Burning the Darkness
AN: To those of you wondering where I've been: Celebrating April fools day and easter. Although I call April Fool's my birthday.
For days, Team RWBY has been trying to get Blake to change her mind, but all of their attempts have proven unsuccessful.
Which is why Ruby was slumped over a table in the ballroom with Roze rubbing her back in comforting manner.
And then Weiss slammed something on the table, making the red reaper jump. "I need you to pick a table cloth." Weiss said, revealing that what she slammed in front of Ruby were indeed table cloths.
"...Aren't they both the same?" Ruby asked, seeing as they looked to be exact same color.
"I don't even know why I asked." Weiss complained as she moved away.
Meanwhile Yang was moving a large stereo with Dragunov moving another... Interestingly enough, the draconic Blade had a ball of darkness attached to his tail. No really, there was a mass of darkness where a portion of his tail disappears to, like he was dragging something. "Put that one over there." Yang told her Blade choosing to put hers down, creating a shockwave that bounced Ruby's and Roze's seats.
"Alright." Dragunov replied moving to the designated spot and putting the stereo he carried down with one arm. Still dragging that patch of darkness with his tail. "How long are you going to stay like that you little wuss?" the draconic Blade growled at the darkness on his tail. But of course, it didn't answer. Honestly, if the guy wasn't in such a condition Dragunov would've ditched him already.
As this happened, Yang had moved next to Ruby, "Sooo, have you picked out a dress for the dance?"
"What's the point," Ruby sighed, "Who cares about the dance if Blake isn't going."
"She can go die for all I care." Dragunov said with uncharacteristic anger at Blake.
"Drag, what happened to Nox that makes you hate Blake?" Yang asked again. The dark Blade has been covered by that patch of darkness Dragunov has been dragging with his tail all day.
"...I'd rather not say." Dragunov replied, glancing at the patch of darkness where Nox has no doubt curled into a ball, "I hate being on Nox duty."
Yang sighed, before seeing something highly offensive, "Weiss! I thought we agreed, no doilies!"
Weiss got in front of the blonde's face at hearing that, "If I don't get doilies, you don't get a fog machine."
"Your dance is gonna have a fog machine?" Neptune asked, having just entered with Sun.
"W-we were thinking about it." Weiss said, doing an about face on her previous ultimatum.
"So, you ladies excited for dress-up?" Sun asked the three girls.
"Yeah, right." Ruby snorted.
Yang turned to her sister with a smirk, "Laugh all you want, I'll be turning heads tomorrow night."
"You mean more than usual, right." Dragunov said with a smile.
"Why thanks, Drag." Yang thanked with a laugh, but then she took on a serious expression, "But again, what happened to Nox?"
"Ask Blake," Dragunov said sourly, "She's the one who did this to him."
"So, she's still being all...Blakey?" Sun asked, looking at the sphere of darkness that was supposed to be Nox.
"I guess." Ruby said with a sigh.
"Which is why Dragunov is currently on Nox duty." Roze replied, knowing that the dark Blade is in no condition to be left alone.
"Isn't he being a little petty?" Sun asked, which made a single glowing yellow dot appear in the sphere.
Followed by the dark sphere taking on a vague humanoid shape, before lunging at Sun.
"Blake." Dragunov said simply and the dark shape that was supposed to be Nox stopped, before curling into a ball again and the yellow dot disappeared. "See? Even saying Blake's name reduces him into that." the Draconic Blade said. Honestly, he's already tired of pulling Nox around. Not physically, mind you, but having to remember dragging him around was a bit tedious.
"Weiss, where did you say I should put that ice sculpture again?" Dahlia asked, eyeing the tables where Weiss and Yang thought an ice sculpture would look cool. Yang's words, not Weiss'
"I think we should set the table first before deciding." Weiss added in, knowing that Dahlia's sculptures could be very...over the top if you let her get creative.
"Alright then." Dahlia said as she returned to brainstorming ideas.
"So, what're you guys wearing," Weiss then decided to ask Sun and Neptune, seeing as they weren't going to get answers on Nox's condition.
"Uhh, this." Sun said, motioning at his current attire. An open white shirt with torn jeans.
"Ignore him," Neptune said, blocking Sun with his arm, "For he does not know what he says."
