Day 23/30

Emerald wasn't someone who worried too much about her appearance. She wasn't a slob by any means, but she never worried about being in style or changing it drastically. A simple cutoff tank suited her just fine most days here, and she hadn't changed her hairstyle for a few years now.

But as she stared at herself in the mirror this morning, something was telling her it might be time for a change. Running her fingers through one of her ponytails, Emerald thought about what she may look like if she cut them off. Yes, they had been a part of her look for so long now, but a change in personality didn't have to be the only change she went through. Maybe Cinder would like her a bit more if she had short hair. All Emerald had thought about for the past week was the kiss she had planted on Cinder's cheek and how she could get another one in. Perhaps it could be on the lips this time!

Grabbing a pair of scissors out of the sink drawer, Emerald hesitated as she placed one of her ponytails between the shearing blades. All it would take was one little movement, and it'd be gone. She closed her eyes, her fingers ready to snip away her green locks…

In her moment of focus, she hadn't noticed as someone had slipped quietly into the bathroom with her.

*SMACK!*

"GAH!" Emerald cried out at the sudden impact on her behind. A familiar laugh sent her blood into a boil, and she spun around to slap the 5-Star Man responsible for the violation.

"Easy there!" Mercury smirked, ducking back from her hand, "I didn't know it was you. My eyes are still healing from the salt and all. Thought you were someone that was actually attractive."

"Get out asshole!" Emerald shrieked, covering herself with a towel, "Before I rip those eyes out of your sockets!"

"Ooh, feisty today aren't we?" Merc laughed, taking his leave, "If you're in need for a hate-fuck, then just call-

"GET OUT!"

Throwing a handful of toothbrushes at Black, Emerald spat at him as he ran away cackling to his room. If there was one thing she knew Cinder ever regretted doing, it was bringing him into their ranks. She wasn't even in the mood to think about cutting her hair now; she was too furious to even concentrate right now!

"Hey, Emerald!"

"Stay away from me!" Emerald lashed out in anger, only to realize that it was just Velvet talking to her. The rabbit's ears were covering her eyes from Sustrai's naked body as she held a camera in her hand. "Oh, uh… Sorry about that, Velvet. Just a bit on edge."

"I-I can come back later if you want…"

"Do you need something?"

"Well," Velvet said, moving her right ear away from her eye, "I just came to ask you for a picture, that's all. I'm taking one of everyone for a digital scrapbook I'm making. If you're okay with that, just come to me when you are dressed."

"Yeah, sure," Emerald said. As Velvet began to walk away, an idea sprang to mind. "Wait! You said everyone, right?"

"Yup! I've got one of Weiss, Nora, Neo, Jaune, even Adam! He didn't smile though…"

"What about Mercury?"

"Him? Well, I got one but it's a bit off center. I was kinda nervous when I took his. He has a really nice smile, you know?"

Emerald nearly threw up in her mouth at that. "Whatever. I need a copy of it. Email it to me."

"Okay! Are you making a scrapbook too?"

"Not exactly."

"CAN I HAVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION PLEASE!?"

Emerald and Velvet covered their ears as the sound of a megaphone erupted out of nowhere. To their surprise, it wasn't Nora using it this time but someone Velvet recognized.

"…Professor Oobleck?"

"The caffeine guy?" Emerald asked, slightly remembering the fast talking Professor from one of the classes during her infiltration of Beacon, "What is he doing here?"

"EVERYONE REPORT TO THE LOUNGE IN APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE! THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME TO SPARE!"

The lounge was filled to the brim once again as yet another house meeting began. Professor Oobleck stood atop the coffee table over the housemates, sipping his drink as usual. Zwei sat at the feet of his eccentric buddy, hoping a drip of the caffeinated drink would fall from his cup for him to catch on his tongue.

"So what's up, Doc?" Sun asked, feet propped up across Blake's lap, "Why the sudden visit?"

"Excellent question, Mr. Wukong!" Oobleck raised one finger, "After receiving a call in the very early hours of the day from Headmaster Ozpin, I was told to drive here and escort a select number of you to the local shopping center for the purchasing of gifts for a certain individual's birthday party!"

"Eee!" Ruby squealed, jumping from her seat, "I'm getting my presents~!"

Yang gave Oobleck a deadpan glare. "Nice work, Doc. That totally wasn't supposed to be a secret or anything."

"Oh dear. My apologies, Miss Xiao Long! But fret not! I was told to not allow her to be one of the individuals I take on this short trip!"

"Aww…" Ruby's excitement flipped on its end and straight to disappointment, "I wanted my presents early…"

"So how many of us can go with you?" Pyrrha asked.

"Six total!" Bart raised up that number of fingers, "Not including myself! You can all decide amongst yourselves who shall go along."

"Hold on a moment," Cinder interrupted, "I thought we weren't allowed to leave this house until the 30 days were up? Why the sudden change in rules?"

