Loathe as he was to admit it, Jaune had fallen into a routine at Grimm Academy. He had never expected to grow even remotely comfortable here. Much less comfortable sleeping next to a girl.

Yet here he was.

Jaune awoke with a familiar weight on his chest. Since the latest Blake incident, Jaune had relented and agreed to let Ruby share a bed with him in order to keep the more monstrous girl at bay. Somehow, someway, it was working. Blake had not made a return appearance to their dorm. She had not abducted his roommate from her bed in order to slither under his sheets with him. Why exactly, he could not say. Did it really have to do with scents? Or would Ruby simply be more prone to being woken up if she was forcefully pried from his arms?

He couldn't say. All he knew was that this arrangement was far better than the alternative.

Yet there were still times where he could not help but feel that he was being watched as he and Ruby lay in the darkness.

Not now though. Here in the morning, in the purple-red daylight filtering in through the window, Jaune was doing the watching. Ruby was still sound asleep, curled up against his body protectively with her head resting on his chest. He knew that she was only doing it to protect him from Blake, and yet... there was something inherently romantic about their position. Like what Blake had attempted to do with him several days ago, only where she had failed, Ruby was succeeding.

Looking down at her, the young hybrid looked so peaceful in her sleep. The soft features of her face were more apparent in her relaxed state. Her eyes were closed, and the absence of her glowing red orbs made her seem more human without even trying. There was even a small sliver of drool hanging from her open mouth that threatened to spill down onto his chest. He had to admit, here in this moment, in this light, she was pretty cute. Horns and all.

Checking the time, he saw that there was still an hour before classes began. There was no need to wake her up just yet. Even as she shifted slightly in his arms, she remained asleep. It was a wonder her horns hadn't poked him as she moved. Just one advantage of him being so tall, and her being so short.

A curious sound came from the sleeping hybrid's lips, and Jaune couldn't help but smile. She was mumbling something in her sleep. Dreaming about something. He wondered what hybrids dreamed about. Killing humans? Devouring raw meat?

The train of thought was driven from his mind when Ruby finally mumbled an intelligible word. "...dad..."

Jaune's heart skipped a beat. Dad. She had just said dad. Did that mean she was dreaming about her father? About her past? He knew that the hybrids considered Salem to be their mother, but the idea of a father figure had never been spoken of before. Or at least none of the girls, nor Salem herself, had ever mentioned one.

Taking a deep breath, Jaune brought his lips close to the girl's ear. "Dad?" he uttered softly. "Who's your dad?"

The question prompted more muttering. More dream speak he couldn't make out. Until another real words passed her lips. "...cookies..."

Dad and cookies. Two words so random, so unrelated, and yet... so human. Here in her unconscious state, Ruby seemed so human. More so than she ever had before.

Over the past couple of weeks Jaune had learned a lot about all of the hybrids he had befriended. Despite their bestial nature, each possessed a plethora of strange personality quirks that he could only describe as human. The sweet and caring Ruby. The proud and envious Weiss. The brazen and carefree Yang. Even Blake, the most monstrous of them all, had twisted ideas of love and sex in her mind. All of these traits were distinctly human. Feelings that a mere Beowolf or Death Stalker could never possess.

Maybe... maybe if he could somehow nurture those sides of them, they might remember who they were. Maybe their minds were not lost to the primal rage and bloodlust that being a Grimm hybrid seemed to bring. Maybe teaching them to be more human was exactly what they needed. To remind them of what they once were.

Ruby stirred again, this time lifting her head as she woke up. Crimson eyes opened to look up at him. She blinked several times, as if trying to chase away the last remnants of sleep from her mind. "Jaune?"

Only then did he realize that he had been caught staring at her as she slept. His gaze averted immediately, looking over to the wall in front of their beds. "Oh. Hey there, Ruby."

Her head returned to his chest. "Is it time for school?"

Again, it was such a human thing to ask. Like a child who didn't want to go to school in the morning. Only Ruby couldn't fake being sick in order to get out of it like a normal person might be able to. Illness had consequences here.

"Not yet," he told her. She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at his words. "Did you have a nice dream?"

Ruby lifted her head again, and her eyes regarded him curiously. "Huh?"

Jaune's body shivered. What if he was wrong? What if hybrids didn't dream? What if he had just revealed himself as a fraud? "Oh, I, um..."

