"This has been the best birthday ever!" Ruby shouted a little sluggish and giggled as she danced, her words slurred with alcohol. The beaming colored lights were flashing slowly as some of the main lights started coming back on. The dance floor itself was almost empty, there was just a couple left who were gently swaying to the last songs. Ruby twirled on the spot, the buzzing in her head had gone to full blown drunk, her reactions too slow and it felt like time seemed to crawl around her.

One thing Yang, Blake and Weiss had learned about Ruby tonight was that when the short red head was drunk she was a happy cuddly drunk. It was actually rather sweet and funny how she had spent all night dancing her way through every man woman and faunus, smiling and giggling the entire time. When she wasn't dancing there was a drink in her hand though Yang made sure her sister didn't accept drinks from strangers and kept her eye on Ruby the entire night. Now it was coming up to four in the morning and the party was officially over for the night.

"Come on Sis, time to go home." Yang said practically picking her sister up off the deserted dance floor. As it had been her idea to use Juniors place she had designated herself as the person responsible for making sure they all got home safe which meant she was the only one sober in their party. She didn't mind as this was her sister's birthday and she'd rather they all be safe from any opportunist creep who might try picking up a naive girl for less then honorable reasons. Yang shifted Ruby in her arms and carried her sister towards the door.

"M'kay." Ruby content in Yang's arms started to drift off to sleep, lulled by the sheer monster amount of alcohol she'd consumed tonight. At first she had been very self conscience, surrounded by so many people pushing up against her and trying to offer her drinks. It hadn't helped that the dress she was wearing drew the eye of nearly every man and a few women. It was a simply grey low bodice dress with a few white stars speckled down from the hip to her skirt which ended just above her knees. That coupled with her ample chest, pale skin and shimmering silver eyes, she'd received nearly the same amount of offers tonight as Yang normally would have. She hadn't missed the way Yang had beamed and winked at her everytime she had been complimented through the night.

Yang placed her sister on the chair closest to the door and returned to the bar where a passed out Weiss had her head laid out on the table. Her white hair spread over the sticky bar and Yang had to brush her hair off her face before she could pick her up. Quickly she carried Weiss outside and to the waiting taxi. "Wait a moment I got more coming." When the driver just tipped his head she returned inside for Blake and sighed at what was waiting for her. Blake was by far the lightweight of their group and Yang found her completely drunk whining at Junior as he cleaned glasses. As she got closer she could see that Blake was attempting to charm another drink from the dark haired man and Yang simply wrapped her arms around Blake, effectively caging her arms, just in case. "Come on Blakey, time to go home."

"Noooooo. One more drink." Blake unlike Ruby was quiet the aggressive drunk and when she wanted something she could get very stubborn. "Junior. Get me a bumblebee please."

"Sorry cat but your ride's here and I'm closing up." The tall bartender responded knowing from past experience that one more drink only led to another and another.

Blake sniffed and turned to look up at Yang with soft pleading eyes. "Yang one more drink please." She nuzzling her head into Yang's neck as she pleaded with her blonde mate.

"Nope, that won't work on me until your sober. Come on Blake, time for bed." Yang simply picked Blake up and carried her over her shoulder. There was a moan from the woman hauled over her shoulder and Yang was a little worried Blake was about to vomit on her but thankfully she seemed to just fall asleep. "Thanks again Junior, we had a great time tonight."Junior fist bumped with the blonde huntress.

"Yeah and you only broke one nose and a bar stool this time." Junior grinned, it really had been a good night all round. Normally when Yang came to the club he had several hundred Lien worth of damages but tonight she had stayed on cola keeping herself sober. It had actually warned off known brawlers from picking a fight with her.

The blonde woman scratched the back of her head and grinned slightly. "Yeah sorry about that but that guy was asking for it." Yang pulled a lien card from her pocket and passed it over the bar to Junior "Goodnight Junior."

The barman just picked up another glass and began cleaning it. "Keep it easy Blondie."

As Yang bundled Blake into the cab she returned to the club to where Ruby sat, lightly dozing in the chair by the door. As they exited the club Ruby woke up and her gaze went straight to the sky. "Yang, look isn't it pretty?" Yang looked up at the dark sky, there were stars everywhere. Like a heavy dusting of them littered the sky. They were so preoccupied neither noticed a man stumble past them. As he walked past his hand lightly smacked Ruby's bottom and he whistled. While her sister pinked a little Yang's eyes turned a bloody red. Before she could turn and shout at the retreating figure the cab driver beep at the sisters.