"Ah yes, that. I was just about to relay that information to you. After discussing this with his opponent, Ozpin was granted permission to bend this rule only once with one added stipulation: no more visitors are allowed entry into this here penthouse whatsoever. I am the last outsider allowed to enter those doors over there."

"Not even Uncle Qrow can come in anymore?" Ruby asked, even sadder now.

"There goes my income…" Roman mumbled.

Oobleck nodded in confirmation. "It was a tough compromise, according to Ozpin. His opponent is quite the difficult woman to make deals with. But that aside, I will give you all some time to decide on who shall join me on this trip. I will be waiting out in my vehicle for whomever wishes to come along!"

With that, Oobleck zipped outside, leaving everyone in a cloud of dust. Coughing and waving away the dirt, Yang stood up. "Well, I have to go. It is my sister's birthday, after all."

"So that leaves five spots then," Ren said, "Then I wish to go along as well, I am in need of some extra kitchen utensils. My assortment of knives has decreased for some reason. Hopefully there is a cooking store nearby."

"How unfortunate," Virulet shook his head, covering his mouth to hide his grin. He was guilty for the knife theft, of course. To be able to pick up even more would be a most excellent opportunity. Perhaps he could commit some extra crimes as well; shoplifting, stealing purses, jaywalking… Oh yes! Such vile acts of debauchery! "I shall like to go along then too. This shopping experience sounds like a jolly good time!"

"You wanna go along, boss?" The Lieutenant asked, "I'm running low on baby oil and moisturizer. We could get some new curtains for the room, and shop for some new outfits! How's that sound?"

"Pass. Miltia wants to do something with me later. I believe she called it 'Skyping', or something like that. I must learn its ways and master it before we converse."

"Oh, okay then. Guess I'll go by myself then. Want me to get you some candy?"

"…M&Ms. No green ones."

"You got it, Daddy!"

"I told you to stop calling me that."

"It wouldn't be a day out without a 5-Star Man," Merc said, "Chicks at these places are easier that lacing my boots. Gotta get me a taste of that."

"Is that all you think about?" Blake asked.

"I am a simple man. I see babes, I bang. Unless they're Emerald."

"Then I'm going too," Sustrai glared at him, "Someone has to stop you from finding joy in terrorizing women." That part was only half true. This chance at a day out actually worked perfectly with Emerald's plan to get Merc back for being the piece of shit he is. With the participants chosen, Emerald turned to Velvet as the room cleared out. "I need that picture of Merc. Now."

"But aren't you leaving soon?"

"Won't take long. Photoshop isn't that hard to use."

"Why couldn't you own a bigger car?" Merc winced as the Lieutenant squished him into the side of the door.

"Should've called shotgun!" Yang winked to the backseat.

"Wanna sit on my lap?" the big guy offered.

"I'd rather choke myself to death."

"Why did you not present me with that option?!" Virulet yelled from the floor, Penny's body contorted uncomfortably by the Lieutenant's feet.

"Well, are you a male?"

"…Technically, no."

"And there's your answer, sweetie."

"What is taking Emerald so long?" Ren asked nobody in particular, "She is taking quite some time to get ready."

"Probably stealing from Roman's wallet," Merc said, "Bitch is dead broke, like always."

"I like you," Virulet gave Black a thumbs up, approving of his insult, "Let us be comrades."

"So you do understand sex. How about tonight? My room?"

"…I take it back. You'll be first on the list now."

"List? What do you mean by list?"

Before things could escalate further, Emerald knocked on the window. Oobleck buckled his seatbelt as she crawled into the cramped car, a gym bag strapped to her back. "You're late, Miss Sustrai! Care to explain yourself?"

"Had to grab a few things," Emerald said, squeezing in between the front seats, "So, we all set to go?"

"One last thing," Bart reached into the glove compartment and pulled out six clunky bracelets, "These are Semblance restraints. They're used on unruly students back at Beacon as punishment for starting fights. You must wear these at all times on any part of your body as per the rules of no Semblance use during the period of the bet."

"They're quite heavy," Ren said, his hand nearly pulled down as the bracelet snapped around his wrist.

"Nothing wrong with accessorizing!" the Lieutenant said, snapping his around his neck like a choker, "Ooh! That's nice and tight!"

"Can we go before this guy busts a nut?" Mercury asked, kicking the back of Oobleck's seat.

"Very well! You do have the list of presents to pick up, Miss Xiao Long?"

"Of course!" Yang flashed him a piece of notebook paper as she pulled her aviator glasses over her eyes, "Everyone's gifts for Ruby are written down right here!"

"Excellent! Then buckle up, everyone! I have been known to go slightly over the speed limit on most occasions!"

Emerald's eyes widened as the speedometer on the dashboard went from 0 to 90 before the car even started moving. "I've got a bad feeling about THIIIIIIIIIISSSSSS!"