Preparations for the Concert
Inside the Inn at Mor Ardain, Yang was in her bed feeling depressed. Sure, they caught a major criminal who was planning to overthrow the Emperor, but Yang had to learn that Rex was able to control the Sun Dragon on a first try. More importantly, he could form an affinity link with any Blade regardless of who they're bonded with. That thought made her want to pummel Rex into paste. Yang knew it was wrong, but it felt so...unfair that Rex could just do what she does with barely any effort. And then there was the whole fact that Dragunov went Sun Dragon without her in the first place.
"Why won't he talk?" Yang growled lowly as she turned to her side. To this day, Dragunov had refused to talk about what had happened. All he says is that Yang would hate him. "What does that even mean?"
A knock on the door interrupted Yang's thoughts. "Come in." Yang said, not bothering to turn towards the door. Then the door opened, and the person entered.
"Yang, can we talk?" Asked the voice of Rex, which made Yang turn to face the salvager boy in surprise. The blonde's lilac eyes almost narrowed at the sight of him, until she was able to register that the boy looked a little scared.
"Sure thing. What's up." Yang said, hiding her ire at the boy and took a cross legged sitting position. Of course, her boots were on the floor in front of her bed.
Rex looked down as he approached awkwardly. "I... Well... How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Yang asked, now looking confused.
At this Rex locked his golden eyes to Yang's lilac ones. "How can you stand the Sun Dragon's rage?!" He almost snapped, "It felt like something wanted to burn everything I am away and replace it with hate for all living! How can you stand such pain?!" At the last part, Rex's eyes looked to be shimmering.
All this took Yang by surprise. "Pain?" Yang said with a questioning look, "It just felt like a burning rage that tried to force me to take it all out on anything I saw. Or maybe there was some pain, but... I don't really remember." At the last part, Yang looked like she was thinking. Giving up on using her brain, she instead decided to ask a question of her own, "Why are you asking? You seemed to be doing well yourself."
"No. It took Pyra, Mythra, and Nia to get me to hold onto myself." Rex said, hugging himself, "But you do it on your own. How? What do you do to keep yourself from being burnt away?"
Yang was shocked. Here she was thinking that Rex didn't put any effort into controlling the Sun Dragon. Come to think of it, The three Blades were close to Rex when she came to the unwelcome sight of him controlling the power of the Sun Dragon. "I just focused on the people I care about." Yang shrugged, "Telling myself that I need to protect them. It's hard when the rage tries to cherry-pick all the times they annoyed me, but I've managed." Yang looked very proud of herself, hoping that Rex wouldn't realize that a part of her was happy that Rex was almost burnt away by Dragunov's rage. And that shot a dart of shame into her heart.
Rex let out a long sigh, "Ruby's lucky to have a big sister like you."
"You jealous?" Yang teased, "I could be your big sister if you wanted." Then she got off her bed and walked towards the boy with a predatory grin.
"Uhh...what?" Rex asked backing away as he sensed danger. Suddenly, Yang lunged at the boy and pulled his head between her breasts. Of course, thanks to her orange top Rex's skin didn't make contact with Yangs.
Yang allowed herself to laugh as Rex's muffled screams came out of her chest while the poor boy was desperately trying to get himself out of the vice grip her arms had on his head. Yang decided to keep Rex's head in her chest for 10 more seconds before she let go which made the younger boy stumble backwards and onto the floor. "Don't do that!" Rex cried out, his face flushed. Though Yang couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment or lack of air between her mounds.
"Aww, but didn't you like it?" Yang asked while bending down to give him a look of her cleavage.
"I changed my mind. You are evil!" Rex panicked as he scrambled to his feet and ran for the door to escape.
Yang cackled like a maniac as the boy slammed the door behind him. Which briefly made her wonder if he was leaning against the door to block her in like she was some kind of monster. "Ahhhh, that was fun," Yang said, feeling a lot better now that she had some innocent vengeance on the boy for trying to steal her Blade. Speaking of which, now she was ready for another round of interrogation with said Blade. Then again, if she could finish her little project with Mythra... An evil smile twisted at her face at the evil things she could do with that as Yang moved to put her boots on.
As for Dragunov, he was in another room with his Dragunites in their case, admiring the beautiful diamonds that he had created in his previous lives. He couldn't help but wonder if his past selves were as happy as he was when he remade the Wind Dragunite. Although he wasn't sure what to do with them, since he didn't trust anyone with them anymore. Okay, he trusted Yang not to simply lose them, but he was a little paranoid about them being stolen. Which was why for the past few nights he had slept with the case in his arms. Like the dragon guarding the treasure that he was. His thoughts were interrupted by pounding against the door. "Get lost!" Dragunov called back, having an idea who it was. But the door opened anyway and Yang stepped in. "What part of, get lost, doesn't make sense to you, blondie?" Dragunov asked with narrowed eyes, closing the case and clutching it against his chest as he did.
"Don't worry, Draggie, every part of it made sense. I just don't care." Yang shot back as she crossed her arms, "Now what did Ryuko...do." Yang drawled the last part as she gave a half-lidded stare at her Blade.
"What was that?" asked Dragunov who had used his fingers to plug his ears.
"I'm getting a bucket!" Yang called loudly.
"Don't you dare!" Dragunov instantly dropped the act and got on his feet after depositing the case behind him. "You so much as think about dousing me, I will shave off the rest of your hair." the dragon Blade threatened.
"Then I'll hate you for the rest of my life," Yang said firmly.
"Yang, what are the words I need to say that will end this conversation and make you forget about that incident?!" Dragunov demanded, throwing his hands to the side as he did.
"The truth." Yang would not back down from this.
"You're more likely to become a rich girl with my talents." Dragunov stepped in front of his Driver in an attempt to intimidate her with his towering stature.
Yang eyed her Blade from head to toe, "I've brought down guys bigger than you."
