Author's Headnote: In my defense, I personally think Ruby is more than able to keep her vampiric strength in check. But that's besides the point, let's dive into the chapter.
RWBY: Festival of Blood: Hangovers and Teeth
Ruby Rose:
Aura Status: 100%
Thirst: Slightly Stated
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: Glad to see her being less uppity and snooty. Is planning for Ruby's birthday.
-Blake Belladonna: They're dating, and planning for Ruby's birthday with the rest of the team. The double date was fun.
-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, 8:47 PM, Saturday, RWBY Dormitory
Ruby and Blake had just finished watching a movie together, with their arms wrapped around each other sitting on the couch. Wearing their comfortable lazy clothes. Blake had eaten some more leftovers from a couple days ago, whilst Ruby has had two glasses of bloodpack blood. Which is also technically considered leftovers.
The two of them were enjoying each other's time, alone. Although they didn't do anything other than cuddle and kiss.
But they did hear the dormitory door open up. Guess it looks like Weiss is back from chilling with JNPR, who decided to sit next to the ladybug couple.
"So... how was your double date?" Weiss asked.
"It went very well. We left Yang and Sun to head back. Blake of course dominated the bowling lane." Ruby answered.
"Although I heard your boyfriend got a perfect game, Weiss." Blake stated jokingly.
"He's not my boyfriend... yet." Weiss objected.
"Yet?"
"I just don't think we're ready to advance our relationship beyond friends yet."
"You'll know when you're ready. For some people relationships happen sooner than others. Sun and Yang started dating a week after they met. We've started dating after we met each other for a quarter of a year."
"My parents only started going steady after Yang was born." Ruby stated.
"Speaking of your parents, why do you and Yang have different last names?" Weiss asked.
"Short or Full?" Ruby asked.
"What do you mean?" Blake asked.
"It's a long story, 'Ruby Rose' and 'Yang Xiao Long', aren't our full names." Ruby stated.
"Then what are they?" Weiss asked.
"'Ruby Hong Rose-Xiao Long', and 'Yang Warbler Xiao Long-Branwen" Ruby answered honestly.
"Why isn't your sister's last name have 'Rose' in it?" Blake asked.
"That's her mothers last name... Yang's only my half-sister. Same father, different mother." Ruby stated, in a somber tone.
"What happened that Yang's mother fell out that your mother starting dating your father?" Weiss asked.
"I don't know, our father says he's going to tell me and Yang once we both get our huntress licenses."
"What about your sister, surely she's not fine with it?" Blake asked.
"Definitely not, she decided to become a huntress to look for her mother." Ruby stated.
"Do we even know if she's still alive?" Weiss asked.
"Well. I asked my Uncle about that, he said that he'd know if Yang's mother had passed." Ruby answered.
"Is it alright for us to talk about Yang's mom without her here?" Blake asked.
"Weiss brought up the subject. And killed the mood." Ruby stated. "But I only know this stuff second hand, if you'd want to know more about Yang's mom, ask Yang."
"Well... alright." Blake and Weiss said.
"So... new topic... err..." Ruby said.
"Given that it's late and no one would be barging in except Yang, maybe Sun... perhaps you'd like to talk about your..." Weiss implied.
"You do ask me about it every now and than, but if this would would reduce the number of questions regarding my... 'condition', ask away." Ruby stated.
"You drink blood, right?" Weiss asked.
"Yes, Weiss. I drink blood. That's the main thing of the whole 'vampire' thing." Ruby stated in an annoyed tone.
"What about... animal blood?"
"Anything that's not human or faunas blood won't sate my thirst as much, except frog blood, but that just leaves a bad taste." Ruby stated.
"Well... guess Blake was right about not asking Ren for the frog blood."
Ruby and Blake had sat in silence for a bit...
"You can eat normal food, right?" Weiss asked.
"I can, but my brain is rewired so I wouldn't want to." Ruby answered with a somber tone.
"How come grimm don't go after you? I've noticed that when we were in mountain glenn."
"The grimm tend to ignore vampires, they simply just don't bother with vampires like me unless provoked. Essentially, it's a neutral relation with a grimm. Although I still kill them because it's my job as a huntress to keep grimm from killing innocents." Ruby answered.
"That... seems useful."
"No, I won't turn you... or anyone else in team RWBY."
"I wasn't-"
"You were implying it. It's hard enough to hide my vampirism, just imagine trying to conceal the presence of two vampires, four of them no less. Besides, I'm still a fledgling, my turning powers haven't kicked in, not like I'd use them."
