Here we go.
Beta: College Fool
Cover Art: Kegi Springfield
Chapter 48
Yang adjusted the black dress on her body and stared at herself in the mirror. As she'd expected the moment she saw it, she looked beautiful. Her curves were there, honed by exercise and hard work, but the dress left them soft and mature, the fabric hugging her sides even as it teased and hinted but showed nothing too scandalous. Her make-up, just a light touch here and there, complimented her perfectly.
Everything was ready… except for her, obviously. If she had been, she'd have already been there and not hiding in her room like the coward she usually wasn't.
"What's gotten into you, girl?" she asked her reflection. "If you saw Ruby doing this you'd drag her to the dance yourself."
Her reflection had no excuses.
She should have been there to see Ruby arrive really, if only so she could capture the happy moment in her memory and also on her scroll, sending it back to Dad later. This would be Ruby's first date and that was an important thing, especially since it was with someone she liked as a friend. Or, well, more than a friend as it were.
That was the real reason she continued to hesitate even after Blake, Ren and Nora had left – all in no particular order. It wasn't that she was nervous about meeting the person who had gifted her so beautiful a dress – she was, but it was a nervousness that had her heart fluttering, not the stomach-churning pain that paralysed her now. It wasn't even that she was worried what people might think of her for going alone, since she didn't really care about that either way. People could think what they wanted about her; she only cared what her friends thought.
No, the real reason was obvious.
She didn't want to see Ruby with the man she liked…
"Loved," Yang whispered, her eyes drifting shut. It felt stupid to lie about it now, especially at the eleventh hour. "Damn it, Yang. When did you go and decide to fall in love with someone?"
The answer was that she hadn't. Hell, she'd been so determined not to that she'd barely realised when she did. Tch, I thought the kinds of guys I liked were people like the Achieve Men, hot singers or athletes. Not bumbling guys who say things without thinking. No matter how sweet those things were, or how honest their every action seemed.
She stared into the mirror.
Her reflection stared back.
"Damn it, Yang…"
It didn't matter. Things didn't always work out and people lived through it every day, her dad a prime example. Jaune and Ruby would be great together and she'd find someone else she could fall in love with – maybe even the guy who'd bought her so beautiful a dress. If I fell in love once then I can do it again.
Besides, she only had to dance for half of the event. Weiss had offered to take the first shift and she'd handle the second, leaving her to mingle for the first hour or so, then work the rest – before she could retire near the end and leave everyone to enjoy themselves. No fuss, no drama and no more broken hearts.
With an exhausted sigh, Yang brushed her hair back from her face and shot her reflection one last look. With a confident nod, she turned and headed for the door. It was time to face the music.
/-/
Weiss' smile as she welcomed people to the dance was, for once, an honest one. Sure, she was working instead of enjoying it, but she couldn't bring herself to feel upset about that in any way. She'd literally managed to avoid all the drama and nonsense surrounding her team. The biggest potential mess of emotions, feelings and complicated heart-to-hearts and she'd come out of it unscathed.
That was nothing short of a miracle.
"Welcome," she said, smiling happily as she ushered another happy couple into the dance. She recognised them vaguely, though only in the sense of two faces she thought she'd seen once or twice. There were no strict rules on who she could or couldn't let in, and since the transfer students had started to arrive, it was complicated anyway.
She did see Emerald and Penny though, the two ironically matching in their green dresses, even if Emerald's was several shades darker than Penny's. "Hello, friend Weiss!" Penny said, smiling happily.
Emerald rolled her eyes and raised a hand in a silent wave.
"Hey there," she returned. "It's good to see you, Penny. You too, Emerald." Weiss pointed with one hand. "There's a buffet inside or you can enjoy the music or-" She was about to say dance but caught Emerald's narrowed eyes and thought better of it. "Or there are other people to talk to," she finished.
"Have you seen my teammate?" Emerald asked. "Tall, silver hair, dopey expression."
"I think he arrived earlier," she said. She hadn't actually noticed anyone who looked particularly dopey, but the silver hair was distinctive enough to remember. "He came alone, I think."