"Hey! I may have moved to Mistral, but I grew up in Vacuo. And that's not exactly a shirt and tie kind of place." Sun defended himself.
"Luckily, we don't have to wear those." Roze piped up. Because Ozpin had announced that all of the Blades are exempt from the dresscode to the dance.
"I know right," Dragunov said with mock relief, "I mean, can you imagine me wearing a monkey suit?"
"Hey!"
Despite Sun's protest, everyone tried to get a mental image of Dragunov in a fancy suit and, needless to say, the image was hilarious. His size aside, the suit would need to have a hole for his tail. And a suit jacket bulging because of the dragon statue was hilarious, especially with the dragon heads. And that's not even counting the possibility of the clothes burning off of him at the slightest annoyance.
"Yeah, you would look stupid." Yang said, shamelessly grinning.
"No denying that." Weiss agreed, despite feeling strange for agreeing with Yang.
"None of this is going to matter without Blake." Ruby then complained, not even laughing at the image of Dragunov in a suit.
"Guys, Blake will come," Yang said confidently, "Trust me."
"You got a plan or something?" Dragunov asked, hoping that the plan would also help him from getting rid of the luggage. Which he had wrapped his tail around again.
That evening, Jaune had kidnapped Ren just as the black-haired boy exited the shower. So here Ren was, in the JNPR dorm room in nothing but a pink towel and highly uncomfortable.
Jaune has just gotten over the awkwardness of the situation, when Otohime chose to arrive.
"...Jaune, why is my dear Ren only in a towel and looking distressed?" the oriental beauty asked with her arms crossed inside her sleeves.
"Oh, we're just having a guy talk." Jaune said, feeling a little nervous about the calculating look the water Blade was giving him.
Otohime shook her head in exasperation, "I believe, that whatever it is you need to discuss can wait." With those words, Otohime grabbed her Driver, before starting to push him into the team's bathroom, "At least, until my dear Driver is properly dressed." As Otohime finished that sentence, she used her tendrils to swipe Ren's hanging clothes before pushing the said increasingly embarrassed Driver into the bathroom to change and shut the door behind him.
"Milord, I must point out that I told you this could happen." Joana said with a pitying look at her Driver. The knightess was leaning against the wall watching the whole thing.
As this was happening, Nora was glaring at the water Blade over the comic she was reading. "How dare she call Renny, my dear!" the orange haired hammerer grumbled in her head. All the while Electra was looking between everyone with a question mark over her head.
"Now then," Otohime said as she turned back to Jaune, "What is so important that you had to grab my dear Ren before he was even properly dressed."
"Uhh... It's nothing, just guy talk." Jaune said nervously, but judging by the unamused look on Otohime, it wasn't good enough.
"Milord wishes to ask Sir Ren about women." Joana sold her lord out.
"JOANA!" And Jaune was regretting, not telling her to wait outside.
"Ohhohhoo." Otohime laughed lightly, covering her mouth with a partially sleeve covered hand. "That is... quite a subject. What exactly do you wish to know?" Otohime then asked, sounding tender instead of mocking like Jaune expected.
"I-It's nothing, you wouldn't understand." Jaune stammered, while giving a sidelong glance at his Blade who had lowered herself to one knee as a sign of apology.
"Jaune, what's this about?" Ren asked, having exited the bathroom with his clothes on.
"It's umm...It's Weiss." Jaune said, realizing that the two female Blades would probably hear about it later anyway... somehow. "I'm head over heels for her, but she won't give me a chance." the blonde leader said with a sigh.
Otohime frowned a little. While she didn't share Joana's opinion of the white-haired girl, she did think Jaune was wasting his time with her. Still..., "Jaune... If it does not offend you, would you like to tell us what it is you like about Lady Weiss?"
Jaune hesitated for a moment, glancing at Ren for support. The black-haired teen giving his friend a small nod. "Well...she's cold," Jaune started, "But she's also incredible. She's smart and graceful and talented. I mean, have you heard her sing?" Then Jaune looked a little down, "I just wish she would take me seriously you know?"
"Milord, you should not-OW!" Joana was interrupted by a whiplash to her face from Otohime's tendril which immediately retreated back to neatly extend over her head.
