So I'm working on writing still, haha. I just kinda get all self doubt and stuff. Writers block at times and such, but I just keep at it. Only one way to get better, right? I just want to make sure I am satisfied with the direction and don't make any mistakes (or as many) like I did in the previous "book". I think I said it before, but there are definite things I want to change in the story. The writing in the original was kinda... not great. But they were stepping stones. Anyways, I'm just rambling. Before reading I have something I've been meaning to say or show, but felt I couldn't properly show without going back. Just for future reference Lance's sword is called Regalia. I'll mention the name in the story later, but thanks for reading this wall of text and enjoy chapter two!
Chapter 2: Preperations
Lance took care while hanging the streamers along the railings of the second floor of the ballroom. He stood on his ladder, trying to reach for the place that the streamer in his hand would go.
"Just a little…"
Lance started to lose his balance, but managed to steady himself. He let out a sigh of relief once he regained his balance. He looked over at the spot the streamers should be hanging from now, furrowing his brows. He reached out once again and got it.
Lance descended the ladder, taking a few steps back once his feet were back on the ground to admire his work. He smiled as he saw the streamers hanging in place.
A sudden loud thud echoed through the room. Lance turned to see Yang, just finishing placing a massive speaker near the stage. Weiss was walking over to him as well.
"Oh, hey Weiss."
"Ruby couldn't help me, so here."
She held out two, flat, squares of very similar color.
"I need you to pick a tablecloth."
"Oh, uhhhmmm…" Lance hummed, bringing his hand to his chin.
"Uhhh. Hmm."
"Well?" Weiss said.
"Uhh, this one," Lance said, pointing at the one in her right hand.
A smile came to her face.
"I'm glad you think so. I was thinking that one would fit better with the aesthetic anyways. Thank you."
Yeah, don't mention it," He said as she walked off.
Lance walked over to the table Ruby was sitting at, with Yang standing next to her.
"Weiss! I thought we agreed. No doilies!" Yang said.
"If I don't get doilies, you don't get fog machines," Weiss retorted, walking over to Yang.
Lance looked between the two before they heard the main door open.
"Your dance is gonna have fog machines?" Neptune asked, walking over to them with Sun in tow.
"We were thinking about it," Weiss said, meeting them halfway.
"That's pretty cool."
"You ladies all excited for dress-up? Well, uhh, and Lance."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Lance said.
"It was a joke, dude," He said laughing.
"Laugh all you want. I'll be turning heads tomorrow night," Yang said.
"What're you two wearing?" Weiss asked.
"Uhh, this?" Sun said.
Neptune stepped in front of him, holding up a hand.
"Ignore him. For he knows not what he says."
"Hey, I may have moved to Mistral, but I grew up in Vacuo. It's not exactly a shirt and tie kinda place."
"Yeah, we've noticed," Yang said.
"So, uhh, what does Blake think of all this? Is she still being all, y'know. Blake-y?" Sun asked.
"Obviously," Weiss said.
"Well, you could say that, yeah," Lance added.
"I still can't think of a way to change her mind," Ruby said, resting her had on her hand.
"Guys, trust me. Blake will be at the dance tomorrow," Yang said.
Yang walked off with a smirk, leaving confused faces on everyone.
"How can she be so sure?" Weiss asked.
"We just gotta trust her. I think she knows what she's doing," Lance said.
"This is the last thing, right?" Lance said, his voice shaking.
"This is the last thing, yes," Weiss said.
Lance's arms felt like they were on fire. The weight of the speaker he was carrying weighed down on him.
"Here should do," Weiss said.
"Gah!"
A loud thud echoed throughout the room and Lance collapsed onto his back.
"Oh, don't be so over dramatic. The speaker Yang carried was far heavier."
Lance just laid there, catching his breath.
"Here," Weiss said, holding out a hand.
Lance took it and was helped up off the ground.
"Thanks, Weiss."
"I should be the one thanking you. Anyways, I think I'm going to sort out a few thing around here before leaving."
"Sounds good. I'll see you later," Lance said waving.
He walked out the main door leading outside.
Lance began his trek back to the dorm room.
"Hey!"
Hearing the voice, Lance turned to see Jaune approach him.
"Hey, Jaune! Good to see ya."
"You too, but uhhh. Are you alright?"
"Alright? Yeah, I'm fine, why?"
"Well, you sort of had this worried face," He said, motioning to his own face.
"I did? Oh, huh…"
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"It's just… I'm sort of worked up about the dance tomorrow," Lance said.
"Oh, c'mon, dances are supposed to be fun, right?"
"Well, yeah, but I've never been to many and I don't really have a uhm…"
"A what?"
"A date…"
"Really? You know you're in a team full of girls, right?"
"Yeah, so?" Lance asked. He could feel his cheeks heat up a bit.
"Well, do you have anyone in mind?"
"Well, kinda. Yeah."
"Do you mind if I ask who?"
"Well, uhh… Y'know, maybe if I just go alone it'll be fine,"
"Are you sure? I say that you just go up to whatever lucky girl it is and just ask."
"Maybe you're right, Jaune, but I don't know. I'm still sort of on the fence about this."
"Clock's-a-tickin'. Uhh, not to pressure you or anything."
"Haha, thanks, Jaune."
"But really, if you need to talk to someone. Well, another guy to talk to. I'm here for ya!"
"Right back at ya."
Lance rounded the corner of the hallway, heading back to his dorm. He saw Ruby just unlocking the door to their room. She was looking down, a slight frown on her face.
