29

Carmine scowled into the mirror as she brushed her hair. The dress felt constricting, the dark red and black thing went down to her ankles, hugging her curves. However the most irritating part were the heels she was wearing, she never did understand how Weiss wore them all the time. She was stuck with it, though, since Ozpin had told her that it was her job to attend the dance.

Stuck babysitting the students instead of being anywhere else, it wasn't like there weren't already enough chaperones. Between Oz, Glynda, and Ironwood there were going to be plenty of eyes on the students. They were seventeen at the youngest, not ten, they weren't going to fly off the handle. At most the punch bowl needed to be monitored and they needed to make sure it didn't devolve into some kind of club scene.

It was with a resigned sigh that she started in on her makeup. Carmine typically wasn't one to use the stuff, not only because she didn't care for it but also because over the last decade there had been very few reasons to use it. She still remembered how, though, those childhood memories of Yang teaching her were still vivid and precious to her. Yang herself would be getting ready in team RWBY's dorm, most likely hunkered down in the bathroom and obsessively combing her hair and meticulously styling it. Her sister had helped organize the event alongside Weiss and it was just another reason to attend. The blonde would most likely be heartbroken if she didn't.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at her door and she paused with lipstick in hand to shout, "One moment!"

Setting the tube down she grabbed her eyepatch and placed it over her eye, being careful not to mess up her hair, before moving to the doo. When she swung it open she was faced with her one and only uncle who had that perpetual smirk of his cemented on his face.

"What's up Uncle Qrow?"

Even as she answered the door, he could see the surprise on his face as his eye looked her over and he let out a low whistle. Quickly, he pulled out his scroll and took a photo of her as she stared at him with flat eyes.

"Damn, kiddo, you clean up good." He remarked as she stashed the device back into a pocket, "Tai's gonna want that picture. Might as well get one of your sisters while I'm at it."

"Is the reason you're here just to play paparazzi?"

"Nope." He smiled, "I wanted to check up on my niece before her big night."

Carmine rolled her eye, "It's not a big deal Uncle Qrow."

"The dance might not be but seeing my darling niece all grown up certainly is. You look beautiful, Summer would be proud."

The words hit her hard and she turned away from the door, motioning for him to come in as she did so. Carmine didn't want him to see the watery smile that had suddenly blossomed on her face by the praise and she was shocked at the warm feelings they invoked in her. Her Uncle Qrow had never said such things to her, never had the chance to.

"Did you come to flatter me or was there more?" She asked as she finally regained control of herself, turning back around to give him her signature playful smile.

"Nope, not really. Just checking in on you. Got a chance to talk to that friend of your, Jaune. Hard to believe that kid turned into that."

"Really, when?"

"Just last night. We went drinking and swapped some stories. Figured I might as well get to know him better. Caught him spilling his guts to that partner of his up on the rooftop."

"Wait!" She waved her hands in front of her, "Jaune told Pyrrha?!"

"Yep." Qrow confirmed, "He told me how it wasn't fair team RWBY knew and all that but I figured it was mostly a bunch of bullshit, the real reason was a lot more selfish but I wasn't about to blame him fort that. Not when I'd probably do the same thing."

So Jaune had told Pyrrha about his secret then? That was good, they weren't planning on letting Cinder kill her and she wouldn't have been a target anyways because Oz didn't plan on offering her the Maiden powers anyways. Jaune had always been haunted by what happened that night, so getting a chance to talk with her again was probably for the best.

"Huh. That's good." She remarked as she moved back into the bathroom, picking up where she left off in her preparations. Qrow followed her, leaning against the doorframe.

"Makes me a bit jealous. There's a lot of things I'd like to go back and fix if I could."

She happened to agree. If only she could go back even farther and prevent her mother from leaving. It was useless to think of what ifs, however, since she had no control over when she ended up and could only do what she could now that she was there.

"Will you be coming to the dance?" She asked, sparing a grimace for his usual attire.

"No, thankfully. I'm going to be on standby with Raven for your boyfriend tonight."

"Jaune and I aren't like that." She answered automatically, "And you remember what to do right?"

