She stared at herself in the mirror, unsure if what she was seeing was actually real or not.

Weiss wore a baby blue button-up, long-sleeved, that hung loosely over the waist of tight blue jeans with slight tears above the knees, the legs rolled just above her ankles. Over top of the button-up was a white leather jacket that matched her ivory hair, which was, for a change, worn down and straight. She wore a pale blue beanie and pristine white sneakers to complete the look, with just a touch of makeup to accent her already almost angel-like features. All of this was brand new.

Thanks to Neptune, she had gotten an entirely new outfit. Unlike her casual t-shirts and jeans, and her ponytail which was always uncentered, she was now a new and improved Weiss Schnee. The makeup itself was an added and unexpected touch to the ensemble. Weiss hadn't expected Neptune to be able to apply makeup, but it was a skill he had somehow acquired from theatre. Apparently.

Appearing next to her was Neptune, an accomplished grin on his face. "You're so ready for this party." Oh right, that was why Weiss was wearing this. They had a party to go to. Tonight. For the past few days, the two of them had been casually hanging out. Weiss had shared and learned quite a few things from Neptune.

Weiss had admitted to never dating or being interested in anyone prior to Yang… and, frankly, she wasn't sure what romantic feelings were comprised of. Being around Yang made her happy, and the butterflies in her stomach fluttered wildly. But what if this was nothing more than being in a happy friendship? She hadn't been in a true friendship for a long time, and the only person she could now compare the feeling of friendship with was Neptune himself.

And she had no fluttery feelings for Neptune. Just mild ones of annoyance and confusion.

Neptune simply dubbed her a "Useless lesbian," which didn't entirely make sense to Weiss. Not that it mattered. Neptune also had shown her the 'aesthetic' of what it meant to be a lesbian. Thus, her attire proved to be a part of that aesthetic. That, and Weiss could be considered a 'femme'. Again, Weiss had heard of this term, but she didn't see how she was 'femme'.

These had been just some of what Weiss had learned about Vale's modern and open society, and the large LGBT community that apparently resided there. But even after doing her research, she still questioned her feelings, wondering if they only occured because of Yang's kindness.

As Weiss shook her head, now looking away from the mirror, she decidedly took a second look around Neptune's small apartment. Neptune, on the other hand, had disappeared into the kitchen. Weiss followed the sound of glasses clinking on the counter.

Neptune seemed to be brewing some concoction, as he shook a metallic container that loudly clanked about. Three small empty glasses laid across the counter top. As soon as Neptune had finished shaking, he poured the odd-colored liquid into the three separate glasses and pushed them toward Weiss.

"Two for you. One for me. A pregame. Oh, and don't worry about me getting drunk off of one. It takes more, waaaay more." He winked, now grabbing a glass, and with one big gulp, he had drank the entire thing. Making a face and shaking his head, he made a "wooo" sound, and then nodded. "Yup. That's the good stuff." He eyed Weiss and smirked.

Weiss stood there, blinking. She wanted to say no, she really did, but her adversity with the word 'no' was still ever apparent. Weiss hesitantly grabbed the shot glass and looked at it skeptically. "You're gonna want to drink that fast," Neptune commented, still watching her.

Weiss nodded, now bringing it close to her mouth and smelling the liquor. She chugged it down, just as Neptune had. Though, she did a rather poor job of it as she began to cough. "Huh, so that's what you sound like," Neptune once more commented as Weiss glared at him with watery eyes. "Don't look at me like that, you're the one who agreed to take it." He shoved the next glass toward her. "You're not done, by the way."

Weiss blinked several times and wiped the tears away from her eyes, now grabbing the other drink and chugging it. She held down more coughs. "What a champ!" Neptune stood near her, patting her on the back. She simply swatted his hand away. "Alright, alright. Sheesh. Here." He went for a cola bottle that was on the counter, and handed it to Weiss.

Weiss took a giant swig to wash whatever she had drank down, but her eyes widened as soon as she realized what she had just taken. She coughed again, wiping her mouth, making a face and then sticking out her tongue as if to try to rid the taste of even stronger alcohol from her mouth. "Uhh, shit. Wrong one." He ran over to his fridge and handed Weiss a new bottle.

