DAY 2/30

It was morning, and Ruby awoke with Zwei's fluffy butt in her face. Carefully lifting the sleeping dog off her chest, she stretched her arms and looked at her roommate who were all still asleep. She felt a brief shock when Blake and Yang weren't occupying the other two beds. This was going to take some getting used to.

"Morning!" Ruby waved down the hall to Nora who was headed towards her room to drag Ren out of bed. It seemed there were quite a few morning people here, as Sun was already in the lounge watching TV. Seeing Ruby, the monkey quickly flipped off the children's cartoons for something a bit more masculine.

"How's it goin', Red?" Sun said, 'Remnant's Most Wanted' blaring in the background.

"Meh," Rose plopped down on the couch, "Don't think I'll be able to eat cookies for a while after yesterday. So that stinks."

"I think you ate 'em all anyways."

"We could always go to the store and get more."

"Yeah, but that costs money. Something a lot of us don't have right now."

"Aw crap. Forgot about money."

"I bet we could get Roman and Neo to go steal some. They're good at criminal stuff. I mean look," Sun pointed to the TV, "This show seems pretty fond of them."

"I'm really starting to wonder if this thing isn't a set up for them."

There was a heavy pounding on the door, followed by yelling. The two shared a look, with Sun shaking his head to say he wanted no part of it. Being the just girl she was, Ruby went to do the polite thing. Before she could even open the door all the way, Adam and his Lieutenant's bodies stumbled in and nearly crushed her.

"Uh, morning Adam," Ruby winced, "Morning… whatever your name is."

"Actually, my name is-

Adam shoved the Lieutenant away, grasping Ruby's hands in his. The girl cringed under his grip. "Oh, uh, little touchy there Adam."

"You are a saint, Miss Rose," Adam said intently, "Do you know what it's like to sleep out in the cold of night without Blake's body to warm you?"

"Um… I guess not?"

"I was there for you, boss."

"I told you not to speak of that! That stays between us!"

Ruby looked from Adam and back to the Lieutenant, and then to Sun on the couch. "I'm so confused right now."

"You and me both."

Adam released Ruby's hand, looking to the staircase. "So… Is Blake up yet?"

"I dunno."

"Very well," Adam nodded, "Come Lieutenant. Let's go check on her."

Hesitantly the Lieutenant followed after Taurus as he ascended the stairs. Sighing, Ruby rejoined Sun on the couch to mindlessly stare at the screen. They sat there in awkward silence until Adam's face showed up on screen.

"I probably shouldn't have opened that door, should've I?"

"Probably not, no."

The sound of the Lieutenant shrieking when Yang attacked him and Adam awoke Emerald. Apparently the two guys had walked in on her changing in search of Blake, and saw much more than they should have.

This was only the first sign assuring her this would be a very shitty day for Emerald. Mercury was the second. He refused to let her use the bathroom, standing in front of it pretending it was occupied.

"I'm waiting my turn," he kept saying, "Just like you have to."

"…I hate you. I hate you so much."

"Keep telling yourself that."

Everyone in this house was insufferable. Pyrrha was too nice. Yang was too loud. Jaune was a dork. Adam was…

Well, Adam was Adam.

Seriously, the only one Emerald liked in this house was Cinder. Roman and Neo weren't that bad, though. At least one of them never talked. All the former had going for him was the stunt he pulled on Taurus last night. If anyone besides those two were her roommates, Emerald would have killed herself by now.

About half an hour after waking up, she found herself in the dining room which was still in shambles after last night. Emerald would be lying to herself if she didn't admit the fight was at least a bit of fun. Hell, she got to throw an entire punch bowl on her boss. Who wouldn't enjoy doing that?

Emerald realized she wasn't alone when she saw Blake Belladonna sitting by one of the overturned tables. The Faunus was reading one of her books and drinking coffee from a busted mug. She noticed Emerald as well, and nodded in greeting. "Good morning."

"Belladonna," Emerald greeted back. She pondered joining the cat at the table. She seemed quiet enough; that was always a good trait in someone. She sat on the opposite side a few seats over, saying nothing.

Five minutes passed.

"Do you like books?" Blake asked.

Sustrai was surprised at her trying to start a conversation. "I don't read much, but I don't read porn."

"What do you read?"

"Historic fiction mostly."

"Try this one," Blake tossed a book over the table to her. Emerald caught it and immediately read the title.

"Is this from the "Rapunzel Locks" series? I thought the author quit writing years ago! I loved these books!"

"She came back with this one not long ago. Felt bad leaving her readers on a cliffhanger. You can have it if you want."

Shocked, Emerald looked at the book and then back at Blake. "You sure you don't want this?"

"I've already read it a couple times. I prefer my filth, as Adam calls it."

"Thank you, Blake," Emerald said in disbelief. No one had bothered to show her even an ounce of kindness like this in years. If she wasn't straight as a line, she would have been gushing all over the Faunus right now.

Time to add someone to the list of people she could tolerate, she figured.

"So, any food in the kitchen?" Emerald asked.

"Not yet. Ren's still working on it."

"Ah. Pancakes I assume."

"Nora wanted waffles today."

The ding of a toaster came from the kitchen, followed by a squeal from Nora. Hearing the girl's voice put Emerald on edge, and she slowly began sliding out of her seat. "Well, nice chatting with you Blake."

"Have a good day."

Emerald was out of sight just as Nora and Ren came in with food. The two JNPR members looked around for someone else.

"Were you talking to someone, Blake?" Ren asked.

"Yeah, that green-haired chick."

"Emerald?"

"Huh. So that was her name. Good thing I didn't call her Neo then."