"No, you haven't." Dragunov argued. After all, Yang couldn't have brought down something that didn't exist.
"Yes, I have."
"No, you haven't."
"Yes, I have."
"No, you haven't!"
"Yes, I have!"
"No, you haven't!"
"No, I haven't!"
"Yes, you haaaaven't!" Dragunov said, his cracks now glowing red, and his face looking redder than usual. "...I hate you." Dragunov dead-panned.
"I don't believe you." Yang said with a victorious smirk.
"...One of these days you might wake up with the rest of your hair gone," Dragunov growled as he leaned down to really loom over his Driver who wasn't affected. "Speaking of which, are you seriously going to leave your hair as it is?"
"Unless I find a miracle hair growth tonic, then yes." Yang said, not dropping her smirk, "Also, don't try to change the subject. Seriously, you opened up about your patrols around my house. How is this any different?"
"In every way," Dragunov said, narrowing his eyes on Yang. "Now drop it."
"I'm dumping you into the hot springs and not helping you out until you talk." Yang threatened next.
"Oh yeah? With these strings?" Dragunov asked as he gave his Driver's arms a squeeze. Of course, Yang had muscle in those arms, but they were still strings compared to his own.
"Oh, you did not just say that," Yang said lowly and started cracking her knuckles. In response, Dragunov started cracking his own knuckles which made louder cracks than Yang's.
"Stop!" Came the frantic voice of Ruby from the door, which earned their attention. "You can't just kill each other!"
"We're not killing each other, Ruby." Yang said with an amused look, "We just having a little chat, right Draggie?" The blonde Brawler gave her Blade a dangerously sweet smile.
"Right, Yangie," Dragunov replied, straightening his back, glad to have this distraction.
Yang less so, but she still gave Ruby her attention, "Why are you here, Ruby?"
"Oh, right! Agate wants to talk to us in the lobby." Ruby said, "Something about a concert."
The fiery Blade and Driver shared a confused glance. "A concert?" was the united question.
In the lobby, everyone was listening to the strange news Agate had. The concert that was to be held would be this evening, and all Remnans were invited.
"No thanks." Yang refused outright.
"Yang!" Blake hissed at the girl, "That's not polite."
"Look, it's for high-class people, right? That means it's going to be some sort of symphony or opera. And I'm not interested." Yang explained.
"But Weiss will be sad if you don't come." Agate pointed out.
That earned everyone's attention.
"Weiss is attending?!" Ruby let out, dashing in front of the prospector Blade, and started shaking her violently, "Where is she now?! Why hasn'tshetoldus-" "Ruby!" Roze called out loudly, causing his Driver to pause, "I'm sure Agate will explain when you stop shaking her."
"Sorry," Ruby said in a small voice and let go.
Agate straightened a few strands of her honey-blonde hair back into her bonnet before explaining, "Weiss had been helping with the preparations for the concert. To ensure she could focus, Weiss chose to cut all communications until after the event. But she really hopes that you all would come and see the fruits of her labors."
"If it's for Weiss, then I think we can do that, right guys?" Jaune said, turning to his team, whom all let out varying types of agreements.
"On one hand a certain cultural activity would do good for all of you." Otohime said with a small smile, before frowning, "On the other hand, I fear that some among us might ruin the event."
Nora narrowed her eyes, "Why are you looking at me?"
"I do not know what you are talking about." Otohime said, before getting her attention back on Agate, "Agate, is there a dress code by any chance?"
"Yes, actually." Agate said with a smile, "This time you will all need to dress up."
"Oh no." Ruby groaned. "Do we have to?"
"Weiss will be sad if you don't," Agate said simply.
"That doesn't sound like her," Yang said with a suspicious look.
"Well... Her exact words were, 'If those dolts don't come dressed for the occasion, I will never forgive them.'" Agate admitted, giving her best impression of a threatening Weiss.
"Okay, that sounds more like her," Dragunov said with a grin.
"Umm... What about me?" Pyrrha said looking worried, "I am a Blade now. So does the dress code include me?"
"Hmm... Since you have a Core Crystal, although a bloodstained one, I would think you would be exempt like any other Blade." Agate said after thinking for a moment.
"What if I wanted to dress up?" Pyrrha then asked shyly.
"What?" Ruby and Nora stared at the Fall Champion like she was crazy.
"Nothing is stopping you." Agate said with a smile, "Speaking of which, if you would all come to the palace we have prepared a selection of formal wear for all of you."
"Really?" Blake asked, her ears visibly perking up.
"Yes, we had them prepared for you in advance. Weiss insisted." Agate said.
"Why does that give me chills," Yang asked with a suspicious look.
Dragunov let out a small laugh at the mental image of Weiss' idea of formal wear. Which did nothing to calm his Driver's own imagination.
"Oh, and Yang, we have prepared something for you and your... condition, so if you could come in right now, we have time to apply it," Agate said with a smile.
"Condition?" Yang said with a confused look. "I don't have a condition."
"I was told you might have some... shortcomings," Agate said with a meaningful look.
"Excuse me?" Yang narrowed her eyes not happy to hear something like that.
"I mean..." Agate said as she stroked her hair inside her bonnet.
And then Dragunov's eyes widened. "Well ain't that convenient," Dragunov said with a grin, earning questioning looks.
"You know something?" Ruby asked, "Is Yang okay?"
"Eh, it's nothing serious." Dragunov said reassuringly, "But Yang, you really should take the offer. It will save a few years of your life that you complained about losing the other day."
"Yang, what's going on?" Blake asked now looking scared.
"I said nothing like that!" Yang snapped, "Stop making things up."
"Oh for the love of..." Dragunov smacked his palm against his face and then dragged it down. Then he leaned down and whispered something into Yang's ear.
Yang's own eyes widened before she quickly turned back to Agate, "That's a thing?"
"Yes, if you're thinking what I think you are," Agate said, looking relieved.
