Ruby POV

I found her standing at the railing overlooking the pier and docks, staring almost wistfully out over the water. The fishy smell hit me like a brick wall. I pinched my nose and approached her, trying not to breathe too deeply through my mouth.

"Ugh," I groaned. "Holy halibut, I can't stand that smell." Dante smiled softly, then inhaled a lungful of the fishy air.

"I love it." She said quietly. "It reminds me of home." A playful smirk danced on her lips as she looked over at me. "Plus it doesn't hurt that I love fish." I laughed.

"Yeah, Blake's pretty fond of it too." She nodded.

"It makes sense. She is a cat Faunus, correct?" I stared at her.

"How-?" She hesitated, then shrugged.

"Let's just say there's a lot of stuff I do know, and a lot of stuff I don't know, and leave it at that." I nodded, even though it was the last thing I wanted to do. Dante leaned on the rail and was silent once more.

She reached into her pocket and brought out an old and crumpled rectangular carton, pulling a cigarette out of the nearly full box and putting it between her lips, fishing out a lighter from her back pocket. She lit the cigarette absently, almost subconsciously, and my stomach turned.

Before I knew what I was doing, I'd snatched the cigarette from her lips and tossed it on the ground, then stomped on it. She stared at the crushed cigarette, shocked, then at me.

"I don't want you to smoke." The words were out before I could think of something less. . .selfish sounding to say. She smiled a bit, and judging from the look in her eyes, I guessed that I'd earned her respect.

"I understand." She pulled out the pack and casually chucked it out into the water. Clearly she didn't have any sort of addiction to nicotine, or any qualms about getting rid of the cigarettes. I guessed the cigarettes were more of an accessory for her.

I studied her profile, suddenly unsure what to say. I watched as her hair floated on the soft breeze and something gnawed at the back of my mind. Something was weird about her hair.

She caught me staring and turned toward me.

"Something the matter?" She asked breezily. I shook my head absently.

"It's just. . .I could swear. . ." I trailed off as the penny hit the ground.

I realized with a start that her hair wasn't just feathery and soft, her hair wasn't hair at all, but actually made of feathers. Layer upon layer of feathers. "Wow." I breathed, reaching a hand up, then pulling it back. "Can I. . .?" She nodded slightly, smiling.

"Be my guest." I reached up and rubbed one of the longer feathers between my thumb and forefinger slowly. So soft. . . I thought as I marveled at the smooth texture of her feathers. Dante's smile shifted into a sly grin and she caught my hand in her own and pressed it against her cheek, nuzzling my palm.

"Such soft hands." She breathed almost reverently. "You should be a masseuse." I laughed nervously and she pulled my hand from her cheek, though she didn't let it go. "So now that you know about my being a Faunus, I've decided that I want to show you everything." For whatever reason, I got a brief image of Dante wearing nothing but her bra and panties.

She pulled me along behind her as she headed back the way we came, toward the club. I felt my face getting hot and I glanced up at her.

"What are we-" She winked at me and I lapsed into silence.

"You'll see soon. Just trust me like I'm trusting you." I nodded uncertainly as she pulled me toward the front door, which was guarded by a large man with a shaved head. The bouncer watched our approach and shook his head reprovingly at Dante.

"Visiting Elaina every day is one thing, but bringing your friend along to a strip club? That's kind of weird, even for you." Dante rolled her eyes.

"Hardy har har, Rex, you're a fucking comedic genius." He gave a little bow and grinned. "We just need the back room for a few minutes." Rex scrutinized me.

"Isn't she a bit young for you?" I blushed, but Dante looked offended.

"Don't you know who you're looking at? This is Ruby Rose. The scythe wielding huntress-in-training who is quite possibly the fastest person you'll ever meet!" Rex snorted.

"Obviously." My face flushed red, but Dante spoke first.

"Don't be a dick, Rex." He shrugged.

"You got fifteen minutes." Dante laughed.

"Should be plenty of time." Rex sighed.

"Just don't make too much noise." What exactly does he think we'll be doing in there? I thought, a bit nervously. And why isn't Dante correcting him? Dante ushered me past Rex and through the door.

She wrapped her arm around my waist and we walked in, Heading for the back room she'd mentioned earlier I guessed. Her arm tightened around my waist a bit and I looked up at her.

"Wouldn't want you to get lost in the crowd." She said by way of explanation. I didn't answer, I was too busy looking around.

The music was loud enough to make my chest vibrate and the air was smoky, giving the room a sort of surreal atmosphere. The walls were blood red, and the floor was covered with thick, plush black carpet that my feet sank into with every step.

In the middle of the room, there was a raised stage with several poles protruding from it, reaching up into the ceiling. Dancing on each pole was a girl, though sometimes there were two girls at once. The chairs arranged around the stage were all filled by men ranging from early twenties to late sixties, hooting and hollering and whistling at the girls on the poles.

I glanced at Dante and saw she had her gaze fixed straight ahead, her jaw set. I wanted to ask her about the girl named Elaina, but I figured it wasn't a good time.

She pushed me gently through a door in the back wall and into a small room with similar red walls and black carpet, furnished by an L shaped couch that sat in the corner of the room, and a pole in the middle. She began to pull her shirt over her head, but I stopped her.

"W-wait! What's going on here? I'm-I'm not sure I-" She steered me gently over to the couch and sat me down.

"Oh, just calm down." She removed her shirt, revealing smooth expanse of pale skin, swirling tattoos, and a lacy black bra. I blushed and looked away. "Eyes on me." Dante instructed. I looked back slowly and my mind stopped working for a moment.

"Are those. . .?" She giggled.

"Mmhm." I gawked at her dumbly. I couldn't be sure that I wasn't imagining things.

"Are they real?" She giggled again, nodding.

"Yeah. All natural." I stood and stepped closer her.

"C-can I touch them?" She grinned.

"I'd be insulted if you didn't." I poked one with my finger and watched it move a bit. I rubbed my hand over the other one slowly, memorizing every detail.

"They're so soft!" Dante flushed.

"Th-thank you." She mumbled. I shook my head, astonished.

"And they're huge!" She laughed a bit shyly.

"Y-yeah, they have to be."

"Can you. . .use them?" She shook her head, rolling her shoulders a bit.

"Not yet, but when I can, I'll have everyone on their knees, begging me to show them." I nodded, admiring them for a moment longer.

"How long have you had them?" She thought for a moment.

"They started growing when I hit puberty." I nodded again, reaching out to touch them.

"I guess that makes sense." She shrugged.

"Maybe, maybe not. I wouldn't expect it to make sense to you. . .seeing as human beings don't normally grow wings."

Ehehehe~ Teasing the dirty minded is fun. ;D Though I thought it was a bit too obvious, seeing as how her hair is actually feathers. Oh well, here's part two of chapter 8. Just as a bit of clarification, Dante is not me, nor does she represent me. She is only inspired by me. [[SPOILER ALERT]] I wouldn't wish her fate on my worst enemy. }:D