"Please, continue," Otohime said politely, while giving the mecha knightess a look that said, "Be quiet now."
Jaune, feeling grateful, decided to finish, "I just...wish I could tell her how I feel without messing it up."
"Then do it." said Pyrrha who had just arrived, surprising everyone.
"What?" Came out of Jaune.
"Go to Weiss and tell her what you just said. No pick-up lines, no ridiculous schemes. Just go and tell her exactly what you just said." Pyrrha said with Talos shaking his head at his Driver's actions. As much as he doesn't approve of who Pyrrha likes, her telling Jaune how to get another girl would go against what she wants.
"But...what if I still mess up?" Jaune asked, still not feeling confident.
"You can't get it wrong if it's the truth." Pyrrha said supportively. Even though it was killing her on the inside.
"...Yeah." Jaune said, getting up from the bed, "Thanks Pyrrha." With that, Jaune moved towards the door only to be stopped by Otohime stepping into the way.
"...Jaune I wish you good fortune but should Lady Weiss hear you out and still reject you I think it would be best for you to find someone else." the water Blade said with a sympathetic look.
"Thanks for the concern." Jaune said, still smiling, "But I can't get it wrong this time." Hearing, Jaune's determination, Otohime stepped aside to allow him passage.
Joana got off her kneeling position and moved to follow, only to be barred by Otohime, "Lady Joana...I believe it to be best that you leave this to your lord."
"But what if milord is attacked by that shady assassin." Joana asked, fear evident in her voice. "What if that cretin sees fit to attack milord with me not present!?"
"Joana," Pyrrha said, putting her hand on the knightess' armored shoulder, "Weiss won't hurt Jaune, and Nox has been out of commission for days."
"...Very well." Joana relented, far from relaxed, but she wasn't going to go after her lord unless she felt him in distress.
"...Practice what you preach, Pyrrha." Nora then commented, having listened through the whole thing.
"Surprisingly wise words from a beast." Otohime snarked at Nora.
"What was that!?" Nora glared at the offending Blade.
"Here we go again." Ren thought with a sigh.
As this was happening, Blake had been annoyed at a little something that was interrupting her research in the library. A red dot, that kept appearing on both the computer screen and sometimes her palm. The cat faunus' tired mind couldn't take this annoyance and she turned in her seat to find the culprit behind that dot. Only to see no one there. But then her gaze fell on the floor, and there the offending red dot was again, moving on the floor as if taunting her. Sadly, Blake fell for the taunt, and started stomping towards the dot angrily. Of course, the dot started moving away from her with a speed that matched hers, before turning into a corner.
Blake followed the dot behind the bookshelves before stopping at seeing a familiar blonde with a laser pointer in one hand.
"Helloooo," Yang said in a sing song voice, before taking a serious expression, "We need to talk." And with that, Yang grabbed Blake and bolted out of the library.
Yang had dragged Blake into an empty classroom, locking the doors so that the cat faunus couldn't escape. Then, the blonde had taken a seat on the teacher's desk with Blake giving her an annoyed look. "Yang, if you're going to tell me to stop, then you might as well save your breath." Blake said, already having enough of this.
"I don't want you to stop. I want you to slow down." Yang replied.
"We don't have the luxury to slow down." Blake said, still irritated from more than just her lack of sleep.
"It's not a luxury. It's a necessity." Yang countered.
"The necessity is stopping Torchwick! Nothing else matters." Blake argued back.
"And we will," Yang said, ignoring the latter sentence. "But first you have to sit down and listen to what I have to say." Those words were emphasized by patting a spot next to her. Blake sat down reluctantly. "Ruby and I grew up on the island of Patch," Yang started telling her tale, "Our parents were both huntsmen. Dad taught at Signal and mom took on missions. Her name was Summer Rose." Yang paused for a moment as she smiled fondly at some of the memories she had, "And she was a super-mom. Baker of cookies and slayer of monsters." Then, Yang frowned at the next part, "Then...one day she went on a mission...and never came back."
Blake had raised an eyebrow at the turn of events, but she decided to listen. If only to see where Yang was going with this.
