Disclaimer, I do not own RWBY
AN/ I'm back, my sinuses are draining, my throat is killing me, and I don't want to go in to work today, but fuck! I need the money. Anyways, time to start the dance!
Ruby sighed as she gathered her dress. She could tell Weiss had made alterations to it behind her back, and she hoped she could trust her partners judgement.
"Ruby, everyone is already at the dance, I know you're mad at Weiss, but it's too late to back out now." Blake groaned as she watched Ruby fiddle with her dress.
"I know, but what if it doesn't look good on me? I'm already being forced to go, but I really don't want to look like an idiot out there." Ruby complained.
"She fears your sister too much to make you look stupid, now come on." Blake ordered. After dealing with her leader, Blake was finally able to lead her out of the dorm.
"Wow, if I wasn't already taking Blake, I think I would risk the wrath of your sister." Sun commented as the two girls stepped into the hallway.
"Eyes forward Wukong." Blake threatened. She had to agree with Sun though, Ruby did look good in her dress. It was a longer dress, reaching mid-calf. Similar to Pyrrha, it had a slit down the right side, however the void was filled with a fishnet like material. Starting black and shifting to a dark red as it went up, Blake noticed that it clung to her frame, yet Ruby still had full motion of her limbs.
"I don't even want to know what this dress cost." Ruby moaned as she adjusted her flats.
"Ruby, it looks good on you, and it was a gift from Weiss. But I do have to say, it certainly brings out your, features." Blake stated, hoping Ruby caught her implication. Despite her shata covering her eyes, Ruby still rolled them. She could tell the dress was showing off what little she had for assets, it was part of why she was so annoyed at Weiss.
"I know, but now I'm worried that it looks too good. Remember, I can see things you can't clear as day." Ruby complained as she was led towards the dance. Her bust was thankfully covered completely, so she didn't have to worry about showing off what little cleavage she could manage, but it didn't help that the entire dress had a single strap going over her left shoulder.
"Ruby, at the risk of annoying Blake further, you look great, but if someone is hassling you, we'll step in. Now stop pouting and start smiling, we're almost there." Sun said as Blake rolled her eyes. Ruby could see the mass of bodies ahead and sighed once more. Doing as Sun suggested, Ruby hid her displeasure as they approached the door.
"Looking good Ruby, if you bring anyone home tonight, I'm throwing them out the window, understood?" Yang threatened after squealing in delight.
"Remind me to threaten Weiss later." Was all Ruby said as she walked past her sister? Once inside, Ruby immediately began trying to scan the crowd to find someone else to pester. Blake and Sun were already moving towards the dance floor, Yang was busy at the door, and Weiss had brought Jaune along with her to oversee the dance.
"Ahh, Ruby! You look so beautiful!" The familiar cry of Nora piercing through the music as she was quickly pulled into a hug.
"Ren, Nora, how are you guys doing?" Ruby asked as she squirmed out of the embrace.
"We are doing fine, though Pyrrha has disappeared and Jaune has been kidnapped by your partner." Ren stated, joy barely coloring his voice.
"I like the little rose, it's a nice touch." Nora stated as she inspected Ruby's dress further, poking at the extra fabric above her chest.
"Would you believe me if I said Weiss changed it? It was supposed to be a simple dress, kinda like Weiss's." Ruby complained.
"Nope, this looks far better to me. So, did you ask anyone to the dance?" Nora asked.
"No Nora, I didn't ask anyone to the dance, we went over this already." Ruby groaned.
"What a shame, I think I saw Arslan come alone." Nora teased.
"And what makes you so sure I'm in to girls?" Ruby defended.
"Nora, enough. Is there anywhere you want us to bring you to? The punch bowl perhaps?" Ren asked, pulling Nora away from the younger girl.
"If you wouldn't mind, and could you send Pyrrha my way if you see her?" Ruby asked, receiving a mock salute from Nora before she took off. Taking Ren's hand, Ruby was led through the crowd towards her prize.
"If you don't mind me asking, why did you come to the dance?" Ren asked as he pulled Ruby along.
"Weiss and Yang forced me to come, saying that since I'm their leader, I have to be at the dance they organized." Ruby explained as Ren set her hand on the table.
"A suitable explanation. Are you sure you wanted to come alone though?" Ren asked as he noticed Nora coming their way.
"Honestly, no. But who would I have asked? Everyone I know is already taken, and I don't know the transfers that well. Don't even get me started about team CRDL." Ruby moped, taking the offered cup.
"Well, when you put it like that, I understand. As a friendly suggestion, try asking someone to dance though, who knows, you might end up having the time of your life." Ren stated as Nora jumped between the two.
"Pyrrha is on her way!" She cheered.
"Thank you, Nora. You're free to enjoy your night." Ruby dismissed the pair. Scanning the crowd, Ruby was surprised to see Penny. Granted she was flanked by two guards, but still.
"Enjoying yourself miss Rose?" Ozpin asked, startling the young woman.
"One of these days you're telling me how you do that, otherwise I'm filing a formal complaint." Ruby shot.
"Perhaps one day. You didn't answer my question though." Ozpin said, expecting an answer.
"I guess. I don't really enjoy formal events that much." Ruby admitted.
"Well, you certainly can't spend your entire life working. Have you tried finding a partner to dance with?" Ozpin asked.
"Not really, seems kind of rude to intrude on someone else's date." Ruby responded flatly.
"Not quite what I meant. Look towards the dance floor. Notice how when someone is dancing, they move in sync, responding to the actions of their partner? Think of it like a fight, with drastically lowered stakes." Ozpin explained.
"But they all got to know one another before-hand." Ruby added.