"Okay... new question. Can you age?"
"Nope, sadly. I'm stuck in this fifteen-year-old body until I can find a way to shapeshift into something that isn't grimm." Ruby stated.
"Guess I won't be the shortest one for very long than." Weiss joked.
"Don't remind me."
"Well, it'd be awkward when we get older... when we're older, with me looking at least middle aged and you still fifteen, it'd be awkward to explain." Blake stated.
"You don't think I know that? You think I wanted to be this? No, this wasn't my choice. And I wouldn't let myself go through this!" Ruby snapped.
"Obviously. Given that you've becoming slightly more grumpy every now and than ever since you came back from ordering Yang's contacts." Weiss stated.
"Must be the vampirism..." Ruby said somberly.
"Hey... Ruby..." Blake said, trying to console Ruby. "Shhuuuush shuuush..." Blake rubbing the back of her girlfriend... trying to calm her... Blake was lying down and Ruby on top of her. "It's okay Ruby... sometimes life... or in your case Post-life doesn't always work in your favor. But what you can do is make the best of it."
"I know..." Ruby said, somberly.
"Then stop pouting, I don't want a grumpy girlfriend." Blake scolded.
"I'll try." Ruby said somberly.
"Good. Just know that you can tell me any problems you have. Or the rest of the team. We're all here to help you." Blake consoled.
"Thank you." Ruby said.
Weiss was giggling at what she witnessed. "You two look like mother and daughter right now instead of girlfriends." she said.
"Well... you just killed the mood." Blake commented, letting go of Ruby.
"Ya... you made it weird." Ruby said, getting up. Now sitting back up.
"Sorry... I just saw it." Weiss said.
"Well. Do you want to play games or watch a movie before bed? I've got all night to myself; I'd prefer it if I spend some night-time with some of my team." Ruby offered.
"Okay, I'm down for that. Got anything in mind?" Weiss asked.
"Eh. No, not really. Blake?" Ruby asked.
"Well, we'll just pick another movie to browse." Blake said.
"That sounds fair." Ruby stated.
The three of them went to watch a movie together, they went and picked 'random movie' on the streaming service. So, it could range from a kids movie to an adult film. They wouldn't care either way since it was just one movie before Blake and Weiss start preparing to head for bed. Whilst Ruby would have the rest of the night to herself. Ruby felt happy from spending time with her team... minus Yang. Although she was wonderinng who was watching Zwei while the entire team was gone.
Beacon Academy, 1:02 AM, Sunday, RWBY Dormitory
Yang should be back by now... last time one of her team members arrived this late, they became a vampire in the process. Ruby was preparing to change her street clothes to either look for an unconscious, enthralled, or vampiric Yang. But than suddenly...
SLAM!
"Heeeeeyyy guys... I'm home!" yang said with an incredibly distorted and delayed tone.
Ruby had confronted Yang... in her underwear. It was a simple bra with briefs. Despite what most people think she wears... she actually wears boy-cut underwear. She only started to get dressed and given that her outift is a one-piece... ya... these things tend to happen. And when she got to the living room, she saw Yang barely balancing herself and her eyes unevenly opened... which means she's drunk.
"Yang, it's 1 AM. Go to bed!" Ruby ordered.
"I-I-I was... just going to... to... bread!" Yang said drunkenly.
"Well, hurry up. You're going to wake up everyone and the last thing we need is for everyone to see you drunk and me in my underwear!" Ruby stated.
"Why-why... why are ya in yerrrr... heheheheheheheheehehehe."
"I was getting dressed looking for you. And don't laugh!"
"B-but I where croothres ovvveeer my udder-where... hehehhehe!" Yang said, then burped.
"How did you get drunk anyway? You are banned from every bar that sells alcohol across the entire Kingdom of Vale!"
"S-sssuuun geeeeeeeve me srome when wreee werrrr... eaten. heheh"
"How much did you drink?"
"Svre-eeeven-tiin."
"Okay, ya... Yang sit down."
Yang went to try and sit down somewhere. Only to trip on her own balance and fall down... which than she started laughing. "I fell." she said drunkenly.
"How did you even get here so late? Beacon is not that far if you take a bullhead." Ruby asked out of angered curiosity.
"I-I-I-I... wralked all the weey hear. From theee fud-pulais." Yang said.
"Just hold on... I'm getting you off the floor..." Ruby said... starting to slowly pick up Yang. She was heavy. But it wasn't the first time she picked up Yang as a vampire. It was much more of a struggle to get her off the floor before she was a vampire. Yang always liked to get drunk at parties... ever since she was fifteen. Thank goodness the dance didn't have any alcohol.
