(So! Last time was a bit sad, wasn't it? Now for something different in that regard. Also, happy birthday to Rooster Teeth! Even though it's days late and everyone else was on the mind of April Fool's.)
A Night To Remember
Axel's POV, Dance Night
I take a deep breath as I look myself over. Hard to do without a mirror, but I'll manage: suit, check. Teeth brushed, check. Tie, check. Okay...this may turn out awful.
Ehhhhhh don't worry about it, you look good. You'll do fine. Hell! Maybe some other girls'll fawn over you and Yang swoops in to beat the shit out of them!
Well...that does sound like a great thing to see. Thanks for the confidence boost there Fart Gas.
Get the show on the road already! Have some fun kid!
I take a deep breath and breath out slowly, heading toward the open double doors. Looking a bit at the ground and having my hands in my pockets, coming closer to the light and therefore the dance. Which probably just has a few people I don't know at it so far.
"And here I thought I was the one who was gonna be turning heads." A voice chuckles, actually looking to see Yang at the podium, and dear God she looks like an angel. Just a plain white dress but...it fits. Though it covers up more than Yang's usual clothes it still looks good.
Ah, who am I kidding. She's great no matter what.
She tilts her head and gives a cat-like smile, "You gonna stop staring?" She asks sarcastically, "And your tongue's gonna dry up if it doesn't go back in soon."
I shake my head and stick my tongue back in my mouth and shrug, "Not my fault that I'm a bit star-struck by a pretty girl in front of me."
She rolls her eyes, "Well. Mind standing here with me, greeting people coming in?"
"Sure, don't mind a bit." With it I take a position next to Yang and just watch, first person I can actually recognize come in. Neptune wearing his own ballroom best.
"Hey Neptune!" I say with as honest a cheer I can muster, "Enjoy the dance."
"You got it." Neptune replies with a nod as he makes his way toward the ballroom
"So, anyone else we personally know here right now?" I ask Yang, she turns her head and nods.
"Uriah, Lily, Weiss, Oreno and Tulip." She says, "You wanna go say 'Hi' to 'em?"
"Not right now, let's-...well that's interesting." I state, going dryly toward the end of the sentence.
Next up we end up seeing one...make it two stumbling people coming in together.
"I hate these things!"
"These pants are cutting off the circulation to my legs!"
Well. Seems Ruby and Roy are having some good times ahead, Yang just flips a page in the book and beams. "Ooooh! You look beautiful!" Yang gushes as the young Rose carefully walks in, while Roy is pulling around on his belt. Ruby wearing a red dress with black lace, a black belt and pumps.
Roy in the mean while wearing a pin-stripped purple suit and a black belt, that he's trying to loosen up to no effect.
"Can we have a serious talk about how Weiss fights in these?" Ruby groans out, ending up leaning on the podium for balance. Yang laughs and I just shake my head, seeing Roy struggle with his belt still.
"I'm honestly going to kill Coco for this!" He growls as he's still pulling
"Hey, you tightened those yourself. You have only yourself to blame." I tell the angry tinkerer sagely
"Fair point! But if this belt was around my waist any tighter I'd be walking on my hands to here!" He shouts out, finally loosening it leading to a sigh of relief. "JOYOUS FREEDOM!" He cries out.
I sigh and mouth 'Good luck.' to Ruby, who slowly heads after Roy. Next two people coming up are.
"Well look who decided to show up!" I say happily, smiling to see the two Faunus I've come to know quite a bit about come in. Blake wearing a short purple dress, some black mesh and pumps, and her bow. Silas wearing a blue-grey suit, black loafers and a silver tie.
"Well, kinda hard to not do it when you're guilt tripped into it." Silas jokes dryly, I roll my eyes.
"Go find a squirrel or a cat to chase around...Blake doesn't count." I dully state, but give a wide grin. "You'll be chasing her for other reasons."
Blake sighs and nods, "I can't exactly say you're wrong. Nor can I say you're right." She replies SUPER enthusiastically, "Oh, Yang? Mind if we cancel our first dance together?"
"Not at all!"
"Whaaaaaat?" I whine playfully, "Are you and Blake cheating one me and Silas with one another?" I ask still playful
Silas tsks and shakes his head, "Naughty, naughty. Not a good thing to do." Silas drawls
The two girls roll their eyes and the Faunus couple leave, "You know I was joking right?" I ask Yang
"Yeah, and the dance thing was kind of a joke between me and Blake." She replies, writing down two more names.