"His date is coming separately."
"Making an entrance?"
Emerald smiled. "Something like that." The green-haired girl sighed a moment later and the smile slipped away entirely. "Speaking of entrances, is there anything you can do about them?" She jerked a thumb behind her, not that Weiss needed it to be pointed out.
It was weird enough having two Atlas soldier sin full uniform and armour following you, after all.
Weiss stared at them.
"Are you… here for the dance?"
"Yes," one said, shoulders stiff.
"And is this…"
"My date," he said. His partner, another man, sighed dramatically but didn't argue.
"They've been following us for the last twenty minutes," Emerald growled.
"Following me," Penny corrected, and she didn't seem troubled by their presence in the slightest. Tellingly, the guards – for what else could they be? – didn't protest her words. Was Penny some kind of VIP or person who required constant protection? Emerald's expression said she'd not known, but also that she didn't appreciate finding out now, either.
"Well… enjoy yourselves," Weiss said, shrugging in apology as the four entered.
What was she supposed to do – tell Atlas Soldiers they couldn't enter? Winter would have her head! Sorry, Emerald, she thought, watching the irritated girl go, entourage in tow. Weiss didn't envy her any, but at least it was just for the one night.
A few more people came and went, some that Weiss recognised and others that she didn't. She greeted each with a smile and some kind words, playing the perfect host as she was expected to. There were a few surprises, of course, one of which was the couple who had just approached.
"Blake?" Weiss asked, surprised. She looked to the girl's partner. "You're with… Ren?"
"Blake needed someone to go with lest Sun find out she lied," Ren, looking handsome in a black suit, said. He was the perfect gentleman, his arm linked with his Blake's. "Since I didn't have a date and she wasn't able to find another, I volunteered."
The explanation was far too clean-cut for her to believe.
"I thought you'd be going with Nora, to be honest."
"I thought she might ask me but she never did," Ren admitted. "I suppose she means what she means when she says we're together but not together-together."
It wasn't. It wasn't in the slightest. Weiss glanced to Blake, who looked equal parts guilty and terrified – and she had every right to, Weiss felt. Nora was going to find out about this. Oh, she was definitely going to find out.
Just another reason for me to be pleased I managed to avoid all this nonsense, Weiss thought. She smiled and waved one arm, consciously ignoring Blake's silent pleas for help. "Welcome to the Beacon dance. I hope you have a wonderful time."
"I'm sure we will," Ren chuckled, leading Blake in. She was very quiet and very stiff. "If Nora arrives can you tell her where we are?"
Blake's eyes were wide as she nervously shook her head. Ren couldn't see but Weiss could, and she could also see the "please no" being mouthed. She felt bad for Blake, she really did, but then she recalled the docks incident, Ruby being taken hostage, and how that was all nominally Blake's fault, and she smiled happily.
"I'll point her straight to you."
"Thanks," Ren said.
Blake's face was ashen as she was led away.
Nearly get one of my team tentacle molested, huh? Think you'll get away with that? Nope. Weiss chuckled to herself as she watched them go.
When she turned back to the next guest, her smile was innocent once more.
"Welcome to the Beacon dan-" Her smile fell. "W-Winter!?"
/-/
Mercury fingered his collar and fought back his irritation. Suits weren't his style, especially when everything was made to measure and there was no room to breathe. He knew he looked good in it, but it was hot and stifling, made even more so because he nervously checked the doors every now and then to see if Cinder had arrived. It was too early for that, though. She was probably waiting for the party to get going before she hit the CCT. Less chance of anyone interfering that way.
So, I've just got to chill here for an hour or so doing nothing at all. Wonderful…
This whole trip to beacon was a load of waiting and no action. The only one who seemed to be doing anything was Cinder. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen any action, but it might have been back when he'd been fighting alongside Jaune's team at the docks. It felt like months, even if it was only weeks. He half-wished he could have joined Cinder in hitting the CCT, but she wasn't about to take risks over something like that.
