Chapter 32

Weiss spotted her mother in an unusual place. Instead of sitting off to the side getting plastered, she had walked to one of the catering tables and was pouring herself a drink. Earlier in the night, Weiss had glimpsed Willow with a beautiful young woman on her arm, a surprise to say the least. After instructing Pyrrha and Ren to give her some space, Weiss approached her mother to find out what in the world was going on.

"Oh, hello Weiss." Willow looked up briefly from the glass she was pouring. "It's good to see you in high spirits. Wonderful speech by the way."

"Yes, thank you mother." Weiss responded. She looked at the bottle her mother was pouring…Sparkling Grape Juice was not the label she would have expected. "You know that's non-alcoholic?"

"I certainly do, and it's quite good." Willow noted. "The only trouble is the staff don't walk around with glasses of grape juice on their trays."

"Mother...what's going on?" Weiss sighed.

"I thought you'd be happy to see me sober." Willow almost pouted.

"I am, it's just...odd." Weiss explained. "You're like a totally different person from the last time I saw you."

"I feel like a totally different person, and it feels great." Willow smiled. "You know how I asked the pharmaceutical chemistry department to work on a cure to alcoholism?"

"I remember hearing something like that." Weiss answered. "Don't tell me it worked."

"Well, not exactly as planned, but in a manner of speaking." Willow chuckled. "You see, after visiting you the other day, I stopped there to check on progress. While I was poking around, one of the girls working there - Octavia - followed me around, surely fretting I would cause a problem. I must have been wobbling a bit. She was new and didn't know who I was or why some old woman was stumbling around the lab. Once she found out who I was she was quite shocked! I couldn't help but chat with such a pretty little thing, and we got to talking about our interests. It turns out we both love Comedy Cavalcade."

"The improv show?" Weiss quirked her brow. "You watch that?"

"I can't get enough of it!" Willow exclaimed. "Anyway, I knew there was a live taping that night, so I invited her to attend with me, my treat, for putting up with me. She came along and she was nervous, but we got to talking and I think we made a real connection. I stopped in to visit her at work the day you were out, then she visited me over the weekend and I invited her to the gala."

"That's...I was not expecting this." Weiss shook her head.

"Neither was I." Willow admitted. "But she's been a godsend. I can talk to her about anything...she's so sympathetic and caring. The best part is I haven't had a drink since our first date. I haven't needed a drink. It's wonderful! I never thought I'd have someone like this in my life."

"And you're sure she's okay with all of this?" Weiss pressed.

"As sure as I can be." Willow replied. "I did my best to avoid pressuring her in any way."

"Well...I just don't want to hear from HR that you're harassing one of my employees." Weiss warned.

"Of course dear, I wouldn't dream of it." Willow insisted.

"That's good then." Weiss still reeled internally, but schooled her expression and demeanor. "If you're happy, I'm happy."

"I'm very happy." Willow beamed. "How are you doing tonight?"

"Quite well, though some of the conversation has been predictably dull." Weiss shrugged. It was all par for the course. "At least there have been no...incidents. I'm happy with dull."

"So you haven't seen your brother then…" Willow trailed off.

"No, I haven't." Weiss confirmed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "What's he done now?"

"It's best if you see for yourself." Willow tried to smile encouragingly. "He's over there, just follow the cameras." She gestured to a crowd at the far end of the room. "I tried to dissuade him from his...antics, but he doesn't listen to me anymore than he listens to you." She paused. "Do try to be civil. I know he's...difficult, but he's still my son, he's still your brother."

"I know mother." Weiss nodded, glancing at the group presumably surrounding Whitley. "I'll do my best." She began to walk over but stopped and turned back. "Enjoy your night, mother."

"I will." Willow responded. "You've done a great job here, and you deserve to enjoy it. Farewell."

"Until next time." Weiss gave a small bow before heading for her brother and what would surely be a trying conversation.

The night was going smoothly. Naturally, that continued to ring alarm bells in Weiss' head. Nothing ever went smoothly. Even events that appeared to be going well had their bumps and nicks before the end. There were the rowdy, drunken guests, food poisoning, the occasional fist fight, even an honest-to-gods duel one time. So far nothing had gone nearly so wrong. Even Willow was not up to her usual drunken escapades, relaxing with her date near the edge of the ballroom, giggling about something she had said.

Coco and Velvet were showcasing Melanie and Miltia to a small gathering. Jaune had extracted himself from a rather uncomfortable conversation he had been dragged into with Klein and a fellow war veteran named Port. Apparently Jaune reminded both of departed comrades, though they had fought on opposite sides of the Great War. The pair's bellowing laughter was a joyful thing to hear over the crowd's din. Ruby had been asleep on Sun's shoulder when Pyrrha went to check on her and Ren was currently fetching drinks.

