Author's Note: Okay, so I'm gonna lay down a warning right here for anyone who came to this from "I'm Not Perfect," this story is taking a bit of a different direction now that it's on its own, and I decided to cut loose on it a bit. Nothing too steamy, but if you notice differences in the characterization from my other story, that's why. Enjoy, and please let me know what you think; in particular, I'm interested to see what you think Mina's deal is- I'm trying to drop little hints about her character here and there, but I can only tell if I'm royally screwing it up if you all let me know what your impressions are.
"Uh… Mina?" Ruby asked as she and Weiss examined the contents of their teammate's trunk.
"Yes, Miss Rose?"
"Do you own anything that isn't black?" Weiss gave voice to the concern.
Mina just shrugged, "I wouldn't know, but I'm told hot pink isn't my color,"
"Fair enough…" Ruby trailed off.
"You could probably do with a little color in your outfit though…" Weiss thought aloud
"Glass houses much, Weiss?"
"Shut up Rub!" the Heiress tugged at red on the lapel of her jacket indignantly.
"I appreciate the input, Miss Schnee," Mina said as she tossed her towel into the hamper on top of the black singlet that she'd slept in, "But my wardrobe has always been a simple affair for reasons I should think self-evident at this point. And besides," she jostled the string of red rosary beads currently laid out on a bedside table as she reached into the chest for a set of undergarments, "the beads suit me just fine,"
Weiss averted her eyes as a courtesy, but Ruby's eyes darted between Mina as she dressed and Weiss. The Heiress wasn't sure that she liked that look… "Mina… we do have a bathroom that you can change in…"
"Oh my… dreadful sorry," she apologized as she halted, stopping short of actually clasping the strapless bra behind her back, "I suppose this all seems wretchedly immodest…"
"No, no…" Weiss was just thankful she was covered again, before an awestruck Ruby got any weird ideas; she'd seen her fearless leader's sketch book before, and it hadn't been… Well, it had been pretty, but… "It's perfectly understandable; you're not used to seeing things after all, it only makes sense…"
"I appreciate your understanding, Miss Schnee," Mina said in a voice approaching relief as she went on to clasp the undergarment, "I've always been more… tactile…"
"It's all the same color but…" Ruby finally turned her attention back to the blind girl's open trunk, "you've actually got quite a variety here…"
"I've no eye for color, but I do like a different style now and again," Mina allowed, moving back to the heavy wood box, "Now which do you suppose I should wear for the night out?"
Mina held up a tube-top in one hand and a halter in the other, both showed for too much midriff for Weiss's tastes, though that admittedly wasn't saying much, "Well.. I wouldn't know…"
"The tube top! I mean…" Ruby's sudden assurance eroded, "'cause you've got such pretty skin…"
Yang is such a bad influence… "Why thank you Miss Rose, I'm touched," Mina said appreciatively, setting down the halter-top and slipping into the other, "I've been told that before as well, but it's nice to hear it once in a while; much as I try to take care of myself, I cannot check the superficial details myself,"
"Oh… it's nothing…"
"Perhaps not… but..." Weiss commented hesitantly, "Don't get me wrong, your… abs are impressive but I'm not sure guys look for that…" The halt top still shoed off the last few inches of bare stomach, but it covered considerably more regardless, "You might scare them off…"
Mina shrugged again with a sly smirk, stepping forward to stroke Weiss's cheek, "Let them run; I'm more interested in what you think…"
Weiss's face flushed red and her eyes went wide, "Um…"
Mina laughed and patted Weiss on the shoulder a few times, "I kid, of course," she licked her fangs nonetheless.
She was kidding about the high-born virgins thing, right?
"Tube top it is!" Ruby cheered, taking the halter top and throwing it carelessly back into the box.
I know that face! Weiss fumed, still at an uncomfortable loss for words, That's the sketchbook face!
"Miss Rose, be a dear and pass me one of the fitted pairs of pants," Mina asked as she quickly sorted her hair into her usual ponytail.
"Sure thing!" Ruby eagerly obliged.
Moments later, the whole affair was done. The tub top covered just down to the base of her ribcage, pants were very form-fitting. Her hair was held in place by the usual silver needles and on her feet were surprisingly fashionable open-toed sandals. Topping it all off was the string of round red beads draped around her neck, which Weiss had to begrudgingly admit upon reflection, had a similar effect to the halter-top, and wouldn't have gone as well with it.
"I've got to say Mina," Weiss admitted, forcing herself to overlook the rather revealing nature of the ensemble, "you have impressive dress sense for one whose never been able to see…"
"Nonsense," Mina demurred, "I didn't personally select any of these items; I always shop with friends whom I trust,"
And those friends let you buy nothing but black underwear?
"I see… Well perhaps if you'll have us along sometime, we could put some color in your wardrobe?"
Mina smiled, "That would be lovely-, and by the way, my invitation stands, Miss Schnee,"
Weiss shook her head, "Nightclubs aren't for me, and besides," she gestured to Ruby instinctively, but caught herself when she realized Mina wouldn't see it, "Blake's been spending so much time in the library lately, so somebody's got to stick around to make sure that Ruby doesn't wreck the place,"
"Hey!"
