Chapter 33: Catchin' Feels
Dammit Yang. You had one job.
A very friendly rabbit Faunus greeted Penny at the entrance of the ballroom.
"Scroll, please."
Penny pulled up her student ID credentials and gave them to the girl.
"Thank you very much. Enjoy your evening!"
"I think I will."
Boyfriend Sun was not yet in the dance hall. Perhaps he was being fashionably late? Penny decided to greet her friends while she waited for her dance partner.
"Friend Ruby! Over here!"
Friend Ruby stood on the far side of the auditorium. Between them were several adorable inflatable fishies, a fake palm tree, and a hanging gold disco ball imitating the sun. A smile had been painted on the side and could periodically be observed by Penny as it rotated.
Friend Ruby waved back at Penny, then dropped to one knee. She ran forward, kicked off the ground, and clicked her heels midair. To Penny's great surprise, Ruby's high heels exploded. The young girl was propelled over the decorations and gracefully landed in front of Penny. She then took a single step forward, tripped, and collapsed onto the ground.
"Are you okay, Friend Ruby?"
"Stupid girl stilts! I modified them to have Dust guns, but I fall on my face every time I take a step."
The only person Penny knew who could fly using their shoes like that was Penny, with her hover thrusters. Friend Ruby sure did love her guns.
"You sure do love your guns, Friend Ruby," Penny observed.
"Yeppers! I've been a bit of a gun nut ever since I was four."
"What happened when you were four?"
"I was a small kid. I was playing around in the yard when 30-50 feral Boarbatusks ran towards me. I thought I was doomed, but Mom was able to kill them all within 3-5 minutes using her mech-shift gun weapon."
"That sounds excit– oh! Boyfriend Sun!"
Penny bid Friend Ruby goodbye and approached her date. His tail carried a blooming daisy which he gently placed in her hair.
"Salutations, Boyfriend Sun! Your tuxedo is simply sensational."
"Sun's out guns out! Gotta dress up nice for my girl."
"Though I must ask, why are you not wearing pants?"
"I'm a junior detective, Penny. That's just my private dick."
"It does not appear to be very private. Nevertheless…salutations, Boyfriend Sun's private dick!"
Penny waved. It waved back.
People were still trickling in when Russel arrived. Weiss, punctual as ever, had shown up a full hour early. She approached him at the snack bar.
Russel dialed it up to an 11, just to mess with her head. "Oh, there you are, my darling!"
They kissed one another's cheeks. Russel, ever the gentleman, offered her the second straw in his cup of punch. Her hateful smile was quite comedic as she joined him in sipping the beverage.
Hey, you were the one who proposed, not me.
Weiss pointed it out when Jaune arrived arm in arm with Pyrrha. Damn, they looked good together. Pyrrha wore a sleeveless red dress that seemed to effortlessly merge into her ponytailed up hair. Two jade earrings dangled down from her head. Russ wasn't entirely sure if she was wearing makeup, and he had to make an effort not to stare.
Jaune was wearing a fancy schmancy tux with a red bow tie that screamed 'trying too hard to match with Pyrrha but in an endearing adorkable way'. Unless Russ', Jaune's tie wasn't a clip-on.
He was also wearing a pair of dress pants. That was good – Russel didn't hate whales or anything, but there was already too much Free Willy at this party from the monkey Faunus.
Russel wrapped his arm around his date's waist when his teammates came over. Pyrrha winked. Russel internally wished her luck. After all the effort that everyone had put into ensuring they hooked up, that girl better get some life-changing dick tonight.
"Greetings, Weiss, Russel," the woman of the hour said.
Jaune smiled at them both. "Pyrrha and I were going to hit the dance floor, but we saw you two and wanted to say hi first."
Russel greeted them with decorum suitable for the present circumstances.
"Wassup."
Weiss elbowed him. Russel chuckled. "Sorry, guys. The old ball 'n' chain seems miffed that I didn't rent a limo for her. I've been getting an earful all night."
"Isn't Weiss rich? Couldn't she just–"
Pyrrha leaned onto her date. "I'm sure the happy couple wants to spend some time together, Jaune. Speaking of which, you and I had better head over to the dance floor while the dancing's good."
"Of course. Russ, do you want Pyrrha to save a dance for you? I know that you were interested in her before."
"Actually," Weiss interjected through gritted teeth, "we were hoping for a little private time." The statement seemed to physically pain Weiss as she uttered it. Russel completely understood; unlike Dove, he actually had seen his own reflection.
Russel nodded and handed Jaune two cups of punch. "A spot of moonlight canoodling, if you know what I mean."