She drank it. Finally, something that wasn't tainted with alcohol. "You ready to go? It's just about that time. Luckily, we're just right down the road." Neptune grabbed a backpack full of what sounded like bottles clinking together. Just how much did this boy plan on drinking?

Weiss nodded, but as she stepped forward, she could already feel the effects of the alcohol setting in. She slightly stumbled with her first steps toward the exit of Neptune's apartment. She was grateful he lived on the first floor; Weiss wasn't sure she could handle any stairs right about now. "Heh, you're a lightweight," Neptune commented with a smirk, now grabbing the door for Weiss and helping her into his car.

Weiss shook her head, and quietly sat in the car for the short, five-minute drive. She could feel her head whirling as she kept a steady grip on the cola bottle that she forgot until now that she had been holding.

What seemed like an endless amount of cars lined up along a suburban street. A rich and gated suburban street, from what Weiss could tell. It seemed that Pyrrha, much like Blake, had quite a bit of money. Weiss had never been to this part of town, as she was probably thirty minutes from her own home. They parked along the side of the road. Weiss opened the door, nearly stumbling out. The streetlights were the only thing guiding her path.

"Definitely a lightweight," Neptune chuckled as he walked alongside Weiss to a house that had plenty of people walking in and out of it. Neptune shook about his backpack. "Luckily, I am not." He grinned widely and looked at the semi-lit path ahead of them.

Weiss noted that her anxiety was seemingly nonexistent. She was just there… and she felt oddly good. She was ready. She nodded; whatever Neptune had said was kind of funny. At least, she thought it was. As they approached the house, the loud music became ever apparent. Her body seemed to move on its own, but as it did, it grew more tired.

Neptune, leading the way inside of the house, made way for Weiss behind him. They stood together, now, eying the hustle and bustle of the party world. Weiss was greeted by a loud blast of music, laughter, chatter, and more. She had trouble making her way through the crowd, in fact, she had trouble moving at all. Her body had suddenly become hot, and all she wanted to do was sleep. She may have been relaxed, but she was too damn relaxed.

Her body wasn't used to this. It wasn't used to any of this. Her body and mind might've been calm, but at the same time, it had been reacting as if she had just gone through some sort of panic attack. She nearly collapsed forward on top of Neptune. "Whoa, whoa. A little too much already. That can't be good." He turned to catch her. "Let me go find Yang, she'll definitely help you out." Neptune held onto Weiss, shoving his way through the large party crowd.

But Weiss had trouble keeping up. "Oookay. Here. You just hold onto to the railings of these stairs, should be an easy place to spot you… and keep yourself up. I'll be back, I promise." Weiss watched as he made his way through the crowded house.

Weiss held onto the railing, feeling as if she'd move anymore, she might fall over. She thought she was safe. She thought.

That was until, in her blurred vision, appeared three very large boys now surrounding her from everyone else's view. She squinted. Cardin. Two other boys came into view, but Weiss wasn't sure who they were. Probably his so-called 'friends'.

"Look what we have here." He smirked, taking a step closer to Weiss. "Seems like someone's already had a little too much fun. It's a good thing I'm here to take care of you." His hand slammed on the wall behind Weiss. She jumped and nearly fell over. There was no wiggle room between her and Cardin. She wanted to run, but Cardin and his boys had shoved themselves into her space.

This wasn't Weiss's kind of party.

"Ughh, there you are," Neptune huffed, placing his hand on Yang's shoulder. "You're looking very butch today, by the way," he added, now standing up straight, all while adjusting the backpack on his shoulders.

Yang turned around from her group with a glare on her face, immediately noticing something was completely wrong. "Where the fuck is Weiss?" she growled, fully knowing that Neptune had brought along Weiss.

"That's what I came to talk to you about, she's already like, drunk as hell! I left her by the stairs, it's not like I could carry her here." Neptune shook his head, now looking over at Sun and Blake, who were sporting very disappointed looks. "What?" he shrugged.