"Let's do this!" Yang said and immediately started dragging the prospector Blade outside.
"The rest of you should come to the palace two hours before the concert. That should give you time to-" Agate didn't get to finish that sentence before she was dragged out by Yang.
Dragunov shook his head at his Driver's antics. "I should go and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid." With that, he moved upstairs to his room to get his treasures, because there was no way he was leaving them here.
"Dragunov, wait!" Ruby called out and started following him alongside Blake.
"What did you mean by Yang losing years of her life?!" Blake demanded.
Dragunov didn't stop his stride up the stairs, "Look, Yang was just being dramatic. It's not like she was actually losing years of her life." As Dragunov finished he turned to the hallway that led to the room he stayed at.
"Well then, tell us!" Ruby demanded, "If it's not as bad, then tell us what's wrong with Yang!"
"No." Dragunov said, "And if I did tell you, Yang would never forgive me." What he left unsaid was that Mythra would never let him live it down. The humiliation of being ambushed and knocked out by Tirkin was already bad enough without adding the light Aegis' eternal teasing about it. As he finished that thought, he opened the door to his room and stomped to the case that was just like he left it. After confirming the contents, Dragunov started to move out to follow Yang.
"What could be so bad that Yang didn't want to tell us?" Ruby asked, still tailing Dragunov.
"That's for her to tell you and if she doesn't want to, then my lips are sealed," Dragunov said as he moved past Ruby. Only for Blake to step in front of him and block the hallway.
"You're not taking another step past here before you talk," Blake said resolutely.
The dragon sighed before suddenly lunging at Blake and snaked one hand past her head and got a grip on the back of the collar of her white coat. Then he proceeded to pick her up by the back of her neck and moved her behind him before continuing his stride.
"Hey! You can't just do that to me!" Blake yelled indignantly with a slight tint on her cheeks.
"Preeeetty sure I just did." Dragunov shot back as he reached the stairs and walked down. Then he strode past everyone else who seemed to be in the middle of a discussion. But right as he was about to reach the door, a flurry of rose petals zipped past him and reformed into Ruby who was blocking the door.
"You're not going anywhere before-hey!" Ruby's declaration was cut off when Dragunov picked her up by the hood.
"Hey, Roze. Catch!" And then he threw the shrieking girl towards Roze who reacted just in time to catch her. With Ruby out of the way, Dragunov wiggled himself out the door and slammed it behind him.
"Why did I get thrown?" Ruby complained as Roze put her on her feet.
"Because he didn't want to deal with you," Mythra said simply.
"Mythra!" Pyra scolded.
"What? You know it's true." Mythra protested, before returning her attention to Ruby, "Word of advice, the more you try to push him, the more stubborn he becomes."
"But something is up with Yang." Ruby said, "What if... What if she's dying?"
"Ruby." Qrow let out with a sigh, "I'm pretty sure it's nothing that serious. I have no idea what this so-called condition is, but Yang seemed happy to get it over with."
Then Nia looked like she had some kind of realization, "Umm... This might be nothing, but maybe it had something to do with some of Yang's hair being gone."
"...Come again?" Qrow said with a look of dread.
"Oh, right! Yang started to tie her hair up. We don't know why, but she had somehow lost a large chunk of it." Rex explained.
"When was this? How did it happen?" Ruby asked with a look of utter shock. She had thought Yang was just trying a new style.
"Yang wouldn't tell us." Nia said, "And she said that Dragunov didn't do it."
"Why are we talking about Yang's hair?" Pyra then asked.
"Oh, you haven't seen what happens if someone so much as touches her hair." Qrow said simply, "Let's just say that Yang is banned from every salon in Vale after putting some of the stylists in the ER."
"Surely she can't be that bad," Mythra said. Sure she didn't like just anyone touching her hair, but she wouldn't go on a rampage like that.
"Yeah, she is," Ruby said, sounding completely serious. "When we were little, Yang's hair got pulled by some bully. By the time adults intervened, the bully had to be hospitalized."
"Surely you jest?" Dromarch said with widened eyes.
"I really wish we were," Ruby said.
"Nia, weren't you there when Yang tried to hurt Nox for cutting strands of her hair?" Ren then asked.
"Oh yeah! I forgot about that." Nia said, remembering how Yang was hunting the ninja Blade in a dumpster. Almost getting jailed in the process.
"Hold on!" Qrow let out, "If Yang's condition is her missing some of her hair, then was Agate saying that they have some kind of hair growth tonic?"
"You mean Alrest has a cure for baldness?" Nora asked, "Oh how some people would pay for that."
"Tonic only accelerate hair growth. Not make new hairs." Tora piped up, earning everyone's attention.
"Tora... Is there really some magical hair growth potion?" Ruby asked in disbelief.
"It not potion." Tora said, looking at Ruby like she was a dum-dum. "Tonic rubbed along skin accelerate hair growth in couple hours."
"...Okay..." Ruby said not sure if she should believe it.
"Anyway. Tora go to Mòrag. Tora need to talk." Tora then said as he started waddling out with Poppi in tow in her alpha form.
"Nia... have you ever heard of a tonic that grows hair?" Blake asked.
"Why are you asking me?" Nia asked.
"...Sorry, I just wondered if you knew." Blake's ears drooped.
"No I haven't." Nia said, "This is news to me."
Rex thought for a moment, "Ah! I think I heard a rumor about some Nopon trying to make hair growth tonic for humans."
"Really?" Nia asked.
"Yeah... I guess they succeeded." Rex said, "I guess that would also explain why Yang was so happy."
"Yup," Ruby said popping the p.
"Regardless." Otohime then said, clapping her hands together, "We have several hours until the appointed time. Meaning we have just enough time for everyone to clean up and have a nice meal before the concert."
"Do we have to clean up?" Nora complained.
"But Nora, isn't it important to be clean?" Electra asked with a head tilt.
