Author's Note: Happy Halloween, readers! AAAHAHAHAHAAAA! *thunder*

Oh, how I adore this time of year. And since I'm fresh out of tricks (thank you, Rachel), I have a wonderful treat for you all: The final chapter. Read on if you dare… hehehehe…

Beacon Academy's annual dance had been quite an event for just about everyone involved. It had started out well enough, but things really kicked into high gear when Jaune "Vomit Boy" Arc showed up on the dance floor in a strapless dress and proceeded to lead his team in a perfectly synchronized dance routine. From there, the event seemed to wind down at a steady rate, eventually leading to the last few slow dances of the night.

As it was in the beginning, Ruby Rose was idling by the punch bowl, which at this point held only enough for one half-glass, if one was willing to tip it. She didn't really come "with" anyone, and so had no real reason to dance at the moment. Until…

"Salutations, friend Ruby."

From the other side of the bowl came the unmistakable voice of Penny, her anomalous (and absolutely automatonymous) acquaintance.

"Oh, hi, Penny," Ruby replied, and raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Weren't you with those soldier guys?"

Penny approached her, and Ruby started to notice that her stride had gotten a lot less stiff that when they first met. "They have permitted me to participate in the last dance of the night," she explained. "However, I have studied the structure of these dances, and I believe that a partner is required." She held out her hand as the penultimate song faded. "Would you like to be my partner?"

Never one to turn down a friend, Ruby took the hand offered to her. "Definitely."

Penny's eyes lit up as the two of them transitioned to the dance floor.

The lights in the rafters shifted from dim white to a calming violet, and the final song played.

Ruby at least half-remembered the steps to a slow dance (she had a relative's wedding to thank for that), and as she had long since abandoned her "lady stilts," the wobbling issue was out the window, and she could dance comfortably, no awkwardness whatsoever.

Or so she thought.

"Ruby… may I ask you a question?"

"Sure, Penny."

"I have been listening to the lyrics of the songs that have played throughout the night, and I have noticed a… pattern of sorts. Specifically, 57% of the songs that were played tonight concerned the subject of… love."

Ruby snickered, anticipating the cliche. "So you want me to teach you what love is, then?"

"Not precisely, although I understand why you would arrive at that conclusion," Penny responded, apparently also getting the joke. "I have already compiled information via the CCTS on the technical and biological definitions of love, and many of my subroutines have studied the opinions of philosophers and their definitions."

"Then… what do you need me for?"

Penny looked to be deep in thought for a few seconds. "Several of my protocols involve emotional responses to outside stimuli… but the trouble is, I was never given any resources on which response correlated to which specific emotion."

"So…"

"So, I would like you to tell me, from your experience… how does it feel to be in love?"

Ruby thought for almost a whole verse of the song before she spoke again. "Well… To be honest, I've only really felt it once… But from my experience… Being in love means being able to look at someone, and say to yourself… 'Right now, that one person is the most important thing in the world. If they're happy, then I'm happy. And I will always be there for them, because I know they'll be there for me.'"

Penny didn't say a word.

"Does, uh… does that help?"

"It does. I have now reached a definitive conclusion."

Ruby tilted her head. "About what?"

Penny looked straight into her eyes. "Friend Ruby… I am in love with you."

Ruby's cheeks turned almost as red as her namesake.

"Y… You're in love with me?"

"I am in no way unsure about this, Ruby. I have reviewed all emotional responses to stimuli in your presence, and every piece of data lines up to your description."

"Penny…"

"If you do not share my analysis, I understand. I will ignore this stimuli perhaps find a way to modify it, and we shall remain friends."

"Penny, I-"

"But I would at least like you to be advised that, if I may utilize contemporary slang, my heart belongs to-"

Ruby wasn't sure if there was volume functionality anywhere on Penny's model, or even a mute command, but a kiss seemed like the best second option. When she at last broke off as the song ended, Penny's face had an expression that seemed to read mixed confusion and relief.

"Remember how I said I've only ever been in love once?" Ruby smirked.

Penny smiled, before looking back to the guards. "I need to return to them. But we should continue to discuss this at a later time." And with that, she gave a quick bow to her partner, and walked off.

"I'd like that," Ruby said to no one in particular, and left the dance hall as the lights faded.

Author's Note: And that's the last of them! Whew. Finally, I've gotten our crimson-clad protagonist to kiss or be kissed by every last named, speaking character in Volume One!

...Or did I?

The answer, as you might guess, is no, I did not! Not yet anyways. For you see, there is one more character I must deal with before this saga of smooch comes to a close. So stay tuned, and have a delightful All Hallow's Eve.