"Yeah yeah." He rolled his eyes, "Can't go in too early, only if things go tits up, blah blah blah. You know this isn't my first time, right?"

"Well that's good." She smirked at him, "That means you won't fumble like a prom-night virgin."

Qrow let out a snort at that, "Everything's gonna be okay, Ruby."

She frowned at the use of her old name. Carmine had been trying to forget it, to get used to her new identity. She couldn't be Ruby anymore.

"The dance is starting soon and I have to be there before the students so.."

"Right, I'll let you go." He swept her into a brief hug and she wrinkled her nose at the stench of alcohol, "Make sure to enjoy yourself too, yeah?"

"Sure thing, Uncle Qrow." She grumbled.

How could she have fun when she knew what Cinder was up to?

-SY-

"Dammit, Yang! Are you still not done yet?!" Blake complained to the closed door of the bathroom. She was tired of hanging onto her team leader who kept trying to slip out of her heels and into a pair of boots instead. She wasn't paid enough for this, she wasn't paid at all. This was supposed to be her partner's job.

"Just a minute!"

"You said that thirty minutes ago!" She growled back, pounding on the door, "We'll leave without you!"

The door cracked open and one lilac eye peered out, You wouldn't dare."

Blake narrowed her eyes back at Yang, "Try me."

The door swung fully open with a grumble and Yang emerged, dressed in the custom made dress from Chiffon's, shop. Velvet's mother did incredible work and had fully taken advantage of the blank check Weiss had given to expedite their dresses. The dress her partner wore was a gorgeous red and orange dress that evoked a flame. It matched her hair well and she could tell Yang would be turning heads that night.

She had become really attached to her own as well, a dark purple dress that felt snug but even she had to admit made her look good. Blake had talked at length with Chiffon about what she wanted, the older woman chiding her answer of 'whatever' as not nearly good enough. The faunus had insisted that the entire team look good and so had worked with her to come up with a good design.

In contrast, Ruby's was a simple red and black dress with a traditional tulle. Apparently Chiffon wanted to go with a more 'younger' look with Ruby, which Blake supported. She didn't think her leader could have quite pulled off a dress that showed off curves nor would she want to show them off in the first place.

"You sure you're ready?" Yang asked her, her eyes flicking up to where her ears were sitting atop her head without the ribbon that normally concealed them.

"I don't know how sure I am about anything. but a deal is a deal." She replied and Ruby beamed at her, clearly supportive of the decision even if it wasn't something she would have done on her own. It made her feel good, like she belonged and it was a feeling she had always wanted. And something she had wanted for more than just herself but for all faunus.

"I'm gonna go wait in the hall." Ruby gave the two of them a smile, "Gotta make sure Jaune's not running away."

Yang snorted, "Yeah I don't think he'd survive getting cold feet. Wish Pyrrha luck for me if you see her."

Ruby quietly slipped out of the dorm, the door clicking softly behind her and the two of them could her her chirping at someone outside happily. Looking back at her partner she caught the fond and proud look on Yang's face. She looked like a mother looking after her child and it startled her to realize that she didn't know all that much about the sisters. She knew their personality but not their past. About all she really knew was that Ruby's biological mother had died and that Yang's was no longer around, and was a very touchy subject.

"You look proud." Blake remarked and Yang looked back at her with a genuine smile.

"I am." She confirmed, glancing back at the door, "Ruby's always been bad with social stuff, more content to be around weapons than people. That much I'm sure you know but that all didn't start until after Mom passed. Ruby withdrew and I had to pull her back out. So seeing her like this? Socializing and taking charge? I can't explain it."

And as an only child, Blake probably couldn't understand it anyways, "She's a good leader."

"C'mon, we better get going before she finds a way to take her heels off."

-SY-

"Hey Jaune!" Ruby called out as she closed the door, her friend standing in a nice suit outside of JNPR's dorm. He straightened from where he was leaning against the wall, giving her a small wave in return and a smile.

"Hey, Ruby. You look good!"

"Thanks, but you should save the compliments for your partner."