"Stupid...dumb...neck trap!" The voice of a familiar monkey complains as he heads in with a familiar fox who wraps an arm around his shoulder. Wait...Sun has a closed up jacket! Ahri's just wearing a red gown, BUT DEAR GOD SUN HAS A CLOSED UP JACKET!
"I think you should wear a suit more often." Ahri says smiling, "Don't look half bad."
Sun sighs miserably, Yang writing their names down in the book.
"Ahri, good job on getting Sun to stop acting like a man-whore and show his chest all the time." I congratulate dryly
"Hey!" Said monkey says annoyed
"You're welcome. But, can't really get to see it more up close and personal myself." Ahri laments, the two walking off.
Roy's POV
Seems the dance is more hustling and/or bustling than I thought it would. I mean, it's not a mandatory thing to go to...I was expecting less.
"Told you they'd come." Yang states to an upcoming Weiss
"You owe me half of what your company makes now." Axel says with a leer and leaning in
"We never bet anything." The Ice Queen reminds with a leer of her own causing Axel to frown.
"You're no fun, ya know that?" Axel complains with Weiss rolling her eyes in response.
"Anyways, mission accomplished."
"Sooooo," Ruby starts up, "what do we do now?"
"Just have fun!" Yang happily states, with her and Axel walking off to do so and Weiss going in the opposite direction.
"Does that mean I can change out of these stupid things and into my hood now?!" Ruby shouts out to her sister...no response. She starts to waddle around with me keeping close to make sure she doesn't fall flat on her face. "Stupid lady stilts!" She mutters to herself
"I know right? Belt was going to slice me in half!" I complain a bit miserly
"Not enjoying yourselves?" A sagely voice asks, Ozpin. Me and Ruby step back and look at the headmaster with the girl in lady stilts laughing and shaking her head in response to the question.
"Oh, no, everything's fine! I'm just not much of a fancy pantsy... dancey girl." Ruby admits
"And you?" Ozpin says, I guess he's talking to me. "What do you have to say?"
"Ehhhh...I'd say the same, but I'm not a girl so. Yeah." I explain, he gives a small nod
"Well, you can't spend your whole life on the battlefield, even if you may want to." He states. But I can, it'd be a short life but I could theoretically spend my whole life on a battlefield.
HOW LONG WOULD THAT LAST AGAIN COUSIN?
Not long. Not long at all.
WELL THANKS FOR THE HELP IN THAT REGARD, OH WAIT. SORRY THERE KID. DIDN'T MEAN TO COME IN AT THIS MOMENT.
It's fine. Just...don't watch.
"Yeah, that lesson's been floating around a lot lately." Ruby says in an annoyed tone, crossing her arms.
Ozpin only watches the dancing couples, looking distant and thoughtful. "If you think about it, fighting and dancing aren't so different." He says, "Two partners interlocked, although one wrong move on the ballroom merely leads to a swollen foot."
"Or a twisted ankle." Ruby mutters, looking down to her feet
"Or a fractured knee if it's really bad." I add in, Ruby looks at me in disapproval. "Sorry! I'm just saying!"
Ozpin takes a breath and sighs, "It's not every day that friends are able to come together like this. Time has a way of testing our bonds, but it's nights like these that can help keep them stronger than ever. Nights like these are ones we'll never forget." He says sagely. Words to live by.
Ruby smiles, and looks to thee doors once they open.
"You guys are just in time!" Yang says, Mercury and Emerald coming in. Emerald in green and Mercury in black/orange.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Mercury says
Well, I have an idea right now. I take Ruby's hand to get her attention back to me.
"Soooo, mind if we danced?" I ask her smiling
"I'd uh...I'd rather-"
"Are you worried you'll end up falling?" I ask her, she looks for a moment and nods. "Don't worry a bit. I'll keep you steady and you won't fall. Got it?"
She smiles, "Thank you."
"Not a problem! Now, let's take Yang's words to heart and go have fun!"
Uriah's POV
I get my glass of punch and take a swig our of it, fruity tasting. Over near by being...Lily, in a yellow sundress and holding a glass of punch. Might as well make company with the lady knight. I scoot over to her side. Both of us not looking at one another for
"Hanging out by the punch bowl?" I ask dryly
"Yyyyyyeup." She replies dully, the p making a popping sound.
"No date for me." I tell her a bit sadly, "You?"