Weiss had caught sight of Whitley - Wisteria as he was styling himself. Crossdressing was such a simple yet eye-catching stunt to pull. Weiss was all for the self-discovery of sexual identity, but she knew that was not what was occurring. She had heard of his escapades at university, knew he was bisexual, probably leaning more gay than straight. He had had a few relationships with men, and many very short relationships with women, whom he seemed to use and toss aside for his enjoyment.

Weiss did not want to talk to her brother, not with the night going so well, but she had little choice. If she did not seek him out, he would find her, and she preferred to meet him on her terms rather than his. At least then she could avoid his date - Mercury Black - an unsavory character in Cinder's employ. He was no doubt on a mission from his boss. He probably intended to gain influence with Weiss via her brother, and the man had done far more disreputable things in the past.

After waiting for Mercury to step away to get some food, Weiss approached Whitley. He was surrounded by a crowd of hangers-on, but they parted at her approach. "Hello Sister, it's-" He started upon spotting her.

"I'd like to speak to you in private." Weiss cut him off. "Now."

"Of course." Whitley grinned and bowed. He turned to the others. "If you'll excuse me."

Weiss led her brother to a side room, and to his credit he obediently followed. "Whitley, what are you doing?" She asked once they were alone.

"Why, I'm expressing myself Dear Sister." Whitley replied. "I'm showing the world the real me."

"This isn't the real you." Weiss gestured to the elaborate dress he wore. "I know this isn't you. If you were trans, fine. If you were into crossdressing, fine, but you're not. This isn't a grand declaration of who you really are, this is a cry for attention!"

"Of course it's a cry for attention." Whitley admitted. "That's all I've ever wanted - a little attention. From Father, Mother, Winter, you, from anyone really, but no. So I must seek validation from the paparazzi, from seeing myself in the tabloids, juxtaposed with your lovely, scowling face."

"I'm not doing this." Weiss growled. "Not now."

"Fine." Whitley shrugged. "Then I shall return to my date and enjoy my night."

"You know who he is, don't you?" Weiss asked.

"Well of course I know who he is." Whitley chuckled. "It would be unbecoming to sleep with a stranger."

"He works for Cinder Fall." Weiss continued. "He's only interested in you because he thinks it'll help her get closer to me."

"He admitted as much, but he's fallen for me." Whitley countered. "He knows he won't get to you, because even I can't influence you."

"How do you know he's telling the truth about that?" Weiss challenged.

"Unlike you, I choose to believe in the good of humanity." Whitley scoffed.

"Oh cut the bullshit." Weiss threw up her hands.

"He's quite good in bed, and I do quite fancy him." Whitley rolled his eyes.

"So it's wishful thinking." Weiss sighed.

"Yes, like your insistence that Winter is still alive." Whitley smirked.

"Get out of my sight you-" Weiss shouted.

"Gladly." Whitley cut her off, heading for the door. "Have a lovely night."

It turned out Nora's plate was barely a sampling of the sheer variety of food on offer. Looking over the tables, Ruby lost count of how many plates were piled with all manner of treats, desserts and snacks. And cookies, big, wide and thick ones, chocolate ones, fudge ones, double chocolate, chocolate dipped...it was like walking into a bakery back on Patch, only there were no glass windows and everything was free. She was part way through piling a large plate full of whatever caught her fancy when Sun finally made his appearance, a strawberry sunrise in hand. Apparently Nora and Jaune were quite conversational. The drink was barely cool, but that did not matter, it was still delicious and mixed well with the treats.

Ruby was gaining weight no matter what, and it was not like she would get free cookies every day. This was the high life, and it was time to live up to it. Sun was a great help. He knew exactly what she wanted - strawberry sunrise, hard, chocolate chip cookies and what were apparently called lamingtons, the strange coconut covered cakes, which also came in cream and jam sandwich varieties.

The lamingtons came from Vacuo, the original home of Velvet's family, or so she explained during her brief visit, taking a break from following Coco around. Her sandals were comfortable, but the type Coco needed to network with were tiresome, and her lover's tendency to get into deep conversations about current fashion trends wore her patience thin. Still, before long she was back at Coco's side.

Ruby spent the majority of the evening sandwiched between Sun and Nora, while Sun and Jaune traded stories about odd happenings at their old jobs. Nora...well Nora joined Ruby in simply relaxing. It was almost peaceful, despite the bustle of the locale. Ruby was surrounded by friends, Nora's perfume was a lovely fruity blend, the alcohol was lulling her into a gentle buzz, and the pain in her leg had faded entirely. A part of her longed to hold hands - with Sun, with Nora, Jaune, anyone really - physical contact made everything feel better.

