"Speech"
'thought'
"On screen"
"On screen singing"
'On screen telepathy'
"This one might a little close to home for some of you," Dark said, "but in a good way." He activated the screen.
It was Beacon's annual Christmas party that night, and everyone was bustling with excitement. Those who had attended before were telling first years how amazing it was. When the time finally came for the party to begin, everyone had been in the ballroom for hours waiting in anticipation.
"I've heard a lot about the Beacon Christmas party," Weiss admitted.
"Yeah," Blake agreed, "According to the older students, it's supposed to be the biggest event other than the Vital Festival."
"Welcome everyone," Professor Ozpin greeted, "It is with great pleasure that I can say that the Beacon Annual Christmas Party can commence." A cheer erupted among the students.
Before long everyone was participating in Christmas themed games and activities, among which was a karaoke competition. No one was surprised when Weiss entered, though no one expected Blake to enter, or for Pyrrha and Nora to do a duet. Weiss was the first scheduled, and everyone was on the edge of their seats. Very few had been able to attend any of her concerts, and the ones who had were anxious to hear her sing again.
The rest of Team RWBY and JNPR were sitting next to each other. There weren't very many entries in the contest, so they decided they would stay and listen to all of them instead of running back and forth when one of their friends were on stage.
Just as they got in their seats, Weiss walked up onstage. Bells began to ring out from the speaker system as Weiss began to sing and the words were projected onto the wall behind her (AN1).
"Children sleeping
Snow is softly falling
Dreams are calling
Likes bells in the distance
We were dreamers
Not so long ago
But one by one
We all had to grow up
When it seems the magic slipped away
We find it all again on Christmas Day
Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste
There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just believe
Trains move quickly
To their journey's end
Destinations
Are where we begin again
Ships go sailing
Far across the sea
Trusting starlight
To get where they need to be
When it seems that we have lost our way
We find ourselves again on Christmas Day
Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste
There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just believe
If you just believe
If you just believe
If you just believe
Just believe
Just believe"
"Weiss…" Ruby asked, looking at her partner, who appeared to be crying, "are you… okay?"
"I'm," Weiss struggled, "I'm fine. That song just means a lot to me. My mother would sing it to myself and my older sister Winter every Christmas."
"Are we alright to continue?" Dark asked, "or do you need a moment."
"I'm fine," Weiss repeated, wiping her eyes, "Let's continue."
Weiss took longer than expected to join the group sitting, but when she finally did, it looked like she had been crying.
"Weiss?" Ruby asked, "are you okay?"
"I'll be fine," Weiss responded, "That song just means a lot to me." Ruby decided to let it go for now.
They listened to more people singing, including Cardin trying to sing "Jingle Bells", emphasis on "trying".
Yang let out a laugh.
Next up was Blake. No one was sure why she wanted to sing tonight, but they waited for her to begin.
A soft piano accompaniment began as she began to sing. (2)
"Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well I'm all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I'm not a child but my heart still can dream
So here's my lifelong wish
My grown up Christmas list
Not for myself but for a world in need
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, no
This is my grown up Christmas list
As children we believe
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely wrapped beneath the tree
But Heaven only knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal a heartached human soul
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, no
This is my grown up Christmas list
What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, no
This is my grown up Christmas list
This is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown up Christmas list"
RWY and JR smiled at the thoughtful song. They could tell that Blake meant every word that she just sang. Blake soon joined her teammates in the seats, who complimented her on her singing.
Before too long it was time for Pyrrha and Nora to sing. Team RWBY had a pretty good idea what they were going to sing and why, but Jaune and Ren didn't have a clue.
"Wait," Jaune said, "why would Team RWBY know that, but me and Ren wouldn't."
"Cause you're both dense as rocks," Pyrrha muttered under her breath.
Bells began to chime as the duo began to sing (3). Jaune and Ren didn't know why, but it seemed like the girls were looking right at them.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
And I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas
Is you
You, baby
Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
And I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Cause baby all I want for Christmas is you
You
Oh-ho, all the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need?