"It was tough. Ruby was torn up, but I don't think she really understood what was going on." Yang said, feeling her gut twist a little at the next part she was about to tell, "And dad just...kinda shut down. It wasn't long before I learned why." With that, Yang sighed a little before looking away from Blake, "Summer wasn't the first love he lost. She was the second...the first...was my mom."
Now Blake's eyes widened. She did notice that for being sisters, Yang and Ruby didn't look very alike. But she never considered them to be half-sisters.
Then Yang was able to look at Blake again, "He wouldn't tell me everything, but I learned that she was on the same team with dad, Summer and uncle Qrow." Then Yang looked a little depressed, "And that she left me with dad the day I was born."
"...Why did she leave you?" Blake asked, unable to comprehend why a mother would just leave her child.
Yang sighed as she got up," Why? That's the question that's been haunting me for so long. It was all I thought about." Then Yang took a piece of chalk and started drawing on the board. "I would ask anyone I could if they knew anything about her," Yang explained, "Then...one day, I found a photo that I thought would be a clue that would lead me to answers. Or even to my mom." Yang was halfway through drawing what she had in mind, as she felt her gut wrench again at the next part, "I waited for dad to leave the house. I put Ruby in a wagon and started walking. I must've walked for hours...I had cuts and bruises all around me...And then I saw them. Those burning red eyes."
Blake looked worried about how Yang must've felt at the time, but something must've happened. Seeing as her partner was still alive.
"So, there we were, a toddler and a dumb girl too tired to scream for help." Yang said as the memory flashed in her mind briefly, "But as luck would have it, our uncle came in just in time." With the tale finished Yang had also finished drawing her uncle's emblem on the board. "My stubbornness almost got us killed that night." Yang said as she looked down in mild depression.
"Yang...I'm sorry that happened to you," Blake said as she got up to move behind the blonde. "And I understand what you're trying to tell me, but this is different." the cat faunus said, still stubborn, "I'm not a child. I can take care of myself, and I can't just-" "I told you," Yang interrupted Blake, clenching her hand into a fist as she did, "I'm not asking you to stop. I haven't. I'm still searching for answers to why my mom left me, but I'm not letting it control me." Yang unclenched her fist, as she visibly relaxed, "We will find the answers we're looking for. But if we destroy ourselves in the process, then what good will it do?"
Blake finally couldn't take this anymore, "You don't understand I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DO THIS!"
"No! YOU don't understand!" Yang shouted as she turned to face Blake, with her eyes having turned red, "If Roman Torchwick came through that door right now, what would you do!?"
"I'd fight him." Blake argued.
"You'd lose." Yang argued back with a shove at Blake.
"I can stop him!" Blake tried to shove Yang, but her body couldn't muster the strength to even make her budge.
"You can't even stop ME!" And Yang shoved Blake harder. Even though she hit the desk, Blake got back up to try and prove Yang wrong. Only to be wrapped into a tight hug. "I'm not asking you to stop." Yang said comfortingly, "Just please...get some rest. Not just for you, but for the people you care about." With that, Yang released the hug, before moving to unlock the door. "And if you feel like coming, I'll save you a dance." Yang said with a wink. Then she heard noises coming from behind the door.
"You're not getting away from this, you hear me!" Yang heard Dragunov shouting, clearly struggling with something. Blake heard the last shout and moved to the door in curiosity.
"What's going on out there?" Blake asked, having enough presence of mind to question. Instead of answering, Yang opened the door to reveal Dragunov holding darkness covered Nox by his legs. While the dark Blade was trying to crawl away uselessly, leaving claw marks on the floor.
"Dragunov?" Yang asked with a weirded-out look, causing the draconic Blade to turn towards his Driver.
"Oh, hey there Yang." Dragunov greeted, seeing as Nox had frozen in place, "Did you finish knocking some sense into Blake?"
"Yeah, but how did you know we were here," Yang asked, remembering that she never told Dragunov where she would take Blake to have her talk.
"All Blades can use their Resonance with their Drivers to locate them." Dragunov said, earning wide eyes from the BY of RWBY.
"What? You can do that? Why didn't you ever tell me?" Yang asked in annoyance.
"You never asked." Dragunov replied with a smirk.
"How did you know I was with Yang?" Blake asked, as she eyed the humanoid shaped darkness that the fire Blade was holding.
