The night after the white coat ceremony, Weiss had tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep. The more she thought about her choice, the more she doubted that she had made the right one.

Would Blake even take her back?

Unfortunately, it had taken some time alone for Weiss to be able to start to understand her feelings. It wasn't something that she was familiar with. But that wasn't an excuse. Or Blake's fault.

Now she just found herself mentally bargaining with her own thoughts, trying to find a way to beg for Blake to come back. And that was also a new concept for her. Making concessions for someone wasn't something she had experience with. Or asking them to make them for her. Having someone see her as an equal, instead of someone of untouchable status. Not to mention, feeling something for Blake that she had never felt with anyone else in her entire life was also terrifying. All coupled with her taking far too long to figure out what it was.

Weiss was ashamed. And what better way to wallow in her shame, and try to start making things right than to text Yang.

Honestly, it felt like an acceptable punishment, all things considered.

~ hello, Yang. I was just checking to see if there was anything I could assist with for the party tomorrow. I know it's rather last minute, but I would love to help if I can. Whether that is monetarily or otherwise.

- why hello there to you, ice queen.

~ do not call me that.

- okay, popsicle princess.

~ ice queen is fine.

- thought so. Anyways, there are a few things I need to pick up and then my sister Ruby is in town for my graduation and is helping me out with Blake's party. So if you want, you can help her set up stuff at the venue. If you want.

~ just send me a list and I will help with whatever I can.

- so does this mean you are going to attend the party as well?

~ I'm not sure. But I want to help regardless.

- sure thing. I'll send you the info in a few minutes.

For the next few hours, Weiss runs errands for Yang. Helping to retrieve items required for the party.

Eventually, Yang gives Ruby's number to her, since Ruby was doing most of the legwork for the party.

- sorry, I just thought it would be easier if you two talked directly, since I have a gig tonight and it's going to be hard to get in touch with me.

~ that's fine. Should make this easier.

The next morning, Weiss had made arrangements to meet up with Ruby at the venue where they would host Blake's party. It wasn't overly fancy, like the parties Weiss was used to attending in her earlier years. But looking around, it seemed to fit more so with Blake's style.

"You must be Weiss!" A girl with dark hair with the tips dyed red appears out of thin air right in front of her, causing her to jump back slightly.

"And you, you need to be more careful about sneaking up on people."

"I can try that." The girl takes a second to collect herself and present herself more formally. "I'm Ruby." Her smile and demeanor have a childish essence but Weiss can tell the girl in front of her is close to her in age. Maybe a few years younger at most. "Here," Ruby reaches out to grab some of the bags Weiss had been carrying. "Let me take some of these. We have a lot of work to do. Hopefully Yang told you."

"She gave me an idea, yes." Weiss quickly assesses her surroundings, taking into account what still needs to be done.

"It will take us a few hours, but Blake's worked really hard for years. So I figured a few hours of setting this up for her would be nothing. In comparison, of course."

"She has." Weiss looks away from Ruby and sighs quietly.

"Blake told me a little bit about you. That you're from Atlas. And you're studying to, well I guess you're done studying now, but you were getting your Master's in business, right?"

"That is correct." Weiss looks up toward her once again, correcting her posture ever so slightly. The grey hue of Ruby's eyes seem to have a small amount of light hiding behind them. "She has told me a few things about you as well. You have a talent for the culinary arts."

When Ruby laughs it reminds her of how Whitley used to laugh when they would play together when they were children. Before their father had begun to turn them into building blocks for the continuance of his legacy. One that wasn't even his in the first place.

"I don't know why, but it always makes me laugh when it's called culinary arts. But yeah, I went to cooking school."

"Sounds way more fun than business school." Weiss can't help but mutter under her breath, thinking about how much more she would've learned from cooking than anything she had picked up during her time in class.

"Probably, though I can't say for sure. Since you know, I never went to business school."

As they carry on their duty and their conversation, Weiss realizes that Yang may have been right about the two of them becoming friends. Weiss found Ruby's somewhat childish nature endearing. Like she was able to glimpse into the pieces of life that she had missed.

"I know you and Blake are going through a little bit of a tough spot. But do you think you'll end up coming back for the party?"

"Do you think I should?" She turns to face Ruby as they walk out of the building towards their cars.

"I've know Blake for a pretty long time. And I've heard the way she talks about you. It's safe to say if this were your party, Blake would be here." She shrugs softly. "But that doesn't mean you have to come back for the party. You just have to do what you feel is right for you. I know Blake will understand."

"I hope she will too."