"Oh, sorry!" Quickly Yang placed her sister next to her mates and took the passenger seat at the front, giving the driver their address. As she looked into the mirror the blonde woman noticed her sisters eyes linger out the back window. "Hey Rubes, did you have a fun birthday?"

Ruby turned back around and leaned her head of Blakes sleeping form, a small happy smile on her face. "Yeah, it's been a good night. Thanks Yang,"

Up above on the roof of Juniors club a figure crouched watching the cab drive away. For a moment when she had been in the car and turned around he could have sworn their eyes met. Tyrian shook his head, he was deep in the shadows, there was little chance she had seen through the darkness, much as he would have been overjoyed if she had. The Faunus eyed the figure of the man who had touched his rose. That dirty drunk hand had struck what was his, felt its warmth through the layer of silver material. Tyrian's yellow eyes closed and when he blinked them back open they we're a vibrant purple that glowed in the darkness. That simply would not do.

Sunlight streamed through the thin gap between the curtains and the fist thing that went through Ruby's head was What the hell is Yang doing . From her bedroom she should hear a whole mess of banging that seemed to be coming from the kitchen. The sound of 'P!nk's, I'm not here for your entertainment!' filled the house and Ruby groaned once tired. Peeking at the time on her scroll she noticed that it had only been five hours since they had all gone to bed. Unhappy she turned it back off and turned onto her side to escape into sleep, only now she found that it just wasn't coming anymore. She had to attend the stupid Gala tonight and unless someone killed Yang in the next few minutes any chance of sleep was getting flushed away.

Ruby reached over to her chair and pulled on the red and black checkered housecoat before trekking downstairs. The sight that greeted her in the kitchen wasn't a completely unfamiliar one. Yang stood at the stove, flipping the sizzling pancakes in the air before piling them high on a plate to the side. There was sugar, fruit cut into small chunks and some bacon being cooked slowly on the other hob.

What was confusing to Ruby was the level of noise her sister was making while she cooked breakfast. Normally when they had been drinking Yang was a little gentler with her soulmates as they both suffered hangovers. Weiss seemed to be trying to kill herself by continuously banging her head against the kitchen table. While Blake had opted to press her hands over her ears and shut eyes tight in an attempt to block out the deafening noise their blonde mate was making.

Yang caught sight of her sister in the windows reflection and chirped out extra loud. "GOOD MORNING RUBY!" Ruby grimace slightly, Yang was definitely doing this on purpose. Poor Blake winced with every noise, her overly sensitive ears were ringing and she prayed for a quiet death or the energy to kill Yang. Weiss had stopped banging her head and Ruby was tempted to check that she was still breathing.

"Morning Yang. Should you really be doing that? You know Dad's going to be pissed if you wake him up, wasn't he out rather late last night?" Taiyang had gotten in a little after they arrived home and had gone straight to bed ignoring the girls state of drunkenness.

"Not to worry, he got a call from uncle Qrow about an hour ago and had to leave for an emergency." Taiyang use to be a huntsmen but after Summer died he had retired to take a place teaching. However it was one or two classes a week and the rest of his time was spent at home, tending to his gardens. Occasionally Qrow would show up and they would take hunts together. Tai said it was to keep in shape but sometimes Ruby wondered if it was more to keep the nightmares at bay.

Qrow traveled all over Remnant, spending anything from six months to a year on each continent doing jobs and hunting the Grimm down. Taiyang was also the only huntsmen still registered as such on Patch, the small island off the coast of Vale. One could reach Patch by either using small airships or the ferry that made the twenty minute trip several times a day.

"Poor dad. I hope Qrow goes easy on him." Ruby felt a little joy spread through her at finding out Qrow had returned to Vale. While he was welcome in their home on Patch he had his own small apartment in Vale where it was easier for him to get transport from. She hadn't seen Qrow in two years though he always made the time to make calls home to check in and let them know he was still alive. Ruby mused for a moment about going to see him, they had always been close when he was around and she wanted to make sure he was well and happy or at least safe and content. The smell of fruit and pancakes made her stomach growl. "Hey are any of those pancakes for me because I'm starving?"

"Are you sure you want some? Don't you want this first?" Yang pulled a glass of green and purple liquid out from behind the milk and held it out for her. Weiss and Blake both seemed to come back to life as Yang placed plates of food down in front of them.

Ruby took a sniff of the strange concoction. "What is it?" It didn't look very safe to drink, it was like a brown and purple bubbling slime that stunk like Zwei after the time he chased a pack of skunks.