"Same problem." She replies
"Well." I say holding my punch glass to the side, "To the alone and the miserable?" I ask grimly. She snorts and we clink glasses, taking a drink.
"So who'd you try to ask?" Lily asks, the both of us actually looking to one another.
"...Weiss." I tell her quietly, she pats my back in sympathy.
"Sorry things didn't go too well then...you alright?"
"I'm alright. I can...kinda see why she went for Neptune. Coming here with him and all."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I can see why some would find him cool. He pulls off blue hair I'll give him that, and for me? I just have the dumb green streak in my hair that-"
"Nononononono." She interrupts, in response I just take a drink of my punch. "Weiss came to the dance by herself." She says, I nearly spit out the drink but choke it down.
"She what?" I ask in shock, Lily grabs my face and turns it to. Weiss. Standing by herself, trying to get life out of a wilting white rose...she fails, and she looks down saddened.
"From what Rubes told me, Weiss was too busy to focus on boys."
Poor Weiss, there's laughing and I turn my attention. The four Faunus of Silas, Blake, Sun and Ahri are there with Neptune...who's making funny faces. I need to get some fresh air and think about this.
"Hold my punch." I tell Lily, handing off my drink to her as I make my leave. Heading outside onto the balcony, leaning over the railing and taking a deep breath.
Mind if I sssshare sssssomething?
Yeah Yig?
Well. It's ssssssome advicsssse that I have: you need try and not be sssssstoic and control your emotionsssssss.
Kinda the opposite of what's typically told for advice. Color me curious, why tell me this?
I've been among mankind, indirectly or not for a long time. So I've come to see many kinds of people. For your Uriah, I have to say that you shouldn't be trying to limit emotion. Because for someone like you? It'd be a shame to see you be someone who you're not.
You...you didn't hiss a single time.
Well, think of it as a formality for me to hissssss. Keep in touch with my children...I hardly ever see them anymore.
I frown and shake my head, weird that I'm having pity for a nearly all powerful snake-god-thing right now. There must've been a time where he actually was the biggest asshole that you could find that didn't understand humans, he does now."
"Hey." A voice says, "Uriah right?"
I tighten my grip on the railing hearing it. Neptune. I turn around and look at him, "That's my name. Don't use it too much." I tell him dully, he gives a nod.
"This party's pretty lame, huh? I mean, ballroom dancing. Pfft." He says dryly, I will admit he's right on one account. I give nod.
"That it is." I say with a shrug
"Cute girls, though, huh?" He says gesturing back, okay I was planning on being nice. But that there is just sick to me.
"You think only about that?" I ask sharply, his expression changing to surprise and raising his palms to wait level.
"Huh?"
"You're a very strange sociopath." I say walking toward him, "Do you even give any shits about the girls you hit on? How they feel?" I ask coldly coming face to face with him. He throws up his arms in defense.
"Whoa there man!" He says uncomfortably, "Where's this coming from?" He asks, this guy is fool. This guy is a fool and an asshole with little to no sense of guilt.
"How could you just turn her down?!" I shout at him angrily
"Wait. H-who?" He asks
"You know damn well who I'm talking about! Weiss!" I snap at him
"I, uh... it, uh... it just didn't work out, you know?" He says nervously with an innocent smile on his face. Though his eyes are telling that he's afraid.
"Ohhhhhh, I see." I drawl, chuckling in realization. "Too many options, right? She wasn't good enough for you?" I ask in sharp accusation. "You got asked to the dance by Weiss Schnee. What've you been smoking that gave you the faintest idea that you shoul-"
"I can't dance!" He shouts out, looking to the ground in shame...and I think something just snapped inside of me. However, I just put on a fake and friendly smile and tilt my head.
"I'm sorry." I say in a voice with little to no emotion. "Could...C-Could you repeat that for me? Because I think I just heard the worst excuse in the entire world."
"I can't dance man!" He says again, oh my God. He's actually telling the truth.
"You would rather break a girl's heart and go to a dance by yourself than tell everyone that can't move to the rhythm of sound?" I ask him, my voice seething with cold and dead fury.
"That about sums it up, yeah." He admits
"I just have three questions to ask." I state flatly
"Y-yeah?..."