"Of course it is." Otohime said with a proud smile, "Though you must remember, too much soap and scrubbing could damage your skin. So do be moderate."
Nora grumbled a little at being betrayed like this, but she couldn't get mad at Electra out of principle.
"I'm not going." Qrow said immediately, "You kids have fun if you want, but I think I'll just find something else to do."
"Uncle Qrow, this is a concert that Weiss made. Please come." Ruby said, getting in front of her uncle and giving her best puppy eyes.
"Sorry, kiddo." Qrow said while patting her head, "But I-" Qrow trailed off when another set of puppy eyes appeared in front of him. Kasandra.
"Please, Qrow." Kasandra said, even quivering her lower lip.
Qrow did his best to resist, but getting a double dose of pleading puppy eyes was too much for him. "Oh, fine." Qrow crumbled under his niece's and Blade's team attack.
"Thank you!" The two said in unison and hugged Qrow. At that point, the only thing he could do was to pat them both on the head.
Blake shook her head at this in amusement. If those two's puppy eyes could be weaponized, world peace would be an easy achievement. Still, Blake now had a new errand to run, hopefully, what she asked would be ready by now. Because this evening would be the best time to show it off. "Sorry, everyone. But I have something I need to do. I'll be right back." Without waiting for a reply, Blake ran out too with Nox in tow. Though Perceval stayed.
"Where is she going in such a hurry?" Roze asked Perceval.
Perceval took out his gourd and gulped from it greedily, not answering the question.
As this happened, Rex had approached Ruby, "Hey, Ruby. Can we talk for a moment?"
"Sure." Ruby replied happily, "What's up?"
"Not here." Rex said, looking at everyone else, "I need some... advice on something."
"Really?" Ruby asked, now more interested, "Well, I'll do my best to help."
"Rex, what's wrong?" Pyra asked.
"No, no. Nothing is wrong, I just need to ask something from Ruby," Rex said quickly. "We'll be right back." With that, Rex started leading Ruby outside. "It's private, Roze." Rex said to Roze who was about to follow.
"I'll be right with you." Ruby said to Roze with a smile and the two moved out.
Outside, Rex led Ruby to a relatively secluded alley. Then he looked around to see if anyone else was around before giving his attention to Ruby. "Ruby... This might sound strange, but does Yang try to...suffocate people a lot?" Rex asked awkwardly.
"Suffocate, how?" Ruby asked, looking confused.
"Well..." Rex started, unable to bring out what happened to him. In the end, Rex decided not to answer with words and brought his arms in front of him like he was squeezing something.
"Oh, that?" Ruby said, giggling a little, "Yeah. She liked doing that to me a lot. A few times I thought she was actually trying to kill me. But I think she has loosened her grip."
"So she does that with anyone?" Rex asked, looking baffled.
"Yeah. Mostly me and Dad." Ruby explained.
"Her dad?!" Rex exclaimed.
"What? What's so wrong?" Ruby asked, now confused by Rex's reaction.
"Uhh... I mean..." Rex stumbled in his own words, "I guess... It's okay." With that, Rex ran away, leaving Ruby to pop up question marks out of her head.
In the palace, just as Yang had dared to hope, her scalp had been lathered with some kind of liquid that made her hair grow rapidly. Although there was one problem with it. "Where did everyone go?!" Yang called out loudly into the darkness, "I can't see!". Then Yang moved her hair out of her eyes and she could see in front of the mirror the effects of the tonic. "Whoa!" Yang let out at the sight of her hair that was now trailing the floor and was covering her like a golden robe. Even the strands in her hands now felt loose since it was still growing.
"That's a lot of hair." Dragunov commented as he was starting to get ideas, "Now you definitely need a haircut."
"No argument here." Yang said as she kept moving her newly grown hair away from her face as it kept growing in length to cover it again.
"Fasifasi warn friend not overdose." A light blue nopon bounced in place. This Nopon looked to have thicker fur than most of his kind. "Why friend use so much on such small loss?"
"Don't call it small!" Yang snapped as she turned to face the Nopon, nearly tangling herself in her own hair. "But yeah... I should have believed you."
Brighid looked amused at Yang's predicament, "Well, we have the barber ready as soon as your hair stops growing, and a meal too." Fasifasi had warned that the accelerated hair growth causes hunger.
"...Now that you say it I do feel hungry," Yang said, now holding her stomach. Which in turn made her hair once again cover her face completely.
"Only after your haircut," Brighid added in.
Then Dragunov looked to Brighid, still carrying the case that had the Dragunites. "How did you know about Yang's hair loss anyway?"
"Lucky guess," Brighid said simply. "Let's just say I have seen women who tie their hair in order to hide a... mishap."
"Okay?" Dragunov looked a little skeptical. "By the way, how is the case going on?"
"That is confidential as of now," Brighid said without missing a beat.
"Okay, what about Ryuko and Satsuki?"
"Confidential."
Dragunov frowned, "How is the old fatass taking his imprisonment?"
"Confidential." Brighid gave her fellow fire Blade a look while resisting a scowl, "And even if it wasn't confidential, I would never tell you about him."
"And why not?" Dragunov asked with a suspicious look.
"Because I don't want to risk you finding him and killing him." Brighid said with a scowl, "We already had to put Pierce on house arrest for breaking his teeth."
"What?" Dragunov was surprised, "Why did he- actually nevermind. That tracks," Then he remembered what Ryuko threatened his Driver with. No doubt the old count had laid his hands on those two Blades. Still, that doesn't stop Dragunov from wanting to break every bone in Ryuko's body. He didn't mean to go all Sun Dragon on the Scissor Blade wielder, but she crossed a line.
"Calm down." Brighid said, surprising the dragon. Then his gaze fell upon one of the dragon heads that had its cracks glowing red that was slightly more orange. With a deep breath, Dragunov calmed himself down. "I understand how you feel." Brighid said, "I most likely would have wanted to incinerate Ryuko if she had said something similar about Lady Mòrag."