"Oh, hey Ruby."
"Hey," She said.
"Still not certain about Blake going to the dance?"
"A bit. I can't help but worry."
"I understand. It's hard to watch her wear herself out." Lance said, frowning
Ruby's gaze turned down as she opened the door.
"It is. I just wish there was more we could do."
"Yang seems to have a plan from the sounds of it. She said Blake would be at the dance tomorrow. For now, don't worry about it, alright? I have confidence in
Yang."
"You're right. Thanks, Lance," She said, a smile beginning to form on her face.
"Don't mention it, Ruby," he said, smiling back.
Both of them entered their dorm, Lance heading for one of the beds. Ruby going to the other.
"So, excited for the dance?" Lance asked.
"Eh, kinda. I'm more excited about our first mission."
"Same here. We get to shadow an actual hunter too, right?"
"Yeah! It's gonna be soooo cool!"
"You're telling me! I wonder who we're gonna be shadowing?"
"Not sure. Whoever it is, I think it'll still be cool."
"For sure."
Lance put his hands behind his head, staring at the bottom of the bed above him.
"Do you think anyone cares that we have bunk beds in our dorm?"
"Eh. Nobody told us we couldn't," Ruby replied with a laugh.
"I guess you have a point," Lance said laughing too.
"So, I guess Weiss has a date to the dance," Ruby said.
"Yeah, I wonder who it is. Guess we'll find out tomorrow, huh?"
"Yup!"
"I knew that Weiss had a heart somewhere," Lance jested.
They both started to laugh at the joke.
"Hey, speaking of which, I wonder where everyone else is."
"Yeah, I dunno."
Lance sat up on the bed, stretching once he was up.
"Actually, that reminds me. I needed to talk to Yang."
"Oh, well let's see…" Ruby said, bringing a finger to her chin. "I think the last I saw her was earlier today when we were all setting up for the dance."
"I'll do what I can to find her. It'll give me something to do anyways."
"Alright, I'll be here."
"See ya!" Lance said, leaving the dorm.
Lance opened the library door, stepping out.
"Let's see…" He said.
He looked around, picked a direction, and started walking. The search remained fruitless as time passed on. He looked out one of the windows to see the sky turning orange. He quickened his pace. His eyes scanning twice as fast as he walked.
More time passed as Lance's search continued.
"Gah, it's hopeless," He said, leaning against a wall.
Lance heard voices coming from the room to his left. He peered inside, cracking the door a little wider. He saw Blake and Yang in the room towards where the chalkboard was. There was a symbol that resembled a wing with a few cogs towards the base of the wing.
"You don't understand. I'm the only one who can do this!"
"No, you don't understand!" Yang said, turning around to face Blake. "If Roman Torchwick walked through that door what would you do!?" She continued, pointing to the door. Lance hid around the corner a little more at the action. Still peeking as best as he could.
"I'd fight him!"
"You'd lose!" Yang said, shoving Blake.
She caught herself on the table behind her.
"I can stop him!" She said, attempting to shove back.
"You can't even stop me!" Yang said, pushing her once again.
Blake fell further onto the desk with that last shove.
Yang dropped her aggressive stance as Blake regained her composure. Yang took a few steps forward, embracing Blake.
"I'm not asking you to stop. Just please… get some rest. Not just for you, but for the people you care about," Yang said.
She broke off the hug and began walking up the steps towards the door. Lance was about to move, but Yang turned back around.
"And if you feel like coming out tomorrow, I'll save you a dance."
She turned back and continued towards the door. Lance got up, ready to get out of there as fast as he could, but as he was backing away from the door and turning, he stumbled. He caught his footing as quick as he could, half a foot away from rounding the corner.
"Lance?"
He froze in his tracks, coming to an immediate halt.
"Heeeeyyyyy, Yang," He said, turning around
"Were you eavesdropping?"
"What, me? Eavesdrop? Heheheh… ehh…"
"When did you start listening?"
"About when things kinda got heated. There was a bit of pushing and then it kinda turned around. I didn't really mean to eavesdrop though! I was looking for you and just so happened to, uhm. Well… End up here." He fumbled a bit over his words.
Yang cracked a smile, walking past him a bit.
"C'mon, let's take a walk," she said.
Lance followed behind her, catching up to walk by her side.
"I'm sorry about the whole eavesdropping thing though."
"Don't worry about it. And besides, you're cute when you're embarrassed."
"What? ...N-no..." Lance said, at a loss for words.
Yang giggled at the red faced Lance.
"So you were looking for me?"
"Oh, right. Uhm, well. I kinda had a question."
"A question, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Sooo, fire away."
Lance slowed his pace until he came to a halt. Yang walked on a bit before noticing that he fell behind. She turned and gave an inquisitive look.
"I was wondering if you wanted to go to the dance with me tomorrow," He said.
Yang smiled, walking over to Lance. Closing the gap that was between them.
"I would love to go!"
"I'm glad to hear," Lance said smiling.
He felt her hands in his.
"Although, I do have some responsibilities since team CVFY is away still."
"I understand, so no worries."
She smiled back as well, and he got lost once again in her beauty.
She started walking, still holding onto one of Lance's hands. They made their way out the door leading outside. The sun was setting and they both had smiles on their faces, feeling as if everything was right in the world. With the dance the next day and their first mission the following day, Lance felt excitement well up inside him. He looked over to Yang and thought nothing could ruin this moment.