As Pyrrha dragged Jaune off, Russel could hear him saying that he didn't know what Russel meant and asking what canoodling was. Heh, Nikos was probably gonna give him a hands-on demonstration later that night.
"Well, it's just you and me," Russel noted. "Shall we begin doing unspeakable acts upon one another, babe?"
"Don't be a jerk. I'm going to mingle with the crowd."
Russel caught her shoulder before she left. "Weiss."
You don't have to look at my hand like it's diseased…
She sighed. "Yeah?"
"Thank you. Pyrrha needed this. Tonight's gonna mean the world for her."
Weiss smiled, but this time it looked earnest. "I understand. She's not the only one who was cursed with fame and good fortune." Weiss turned and walked away.
Russel couldn't resist. "Thanks for showin' me a good time, sugar."
"Fuck off and die." Weiss flipped him off without looking back. Dust, maybe the two of them really could've made it work.
Now all that was left was the rest of the night.
Russel decided to pester Team Castle for kicks.
Let's see…which of the boys are closest…
Sky and Ren were chatting next to a statue of a crab. Maybe they could entertain him for a bit. He approached the duo casually, tipping a nonexistent hat as he did so. Ren looked confused, but Sky tipped his own nonexistent hat in response.
"Howdy do, gents? Where're yer dates?"
The two looked at one another, then back to Russ. "We're each other's dates."
"Oh. Sorry, I shouldn't have – my bad."
"Did you come with anyone, Russel?" asked Ren.
"Well, I was technically asked out by Weiss Schnee, but we–"
Sky cut him off. "You're into girls?"
"Uh…"
Sky stared at him with undisguised contempt. "Girls, with their sissy pink dresses and frilly hairdos and cutesy makeup? That's what you're into? What are you, fuckin' gay or something?"
"Um. Ahem...I-I'm gonna go."
Russel knew they were screwing with him, but it was easier to just give up and start with someone fresh. As he sauntered off, the sound of muted laughter was just barely audible.
Now, who was next on the docket?
Hmmmm…Ozpin, Goodwitch, and Ironwood were standing around the punch table. Oh, that sounded like a fun time.
"The party has arrived! Please, hold your applause."
The ball-goers all politely obeyed Yang's request and did not clap. She and Blake were the last people to arrive at the dance, in no small part due to Yang fussing over her hair and choosing between her icterine and jonquil dresses. Blake hadn't seemed to think it was a big deal. The crude girl was so devoid of taste and culture that she'd actually called both hues 'yellow.' It was plain pitiful.
Blake wore a ballroom gown that was, for some reason, brown. And not some kind of rich dark brown like mahogany wood or creamy chocolate. No, this was a dirt/soil/mud/shit brown. Alas, it was too late to sneak over to Vale and obtain new garments for her hideous companion. Yang had no choice but to be beautiful enough for the both of them.
Jokes aside, Blake was a knockout. All the boys were gonna be heckin' jealous of Yang's super sexy date. Her bow had come back just for the night – not to hide her Faunus trait, but just to complete the look.
Penny was dancing with Sun, but Jaune and Pyrrha were currently dominating the dance floor. Jaune was…was…
Jaune was strumming a guitar. When did vomit boy even learn guitar? Yang thought he looked like a bit of a chump, but Pyrrha seemed positively tickled pink as he serenaded her under the disco ball and underwater themed décor. Damn, the girl was thirsty, and not for punch.
Yang briefly stepped away from Blake to submit a request to the DJ. As soon as Jaune finished the ballad of Pyrrha Nikos, the speakers blared to life. An upbeat electric tune resonated across the auditorium.
Blake offered her a hand. "Shall we?"
"We shall."
Blake pulled Yang into a waltzing stance. Oh, the poor unrefined tasteless Faunus seemed to think this was that kind of music.
"Blake, that's not the kind of dance we're supposed to do."
"I only know how to waltz."
Oh, this would just not do. Wee Blakey couldn't bust a move to the groove? Thank the Brothers she had an upper crust, elegant golden goddess as her fake date to show her the ropes.
One high speed crash course in the difference between ballroom dancing and EDM later, Blake was actually doing it. She wasn't going to be going to the finals any time soon, but Yang was proud of her little kitty cat nonetheless.
The music intensified in volume as Yang's sick moves intensified in epicness. Yang swung her head back and forth, then thrust out her arms. Blake, in spite of not knowing how to dance just a few moments prior, was also getting into it. Come to think of it, it was probably easy for a huntress to learn how to dance. They were trained in agility, memorizing movement patterns, and quick reactions to partners. Dancing and fighting aren't so different after all, I guess.
Great, now I sound like some self-important philosopher saying stupid shit to sound wise.