He sighed and leaned back against a pillar and sipped from his champagne glass. The dance wasn't a bad thing. He didn't have much to compare it to but the music was good and the people dancing looked like they were having fun. He'd frequented the buffet table to have a few snacks but ducked away when it started to get busy. He'd chosen his hiding spot well on the balcony overlooking everything. Most people didn't bother to look up, and even if they did they'd just assume he was either a loner avoiding the festivities or someone waiting for his date to arrive.
"Should have brought a book to read," he groused. Not that he could have, Cinder would have had his head for doing something so stupid. Instead, he distracted himself by looking over the various women on the dance floor, rating them out of ten. Emerald would have had his head but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. Besides, she was stuck with those Atlas soldiers and he was going nowhere near that.
Not bad, Mercury thought, eyes glossing over a blonde girl laughing with some others. At least an eight there. Shame the dress is so innocent. He smirked and let his eyes rove a little further until he saw a familiar face.
His grin was replaced with a scowl.
Velvet was talking to Coco, her head ducked and hear ears drooped. She'd come in a pink and cream dress with a fluttering leg and gloves that reached down to her elbows, her fingers and arms bare. He wouldn't have expected a plunging neckline from her and he didn't get one, the dress screaming conservative even from the balcony above. Hell, she barely flashed an inch of leg, and seemed desperate to hide inside her dress, if not among the shadows that dotted the edges of the ball. Coco had her hands on her hips, and he could imagine her trying to drag her teammate out to the dance floor. Fat lot of good that was doing.
"I guess she came alone after all," he mused. His lips pulled into a frown and he sighed, annoyed, though whether it was at her or someone else he couldn't tell. "Why even show up if you're going to be miserable?"
Coco had probably pressured her into it. Well, it looked like that was going to backfire.
"A rose among roses is often overlooked," a voice spoke behind him. "Are you here alone, Mercury?"
"For now," he replied, hiding his surprise at being snuck up on. He had to bite back an embarrassed flush once he saw who it was, too. How Team CFVY's giant teammate was able to sneak up on him, he didn't know. Cinder would have flambéed him on the spot for such inattentiveness. "What are you doing here?"
"Taking a moment to step away from the dance floor," Yatsuhashi said. "At the time, I could not help but notice you looking down from above. Has someone caught your eye?"
"Nothing like that." He couldn't mention Cinder without inviting the question of where she was. "What did you mean with that line, anyway? Something about roses?"
"That a rose among roses is overlooked," he said. "It is an old saying. Beauty is a constant, but many fail to notice it if it is surrounded by other beautiful things. It is easy to look at a bed of roses and say they are beautiful, but few note the individual roses within, or their beauty."
"Makes sense."
It didn't, but it felt like questioning it would just invite more flowery words.
"I wonder if Velvet felt that way when she looked at Jaune Arc," Yatsuhashi continued. "So enamoured was she of what she felt she loved in him, not his physical attributes but his honour and kindness, that she found herself unable to notice what else she had around her. Until it was too late and she lost that opportunity, too."
"I'm not sure I follow."
"It is all too often that we close ourselves off to such opportunities, never noticing what is truly before our eyes. Sometimes we never notice, and I wonder if that is a kindness compared to those who notice too late, and see their chances at happiness lost forever."
Mercury stared at the man. The words affected him, but probably not in the way the giant wanted. He felt confused, bemused, probably a few other words that sounded similar but meant equally little. He could also feel a headache coming on.
"Has anyone ever told you it's hard to understand what you're saying?"
"Coco tells me this often. I have never understood why."
"I think I do," Mercury grumbled. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the distraction, but if he missed Cinder arriving then he'd be in trouble. "Does this have anything to do with me? If you want to say something, say it simpler."
Yatsuhashi smiled enigmatically. "I believe I have made my point clear, my friend."
No, you really haven't!
"Look." He nodded, and Mercury's eyes were brought back to Coco and Velvet in time to see them part. Coco shouted something and tried to reach out but Velvet pulled away and ducked into the crowd. Coco lost sight, but from their position far above they could see her make her way towards the exit. It looked like she was upset, perhaps even on the verge of tears.