Mina's face became pensive, "Yes… I suppose someone does…"
Yup… Yang thought as she got off her motorcycle, definitely the same place…
The blonde put on her smuggest face as she sauntered over to the entrance; worst came to worst, she'd at least get a good fight out of it.
The doors slide open as she walked, allowing her entrance. the Music blared and she could already feel the atmosphere, I wonder how Mina handles all the noise though?
She shrugged off the thought as she continued in, down the stairs and across the room towards the bar. Yang couldn't help but be a little bit full of herself when she saw that more than a few of the regulars had the good sense to clear out of her way as she came.
"Strawberry sunrise," Yang ordered with a meaningful smile as she leaned onto the bar, but before she could request the little umbrella, the proprietor of the establishment showed himself.
"Oh God, not you agai-!"
"Relax Junior," came another familiar voice, "She's with me,"
Both Yang and Junior looked down the length of the bar to see Mina walking over, "I was wondering when you'd arrive, Miss Xiao Long,"
Junior grumbled something to himself, but let it go, leaving the bar.
I'll be damned…
"Eh, traffic, I guess. I take it you come here often?"
"It is an amusing diversion, yes," Mina acknowledged, "I first stumbled in during the Vytal festival, and I make a habit of coming back every weekend,"
"That right?" Yang accepted her drink from the bartender, disappointed somewhat by the lack of a little umbrella as she handed over the cash, "I wasn't sure they'd let us in a place like this…"
"I find that this establishment can be quite… accommodating… so long as you behave yourself," Mina shrugged, and then turned to the bartender to place her own order, "Virgin Bloody Mary,"
"Kinda an ironic choice there," Yang elbowed her jokingly.
Mina looked a bit puzzled, "Oh? We are minors after all…"
Yang snorted with laughter, "Not that; I mean you like it hot but you're asking for a virgin!"
Mina caught on, and donned her own sly grin with a wink, "If anyone is to be tipsy, I prefer to be the one with my wits intact; what point is there if you don't remember later, yes?"
That made Yang laugh aloud, "S'pose that's one way to look at it,"
Mina leaned up against the bar as she accepted her drink, "So, what do you think, Miss Xiao Long?"
"'Bout the club? It's pretty sweet I guess…" I guess she doesn't know… "But I told you before, call me Yang,"
From this angle, Yang could really appreciate the effort to which Mina had gone before coming. The pants fit Mina almost like a second skin, and the sandals definitely added a little somethin' something.' The tube-top was another bold choice, especially seeing as it didn't cover quite enough to be even loosely described as modest, and the way it hugged her curves didn't help. The real lynchpin of the outfit was the usual string of red beads though; against a new backdrop of smooth skin that really had a way of drawing the eyes where they probably shouldn't be looking…
"Miss Xiao Long?"
"Huh-? Oh, sorry, did you say something?"
"I take it you like what you see?" Mina smirked again.
Is she talking about the club or could she tell… "Uh… Sure! Sweet place alright, I'm not much of a dancer though…"
"Alas, neither am I," Mina admitted, turning her head back to gaze upon the void where anyone else would have seen the dance floor, "A pity,"
Phew…
"Tell me, Miss Xiao Long, have you ever had a crush?"
"Uh… Once or twice…." might be workin' on a third though…
"And how then, do you approach the object of your affection?"
"Well, there's always comin' right out with it…" copping a feel doesn't usually work out so hot though…
"Hmm…" Mina pondered the words thoughtfully.
"You… got someone?"
"I suppose that you could say that…"
"Can I ask who?"
"You may," Mina gave a wry smile, but didn't look in Yang's direction.
"You're really gonna make me work for this, aren't you?"
"I might,"
Yang took another sip of her Strawberry Sunrise. In all honesty, she hadn't really been expecting that the Barkeep would give it to her, certainly not without an ID, but apparently Mina was right; the place was very accommodating, if you behaved.
"Are you gonna tell me, or did we just come here for the pleasure of stranger's company?"
"Answer me this first, Miss Xiao Long,"
"Alright, shoot,"
"Have you ever kissed a girl?"
Yang almost did a spit-take, "Kina a personal question, don't ya think?"
"I am not much of a gossip, Miss Xiao Long, your secrets are safe with me,"
"… Once or twice…"
"I was hoping you'd say as much," a little smile tugged at Mina's lips, "I wouldn't want this to be any more awkward than it needs to be…"
Calm down Yang, remember: you're the hottest one in the room…
"… And I figured you would be the one to ask…."
Is she playing coy? That's actually kina hot…
But then Yang's anticipation was crushed, "Seeing as you'd know her better than anyone else…"
Dammit! Wait… she wants your advice on hooking up with someone you know better than anyone… Oh, HELL NO!
"You don't mean-,"
"Blake, yes," Mina admitted, completely oblivious to the sudden bout of protective sisterly rage.
"Blake? Oh…"
"Did you think I meant Miss Rose?" Mina raised an eyebrow, "She sounds adorable, but she is not my type…"
"And what is your type?" Yang asked, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment, "Is it the ears?"
