"What's up, Weiss?"

"Not much…just working on things…" Weiss muttered without looking up from the page.

"Finally putting that law degree to use?"

"Pre-law," she mumbled while marking a small error for correction. When Whitley unceremoniously dropped his backpack on the kitchen table, she finally looked up at him and sighed. "If I wanted to become a lawyer, I would've gone to school longer."

"Which means more loans," he replied, sitting on the edge of the table until she shooed him off. "And less working," he added. "So less money to afford things like your own apartment."

"I wasn't staying home any longer than necessary."

"Hey, I don't blame you."

When Whitley set his hands on the back of the chair and didn't add anything, Weiss returned to reading. Before long, however, he asked, "Can I help?"

"How would you do that?" she asked while drawing a star beside a passage to rewrite later.

"I don't know...summarize it for you? Or like...highlight things?"

"I don't think that will help, unfortunately." Sensing his disappointment, she set her pen down and smiled up at him. "Thanks though."

A frown tugged at her lips when his dejected posture didn't lift, but someone knocked on the door before she reassured him further. "I just thought of something," she said, smiling at the timing. "Can you get that for me?"

While clearly not the manner in which he wanted to help, he tapped the back of the chair and headed to the front door.

"Hey, Blake," he said before letting Blake into the apartment. "What's cracking?"

"'Cracking?'" Blake repeated before glancing at Weiss, who rolled her eyes.

"He's going through this dumb phase -"

"It's only dumb because you're old. That's what all the cool kids say these days."

"Whitley, I don't know how to tell you this, but you've never been cool."

"Says the least cool person ever," he teased while slinging his backpack over one shoulder. "I have class. Don't drown in paper while I'm gone."

He threw a wave over one shoulder before shutting the door, leaving Weiss and Blake to share an amused look. Then Blake smiled and Weiss shook her head.

"I swear, he goes to class and gets dumber."

"At least he's happy," Blake said, sitting across from Weiss. "You'd think living with his sister would be a drag."

"Excuse you. I'm not a drag."

"I'm just saying - what college guy wants to live with his sister? It has to be kind of stifling. For you, too."

"It's not that bad..."

"What if you were dating someone?"

Rather than argue, Weiss wrinkled her nose at Blake's knowing look. Logically, things could get awkward if she or Whitley started dating anyone. But, with the proper ground rules, they would survive. At least, they should survive...

"What're you working on?"

"That petition I told you about."

Weiss lifted a corner of the document and let it fall to the table with a weighty thump that made Blake frown and say, "Yuck. That's a lot of work."

"Exactly." After rubbing her tired eyes, Weiss mustered a small smile. "But you must've stopped by for a reason. What's up?"

"I can't just say hi?" Weiss' eyes narrowed at the question, so Blake waved her hands. "Alright, fine. I saw Yang yesterday, and I have to tell someone about it."

"Does that someone have to be me?"

"As my best friend, yes." Weiss smiled and shook her head at her 'plight,' but Blake leaned forward and said, "I'm serious! I can't believe I never talked to her. She's so easygoing and funny and…"

"Attractive?"

"I was going to say 'hot,' but yes. She's unbelievably attractive." Weiss chuckled this time, so Blake arched a brow at her. "You know it's true."

"Of course I do. That's why she was the most popular girl in school, prom queen, voted most beautiful, most likely to succeed, most likely to become a model -"

"But she's so sweet and down-to-earth…" Blake sighed, her gaze unfocusing as her thoughts drifted. "I don't want to be corny and say we clicked, but we just...clicked. And I've never laughed so much in my life - I swear, I nearly cracked a rib."

While Weiss shook her head and straightened the mess of paperwork and materials in front of her, Blake softly drummed her fingers on the table. "I think she had a great time, too," she added, mostly to herself. "But...maybe you can ask her?"

"Excuse me - what?"

"Please? You used to be friends - can't you start a conversation and slip it in somehow? I don't need details; I just want to know if she wants to see me again."

"Why don't you ask her?"

"Because I don't want to sound desperate!"

"You sound pretty desperate right now…" Weiss grumbled, only to sigh when Blake clasped both hands together. "I don't even have her number -"

"It's the same as in high school."

"She didn't change hers either?" Blake shrugged at the revelation, so Weiss shook her head. "What do you expect me to do - message her out of the blue and ask what she thinks of you?"

"Of course not." Blake waved off that idea before sending Weiss a sidelong glance. "At least make small talk first."