"For fuck's sake," Mercury growled.
Something tugged at his stomach and he took a step in her direction before catching himself. What was he going to do? He couldn't fix this and he had his job. He had to wait for Cinder. Velvet would live. The worst that would happen was she cried a little and felt a little miserable.
"To be surrounded by those who have what you do not is hard," Yatsuhashi sighed. "It is especially hard when you realise too late what it is you truly want."
"Enough riddles," he snapped. "She's your teammate. Shouldn't you be helping her?"
"My assistance would only hurt her more."
Velvet had reached the exit now and pushed through the late entrants, many of which watched her go with surprised expressions. Some were less upset, however, and he noticed a few laugh at her expense. He bit back his anger at them.
Damn it. If she'd just asked Jaune out, this wouldn't have happened.
Hell, if he'd just refused to help her in the first place then at least he wouldn't have to feel shitty about it all.
And why do I feel bad about this, anyway? It's none of my business. It's not my fault!
"There she goes," Yatsuhashi sighed.
I. Don't. Care!
"If only I could be the one to help her," Yatsuhashi continued. "We all have our roles in life, however. Sometimes a branch must bend in the wind, and occasionally the branch must break."
Mercury gripped his hands into fists and scowled at the man beside him.
"Some teammate you are. Aren't you supposed to be there for her?" The irony of him not caring about his own team wasn't lost on him, but that didn't stop his glare, either. "You're her friend. Do something to help her. At least give her a shoulder to cry on, damn it!."
Yatsuhashi didn't seem upset at his anger. The man smiled, tilted his head to the side and spoke.
"A flower blooms but once in its life. When it wilts, new seeds are strewn."
Mercury's patience snapped.
"You're fucking useless!" he yelled, throwing his champagne at the idiot as he turned and sprinted away, off the balcony and down the stairs, pushing people aside. Stupid Velvet, stupid Jaune and fucking stupid him, as well.
Cinder was going to have his ass. He didn't have time for this and he knew it.
"Out of the way," he snarled, pushing one girl aside and causing her to spill food and drink on her date. "Move it," he said to another, squeezing past, his eyes locked on the door that stupid idiot had rushed out of. Someone yelled out and tried to push him back, but Mercury twisted the hand and threw it back into the owner's face. "Get out of the way, idiot. Move. Get lost!"
He broke out of the crowd and dashed for the door.
/-/
She hadn't seen Ruby yet. She wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or not since every time she looked and didn't see her little sister she ran through the full gamut of emotions. Suspicion, annoyance, relief… the latter of which was all the worse for knowing it wouldn't last. Even if Ruby chickened out and wasn't dancing, she'd still be here with her date enjoying the night in other ways. A big part of her just wanted to see them together so she could get it over with. It'd hurt, but not as much as the build-up was hurting right now.
From the corner of one eye she caught a young man staring at her, and he glanced away in embarrassment when their eyes met. Yang smiled back as best she could, even if it wasn't quite all there. Well, there was no denying she looked good. People had been staring ever since she'd slipped in through a side entrance, wanting to avoid Weiss lest it lead to questions about her lack of a date and the inevitable sympathy that would come from it. There was no sign of the guy – or girl – who had bought her the dress, but she kept her eyes open. The most distinctive sign was a flower on her left breast, not an actual rose but rather one mimicked by waves of cloth that stuck out and gave the appearance of one, the same black as her dress. If she saw someone with anything like that, she figured it would be the person – or if someone just approached her and said it was them, really.
I wish whoever it was would hurry up, though. I just want something to focus on that isn't Jaune or Ruby.
Some familiar laughter reached her ears and Yang turned back to the dance floor. She recognised the voice as Ruby, and quickly saw a flash of a red and black dress as her little sister was swept about the floor. All of the nervousness she normally exhibited was gone, leaving a wide smile on her face as she linked hands with her tuxedo-clad partner. Ruby looked free, relaxed, and most all happy.
