"The dance! This weekend! You wanna go, or what?"
Ruben rested his head in his arms, watching Pyrrha slam her shield into Cardin's chest. Before spinning around and jabbering her spear into Dove's shoulder. Hearing them groan in agony was music to his ears. Witnessing justice being distributed was wonderful, to say the least.
They were sparring today, which Ruben was forbidden to participate in. Possibly because Glynda Goodwitch was the one who was actually setting up the matches and the examining the students.
She would have set Ruben up against maybe a sandbag full of feathers or a pillow filled with smaller pillows.
"So! So! So!" Yin said, tapping his fingers on the table top. Yin was giggling like some anime schoolgirl as his lips curled into a goofy smile. He glanced over at Blair, who was reading yet another novel.
This time around, it was following the story of a man who was- "About the dance-"
Blair was pulled momentarily out of his story, the man's quest to find a sense of meaning in his life cut short by the jibber jabber of Yin going on and on about suits, ties, and 'wicked' dance moves.
Ruben groaned, rolling his eyes as Pyrrha slammed her heel into Dove's cheek with a quick spin. Ruben squinted his eyes, seeing the sweat dropping off Cardin's brow in droves. He let out a vicious roar as he charged, swinging his mace over his head as he-
"I'm thinking Pyrrha." Winter smirked, watching Pyrrha twirl her weapon in her hands. Deflecting Cardin's swing and shoving his aside. He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest as he let out a satisfied 'Ahhh.' He glanced over at Yin. "I call dibs."
"It's fine. The dance will have plenty of ladies!" Yin stated, rocking his shoulders from side to side as he made club noises.
Enx. Enx. Enx. Enx. Enx. Enx.
Then he started pumping his fist into the air as he swerved his hips.
Ruben was tempted to start pounding his head into the desk.
The dance. The dance. The dance.
Nobody would shut up about the dance.
Not Yin, not Winter. Not nobody. Except for Blair. Who's love life is as romantic and lovely as the books he clings to on a daily basis. Despite what the contents are.
The point is, he loves books more than he loves people.
Yin and Winter kept going on about how magical it is. Or will be. About the decorations and the food and the atmosphere. About how amazing the whole event will be.
How romantic it will be. Or will be. About how the moments will be remembered for a life time. How they could find true love.
They, as in Winter, Blair, and Ruben.
At least. that's what Yin thinks will happen.
It seemed the only ones not interested were Blair and Ruben, himself. Everyone else was smitten.
Winter wouldn't stop fawning over Pyrrha's combat skills and beauty, constantly worshipping the ground she walked on as she mopped the floor with her competitors. She was clever, she was nice. She was sincere, she was tough. Everything Winter wanted.
Yin was busy trying to set up dates for Ruben and Blair to worry about himself. As if he would worry about not having a date to the dance.
Back to playing MatchMaker, however.
Yin tried to set up Blair with Nora.
Yes. That is correct.
When he tired to tell Nora about the idea, Nora responded by slamming Yin into a bookcase with a megaton kick. All the way from the cafeteria. It was an intense kick.
Yin tried to set up Ruben with the girl Coco from Velvet's team. Ruben rejected without question. Not that she was interested in the first place.
She was tough, brooding, strong silent type who spoke with her actions rather her words.
Ruben was...Um...yeah.
When asked why he rejected, Ruben gave the best response he could.
Bleh.
Ruben wasn't excited for the dance. Nor was he ever excited to begin with.
Last dance he went to ended with his date leaving him for the boy she had feelings for previously and Ruben getting into a fist fight with the kid and his three friends.
It was over as soon as Yin bodyslammed one and Ruben finished pummeling another.
It wasn't a pleasant conversation with the teacher, and definitely not a fun car ride home.
Third grade for Ruben wasn't really fun at that time.
Besides that, there was another reason Ruben wasn't looking forward to the dance. Another example that Yin and Winter should have picked up on.
Ruben had better things to do. As did Blair, Winter, and Yin.
Simple as that.
With Glynda literally breathing down his neck, his second scythe slowly returning to full form and his studying going relatively smoothly. Atop of being on constant look out for Roman, any and all White Fang activity, and the search for the mystery girl Yin was told to find.