Yang looked up to see Blake's lips moving, but her words were lost to the awesome beat.
"This…really…keeping…"
"What…? Blake, I can't hear you."
"I said…we…getting…balcony…"
"What?"
"…balcony! Balcony!"
Yang got the message and retreated with Blake up the stairwell to the second floor. The duo exited the building's huge double doors and stepped into the moonlight. Yang sucked in a breath of the crisp, night air as the music died down behind her.
"What were you saying?"
"Never mind. I just wanted to get away from the crowd."
The shattered moon illuminated the starry sky. Yang leaned over the edge of the balcony and looked out over the campus.
"You know, I used to see this as just a school. A second, bigger Signal Academy. Now I can't see it as anything except for home. Don't get me wrong, I love Patch, but Beacon's…it's the home base. It's where I'd want to respawn. It's a part of me."
Blake nodded. "I think I know what you mean. I technically grew up on Menagerie, but it was barely home. I was always moving around so much. My parents had jobs that…required frequent travel. One day I would be in Atlas, the next Vacuo. We never settled down, never grew roots. I can't think of a single childhood friend I had before I ventured out on my own."
"On your own? Like, you ran away?"
"My parents and I disagreed on a matter of some significance. I didn't run away from home, as much as I stopped going with them on every move of theirs. Over time, we saw each other less and less. I don't even remember the last time I met with them."
"How did you get by?"
"I had help. I stayed with some people I knew and did a little work for them. Well, did a lot of work for them. Okay, gave 'em the better half of my life, I guess. But they weren't my friends. They were never my friends. Team Rainbow, you guys, you're my friends. You're my family."
Yang felt her cheeks heat up. "Blake…"
"Being a Faunus is difficult. Everyone's eyes always flash to my ears before anything else. Some awkwardly try to pretend they aren't there. Others spit abuse and call me a monster." Blake took off her bow and unwound the ribbon. "But here, with everyone, I can be myself. I don't have to hide any part of my identity just to fit in. If I could–"
Yang's lips pressed against Blake's.
Weiss was having a ball at this ball. She'd done her good deed for the day by helping out Pyrrha, drank some punch after chemically testing it for rohypnol, danced with her adorable BFF Penny, and even had a chance to wish the professors a good evening. What a wild night! Surely nothing could go wrong.
She was finding it a little stuffy, though. Weiss set down her beverage and headed to the staircase that led to the upper balcony. A little fresh air could do her a world of good, as well as some time away from the stench of sweat and horny teenagers
Before she finished ascending the stairs, she looked from above at the crowds in hopes of finding her partner. Oddly enough, the one person she couldn't make out in the crowd was the very same person for whom she was searching. Maybe Blake had retired for the evening?
Wait, that wasn't it. Yang wasn't in the crowd either. Weiss felt silly as she remembered how Yang had told her she'd go to the ball with Blake as friends. Weiss had initially felt the plan insulting – Blake could take care of herself without a chaperone – but Blake had convinced her it was for the best. While Blake had a fun time with a trusted teammate, Weiss could go about her night without having to worry about some stranger falling for Weiss' prospective girlfriend or getting too handsy. What a sweet thing for Yang to do. Weiss would have to thank Xiao-Long for her considerate behavior when next she had the chance.
Prospective girlfriend. It was an odd thing to think about. It was always expected that she would marry a rich suitor of equal station and produce a child to continue the Schnee name. But here in Beacon, she was free to control her own destiny. Her, Weiss Schnee, second in line as heiress to the SDC after Penny Polendina, prim and proper high society Weiss, having a girlfriend…if Blake was interested, of course.
She seemed interested. She'd teased her quite a bit, and she'd more or less agreed to go to the dance at one point, but Russel's failed plot had gotten in the way of that. Maybe when they went on a real date, she could ask Blake about her feelings.
But what exactly were those feelings? Why did she love Blake? The answer didn't take long to put into words – Blake was amazing. Her little sarcastic quips were elegant and perfectly timed, unlike Yang's rapid fire puns. Blake not only understood the value of having a wide breadth of literary knowledge under her belt – she actively enjoyed reading. Weiss could never fall in love with a woman who didn't enjoy studying as much as she her. Loathe as she was to admit it, Blake challenging her on the first day probably was what won Weiss over. Schnees valued courage, posture, and the ability to speak up for oneself. When her childhood had consisted primarily of boot-licking sycophants seeking to curry favor with the future Schnee matriarch, getting yelled at was a breath of fresh air.
Oh, and Blake was hot as fuck. That too. Those cat ears…Weiss bit her bottom lip.