Yang looked away before she saw any more. Her eyes burned.
"I knew this was a bad idea. I shouldn't be here."
Ruby was here and was enjoying herself, so she'd seen all she had to. Staying any longer would just make her miserable, and increase the chances Ruby or Jaune might see her. The last thing she wanted after putting so much effort into it was for them to forget all about one another in an attempt to try and cheer her up. This was supposed to be their night.
And that meant she'd best retire early…
She'd apologise to Blake and the others later – and maybe to the poor person who'd bought her the dress. It looked like neither of them would be getting what they wanted tonight. With a bitter smile, Yang ducked to the side and away, avoiding the dance floor so that neither Ruby or Jaune would see her. As she heard Ruby laugh again, the tears started to sting at her eyes.
Hold it in, she whispered to herself. At least hold it until you get back to your room. Yang kept her head low as she passed by people, but began to increase her pace towards the exit. Her control was slipping.
She had to get away.
Apparently, someone else felt the same.
"Move!" the voice yelled, as a hand landed on her shoulder and shoved her aside with incredible force. It wouldn't normally have done anything, but she'd been paying no attention to the world around her, and she was hardly at her best on heels. "Get out of the way," the guy pushed on, rushing in the direction of the entrance as Yang's arms wheeled behind her, struggling to catch herself before she fell and really ended the evening on a bum note.
One of her hands, flailing as it was, caught a person – and her apology was muffled into the guy's chest as she crashed into them. Her eyes clamped shut as she struggled to stay upright, planting both hands on his shoulders and getting her feet back under her. She felt the person stumble a little as well, their hands coming up to rest on the small of her back.
"Sorry," she said, aware she might just have face-planted into someone's date.
It was definitely a guy judging from the white shirt and black jacket before her. She didn't mention the hands around her waist since he'd probably just tried to grab onto something when she crashed into him.
"I didn't mean to bump into you," she whispered. Her eyes burned again. Oh Gods, not now. She gently pushed herself off him and turned away. "I was just leaving."
"Already…?"
Yang froze.
"It's just that… well, I thought we could dance," the man continued. "If you want to, I mean. I know you're busy."
It couldn't be.
Yang's heart hammered in her chest, but she didn't dare turn around, if only because it might confirm her wild and stupid imagination for what it was. That was all it could be after all. He was with Ruby. She'd seen him earlier. Her eyes flicked back to the dance floor to make sure and she saw Ruby's red dress easily enough. True to fact, she was dancing with a man in a fancy suit, and still laughing happily.
But the man had red hair…
Red hair, green eyes, and pale skin – Pyrrha Nikos wore a suit that fit her snugly as she smiled and danced with her sister. Yang stared at them, unsure what to think.
How?
Why?
But…
"Yang…?" the voice behind her asked.
Her lip quivered. She bit down on it. He was there when she turned, his ocean-coloured eyes soft and smiling as he watched her, though they became flecked with naked concern when he saw her red eyes and shaky face. In turn, she took his in… took him in. He looked good in his suit, much like he had when he took her to the restaurant in Vale.
"What's wrong?" Jaune asked, taking a step forward. He'd seen her fear and upset and reacted exactly like she'd assumed he would. "Why are you crying?"
"Something in my eye," Yang lied, looking away. Even if he was here, it didn't mean anything other than that he'd seen her, and she was distracting him. She bit her lip and said, "Shouldn't you be with your date?"
Jaune Arc laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. It wasn't an attractive motion by any sense, but she found it endearing nonetheless.
"You should go dance with her," she said, trying to ignore him entirely, and the feelings he brought to the forefront. "I bet she's waiting for you even now. You shouldn't waste your time on someone else and leave her waiting." She forced out a smile and stepped away from him. "Go dance with her."
"I would," he said, "if I had one…"
Yang's feet cemented themselves to the floor.
"No one asked me out," he went on, and while there was a note of emotion there, it seemed more embarrassed than anything. "Not even Cardin did. That's kind of depressing…"
No, that couldn't be right.