Winter had to deal with his family's business, Courtney from Corporate, dealing with class and what the White Fang are doing with his family's Dust supplies. That they are stealing.
Blair was dealing with the White Fang laying down with Roman for some reason or another. Then there was all his brooding problems that he has yet to tell Ruben about.
Then there was Yin. Yin was dealing with his classes, his constant property damage bill, then the mystery girl who's only know as 'N'. By the people who hired him.
Oh, and Velvet was constantly on Ruben's mind. He couldn't forget that.
It's gotten so bad, they seem to have developed a sort of system with each other. Whenever they can, however they could.
He would wake up an hour early and go to breakfast just to see her. They would casually sit at the same table and converse.
Velvet would walk with him to Peach's class. They would message each other at radical hours throughout the day. Discussing whatever came to mind.
Then there was the late night sessions on the scrolls. Their last conversation ended at four in the morning just a few nights ago.
From music to hobbies, to books and movies. Talking about classes and students. Velvet talked about her team and Ruben talked about his.
They talked about whatever they wanted, however they wanted to say it.
So, yes, Ruben did like spending time with Velvet.
Like, spending alot of the time.
Luckily, his last little trip to get 'Scythe supplies' ended with him and Velvet actually walking around and enjoying the festival. Just like he asked her to. Just like he wanted to.
He glanced over at her, as she quietly watched Pyrrha whip the floor with Cardin and his croons. Her little smile growing as she saw Cardin get tossed around over and over again...
"So..." Ruben rubbed his hands together as he stood in front of the shop. It was a chocolate shop, a little ways off the main streets of Vale. The swirls of pink and brown across the stained glass was mesmerizing. The mustached man behind the glass pulling and tugging on a vanilla flavored rope of taffy.
It made him crave a bit of some sort of treat. Maybe the very same taffy as he was watching getting tugged and pulled. He needed something sweet to deal with the situation at the metal working shop.
He spent the last few hours trying to explain to the man he needed a specific kind of metal. The man didn't seem to understand what Ruben was saying or what he was asking for.
He needed grade A steel. Not anything that could be broken under an ample amount of pressure. He needed his metal.
The very same that made the steel of his blades and the iron build of his entire weapon. Valen steel was much weaker than what he was accustomed to, and he needed the strongest metal he could to replace what's been lost. Valen steel, while strong in it's own right, would buckle under the pressure he would provide.
There wasn't any simple replacing. He needed mail order straight from Qrow. Hopefully he would oblige and send Ruben what he needed.
Velvet was a different story.
She was tasked to go out and buy her team a box of chocolates and various other delicious goods. Getting the shortest straw that day. She needed to study for her History class and work out the schedule for their week.
Not that she was complaining after all was said and done. The schedule boiled down to who was where, doing what. She had walked down the lonely street, before catching a glimpse of Ruben walking out of the local metal working shop.
The street lights were on as the cold night began to set in. She saw Ruben pull up the collar of his jacket before burying his hands into his pockets.
Nothing on his person when he left the store.
She sighed, recalling the trouble Ruben has been having with rebuilding his weapon. The countless hours he spent complaining to her about the situation.
That's when he saw her. They must've both froze as they didn't know how to initially react. Velvet wanted to sink into the floor and Ruben wanted to bolt down the nearby alley. She turned towards the chocolate shop and began her window shopping. Hoping he didn't really notice her.
Ruben walked up beside her to see her, and noticed she was simply staring at the shop's front window. As if trying to forget she saw him in the first place.
Ruben tugged on the sleeves of his jacket, making sure they weren't riding up on his arms as he glanced over at Velvet.
She wore her large brown waistcoat, with the sleeves long enough to completely cover her hands and hide her figure. She looked as though she was a solid mass under the coat.
She tugged down on the flat cap she wore. Her ears laying flat underneath as her hands were pushed into the warmth of her coat pockets. She stared into the glass, raising her shoulders as she dipped her head.
The brim of her hat obscured sight to her eyes and the collar to her coat covered her lips and partially her nose. She was a mound of warmth and embarrassment.
It was cute.