I grab him by his collar and lift him up, the strength for it coming from absolute hatred. "ARE YOU INSANE?! STUPID?! OR ARE YOU JUST EVIL?!" I roar at him, he starts to stutter but I shut him up by shaking him. "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE THE STUPIDEST PIECE OF SHIT I HAVE EVER MET IN MY LIFE! AND I'VE MET A LOT OF DUMB BASTARDS! YOU TURNED DOWN A GIRL WHO ANY GUY WOULD GIVE THEIR SOUL FOR BECAUSE YOU CAN'T FUCKING DANCE?! FUCK. YOU."
I take a deep breath, "YOU MAKE THE MOST DERANGED OF PSYCHOPATHS SAINTS IN COMPARISON! WEISS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, INTELLIGENT, AND CLASSY LADIES I HAVE EVER MET IN MY LIFE! I LOVE HER! AND YOU HAD THE GALL TO TURN HER DOWN AFTER SHE ASKS YOU OUT?! YOU ARE A PUTRID! WORTHLESS! DESPICABLE! FUCKING C-"
"Ahem."
I freeze in my tracks, looking past Neptune...there stands Weiss. Oh shit there's Weiss. I drop Neptune and put my hands behind my back, "It's uh...not what you really think." I say embarrassed.
"Oh really, care to explain?" She asks tilting her head
"Look, um...give me and Neptune a few more minutes. And I'll get to you." I say, "Please?"
"You have five minutes." She states before walking out, whew lad. I'm fucked.
"So...do you like Weiss?" I ask
"Yeah, I mean I don't know her too well, but she seems pretty cool." He says, pausing. My heart sinks down into the pit of my stomach, "But...if you want her, I won't get in your way." He says
I look at him in dumb shock, "No lying?"
He gives an honest smile and nods, "No lying...well." He says starting to walk back, "I better-"
"Wait a minute." I say to stop him, "You need someone too. Try meeting with a girl named Lily, in the yellow sundress. She's not that bad."
"Well...I could try the Neptune Charm an-"
"Shut up." I cut him off, "Just talk to her, alright? No acting cool, no suave moves, no pick up lines or cheesy puns. Just be yourself. It's the way to go I think."
"Yeah but then-"
"Look. You don't have to be cool all the time. It'd probably be a favor if you acted less cool. I know I'd appreciate it if you did." I tell him
"Yeah...okay."
"Good. Now go talk with her, make her night." I tell him, he smiles and comes toward me
"Thanks. You're a really cool guy there Uriah." He says holding out a fist
I roll my eyes, "Kissass." I say playfully, bumping fists with him
"Alright. I'll get Weiss for you." He says jogging back, too quick for me to say something. I'm so dead. My obituary will say: Uriah Greene, killed by pissed off Schnee. Speaking of she's back.
"Start explaining happened." She says sharply, I gulp.
"Welllll...I wanted to ask you out to the dance. And I got slightly peeved from hearing the reason why he didn't come with you." I admit in a guilty tone
"So...jealously?" She asks
"When you put it like that. Yeah."
"Did you mean it?"
"Huh?"
"Did you mean what you were saying to Neptune...about me?" She asks
"Errr..." I end up pausing, looking behind Weiss there's...the bouquet I got for her. What? Weiss looks behind and picks up the flowers, and pulls out. OH DEAR GOD IT'S THE LETTER.
"Dear Weiss." She says aloud, "I'll admit at first I didn't exactly take a liking to you. I hated you and you hated me, but I eventually came to see you as someone I can trust, rely on, a friend. But it eventually became more than that. While I wouldn't admit it...I've fallen for you. Your name has nothing to do with what I feel for you. I hope you understand, and feel the same about me..." She pauses, "Uriah." She looks at me in astonishment
"You...actually do mean it." She says, a few tears streaming her face. Happy ones. She's smiling and walks up to me to give a hug. "Well...I love you too."
My heartbeat picks up the pace, and I hug her back. "So. Do you wanna go down and dance?" I ask her, she pulls back and gives a kiss. Her lips soft and warm.
"I wouldn't mind a bit."
Ash's POV
Well I arrived a bit later than I thought I would, but I'm feeling pretty lucky right now. People too busy dancing to notice me slip in, now for me to find the little shit who lied to me. Looking around there doesn't seem to be any sign of him on this floor, looking up and- bingo. There he is with two girls, one blonde one redish black haired.
I activate my Semblance and float up over to him, and quickly get inside of him. Too quick for the two girls to notice anything. Good, good. Now to meet up with dear Cinder. I try to leave but a hand grabs me.
"Where're you going Axel?" The black haired one asks, cutesy voice on this one. I smile at her and give a cough.