"What about Ruby?" she asked.
"Ruby? She didn't ask me." Jaune looked over to the dance floor. "She asked Pyrrha. I think they've come as friends."
Yang's head was spinning.
Nothing made sense, no matter how much she tried to process it. She glanced back to the dance to see Pyrrha and Ruby in each other's arms again, smiling happily but not with any romance to it. They were dancing over-dramatically, having fun and just enjoying one another's presence.
But Ruby had said she'd asked Jaune to the dance!
Or… no… she'd just said she'd asked him… and then confirmed she had a date. Not who it was or that it was him. But… that just didn't make any sense.
Had Ruby chickened out again…?
Or was this something else?
She was so confused she didn't realise he'd come closer until his hands were on her shoulders. She flinched and looked up into his eyes – an instant mistake.
"You look amazing, by the way. Absolutely beautiful."
D-Damn him…
Yang's cheeks flushed and she looked away, feeling like she was fourteen all over again. She both hated and loved that, kind of in the same way she… no, she couldn't say that. She was supposed to be leaving him to Ruby, but… but…
"So, yeah," he said, heedless of her internal struggle. "No one asked me to the dance, so I came on my own. It's nice and all but everyone else has someone to dance with. I was kinda hoping you and I could, as well. If you're free, I mean."
She was, but…
"Why?" she asked.
"Because I want to dance with you… because I thought it… well, I was just hoping you would…"
"Not that," she said, shaking her head and clenching her eyes shut. "Why didn't you ask someone to the dance?"
"Because you said you were busy with organising it."
Her heart lurched. "Not me. I mean someone else."
"Yang…" Jaune's sigh forced her to open her eyes and meet his. He smiled at her. "Who else would I ask?"
Ruby, she felt like saying.
But she didn't.
She stepped into him instead, pushing her face against the fabric of hit shirt and inhaling his scent. It wasn't anything special… at least not by the standards of what she'd seen in romance movies where girls would swoon and sway. He smelled like cologne and whatever he'd eaten off the buffet table.
His hands settled on her back. "Yang…?"
"Just… just give me a moment," she whispered. A moment for what, she didn't know. Her instincts were telling her Ruby had messed it up somehow, and that she should push him back in her direction.
She couldn't. Not again.
"It's too late," Yang said.
"Hm?"
"We're official."
"Officially together?" Jaune sounded confused. "Weren't we that before?"
No. She'd accidentally asked him on a date and he'd done the same in return, and no matter what he'd thought – or how much she'd enjoyed it – it hadn't been official. "We're more official now," she said, poking him in the ribs. "You're mine now."
"I… kinda thought I always was, to be honest."
She felt like calling him an idiot, but maybe… just maybe… he wasn't. Maybe she was the one who had been the idiot and he'd just noticed the truth before she had. Probably so. She certainly felt like it might be the case.
"Then you were right," she decided. She'd decided more than just her words, as well.
If Ruby hadn't been able to do it, then… maybe it was time for Yang to stop throwing her so many chances. She'd stepped back and done her best, and she'd felt miserable for it. If Ruby still hadn't taken advantage…?
Then tough. She wasn't going to sit around idly anymore. Yang's arms wound their way around his neck, hands linking behind his head. He didn't seem to mind, his own touching on the small of her back.
"Dance?" she asked.
"I'd love to, but one question…"
She grinned at him, feeling a little more of her old confidence coming back. Her eyes were still red from the tears she'd already shed, but she couldn't bring herself to wash it away in the bathroom. Someone else might come and steal him away if she did, or maybe she'd wake up and it would all be a dream.
"Does this make me your boyfriend?"
The word made her shiver.
"Yes," she said, dragging him to the dance floor. "Yes, it does."
And for the first time in what felt like weeks, everything made sense.
/-/
Pyrrha felt her `date` relax against her as Yang and Jaune linked bodies and moved onto the dance floor, the blondes smiling happily at one another. The redhead looked down to her own, into silver eyes that didn't shine with hurt like she'd half-expected, but instead with a simple joy of her own.