Flashback, 2 years ago.
Thirteen-year-old Ruby was sleeping in her pajamas. At this point, she started to wear boy-cut underwear on a regular basis. She was resting asleeping until...
SLAM!
She heard the door open. Ruby quickly went and grabbed crescent rose, which at this time it's still working on the kinks of it's transformations. So, the only thing that's actually transformable is the stock, which trades recoil-compensating for able to be wielded as a polearm. So, it's currently a bolt-action rifle/spear right now. Ember Celicia on the other-hand was still at it's original state from when she first built the bracers. She's thinking of making it collapsible so she can turn it on when she needs it. She lost count to how many times she accidentally fired it and caused the security alarm to go off.
Ruby, in her pajamas got crescent rose to defend herself from the intruder at the door. Only for her to turn on the lights and see a stumbling Yang. Ruby got out of combat stance and looked at her older sister in confusion.
"Yang?" Ruby asked.
"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyy thiiiiiiith." Yang said strangely, with her lisp and all.
"Yang, you're acting funny." Ruby said our of worry.
"Whaa-whaat? I-I'm nooot acting thraaaannge, you-you are."
She than heard Zwei barking. And running toward Yang. Apparently, all the yelling had woken up Zwei... not the door slam. Which means her father will be waking up and investigating to why Zwei is barking in the middle of the night.
Which is happening right now. Her father is up and in the living room. "What's going on? Why is Zwei barking at 10 PM?" he asked.
"Yang's home... and she's acting funny." Ruby said.
"Iiiii-I'm nyot aaacting fyunny!" Yang objected, then burped.
Their father slapped his face with his hand. "Ruby, go to your room." he ordered
"What why?" Ruby asked.
"It's not a punishment, it's just that I what I'm going to say is loud and there will be things you're too young to understand." her father said.
"oookay..." Ruby said, taking crescent rose back to her room.
She heard some yelling from her dad, about drinking something called 'alcohol'. Ruby really focuses on her weapons and training so she doesn't know much pop-culture. So, she's pretty much out of the loop in cafeteria conversations at signal. She has a couple of friends and isn't that popular, she's also not that good with the spear part of her weapon. But tomorrow her uncle would start more advanced training with her in melee combat.
Back to Present
Ruby had managed to get Yang on the couch without her falling over. She went to the kitchen to get a glass and fill it with sink water. After filling the glass, she went back to Yang, only to find her burping after knocking the couch down backwards. She than threw the water out of the glass into Yang's face. She than starts groaning out of pain.
"Errrr... my head." Yang complained.
"You were drunk." Ruby scolded.
"How many glasses did I say I have?"
"Seventeen."
"Well... that's not good."
"Your liver would agree with you."
Yang sighed. "I'm going to need to stop by the pharmacist tomorrow." she said.
"No you won't, you're going to be recovering from that Hangover. I'll have Blake get you some medicine. Now take off your contacts and hop into bed."
"I thought I was the mother-figure."
"Even children have to take care of their parents at some point."
"Fair point. Now help me up. Getting up from a knocked over couch is hard when having a hangover."
"And you wonder why you're banned from every bar and nightclub in the kingdom."
"Not all of them!"
"The ones that sells alcohol. You're not even drinking age yet!"
Ruby gave her hand to Yang who grabbed it, Ruby pulled Yang off of the couch and floor. She than put the couch back to where it was. Yang than walked to the bathroom and took her cotacts off and started to fumble herself to bed... she's a bit too hungover to put on her pajamas.
Meanwhile Ruby had to put her own pajamas on. No need to stay in her undies all night. It's quite embarrassing to walk around in her underwear in front of other people anyway. Ruby's glad Zwei sleeps heavier than most dogs. Otherwise. She's going to have a lot of explaining to do.
Ruby, in her pajamas, spending the entire night indoors. She already had a fun day. And with her birthday coming up, she doesn't want to spoil any upcoming surprises. Her birthday is in two days... even though she doesn't age anymore.
Thankfully she could just put her headphones on and play video-games. She set an alarm for 5:30 AM. And went to start playing on the gaming console, using her scroll as a controller, of course. Ruby's just glad her sister was alright. Being unarmed and drunk would have made it easy for the vampires to turn her or worse. So, either Yang is incredibly lucky, or Ruby needs to keep an eye on her.
Beacon Academy, 1:00 PM (Daylight warning), Sunday, RWBY Dormitory
BEEP BEEP BEEP!