"Simple, this guy started struggling the moment I got close to this room?" Dragunov replied, patting Nox's back with his tail.
"Why is Nox like that?" Blake asked, still able to figure out that the mass of darkness was probably her Blade. Despite how tired she was.
"I'm glad you asked." Dragunov said as he shoved a piece of paper at Blake before flinging Nox at into her as well. Then he pulled Yang away from the classroom before closing it. "Now that Nox can't escape her, she will have to fix her mistake." Dragunov said as he wiped his hands with his tail swishing proudly.
"Okay, Drag. What's going on?" Yang demanded for answers.
"Blake will have to face the consequences of her actions now." Dragunov said simply, "If you want details you will have to ask her later."
"...You sure this won't undo my hard work." Yang asked, not liking the idea of revealing her greatest mistake for nothing.
"If anything, it should just hammer it in more." Dragunov said confidently, "Now, we should leave for now. I think Nox will deliver her to your dorm when they're done." With that, Dragunov walked away.
Yang glanced at the door with apprehension, before deciding to trust her Blade.
Inside the classroom, Blake had gotten back up with the paper Dragunov had left her with. "What's this?" Blake asked, before noticing Nox scrambling for the door. "Nox! Stop right there." Blake commanded, and her Blade did as was told. Then Blake checked the writing on the paper that was clearly handwritten, but she recognized it as Nox's. "I couldn't stop you from destroying yourself, but I hope that the next Blade you acquire is worthier of you. I am sorry for being useless, Lady Blake." Blake finished reading it aloud with a worried look. "...Nox...what is this," Blake asked, the contents ringing alarm bells in her head.
Nox didn't answer, still covered in darkness. Only his head shifted a little.
"Nox... Please talk to me," Blake said, feeling her heart constricting at Nox not replying.
Finally, Nox turned towards Blake before his scroll rolled itself from where Blake was pretty sure his hand was at. "You ordered me to either assist you in working yourself to death or disappear forever. I could not help in killing you, so I chose to disappear forever. But the other Blades stopped me from destroying my Core."
Blake's eyes widened at the last part. "...What're you saying?" Blake asked, feeling her heart constrict more at the implications.
"A Blade can recover from any injury, so long as their Core isn't destroyed. But that is easier said than done." Nox showed on his scroll.
And then the first sob escaped Blake. "YOU IDIOT!" And then Blake lunged at her Blade that was wrapped in darkness. "Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!" Blake banged her fists weakly against the area she was pretty sure Nox's chest was at. But then, instead of banging against him, she started hugging him, entering the darkness covering him. Feeling a rush of negative emotions inside of it, sadness, fear, despair, and many others. "Are these... Nox's feelings?" Blake thought with tears flowing freely. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Blake sobbed into Nox's chest. "I didn't mean to... You were just looking out for me and I... I... I..." The lack of sleep and the weight and Nox's suicide attempt prevented Blake from forming a coherent sentence.
Then a blue light lit up in the area where Nox's eyepatch was, and the darkness covering him retreated into it. Once the last wisps of darkness had returned under his eye-patch, Nox embraced his crying Driver. Feeling bad for making her cry... even though she was partly at fault.
"...How did they stop you?" Blake had to ask, seeing as it had been days since Nox got his mistaken order.
"I was in the middle of charging my weapon with enough power to destroy my Core at our dorm, but the others found me before I was finished and jumped me. Since then... at least one of them was always watching me. And since I was... afraid to approach you, one of them had to keep watch on me outside of classes at all times." Nox showed on his scroll.
"...I'm happy that they did," Blake said as her eyes began to droop. Until she fell asleep in her Blade's arms. With Blake having dozed off, Nox picked her up into bridal carry and started carrying her to RWBY dorm. All the while nothing could describe the joy and happiness Nox felt at his Driver not hating him. All the while the paper that was Nox's suicide note had been forgotten with all the writing disappearing, along with the darkness that had covered the dark Blade.
With Jaune, the blonde leader of team JNPR had gotten a white tulip to help him ask Weiss out one last time. Then he turned a corner to see Weiss approaching Neptune.
"Hey, Neptune," the white-haired girl said as she reached the blue haired boy, "I was wondering... I mean, I know that this is a little unorthodox, but... would you like to accompany me to the dance tomorrow?"