"That could have been you, you know," she said. "Yang was giving you every chance in the world."
Ruby shrugged one shoulder, and then giggled as Pyrrha held a hand high so that she could spin underneath it, catching the shorter girl back against her. Where Ruby wasn't confident in her heels, Pyrrha adapted, using her athletic grace to balance and push her into position. It wasn't hard, and Ruby was happy to let her lead in their dance.
Pyrrha pressed the question again, however. Unwilling to let her partner get away with silence.
"It could have been me," Ruby finally admitted, "but if it was, then it would be because I let Yang throw away her own chance. That's not right."
"Even if she was willing to?"
"Especially if she was willing to." Ruby smiled again. "I don't want to be the reason why she's unhappy. She's my sister. I love her."
"But don't you love him, too?"
"Maybe." Ruby's cheeks heated a little, "But I love Yang more than Jaune. Besides, this isn't me giving up. This is me just not letting Yang give up. I still like him, but she likes him too. If he decides he wants to like one of us back, then fine. But if I took advantage of this, then I'd forever be wondering if he would have been happier with her." Her smile wavered. "I don't want that… and I don't want Yang to always be asking it, too."
"Ruby…"
"You probably think it's stupid, right?" Ruby laughed. "I'm just being an idiot, I know."
She wasn't, and Pyrrha didn't think she could have ever been prouder of someone. She kicked up the dance, whisking them away from the other two and deeper into the crowd where it would be easier to forget about them. Ruby kept up from enthusiasm and speed alone, giggling and telling her to slow down the whole time.
When she'd walked through the door last night she'd known she had interrupted something; Ruby's chance to ask her crush to the dance. She'd tried to excuse herself, but Ruby latched onto her, and then Jaune had pushed her to go to the dance with Ruby. As friends, of course. She'd been confused but accepted when Ruby begged her to in a pleading voice. She didn't have a date of her own, after all, so what was the harm? She'd even decided to go in a suit just to make a joke of their going together, and if it wasn't too arrogant to say, she thought she cut quite the dashing figure in it. A few girls had certainly thought so, until they'd reached her face and realised just who it really was!
And in a weird way… she was having fun of her own. More fun than she'd really expected herself to, since she'd expected she would be going alone and watching everyone else dance from the side-lines. Ruby was her best friend, and even if there wasn't any romance between them, it was fun to pretend and poke a little fun at how serious everyone else was being.
To that note, Pyrrha swept back and bowed low.
"My lady, would you grant this gentleman another dance?"
"I think that I shall," Ruby said imperiously, flicking her head just like Weiss often would. "Consider yourself lucky, knave. I do not normally grace people with such an honour."
Pyrrha grinned and drew Ruby against her.
"Then I shall treasure this moment, your majesty." The two laughed and continued to dance, while Pyrrha leaned down to whisper in Ruby's ear. "I don't think it's stupid, though. I think Yang's lucky to have a sister like you, just like you're lucky to have her. Just like I am to have you as my partner."
/-/
"Y-You what?" Weiss had to ask.
"I said that I have had time to think back on my actions," Winter replied, "and I will admit that I have not been the most… supportive of sisters. You know I hold only the greatest affection for you, and that if I have seemed controlling, it is only because I expected greatness." Winter, still in her usual uniform, crossed her arms defensively. "But I have been disappointed with myself of late and my behaviour towards you… most noticeably in regard to your…" Her lips twisted unhappily. "Your boyfriend."
Okay, Weiss nodded. She was getting it so far and it was nice to see Winter giving her a little more independence, but it was the bit that had come afterwards that had her filled with horror.
"A-And the other part?"
"So, I wanted to make it up to you," Winter said. "And I've decided that the best way to do it is to alleviate you of your current position." Winter held an arm out to the man dressed in a suit beside her. "This is Jeremy, a professional doorman."
"Good evening, madam," the man said, bowing.