"Well." I say my voice sounding like my meat puppet's, "I'm just gonna head back to the dorm. Dance has me tired out. Bye!" I say quickly walking off and outside. I groan and make my way as quick as possible to the CCT tower. Takes a few minutes, but I'm there. Cinder in a black domino mask and cat burglar worthy outfit.
"Took you long enough." She says
"Hey, gotta be patient sometimes." I tell her, she hands an earbud and I put it into my ear. "You work on the virus and open doors. I'll handle the guards." I state, she gives a nod and opens the door.
The two of us walk in and a guards look, one of them holding out a hand to stop. "Excuse me, no one's allowed in this area." He says, I roll my eyes and reach toward my chest. Pulling out my favorite weapon in the whole world: Erebus Furor. The black and violet whip-like weapon looking a mix between fire, lightning and shadow. Nyarly has some nice toys for his helpers. Able to switch between just hurting or flat out killing. Nifty toy really.
I keep approaching and smile. "Stop!" He shouts
I flick the whip and it lets out a sound like a wail, with it wrapping around his throat. I pull on it leading the guard to get more ahead in life since it's off his shoulders now. Another approaches but Erebus Furor morphs into a spear which I stab through his gut, pull out and then stab five times in the chest.
Two more come in rushing with batons, which I leave to Cinder who only trounces them with two flash-forged black blades. I finish her job by shooting holes into their chests with their dead friend's gun. Blood splashing me right in the face, it may be messy, but it's fun. And gives Nyarly a show, which means more nice stuff from him too me.
Me and my sister head in front of the elevator and stand there, waiting. "Have any gum?"
She shakes her head.
"Damn."
The door opens up to show two more guards, wonderful! The two look a bit apprehensive, but do nothing as me and Cinder walk inside. Pushing a button to the top floor the elevator door closes, I smile at the two and Erebus Furor changes to a sword. A wicked looking thing with saw-teeth and two hooks near the tip of the blade. "This might sting a bit." I tell them before slicing them at the stomach.
Cinder grabs the Scroll off of one them and her face lights up, "Oh! That's handy." She states as the elevator door opens up, the two of us stepping out.
"I'll keep watch." I tell her, she heads over to the control console. Getting to work on planting a little gift in.
"A party guest is leaving." Streetrat's voice buzzes in
My sister sighs, "Which one?"
"Ironwood."
"I guess the general's had enough fun for one night." Patri speaks, "Should we intervene?"
"No...we're done here." My sister says, the two of us head toward the elevator. But the door opens up, making a quick dive to hide.
"Hello?" The cutesy girl, she stumbles in her heels. She's carrying a scythe...well isn't that cute that little girls think they can fight. "Is anyone there? Hello?"
I shrug and step out, smiling. The girl's eyes widen
"Axel? What're you doing here?" She asks, confused. I shrug.
"He's not here right now. Wanna take a message?" I ask not changing my voice, she looks a bit shocked but she quickly turns angry.
"What've you done to him?" She asks, readying herself. I laugh and shake my head.
"Poor, sweet girl. I need to make sure this goes off without a hitch." I tell her as Erebus Furor goes back to a whip, time to hurt. "Mind if I get you to leave?" I ask, and I lash the whip across her face. Leading to a satisfying, thunderous crack and a pained scream. Ohhh screams, the sound worthy of angels. No injury to her though.
I grin and keep whipping her, with the girl still screaming in a symphony of agony. But the elevator door opens up to show the General Ironwood causing me to stop. The girl writhing around on the floor, and the General looking furious.
"Well! As much as I'd love to keep a humorless bastard like you entertained! I gotta go!" I say happily, striking him and making my escape.
Now. One last thing for the night.
Axel's POV, Some Time Later
I slowly wake up, everything sore and aching. I try and stretch but I'm stopped. I look around and see I'm in a rusty old room, and I'm bound to a metal folding chair.
"Well! Look who's finally awake!" Someone says joyfully, I look and see...the guy from the clothing store. His eyes only bright amber instead of blood red, and his hair ash white instead of sandy blonde. "So, I decided to stop dying my hair and took out the contacts. How do I look?" He asks
I give no answer. He chuckles and sighs.
"Now, first time being here. I should tell you." He says, a sinister smile creeping up on his face.
"Welcome. To as close to hell you can get in the real world."
(Alright, much shorter than the last chapter. And got it done much quicker. Next time on ASUR: Villains, doing villainous things.)