He tilted his head, "But my sisters told me to always compliment a woman when she puts in effort."

She snorted, not being able to help herself. Pyrrha had her work cut out for this one, "Generally that's for your date, Jaune. No one wants to get the same compliment as everyone else."

Jaune, to his credit, winced, "Right. I'll remember that for when I'm on a date."

Oh my dear, poor Pyrrha.

Ruby simply patted his arm, "So where is Pyrrha? Still getting ready?"

"Yeah. Nora insisted they get ready together so I'm out here waiting. Don't why it's only me, they let Ren stay."

Probably so they could get Pyrrha ready, I'm surprised she was able to actually ask him to the dance.

"Probably because he can help?" She suggested, there was no use in pointing it out for him and she wasn't about to do Pyrrha's job for her.

"That's gotta be it, he seems to have a lot of random skills. He makes amazing pancakes."

"Probably because he has to if he and Nora have been together for so long."

"But not together-together." Jaune added with a smirk and the both ended up giggling at the expense of their friend.

Jaune wasn't the only dense one on the team but when it came to Ren she wasn't sure if it was on purpose or not. The door to her dorm opened, letting Blake and Yang exit.

Her sister slugged Jaune in the shoulder, "Hey Ladykiller. Make sure you show Pyrrha a good time, yeah?"

"Well of course. She's my partner and my friend, I'm not going to let her have a bad time."

Yang spared a suffering look to her and she could only shrug helplessly. Jaune was many things but capable of picking up a hint was not one of them. In fact she doubted Jaune would get it even if Pyrrha wrapped herself like a present in his bed.

"Well you all better not be late. Weiss and I slaved over a hot ballroom to make this a fun dance and I don't wanna see you wasting it!"

Jaune went cross eyed trying to process how a ballroom could be hot, but just ended up nodding.

-SY-

Cinder was busy putting the finishing touches on her 'gown' for the evening. The art of dustweave fabric was not one that was widely known or practiced and this particular creation of hers was unique to her and her alone. As much as she hated to admit it, Watts had outdone himself with the silicate fibers the cloth was made of. As long as it was touching her body she could freely manipulate both the cloth and the dust it held, a nasty surprise for any foe and a clever disguise on hand if, or when, needed.

Emerald and Mercury had already departed for the dance, ready to take their places and offer an alibi for their team as well as keep an eye on the staff. All that was left was to slip into the outfit which fit her like a glove, and why shouldn't it? She had made it after all. With a few stretches she tested her range of motion to make sure the glass plates attached to the arms and legs wouldn't inhibit her movement. The plates bunched and moved, the gaps allowing them to shit with the cloth they were attached to.

Satisfied she buckled the vials of dust to her hips and thighs, just in case. Cinder was not in the habit of being careless.

From what information they had gathered since Ironwood had taken up boosting the security of Beacon, the CCT was being guarded by about a dozen of the new Atlesian Knight models. If Ironwood wanted to make her job easier thanks to arrogance, than who was she to question it? Why the man hadn't stationed actual people at one of the most vital pieces of Vale's infrastructure was beyond her and a foolish move that should have been beyond the General.

Cinder frowned to herself, it didn't feel right. It was too easy. But again there was no way for them to know she was coming or was going to strike at the school. For all they knew, Vale was safe. Relatively. Roman and the White Fang were keeping their eyes pointed outwards, they should have no idea that they were infiltrating, especially not when they had the endorsement of Lionheart.

She would just have to be cautious, ensuring Watts' virus got into the communications system was paramount to her plan. Not only would it give her access to all kinds of confidential information but would let her manipulate the masses when the time came. Information was power, after all.

Many things were power and she would control them all.

-SY-

"Are you ready?"

"Oh, are we talking now?" The snarky comment only earned a glare from Raven and Jaune shrugged as he received no further answer, "Yeah, I'm ready. Are you? You're confident you can intervene if it goes sideways?"

The black haired woman simply scoffed, turning her head away, "Who do you think I am? Some whelp like her, who's only had a portion of the Maiden's powers could never hope to best me. But you, you are another story."

"I'm not weak, Raven."