"This is the Xiao-Long family recipe to the cure for all hangovers, the best headache and sickness cure for my sisters first hangover." Yang gave Ruby a shit eating grin as the younger girl grimace again. Ruby eyed the drink then blinked at its reason for existence, the crimsonette gave a grin of her own.

"Actually Yang, I don't think I'm going to need it." When the other three occupants of the room turned their attention on her she added. "I mean other then being a bit tired I don't feel sick and I certainly don't have a headache. Perhaps Blake or Weiss need this more then I do." Three sets of eyes snapped towards her, Yang shocked gaze moved towards her furious soulmates. Weiss and Blake looked at Ruby then to one another before jumping from their chairs.

"GET HER!"

Ruby took the steps up to the building slowly, her heart thundering with every step. She hated Gala's and without her sister, since Yang was on a date with Weiss and Blake. There was noone to help buffer the large amount of strangers she would have to speak to tonight. As she passed through the security with her I.D and invitation, a window further in the building was silently opened.

A figure in a black coat climbed through and sighed in relief at the empty space before removing his outer gear to reveal a white suit jacket. Roman fixed his hair, the dye job had come out nicely. Although he missed the normal ginger colour he had to admit he suited raven black hair and swept it up with a thin black clip he could use later to pick locks if necessary. He stuffed the black coat in a nearby cabinet before heading towards the door and emerging into the main room. It was a very fine Gala, with plenty of people to met and pockets to pick.

Ruby hid behind a statue as discreetly as she could, the fine marble room was huge and filled with artwork. It was evenly spaced around the room, large paints on easels. The finer, more delicate pieces were often behind glass cases raised on elegant platforms. The only servers were in perfectly kept suits holding trays of champagne or hors d'oeuvres, neither of which Ruby liked. They were much too fine for her tastes and to her just showed off money rather than actually tasting good. She fingered her choker necklace, it gave her something to worry at without ruffling her dress.

"You look like you want a corner to hide in Red." Ruby whipped around as a man in a dapper white suit appeared behind her. He had vivid green eyes and black hair, it was brushed back and a long section of bangs was held in place with a black metal clip that blended in with his hair. Ruby blushed as he eyed her up and down, his gaze lingering on her cleavage. The silver eyed woman now wished she had picked a dress with a higher cut of bodice.

"Excuse me I should go circulate." Ruby turned on her heel, something about the man gave her the creeps.

The man stepped out beside her blocking her departure, he did a little mocking bow. "Come now m'lady." He flashed her a brilliant white smile and offered his hand. "I believe it's proper to at least introduce ourselves."

Ruby wished she had gloves all of a sudden, fortunately he was wearing white gloves. Reluctantly she put her hand in his offered one and said. "Ruby Rose sir."

The man bent and kissed her fingers after saying. "Romulus Firebrand at your-." His chest burned as the concealed soul mark burned to life and Ruby snatched her hand way as her left wrist burned green as her mark activated. "Excuse me." Ruby turned and fled, thankfully 'Romulus' did not pursue her.

Roman rubbed his chest damn, she had smelled like money to him and was pretty enough. He was going to try and get her into bed for a quick fuck and access to her purse. What utter rubbish, there is no way I'm tying myself to anyone, much less that tiny girl… though she had nice breasts.

Ruby slipped into the back hall and took a moment to catch her breath. She had only just managed to make her departure from the hall give at least the illusion of being proper. The silver eyed woman looked down at her wrist, the vivid green made her stomach turn. The man had given her a very bad feeling and she wasn't one to not trust her instincts. She had always wondered about her soulmates, who they may be and what she would do if she ever found them but she didn't trust that man enough to be alone with him. Much less fulfil a soul bond with him, she shook her head and took several deep breaths to calm herself. Soul bonds were ignored all the time, she'd just do that.

Composed again she returned to the hall and had to pause a minute to admire the huge glass chandelier. She wished she could make things like that, the light reflected through primsons of glass. A louder murmur went through assembled nobles and Ruby followed their gaze.

A tall man with ashen hair had just entered the hall with a much shorter blonde woman on his arm. His suit was dark green with a tail coat of black, it was painstakingly fitted perfectly to his broad shoulders and slender frame. He wore small circle bronze glasses and strode with a purposeful walk. Ruby heard whispers rise quickly.

"Ozpin! I thought he was a recluse, what's he doing here?"

"Oh my he's handsome."

"Wasn't he a Huntsmen?"