Won't you please bring my baby to me?
Yeah
Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just wanna see my baby (Yeahhh)
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want you for my own
For my own
Baby
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby"
When the girls came down, their cheeks looked a bit red, but the boys brushed it off as nerves from singing in front of a crowd.
When the winner was announced to be Weiss, no one was surprised, but everyone enjoyed the singing.
After playing games, eating, and just spending time with one another, Teams RWBY and JNPR had their gift exchange. They had done a Secret Santa deal so no one knew who they would receive a gift from (4).
"Alright everyone," Ruby announced to the two teams, "It's time for the Team RWBY and JNPR first annual Secret Santa Gift Exchange to begin."
"Ruby," Weiss reprimanded, "you can't call something an annual event when it's only happened once."
"Come on Ice Queen, let her have her fun," Yang teased.
"Stop calling me that!" the heiress snapped.
"Calm down everyone," Jaune tried to be a peacekeeper, "or we'll never get to open the gifts."
That calmed everyone down pretty quickly. They decided to draw straws to decide the order they would open the gifts.
First to open their gift was Jaune, and his gift was from Yang.
"The newest X-Ray and Vav comic," he said in shock, "Thank you, Yang."
"No prob," the other blonde responded.
Second was Ren, who received his gift from Pyrrha.
"A new cook book," Ren said, as calm as ever, though you could tell he liked his gift, "thank you."
"You're welcome," the Spartan returned.
Next was Blake, who got her gift from Ren.
"The Burning Maze," Blake said, looking over the book that was inside the expertly wrapped box, "I've been meaning to get this, thank you Ren."
"You're welcome," he nodded.
Fourth up was Pyrrha who was receiving her gift from Jaune. She opened it and saw it was a picture of her team, with Jaune and herself on the left, and Ren and Nora on the right.
"Jaune, I…" Pyrrha struggled, "thank you, thank you so much." She hugged her partner.
Jaune wasn't sure how to respond, so he simply said, "You're welcome, Pyrrha."
Next up was Ruby, who got her gift from Nora. The hooded girl hurriedly opened her gift.
She gasped, eyes sparkling. She pulled out a box of sloth shaped cookies.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou," Ruby said quickly.
"You're welcome," Nora responded.
Next up was Weiss, who received her gift from Blake.
"The Lightning Thief," the heiress read off the cover of the book she received.
"I wasn't sure what to get you," Blake admitted, "but I think you'll like the book. It's a very good story."
"Well, thank you," Weiss said.
"You're welcome," Blake responded.
"Yeah, another member of Team RWBY joins the fandom!" Ruby shouted, "Now all that's left is my sister."
"Hey, I told you before Ruby," Yang said, "I'm not interested in books."
"Then why did you read to me so much when we were little?" Ruby shot back.
"That was different," Yang retorted.
Seventh was Yang, receiving her gift from Weiss.
"Oooo, a gift card," Yang said, "what's stores is it for?"
"It will work at any store that sells Schnee products," Weiss responded.
"Neat, thanks," Yang said.
"You are welcome," Weiss responded.
And finally it was Nora's turn to open her present. Hers was from Ruby.
The ginger girl squealed in delight as she pulled out a big sloth plush toy.
"I want it," the real Nora squealed, "it's so cute."
"Well that's the end of this one," Dark said, "are you ready to continue on to the next?"
AN1: This song is "If You JustBelieve" by Josh Groban. It's a beautiful piece and I'd recommend you listen to it if you haven't already.
AN2: This is "Grown Up Christmas List" by David Foster. Again, great song, go give it a listen.
AN3: And finally "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Lindsey Stirling, you know the drill by now.
AN4: I did this with the google Random Number generator. All of the who gave to who are a result of this generator so I didn't pick a single one. The order they open the gifts was also randomized.
Merry (late) Christmas everyone!