fine.

Author's Footnote: There's the chapter. And before you ask, yes illusions would work with vampires (unless their semblance has something to block illusions out). And before you complain about Emerald tricking Ruby into running to the hideout, remember they only know she's a vampire... not what she's capable of doing outside of Feral mode... as far as they know, she was turned by one of the mook vampires. They only know she's a vampire, not who turned her. As for why they're going after the vampires... you'll know soon enough if you haven't connected all the dots. What do you guys think of the chapter or the story so far? If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, criticisms, etc. Leave them in the reviews and see you next chapter.