Ruby gasped for air as she woke up from the alarm. She than got out of bed... and turned off the alarms. although she is surprised to see Blake being absent. Yang is still in bed recovering from the hangover... and Weiss is not here either. May as well pester her sister.
"Morning sis." Ruby said cheerfully.
"Hey." Yang stated.
"Still recovering from the hangover?"
"Yep."
"Well, that's odd. Usually Hangovers don't last this long."
"Well, this one is... and I don't like how it feels."
"Have you seen Blake?"
"She's in the middle of a dentist's appointment."
"Oh. I can see why she's busy than. What about Weiss?'
"She's out getting something for your birthday. Text her what costume you'd like."
"And Zwei?"
"With Weiss."
"Ah okay. I'll grab a couple glasses and hop in the shower."
"Kay, I'll just lie here... looking at the blurry ceiling fan."
"Do you need anything?"
"Some water would be nice."
"I'm not going to give you too much since you need to stay in bed."
"That's alright."
"Remember, you need to rest."
"I know, I know, just I'm not tired right now."
"You know what I meant."
Ruby went and brought a 25% filled glass of water to Yang. And than planned out her night. She also drank two glasses of bloodpack blood. She also texted Blake to buy a specific set of medications for Yang.
Yang went back to lounging in bed and recovering, so which means she's technically alone by herself. May as well just read that encyclopedia book for a bit.
Character Change: Ruby Rose - Blake Belladonna
City of Vale, 1:04 PM, Sunday, Commercial District
Blake had just gotten back from the dentist. Apparently, her wisdom teeth are growing in. She has to come back next Sunday to get them removed. Good thing she knows someone who'd help with the blood problem. She than got a text from Ruby. The list of the things here she needs is very strange. Perhaps she'll tell me what it's for.
The cat faunas had ordered the drugs at the counter from the pharmacist, who looked surprised.
"Are you sure you need these?" the pharmacist asked.
"They're not for me, they're for a friend." Blake stated.
"Well, your friend must spend a lot of their time at bars than. Cause these are medications to deal with hangovers and liver damage."
Well, at least I now know what Yang was doing all night.
"That... she does. Here's the Lien, hopefully we don't have to see each other again." Blake said, giving the 900 Lien to the pharmacist.
The pharmacist handed the drugs, placed in a bag, to Blake.
Blake than went to head back to the dorm. Need to help Yang get over her hangover.
She than sees Zwei outside at the costume store, guess that's where Weiss is. Hopefully Yang didn't request that Ruby'd wear a vampire costume, that'd be silly... and to be honest, kind of ridiculous. But she can see Yang doing that. Ruby and Yang's dad need to get that dog back. Blake's tired of seeing the dog at school.
Beacon Academy, 1:45 PM, Sunday, RWBY Dormitory
Blake had just walked in... with the medication for Yang. And a stern look.
"Hey Blakey!" Ruby said in a cheerful tone.
"Here's the stuff for Yang. And the dentist said I'll need to come back next week for wisdom teeth removal." Blake stated.
"Well, now you made me grateful for my vampirism. I still remember Yang getting her wisdom teeth pulled. Her eyes were Red for an entire week."
"You're welcome for making you appreciate something about yourself."
Ruby looked like she'd be blushing if she was alive, and Blake handed her Yang's medications. Guess next time maybe someone on the team should be watching out for Yang... so, she doesn't end up getting drunk again.
"How did she get drunk? I thought she was banned from pretty much every bar in the kingdom." Blake asked.
"Apparently Sun somehow got his hands on seventeen bottles of alcohol for Yang." Ruby answered.
"Well, that explains what the meds are for."
"Don't worry, Yang's in bed, resting."
"Should we get her out of bed?"
"No need. I'll just get her a glass of water."
"Ah right."
Blake had sat back down. She started to read the encyclopedia herself. She opened up to a random chapter.
VampiricaEncyclopedia, Volume 1, Chapter 37, Posthumous Feeding and Turning
Death is a topic often discussed in the vampire world, given that vampires are among them in a way. So, it's not unheard of for vampires to drink from and turn the dead. But this chapter clears up some of the rumors one may hear of about posthumous feeding and turning.
For starters, one can only feed on the dead when they are only recently dead. Blood from a decomposing corpse sates the vampire less, and could end up making the vampire more thirsty than when they started drinking it. This is why vampires typically only drink on the living, because a dead body is not as sating, and can potentially accelerate a vampire's thirst, making them go feral faster. Although feeding on a corpse that expired less than 24 hours ago is perfectly fine.