"What?" Dragunov's eyes widened, "What are you talking about?"
"Ryuko told us." Brighid said simply, crossing her arms under her breasts.
"Oh... Don't tell Yang." Dragunov said in a low voice, surprising the blue-flamed Blade.
"Are you saying you haven't told her?"
"Of course I haven't, she'd hate me forever." Dragunov said, looking nervously at Yang who seemed to be too busy checking her hair growth to notice.
"I don't understand?" Brighid was now confused, "Why would she hate you?"
"You don't have to understand, she must never know what happened," Dragunov said giving a firm look to Brighid.
"...Do as you wish." Brighid said with a scowl, "I still believe you should tell her the truth."
"Never," Dragunov said resolutely.
Brighid sighed wearily but didn't press the issue.
"Uhh... Guys, I think my hair stopped growing." Yang finally said. And when they turned to check, Dragunov had to hold in his laughter. Brighid too brought a hand over her mouth to cover a smile. Because judging by the amount of hair that was now trailing the floor like a carpet, Dragunov was sure he could get one or two sacks full of it after Yang gets her haircut.
"Now we can call in the barber and get your hair cut," Brighid said, trying to keep the amusement out of her voice.
"For once in my life I can't wait to have that," Yang said, giving a double thumbs up from the full-body robe that is her hair. And then Dragunov couldn't hold his laughter. "Drag, stop laughing!" Yang yelled out, not seeing that Brighid was also letting out muffled laughs.
"Since effect of tonic stop, Fasifasi leave." The fuzzy blue Nopon said and started waddling out. The Nopon's policy of seeing that the effects of the hairgrowth tonic don't have negative effects had been upheld.
Though unbeknownst to Yang, Dragunov took a long look at Yang's overgrown hair. And an idea started forming in his head.
Soon enough, Yang was sitting in a barber's chair and was getting her hair cut. However, she had to warn the barber that if her wishes weren't fulfilled, she would break the poor guy's face. She was so focused on the progress that was happening in front of a mirror that she didn't notice Dragunov, moving about cleaning the floors of the cut hair and putting it in a sack. Occasionally an evil smile appeared on his face at the nefarious plan that was cooking in his head. Of course, his case was in the corner of the room far from the door so he can keep an eye on it while working. The barber too was so focused on his work that he too didn't notice the floors being cleaned. Or at least the man didn't make any sign of acknowledgement.
"I have to say, miss, your hair is truly exquisite." The barber spok as he trimmed Yang's front bangs.
"Thanks, I'm very proud of it." Yang said, beaming at the compliment.
"For a good reason, I assure you." The barber kept talking as he took a step back to look at his handiwork for a moment. "If you don't mind me asking, how do you care for your hair?" The barber asked as he once again got to work.
"Oh the usual, washing it with shampoo, brushing it in the mornings, and a little conditioner. Though I haven't gotten to do those lately." Yang admitted the last part.
"A shame, a hair such as this deserves to be maintained at all times." The barber commented, "But I suppose that would be difficult for an active Driver."
"Yeah. Also, taming my bedhead in the morning is so annoying." Yang said, although smiling, "But totally worth it."
"If you would accept advice, from me miss. To avoid bedhead, you should avoid going to bed with wet hair. Brushing it before going to bed will also help, as well as tying it." The barber advised before producing a mirror from his bag. "Those are my advice to keep your hair as beautiful as it is now." The barber said as he positioned the mirror to show the back of Yang's head.
"It's perfect," Yang said as she looked at her prized hair in all of its glory flowing down the back of her seat. She even turned her head from side to side. It could be her imagination, but her hair looked so much more radiant than usual.
"Looks like Sunsilk to me," Dragunov commented with a grin.
"Don't say that word," Yang said, glaring at him through the mirror.
"Why not, it's very accurate." the barber said, marveling at his work.
"Please don't. That word carries a lot of bad memories." Yang said as she got up and took off the cloth she had draped around her. She then started admiring herself in front of the mirror. Combing her fingers through her newly grown and groomed hair, flipping it a few times. Even doing a twirl a few times. "Perhaps I'll quit being a Driver and just find a rich husband." Yang said as she still saw Dragunov looking on through the mirror, "I'm sure I could pass as a beautiful princ- No, queen."
"What?!" Dragunov roared in outrage.
Yang then burst into laughter as she turned to face her Blade, " Got'cha! You should have seen your face!" And then she even dared to point a finger at him and laugh more heartily.
Dragunov's mouth opened and closed repeatedly as he couldn't even form a coherent thought for a few moments. "... Sometimes I wonder why I tolerate you."
"Because I'm awesome, loveable and badass," Yang said with a beaming smile, still letting out a few giggles.
Dragunov growled lightly and rolled his eyes but otherwise didn't respond.
"Uhh..." The barber said awkwardly, "I'll just... leave now since I was paid in advance." Then he gathered up his bag and left the room.
"By the way, where's all the- What's with those sacks?" Yang asked as her eyes fell on two large full sacks.
"All the hair that was cut off of you." Dragunov said with a grin, "Now, as I recall you were supposed to go to the dining room. I'll join you after getting rid of these." With that, Dragunov moved to pick up the two sacks in one hand before going to pick up the case that had the Dragunites.
Yang just shrugged at her Blade being unusually helpful. Still, "Are you planning to lug that case everywhere you go?"
"Maybe," Dragunov responded as he was about to step out of the room with Yang following him out. But they immediately went in different directions since the dining room was in a different place from the exit. And then Dragunov allowed himself to smile like an evil genius that was about to proceed with their grandmaster plan. Yang's little stunt made this easier for him. "I wonder what kind of face she will make, once she sees what I have cooked up." Dragunov thought with a small snicker.