"Blake Belladonna, you're incorrigible."

"I really like her!"

"Uh huh…" Though Weiss rolled her eyes and shook her head, she didn't have the heart to decline the request. "I'll think about it," she said instead, but Blake beamed as if it was a signed contract. "You didn't tell her where I work, did you?"

"Honestly, you hardly came up."

"Good. When you see her next, please don't tell her. I didn't tell Ruby." Blake's brow furrowed at the admission, but Weiss waved off the surprise. "They aren't here for long; I don't want to bring up family drama. It's easier if they just think everything's the same."

Weiss' gaze slid to the legal document sitting in front of her, representing how much things had changed, but Blake pursed her lips before eventually shrugging.

"If that's what you want…"

"It is." Sensing Blake's lackluster agreement, Weiss forced a reassuring smile. "Now, do you have any other horribly awkward requests, or can I get ready for my own plans?"

"Plans?" Immediately, Blake's expression perked up, and she stood when Weiss did. "What plans?"

"If you must know…" An extended pause drew a disgruntled sound, and Weiss smiled before continuing. "Ruby invited me back to the convention. I'm heading over now."

"So you had dinner last night, and you're seeing her again today?"

"Don't make it a big deal -"

"Isn't that a big deal?" Blake asked anyway, but Weiss laughed while searching for her keys. "I mean, you said you didn't want to see her," Blake continued, following Weiss around the living room. "Now you're seeing her twice in two days. Less than two days, actually."

"She's still fun to be around, and we have a lot of good memories to talk about. I don't see a problem in spending time together while she's here."

The logic made perfect sense to Weiss, but Blake's smug expression suggested otherwise. Before Blake pointed out any flaws, however, Weiss shooed her out of the apartment with a teasing, "Don't you have pining to do?"

Smiling the instant Yang crossed her mind, Blake stepped into the hall and waited for Weiss. "There has to be something there," she added as soon as Weiss shut the door. "You two were inseparable in high school."

"And that was high school. You were different then, too."

Blake shrugged, but her knowing smile remained as they headed outside. "You have to tell me how it goes," she said once they reached the sidewalk. "Every detail."

"How will I remember all those details while also trying to start a conversation with Yang?" The comment wiped the smugness from Blake's expression, so Weiss playfully rolled her eyes and stepped away. "I'll text you later," she added with a wave before heading to the convention center.

Today, the mob of people wasn't a surprise. Neither was the billboard featuring Ruby's larger-than-life grin. This time, Weiss smiled at the sight before heading to one of the check-in booths, where a golden-edged pass awaited her.

"You can use that entrance right there," the attendant said, pointing to a side door manned by a single guard and a much shorter line. Weiss glanced between the badge in her hands and the line before doing as instructed.

Within minutes, she joined the crowds swarming throughout the convention hall. She didn't bother with the lower level today; she headed directly upstairs instead. Attendees packed the queue in front of the Crescent Productions booth, same as the first time she was here, but her eyes quickly found the person she was looking for. The room's energy flowed Ruby's way, making her easy to spot even amongst a sea of strangers. Her trademark ruffled hair set her apart from the crowd, but her laughter would have drawn Weiss' attention no matter the situation.

A middle-aged blonde woman holding a clipboard spoke to Ruby at the moment, and Ruby nodded along with whatever was being said. As soon as Ruby saw Weiss, however, she held up one finger to the woman and hurried over.

"Weiss!"

Prepared for the hug this time, Weiss waited until Ruby's arms wrapped around her shoulders before looping hers around Ruby's back. She hardly had the chance to savor Ruby's warmth, however, before Ruby pulled away and jerked a thumb over her shoulder.

"Sorry, I gotta do this thing real quick, then I'm all yours!"

"Take your time," Weiss replied, but Ruby laughed.

"I'm in a hurry," she quipped before winking and jogging back to the blonde woman. On the way, she waved to her onlookers, many of whom were taking photos or videos, before returning her attention to the instructions being given.

Ruby's intent, focused gaze surprised Weiss but also warmed her heart. Before becoming lost in Ruby's similarities and differences, however, another familiar face caught her eye. Tall, blonde, with charm and swagger to spare, Yang was the visual antithesis of Ruby. What resemblance they lacked in physical appearance, however, they made up for in personality.

"Weiss Schnee." Yang gave Weiss a warm hug and patted her shoulders before letting go. "Man, it's been a while. How've you been? Still richer than sin?"

"How rich is sin, exactly?" Weiss asked, only for Yang to shrug and grin.

