A/N:

Italics are their thoughts

Bold are the text messages

RWBY belongs to Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth

Chapter Nine: Entertainment at Its Finest

Ruby looked at the clothes laid out on her bed; it was Friday. It seemed The Grimm were holding another party. Ruby's job was to talk to the guest and listen to their worries, they would then turn around and sell that information to whoever needed it. Ruby didn't like talking to the guest so she relied on one person to get all of her information.

Ruby shook her head and began to get dress, she first put on her blood red pants next, she put on her black dress shirt with a red vest over it. She put on her pure white tie, threw on her cloak and put on her red gloves, completing her look she put on her red mask that had a voice changer inside and pulled over her hood. Ruby walked over to the door preparing for the night when she remembered the last detail to her outfit…the white handkerchief with her red rose symbol on it. Summer had given it to her father when they got married, Ruby always enjoyed the design and her father gave it to her a little before he died. He told Ruby to give it to someone who she'll love till death do them part. Ruby held a faint smile on her lips until she heard a knocking on the door.

"Ruby are you ready?" It was Blake's voice.

Ruby let go of the breath she didn't even know she was holding. "Come in."

Blake entered wearing her suit it was all black with a simple gold vest and a dark purple handkerchief, she also had her half black and half gold mask but it was in her black-gloved hands. Rather than a cloak and hood she had a simple beanie with cat ears sticking out on the top.

"We still haven't finished our talk."

Ruby recalled the past week; they became distracted by the other two girls who needed to join them every lunch hour and Summer had asked Ruby come home immediately after school.

Wanting to change the subject Ruby glanced at Blake's outfit. "No tie."

"…No…"

Ruby remembered Adam had been the one to give her the tie. "Shit, I'm sorry about the whole tie thing, my mind is just a little clustered right now."

"Don't apologize, it's not your fault." Blake gave her a reassuring smile but it quickly changed to concern. "Are you okay." A knock stopped Ruby from talking any further.

"Hey kiddo." The voice was husky but in a good way. The man in the doorway was tall he had a grey suit on with a red vest and a black handkerchief, like Blake he didn't have a tie instead he had a cross necklace. But like Ruby, he also had a cloak but his was torn at the bottom and was a maroon color. His hair was once black but was now fading to a dark grey, he had red eyes that felt like they could look into your soul. He held a simple black mask in his gloved hands.

Ruby smiled at the man and pointed. "I thought the bar was that way."

"Very funny, just know I'll be out there collecting information too. If there's trouble scream." The man looked over at Ruby with a gentle expression.

"Thanks, Qrow, see ya out there you old bird."

Qrow smiled at her, he put on his mask and headed out.

"Man, Qrow is so cool, why can't I be related to someone like him." Ruby sighed and put her mask on, Blake did the same while leading her and Ruby out the door.

When Blake reached the door, she turned around. "You would love to be related to him. I did hear him say he doesn't have any family."

"Perfect maybe he'll adopt me." Ruby joked.

They laughed as they made their way down to the ballroom. Before making it any farther a woman in a red Chinese dress grabbed Ruby's arm.

"My Rose, I need you to do something for me tonight." Cinder's voice came out from the red and gold mask.

"What is it." Ruby responded waiting for her to let go.

"I need information on the Torchwick gang. I thought that if I was friends with Neo, she would give me information but she's useless."

"Understood." Ruby started to turn but before she pulled away Cinder brought her face next her hers and took off Ruby's mask.

"You know what happens when I don't get what I want right Rose." Cinder voice sparked fear throughout Ruby's body, she felt frozen remembering the times before she became an informant.

"I-I un-understand." Ruby's voice came out in a low whisper so that only Cinder could properly hear her. With a quick wink towards Ruby, Cinder let go and saunter off leaving a paralyzed Ruby.

As soon as Cinder left Ruby fell to her knees overwhelmed with emotions fear and anger being the ones to consume her thoughts. Before Ruby could sink any further Blake pulled her into a hug.

