Chapter 15: Facing The Music(al)

'Sup, it's The Draigg here again, with a brand spanking new chapter. Now, I should go through to motions, saying that I don't own RWBY or any other media mentioned. Monty Oum owns RWBY. Now, let's read another chapter!

Jaune was uncharacteristically quiet the next morning at breakfast. He led his head in his hands as the others ate around him. How was he supposed to break the news to everyone? Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news, after all. But he was the guy who got them into this in the first place! The universe really liked to make things unfair.

His unusual depression caught the attention Pyrrha. She tried to get his attention by putting her arm around him.

"Is everything alright?", she asked.

Jaune really wanted to say yes to her. He wanted to say that everything was fine, and that everyone would get their extra credit. But, if he lied now, he would only make his situation even worse. So, he decided to tell the truth.

"No, no, something went wrong, Pyrrha. It went wrong and I don't know how to make it better.", he confessed. Now this got everyone else's attention. This didn't sound good.

"What is it, Jaune?" asked Ruby, now concerned as well. Jaune didn't look at her as he gave his response.

"We'll deal with it at the musical set up tonight.", he answered. With that, he picked up his uneaten try of food and walked away from the table. Now the entire table was starting to get scared. What could have happened to cause Jaune to act like this? Now, their future seemed uncertain. Breakfast continued in silence.

Velvet was dreading the idea of walking through those theater doors that evening. Once she stepped through, she knew she would bring nothing but disappointment. Sighing, she tried to steel her resolve. Velvet knew she had to do this. But, she didn't like it in the slightest.

Walking in the room, she saw Teams RWBY and JNPR sitting in the front row of sets. Upon seeing Velvet, Jaune stood up and walked to the front of the group. Soon, Velvet joined him up front. The group watched the pair expectantly.

"So, Jaune said there was some sort of problem. What is it?", Ruby asked. Her nervous habit of playing with her fingers was giving away her true feelings, even though her voice remained calm.

"W-w-well, th-there's a p-problem we need your op-pinion on-n.", Velvet stuttered. Now it was Jaune's turn to step in.

"There's a… problem with the team credits for making this musical.". Jaune paused, trying to find the right words to continue. "Namely, none of you will get any.". He cringed when he said that. Those words weren't a very good choice. There was a profound quiet after he said that.

Weiss was furious. What was the point of doing all of this work if she didn't get anything? Through barely clenched teeth, she asked, "What?!".

Velvet desperately wanted to flee from this meeting. Weiss was giving her glares that threatened to freeze her solid. Panicking, Velvet choked out a quick response:

"I opened my mail and I saw a letter from Ozpin and he said that he wouldn't give volunteer credits so I don't know what to do and you might leave and OH GOD, DON'T HURT ME!". Velvet cowered behind Jaune. Jaune tried to take the opportunity to sort this out in a peaceful, logical way. Otherwise, he'd probably become a burn victim courtesy of Weiss' Myrtenaster.

Despite trying to remain calm, the glares Jaune was getting was causing his heart to beat faster. "I-I think we should take a vote. To see if we should continue or not.". Straightening his posture, he said, "Raise your hand If you want to continue.".

Ruby, Pyrtha, and Nora raised their hands. Jaune made sure to take count. Ruby looked over at those who didn't raise their hands, and her temper flared.

"Come on, you guys! We've made it this far! Why should we give up now?!", she exclaimed. This did little to persuade the others.

"Now, if you want to stop, raise your hand.", ordered Jaune. Weiss, Ren, Yang, and Blake raised their hands. At this sight, Ruby got out of her chair and walked over to them.

"Yang, Blake? Why are you giving up? Tell me, please!", Ruby asked, upset. Yang and Blake looked at each other.

"Well, I need to get back to work on my fan-fic. I haven't updated in a while. I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't mind this musical. But, I would like to get back to something I have more control over.", was Blake's justification.

"Yeah, Ruby. I don't really MIND working, but if there's no reason to continue, then I don't see much of a point.", Yang explained.

Ruby then turned to Ren, but after giving it some brief thought, decided against asking him why he won't continue. Of course, Ren picked up on this based on her looks. As Ruby walked past, he wasn't sure if he was glad or annoyed that Ruby ignored his opinion.

Stopping at Weiss, Ruby kneeled down in front of her and grabbed her hands. "Why, Weiss? Why are you giving up?", Ruby asked. By now her voice was starting to waver. Weiss had a hard time looking her in the eye. Lowering her gaze, Weiss tried to justify her actions.

"Look, Ruby. I agreed to this project IF we got some credits. But, since that's gone out the window now, I…", Weiss drawled out. She began to hate herself for disappointing Ruby. But, she had her own principles too. "…I won't do this anymore.".

Ruby looked distraught at her words. Standing up, she announced. "I don't need this! I don't need ANY of you make this happen! I'll just do it MYSELF! You'll see!". She then stomped through the doors and out of the theater. Nobody had a real clue on what to do. Concerned looks were shared between everyone.

Eventually, all looks settled on Weiss. She felt like crap right now. After all that happened, all that they shared, Weiss still managed to push Ruby away. Giving a small huff of depression, Weiss stood up.

"I'll go get her.", she announced.

Walking to the doors, the Ice Princess followed the Scythe Wielder's trail.

Weiss decided to check their dorm room first for Ruby. Seeing that the door was closed, she knocked on the door.

"Go away.", came Ruby's muffled, dull reply. Weiss felt a little better that she found her.

"I'm coming in.", announced Weiss. Luckily, the door was unlocked. Opening the door, she saw Ruby rummaging through their work desk. Her back was turned to the door.