Yang rolled her eyes, now leaving the group. She walked her way through the crowded living room and eyed the stairs.

That was where she spotted a glimpse of white hair. Being shoved against the wall by…

"CARDIN WINCHESTER, YOU GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF OF HER." Yang threw down her drink and now pushed her way through the crowd toward Cardin. The whole party seemed to quiet down as all eyes were on them.

Weiss looked drunkenly terrified as her eyes seemed to water. She stared directly at Yang, whose eyes seemed to flare with a certain rage.

Yang could hear footsteps come up behind her. Sun, Blake, Neptune, Pyrrha, and Jaune had all made an appearance.

"Or what?" Cardin finally replied, stepping away from Weiss and toward Yang. The crowd had parted, a circle forming around them. "You're gonna scare me away with your dykiness, too? Oh, look at me, Big Bad Dyke of Beacon," he mocked as the other two boys behind Cardin stepped up behind him, smirking and laughing.

Clenching her fist, she snarled. "You came to the wrong party!" With that, she suckerpunched Cardin, hitting him square in the jaw. Instantly, cheering and movement could be heard behind them.

"Agh, you bi—" Once more Cardin was hit again, but this time, Yang had taken him down, now sitting on top of him and punching him recklessly.

The two boys that had followed Cardin merely stood there in shock, not sure what to do.

"Yang! Get off him!" Blake called out, but Jaune and Sun were the ones that had taken action as they grabbed each side of her and pulled her off. Yang flailed her legs, still trying to get at him.

Surprisingly, Cardin was still coherent. "F-fuck you..." he muttered as his boys pulled him up, now trying to escape the crippling defeat.

Yang shrugged her shoulders. "I'm fine. I'm fine," she uttered, now looking directly at Weiss, who had seen and heard the entire exchange. Yang suddenly felt disappointed in herself.

"Nothing to see here folks, go back to your party! Drink some alcohol, be merry!" Neptune called out, now shooing the crowd that had gathered.

Weiss had indeed watched the whole thing, but parts of it she didn't understand. What did Cardin mean by 'dyke'? Weiss wasn't aware of this usually-derogatory term, but it certainly didn't seem to sit well with Yang. In fact, she had never seen Yang fueled with such… hatred. It had shocked her, even in her drunken state, but Weiss was well conscious of the fact that it wasn't geared toward her, but probably in protection of her.

Yang slowly approached Weiss, who seemed to stumble straight into her arms. Yang easily caught her. "Whoa, whoa… Are you okay?" Yang's anger and rage had seemed to completely subside at the sight of Weiss as it turned into concern.

Weiss merely nodded, she felt herself shudder at the soft touch of Yang. Weiss could feel herself slowly melt into Yang, she just wanted to stand, or even lay there in her arms all night if she could. This was clearly the effect of the alcohol, at least that was what she told herself.

Yang frowned as Weiss clearly did not look okay. "Neptune! What did you give her?!" Her tone was harsh as she eyed the blue-haired nuisance.

"Just two shots! And she may have accidentally taken a huge swig of my special mix. Ten percent cola, ninety percent alcohol!" He seemed to weakly chuckle as he dared not lie to Yang. He hoped that his later punishment would be lightened.

Yang glared at Neptune as she kept a gentle grip on Weiss. Yang mouthed at him, 'I'm going to kill you,' from where she stood. Neptune's eyes widened as he now slowly backed away, and blended in with the party crowd.

Yang looked down at Weiss now, whose eyes were closed as she rested her head on Yang's chest. Weiss did not feel good at all, whatever other effect that alcohol had on her was starting to make an appearance.

Pyrrha now checked in with Yang and Weiss, a water bottle in hand. "Yang, Weiss, is everything alright? I saw the fight and while I can't always agree with violence, I do have to say Cardin did get what was coming to him."

Yang scrunched her face. "Ahh, sorry, Pyrrha, this is your party and I feel like I ruined it." She bowed head in an apologetic manner, not moving her body as she did not want to shake or move Weiss until a plan was made.