"Dunno. Better be careful though - Ruby might catch up to you."

"I'd be thrilled if she did."

"Yeah, me too." After a soft laugh, Yang lightly slapped the back of her hand on Weiss' forearm. "What've you been up to? I haven't seen you in ages."

"It's been a while," Weiss agreed. "And things are fine. Just...chugging along, I guess. How about you?"

"No complaints." Again, Yang shrugged, but another smile quickly found its way to her lips. "I couldn't believe it when Ruby said she ran into you. I asked if you were bound and gagged since that's the only way you'd ever set foot in a place like this."

"Not quite, but it certainly wasn't willing. Blake dragged me with her."

Weiss nonchalantly dropped Blake's name, but Yang's lilac eyes immediately lit up. A sly smile soon followed.

"You remember the massive crush I had on her in high school, right?"

"Of course. But you had massive crushes on lots of girls in high school."

"So true." Yang chuckled softly before brightening again. "Speaking of - how's your sister? Still hot?"

"And taken," Weiss replied, shaking her head but still smiling at Yang's teasing.

"Damn. Guess I'll just have to settle for the girl of my dreams..."

At Yang's melodramatic sigh, Weiss narrowed her eyes.

"You're going to call her, right?"

"Who - Blake?" When Weiss nodded, Yang scoffed and waved a hand. "Definitely. No question."

"Good." With that surprisingly easy obligation out of the way, Weiss let her gaze return to Ruby. "Can you believe your sister's world famous?"

"No." Yang's shoulder lightly bumped Weiss' as they stood side-by-side watching Ruby. "Honestly, I don't think she believes it either. But it's been fun. Chaotic, but fun."

The crowd clamoring for Ruby's attention gave Weiss a good idea of the 'chaos' Yang referred to. Ruby never stopped smiling though, even as the blonde woman with the clipboard subtly prodded her on, not letting her linger too long with any one person. She signed anything and everything thrust in front of her. She took photos. She laughed and giggled and, if Weiss still knew her at all, told as many jokes as possible.

"Still generous as ever..." Weiss mused when Ruby obliged more than a few last-minute arrivals.

"That'll never change."

Yang chuckled when the blonde woman finally stepped in and prevented more fans from joining the line. Only then could Ruby stop signing autographs and taking pictures, but she still smiled and waved before walking away. The blonde lady had a few words to share but, once she was done, Ruby immediately found Weiss' gaze and hurried through the crowd.

"Done!" she announced, grinning at both of them before focusing on Weiss. "Ready to ditch Yang?"

"Ah, it's high school all over again…" Yang sighed before waving them away. "I'll hold down the fort. Don't get caught by too many adoring fans."

Ruby stuck her tongue out at her sister, who laughed and returned to the Crescent Productions booth. Now that it was just the two of them, Weiss gave Ruby her sole attention.

Just like the previous two times they'd seen each other, Ruby looked effortlessly beautiful. Her outfit was well coordinated, her shoes were almost brand new, but it was her friendly smile and bright silver eyes that warmed Weiss' heart. That was the Ruby she knew and loved.

"Do you have a personal stylist?" she asked and, as soon as Ruby laughed, an unstoppable smile sprang onto her lips.

"You were just talking to her." Ruby nodded in Yang's direction before lowering her gaze and running her fingers through her hair. "Is, uh, that your way of saying I look good?"

"You look better than good," Weiss admitted before glancing Yang's way. "You finally let Yang pick your clothes?"

"Yeah..." Lightly blushing now, Ruby shrugged before finding another bright smile. "Makes life easier. And she knows her stuff."

"She always has." After looking over Ruby's outfit one more time, Weiss motioned towards the convention hall. "What're we supposed to do?"

"What do you mean? We explore!"

"Yes, but explore what?"

"I'll show you!"

When Ruby grabbed Weiss' hand, Weiss smiled and let herself be dragged into the fray. Everything beyond the Crescent Productions booth was new to her, though it could also be a mirror image of the first floor. More booths, both big and small. More flashing lights. More bright colors. More people.

"I haven't really had time to look around," Ruby explained while leading them away from the giant Crescent Productions area. "Every time I'm here, they want me signing stuff or taking pictures."

"Sounds exhausting."

"It can be. But after a while your hand stops cramping and your cheeks stop hurting."