"I wouldn't know," Mina lied, not that Yang could tell, "but there's just… something… about her voice, I think… Miss Schnee has a lovely voice as well, don't get me wrong, but… I fear that I still make her slightly uncomfortable…"
That makes sense I guess… Yang moped inwardly, suddenly self-conscious of her speech… I guess voice make a bigger impression on you if your eyes don't work…
"I dunno much about her to be honest, other than the fact that she's not really sociable," Yang answered truthfully, despite her dejected bitterness; the only thing she really did know about her partner's past was her history with the White Fang, and not much of that, even if it was her business to share that, "and she likes books a lot…"
"An irony to end all ironies…" Mina muttered, lifting her drink to her lips again, "Well, thank you anyway-,"
Before she could polish it off though, and inebriated dancer, well away from the dance floor, bumped into Mina, causing her to stumble and lose balance, Thinking fast, Yang caught her from behind and pulled her close, pressing the startled Faunus' back to her own chest, preventing her from spilling to the floor. The rest of Mina's drink wasn't so lucky, and wound up all over her.
"Well this is unfortunate," Mina muttered, less pensive this time, "I like the music, but all the damn noise means that I have to wear earplugs, and I can't be quite so aware that way; I do apologize Miss Xiao Long,"
Yang grabbed the rag from the barkeep even as he was wiping up a little melted ice, ignoring his protestations, "No biggie," she said as she reached around and wiped the spilled red drink off of Mina's bare stomach, "happens to everybody,"
It occurred to her then just how closely Mina was pressed up against her, Damn it got hot in here… she thought as her hands moved upward, dabbing the spilled drink off of Mina's tube-top.
Somebody whistled.
"Miss Xiao Long… I appreciate the gesture, but at least buy a girl dinner first..."
Yang's eyes widened as she realized, towel or no, that she had gotten to second base.
"Oh my god I am sooo sorry!" Yang let go and sprang back with such suddenness that Mina nearly hit the floor anyway, "I didn't mean to, honest,"
You really really wanted to though…
"It… It is fine," Mina said, patting herself down to check for the spill, and pulling her somewhat displaced top back up so that it fully covered her bra.
More black huh…
""In any event, you seem to have done a good job, so no harm done,"
Yang let out an audible sigh of relief, "Again, I am so sorry about that,"
"It's fine; we're both girls, right?" Mina winked, "You needn't apologize; we all make up for our shortcomings in different… areas…"
Come to think of it, she could have stood up at any time before it got to that… Yang thought, cheering up a little bit, Guess I wasn't the only one coppin' a feel… Might just have a shot if Blake's not interested…
Blake caught Mina bay the shoulder after Yang went into the dorm, "What were you doing with Yang?"
"Just a little night on the town, my dear Blake, is that jealousy I hear? It's adorable," Mina smiled in that meaningful, if not always sincere way she had.
It was half past midnight, "I swear if you hurt her-,"
"She's fine, I'm certain that you saw her," Mina cut her off, and tugged at her tube top, "and besides, if anyone was taking advantage of the opportunities, it wasn't me, my dear Blake,"
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Mina pushed Blake back into the wall by the shoulders and pressed herself in close, "But right now… I might feel like taking a little advantage…"
Blake's momentary alarm subsided in a thrilled rush as Min's familiar body pressed up against her for the first time in a long time and their lips met again; that memory was less distant, but it had still been too long. Blake let herself get lost in it-, there was no one around to see, and Yang had looked like she'd go out like a light when she'd entered the dorm, so she just let herself get swept away. Mina's hands moved to the small of Blake's back and pulled her closer still, and Blake felt her own hands moving up Mina's bare back, up an under the fabric…
She tastes like…
Her eyes went wide and she pulled away, "How could you?"
Mina seemed perplexed and annoyed, "A girl has needs-,"
"No!" Blake cut her off with a harsh whisper, "Whose blood is that on your lips?"
"So you got into it enough to taste… Progress…"
"Answer the question Mina!" Blake demanded, pushing her away as her own blood started to run cold.
Mina let loose an irked sigh, "If you must know, Miss Xiao Long can be very accommodating when she's had a few Strawberry Sunrises..."
"She's my teammate-!"
Mina silenced her with two fingers to her lips, "Our teammate, my dear Blake; and that aside, it was less than a pint, and I made certain that it will not leave a visible scar,"
"You did take advantage of her!"
Mina shook her head, as though correcting an errant child, "That is such a severe turn of phrase, my dear Blake, besides, I prefer to think of it as compensation for a certain… blunder, on Miss Xiao Long's part,"
"I don't care what she did, you can't just use her like that!"
"For what precious little it may be worth, I bought all but her first drink,"
"That's supposed to make me feel better about what you did?"
"I'd happily leave her alone if you'd just come back to me, my dear Blake,"
It was a sorely tempting proposition, lent another fresh dimension with this most recent incident…
"I…"
"Shhhhh…" Mina moved in to kiss her again, "I can be patient about your long term decisions, my dear Blake, but for now… may we not simply enjoy the pleasure of each other's company?"