"It's never going to stop is it." Ruby asked tears in the corner of her eyes.

"I-I don't know." Blakes answer was honest, it filled Ruby with dread for their future.

Ruby went to freshen herself up before leaving to the ballroom, putting on her mask she spoke to Blake. "Let's just go."

They made their way through a secret entrance and entered the ballroom unnoticed by the prestigious guest.

Ruby looked around; Sun was in the corner already charming the ladies into giving him information. He wore his pure white pants and light gold vest, his mask being pure white as well and nothing else. He was the only one who could go around revealing so much skin, it gave them better information. Next, her eyes wander to Ilia who wore black pants and a black dress shirt with a grey vest over it, she always kept the sleeves folded up at the elbows and wore a light-yellow tie. Her mask was chrome and it changed colors under the position of the light. Ilia had a simple hood over her head. She was currently talking to a businesswoman and it seemed to be going well with how the women was clinging to her. Blake nudged Ruby out of her thoughts.

"I'll be over there; it seems your usually has spotted you." Blake sauntered off grabbing the attention of wealthy businessmen, Blake was good at getting information be it men or women.

Ruby turned away and walked towards a slightly older woman, she had a beautiful hour glass figure and dark red hair that flowed down her shoulders like a waterfall. She had high cheekbones and light brown eyes that slowly sucked you in.

"Hello Red Reaper." Her voice came out slow and seductive, Ruby couldn't help but feel drawn to the women.

"Veronica." Ruby's voice came out distorted when she spoke.

Veronica held out her arm ready for Ruby to take it. "Shall we then."

Ruby walked her and Veronica to a secluded area. There they sat ready to begin their usual chats.

"So, what do you need from me this time." Veronica gave Ruby a gentle smile, like a mother would when her child has done something stupid and yet it's still adorable.

"I-I know it's not a part of our deal but can I get double the information than I usually ask." Ruby looked away afraid of what Veronica might say to this request.

"Red, this isn't how this work. I took pity on you two years ago so that they would stop treating you like trash but in that deal you can only ask one thing each time we meet."

"I-I know sorr-"

"Hush up, you didn't let me finish, I'm curious about what you want to know, so ask and maybe I'll tell." Veronica lightly pushed Ruby's face to look at her, when Ruby eyes met Veronica's she gave her a smile.

"For the boss I need information about Torchwick's gang, but I want more information on the Schnee's."

Veronica lifted her eyebrow at the mention of the Schnee's name. "Do you have some conflict with one of the Schnee's."

Ruby thought about how to answer the question without giving out personal information. "No juts some recon."

Veronica looked at Ruby for a few more moments. "Tell me something about you then I'll give all the info you need."

Ruby pondered on what she should tell Veronica, in order to get her information, she needed to give up some of her personal information. After a few more seconds she gave the vaguest detail she could think of. "I'm a girl."

As soon as the words left her mouth Veronica sat there in shock, slowly a smile appeared, at first it was small but soon it grew bigger until she started laughing. After she stopped laughing, she looked Ruby up and down. "So do most people assume you're a boy?"

Ruby was glad she had a mask on, her face was feeling incredibly hot from the embarrassment. "W-what, did you know I'm a girl."

"At first I wasn't sure, they dress all the workers in suits unless you're apart of the other kind of entertainment and it didn't help that you have nothing developing."

Ruby felt her face grow even hotter. Do I really look like a boy? That sucks. "Okay, so when did you realize I'm a girl."

"I never did really want to assume, but it always felt like I was talking to a girl."

"Oh."

"Anyway, kiddo I'll give you the information you need, go to the drop off for the flash drive in about a week."

"Okay…so how was your day."

Veronica gave Ruby a blank stare before getting up and walking away but turned to talk to Ruby one last time for the night. "I'll be going now Reaper, take care and talk to the other guest every once in a while, there are some strange rumors going around about the Red Reaper who never revels themselves." Veronica gave Ruby one last smile before she disappeared into the ever-growing crowd.

Ruby sat there for a few more moments, until she saw something she couldn't believe, white hair.