That was all Jaune could bear to hear, before dropping the white flower and walking away. His previous cheer completely gone. "I guess Otohime had the right idea. But who else is there?" Jaune wondered in his head.
The next night, the dance was on full swing. Couples for the night dancing to a ballroom music. On a table near a far wall was a punch bowl and an ice sculpture of Beacon academy itself, courtesy of Dahlia.
And at the reception desk, Yang was receiving people in a simple white dress. Dragunov was standing next to her to keep her company. Then the doors opened again, earning both Yang's and Dragunov's attention. "Aww, you look so beautiful!" Yang almost screamed at the sight of Ruby.
The little red reaper was wearing a red dress with stockings and high heels, which she had trouble walking in. Which was also why she was latched onto Roze's arm like her life depended on it. Or at least her ankles. "Can we have a serious discussion about how Weiss and Dahlia fight in these." Ruby asked as she was being slowly escorted by her Blade. She did stumble, but at least she had Roze for support.
"Our poor little Ruby." Dragunov couldn't help the light mocking, which made Yang laugh a little.
"Why does Ruby have to wear heels at all?" Roze asked, having to walk slowly alongside his Driver.
Outside, Sun was on his way to the dance. He refused to wear a full-on suit. Just a black button up shirt that had a few buttons open, and his usual leg and footwear. And of course," Urgh... Stupid neck trap.", a tie which he had to fix again.
"I knew you would look better in a tie." said Blake, earning Sun's attention. Blake was wearing a beautiful black dress. She was of course, accompanied by her loyal ninja Blade.
And then, the said ninja wrapped an arm around Sun's shoulder before dragging him a few meters away. "I shall return him shortly." Nox showed to Blake who sighed at what her Blade would definitely do.
"What's the big idea dude?" Sun asked in annoyance at being dragged somewhere.
Nox released him before opening his scroll in front of the monkey faunus' face. "I do not like you, monkey. I do not like the fact that my lady wishes to go with you to the dance. But tonight, is not about me. It is about my lady enjoying herself. So, for tonight, I will tolerate you. However, if you do anything to hurt her, I will clip your tail and strangle you with it."
"Okay, man." Sun said with a grin, which earned him a cross glare. "Whoa! Chill out. I promise Blake will have a great time, and that I won't try anything." Sun said much more seriously, which prompted Nox's pupil to dilate back.
"I am glad we understand each other." Nox showed before moving out of the way, so that Blake could come in and take Sun's arm.
"...Soooo. Does this mean, we're going together," Sun asked, despite what Nox's scroll said.
"Technically." Blake replied, giving her Blade one last glance before focusing on Sun, "Though my first dance is already spoken for."
"Oh... Well... can I get the second dance?" Sun asked a little nervously, earning a small laugh out of Blake.
"Sure."
On the dance floor, true to her words, Yang and Blake had their dance. And when they were finished, Yang motioned for Sun to take over.
With that, the RWY of RWBY had gathered along with their Blades. Including Nox who had decided to stay out of the way, but still watched for that moment Sun would slip.
"I told you she would come." Yang said with a smirk.
"Mission accomplished then." Weiss said, smiling at Yang, with Dahlia also looking happy about the sight of Blake laughing at something Sun just said.
"So, what now?" Ruby asked, still clutching Roze's arm like a life-line.
"Enjoy the night, come on Drag," Yang said, motioning for her Blade to follow.
"Shall we, Dahlia," Weiss said as she walked off with the ice bunny who still turned heads, much to the ire of many girls who had a date.
"So, does this mean I get to change out of these stupid things and into my hood now," Ruby called out after everyone, before almost tripping again, "Stupid lady stilts."
"...Ruby." Roze said sounding awkward for some reason.
"Yeah," Ruby said, looking up at Roze who was watching the people dancing.
"...Would you... mind if we danced?" Roze asked his Driver, turning his white eyes to Ruby's wide silver ones.
"Whuh?" Ruby couldn't help a slight red coming to her cheeks. "B-but... I'm not a prancy schmancey... dancey girl... maybe you should ask someone else." Ruby stammered in embarrassment.