"He will take your position here so that you may enjoy the dance with your partner. Whether I approve or not, you should not have to stand here and be miserable while others enjoy themselves."
Weiss' mouth fell open.
"That's too kind," she said, eyes flicking wildly to the dance in the room. "B-But the headmaster himself has trusted me with this responsibility. I would hate to disappoint him so."
"Worry not. I've already spoken to him and he has agreed wholeheartedly. In his own words, students should see this as a chance to relax and have fun, not work their youth away."
Okay, great, and she could add another name to her list of people she wished she could bankrupt. This can't be happening. My drama-free night. My sanity… I was so close!
"But what about Jeremy?" she asked desperately.
Winter stared at her. "Weiss, he's employed to do this. He is being paid by me."
"I have no complaint, ma'am," he said.
"I could help him, though." Weiss laughed nervously. "It's a hard job. I'm not sure he'll be able to handle it alone."
Winter and her new employee shared a confused look. When Winter turned back, her eyes were narrowed, her lips drawn into a thin line.
"Weiss… is there some reason you would not want to spend time with your boyfriend?"
"What? No!" She laughed. "I love spending time with Jaune. All the time I can. All of it."
Someone help me!
"Then why would you be against this?" Winter smiled. "It's the perfect chance for the two of you to share the night together." She placed a hand on Weiss' shoulder and turned her around, leading her into the ballroom while Jeremy took over her role at the door. "And I can't wait to see the two of you together, either. I'm sure you'll look wonderful."
"Y-Yeah. I can't wait either…"
This couldn't be happening. All her plans. All her escape strategies! Okay, it was fine. All she needed to do was find Jaune – he'd be alone since no one had asked him to the dance – and then she could explain the situation to him. No fuss, no problems and no drama.
Winter's hand gripped her shoulder tightly.
"Ow, Winter. What's the-" Weiss followed her sister's gaze to the dance floor, and more specifically to two people on it. "Oh…"
Oh dear…
There went her hopes of an easy evening. Now she'd best make sure her sister didn't kill her partner and friend, or her if she found out the truth. Weiss looked up to Winter, and winced when she saw the furious expression on her sister's face.
"That girl-" Winter hissed.
"Is my friend," Weiss was quick to say. "Whatever you're thinking, I'm sure it's a misunderstanding."
"It's the same girl who took him out to dinner!"
"And that was a misunderstanding as well."
"The same girl others have said has feelings for him!"
"Misunderstood feelings… and maybe the people who said that are misunderstanding it."
"She's hanging onto his neck!"
"It would be easy to misunderstand that as romance when in context it could easily be for other reasons."
Winter stared at her. "She's wearing the exact same dress as you! A dress which just so happens to match your boyfriend's perfectly."
Weiss winced. Okay, that one wasn't easy to explain. Even she didn't know how that had happened. Still, if it worked for Jaune all the time, then the excuse could work for her. She met her sister's eyes, smiled weakly, and shrugged.
"It's a misunderstanding?"
Funnily enough it didn't seem to work as well for her as it did her partner. Weiss clung to her sister's arm, trying to slow her down as the military woman marched across the dance floor. Such was her strength that she dragged Weiss bodily along behind her, heels scraping across the floor. In panic, Weiss looked for aid - and met the yellow eyes of Blake across the Beacon.
"Help me!" she mouthed.
Blake met her eyes, cocked her head to the side, and then smiled evilly. She raised one hand in a thumb's up and mouthed her response.
Weiss was fairly sure it involved the words `karma` and `bitch` in one way or another.
So, we're at the dance (finally), and obviously I need to stick to some of the initial angles CF and I were (mistakenly) leading to since it would make no sense to stop them now. Let's just say this is far less "broken-hearted" than it would have been with CF's idea, though.
Also, as people probably know by now, I'll be off next week taking a break from writing for a lovely seven full days. Ah, it sounds like so little but is actually so much at this kind of pace. I cannot wait.
Even if I'll likely spend it just planning stories instead of writing them…
Next Chapter: 4th January
P a treon . com (slash) Coeur