No way is that Weiss. Before Ruby could properly see if it was Weiss, Qrow appeared before the white-haired women.

"Hello Winter." Qrow's voice came out even huskier with his mask on, as Ruby approached the pair, she saw Qrow grab Winter's hand and soon they began to tango…but they were arguing while dancing.

"Scarecrow I would appreciate it if you would unhand me this instant." Ruby realized that it wasn't Weiss, this woman's voice was very different from Weiss's haughty tone. And yet they sound similar.

"Come on Ice Queen, it's just a dance." Qrow was spinning Winter back into his arms, Ruby couldn't believe what she was seeing Qrow was moving quickly and didn't look drunk.

"What do you want Scarecrow, I don't have time for playing around." As Winter said this, she did a perfect leg kick up in the air, just in time for Qrow to catch her leg and spin her in the air, setting her down gently he bent him and her down just as the song ended.

"You said you didn't have time to play around and yet you danced perfectly with him." Ruby said this without realizing that she was talking to them and a now staring crowd.

Winter looked over at Ruby her arms still wrapped around Qrow's neck. "The Red Reaper, no one usually sees you, so why are you here now."

Ruby took a step back recalling that she usually heads to her room after her chat with Veronica but this time she stayed because she thought she saw Weiss. "Um…checking out the crowd."

Winter looked Ruby up and down. "Rather than talking to this…" Winter looked back at Qrow. "Thing. I'd rather talk to you."

Before Ruby could object Qrow was already objecting for her. "Nope."

Winter was flabbergasted. "And why not."

Qrow looked between her and Ruby. "Because I said nope."

As they began to argue, Ruby took it as her chance to leave, without anyone else catching her she snuck back to her room.

"Hey." Ruby jumped back at the sudden voice, when she looked back she saw a smirking Blake in the corner of her room. With her were Ilia and Sun.

Sun put on a big smile. "How'd it go out there."

Ruby frowned at them. "You guys saw me and didn't say anything."

All three of them answered at the same time. "Yup."

Ruby threw herself on her bed. "I hate you guys."

"Correction you love us." Sun came and sat at the edge of Ruby's bed.

Ruby looked at the time on the wall. "You guys are back pretty early."

Blake smiled. "I collected my information pretty easily."

Sun and Ilia both looked at Ruby nodding their heads in an agreement with Blake's statement.

"Anyways tomorrow we have to race, so who are we targeting this time." Ilia spoke up giving the details to the rest of their plans. Soon the night turned to morning and it was time for them to go home and rest for the coming night.

All four of them said their goodnights and left for their homes.

As Ruby approached her house, she saw Tai, Summer, and Yang waiting in the front yard. Summer and Yang had a worried smile and Tai looked slightly angry and relieved at the same time.

Ruby pulled up slowly, she wasn't used to seeing people outside at 5 in the morning, but she also wasn't use to the fact that they caught her sneaking out. Taking off her helmet she approached them. "Hey, …what are you crazy kids doing up so late."

"Ruby why did you sneak out of the house and where did you go." Tai's voice wasn't filled with rage, just disappointment and that hurt Ruby more than rage.

"I was at Bla-"

Summer cut Ruby off. "Don't lie the Belladonna's asked us if Blake was here that's how we noticed you were gone."

Ruby shifted uncomfortably, it felt like she was slowly sinking underwater. "Did I say Blake I meant I was at Ilia's, yup that's the story. Anyways I'm tired see ya in the morning." Before anyone could say anything Ruby dashed right pass them into the house, only stopping to not crash into her door. After opening the door, she locked it behind her hoping no one would disrupt her. Walking over to her bed she flopped down letting her heavy eyelids drop and take her misery away and go into a wonderful dream of snow and mint.

A/N: Happy Pride Month :D, I'm sorry I'm taking so long to post new chapters I hope you stay patient with me. This chapter took me a little bit longer it's my favorite chapter so far, I hope you enjoy. Thanks for the follows and favs and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.