"I don't remember, honestly," she said as he stumbled for an explanation. "Why?"

He breathed his own sigh of relief. "No reason. Just wondering."

She hummed, returning to her previous position. It dawned on Jaune that despite no longer being asleep, and despite no longer needing protection from Blake, Ruby still hadn't moved. She still hadn't vacated his bed. And most of all, she still hadn't released her grip on his body.

He should probably do something about that.

Jaune moved to sit up, forcibly removing Ruby's arms from him, and prompting her to sit up with him. Their legs were still underneath the covers, but he could see that she was clad in the shirt he had given her to sleep in. He was thankful for small things like that. He couldn't imagine how his body would have reacted to a naked Ruby cuddling with him at night. Or how she might react to his body's reaction.

Ruby yawned, stretching her arms high above her head, and reminding Jaune that she still possessed a terrifying skeletal black arm. Her head tilted back and forth, eliciting several satisfying cracks. A soft moan of satisfaction slipped through her lips with those movements, making Jaune swallow hard. Why did she have to make those kinds of noises while in bed with him!

Her gaze snapped to him an instant later with sudden focus and intensity. "So what do you wanna do now?"

Not get turned on by monster girls, his mind answered silently. "Uh... I dunno. Anything you want to talk about?"

Her jaw scrunched up in thought as red eyes drifted up to the ceiling. "Mmm. Not really. Why?"

He had hoped that she might mention something about her father. Or anything involving the dream she couldn't remember. Anything to open up the door to her more human side. However it seemed as though there was nothing on her mind that she felt was worth discussing.

The sudden pounding on the door earned both of their attentions, as they turned to the source of the sound. Speaking of routines, it was time for another one.

Weiss was undoubtedly on the other side, ready for him to accompany her to the kitchen in order to make breakfast. Ever since the first time it had become their 'thing'. Their morning routine. Since discovering human food, Weiss had developed quite an appetite for it. Like she could no longer tolerate the typical Grimm hybrid cuisine. He wondered if the girl would have been so demanding had she been fully human.

Slipping out of the warm bed, Jaune's bare feet hit the floor and sent chills through his body. He wanted nothing more than to crawl back underneath the covers, but he knew that an angry Weiss was bad news for him. It was bad news for his body which would be on the receiving end of a flurry of pokes from Weiss' sharp horn.

Jaune opened the door to reveal the short girl, whose hands pressed down firmly on her hips. "About time," she said impatiently.

It had only taken him a few seconds, and she was acting like he was late for some appointment. He made no comment however, not wanting to earn the girl's ire. "I guess you're hungry?" he mused.

"Quite famished." Her eyes stared past him into the room, and he saw how a slight frown formed on her lips before she looked back up at him. "I've brought a special fresh ingredient to cook today," she said as she held up simple brown paper bag.

Jaune couldn't guess the contents of the bag, but he was surprised Weiss was showing such initiative. Then again they had been cooking together for some time, and she was already showing signs of improvement. He wondered what she had in mind for this morning.

Light footsteps from behind him indicated that Ruby had finally left the comforts of their bed as well. She stood behind him, grabbing onto his shoulder to peer around his body. "Oh, what's that?" she asked, looking at the bag in Weiss' hand.

"Breakfast," Weiss said simply. "My breakfast."

Nails dug deep into Jaune's shoulder, and he winced in pain as he looked over to Ruby. There was jealousy on her face, clear as day. "Can I come? I'm hungry too."

Weiss snorted dismissively. "I think you may find yourself overmatched in the culinary arts, Ruby," she stated with no small trace of arrogance. "Speaking as someone with great experience, it takes a certain level of skill in order to cook a proper human meal."

This coming from the girl who crushed an egg in her hand the first time she cooked... Jaune thought.

As he looked into Ruby's disappointed eyes an idea struck him. "I think you coming with is a great idea, Ruby."

Red eyes turned hopeful. "Really?"

A second pair narrowed at him in response. "Excuse me?"

"Y-yeah!" he said nervously, expecting the worst from Weiss. "Because you know, we should all know how to prepare human food, right? That's what we're here at this school for. To learn to be more human."

He wasn't even lying. He did want the girls to learn to be more human. However, it was not for the benefit of Salem's plans. No, he wanted this in order to remind them of their humanity. To foster that side of them that maybe still existed somewhere deep inside them. He would gladly use any excuse he could find in order to help in that cause.

His cold logic earned an even colder glare from Weiss, who seemingly had nothing to say in response to his argument. As the most studious of the hybrids, she could not say that it was a bad idea.

Ruby on the other hand squealed with excitement. "Yes! Let me just get dressed!"

She didn't even blink at the fact that Jaune was still in the room, and the door was still open as she begun lifting his oversized shirt over her head. Jaune did the only decent thing he could think of, and stepped outside to join Weiss before pulling the door shut.

The silence was deafening as he stood in the hall with the tiny hybrid. However, he could feel the anger radiating from Weiss. The girl beside him was fuming, and it was only a matter of time until she unleashed her wrath in a series of horn pecks.

Surprisingly, they never came as she spoke. "Why is she coming?" she asked bitterly.

Her tone was surprising. It wasn't simply anger in her tone. No, the emotion was far more complex. Like something he might have heard from one of his sisters when they argued in a spat of jealousy. It was so very... human.

"To learn to cook," he explained. He knew that his answer did not address Weiss' true concern, but he decided to feign ignorance nonetheless.

"Cooking is supposed to be our thing."

There was no mistaking it. Weiss was absolutely jealous. Upset that Ruby was moving in on their perceived territory. Jaune felt terrible about making her feel this way, but at the same time such emotions were too complex to be those of a simple, mindless Grimm. Complex emotions were undeniably human. If he could make Weiss feel them, then that could only be a good thing. Right?

"I'm not a fan of the two of you being alone together every night and morning," she continued. "What gives her the right to monopolize your free time like that?"

"Well, we're roommates. It's normal to be together after school hours."

"And that's not fair. Where is it written that only Ruby is allowed a roommate?"

Jealousy may have been a green-eyed monster, but right now it could be more accurately described as red-eyed. "What, did you want to be our roommate too?"

"I suppose if you insist then I have no choice," she said a little bit too quickly. "Someone has to keep an eye on the two of you in order to ensure that no funny business is going on."

The speed at which Weiss not only answered his question, but took it to an entirely different level, shocked Jaune. "Wait, you're serious?"

"Of course. After all, there's plenty of space. With a bunk bed Ruby can sleep in her top spot, while I can share your bed. I'm small enough to fit beside you quite comfortably."

And now she was propositioning him to share his bed? Jealousy might have been an understatement in describing Weiss. "Actually Ruby's the one who shares my-" He never finished his sentence before Weiss lowered her head and stabbed him in the sternum with all her might. Jaune recoiled, falling back against the wall with a pained cry leaving his lips. "Ow! What was that for!"

"If I must duel her for the right then I will!" she snarled. "However you would do well to remember your place in our relationship! If I say I want something, you have no other choice than but to give it to me!"

Jaune had no idea what she was talking about, but all he knew was that he did not want to be on the receiving end of Weiss' horn. "Okay! I'm sorry!"

Weiss stood straight, her haughty attitude on full display as she peered up at him. "Good."

He rubbed his chest, wishing more than ever that he was wearing his breastplate. If he was to spend time around Weiss, he should probably wear it at all times. He should probably just invest in a full suit of armor considering how often he was assaulted by the hybrid's aggressive horn.

He'd have to ask a teacher if acquiring such an item might even be possible. Hazel, maybe. Hazel seemed like a decent enough guy. One who knew his secret and didn't seem to care. The man had even offered him advice when he didn't need to.

The door opened back up, revealing Ruby in her normal short black dress. She looked happy beyond belief as she stepped outside, causing Weiss to take a few steps away from her.

"Ready!" she shouted cheerfully.

A glance over to Weiss showed her still scowling at the other girl. It may not have been the perfect situation, but it was better this way. Maybe he could even try to smooth over whatever conflict the two had with each other. Ruby had once said how none of the other students could stand her, for whatever reason. Perhaps he could help her acquire second friend. If the three of them really were going to become roommates, a friendship between Ruby and Weiss would be absolutely necessary.

"Stand aside, Ruby," Weiss stated confidently as the trio entered the kitchen. "And watch how an experienced chef performs."

Jaune watched as the white-haired hybrid went over to the large walk-in refrigerator. Moments later she reemerged with a carton of eggs. She continued to mimic the actions he had taught her all those days ago. Weiss was a fast learner, and if there was one thing about her that he knew was absolutely true, it was that she loved to learn. Weiss had an insatiable curiosity out of her desire to be the very best. To be the top student in this academy.

The frying pan was set on the stove. To her credit, Weiss no longer crushed the eggs in her fist before letting the debris fall into the pan. No, she cracked each with one swift, firm strike before dumping the yolk and white in.

Meanwhile Ruby stood in rapt awe as she watched the other girl work. This was her first time in the kitchen after all, and had probably never even seen food cooked before. At least, not in her Grimm hybrid form.

The thought pained Jaune. Ruby likely would have had memories of her parents cooking for her as a child. Memories stolen from her by that vile, evil, despicable... creature. After what Salem had done to the students of this academy he could not even consider her to be like the other hybrids. He couldn't think of her as once being human. Her humanity must have left her entirely long ago.

A soft nudge to his side brought him out of his thoughts, and he turned to see Ruby looking up at him. "Is she making enough for all of us?"

Judging by the amount of eggs Weiss had cracked, probably. Unless the girls had truly voracious appetites, that was. "Yeah," he guessed. "I think so."

A tiny smile slipped on the redhead's face. "I can't wait. Real life human food. This is so exciting."

Fried eggs were exciting. It really was adorable how such a simple pleasure made the girl react. He tried to focus on that aspect of her being, rather than the sad truth about what she had become.

A glance over to Weiss showed that she had finished her preparations, and the eggs were now cooking. "Did you see that, Ruby?" she asked with a satisfied look on her face. One of her hands moved to her chest. "This is how a true master prepares for breakfast. I was taught by the most knowledgeable student in our class, and it's only a matter of time until I surpass him due to my inherently superior abilities."

Ruby shifted uncomfortably at his side. While Weiss had indeed made great strides in her knowledge and experience, there was no reason to rub it in the other girl's face.

"Most of it is common sense, honestly," Weiss continued as she took a few steps toward them. "I probably could have figured it out on my own had I had the inclination, but my free time is so precious and spent learning other aspects of human life that I simply hadn't gotten to cooking yet."

The pan behind Weiss began to smoke heavily. The scent of burning food filled Jaune's nostrils. The harsh sound of sizzling eggs indicated that they were starting to burn. He stared past her to look at the impending disaster. Yet, he did nothing.

"You should be thanking him, as well as me for allowing you to join us in our morning routine." The contents of the pan behind her burst into flames. "You may even learn a thing or two from the experience, and perhaps be able to prepare your own human cuisine. Eggs are a relatively simple dish, and nearly impossible to mess up. I imagine a novice like you would think to include the shells in order to boost the nutritional content of the dish, however that line of thinking is most incorrect."

What she failed to mention was that it was her initial thought as well.

Jaune sighed, deciding that this had gone on for long enough. Any more and it could become a fire hazard. The last thing he needed was to get banned from the kitchen due to setting it on fire. Even if Weiss was the one who did it.

Jaune moved past the shorter girl and grabbed a metal lid to fit over the pan. He turned off the flame of the stove before covering the frying pan and extinguishing the fire. Crisis averted. Even if it seemed that neither girl realized it.

As if to prove his thought true, Ruby rushed up next to him. "So is it done?"

He removed the lid to see slightly blackened, but indeed cooked eggs. He faced her and shrugged. "Yeah. They're done."

A wide grin erupted on her face. "Yay! Gimmie!" she shouted as she nearly attacked the eggs with a nearby fork she had picked up. She was stopped in her tracks by Weiss before connecting.

"What are you doing?" Weiss asked.

"Um... eating?"

"Not yet," she chastised with a wag of her finger. "The eggs need seasoning first."

"Seasoning?"

"Salt, you dolt!" Weiss exclaimed. "A mineral from the ground used to enhance the flavor of human foods. Honestly, what have they been teaching you in this school if not something as simple as that?"

"Says the girl who ate a handful of it her first time..." Jaune muttered.

Weiss whirled around to face him. "Excuse me?"

Her narrowed red eyes promised the threat of a horn poking should he antagonize her any more. Jaune knew better than to invite such aggression.

"Uh... nothing..."

A smug smile graced her lips. "As I thought. Now," she said as she grabbed the salt shaker. She applied a conservative dose to the eggs. "We may eat."

Weiss divided the food onto three separate plates. As soon as she had finished the mood changed entirely. Like feeding time for a tank of piranhas.

Jaune watched as the two girls devoured the contents of their plates, using forks to shovel the eggs into their mouths. As it turned out you could replace the raw meat with cooked human food, but those animalistic instincts remained intact.

Perhaps that would have to be their next private lesson. Proper eating etiquette.

It amazed him just how much they could eat, and how quickly they could do it. The feeding frenzy put competitions between he and his sisters to shame.

Their plates were empty in a matter of seconds. Truthfully, it was impressive. "I had no idea you two could eat so much," he admitted. "Are your insides hollow or something?"

Ruby turned around in a flash. "You leave my fully functioning womb out of this!"

Jaune blinked. "...what?"

"What?" she asked innocently.

Did she really not see anything wrong with what she had just said? Or rather, screamed? "Why did you have to mention that? Or that it was fully functioning?"

"Just so that we would be clear!" she insisted.

Clear on the fact that her womb was fully functional? "Yeah but why tho-"

"For research purposes!"

Jaune's lips twitched, moving as if to speak, but no words came. How could he respond to such a random statement with anything coherent? He may as well have responded with 'moose', and it would have made as much sense as Ruby's outburst.

He flinched when he felt the tip of Weiss' horn drag along his back. Not poking him, but merely letting him know that she was there. That she was behind him. The horn continued to rise, applying a gentle pressure until it reached between his shoulder blades.

"Just so we're clear, my womb is also fully functional," Weiss said softly.

Jaune turned to see the familiar accusatory eyes of Weiss staring up at him. "I'll... keep that in mind?"

She lightly smacked his shoulder with the broad side of her horn. "Fresh!"

Fresh? What in the world was she talking about? Unless...

"Weiss, was that slang? How do you even understand human slang?"

A soft, musical laugh sung through her lips. Something so beautiful coming from a Grimm hybrid sounded out of place. Yet it was only another reminder of what she had once been.

"I have been studying, Jaune," she explained. "Human idioms and social customs are almost completely in my grasp. I'll bet you don't even know what worth a faunus once had in the eyes of the law."

What worth they had? What was she- oh no.

Blue eyes widened. "Weiss, please don't."

"Three-fourths of a human," she stated proudly.

Great. Just casually bring up past faunus slavery like that. That wasn't awkward at all. But Jaune had to remind himself that to the hybrids, such speech wouldn't be socially taboo. To Weiss it was just raw information that she prided herself in knowing.

"Actually, in the eyes of the law a faunus only counted as three-fifths of a person," another voice said. All three students turned to the source of the sound. Peeking her head through the door to the kitchen, Blake stood there staring at them. She sighed dreamily. "Those were the good old days..."

"...how long have you even been there?" Jaune asked.

A long slimy tongue came out to lick her lips. "Long enough."

"Blake, leave!" Weiss shouted as she took a step toward the hybrid in a huff.

Like a shadow, Blake slunk away back out the door. Jaune breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing he needed was another encounter with her.

"Thank you, Weiss," he said genuinely.

"I'm merely protecting what is mine," she replied. Hers? What was she talking about?

"I would have too!" Ruby chimed in, moving to stand on the other side of him.

Jaune looked back and forth between the two girls. Were they talking about their breakfast or something?

Weiss moved to the counter and grabbed the paper bag she had brought with her. She held it up for Jaune to see. "In return, you may teach me how to prepare this dish."

That must have been what she was referring to. Jaune's curiosity was piqued. "Oh? You have something in mind for lunch?"

She nodded. "Yes. I believe it will make a most excellent meal if prepared in the human tradition."

Weiss reached in, and to Jaune's shock and horror, produced the dead body of a rabbit. Still fully intact. Like it had just been caught this morning.

He felt bile rising in his throat. He had no idea why he was surprised that Weiss had brought him a rabbit. After spending a couple of weeks here at this school, such a thing should have been expected by now.

"I... um..." he started. He had no idea how to properly skin and prepare a rabbit for food. He had experience in cooking and camping, but not that much experience.

She returned it to its bag and handed it to him. "Is there a problem?"

Jaune took it, gripping the folded top tightly in his fingers. "How about we wait on something that's so... advanced? Oh I have an idea. Have you ever had steak?"

Weiss blinked. "Steak?"

"You'll love it. And we have some in the freezer too!" He regarded the bag in his hands. "Rabbit can wait for another day. Besides, it's so small that there wouldn't even be enough for you after seeing how you eat today."

"What's that supposed to mean!"

He winced. "Uh... nothing! Nothing at all!" He looked at the bag again. "So, yeah. Let's just go with the steak idea."

Tossing the bag toward the garbage, he expected to hear the dull thump as it entered the bin.

It never came.

Instead, a cracking noise thundered in the room, made by a very particular whip. Against his better judgment, Jaune looked back to see that Blake had skewered the bag with her barbed tentacle in mid-air.

Eyeing him as only she could, Blake slid her mask down with her other tentacle in a way that was probably meant to be sensual. Winking, she tore the dead animal in half with one bite. Bones and organs crushed together in her hideous maw, fangs tearing flesh and letting blood flow freely.

She gave him what he suspected was a smile.

Luckily for him, his gaze on Blake was broken when he felt something poke his side. For the first time ever, he felt happy that Weiss had attacked him with her horn.

"Stop staring," she ordered. "My face is much more elegant anyway."

Jaune laughed incredulously. "You know what, Weiss? It really is. You have no idea how elegant you look right now."

The girl smiled smugly, closing her eyes as she took a haughty breath.

"Let's... get out of here," he said to the two girls who were currently not munching on the rabbit.

Weiss and Ruby followed him out of the kitchen. While his sanctuary had been compromised by Blake, he was happy to have the other two hybrids around to protect him. He was happy to have Ruby as his roommate. He wondered if Weiss really was serious about joining them.

It couldn't hurt to have another hybrid to help keep Blake away, right?

Human traditions and customs were strange. Very strange.

Professor Fall's class was usually packed full of useful information. How to infiltrate human society. How to behave in public settings. How to speak an act in personal relationships with other humans. However, today's class was introducing a whole new set of rules. A whole new set of customs.

Romance.

"Love and romance are cornerstones of human society," the dark-haired professor said as she stood before the class. "It is human to love one another. It comes in many forms. The way a parent loves their child, and vice versa. The way friends or comrades in arms care for one another. And, perhaps the one that will be most useful for all of you, the way a person loves their partner. Their significant other. Boyfriend or girlfriend. Husband or wife."

The idea of mating for life with a single partner was an interesting one. It also seemed counterproductive. Ruby wondered what the point of courtship even was. If the end goal was to procreate, why not just mate and be done with it? Why not take multiple mates in order to maximize the efficiency of producing offspring? If humans thought like that, the population boom and subsequent increased size of their military force would pose a clear and present danger to the dominance that Grimm held over their continents.

"When infiltrating the kingdoms of man, romance is a powerful tool at your disposal," Cinder continued. "Especially for the females among you. Men are physically powerful, but weak when it comes to matters of the flesh. It's all too easy to push them in the right direction when given the proper motivation..."

Their teacher sounded like she was speaking from experience. Ruby had no idea if Professor Fall actually did seduce people or not, but it wouldn't surprise her if she did. Cinder had an absolutely beautiful body by human standards, and a pretty young face to match. Her dark, sultry tone invoked mystery and danger, and was sure to pique the curiosity of many men and women alike who she set her sights on.

"Now to start out I will require a demonstration from two volunteers." Ruby looked around, wondering if anyone would be willing to raise their hands to participate. A handful of students did in fact muster the courage to do so. Ruby herself was not one of them. Luckily for her, and unluckily for the prospective volunteers, Cinder had seemingly already made up her mind. At least she thought she was lucky until the two names were mentioned. "Would Weiss and Jaune please step to the front of the class."

A cold chill ran through her body as the boy next to her stood up, albeit slowly, and began to make his way to the front. Weiss, who had been sitting on his other side, was with him.

Ruby's hand shot up. Cinder nodded to her. "Yes, Ruby?"

"Um, Professor Fall, what exactly are they going to be demonstrating?"

A sly smile slipped on the older woman's lips. "As I said earlier, romance is an integral part of human society. One of the most common and important ways this emotion is built is through a process called 'dating'."

Dating? What in the world was that? Did it have anything to do with that small table and pair of chairs sitting at the front of the class?

"Therefore, Weiss and Jaune will participated in a simulated date together, and demonstrate how two humans interact when they share romantic feelings for one another. This will be the first in a series of lessons, which will ultimately culminate in the upcoming school dance."

Ruby's hands squeezed into fists underneath her desk. She had no idea why, but the idea of seeing Jaune and Weiss together in an intimate human scenario made her stomach churn.

Her hand raised again, but this time she did not wait to be called on before speaking. "Professor Fall," she said curtly. "Don't you think this is the sort of thing he should be doing with his roommate? And not some... some... stranger?"

The comment earned Weiss' attention as she looked back up into the student seating. "Excuse me? I'll have you know that I spend time with Jaune every morning. I'm hardly a stranger. In fact, the two of us participate in personal, one on one activities probably more regularly than he does with you."

The words hurt Ruby more than they should have. So what if she and Jaune made breakfast together every morning? That hardly made them closer than he was with his bestie and roomie.

"Oh yeah?" Ruby countered. "Well I'll have you know that I sleep with him every night! So there!" To add insult to injury, Ruby stuck her tongue out mockingly at the white-haired hybrid.

Weiss' eyes narrowed dangerously at Ruby. The tension in the air was palpable. If they happened to come to blows later over the comment, then so be it! She would gladly take Weiss on in order to put her in her place.

"Oh my," Cinder said amusedly, looking over to where Jaune was standing next to the table. "It seems as though you are at quite an advanced... stage in your relationship with Ruby."

For whatever reason Jaune looked pale. Maybe it was the lighting. "It's not what you think..." he said softly.

Cinder waved off his comment. "Regardless, your wonderful chemistry with Weiss will suffice for this demonstration. "Please, take a seat across from her."

He nodded and did as he was told, and sat across from the other hybrid. Weiss appeared to be supremely confident in whatever was going to happen next, with her hands folded atop the table and a knowing smile on her lips. The pale blue eyes of her human form shone in anticipation.

Jaune on the other hand looked uncertain, and Ruby couldn't blame him. She didn't know what was about to happen, but there was no way he would be able to enjoy himself with... with... Weiss! It should have been her instead! They were best friends! If anyone should be performing some sort of intimate activity with Jaune, it should have been his best friend!

"Now, the scenario is that the two of you are out on a romantic date at a restaurant," Cinder explained. "It is one of the most common settings for two prospective romantic partners to get to know one another and see if they have chemistry together. Typical topics of discussion include amusing stories from their pasts, prospective goals and dreams, personal interests, and complimenting each other. Why don't you two begin by broaching one of these subjects?"

Ruby watched in rapt attention as the two sat across from one another. Her heart was thumping in her chest as her hands squeezed down on the edge of her desk.

Ever one to take the lead, Weiss spoke first. "Jaune. Your strong and thick neck tells me that you would be a capable hunter and provider for our young. I wish to provide you with many children so that we may do our best in bringing Salem's plans to fruition."

Nails dug into wood.

"Very bold of you, Weiss," Cinder said as she took a few steps toward the table, halting the scenario in the process. "But too bold. Discussing plans to have children on a first date will be sure to scare any man away." Burning golden eyes turned to Jaune. "Jaune, perhaps you might be able to steer the conversation in a more... subtle direction?"

Ruby's eyes focused on the boy now. The boy who Weiss had just said should be the father of her children.

Cracks began to form in the wood.

Jaune shifted uncomfortably before looking back up at Weiss. "You look beautiful tonight, Weiss," he said softly. "Has anyone ever told you that your eyes are like a pair of sapphires?"

A loud crunch filled the room as Ruby snapped a portion of her desktop off the rest of it. It must have earned the attention of her sister, who nudged her with her left shoulder. "Whoa, Ruby," she whispered. "What's got you so jealous?"

Jealous? She was not jealous! She merely didn't like to see her best friend being used like this! Like some sort of tool! Who cares if he said that Weiss' exotic blue eyes looked beautiful! She had silver eyes in her human form! Those looked beautiful too!

Maybe she should show them to Jaune more often...

"Oh... you... like them?" Weiss said bashfully. Uncharacteristically so.

"Yeah," he admitted. Jaune was showing how truly advanced he was in this sort of human behavior, for everything about his performance seemed genuine. From his words, to his tone, to his facial expressions. His emotions were so pure and utterly human right now. "And with your white hair, the only thing I can think to call you right now is Snow Angel. Might sound kinda cheesy, but..."

Snow Angel? That wasn't fair! He had never given her a nickname before! She would just have to convince him to do so. Ruby would have to come up with one for him as well.

Weiss looked off to the side. "Oh. Thank you, Jaune. And you... you are quite tall. That is an appealing trait to possess."

"Very good," Cinder said, once more stepping toward the two hybrids. "What Jaune has done here is earn affection from Weiss by complimenting her appearance. Not in an overtly sexual way by discussing something like her bust or backside, but rather with her eyes and hair. Women do enjoy being complimented on their looks, but only if done so in a way that does not make them feel like objects or trophies to be won. The hair and eyes are safe and effective ways to tell a woman that she is beautiful without objectifying her." She turned to the girl sitting at the table. "Weiss, how do you feel right now?"

The girl's attention was still focused on Jaune as she spoke. "Strange. My heart rate has increased dramatically, and my face is warm as if all of my blood is rushing to it."

Cinder chuckled darkly. "Quite the lady's man we have here, then," she said as she glanced over to Jaune. "It would appear that this demonstration has taken far less time than I anticipated. Now that mutual attraction has been established, I feel the two of you are ready for the next step."

"Next step?" Jaune asked nervously.

"Indeed. I would like you and Weiss to kiss."

Ruby leaned in. What was kissing?

"Kiss?" Weiss asked, as if reading Ruby's own thoughts. "What is that?"

"Kiss?" Jaune echoed, his tone indicating disbelief. Ruby wondered if he knew what kissing was.

"A physical gesture of affection that humans share," she explained. "When two people care for each other, they will press their lips together intimately."

Ruby felt as though she was about to break her desk in two now. No. Absolutely not. Weiss and Jaune couldn't do... that!

"Mouths are for feeding," Weiss argued. "What an absurd concept."

"Oh trust me," Cinder said amusedly. "Mouths are for far more than just eating. Humans find quite a few other uses for them, especially when it comes to physical intimacy."

"Really?" Weiss' eyes turned to Jaune. "Show me!"

"W-what?" the boy gasped.

Weiss leaned in across the table. "You heard Professor Fall. Press your lips against mine in a show of intimacy! Hurry up now!"

Jaune looked worriedly over to the professor, who merely nodded in approval. The boy seemed worried, and swallowed hard as he too leaned in across the table.

Ruby watched with bated breath. Jaune was going to kiss Weiss. It bothered her for some reason. Weiss wasn't the one he should be kissing! If anyone, it should be... it should be...

"Ow!"

Jaune yelped and pulled back in a flash, his hand coming up to grab his mouth. "You bit me!"

"Is that not what kissing is?" Weiss asked. "What else am I supposed to do to your lips with my mouth if not bite them? Am I not to assert dominance?"

In that moment all of Ruby's anxiety vanished in a heartbeat, and was replaced by laughter. Weiss had done it wrong, and she had done so in front of the whole class. Jaune's reaction was proof enough of that. Bloody lip and all. Maybe Weiss' chemistry with Jaune wasn't so strong after all.

"Perhaps we should hold off on this exercise..." Cinder said with a sigh.

Yes. Yes they should. After all, Jaune had no reason to be kissing Weiss.

The demonstration did give Ruby an idea, however. If kissing was something that humans did, then she too would need practice at it. Especially if she did not want to mimic Weiss' mistakes. It just so happened that Ruby had the perfect partner as her roommate. One who was apparently knowledgeable in the act.

Maybe then he would give her a cute nickname and compliment her eyes too...

Author's Note: If you're a fan of this story, then maybe you'd be interested in a Lancaster story featuring vampire Ruby! If this idea sounds appealing to you, then go check out my latest one shot, Red Like Roses? Gross!

With that shameless self-promotion out of the way, I hope you liked this latest chapter. Lots of pure fluff, with some important little tidbits thrown in for the future. And of course, budding romance! Even if the girls don't know what that is yet.

As always, thank you all so much for your continued support. I truly do appreciate it. And my thanks as always go out to Burkion and Lightningstrxu for all of their help.