Rubens smiled as he turned his body towards her. His hands retracting to his pockets as he motioned his head down the street. "Would you like to walk around?"
Velvet stood there for what seemed to be an eternity, staring into the sidewalk before her.
She felt her heart throbbing under her jacket. She felt her arms pull closer to her body, trying to make herself small enough for Ruben to not notice her. She felt her arms shake under the coat, her palms sweat at the thought of what was happening.
She would be on a date with a boy. Like...a real date. Just talking and walking on this wonderful Autumn evening. Walking under dim street lamps and enjoying the festival around them.
Ruben stood beside her, before watching her scurry off. He followed her, keeping up with her slow pace as she glanced up at the stores they passed. Seeing their reflection. Her leading while Ruben followed slowly behind. She blushed at the thought of what people thought when they saw them walking beside each other.
"Look at them."
"Are they dating?"
"They looks so cute together."
"So," Ruben looked at the hat, before resting his sights on her blushing cheek hidden beneath the curtain of hair and her pulled up collar. It's rosy red slowly burning away at her. Warming her up underneath under her layers of clothing. "Why the hat?"
"I-I-I i don't want to cause any problems." Velvet explained, recalling the humiliation in the cafeteria a semester ago. The ear tugging and being called an 'It.' She patted down her ears as she adjusted her hat. As if trying to pat them back into her skull. Make them disappear.
"You aren't causing any problems, Vee." Ruben mumbled, stopping beside her. She turned to him, see his eyes soften greatly and his shoulders slump. He grasped her shoulder, feeling her shudder under his touch. He curled his fingers against her shoulder, staring into her eyes as he smiled softly. "You're perfectly fine."
Velvet looked at his hand, feeling how gentle he was holding her now. As if she would shatter if he squeezed too hard. She pivoted slightly into his grip, shutting her eyes slightly as he curled his fingers against her shoulder blade.
She felt her body heat up immensely, her legs go jello-y and her head feeling light.
"Thanks." She said, averting her eyes as she felt her cheeks heat up and knees shake. Ruben smirked, glancing across the street and seeing a game set up for the festival. Then the rattling sound of beads.
He chuckled, his eyes lighting up as he turned towards Velvet.
"Come on!" He grasped her hand as he pulled her towards the stand. She felt shocks throughout her body. She was holding his hand. His strong, course, and powerful was holding hers. He was tugging her along, gently as he chuckling to himself.
The man adjusted his apron as Ruben approached. He had a wonderful day so far, making a little over several hundred in the last few hours.
People loved shooting galleries here.
The man smirked as he pulled down on the lever beside him. The rusted over gears cranked and the music slowly winded into a steady rhythm.
"Welcome, sir and madame! Would you like to see if you're a crackshot?!" The man hollered, the white wolves heads bobbing up and down before the sandbags. Ruben glanced up at the prizes, seeing a big fluffy bunny as the main prize. Beside a big brown bear and a slender fox.
He glanced over at Velvet, who's eyes were locked with the rabbit the moment the man started speaking. She lowered her head, as if ashamed to want to have that rabbit. To hold it. To cuddle with it.
It's snow white fabric with beady black eyes and a very cute embroidered smile.
Yes. Ruben smirked as he stared at the rabbit. It would be hers.
He put down several lin before picking up the air rifle. The old Wayne lever action BB gun. He had one just like it when he was a child. The soda cans and glass bottles were no match when he had this classic in his hands.
He aimed down the sights as he passed it over the wolves. The crudely painted white wolves were chipped and worn from wear and tear. With the same looking pose as the White Fang's mascot. Obviously no relation, however.
Ruben rolled his eyes.
"Pick off each of the wolves?" Ruben asked, cocking the weapon as the man nodded. The man glanced over Ruben, pegging him for the sort of man who punched out his problems rather than shoot at them.
Easy money today.
Again.
"Yup. Get them all eight with eight shots, get the-"
Psst. Psst. Psst. Psst. Psst. Psst. Psst. Psst.
Without much effort, all eight wolves were shot down. Ruben blew the imaginary smoke away from the barrel, flashing a smirk at Velvet before he laid the weapon on the counter top. He glanced up towards the man. Needless to say, the man's jaw was on the floor.