"That may be so, but you can still find common ground with someone, even if only for one night. Enjoy your night, miss Rose, missions start next week. Might I suggest trying your luck with one of the transfer students?" Ozpin suggested, walking off before Ruby could say anything.
"Try the transfer students, talk to Arslan, find someone to dance with. Like I need their help." Ruby muttered before gulping down her punch.
"I would ask you to dance, but you seem rather set against the idea." A familiar voice piped up.
"No, not at all Pyrrha, but everyone keeps suggesting I have to find someone by the end of the night, it's kind of annoying." Ruby responded, turning towards her friend.
"Well, nights like these are special, I can understand why everyone would say that." Pyrrha admitted.
"How was your night out with Yang? Did she drag you to a club?" Ruby asked, smiling as Pyrrha laughed.
"No, not at all. We just ran around Vale, actually. But I did meet someone. Sadly, they couldn't be here tonight, but it's nice to know that Jaune isn't a once in a lifetime person." Pyrrha admitted.
"Yeah, I was surprised to hear that you let Weiss have him, you weren't very subtle about your crush." Ruby joked at the redhead's expense.
"Yes, well, my night with Yang showed me that it was nothing more than that. If you'll excuse me, I would like to get some fresh air." Pyrrha said, dismissing herself. Nodding, Ruby found herself alone again. Feeling someone stare at her, Ruby looked around.
"You know, if you're just going to stare at her, she's going to leave." Neptune commented, leaning over to talk to Arslan.
"I never asked for your opinion Vasilias, now go away." Arslan growled, her gaze never leaving her Beacon counterpart.
"Yet here you are, staring down another girl, quite obviously, and not doing anything to get her attention." Neptune added.
"Why are you even here? Last I knew, you did everything in your power to annoy my team." Arslan grumbled.
"Because you're blatantly crushing on her. Sun is with her teammate, if you need a good word put in for you." Neptune offered, trying to agitate the blonde woman into action.
"Your assistance is not necessary, now go away before I turn you into a pinata." Arslan threatened.
"Fine, have it your way. By the way, she came to the dance alone." Neptune said as he walked away. Growling in annoyance, Arslan weighed her options. On one hand, she could take Neptune's advice and dance with the girl, possibly learning more about her for the tournament, or she could stay off to the side and watch her like a creepy stalker. Shaking her head, Arslan began walking towards the lone girl.
"You seem bored." Arslan called out as she approached.
"I got dragged here by my team, where's yours?" Ruby asked, turning to face the blonde.
"Refused to go. Nice dress by the way." Arslan complimented.
"Thanks, I didn't pick it out, my partner did." Ruby responded, annoyance coloring her voice.
"I like it, it suits you." Arslan added, trying to reassure the young Rose.
"Thanks, really. So, who's your date?" Ruby asked, smiling.
"Actually, I came alone, figured I would meet someone while I was here." Arslan explained.
"Yeah, I came dateless as well, apparently nobody wants to dance with the blind girl." Ruby joked.
"Well, what if I asked you for a dance? Just to say you did." Arslan suggested.
"Sure, but you can't complain if I step on your toes." Ruby stated, earning a light chuckle from the older girl. As the pair reached the dance floor, a slow song came over the speakers. Letting Arslan lead, Ruby swayed in her arms.
"I see you finally got onto the dance floor." A new voice piped in.
"Shut it Weiss, I'm still mad at you for switching my dress." Ruby shot before turning away from the heiress, who was currently in the arms of Jaune.
"You know, I don't think I've ever seen you without your, what was it, shata?" Arslan said just loud enough to be heard over the music.
"I hardly ever take it off during the day, if at all." Ruby replied.
"Mind if I see one day?" Arslan asked, curious. In her hours of research, every image of Ruby she had her shata, and she was admittedly very curious to see what laid under the black cloth.
"That depends on how well you do in the tournament. Beat me and maybe I'll let you see." Ruby challenged.
"I'll take that bet." Arslan shot back. The two danced in silence for the rest of the song, with Arslan keeping them away from the heiress. As they finished, Ruby spoke up.
"Well, at least I can't be told I didn't dance, thanks Arslan." Ruby bowed slightly.
"It was my pleasure Ruby, need another drink?" Arslan asked as she led the girl off the dance floor.
"Actually, it's getting kind of hot in here, mind taking me out the front door?" Ruby asked, tilting her head.
"Of course." Arslan spoke as she led Ruby out the door. Once the pair was outside, Ruby sat down, fanning herself with her hand.
"Now that I think about it, I'll take a glass of punch please." Ruby asked, looking up towards Arslan.
"I take it you're not one for the heat? I'll be right back." Arslan chuckled. As she walked away, they both had the same thought. 'Dear god, I'm gay.'
Ruby waited for Arslan to return, her thoughts conflicting. She had no idea if Arslan felt the same way, or if she would be disgusted that another girl was crushing on her. She was broken away from her thoughts though when she noticed a familiar aura in front of the CCT.
"Cinder? What is she doing?" Her answer came when she watched Cinder assault one of the guards in front of the building. Standing up and pulling out her scroll, Ruby watched as the remaining guards inside were ruthlessly beaten down as she called her locker.
'What is she doing?' Ruby asked herself as her locker landed in front of her. Pulling Crescent Rose from its storage, Ruby prepared herself to fight.
AN/ And chapter done! So, I guess the dance will be two chapters, oh well. I'm really excited for the Mountain Glenn arc though, even though it was unintended, I get to show you guys what Ruby would have been utilized for had she not been a huntress. Also, how do you think this will all affect Cinder's plans? We're only going to get more and more divergent from canon as we go, so I want to know what ya'll are thinking. Anyways, until next time, have a great day!