"Ruby, I—", Weiss was cut off when Ruby turned to face her. Her eyes were bloodshot, as if she had been crying. Her brows were furrowed. "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!", Ruby yelled at her. It was certainly out of character to raise her voice in anger, especially at Weiss.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, but this was the best way.", Weiss apologized.

"Oh, you're SORRY? Well, I'm pretty SORRY too! I'm SORRY that my DREAM wasn't good enough for you! I'm SORRY that all of you guys are against it! And I'm REALLY SORRY that I even CARED!", Ruby screamed, her face red. Tears were streaming down her face. She slumped into the desk chair.

"I'm sorry that I cared…", she mumbled through her tears. Weiss tried to reach out to Ruby, but she moved away from her touch. "That stings.", thought Weiss.

"You know why I like musicals?", Ruby sighed. This got Weiss' attention.

"No, no I don't.", Weiss answered.

"Well, after my mom died, I wasn't ready to face the world. Sure, others tried to help, but nothing worked. But, one day, my uncle took me to the theater to cheer me up. There was a musical, and the lead had the most beautiful voice I ever heard.". Ruby paused to wipe away some tears.

"That voice reminded me of my mom's lullaby's she used to sing. After remembering her voice, I felt happier. That's why I like musicals.". Ruby swallowed. "They make me think of my mom.".

"Ruby, I had no idea—", Weiss tried to comfort, but was cut off by Ruby.

"No, Weiss. If nobody wants to help, they can just LEAVE.", spat out Ruby. She returned to the desk, pulling out some blank writing paper.

Weiss' voice was choked in her throat. Her voice cracked as she asked, "Do you want me to leave?".

Sighing, Ruby replied, "I don't know. I just don't know.". She didn't say a word after that, instead focusing on planning her own music show.

Weiss decided to sit on her bunk and stare at the bottom of Ruby's bed. How could she have known that Ruby would feel so betrayed at her decision? If she could, she would have taken her decision back. But, it was too late for that now. She had cast her lot with the others. Now, she had to face the consequences.

Ruby was feeling betrayed. She had placed her trust in her friends, and they had left her when she needed them. But, she felt that she could have predicted this. They had agreed for the team credits, after all. She inwardly kicked herself for not seeing it coming. And how could Weiss do this? She loved her! And she knew that she still did, but their relationship had gotten complicated. Ruby figured that even love couldn't overcome a person's nature completely. Tears fell on her paper as she was writing. This must have been similar to the pain that Weiss felt before her confession. She was so close, yet still too far from her dreams.

Neither Ruby nor Weiss had enough tears left for now. It was a feeling beyond tears that they felt.

After that disaster of a meeting, Velvet retreated to her office. When she sat at her desk, she buried her face in her hands. Everything kept on getting in the way of progress. Low funding, bad acting, and now the crew leaving production. There was nothing left to do now. Picking up a pen and paper, she started writing a letter to the Administration Office. It read:

To the Administration Office:

Unfortunately, due to internal conflicts, the Theater Club regretfully announces that the scheduled musical will not be occurring. What we ask is for the reservation for the theater to be cleared up for other uses. Speaking on behalf of the club, I must declare this musical production to be a failure. I hope that communication between the club and the office will be continued in spite of this.

Thanks,

Velvet Scarlatina, Theater Club President

Sighing, Velvet overlooked her letter. She really had her back against the wall this time. Putting the letter in an envelope, she stood up to deliver the letter to the Administration Office mailbox. When she walked out of the office and down the hallway, she couldn't help but feel saddened at the outcome of the project. She had placed all of her hopes on this project. Now, she didn't know what the future of the club was anymore. She was sure that Jaune felt the same way. His face was the same as hers when the vote was made. All she could do now is hope and pray to whatever gods would listen that everything would turn out for the best.

Jaune hadn't said a word ever since Team JNPR got back to their room. Now, he was just sitting on his bed, staring blankly ahead. His friends had taken notice and tried to cheer him up, but nothing was working.

"Hey, Jaune! Look!", exclaimed Nora. She made a funny face, almost like she was trying to impersonate a fish. A frown crossed her face when she saw that it wasn't working.

"I don't see what the problem is. We don't need any more credits, anyway.", droned Ren in a flat voice. That got him glares from Pyrrha and Nora. His attitude on the vote really wasn't helping.

Since her repeated apologies didn't work on the way over to the room, Pyrrha tried to take a more physical approach. Sitting on Jaune's lap, she tried her best to sound seductive. "Come on, Jaune. Maybe some 'fun' would make you feel better.". She punctuated her offer by puffing out her chest a little. Ren rolled his eyes at her attempt. Nora, on the other hand, was perfectly fine with it.

Now getting desperate, Pyrrha tried licking Jaune's neck. Ren covered Nora's eyes and walked her over to the corner of the room, hoping she wouldn't get any ideas.. Even if his sweat tasted good, she knew Jaune's heart wouldn't be interested in doing anything. Pyrrha climbed off of Jaune's lap and sighed. She didn't know what would work.

Finally, Jaune spoke up. "I… just want to sleep.". He laid down on top of his bed covers and covered his face with a pillow. Clearly, he wasn't ready to face his friends just yet. Pyrrha decided to sit next to him, massaging his hand. Maybe this could all be sorted out tomorrow morning at breakfast.

She sincerely hoped, but Pyrrha knew that had a slim chance of working. Like veryone else, she had no idea what would happen.

And… more drama! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Remember, give me some reviews and tell me what you think! This is The Draigg, signing off for now!