Weiss smiled at Ruby's big grin but, before pointing out how effortless it looked, glanced to the side and confirmed that people were watching them. Watching Ruby, more specifically, but Weiss also earned their curious eyes. Noticing the sudden silence, Ruby followed Weiss' gaze and cringed.

"Sorry...I should've worn a disguise or something."

"It's alright." Weiss waved away the concern, but Ruby's brow remained furrowed. "Ruby, really. It's fine," she tried again but, when a group of young girls continued staring at them, Ruby touched her elbow and pointed to the left.

"How 'bout we go this way?"

Having no particular interest in the booths today, Weiss willingly followed. Unfortunately, the stares returned before long. In one instance, they passed a young man whose jaw dropped when he recognized Ruby, leaving him scrambling for his phone as they passed by.

"You'd think I was the Queen or something..." Ruby mused before flashing a smile to a gawking booth attendant. "They don't realize I'm walking with the Queen."

Ruby beamed at Weiss with the comment, so Weiss scoffed.

"I'm no Queen, Ruby."

"What's your title then? 'Head Honcho of Atlas?' 'CEO of Snow?' 'Madam?'"

"Ruby Rose."

Ruby's giggle ended Weiss' response there, but she still smiled and shook her head. Were it not for the borderline-invasive interest directed their way, she could easily imagine that they were back in high school. The nagging sensation of being watched, however, kept her gaze moving from side to side, searching for the next offender rather than focusing solely on Ruby.

"So you got the day off?" Weiss' brow furrowed at the question, so Ruby motioned with one hand. "For the holiday?"

"Oh, right."

"You must be the best boss," Ruby added. Her genuine smile, however, soon morphed into a cheeky grin. "But I can't believe you gave your minions a day off."

"They've earned it," Weiss replied before clearing her throat and glancing around a new section of the convention featuring smaller booths with company names she'd never heard of before. "Has it been busy since it's the last day?" she asked, noting that there were fewer people in this area.

"About the same. Maybe a little less." Ruby's silver eyes slid from one booth to the next before sticking on one; she then gasped and grabbed Weiss' arm. "Look!" she said while pointing. "More 'picture magazines!'"

This time, Weiss rolled her eyes while Ruby giggled. "Ha ha," she added as they passed the small comic book vendor with a variety of colorful artwork on display. Several of the characters caught her eye, but she turned away when she didn't recognize any of them. "Do you want to look?" she asked, but Ruby shook her head.

"Maybe we can check out downstairs real quick? AKA the land they haven't let me set foot in?"

"You poor movie star…" Weiss teased while following Ruby to the escalators.

"It's not all fun and games, you know," Ruby said, leaning against the railing as they were ferried downstairs. "Like -"

"Ruby Rose!" someone suddenly yelled from above. Looking up, Weiss spotted two girls frantically waving their arms for Ruby's attention. "Ruby, I love you!" one of them shouted while Ruby waved back. Weiss, meanwhile, arched one brow.

"You were saying?"

"The attention gets overwhelming," Ruby admitted as they joined the flow of traffic heading towards the main convention hall. "Sometimes, I wish things were how they used to be, when the only people paying attention to me were you and Yang. Things were easier then."

"They were." Once they walked into the main hall, Weiss motioned one arm towards the massive, buzzing space. "You finally made it, Miss Popular. Welcome to the lower level, which is pretty much the same as upstairs."

"But different," Ruby concluded, eyes wide as they flitted from one booth to the next. Weiss smiled at the typical response, and that smile grew when Ruby grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the first aisle.

Ruby drew attention everywhere she went, but she seemed less attuned to it with each step. As her infectious excitement expanded, Weiss was swept up in the fun of it all. Almost every booth offered something novel to talk or giggle about as they walked by. The television screens presented an endless array of videos to watch. And the stage presenters filled the background with their enthusiastic sales pitches.

Weiss loved watching Ruby's eyes light up at every new or exciting thing they landed on. The childlike wonder, endless energy, and plentiful laughter swept away any problems existing outside the convention center walls. In here, it was just her, Ruby, and a never-ending assortment of people and things to look at.

"Hey, Weiss," Ruby eventually said, leaning into Weiss' side as they reached the far end of the room. "Think I can walk on that?"

When Ruby nodded to a line of metal barricades set up to corral the morning coffee line, which had since dissipated, Weiss said, "I don't think that's a good idea…"

"But do you think I can?"

"Without hurting yourself? No." Noticing the sparkle in Ruby's eyes, Weiss shook her head. "Ruby -" she tried, but Ruby was already climbing onto the nearest section of the barrier. Once balanced with her hands and feet on the top rung, some three feet off the ground, she carefully removed her hands.