Pyrrha chuckled. "I'm not upset. Besides, I think the party got a whole lot better now that he's gone." She seemed to sweetly smile. "Oh, right. I brought this for Weiss." She handed over the water bottle, the lid already loosened.

Weiss wearily grabbed it as she pulled her head away from Yang, now opening her eyes and beginning to drink. Though, Weiss didn't know if the water was helping or making things worse. She certainly didn't feel any better, that was for sure.

"Hey, Weiss?" Yang's voice always seemed to boom, even in a light and gentle tone, throughout a room that had more noise than Weiss could usually deal with. Weiss, now wiping her mouth, looked up at Yang. She had only just noticed the light amount of makeup that Yang was wearing along with her own fashionable wear.

Their eyes finally meeting, a blush crept on both of their faces. Both of them thinking the exact same thing — She's so pretty. Yang, now clearing her throat, began to speak again. "How about I take you home? All that alcohol surely can't be good for you, and staying here won't help." Yang's eyes seemed to wander downward on Weiss's attire, then back up to her eyes. Yang could at least thank Neptune for his fashion sense.

"I can drive!" Pyrrha added in. "Let me go grab my keys."

"Wait, Pyrrha, isn't this your house party?" Yang's brows furrowed.

"Well, yes, but what kind of host would I be if I didn't see my favorite guests home? Besides, I need a little fresh air, and Jaune and Sun can handle things from here." Pyrrha, not letting Yang slip in another word, ran off through the crowd.

"Guess I can't stop her. Come on, Weiss. I've got you." Yang's gentleness still ever apparent, now began to slowly step with Weiss at her side. Weiss would've stumbled every step, but thanks to Yang's strong arms, she felt safe and steady. "I'd carry you on my back, but I don't know how well you'd hold up!" Yang jested.

Weiss audibly giggled. The still-drunken Weiss had no idea what she had just done, as she was with Yang, someone she liked, but still wanted to remain friends with.

But Yang's intense stare was ever apparent, as was her blush. Yang Xiao Long had just heard Weiss giggle, a sound so delicate, so pure, that Yang had to look away as she covered her mouth, holding down a squeal. After a few moments, Yang swallowed hard. She shouldn't be reacting like that, she told herself. But it was so hard, so hard to not like Weiss like that.

And the more she heard that little angelic laughter, the harder she fell.

Weiss, on the other hand, had stared at Yang, confused, throughout the whole ordeal as they made their way to Pyrrha's car. She didn't understand why Yang was behaving so strangely, but she looked happy. And that made Weiss happy!

Pyrrha appeared before them not long after they had found their way to the car. Unlocking it for everyone, Yang now helped Weiss into the backseat, buckling her in. Weiss grabbed Yang's cheek and pinched it with a huge grin. Yang laughed and shook her head, now pulling herself away from Weiss and into the passenger seat.

"Everyone's buckled?" Pyrrha asked.

"Yep, we're ready to go." Yang gave the thumbs' up.

The drive itself would take half-an-hour, probably more. They were lucky that it was late at night. Traffic would be bearable. But Pyrrha wasn't a reckless driver. She never had been.

The radio played at a low volume, the low hum of the car reverberation was made apparent as Pyrrha sped up to get onto the freeway.

Yang was paying attention to her right hand, a dull pain shooting through it. A broken bone or two, but nothing serious, she told herself. She was remembering a time where she had broken several fingers during a softball game, but managed to help her team win the game.

Weiss was passed out in the back, a light and lovable snore coming from her — which made Pyrrha and Yang grin.

It only took a second for Pyrrha to take her eyes off the road for this catastrophe to come. Pyrrha wasn't a reckless driver, but that didn't mean others weren't. "Pyrrha, wa—" a voice seemed to call out.

A drunken driver veered into the lane of Pyrrha's vehicle — it was a split second too late to properly pull out of the way.

Loud sounds of crunching and crackling metal overtook them all, the world spinning in three-hundred-and-sixty degrees as they all felt themselves churn, and then…

There was silence.