It took him some time, but Dragunov couldn't believe his luck. There was an Indoline who had managed to set up exactly the shop he needed. Of course, the shop itself was close to the alley that led to the slums. The shop's selection wasn't the best, but there was one advantage that this woman had. Which was why Dragunov approached her with determined steps. "Are you Eltetra?" Dragunov asked the red-haired Indoline woman who flinched at the sight of him.
"W-why do you want to know?" the woman stuttered, clearly intimidated by the Blade looming over her.
"I heard you have access to a loom, is that correct?" Dragunov asked, trying to appear friendly.
"Y-yes, why do you ask?" the woman seemed a little more at ease, but still intimidated.
"Because I'm curious about what you can make out of this?" Dragunov said as he put the case on the shop's counter and opened one of the sacks he was carrying.
"If you don't mind me asking, where did you get that?" the woman asked, now curious.
"That's for me to know, but I'd like you to make some nice fabric out of this." Dragunov said with a cheeky smile, "Can you do that?"
"Not as it is." Eltetra said, "I would need to spin this into string first. But I don't have a wheel for that."
Dragunov growled a little, "Damn. So much for my plan."
Eltetra looked at the contents of the sack again, "...I heard about a young man who is said to be good with building things. If you could ask him to make me a spinning wheel, I could make this into a string, and then I could weave it into a fabric. Is that acceptable?"
"That would be great, who is the young man?" Dragunov asked, seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
"He is called Gyro. He's an Ardainian with-" "Blonde hair, blue eyes?" Dragunov interrupted. Giving Eltetra a pause, "Yes... Do you know him?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact... Though I don't think he- Never mind. I'll see what I can do." Dragunov then said.
"Thank you, so much." Eltetra thanked profusely, even putting her hands together and bowing. "Just one moment." Eltetra then said and started rummaging beneath her stall. "Ahh. Here it is." The woman said and took a large piece of paper. "Here are the blueprints for the wheel that I need."
Dragunov closed the sacks and accepted the paper from the same hand that was holding the sacks. Then he took his case under his other arm, "I'll be back with news." With that, Dragunov left the woman and started walking towards the apartment where Gyro and Pierce lived.
Once Dragunov reached the apartment building and knocked on the door. To his initial surprise, it was Pierce who opened the door. "What are you doing here?" Pierce asked narrowing his eyes at the fire Blade. Dragunov guessed that the boy had heard about his rampage on Ryuko. Dragunov looked over the boy and saw that he was wearing his civilian clothes. No doubt because of the house arrest he was under.
"Is Gyro home?" Dragunov asked.
"What do you want with him?" Pierce asked with a suspicious look.
"Look, I know I may not be your favorite person right now, but I need his help with a little something." Dragunov sighed.
Pierce still glared at Dragunov before turning inside the apartment, "Bro, it's for you!"
"One sec!" Came from further inside. Soon enough, Gyro appeared, and he was not happy to see Dragunov. "What do you want? If you're looking for Ryuko, she and Satsuki are still under custody."
"I'm not here about that, I'm here about this," Dragunov said as he extended his hand that was still carrying the stacks and the now slightly crumpled paper.
"What's this?" Gyro asked even as he took the paper and started to look at it. "You want me to make a spinning wheel?" the boy looked to be in disbelief at this.
"It's for Eltetra who runs a fabric shop," Dragunov said simply.
"Oh, her," Gyro said with a sigh. "Look, I get that she and her people aren't in a good position, but I'm just not sure if I should help an Indoline. Isn't them getting food and some shelter enough?"
Dragunov snorted at this, "Hmmm... Give a person a fish, they will be fed for a day. Teach them how to fish and they will be fed for life."
"...You have Ancient Wisdom don't you?" Gyro asked with narrowed eyes.
"Last I checked, no." Dragunov said, "Regardless am I wrong?"
"No, no you're not." Gyro admitted, "Alright, I'll see what I can do, but it'll take me a few days to make this. I have been put on leave until the end of the investigation. And Pierce is under house arrest."
"For breaking Dreyf's face, apparently." Dragunov grinned, "Tell your brother, that I approve, considering the tub of lard tried to get Yang to become a concubine."
Gyro had a blanched look before he laughed. "Okay, I'll do that. Anyway, I'll get this to Eltetra myself once I'm finished."
"I'll let her know." Dragunov said with a grin, "See ya." With that, Dragunov left.
Once Dragunov reached Eltetra, he saw that she had just finished selling some clothes. The Indoline seamstress seemed to light up at the sight of Dragunov, even as she was speaking to another customer. Once he reached the stall, Dragunov waited patiently for the seamstress to make time for him. His tail swished in excitement of his plans moving forward.
Once Eltetra finished her latest sale, she turned towards Dragunov, "Did he accept?"
"Yes, he did." Dragunov said with a smile, "Gyro said he will bring the wheel to you once he has finished it."
"That's perfect, with the wheel, I can begin creating my own fabrics. Speaking of which, you can leave those sacks here. I will work on them as soon as I can. Did you want clothes made out of them?"
"No, actually." Dragunov said with a smile, "I just want a fabric made of these. I will call it, Sunsilk."
"Sunsilk." Eltetra said as if tasting the word, "Well the material is shiny enough to be considered that. Tell me, would you mind if I kept some of the fabric? I have some ideas on what to make of it."
"Sure, as long as I get a lot of it." Dragunov shrugged and handed over the sacks, "By the way, I see you do get some customers. Business doing well?"
"Yes. Partly because people saw me being employed by the Emperor himself." Eltetra said with a grateful smile, "His Majesty was kind enough to commission multiple fine dresses and suits for VIP guests some time ago from me. I hope these guests enjoy my work."
"Well, good for you," Dragunov added in. "I look forward to seeing your work."
With that, Dragunov walked off, now only with his case. He really couldn't wait to see what kind of fabric would come out of Yang's hair. And what kind of face his favorite blondie would make at seeing genuine Sunsilk.