"The rabbit, if you don't mind."
Ruben took the rabbit out of the man's hands and handed it to Velvet. Ruben's heart throbbed when he saw the way they lit up. With a strong sense of excitement and pleasure.
She had to restrain herself to not get overly excited as she quickly pulled the rabbit into a quick hug. The floppy ears hanging off of her arms as she swayed it back and forth.
Velvet didn't let it go, hugging it close to her chest the entire time as they walked down the street.
The silence irritated Ruben slightly, wanting her to take action and take a step forward. To start a conversation. Instead of him leading her and talking to her.
But he liked that she was so shy and timid. That she was cautious and caring to that extent. That she really simply enjoyed his company. Regardless of the actual conversation and time spent.
Ruben smiled, glancing down at her arm. He reached over and laid a hand on her arm, as if to let her know that he was there. That he was still with her.
She jumped, turning towards him. Her rabbit was pulled tight against her chest as she began to quiver slightly. Her lips moving slightly. Ruben could barely make out what they were saying. It was as if she was counting.
She stopped moving her lips, rubbing her heels together as she glanced up at him.
"C-C-Coco told me about Yin. A-A-And what he said to her." She started only to bite her lip to repress a sigh. "A-A-Are you thi-"
"Of course not." Ruben stated, not wanting her to worry. Coco seemed nice. Even a little pretty. But no. He wasn't interested. "I wouldn't even think about going with her. I didn't even want to go to the stupid thing in the first place."
Her big, gorgeous, watery brown eyes met with his silver. Her cheeks burning hot as she let out a soft squee. It was an ecstatic squee. It was happy. Gleeful.
Ruben raised a brow, wondering what was wrong with her. Without any sort of warning, she pulled her arms away from the stuffed rabbit and gave Ruben a very quick hug.
She stood on the tips of her toes, her arms struggling to wrap around his thick arms and broad back. She felt her fingertips brush the fluff of the stuffed rabbit.
She felt her cheek against his chest, feeling how hard and strong he was beneath that shirt. Feel his heart racing underneath the fabric and the muscle. She felt him tense for a moment, before calming down simply by her touch.
She then let go and ran off, leaving him bewildered and confused on the sidewalk.
He glanced down at his notebook, opening it as he saw a little folded note initialed V. Ruben chuckled softly as he thought of how cute it was that she wrote him a note.
How did Velvet get a hold of his notebook?
He couldn't stop his laughter when he thought of her, sneaking around until he wasn't looking and slipping him the note. Like a secret agent, or a ninja.
His lips curled to a smirk, opening the note and making sure to not let Yin see it. Pulling up the cover of his book to hide it from the rest of his group.
I had fun. Thank you.
Short, sweet, and to the point. Ruben glanced over at Velvet, who was smiling at him before the final bell rung.
Blair exited the building, his arm wrapped around his notebooks and his personal book. He adjusted his scarf as he turned the corner. Trying to hide the bags under his eyes.
It had been a long day. Nora wouldn't even glance in his general direction. Ren wouldn't stops staring daggers at him. Roman's unknown whereabouts infuriated him. If that bullet was only a few inches more to the right-
"What is wrong with you?" Blair stopped, hearing the voice of someone who was hurt. Someone who was disgusted.
He glanced over his shoulder, squinting his eyes at the sight of a certain monkey.
Sun leaned against the wall outside of his class, staring into the sidewalk before him. Too sickened to even look at Blair. He of course, was obviously talking about the incident involving Roman. And those shots. Then the rampaging through the streets.
Blair groaned, turning on his heel and facing Sun. He rubbed the bridge of his nose as he let out an exhausted sigh. Last night was spent trying to connect Roman to the Fang. Why there was a relationship. What benefits Roman and the Fang for lying down together.
"Listen. I did what was-"
"People could have been hurt." Sun argued, taking a step forward and pressing a finger against his chest. Regardless of how big and strong Blair was, Sun could run and dance circles around him.
Trip him up with his tail, keep him at a distance with his staff, then blast him away with his shottys. It would be easy.
Sun thought he should discuss how people could have been hurt. He could and would have started naming off the possible casualties.