Ruby shook her head progressing back into the room and walked over to one of her paintings. The murmur died down after a few minutes, Ruby put a hand on her chin and tried to decide if there was anything she had forgotten about this winter scene in Patch. The detail was painstaking, sometimes she wished she could walk into her paints just to escape into the perfect world. "Hello." A soft voice came from beside her, it was almost a whisper like the man wasn't used to talking anymore.

Ruby looked up and found Ozpin standing next to her, she dipped her head respectfully. "Sir." She looked down at his shoes, she wasn't sure what to say to him. At his silence she turned her attention back to the painting and sighed softly there was nothing more for this painting.

"Do you like it?" Ozpin asked in that hushed voice of his, dull copper eyes slid over painting he supposed it was perfect but it didn't really sink it. "It's Patch, isn't it?"

"Yes I live there and winter is one of my favourite seasons, so I had to paint it eventually." Ruby said while she weaved her hands together and let them rest on her stomach.

Ozpin looked down to her again, her dress was lovely it most definitely suited her. His gaze fell upon the copper weave of a soul mark upon her chest. "May I have your name? I came here looking for someone, Headmistress Goodwitch showed me a glass figurine and I've come to find the maker."

Blushed darkened Ruby's cheeks, he was so soft spoken, she already loved it. "I'm Ruby Rose Sir, I'm glad you liked Professor Goodwitch's fairy." She looked up to him and had to remember not to bite her lip, it was not proper behavior. Ruby liked the hard lines of his jaw, elegant and masculine without being axe like. His eyes were deep and a warm copper with little flecks of gold within them, she found herself staring getting lost in them.

Ozpin was similarly transfixed by her beauty, the words tumbled out of his before he thought to stop them. "You have silver eyes." Forgetting proprietary he reached up and almost touched her cheek. Ruby giggled at his softly spoken words, "And you have gold." she reached up and wove their fingers together. They sucked in a mutual breath as their chests warmed and glowed. Ozpin quickly stepped closer to her shielding the telltale sign of an awakening bond from the rest of the hall. Their hands tightened around each other as they stood near chest to chest.

I found another and she is beautiful. Ozpin's heart beat at a fanatic tattoo as his breath stuttered hope burning away in his soul. He swallowed thickly as he gazed upon her, her lily white skin, it looked lush and soft it glowed to him like moonlight. For the first time in many years he found something truly beautiful to him. His greying world came into colour as he admired her. "May we go somewhere more private?"

Ruby nodded speechless and lifted a hand to cover the glowing mark. His manner called to her like a siren song. They did not remember to release their hands as they departed the room. Ozpin led them to a balcony only a few minutes walk away, their footsteps reverberated in their ears even as the thick carpets under their feet muted the sound. The balcony was seven meters in width and ten in length. Upon each side were large platforms of flowers. A small table was set up in one corner with food and refreshments upon it. There were a few other couples but they were spread so far apart that it was largely private.

Ozpin only realized that he was still holding her hand when they stepped out onto the moonlit balcony. He quickly let go, he hadn't meant to be so forward. "Apologies." Oz uttered and dipped his head in remorse.

Ruby only smiled up at him, she liked the feel of his hand, large, warm and strong. She stepped out into the moonlight letting her hand fall from her chest. The copper weave of magic upon her chest glowed like stardust, she turned back to him showing him the mark openly and offered her hands to him. Ozpin was entranced by her, he stepped up to her and wove their fingers together. His mark upon her chest was so beautiful, he licked his lips he had no idea what to say. For so long he had wished and now that the moment came he was at loss for words.

The silver eyed maiden drew in a soft breath as her bond flared. "This is better, fewer eyes watching us." She petted little circles upon his hands with her thumbs, the skin was cool under her touch. Ruby could see the dark blue of another bond peeking out from under the cuff of his shirt, she was curious about that but she already had one soul mate to talk with right now. Unlike the green one, she already liked how he felt. Through the bond she could feel his excitement and confusion. It was a world of difference from the green eyed mans lust and slyness.

"This was my hope." Ozpin said softly, he wanted to kiss her, to know what she felt like. Her bond felt warm and calm, he longed to be closer to it but he didn't want to scare her off. He chuckled softly under his breath. "I've been looking for my mates for so long, yet here you are now and I don't know what to say."

Ruby giggled at that, he sounded so honest his voice had warmed from before. "Well you could give me your name." The maiden liked his blush and the sheepish little smile. "Sorry, I uh forgot. It's Ozpin Wōđanaz."