That evening the concert hall was being filled in. Nobility and rich of not just Mor Ardain but from Uraya too were on the many seats of the hall. Most were on the ground floor with many comfortable seats. The higher nobility on the balcony seats and at the back with the best view of the stage, was the seat of the Emperor himself. Alongside him was the Queen of Uraya along with Voluq and his Blades, the two Blades were standing guard, ready to defend their Driver and the queen. Like Voluq, Mòrag was also seated aside the Emperor with her three Blades standing guard. Not that there were anymore threats to either of the two rulers, seeing as Dreyf's benefactors had been apprehended thanks to some assistance from Tantal who acted as a neutral party. This act granted the formerly isolated Kingdom some favor from the two nations, seeing as the king wanted to make friendly connections. Though Mòrag resisted a smile as she remembered that most of the reason for Tantal's involvement was a request from her to Zeke. Of course, the crown prince had to think of his people and have the Empire sweeten the deal with certain goods that Tantal required.
"And your majesty is certain that these conspirators have all been apprehended?" Raqura asked one more time as she looked around the concert hall.
"According to the reports from Tantal, the very leader has been captured. Interestingly enough, the Nopon leader of this organization is the father of ex-chairman Bana." Niall replied, still finding that part of the report hard to believe.
Raqura looked to the young boy and quirked her eyebrow, "Are you suggesting that this act was done in retaliation to Bana's arrest?"
" The reports so far haven't specified that. Only that the goal was to destroy Uraya and Mor Ardain." Niall explained, "If Dreyf had risen to be the emperor, there was no doubt he would have mobilized all armies to destroy Uraya."
"And given recent developments, there was a high chance of him succeeding, if not for certain benefactors of our own." Raqura continued with a small smile.
"And according to our investigations on Count Dreyf's delusional ambitions, he would have eventually caused this nation to collapse." Niall finished that train of thought.
"I take it he is in your custody?" Raqura then asked.
"With maximum security. While I doubt anyone would attempt to help him escape, I cannot take any risks." Niall said resolutely.
The Urayan monarch nodded in agreement. "If my knowledge of the Empire's laws on treason are correct, then he will face execution."
"That is true," Niall said face darkening for a moment. As did Mòrag's. When they got their hands on notes about the man's designs on Brighid. The Flamebringer and the Jewel of Mor Ardain had half a mind to petition the execution to be burning on a stake. But it wasn't worth the political backlash, even if implementing the said designs on Brighid was about as disrespectful as defecating on the Empire's coat of arms publicly. Honestly, Mòrag almost wanted to praise Pierce for breaking Dreyf's teeth after finding this out, but certain principles had to be maintained.
Mòrag occupied herself by looking towards the front two balconies that were reserved for their VIP guests.
At the entrance of the concert hall, the said VIP guests finally showed up.
"...Why do I still have to wear these stupid lady stilts," Ruby whined again as she was clutching Roze's arm to keep herself steady. Aside from the black heels, Ruby also wore a red dress with a skirt that went down to her ankles, since this was no prom. Though the top of her torso was covered in a black mesh with some silvery embroidery. She also had a black sash with a few vine-like embroideries which oddly resembled the ones on Roze's clothes. In all honesty, the outfit was almost the same as what Ruby wore back at the Beacon dance. With a few alterations.
"Because it's part of the dress code," Roze replied with a smile.
"You just lack training," Nora said with a grin. Oddly enough, Nora's dress was also very close to the one she wore back at the Beacon dance. Pink top, a white skirt that went past her knees, and white heels. Though hers lacked any modifications, oddly enough.
Pyrrha shook her head at Nora as she looked down at her red dress. Again, very similar to the one she wore at the dance, but with the addition of bronze-colored embroideries that mimicked the arcane shapes of her armor. And there was a small hole on the sternum to reveal her bloodstained Core Crystal. She also had her hair tied up into a high ponytail with a bronze-colored ribbon, since she couldn't wear her helmet. She also had long red gloves that covered her arms up to her elbows with bronze embroidery coiling upwards from the wrists. Pyrrha herself couldn't help thinking someone had taken inspiration from Brighid's arm gloves. The dress itself didn't have any sleeves, and the skirt was ankle-length. The outfit was complete with bronze-colored heels.
With Yang, her dress was bright yellow with a few glittery parts that gave the illusion of it being made of gold. The straps go around her neck with her front annoyingly enough not revealing any of her cleavage. Not that Yang was planning to seduce anyone, but she still felt a little insulted. Then again, other than that, she felt like a golden goddess, especially with her newly restored hair that even the others called shinier than usual.
Finally, there was Blake who wore a dark purple dress with purple mesh covering her upper chest past her breasts and her shoulders. The skirt was knee-length with a cut on one side. To some annoyance of other girls, Blake was the only one who happened to have jewelry. A thin silver choker with a dark purple, almost black, stone hanging from it. It was the same stone Dragunov allowed her to keep when they first arrived in this world.
Then there was Penny who was wearing a green knee-length dress. And with her new hair tied behind her with a pink ribbon, she looked more beautiful than back in Beacon.
As for the Blades, they were exempt from the dress code. Something that Nia abused maliciously as she was in her Blade form.
As for the human guys among them. They got lucky by having to wear well-tailored suits. Something that made Rex and Oscar uncomfortable.
Although the one most uncomfortable was... "Tora not like this." Tora complained as he tried to adjust the collar of his Nopon tailored suit. Because of course that was a thing.
"Masterpon, this is the price we have to pay for the deal." Poppi said in her QTπ form.
"What was the deal you made for you to be forced into a suit?" Ren asked in morbid curiosity. He among everyone else wasn't expecting Tora to attend, much less in a suit. Which looked weird on a Nopon with a mohawk. Speaking of hair, Ren's was slid back and tied into a tight ponytail. Otohime had insisted.
"Muehhehheh, that a surprise," Tora said, rubbing his tiny hands together for an effect.