"Compared to the countless who would have-"
"No!" Sun shouted, barring his teeth as he curled his free hand into a fist. That's when he thought of the people who were harmed.
The newly recruited White Fangs. The innocent and scared Faunus that Blair swore to protect.
The people on the bridge, in their cars. Driving their friends, parents, children home that night.
Blair glanced at the finger, half a mind to snap it in half and be done with it. As he rolled his shoulders back, he saw Sun let out a growl. That's Sun opened his mouth again. "Who do you thin-"
"I think I am the kind of Faunus who knows that the a single bullet can change everything." Blair growled out, flexing his arms as his cheeks paled. He slapped Sun's hand away, straightening his posture as he stared into Sun's eyes. "I will not be spoken to like that by a boy who knows nothing. Knows nothing! Of real pain! Of real war! Because that was it!"
"You are sick, Blair." Sun shook his head, shaking his head in disappointment. It appears that The White Fang in Blair still was strong. That sense of 'Ends justify the Means' still was coursing though his veins.
Sun rammed his shoulder into Blair's as he left, absolutely disgusted. Sun glanced over his shoulder, waving him off with a finger gun salute.
"See you around, Beast."
The added bitterness in his voice was salt in the wound, leaving Blair disgruntled and fiery.
"The dance!" Yin shouted, bouncing from one bed to another in single strides, his voice echoing down the hall. Blair pressed his hand against the door, not feeling up to Yin's shenanigans tonight. All he wanted was some down time.
To not worry about Roman or the Fang.
Simply read a chapter of his book then hitting the sheets for some well deserved rest. Maybe even some warm milk.
A single chapter? Yes. Blair felt that tired. He would usually read his typical five, but he was beat.
"So! Date time!" Yin jumped onto the floor, tossing his shirt aside as he kicked up a can of deodorant. He gave it a quick shake as he sprayed himself all over. First his broad, strong chest, then under his impressive triceps and arms. "Winter?"
"Pyrrha." Winter responded, fixing his cap in the mirror before winking to himself. Then proceeded to fixing his tie. It was loose and pulling out under the vest. "I'll think of something cute to actually ask her. I'm going to the library to see if I can call Courtney. Have her give me some ideas."
"Puppy with a gift card always works! Thoughtful and cute! B plus!" Yin stated, spraying the deodorant between his toes now. Laying on Blair's bed to do so. The clouds of Black Panther began to fill the room like a dense fog. "Ruben?!"
"Not going." Ruben responded, laying on his bed. He laid in his tank top and sweats, ready to call it a night and go to sleep. His arms folded beneath him as he stared into the ceiling. Or at least try to.
The clouds were so thick, he was sure he could eat the deodorant at this point. Every breath of air smelt like that puma stuff.
He let out a yawn, hearing his bones crack and pop. He let out a groan as he rotated himself in his spot. "If I am, I'll just meet some girl there."
"Lone wolf's going stag! Hype!" Yin sprung himself onto his feet as he rotated his neck around. Feeling his spine tingle as he bouncing onto the tips of his toes.
Shaking his wrists loose and humming to himself. Rocking side to side as he got into a boxing stance. His bracelets jingling with every jab and straight punch. "I got a nice lady friend in mind for myself. All that's left is Blair."
"I won't be going." Blair murmured, walking into the densely clouded room without much surprise. He tossed his books at the foot of his bed and threw himself down. Since he couldn't read, he would just pass out.
"I'll take out the won't and simply think you meant to say, 'I be going.'" Yin stated, before hopping over to his bed and sitting down. He sat cross legged and rested his hands on his knees. "Ok! So, Ruben's stag. Winter's Pyrrha. Mine's a surprise and I'll be looking for Blair's date!"
"I don't even want to-"
"Goodnight!"
The lights were off and soon enough, everyone went to sleep.
Yin was snoring away as he casually thrashed around in his bed.
Ruben was curled up against the corner so he wouldn't accidentally roll off the side.
Blair didn't budge an inch since the moment he hit the mattress.
Everyone was passed out and ready for tomorrow.
Except for Winter, who spent thirty minutes trying to get rid of the smell.
He could have sworn it was like he bathed in Yin's horrible deodorant.