Weiss heard someone speaking from beyond the doors. She turned around to leave them to their privacy (getting an eyeful of an overly amorous couple on prom night was the last thing she wanted), but she stopped. It sounded almost like…Blake?
Weiss pushed open the doors.
There was Blake.
There was Yang.
They were fifteen feet apart, on opposite sides of the balcony. Blake was leaning out over the banister, and Yang was sitting down in a crumpled heap, clutching at her heels.
Perfect – Team Ainbow all in one place. Weiss spread her arms out. "Hellooo, ladies. I hope you two have been having just as wonderful an evening as I have."
"Yeah, perfect."
"It's been great."
"Yang, I don't think I ever got a chance to thank you for accompanying Blake this evening. You've been the best friend I could ever–"
Yang stood up and walked past Weiss out the door. Their eyes didn't meet and she didn't say a peep, but her silence spoke volumes. She was upset a̵n̵d̵ ̵i̵t̵ ̵w̵a̵s̵ ̵a̵l̵l̵ ̵W̵e̵i̵s̵s̵'̵ ̵f̵a̵u̵l̵t̵.
Flashbacks of putting her foot in her mouth by unknowingly insulting the Faunus assailed Weiss' mind. She'd done something stupid again, and now Yang was angry at her.
G̵r̵e̵a̵t̵ ̵j̵o̵b̵,̵ ̵y̵o̵u̵ ̵d̵u̵m̵b̵ ̵b̵i̵t̵c̵h̵.̵ ̵ ̵Y̵o̵u̵ ̵j̵u̵s̵t̵ ̵c̵a̵n̵'̵t̵ ̵h̵e̵l̵p̵ ̵y̵o̵u̵r̵s̵e̵l̵f̵,̵ ̵c̵a̵n̵ ̵y̵o̵u̵?̵
"Y-Yang? What's the – did I make a – I'm sorry if I said something wrong. I didn't mean…Yang?"
Yang stepped through the door, slamming it behind her.
She hates you. You ruined her night just by showing up.
"Yang? Oh, Dust, I didn't mean it. I swear, whatever I did, I didn't mean it."
What did she do?
What could she do…?
Blake. Blake was good at telling Weiss when she'd messed up. She could set her straight.
"Blake? Did I screw up again?" Weiss turned back to look for the cat Faunus.
Blake was gone. She must've jumped over the edge of the balcony t̵o̵ ̵g̵e̵t̵ ̵a̵w̵a̵y̵ ̵f̵r̵o̵m̵ ̵W̵e̵i̵s̵s̵.
N̵o̵b̵o̵d̵y̵ ̵l̵o̵v̵e̵s̵ ̵y̵o̵u̵,̵ ̵W̵e̵i̵s̵s̵.̵ ̵ ̵H̵o̵w̵ ̵c̵o̵u̵l̵d̵ ̵t̵h̵e̵y̵?̵
Omake
Taiyang: Ruby, Yang, it's time we talked about the birds and the bees.
Yang: What do you mean, daddy?
Taiyang: You see, Yang, one day you'll be a part of something called Bumbleby. It's going to start the most violent shipping war that the internet has ever seen. Hundreds, no, thousands will die for the cause.
Ruby: What about the birds?
Qrow: *kicks down door* You don't get it, kid. I can turn into a bird, Ruby! I can turn into a buuuuurd!
Omake 2
Me, struggling to not joke about Dick's Out for Harambe with Sun: Don't do it! Don't add a pop culture reference that younger generations won't understand!
Next Chapter: Ruby Rose's Humungous Balls – In which Pyrrha has the perfect night, and Ruby has the perfect fight.
Author's Notes
Some notes on the last chapter:
Jaune's semblance will be showing up again, and I will be absolutely squeeeeeezing every last drop of plot juice I can out of it. I will promise you right here and now, it's not because I'm secretly crushing on Jaune or want him to be the OP self-insert MC. It's because he's currently the closest main character of the three teams to Ozpin, and his character Arc (shut up, Yang) will be closely tied to the secrets of Ozpin's cabal.
On this chapter:
To clarify, strikethroughs are supposed to be a character's internal thoughts that they are trying to reject/ignore. Weiss isn't possessed by Emerald or something. She's possessed by low self-confidence and trust issues. I apologize if they look weird - fanfiction dot net doesn't do well on formatting, so I copy ASCII text.
Holy crap, we're a third of the way through this! Fortunately, the plot has begun (cough, watch Russel closely, cough), and some drama too! And unlike Nora, this drama won't immediately be resolved - expect lasting love triangles abound.
Begun, the ship wars have. Take sides, we must all. Yang or Weiss - there can only be one.