"But I want to dance with you." Roze replied back with a pleading look in his eyes. Causing Ruby to have an internal struggle on whether or not make herself look stupid in front of this crowd.
"Why not indulge him." Ozpin, who had just arrived, asked Ruby. Earning the rosy duo's attention.
"What?" Ruby asked, still red in her cheeks.
"If he wishes to dance with you, why not let him." Ozpin suggested, "After all, moments like these don't come very often." The headmaster had a supportive smile directed at the young reaper in dress.
"But... I'm no good." Ruby said, looking down in shame. Then she felt her chin being lifted up gently.
"I don't care... So long as it's you Ruby." Roze said firmly, causing Ruby to blush more.
"...If-If you're sure." Ruby relented.
"Thank you." Roze thanked, happiness shining through his empty eyes. Then he led Ruby to the dance floor.
Yang had a similar situation with Dragunov. "Come on, Drag. Just once." Yang said nicely.
"No." The draconic Blade was leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed.
"Come on, you can't avoid this forever." Yang said in a sing song voice.
"Watch me." the dragon growled in annoyance, "I. Don't. Dance." Each word was emphasized with an edgy weight.
"What's wrong, are you not man enough to dance?" Yang asked teasingly, earning a twitch from one of Dragunov's eyes. "Are you so much of a pansy, that you can't even take a frail damsel like me on a dance floor?" the blonde kept teasing.
"First, you're not frail." Dragunov argued, "And second, I know what you're doing. You're trying to provoke me into dancing."
"Is it working?" Yang asked with a smirk.
"...Let's get this over with." Dragunov said, extending his hand for a smirking Yang to grab onto.
Back with Ruby, she had one hand in Roze's, and another on his shoulder. While her Blade had his free hand on her waist. The red rose was blushing furiously as she realized that she was dancing with a guy that wasn't part of her family. Well, if dancing meant taking very small careful steps so that Ruby wouldn't trip with the high heels. Though it looked like Roze was enjoying himself much more than Ruby was... Or actually, Ruby did enjoy dancing with her handsome Blade.
"Did I just call him handsome?" Ruby thought in her head. She couldn't help blushing in embarrassment, which Roze either didn't notice or care.
Speaking of Roze, the Blade had a smile on his face. Then in one fluid motion, Roze had grabbed Ruby by her waist with both hands, lifted her up, turned 180 degrees and put her back down. All the while his Driver let out a small shriek at the sudden lift. Which earned a small laugh out of the other dancers who saw the situation. "I'm sorry. I saw one couple do that, and I couldn't resist." Roze apologized to a pouting Ruby.
As much as she felt annoyed, Ruby instead asked a very good question," How are you so good at dancing?"
"...Dancing isn't too different from combat." Roze replied as he returned to the small steps he and Ruby were doing, "Two partners, working hand in hand, trusting each other... Like Blades and Drivers."
Ruby couldn't help but find Roze's words wise beyond all reason. "...You're amazing." Ruby said smiling at her Blade.
"So are you." Roze replied. Once again, making Ruby rival a tomato in color.
Meanwhile, Yang had to return to the reception desk alongside Dragunov. Or... Yang had to, and Dragunov followed since he didn't have anything better to do.
"I thought you said you couldn't dance." Yang said teasingly at her Blade.
"I didn't say I can't, I said I don't. Know the difference." Dragunov replied. Size difference aside, Dragunov was pretty good at dancing, though he did have to match his pace with Yang's.
Whatever retort Yang had in mind was cut off when the doors opened. "Oh, you guys're just in time," Yang said to Emerald and Mercury.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Mercury replied, while glancing at what he considered the most dangerous thing in the room, Dragunov.
AN: Phew... Managed to write this... You know I kinda understand now how hard it is not to ship too quickly, because I was so tempted to have Ruby and Roze kiss. Thankfully I was able to reign it in, because the truth is... I haven't exactly decided on whether or not I want to ship Ruby and Roze. It's tempting, but... I'm going to let it boil over for a time.
And yes, Nox thought that by disappearing "forever" meant dying. Thankfully the others were able to stop him and stop Blake from breaking down with guilt... Well more than she did anyway.
And finally, we get to see Otohime's take on Jaune crushing on Weiss.