"Well it's very nice to meet you Ozpin and I am not going to try and say that last name." Ruby smiled warmly and then broader when he chuckled. "Yeah I don't blame you it's a mouthful."

Ruby looked up at the moon trying to think of something to talk about. "It's a lovely night."

Ozpin stepped closer to her and let a hand of hers go so he could bring up his arm around her waist. "Not as lovely as you."

The silver eyed woman felt his honest intent through the bond and blushed at the praise. "I think you are exaggerating." The wind picked up carrying the scent of salt and for a moment they could hear the crash of waves upon the rocks below them. "Come I want to watch the ocean." She stepped away from him and pulled him to the railing with a hand. Ozpin went without reluctance and was happy when she pulled him to shield her again. Her back to his chest, their hands remained woven together as they rested over her stomach. Ruby felt a flutter of a wish through the new bond.

"You want children don't you?" She asked, the thumb that had been petting her stomach suddenly came to a stop. Ruby could feel his heart start to pound again behind her but Ozpin spoke the truth. "It has always been a dream of mine, that and finding my soul mates. Is that alright with you?"

Images of small children running through the garden, smiles upon their faces warmed her heart. "Yes, my family has always been very small. Yang's mom left us and my mom… died. So there is only the three of us, I'd like a much larger family someday. Just not anytime too soon." Ruby said as an after thought, she was young yet and more than capable of having children. She just wanted a bit more time to be young and free of that particular responsibility.

"Well I'm thirty four so I don't want to wait too long. I'd like to be able to see them all grow up and having children of their own." Ozpin looked out into the sea dreaming about having his house full of people.

Ruby could feel the contentment flow over the bond, being close to him made it all the clearer. Well, she thought with a happy smile, I guess I lucked out with finding a family man. I think this could be really lovely. "I like that idea too."

"Ozpin?" Glynda's voice sounded out over the balcony and the pair turned to her. Oz's gaze was instantly brought to the man beside her and he pursed his lips. He dipped his head to each person in turn. "Glynda, James. This is Ruby Rose my soul mate."

James's brow flew upwards, A woman! Joy swelled behind his breast he could himself walking forward forgetting the distance he had been keeping with Ozpin. He bowed to Ruby from his waist tucking his living arm to his chest formally. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Rose, may I have your hand? I am one of Ozpin's soul mates."

Ruby took a deep breath and offered her right hand, the dull blue slowly darken in the presences of its owner. James took her hand and pressed a kiss to it, closing his eyes as her mark upon his chest bloomed into life. Ozpin held her tight as the blue on her wrist darkened and settled. James eyes settled on Ruby's other wrist. "You have met our last one then?"

"I have, I found him unsettling." Ruby withdrew her hand, she could scarcely believe she was bonded to General Ironwood of all people. She wasn't sure how she felt about that and now seeing him before her and Ozpin behind her. The little maiden suddenly felt very small.

Roman chose this moment to step into sight, he had followed the owner of Clockwork Enterprises when he raced away with his soul mate. "I'm not that bad Red." Everyone's eyes turned to him and he held up his wrists, showing off the darkening blue and copper bonds. "Nice to meet you all." Now this is going to get interesting.

James pursed his lips, he didn't want another male soul mate but he put on a smile. "Nice to meet you..?"

"Romulus." Roman provided and walked over offering his hand in a handshake. James took it and wasn't surprised when he felt nothing, even as the his mark darkened on Torchwick wrist. Ozpin then did the same, the mark awakening wasn't as intense as it had been with Ruby or James. Roman looked back at James. "Your as cold as Atlas not even a flicker of feeling at a new bond?"

James's eyes narrowed he raised his right hand to his mouth and pulled the glove off with his teeth. He showed off the metal hand, wiggling the fingers so they would hear the soft motors. "No arm, no bond."

Roman only just managed to contain his disgust. So I've got a unless artist, a crippled General and I guess a good looking rich recluse. Well maybe that last one isn't so bad. "Ah well, that's unlucky."

"I disagree." James said bitterly, he understood why Ruby said she didn't like the man. He didn't either, he had the manner of a snake. That and there was something about him that he couldn't quite put his finger on, something familiar but at this point he just put it down to his broken bond.

"James." Ozpin tried to scold his soul mate, like the other two he didn't trust this new man. The same vibe Ruby felt rushed over him as well. He held Ruby a little tighter to him, this green eyed man felt like a predator.

Roman chuckled and said smiling already thinking about how he'd work this long con, it looked like tonight was going to be profitable after all. "Why don't we call get to know each other?"