As for turning, the body still needs to be fresh, and their brain, head, and neck need to be intact and connected to the rest of the body, the state of said body is irrelevant. In addition, the corpse can not be expired for more than 24 hours, otherwise it won't work as intended. If the posthumous victim had an unlocked aura, fifty percent of their sire's aura would be used up to replenish theirs. If the sire does not have an unlocked aura, they cannot turn a dead body that has unlocked their semblance pre-death.
Attempting to turn a corpse that has died for longer than twenty-four hours or has a damaged head would have the grimm take control of the body, creating some sort of vampiric zombie in which is dubbed a 'ghoul'. Ghouls are grimm binded to a rotting decaying body, the body will still decay with the grimm inside of it, having the body become more grimm as time passes, a common theory is that ghouls are the larval form to the more humanoid shaped grimm, such as apathy and nuckaleeves. Although said theory has never been debunked or confirmed as of lack of evidence for either case.
As for talks such as feeding on other vampires and re-turning, that is for another chapter.
Well, it figures there's going to be talk of posthumous feeding and turning. Wonder if Ruby would consider turning Blake or any of her team to so they wouldn't die. Blake knows that Ruby won't turn someone on a regular circumstance, but in a specific situation... what would she do?
Garr... stupid wisdom tooth.
The wisdom teeth have been making it harder for Blake to think, or do much. And to be honest, it has been crawling on Blake for the past week. She just has to tolerate it for the next week and get them removed. Surely Weiss and Yang have had similar situations, perhaps she should ask for advice to how to put up with the wisdom teeth.
Blake is the youngest one in the team... minus Ruby. Yang being the oldest. So, she knows that Yang and Weiss must have gotten their wisdom teeth removed in the past. Whilst Ruby never had hers grown in... or ever will, thanks to her vampirism.
Ruby is seen walking back without the bag. And sat down next to Blake.
"Yang had taken her medicine, the hangover she just has had to take once. The liver thing, she just has to take daily until the body's empty." Ruby stated.
"I love how you care for your sister this way." Blake said, praising the young leader.
"Well, she took care of me at times when we were younger. She's my mother-figure."
"Then she was a good figure to look up to than... despite the drinking."
"Ya... other than the drinking, and the short temper... but I love her, she's my sister, after all."
"How did Yang deal with her wisdom teeth?"
"Funny thing is, one of her back molars was knocked out in a fist fight, so only three of them had to be removed. But the ones that needed to be removed, Yang described as very painful. It had to be since her eyes were constantly red before and after getting them removed. It was about one month before we started attending Beacon."
"Guess you don't have to worry about your wisdom teeth now."
"Yep, they're just stuck under my gums for eternity..."
"I think that'd be preferable than them bothering you and having them removed."
"Guess you're right about that."
"Did you text Weiss what you want to wear for your birthday?"
"Don't worry, I'm not getting a vampire costume." Ruby joked, then laughed.
Blake laughed along. Yang would if she wasn't recovering from her hangover.
"Well, that's good." Blake stated with a smile.
"Hope your teeth doesn't make you all sour on my birthday." Ruby said in a worried tone.
"Don't worry Ruby. I can deal with it; I just can't eat any hard food."
"If you need any help, just ask. Although I can't remove the tooth."
"I know."
Character Change: Blake Belladonna - Ruby Rose
City of Vale, 8:00 PM, Sunday, Downtown
Ruby bought something from the twenty-four-hour pharmacy to help Blake with her teeth. Ruby figured she'd need it. She's fully dressed and with her bandana on.
On her way back, she sees the green-haired student from Haven standing at the middle of the street.
"Hey, are you lost?" Ruby asked.
"Yes actually, it's just that I don't get out often." She said... although Ruby detected fear and paranoia from her... and disgust? Wonder what's causing that.
"Do you need me to show you around, to help you not get lost?"
"Yes, actually."
"Name's Ruby by the way."
"Emerald."
Blake's teeth can wait, she doesn't know Ruby is getting it anyway. It's time to give Emerald a tour around the city. It seems like she needs it anyway. So figured may as well help a fellow huntress in training to get around the city of Vale. What could go wrong anyway?
Author's Footnote: Here's the chapter. I had this Idea of a drunk Yang while writing the last chapter. And don't worry, the action will be returning soon. I just needed some low-tense chapters to build it up, ya know. Anyways. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, criticisms, etc. Leave them in the reviews and see ya next chapter.