Her immediate teeter made Weiss' heart jump, but she quickly regained her balance and, hands held out on both sides, slowly straightened up. As soon as she was standing, she grinned down at Weiss. She hardly opened her mouth to gloat, however, before she swayed. She waved her arms back and forth for balance, but the sway became a wobble, and Weiss was reaching out to steady her right as her foot slipped.

Fortunately, Ruby didn't have far to fall.

Unfortunately, she knocked her mouth against the metal bar before ending up on her butt on the floor.

"Ow…" she groaned while Weiss rushed to her side.

"Are you alright?" Setting one hand on Ruby's shoulder, Weiss gently moved Ruby's hand away from her mouth and frowned at her red, swollen lip. "Ruby…"

"Yeah, that didn't go quite as planned..."

"You dolt…" Weiss sighed before looking around. Spotting a small sandwich shop without a line, she said, "Wait here," and hurried over.

"Hi," she said to the young man at the register. "Can I have a cup of ice? My friend hit her lip on that bar." She waved behind her, but his gaze flitted over her shoulder and lingered.

"Is that Ruby Rose?"

"Yes, it is." When he kept staring, a scowl quickly passed across Weiss' expression. "So...ice?" she tried again.

"Oh. Sure thing."

He grabbed an empty cup and took it to the soda machine while Weiss glanced over her shoulder to make sure Ruby was alright. Ruby waved with the hand she wasn't covering her mouth with, earning a small smile from Weiss as she turned back to the counter.

"Here you go."

"Thank you." After a fleeting smile, Weiss carried the ice back to Ruby and sat on the ground beside her. "Here. Put this on it."

"Thanks, Weiss."

While Ruby held the cup of ice against her swollen lip, Weiss leaned against the planter behind them and sighed.

"Now people will think I hit you..."

"But you would never do that."

"That was an accident!" Weiss immediately protested. "You ran right into my hand." Hearing Ruby's delighted giggles, she rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You're lucky you're cute," she playfully grumbled, though a smile quickly crept onto her lips.

"You gesture very forcefully when you're talking."

"Well, I'm not usually expecting someone to be sneaking up on me."

"That was your first mistake," Ruby teased before her gaze landed on the nearby clock. Only then did her smile fade and the sparkle dim in her eyes. "Crud," she muttered. "I should get back. The studio set up this lunch thing and said I 'have to' be there..."

"It's alright, Ruby." After standing up and brushing off her clothes, Weiss reached down and pulled Ruby to her feet. "You know how I feel about being late."

"You love it?" Ruby joked, making Weiss laugh one more time as they headed back the way they came.

Ruby held the cup of ice on her lip for nearly the entire walk, only removing it when she waved to some fans. They hardly returned to the Crescent Productions booth before Yang hurried over, and Yang hardly reached them before noticing the cup in Ruby's hand and the swollen lip underneath.

"What happened?"

"She hit her face on one of those metal barriers."

Weiss waved away the rest of the explanation and, for a second, Yang just stared. Then she laughed.

"Damn, Weiss. We're here two days and she's already got a busted lip? You're still a health hazard."

"She's a hazard to herself."

"Weiss thought I couldn't stand on it," Ruby interjected. "But I can!"

"Of course you can," Yang agreed while Weiss rolled her eyes and said, "Clearly."

Yang chuckled at the response before glancing to the side, where the blonde lady with a clipboard tapped her watch. "Welp, time for Ruby to be an all-star again." After ruffling Ruby's hair, making Ruby grumble and squirm away, Yang grinned at Weiss. "Want to grab a drink with us tonight? And, uh, maybe you can invite Blake?"

Weiss glanced at Ruby, who smiled and nodded, before offering an apologetic smile of her own. "I'd love to," she answered honestly, "But I have plans tonight, and they won't end until late."

"How late?"

"Probably around ten."

"Oof. That's past Ruby's bedtime."

The comment earned Yang a glare and an elbow in the side while she laughed. Ruby, meanwhile, ignored her older sister and said, "That's not too late. You could meet us when you're done?"

Ruby's hopeful expression was impossible to say 'no' to on a normal day. Combined with Yang's slightly teasing grin and the knowledge that Blake might actually murder her if she declined, Weiss' decision was made for her.

"Sure," she said, her heart fluttering when Ruby's smile brightened. "Just text me a place, and we'll meet you there."