"You aren't." And the acknowledgement was huge, coming from her, "But the power of the Maidens, even partial as it may be, is not to be underestimated."

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were worried for me."

"The only thing I am worried about," She snarled at him, "Is you fucking up the plan!"

Jaune opened up his mouth but was interrupted when Qrow forcefully interjected himself both physically and verbally, interposing his body between them, "Alright we get it, you're both pretty princesses! Now can we stop with the arguing and do our jobs?"

Raven refused to answer, crossing her arms and looking away, as good as a yes as they would get from her. Jaune nodded to Qrow, both in acknowledgement and in thanks.

"I had better head out now. I'll flip the switch if I need help." Jaune assured them both before leaving the twins and heading out the door into the growing evening.

Qrow waited a few minutes after Jaune had left before he turned to his sister, "He really gets under your skin, huh?"

"As if some weakling like him could get to me."

"You literally just called him strong." He pointed out much to her visible displeasure, "And I haven't seen you this riled up since Beacon."

"You haven't been around since Beacon." She fire back and he winced.

"Right. You've been in Mistral. With those criminals."

"They are our family, Qrow!" Raven snapped at him.

"They're murderers who prey on the weak!" He retorted, "And don't hide behind the family card. Yang's your family too but I don't see you giving her any attention either."

"As if she wants me to be her mother." Raven snorted, "When I went back to the Tribe, I gave up my motherhood. I already explained that to you but you can't seem to understand it."

"I understand it just fine, Rae, but what I don't understand is why."

"Why?" She seethed, "Summer is why! You saw the way she looked at Tai! She was in love with him long before I was. She was the normal one, the motherly one, the one who could give Yang the life Taiyang wanted for her. I'm just some bandit, not a mother."

"But you didn't even try. You just ran off, leaving Summer to pick up the pieces. Why did you even marry Tai if you were just going to walk out like that?" He asked. It was a question he'd asked for so many years but had never gotten a straight answer from her.

"Because I wasn't about to be a pawn in Ozpins doomed war!" He was surprised by the answer. Time and again she had told him she didn't trust Oz, but now, with the knowledge he had, it put the words in a different context. He'd always thought she was paranoid or scared. She probably still was scared, not that she would admit it.

"What did you find out?"

"Ozpin filled you in on everything right? Everything that the Rose girl went through in the future as well as his past with his ex-wife? Let's just say that I wasn't surprised because I already knew."

"The Relic…" Raven nodded at him and then the puzzle pieces all clicked into place.

Raven was the spring Maiden, which meant she could access the Relic of Knowledge. If she had done that when she got the powers, maybe convinced Leo to let her go into the vault, then she could have asked the Relic about Salem. His sister had tried to convince him for many years about not trusting Ozpin and he had always assumed she was paranoid.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"As if I could tell you." She spat, "If I told you, I'd have to tell you about the Maiden and then you'd have told the old man. You can guess what he'd do then."

Qrow knew. The old Ozpin would have tried to sequester and control Raven, for the good and safety of Remnant. Ozpin always did have a rather mercenary view of his duties, in many cases the ends justified the means.

"Shit, Rae. I'm-"

"Don't" She interrupted, "Just… fucking don't."

He looked at her for a moment before speaking, "Look Rae, I can't undo what's already happened. But I know more now. We can work together, like old times, you and me."

She fell into silent thought, contemplative, "It can never be like the old times, Qrow. Not without Summer."

"Maybe not, Rae, but we can make her proud."

Raven shot him a scowl, but didn't say anything. Even after all this time apart, he still knew his sister well enough to recognize when she was being thoughtful. She normally hated showing her emotions, believing it made her weak, and she would usually die before admitting you were right. Yang and Raven would probably never be mother and daughter, that ship had sailed, but it wasn't too late for them to get to know one another.

Maybe, just maybe, he could have his sister back.

A/N: Uploading this late because I've been too sick to write through the brain fog, so apologies for that but I'm back with a bit of a bouncy chapter for you all. This one, as you can see, is mainly set up for the dance since it is going to be very eventful so I hope you are all anticipating it.