A/N: I know this is super short, but there is a good and a bad to this. It's going to be the start of a real plot arc, and I'll update it soon. So, that okay, people? Don't worry. There will be more shortly. Besides, I feel that I said all that needed to be said to set this up.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Ruby was off of work, but that didn't stop her from being over at the Estate, hanging out in the gardens with Weiss, of which she was glad. They had both started college at the Signal Institute of Higher Learning, but she still had plenty of time free to spend with Weiss.

At first, the other girl had been worried Ruby would meet someone else, someone she would leave her for. But Ruby was nothing but wonderful. She had helped Weiss get used to a crowded school, so unlike her previous experience with tutors, and had introduced her to the friends she made, in general really making Weiss feel at home. In fact, Weiss didn't think she would know anybody at all if not for Ruby, given her usual personality. Yet instead she always had someone to be around and talk to, even if Ruby herself wasn't around.

It was the weekend before Thanksgiving, however, and that was putting a distinct dampener on Weiss's spirits. Over the past few months, their relationship had been perfect. There hadn't been any serious fights, and Weiss had grown comfortable enough with commitment to even call Ruby her girlfriend. They had gone on dates, actual dates, talked late into the night, and gotten terrifyingly close to having sex. That still hadn't happened yet though, for one reason and one reason only. Family.

Weiss's family still didn't know. And Weiss felt she couldn't take that final step, couldn't really commit, until they had. She had never told Ruby she loved her, never had that one special night she yearned for, dreamed for. But her family was coming home for Thanksgiving. Home in just four short days. And then... maybe she could finally...

"Ruby?" Weiss said. They were sitting on her bed, talking about college and studying and this and that.

"Yeah?" Ruby replied, detecting the slightly more serious note in the other girl's tone.

"How would you like to meet my family?" Weiss asked.

"Augh! Um, see, I really would like to, but it sounds absolutely terrifying and I'm really not sure I'm ready to-" Ruby sputtered, startled and freaked out.

Weiss placed a hand over her mouth. "I'm scared too." She said quietly. "And they aren't the most... accepting of people, if you know what I mean."

Ruby sobered and nodded. Even in such a progressive city as Vale, they hadn't been accepted everywhere. Some people...

"But even if you don't come, I need to tell them." Weiss went on. "I would rather have you there, though."

Ruby smiled gently. "Silly. 'Course I'll be there." Then she frowned. "Just your parents? Nobody else?"

Weiss shook her head. "Just them."

"Well then it's just two people!" Ruby chirped. "How bad can it be?"

Weiss arched an eyebrow. "They're my parents. I think it could be pretty bad."

Ruby laughed. "Yup. But don't worry, you're probably even worse when you're trying. We can just outbitch them!"

"Outbitch isn't a word. And I am not a bitch, ever." Weiss said, sounding very very serious. Her grin said otherwise.

"Weiss, my dear, there is a reason my visits when it is your time of the month are limited to an hour at most." Ruby said dryly. "You own way too many heels and you are way too good a shot for staying any longer."

"Ugh, shut up!" Weiss smacked her. "So, you'll come?"

Ruby enveloped her in a crushing hug. "As long as there is food, I am there." Then she looked thoughtful. "It won't be a formal thing, right?"

"Why are rich people so obsessed with making everything so fancy!" Ruby groused as Yang worked on styling her hair.

"Oh, stuff it." Her sister told her cheerfully. "Besides, this is fun!"

"I want Blake to do it." Ruby muttered. "You're stabbing my head with those pins."

"I am not!" Yang protested, driving another metal spike into Ruby's skull.

"Ow! Blaaaaaake!" Ruby wailed. "Make Yang stop!"

Blake appeared in the doorway. "Yang, go watch the cranberry sauce."

"But-" Yang started to protest.

"No petting for a week." Blake told her, dead serious.

Yang growled. "Fine! Fine! I see how it is!" And stomped out of the room.

Blake watched her go with an amused grin. "Okay. Now let's see if I can fix the awful tangle she turned your head into."

"How do you handle her?" Ruby asked as Blake started plucking hairpins.

"I don't." Blake replied. "I just try and point her in another direction. For instance, the cranberry sauce was only a few minutes from being done. By now she has likely burned it, and we will have the next hour or so to ourselves as she tries to make a new batch without me noticing."

Ruby shook her head admiringly. "Genius."

"I try." Blake replied humbly. "Now let's see what we can do with you..."

Ruby walked out the door an hour later. Her hair was piled on the back of her head and strung through with bright red ribbons, complementing the highlights. She had on a simple red velvet dress that fell to just above her knees, and a pair of black pumps. The velvet made her kind of feel like a slut, but Blake and Yang had insisted she looked wonderful so out the door she went.

Otto was waiting in the silver limo, and he grinned broadly as she climbed in. "My my, Miss Rose, you certainly dress up very nicely!"

"Thanks Otto... I really look okay?" Ruby asked, feeling understandably nervous.

"Absolutely perfect! You will... how you say... knock socks off?" Otto chuckled. "Do not worry. The Master and Mistress are no worse than their daughter. And if anything, she is worse." He laughed again. "My yes, there is nobody to match the young Mistress when her temper has gotten the better of her, yes?"

Ruby giggled. "Thanks Otto." She told him warmly. "You made me feel a lot better."

He harrumphed. "Is nothing!" He replied. "Nothing at all but the truth."

Ruby walked up to the door. It was late afternoon, and the estate was bathed in the orange and red glow of the setting sun. Evidently Weiss had been waiting for her, because she opened the door and ushered her in before Ruby could even knock.

Ruby's jaw dropped. Weiss looked awesome. Her off center ponytail was decorated by a silver, spiky tiara, and her usual plain earrings had been replaced by little boxes made of silver wire that contained little pearls. She had on an elaborate white cocktail dress with a lacy hem that looked like snowflakes, and little white ballet flats with bows shaped like white roses on the toe of each one. Once again, she looked awesome. It needed to be said twice.

"Wow." Ruby said. "Just wow."

"What?" Weiss demanded, dragging her inside. "They're going to be here any minute and you're standing her gawping?"

"Ack! Sorry! You just... look really great is all." Ruby mumbled as Weiss hurried her into the dining room.

Weiss blushed. "Thanks. You do do." She sighed, leaning against the wall. "I'm just a bit nervous."

Ruby squeezed her hand. "Nothing to be nervous about. We're gonna be fine."

Suddenly, they heard the main door open. A cultured baritone resounded through the house. "Weiss? We're home. Has this date you wanted us to meet arrived yet?"

A/N: If people on the inside of the fiendish organization known as the dictionary are following this, get outbitch added to the words. And then, I can be all cool and be like "I know people. People on the inside. Of the dictionary." DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUN!