Tall double doors opened before her, granting access to the huge room beyond.
Silver eyes widened.
With her right arm linked around Jaune's left, and Yang standing on her other side, Ruby stepped into hall where Beacon's annual dance was being held. Her mouth dropped, and her head was on a swivel as she took in the sights around her.
Winding staircases in the corners of the room led up to a second story balcony, from which all manner of decorations were hung. Clusters of colored balloons were tied to whatever sort of post was available. Streamers drooped down from the ceiling. Even fancy and expensive looking chandeliers glittered above, providing the bulk of the illumination in the great hall.
It was beautiful. It was perfect. It was so different from the mock dance that had been held at Salem's academy in order to prepare them for a night like this.
It was a night to be remembered.
"Wow, it's so pretty," she gasped as the quartet of teens strode into the room.
Weiss, who hung from Jaune's right arm, was quick to agree. "It is. I suppose hiding behind their walls has given humanity a lot of time to perfect aesthetic designing."
Ruby frowned. Right now she didn't want to think about the difference between humanity and hybrids. She didn't want to think about their mission. She just wanted to have fun.
Jaune apparently shared that sentiment. "Let's not talk about stuff like that here, okay?" he said softly into the white-haired girl's ear.
A quiet hum sounded from her lips. "Very well."
"I wonder if anyone's gonna spike the punch," Yang mused.
Spike it? Like drive a spike through the bowl? That would cause quite a mess. Ruby supposed that if a Geist were to possess the punchbowl that might be a practical way to destroy the creature, but as far as she could tell there would be next to zero risk of a Grimm finding its way into a school inhabited entirely by huntsmen.
Unless of course you were a hybrid sent on a secret infiltration mission.
The thought made her cling to Jaune's arm even tighter. So many humans. So many emotions. Ruby still wasn't used to huge crowds like this. Being in a classroom with them was helping to build her tolerance, but there was such a wider array of emotions on display here outside of class. A lot more people than usual too. She'd have to be careful, and stay close to Jaune just in case things got out of control.
A podium stood in the middle of their path into the greater portion of the makeshift dance hall, and a pair of familiar faces stood behind it. One wore a rather simplistic sleeveless olive green dress, the other a black tuxedo with an orange bow tie.
"Hey, what's up Emerald," Yang greeted them as they approached. The blonde's head turned to the other. "Mercury."
A brief but potent wave of negativity surged from the two teenagers. Ruby recognized it for what it was. Fear. Professor Fall's cohorts knew what they were, but still weren't used to the idea of Grimm hybrids. She wondered what the rest of humanity might think should they ever learn the truth. Was Jaune a special case in his acceptance of them? Or would others find a place in their hearts for girls like them?
"Yang," Emerald nodded evenly, quiet enough so no one would hear her true name. "Are you… four here together?"
Yang snorted. "Nah. Only these three," she motioned with thumb. "Keep an eye on them. Make sure Weiss doesn't start twerking on Jaune."
The human's eyes fell on Weiss, who began to look back and forth between them and Jaune. "What's twerking?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it," Jaune replied hurriedly. He turned his attention to Yang, leveling a finger at her. "And you don't go giving her any ideas."
Ruby watched how Yang held Jaune's gaze for a few seconds, her lilac eyes unblinking. Finally, she simply stuck out her tongue at the boy before moving forward alone.
Interesting. Yang hadn't risen to the challenge. She hadn't tried to fight back. It was almost like she accepted Jaune's decision.
"Welp, I'm all checked in I guess," the blonde hybrid said as she moved past the podium. "Time to see what kind of food and booze these humans have for us. See ya."
Her sister moved on without them, leaving the remaining trio from Team AWRY standing before the podium.
"So… um… do we need to do anything here?" Jaune asked them.
Emerald shook her head. "No. Just go in, dance, and enjoy yourselves."
Ruby glanced around, trying to find the other two people from Team CMEN. She couldn't find them. "Where's Professor Fall?" she asked.
"Cinder," Emerald said deliberately. "Is busy right now. She won't be joining us until later."
Ruby nodded quickly. Right. Cinder. She wasn't Professor Fall here. She was a totally normal human student just like the rest of them. Despite her age.
"Well… I guess we should start having fun then," Jaune said, pulling the two girls on his arm with him as he stepped past the podium. "Keep up the, uh, good work."
Mercury growled something as they passed. Ruby wondered if they'd rather be inside having fun too instead of being stuck on podium duty.
White-clothed tables lined the edges of the room, leaving a large space in the middle where students were mingling and dancing. It was a truly remarkable display of human interaction. More than just that, however. A wide array of human emotions were plain to see as well. Well, maybe not see. They were clear for her to feel. Some good. Some bad.
"So, what do you girls wanna do first?" Jaune asked. "Get some food or a drink? Or get straight to dancing?"
Nourishment or time with her mate? Ruby had her answer in no time. "Dance!" she answered quickly.
"Food!" Weiss said simultaneously. When the other hybrid heard Ruby's answer, she frowned in anger. Like she'd given the incorrect answer in class and was now suffering humiliation for it.
"Well that makes things easy," Jaune laughed. "Here I thought you two would fight-"
"I changed my mind! Dance!" Weiss interrupted.
Ruby leaned out in front of Jaune's body and grinned at the girl. "Nope! You said food. No take-backs!"
Weiss' nose scrunched up. "No fair!"
"I hate to agree with Ruby," Jaune started, before Ruby tugged on his arm. He turned his attention over to her to witness a pair of pouting lips. "Okay, okay. I don't hate to agree with Ruby," he amended. "But I do agree with Ruby. She, um, has first dibs?"
Weiss didn't seem convinced. "We should retire and horn duel to claim the first dance," she argued.
"Nope. I already have the rightful claim. Sorry, Weiss. The first dance is mine."
"But I'm his First Mate!"
"Hey, don't worry. We have the whole night," Jaune said, placing a hand on Weiss' shoulder. "Enough time to dance with everyone."
The look on her face made it obvious Weiss wasn't happy with the arrangement, but here she had no choice. Not only had Ruby gotten a legal claim on the first dance, but Jaune agreed. As their pack leader Weiss had no choice but to obey.
"Very well," the other girl said coolly. Arrogantly, as she lifted her head high and turned. "While you're here stumbling about on the dance floor I'll be enjoying the finest human cuisine Beacon has to offer."
She left in a huff without saying another word. Typical Weiss. Even in defeat she had to make herself come off like the winner. However, the real winner here was Ruby herself. She'd get some nice one on one time with Jaune. It felt like forever since she'd had any of that.
Ruby felt the boy take her hand in his own, and looked up to see Jaune smiling down at her. "May I have this dance?"
She didn't know if it was some sort of human custom to have to ask permission. She'd already claimed the right, but perhaps the invitation was all just for show. In any case, she nodded eagerly. "Yes!"
Jaune led her onto the floor, finding an open place where they'd have room to move with the other students. Still holding her right hand with his left, and placing his own right on the small of her back, he began to move his feet. Ruby glanced down at them, hoping to mimic his movements the best she could without stumbling over herself and the stupid high-heeled shoes she wore.
Her mate, to his credit, led her every step of the way. Literally. He moved slowly and deliberately, allowing her to follow his footsteps as not to trip. Soon enough Ruby felt confident enough to not stare at her own feet, and to gaze back up into Jaune's loving blue eyes, trusting that he wouldn't lead her astray. That he would catch her if she fell.
Ruby leaned her head against his chest, feeling the beat of his heart as she moved with him. "I like this," she whispered as they danced.
She felt his chin come down to rest atop her head. "Me too."
The arm she had wrapped around his back clung tighter, and her right hand squeezed down on his fingers. Everything about this moment felt good. It felt right. It felt human.
It was almost a shame that she couldn't say the same about the rest of them. Around her the swirling mix of emotions were present, and not even Jaune's wonderful positivity and appealing scent could drive them from her mind.
"Hey, Jaune?" she asked, even as her head still pressed against his chest, eyes closed to all the world except for him.
"Yeah?"
"Tonight's supposed to be a happy night, right?"
It took him a couple seconds before responding. "Yeah. Why? Is something wrong? Are you not having fun?"
The question caused her head to move, and she shifted to gaze back up into his eyes. "No, no, I'm having a great time. It's just…" Ruby glanced around, seeing other students around her dancing. Mingling. Standing on the sidelines. Some in bunches. Some alone. "Not everyone's happy."
The boy hummed, moving his head around to take in the sights around them. "You feel it?"
Ruby nodded. "Yeah."
Jaune nodded in turn. "Yeah," he echoed. "Um, how do I say this. Let's just say… not everyone's happy at these sorts of things."
Her head tilted curiously. "Really? Why? It's a lot of fun to dance with the person you love."
Jaune smiled, though she could tell there was sadness hidden behind his lips. "That's the thing. Not everyone has a person they love. Or at least… not a person who loves them back."
The hybrid's head began to turn once more, focusing on people, or at least areas, she felt the negativity stemming from. She wasn't an expert on human body language or facial expressions in the slightest, but even she could tell when a person was frowning or glowering. A handful of students wore the expressions on their faces. Some stood alone. Others were actually dancing.
"Why would they come then?" she wondered.
It was Jaune's turn to frown, and he shrugged his shoulders lightly. "I don't know. Hope?" His own gaze peered over the crowd, taking in the many students all around them. "Maybe thinking tonight's the big night they confess their feelings to the person they love. Maybe they hope they'll find someone in the same boat as them and they'll bond over being rejected. A lot of reasons. It's probably strange to you. You're used to taking what you want by force. You all are. Humans though… we're a lot more subtle about what we want and how we want to get it."
Ruby nodded. Maybe she didn't understand completely, but she understood enough to know that hybrid culture was different from human. Jaune was right in a regard. Hybrids fought for what they wanted. They horn dueled. They asserted dominance. Even with Weiss just now, there had been a clear indicator of who had first rights to Jaune. One that Weiss couldn't challenge. Not when the one above her in the social hierarchy laid down the law.
"Is it hard for humans to find love?" she asked genuinely.
The boy nodded again. "Yeah. One of the hardest things in the world. To find that special someone you want to be with. Sometimes for the rest of your life."
A Mate, rather than a mate. Ruby wondered, would Jaune be her Mate for life? Salem had told her she'd get married after this mission. Would that still hold true when this was all said and done?
With how Jaune was holding her, with the way they danced, she believed in her heart that it would. Jaune loved her, and she loved him. It didn't matter if there were others in their pack. So long as Jaune was her Mate, all would be right in the world.
"Then I'm lucky," she mused, once more leaning her head against the human she loved. "Not everyone has something like we do."
"Yeah," he whispered softly into her ear. "We're lucky there. Even if we aren't in some other areas."
The cold reality of their situation couldn't help but worm its way into her thoughts. Despite their love, despite their upcoming future together, she was still a hybrid. Jaune was still a human. She was still made to destroy everything he held dear. To destroy this place in which they danced.
To bring the world under Salem's heel, or to ruin. Whichever humanity chose.
Ruby swallowed hard, a traitorous thought entering her mind even while they danced. "Jaune?"
"Yeah?"
"Is… is what Salem doing… right?"
Silence was her answer, and the only sounds Ruby heard instead were the music and chatter of students around her. It forced her to look up from her place on Jaune's chest again.
When she did, she found the boy's face and emotions a mess. "No. Nothing about what she's doing is right."
Ruby nodded grimly. "Her plans are bad. Bad for humanity."
Jaune nodded in confirmation. "Yes. Yes they are. A lot of people are going to die if she gets her way."
A lot of people. Jaune had a family. A human family. Would they all die too if Salem got her way?
"What if we didn't?" she asked suddenly.
Jaune looked down on her confusedly. "Didn't what?"
Ruby felt almost dirty for even suggesting what she was about to. Still, the words poured from her mouth uncontrollably like a waterfall. "Like… what if we ran away? What if we stayed in Vale and never went back? We lived among the humans like normal people?"
Jaune went silent again. His emotions were still a twisted jumble of negativity. Ruby hated bringing out those feelings from him, but her own feelings and questions were genuine. Things had changed since meeting Jaune. She'd changed as well. What she once wanted, what she had been trained and taught to want, weren't what she wanted anymore.
"That's very dangerous talk, Ruby," he spoke quietly. "Don't let the others hear you say that."
"We can convince the others," she insisted. "They're only loyal to Salem because it's all they know. But… but I know you now, Jaune."
She felt something inside the boy leap with positivity. His hand clenched down on hers tightly.
Ruby knew she had always been different. The special case. The freak. The positive one. Despite her arm and Grimm horns, she'd always been ostracized as being the most human of the hybrids, and not in a good way which led to helping in their infiltration mission. However, being with Jaune had taught her this wasn't a bad thing. It was a good thing.
"I don't know if I'd be enough to make them want to stay in Vale," he argued. "To live and accept humans as equals rather than prey. Blake and Yang… they'd be hard to convince."
The hybrid rubbed her forehead lovingly against his chest like she would have done with her horns. "I wanna stay here with you in Vale. I love Vale. I love all the stuff humans have and do. I wanna make more friends like Penny. I… I don't wanna go home."
Ruby may not have been in Vale all that long yet, but she already loved it. She'd loved it since the first day Hazel brought them here. Going out to eat with her friends. Shopping. The idea of going to school where the goal was to learn rather than be the last one standing. Meeting new and totally normal human friends like Penny. The reasons went on, and all Ruby knew was that she liked it here far better than Salem's realm. Despite what she was, she felt like she fit in better among humans than she did her own kind.
The fact that she was wrapped in the warm embrace of a human only made her feel more confident in her reasoning. A human who knew what she was.
She felt Jaune squeeze her tightly against his chest. "Then we won't."
Her breath hitched. Despite Jaune's earlier doubts, there'd been no hesitation in his response this time. "Really?"
"Somehow. We'll find a way. A way to beat her. Or at the very least, a way to hide. So you'll never have to suffer again."
It was too much. Ruby didn't know what the human etiquette for public affection was, but she didn't care.
As they slowly danced together, Ruby pushed away from Jaune's chest and looked up to his face. Using the hand she held to balance herself, she pushed up on the toes of her high-heeled shoes and tilted her head before her lips made contact with Jaune's. She moaned softly in contentment as he accepted and returned the gesture, the hand on her back tightening and pulling her even closer to him.
"I love you Jaune," she whispered when she pulled back. A hand came up to his chest, feeling how his heart had began to race. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Ruby," he smiled down on her. "I'll always be here for you."
The girl grinned, her hand trailing down his chest on its way back to hold his hand. Until she felt something hard underneath his tuxedo. "Jaune… you're still wearing it?"
Her fingers pressed down, feeling a thin piece of metal near the middle of his torso. The pendant she had bought him on the first day they arrived in Vale. The one shaped like a heart. A physical representation of how she felt for him.
"Of course I am," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You bought it for me."
Ruby's eyes were beginning to get wet. What a horrible time to spring a leak. "Jaune, my eyes are leaking again," she managed to squeak before the liquid pooled up to the point that it started dripping down her cheeks. "Why do they do that?"
They hadn't taught her about that in Salem's school. It had happened several times before. Most after she'd met Jaune. Ruby assumed it was a defect in her physiology. However, Jaune didn't seem alarmed by it in the slightest.
In fact, he was still smiling. "It's a human thing called crying," he explained. "You do it when you're sad. Sometimes when you're happy too."
She shook her head confusedly. "That doesn't make sense. Happy and sad are totally opposite. Why do humans cry for both?"
"I dunno," he laughed, and Ruby saw how his own eyes had begun to glisten. He was going to leak at any moment too. "Humans are strange, complicated creatures, aren't they?"
Ruby sniffed, wiping her eyes away on the shoulders of her dress. "Yeah. I wanna get to know all the weird things about them." I wanna be one… her mind followed up.
"You're as good as human right now," the boy said genuinely. "You're actually way better than a lot of actual humans I've met in my life."
Liquid silver eyes stared into blue ones, which were beginning to resemble the ocean more and more with each passing second. "Then we can pretend forever!" she choked, burying her face into Jaune once more to try and stem the leak. "Even if I'm not human. I'll work hard to fit in. I'll get a job and have human friends and coworkers. We'll have human offspring together, and we'll be a regular human family. No one will ever have to know what I am."
Jaune's cheek came down to rest atop her head even as they continued to dance. Ruby simply allowed him to move her as he held onto her. "I'd like that," he sniffed, hugging her closely. "I'd like that a lot. But we have to think of the others too. As much as I want that life with you, we have to help your sister. Weiss and Blake too. We have to make sure they're as happy as we are."
Ruby nodded into his chest. "Yeah. I want our offspring to have aunts. All of them will be aunts. They're all a part of our pack."
She felt Jaune's chest heave as he laughed. She hadn't realized she'd said anything funny. Maybe it was another weird human thing where you could laugh for different reasons.
"We'll have the best and most loving pack ever," he agreed.
Had she been back at Salem's school, Ruby was sure that several of her classmates would have died from the sheer positivity she was radiating. It wouldn't have surprised her if her feelings right now had forced Weiss and Yang to flee the room in sheer discomfort. A glance around proved her wrong, with Weiss standing near a table covered with food. Yang was drinking something at the moment, having apparently decided not to drive a spike through the punchbowl.
As the music slowed, Ruby couldn't help but think about just how perfect tonight was. A night to remember as she'd thought it would be.
She hadn't known how long she'd danced for, but all she knew was that her legs were tired and wobbly as she used Jaune's body to support herself. Simply existing in high heels was hard enough, but dancing? Especially as long as they'd danced? That was exhausting.
"You okay?" Jaune asked her.
She nodded. "Yeah. Just need to go sit for a minute. These things…" she said, glancing down to her feet. "How do humans walk in them?"
"Don't ask me," he said hurriedly. Nervously. "I don't know. It's not like my sisters ever forced me to put them on and strut down the hallway like in a fashion show or anything. Nope. Didn't happen."
Sisters? Sisters? "Sisters!" she finally squealed. Jaune had sisters! Jaune had his own Yangs!
Before she could press the issue, a familiar voice sounded behind her. "If you plan to sit the next dance out, would you mind if I cut in?"
Ruby turned to see her new professor, standing tall and proud in a glimmering black dress. Specialist Winter Schnee's expression betrayed no emotion as she stared into her silver eyes.
She swallowed hard, just a bit intimidated by the taller and older woman. "Um, sure," she said, letting go of Jaune before taking a step back. She turned back to her mate. "I'm gonna go get something to drink and rest for a bit."
"Right," Jaune nodded. "See you soon."
Ruby clicked away slowly in her heels. When she gained a little distance she turned around to see that Winter had taken her place in Jaune's arms. Both of the humans radiated with negativity.
She'd have to keep an eye on them, lest the attractive older woman try and steal her mate.
Jaune's heart had been racing while dancing with Ruby. It was doing so again. This time, however, for entirely different reasons.
Winter would have been an intimidating woman even if he hadn't known she was an Atlesian Specialist. Tall. Beautiful. She radiated power even in a relaxing environment like this.
An elegant black dress clung closely to her figure, accentuating her height and slender build. It sparkled like the night's sky filled with glimmering stars. The dress, along with the diamond necklace and earrings she wore, they were all attention grabbers. Still, Jaune didn't feel like she was trying to show off for anyone. This was just who she was. A glamorous young woman who stood out from the crowd even when she wasn't trying.
It was an all too familiar sight.
Weiss' sister. Weiss Schnee's sister. Knowing of their relation, he could see the resemblance went beyond anything physical. It was their shared demeanor. Their manner of speech. Their poise and confidence. They were just things that screamed sisters. Even after being apart for so many years, their similarities were impossible to miss.
"Do you feel apprehensive about touching me?" the older woman asked as they glided across the room to the classical music being played. "You didn't seem afraid when you danced with Miss Rouge."
Truth be told, he was nervous about it. His hand made as little contact as possible upon Winter's back. Even his grip on her own hand was halfhearted. Knowing who she was, he couldn't help but be apprehensive around her.
"Rosalyn and me are dating," he explained, hoping that it would be enough to drive her off the subject.
"So you are," Winter agreed. "However, I can't imagine that simply sharing a dance with one of your instructors would constitute as being unfaithful." Icy blue eyes stared into his. "Unless that's something you worry might happen."
Of course not. Jaune shook his head softly. "Never. I love her with all my heart."
Winter nodded, but her gaze never broke with his. "As you do Miss Slate," she stated matter-of-factly. "And who knows how many others. Tell me. Are you and Miss Xanthic an item as well?"
They weren't. Yang had never been interested in dating. She'd never been interested in joining the pack, despite how much Weiss wanted her to. It was a strange thing that Weiss, a girl who was such a jealous and possessive type, would actively campaign for Yang to join in. Yet it was for entirely practical, procreation reasons. It had nothing to do with love.
Hybrids truly were strange creatures.
"No. Only Rosalyn and Wren," he stated firmly. "I told you before we were only friends."
"I see," she said neutrally. "You'll have to forgive me, after finding you in such a compromising position with Yara."
On top of her between her legs, sweaty and panting? Yeah, that was a situation that could have been easily misunderstood. Why was Winter harping on it so much though?
One thing was for certain though, Winter was taking charge of the conversation. More than just that, however. She was leading him in their dance. She was as experienced and skilled, if not more so than himself. She moved effortlessly in her dress and heels, the very epitome of charm and grace. Had this been any other situation he would have been over the moon to dance with such a pretty young woman.
As he had stated, however, he was already taken.
"Only the two," he reiterated, trying to take some semblance of control back into his own hands.
"Very well." Her eyes still never left his, and they maneuvered around the floor without missing a beat. "I must confess, you dance quite well. Is that how you were able to woo so many women?"
"Two," he said again. Well, there was Blake, but they weren't officially an item. Only in Blake's dreams, and his nightmares. "And my sisters made me learn how to dance. Trust me, not my choice."
"I'm sure you're not complaining about the results, however. And in the end results are the only thing that matters. Wouldn't you agree?"
Results. Like finding a way to save the hybrids. He didn't know how he would do so, but he didn't care. He would save them. He would stop Salem too.
"I would," he said, his tone matching her grave one.
"A relationship between a man and two women cannot end well," she pressed. "You know it as well as I do. Jealousy will flare up. You will pick a favorite. There's always as favorite," she said darkly. "The result," she emphasized. "Will not be pretty."
Jaune was beginning to feel defensive about Winter's comments. His tone once more matched hers, betraying the elegant dance they still shared. "And why's that?"
"A woman should feel treasured by the one they love. Like her partner has eyes only for her. You, on the other hand… have eyes for two. Or more." Her lip twitched. "Perhaps that's why you've gotten Miss Slate hooked on inappropriate video content, so that she will be distracted while you spend time with Miss Rouge."
Inappropriate video content. That's right. Winter had walked in on Weiss showing off her… internet porn. That was not his fault!
"I didn't teach her anything about that," he argued. "She learned that from a teacher."
Another lasting lesson from Tyrian Callows. At least this one hadn't found him in the stomach of a Death Stalker.
"Really?" she inquired. Incredulously, if anything. "A professor from Haven introduced Miss Slate to internet pornography?"
Jaune hoped that she wouldn't look too deeply into it, and decide to punish some hapless teacher from Haven. "Yes."
She hummed. "Curious. Then again, you Haven students are an odd bunch. One could assume you had to learn it from somewhere…"
Was she actually buying it? That would be great if Winter got off his back about the whole porn incident.
That hope was dashed when Winter leaned up into his ear even as Jaune sensed the current song beginning to end.
"I will readily admit that I do not possess a great deal of experience with relationships. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you break up with Miss Slate now, that will be the end of it. Do not lead her on. Do not hurt her."
Winter pulled back in time with the song's final notes, staring into his eyes with the cold expression of death itself. Yes. This was most certainly Weiss' sister. A sister who was looking out for the best interests of her younger sibling. One whom she thought would be hurt by being in a relationship with Jaune and Ruby.
Never mind the fact that Weiss was the one who wanted to be with him. To form a powerful pack and have many children together.
Winter dipped her head gratefully, all traces of hostility wiped from both her face and voice. "Thank you for the dance, Mister Arc. I do hope you take time to consider what we've discussed here tonight."
Without waiting for a response Winter turned and strode toward one of the outlying tables on the edge of the room.
The one where Weiss was standing and eating but before he could even think to go after her...
"My, my."
He was stopped by another familiar voice.
"Darling," the soft tone of Blake purred. "You're simply radiating negativity. You'll make me jealous."
Jaune turned to see the faunus girl. Black hair cascaded down her back, spilling onto a dark purple dress. Apparently she'd come out to enjoy the dance. There was only one possible target for her affections this evening.
Despite it all, Jaune only had one question. "Where did you get the dress?"
Blake giggled darkly, blinding white teeth exposed as she tilted her head ever so slightly. "Oh, Jaune. Really, must you ask?" There was an edge to them that he wasn't sure was there before.
In retrospect it had been a stupid question. Blake probably had a school uniform from all three academies that wore them, in addition to a collection of other stolen items. "No. I guess not."
Blake daintily held out a hand, her head looking away as she spoke. "Shall we dance? I dare say you should find it quite worthwhile."
Had Jaune known better, he might call Blake's mannerisms modest. Even shy. The way she wouldn't look him in the eye said to him that she was nervous for his response, but Jaune did indeed know her better than that. Here was a venus fly trap, ready to snap closed once it lured its prey inside.
Still, knowing who and what Blake was, Jaune could not be surprised when she swallowed him whole. "I'd love to."
He took Blake's hand, and the errant hybrid pulled herself to him, wrapping an arm around his back. Jaune hesitantly did the same for her. It wasn't the same kind of hesitation he felt with Winter. Where he'd feared to so much as touch the woman, here he only feared to touch Blake too much.
"How are you this evening?" she asked, allowing Jaune to sway with her to the soft music. She leaned in closer, her breath hot against his ear. "Enjoying yourself?"
He glanced over to where Ruby was, finding her chatting animatedly with Penny, clad in her own white dress. The ginger girl pulled Ruby after her toward the dance floor. It seemed that at least Ruby wouldn't get bored or lonely while he danced with her fellow hybrid.
"I am," he admitted with a smile, watching as Penny attempted to do something resembling dancing. Ruby mimicked her actions, probably thinking that it looked normal. Soon enough his eyes focused back on Blake. "How about you?"
"Oh, so much," she smirked. "Would you like to know where I've been tonight?"
His brow furrowed as he stared into the golden eyes of the faunus girl. There was something mysterious in her tone. There was more to Blake's question than simply chatting about her night at Beacon's dance. "Knowing you, no. I'd rather not know how many animals you've slaughtered."
Blake hissed with soft laughter at his quip. Never mind the fact that Jaune very well would have believed that she was out hunting small prey to devour at night. "You think I would stop simply with animals?"
Jaune paled. "No."
She grinned against his shoulder. "Then you truly do know me, better than anyone else alive."
The way she hissed alive concerned him. "Lucky me," he deadpanned.
"Aren't you?" she agreed, either not sensing, or not caring about his sarcasm. Lifting her head from his shoulder, she pressed, coming up to her toes to lean into his ear. "I know something you don't know~"
She pulled back, a Cheshire grin wide on her face as she stared into Jaune's eyes. A dozen thoughts raced through his mind, each failing to tempt him from contemplating further.
"Do I want to know?"
She nodded. "I think you will. Let me answer, with a question. Where has Professor Fall been tonight?"
He didn't know. Emerald and Mercury told him that she was busy. Busy with what, he couldn't say. However…
"Where?"
Blake ran her tongue across the tips of her top teeth. Even without a maw of daggers and a long serpentine tongue, she was still terrifying. "You know Jaune, what they say about curiosity..."
"Where, Blake?" he pressed.
She giggled darkly, obviously amused by his impatience. "At the CCT tower. The poor thing, dressed in all black and a mask, but all that cleavage is bound to draw eyes." Blake hissed, all traces of humor gone when she spoke next. "Amateur..."
The CCT tower. Jaune couldn't begin to imagine what Cinder was doing there, but Blake seemed to be implying that she was sneaking around. Maybe even breaking in.
Before he could press the issue, yet another familiar voice sounded behind him. "Wow, looking great, you two."
Jaune turned and saw…
Black.
Black hair. A black tail swishing behind his black leather pants. An unbuttoned black shirt and a studded black collar around his neck.
Sun Wukong had fallen into a tub of black paint. Either that, or…
Jaune stopped dancing and Blake moved to stand at his side, still clinging to one of his arms tightly. "Sun?" he asked. "What… why…"
"O, woe is my death,
The pain leaves me mutilated,
I rot on my deathbed of despair,
My blood is liquid death,
Sealed in a coffin of flesh,
Why?"
Sun's tone had been flat. Sullen. Depressed. The normal fire and energy the boy possessed was gone. Replaced by darkness. Jaune knew why too. All from the conversation he'd had with the boy several days earlier. All to impress…
Blake moved slightly behind Jaune, still clinging to his arm. If anything, her grip was tighter now.
"Sun. My guy. Did you dye your hair black?" He glanced down to the faunus' tail. "You tail is black, Sun."
"Yeah, dude," Sun agreed. "I don't know, but I think I've started to see everything that's rotten and wrong in the world or something."
Translation: he was trying to act goth in order to impress Blake. All he was missing was the blotchy white makeup caked on his face.
"Let me maim him. Just his face." said faunus girl snapped.
"What is beauty?" Sun pondered. "Whatever the mainstream media tells us it is? The talking heads are everything that's wrong with the world."
"What about the Grimm?" Jaune asked.
"Maybe the Grimm are just misunderstood, you know? Who's to say what's good or evil in this crazy world of ours?"
Jaune glanced back at Blake to gauge her reaction to the proclamation of Grimm being misunderstood. She didn't seem amused. "I could slit his throat and have him bleed out in under a minute, Jaune. No one would blame me."
Now that was something he might agree with the girl on. "I believe you, Blake."
She grinned. "Aren't you sweet? Maybe it's your throat I should focus on after all..."
"Hey, I'm here too!" Sun insisted pathetically, the whole goth façade dropping in an instant. "You don't have to flirt with Jaune when you have a dark and moody faunus standing right next to you!"
Blake groaned softly with disgust. Apparently unable to bear looking at Sun a moment longer, she buried her head into Jaune's arm. Jaune sighed for Sun's sake if nothing else.
"But, but I mean the hair! And the clothes! I bought them just for tonight and I spent hours dying my tail!"
It hurt Jaune to see someone try so hard but fail so miserably. In that regard Jaune was lucky. True to what Winter had alluded to, he did have his share of girls throwing themselves at him. He hadn't even tried to court any of them. Never mind the fact that they were all Grimm hybrids. They were still girls.
"Aww, what's the matter? Getting shot down by the mean old cat girl?"
Jaune glanced over to yet another newcomer. Yang, dressed in a shimmering golden dress with a leg slit so high that should have been illegal for someone with her beauty to wear, sauntered over to the trio with a grin on her face.
"No alcohol I take it," Jaune commented, noticing how she didn't appear intoxicated.
"None," she griped. "What a crappy party."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong," Sun chimed in, his boundless excitement seemingly back. "See, me and the boys actually have a little something we were planning on cracking out ton-"
"Seriously?" Yang interrupted. "What do I gotta do to get in on this huh? Dance? You wanna dance, monkey man? Let's go!"
"Wait that's really not neces-aaahh!"
Sun screamed in surprise as Yang pulled him by the arm so hard that Jaune thought it might have been ripped from its socket. She tugged him along until they were a few feet away from Jaune and Blake.
"Your disappointment was delicious," he heard Yang comment as she and Sun danced together. "I bet you were really looking forward to dancing with Blake huh?"
Yang seemed to be in a better mood. At least at the prospect of having a little alcohol with Sun. That was far better than the girl rampaging through the dance slaughtering as many people as she could before being taken down.
Maybe his fight with her had indeed proven something. At best, giving her hope that he would protect her. At worst, putting her in her place on the Grimm hybrid pecking order so that she would follow his orders.
Still, she'd bitten him at the end. Was that out of spite? Or something else?
Suddenly Blake was back in front of him, offering her hand to him once more. He had never seen or felt her move, but then that never seemed to stop her before.
Jaune took it, and the two again found a rhythm to the music as they moved as one across the floor.
Cinder. The CCT tower. Blake had been there. Unbeknownst to their old teacher, Blake had seen her. Blake was always there. Watching. Waiting.
Blake saw all.
"The tower," Jaune reminded her, though he knew she needed none. "Why? What was she doing there?"
"What's her plan? Who can say? Maybe you'll find out someday~" Blake sang. Hissing laughter followed after.
"Blake…" he warned. Once upon a time he would have dreaded speaking to her in such a tone.
Now, however, he'd grown used to her games. Was he still utterly terrified of her? Of course. No sane man wouldn't be. At the same time though, he couldn't and wouldn't let her be in control of his reactions to her.
The hybrid cackled softly, white teeth bared in a wide smile as she stared up at her dance partner. They were sharp again. "Knowledge is bought… at a price."
Jaune swallowed hard. "What price?" His mind feared the worst.
Her head turned, and she glared at where a certain dyed-haired faunus was dancing with Yang. "Keep that… mongrel away from me."
"You mean Sun?"
Blake's head snapped back around to face him. "You will not speak its name in my presence," she hissed.
"So in order for you to tell me, all I have to do is keep… him from talking to you?"
"A fair exchange," Blake purred. "I could ask for more, if you want. I could ask for a kiss. Or more."
More. Jaune dreaded to think of what Blake could have asked him for. Something maybe involving tentacles. Or teeth. He knew he was lucky getting off without having the hybrid stick her long tongue down his throat.
"No, no, you're right," he agreed. "More than fair if you ask me. You're so generous, Blake. I can't believe how incredible you are."
Blake hummed, pressing her nose against his chest and breathing deeply. "Mmm, yes. The terror of me asking for more. Wondering what I could want from you, but having no idea what. You have a scent like no other, Jaune. Fear that monkey could never hope to replicate."
"Sun doesn't know the real you."
"Oh? Is this not who I am," she smiled. There was a glint of red that mixed with the gold of her eyes. "Or have you come to accept the truth?" She leaned up to his ear again. "That you only see me as a monster, regardless of the skin I wear?"
Jaune had slipped up and he knew it. "No. No, of course not. I didn't mean I like that. I'm so sorry, Blake."
"Hurt. Regret. I can tell how much you care, Jaune. The negativity is all for me." Blake giggled, pressing her forehead against his chest just like Ruby had. "Mine, mine," she whispered. "All mine…"
He regretted his words, but if her behavior was any indication Blake enjoyed his misstep. Maybe it was because she held information that he wanted. Maybe it was because they were dancing. Maybe it was his negative thoughts. Or maybe it was a combination of all of these things. Whatever the case, Blake didn't exactly seem unhappy here tonight.
And in order to keep her happy, Jaune had a new short term mission he needed to accomplish. Keep Sun away from Blake at all costs. Only then would the hybrid reveal whatever information she had on Cinder to him. The question he couldn't help but wonder as he moved with the lithe girl in his arms, was why would she tell him?
Why would she betray Cinder? And in doing so, Salem?
The night was warm, but Winter was cold.
The Specialist strolled slowly through the courtyard with her companion, her hands clasped calmly behind her back. Inside, however, she was a nervous wreck of a woman unbefitting of both her name and station. Her reason for being this way was valid, however. Finally, after days of impatience and anticipation, she finally had her sister alone. Away from those immature and perverted teammates of hers.
She would finally be able to speak to Weiss one on one. She would finally get a chance to truly know her sister.
The light wind gently rustled the branches of the trees that dotted Beacon's courtyard. Here out in the open, away from the stuffy and noisy dance hall, they could speak candidly. Openly. Honestly. While there were still scattered students walking about here and there, they were all going about their own business and would not give the sisters a second thought.
It was everything Winter had wanted since coming to this school and laying eyes on her long lost sister. Now at last she would be able to fulfill a dream which had eluded her since her childhood.
She had to force herself to remain calm as she spoke. To Weiss she was just an instructor. To the outside world she was just a teacher and Weiss just a student. To Winter, however, Weiss was family. "Tell me, Miss Slate. Have you been enjoying your time at Beacon so far?"
The words tasted like ash in her mouth. Miss Slate. Wren. That was not her name. Her name was Weiss Schnee. To have to play this charade with her own blood made the Specialist sick to her stomach.
"I have," Weiss admitted. "The faculty has been quite accommodating, with the exception of a certain professor who refused to provide me with the necessary study material I requested. I've even made a new friend in my short time here."
Winter remembered all too well the new 'friend' Weiss had made. That faunus girl from Beacon who had… indulged Weiss in that sick perversion of hers. One undoubtedly learned from Jaune and his girlfriend Rosalyn. Or rather, Ruby. But who was the professor that Weiss had an issue with?
"That's good. Have they been feeding you properly? A girl your age, especially a huntress, cannot afford to maintain an improper diet."
The question seemed to perk up Weiss, and she beamed with happiness as she stared into icy blue eyed that matched her own. "Oh Vale has had the most wonderful cuisine," she gushed. "There have been so many dishes which I've experienced for the first time in my life. Have you ever eaten a hamburger, Specialist Schnee?"
Winter, Weiss. My name is Winter… "I have. You've never eaten a hamburger prior to coming to Vale?" she asked with surprise. Winter didn't think that Mistral and Vale's cuisine were so different. But then again, knowing what she knew about Team AWRY, who could say they really hailed from Mistral?
"I have not. Most of what I've eaten throughout my life has been, shall we say, simple in comparison to the kind of meals I've enjoyed in Vale."
"They're delicious, aren't they?"
"Yes!" her sister said with unbridled enthusiasm. Winter couldn't help but find amusement at the sudden burst of emotion. "They're especially good with salt, which is the only mineral from the ground one should use to season their meat."
A curious specification, but Winter paid it no mind.
Before stepping outside, she'd found Weiss at one of the refreshment tables gorging herself on the many finger foods Beacon provided for the dance. It was obvious her sister had quite an appetite. The thought made her smile, though she knew that Weiss could not behave in such a manner when they one day returned to Atlas.
"In fact, it was only once I met Jaune that I truly discovered what hu- what well-prepared food could taste like. He's an excellent chef and provides healthy and delicious meals for me."
It all went back to Jaune once more. Winter had no idea what kind of spell the boy held over her sister, but it had to be broken. Weiss may not have seen the truth, but Winter did. She'd seen the way the boy danced with Ruby. A relationship consisting of three people could not work out in the end. Weiss would wind up with her heart broken. Winter had to show her there was another way. A better way. She would show her as much when she brought Weiss home to Atlas.
And she had just the plan to do so.
"I see," Winter said neutrally, the smile falling from her face at the mention of the boy. "You look to be in fine health as well. Well-fed, and an appropriate amount of muscle on your small frame. You'll make a powerful huntress one day, Miss Slate."
"Thank you, Specialist Schnee. I find that extensive cardiovascular exercise every night does wonders to balance out the large amount of calories I intake daily."
It warmed Winter's heart to see how hard-working her sister was. Not many would work out so diligently at night after a day of vigorous training only a huntsman academy could provide.
"I'm certainly happy to hear that. To see that you're doing so well. That you're alive and well." Winter stopped herself in her tracks, realizing that she was getting far too emotional. She had to sound like her interest was exclusively professional rather than personal. "As the future defenders of humanity, it is imperative that you thrive in your studies so that you may be effective once you graduate."
"Indeed," Weiss agreed. A glance over to her sister showed no signs of confusion or awkwardness. A crisis had been averted. "Specialist Schnee? May I ask you a question?"
Or had it? "Yes?"
"Why are we out here instead of the dance? These are not normal school hours after all."
Weiss was correct. In reality Winter had no right to take Weiss away from the party and her teammates. It had been surprising that she'd agreed to come along in the first place. However, now that she was questioning it, Winter had to think fast.
"You are correct, and I apologize for taking you away from the dance. You see, I simply wanted to get to know the students I would be instructing on a more personal level, and… I believe that you have immense potential. As such I merely wished to speak with you outside of class in hopes of formulating a lesson plan which would cater to your strengths and weaknesses."
The elder Schnee held her breath, hoping that the other girl would not call her bluff.
Thankfully, Weiss seemed none the wiser. "That's very thoughtful of you, Specialist Schnee. I truly look forward to learning whatever I can from someone as strong and talented as you."
Specialist Schnee. She'd heard it time and time again in such a short span. Winter didn't want to hear it again. "If I may ask, Miss Slate, please call me Winter."
This time there was confusion on Weiss' face as she peered up at the elder Schnee. "Are you certain that's allowed?"
Perhaps if this was the Atlesian military Weiss would be correct. But here at Beacon? Especially after school hours? Winter simply wanted to hear Weiss say her name.
"I'm certain. I am your instructor, after all. You should do as I say," she added with a wink.
"Of course," Weiss answered, her posture becoming more rigid. It wasn't exactly the response she would have liked. She wanted Weiss to feel comfortable around her. "Winter."
A hushed breath slipped through Winter's mouth, and she had to work overtime not to choke on the emotions flooding her body. Winter. Winter! For the first time in forever, her little sister had spoken her name. It pained her that she could not call her Weiss. That she could not throw her arms around the girl and squeeze her tightly as she cried onto her shoulder. But soon. Soon, and for the rest of their lives, they would be together again. They would be a family again.
"Are you okay, Winter?" Weiss asked, the utterance of her name threatening to make the Specialist lose control all over again.
The Ice Queen closed her eyes and took a breath, replacing the cold mask on her face. It wasn't time yet. "I'm fine," she lied. "Something I ate must not be agreeing with my stomach."
Weiss hummed, nodding in understanding. "Perhaps we should return to the dance then. You'll be able to sit down and nurse your stomach, and I must dance with Jaune before the night is over. He's already danced with Rosalyn, and even yourself. I must get my share."
Loathe as she was to give her sister more time with that boy, it was obvious to her that Weiss was head over heels for him. She would indulge in her wishes… for now.
"Very well. But before we return, Miss Slate, may I ask something of you?"
Weiss focused her attention on the woman at her side again. "Of course. Anything."
"To better understand your abilities, may I see your Semblance?"
Weiss stopped. Winter did as well.
"M-my Semblance? Why?"
She was hesitant. Why? "To instruct you better, is all." She would never say the real reason, of course.
"I…"
Winter's eyes narrowed. Was Weiss onto her? "Yes?"
"I must confess, I do not possess a Semblance," she said with embarrassment. Weiss stared down at the sidewalk, ashamed of having to admit such a thing to her instructor. There was no acting here. No lying. Winter could tell her words were true. Not everyone was able to unlock their Semblance.
"I see." This problem was perhaps a misunderstood opportunity, however. Winter gently placed a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Perhaps if we focus on meditation and Aura training we can unlock it. Together."
More time with Weiss. Training together. Making up for lost time. They would unlock her hereditary Semblance together, and they would become closer for it. Winter couldn't have dreamed of a better excuse than this to see Weiss daily.
Winter saw how Weiss squeezed her hands closed, balling them into fists. In the dim light of the dust lamps around campus, she saw her sister shake her head. "I can't."
"You can't?" Winter pressed. "What do you mean you can't? Do you not want to even try to-"
"I don't have my Aura!" she snapped, interrupting her sister in a complete contrast to her normal behavior.
Weiss' demeanor would have been shocking enough. But with her accompanying words? Winter was nearly lost for her own. "You… don't have Aura?"
Bitterness and anger were etched onto her sister's face. She said nothing in response to the question.
"Wei-" Winter started before catching herself. "Why would you ever apply to a combat school? How were you even accepted without Aura?"
"I'm strong. Strong even without my Aura." Weiss stomped her foot on the pavement. "I'm not jealous of my teammates for having Semblances and Aura! I'm not! I'm better than Rosalyn and Yara! If they can handle it then I can too!"
Winter had sensed opportunity before with the prospect of being the one to unlock her sister's Semblance. Here, however, was all of that and more. An honor she couldn't have ever dreamed of being presented.
"Miss- Wren," she amended, using her false but first name to encourage Weiss to lower her guard. "Do you trust me?"
Pale blue eyes shifted up, meeting Winter's once more. "Of course I do. Not only are you an instructor, but your hair and eye colors indicate that you descend from a bloodline worthy of dignity and respect." The anger in her voice had been replaced by arrogance in a matter of seconds. "It's quite the flattering combination, if you ask me."
As are yours, dear sister. "Then if I may be so bold, I would be honored to be the one who unlocks your Aura. With your express permission only, of course."
Anger to arrogance. Arrogance to hopeful joy. Weiss' face erupted in a smile that was contagious for her older sister. "Truly you would do such a thing for me?"
"I would do anything for you," Winter stated truthfully. That truth extended further than Weiss could ever realize.
Weiss nodded frantically. "I thought that maybe Velvet would have helped me. Or even Jaune. But I suppose the correct time never presented itself for him, while Velvet was able to help me out with something else of importance. But… I can handle this. I know I can. I'm ready."
Velvet. The faunus girl who had 'helped' find certain media on Weiss' scroll? Winter's nose twitched in disgust. Don't remind me… She chased the thought from her head. "Then give me your hands, Wren."
Her sister did as instructed, placing her hands out palms up for Winter to grasp. She did so, and the feeling of holding her sister's hands in her own made everything seem right in the world. Now she was about to have the honor of unlocking Weiss' Aura.
Truly this was a magical evening that she would remember for the rest of her life.
"To be perfect is to achieve immortality. Perfection is a burden to be sought out, to be fought for and cherished, for others and never for ourselves." Winter poured her Aura into Weiss, every ounce of strength she had embracing her dearest sister. "Through the weight of legacy, we must strive forevermore to be perfect, and with our legacy achieve for the good of all. This is what it means to be a Schnee."
Weiss' body glowed with the warming light of Aura, her own innate power ignited. Winter's eyes closed, her strength being temporarily sapped by sharing her Aura, and unlocking Weiss' own.
The bloodcurdling scream that split Weiss' lips opened Winter's eyes, and shook her to her core.
Author's Note: This certainly was a long chapter, and an extremely fun one to write at that. A wonderful blend of romance, drama, and humor, all leading to a cliffhanger worthy of RWBY itself.
Next chapter will pick up where it leaves off, and there's a lot to be answered when it comes out. I can't wait to get to it. I hope you all feel the same way.
My thanks go out to a returning Burkion for his assistance in spicing up Boogie Blake in a way that only he's capable of. Poor Sun. What ever will the poor guy do now that his canonical positive energy can't be directed at Blake?
And of course, my thanks go out to all of you for your continued support. While I have you here, please consider checking out the latest chapter of my other ongoing story, A Fall Summer Knight's Dream.
Thanks for reading.