"There you all are." Said a voice from the front, earning everyone's attention. "For a moment I was afraid you would be late." said Dahlia who walked towards them alongside Aizen.
"Dahlia! Aizen!" Ruby exclaimed, and then she looked around them. "Where is Weiss?"
"Weiss, who is that?" Dahlia asked, tilting her head.
Everyone looked horrified at the implication of the question, until the bunny lady laughed. "I'm sorry, I should have known that wouldn't be funny to you." Dahlia apologized as she let out a melodious laugh.
"Very amusing." Otohime commented dryly. "Now, I suppose you two are here to guide us to our seats."
"You suppose correctly." Aizen said before motioning everyone to follow, "This way, please."
"You didn't answer our question," Blake said as everyone followed the two Blades up a flight of stairs. "Where is Weiss?"
"Miss Schnee will join us later," Aizen said simply as he took a look over his shoulder occasionally as if to check everyone was behind them.
"Wait, isn't Weiss attending?" Yang asked, "We all got dolled up expecting to see her again."
"Fear, not. Weiss will be here." Dahlia said as she and Aizen led them down a hallway that would lead them to the balconies reserved for them.
"Is she waiting for us at our seats?" Ruby asked as she clung a little tighter to Roze's arm.
"As I said, Miss Schnee will join us later," Aizen said as he stopped in front of the second last door to a balcony seat.
"Now, then, if all the members of JNPR and their Blades would file in through here," Aizen said as he opened the door and motioned for entry.
"And all members of RWBY, please enter here." Dahlia said as she opened the last balcony door.
"What about the rest of us?" Rex was the first to ask.
"We shall see after the truly important people are in," Aizen said, giving them a pointed look.
"Screw you too," Mythra said from Rex's left. Earning a disapproving look from the more well mannered people.
"It is what it is," Aizen commented.
Still, the members of RWBY and JNPR filed in through to their respective balconies along with their Blades.
After them, came the division between the rest. Rex, Nia, and the Aegis sisters entered to the RWBY balcony. While Oscar, Herald, and Dromarch and Dagas moved to the JNPR side. Roc and Wulfric decided they wouldn't come. Roc, because he wasn't sure his ears could handle it, and Wulfric was worried he might scare the people. There also was the small problem of Perceval not having a seat so he had to be moved to the JNPR side.
Anyway, the seats were arranged in rows of four. Which allowed Ruby and Blake to take the front seats with Roze and Yang. Nox would have preferred the seat next to his Driver, but Blake wanted Yang to be seated next to her. So the ninja had to go with the middle seat behind his Driver. Along with Qrow, Kasandra, and Dahlia. Finally, in the back row was Rex along with Pyra, Mythra, and Nia. Dragunov decided to stand since none of the seats could withstand him anyway.
On the JNPR side, in the front row were Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren. With Electra sitting on Nora's lap. In the middle row were Dagas, Joana, Otohime, and Perceval. And in the back row Penny, Aizen, Oscar, and Poppi who had Tora in her lap, much to the Nopon's embarrassment. Kos-Mos decided not to sit, while Dromarch couldn't take a seat alongside Herald. Perceval also opted to stand and decided not to go back to the RWBY balcony.
On the RWBY side, Ruby had taken note of the occupied seats, "Dahlia, where will Weiss be sitting?"
"She won't be with us," Dahlia said simply, earning questioning looks.
"I'm confused," Pyra said, "Doesn't Weiss want to see the effort she has put into this concert?"
"Don't worry about it," Dahlia said with a sweet smile, just as the lights were dimming. "Ahh, the first orchestra is about to start."
"So how many orchestras are there?" Qrow asked, already bored.
"Three. But only the last one will have a singer." Dahlia said with a beaming smile. "I can't wait."
Deciding to trust Dahlia, everyone just started to listen to the first orchestra that started.
In the JNPR balcony, Otohime was basking in the music, her tendrils arcing themselves to the rhythm slowly. Aizen too smiled at the orchestra's playing, but unbeknownst to the others, he shared the same thoughts as Dahlia. But all he had was a small smile that could easily be interpreted as him just enjoying the music.
In the Emperor's box, Mòrag took note of how Poppi had a well-dressed Nopon in her lap. It was amusing, but she had to resist a smile, given the setting. It would be impolite to laugh right now. Besides, a part of her didn't believe the Nopon would even accept the trade on some of the notes Dreyf had on his pet project. But after allowing Tora to rummage through the notes, the inventor came and said that the mind-altering aspect of the project was a scientific impossibility. Most of the explanation went over the Special Inquisitor's head, but she was able to gather that the changes that would need to be made for a Blade's mind to be altered would be far too much for something like an Aux Core to fulfill. But altering their clothes would be very possible. Mòrag resisted a look towards Brighid who had expressed concern for what Tora might do to Poppi with it, even if the Artificial Blade now looked like an adult. Sadly it was clear that Poppi would just go along with it, especially because she was the one who told Tora about Dreyf's project Perfect Elysium after overhearing it herself. The woman wasn't sure if she should be looking forward to or scared of what the Nopon might come up with the notes. Hopefully, it's something innocent like Blades being able to have more fashion options. Ones that wear clothes anyway.
Mòrag let herself get out of those worries and focus more on what Niall and Raqura were discussing. Niall planned to use the money raised here to help settle the Indoline people in the new world. They would also receive various assistance until they were able to become self-sufficient. Judging by the conversation it sounded like Raqura was offering counsel on agriculture so that the Indoline can start growing their foods. Overall, the end goal was to help Indoline to rebuild themselves, especially since many of them were depressed by the truth of Amalthus.
Well, that could wait until the end of the concert at least. Hopefully, the teams won't make too much noise.
AN: There we go. Dragunov is still being stubborn and he decided to prank Yang. And the lengths he's willing to go to... Well, we shall see how it turns out eventually. But the first the gang has to go through the concert that Weiss had been helping with, and yet isn't even attending.