When Ruby opened her eyes, Nora was gone, along with Jaune. Instead she found herself pressed against Sun, cheek warm against his shoulder. "Did I fall asleep?" She mumbled, reaching up to cover her mouth as she yawned.

"For a bit, maybe half an hour." Sun shrugged, reaching for a bottle of water and offering it to Ruby.

Ruby gladly accepted. "Where did Jaune and Nora go?" She uncapped the bottle to take a long drink.

"Nora wanted to find Coco, and Jaune wanted to keep an eye on her." Sun replied.

"Oh, okay." Ruby acknowledged.

"Are you feeling okay?" Sun inquired.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just a bit sleepy." Ruby answered. "Have you seen Weiss?"

"Nope." Sun shook his head. "Pyrrha did come by to check on us though, brought the water."

"That was nice of her." Ruby observed.

"Blake messaged me, asked if everything was going smoothly." Sun added. "I sent her a selfie of us."

"You think she misses us?" Ruby asked.

"I think she'd never admit it." Sun surmised.

"Maybe if I gave her puppy eyes." Ruby suggested.

"She hates dogs." Sun warned.

"Aw…" Ruby sighed.

"She does love cats though." Sun noted.

"Not that she'd ever admit it?" Ruby guessed.

"Oh, she admits it...she uh...saved a litter once." Sun corrected.

"Aw, momma kitty." Ruby smiled.

"Hell hath no fury...but I guess you're kinda' like a dog to her." Sun mused.

"Oh?" Ruby quirked her brow.

"Yeah, like when she talks about you at work, she calls you the human." Sun smirked.

Ruby snickered. "Self feeding, self grooming, requires a minimum of one hug a day for mental health."

"So it doesn't bother you at all?" Sun asked.

"Nah, I think I've got a good idea of Blake now." Ruby explained. "She's not good at showing affection, so when it comes through it kinda' comes off as demeaning or awkward."

"Ain't that the truth." Sun grumbled. "It took me like...a year to really figure that out, and even still it's hard to tell most of the time." He shrugged, raising his tail to squint at it, reaching forward to smooth down an awkward tuft of hair.

"You kinda' have to squint, and realize that a hug is like, a huge thing, like every action means more than it should...but that's kinda' just me." Ruby continued. "I don't like seeing people as bad. People are good, and bad things happen to them, and it hurts their souls...Blake's soul hurts a lot."

"I've been trying to help, but there isn't much I can do." Sun frowned. "She doesn't want to talk about her past, and I don't wanna' push her, but that just leaves us with what we have now. I don't even feel like her boyfriend most of the time, just...this guy, who helps her sleep at night."

"But you're her guy, the guy who's stuck by her for three years, the guy she gets jealous when someone takes him away." Ruby encouraged "In Blakism that's like...I dunno' Sun, I dunno' what to say to that. You both deserve better, but Blake is lucky to have you."

"I love her Rubes, and I wanna' be that guy forever, but...not being able to say that sucks." Sun sighed. "Being afraid of scaring Blake with how I feel sucks. I told her once and she just froze up, like, you'd think I'd slapped her."

"Did she say anything?" Ruby asked.

"No I just...changed the subject, and she didn't bring it up so…" Sun sighed, his tail twitching mid air. Ruby gently poked at it and the appendage froze before poking back. "I'm not giving up, but sometimes I just need to vent, ya' know? I've never had anyone to vent to."

"Well you can vent to me anytime you want." Ruby offered, poking his tail once more.

"But doesn't it annoy you?" Sun pressed. "Venting about my relationship when you're not in one?" Sun's tail made to poke back once again, only to be lightly caught between two fingers. The appendage feebly struggled, a farce of course, as Sun's tail was far stronger than it looked.

"Yeah, it sucks, but it's not like you're rubbing it in my face, no one is." Ruby replied. "It's just the way things are, and I'm used to it. I haven't really been with anyone long term since Oscar and that...I was just a kid then. Everything since has just been friends with benefits and one night stands...I don't even know if I'd be good in a relationship. I don't know what I want. I mean everyone looks good to me. Neon was amazing, but now what I think about her I just get mad that nothing came of it. Nora and Jaune are interested in me, but they're together and I've never done that before."

"Wait, both of them?" Sun spluttered.

"It was Nora's idea apparently, but Jaune and I talked about it." Ruby confirmed. "I think I'm gonna' do it, just see what happens. Nora's hot, Jaune's hot, I'm lonely, I wanna' wake up hugging someone again. I'm tired of being alone."

"They seem cool." Sun nodded. "I've never been in a threesome but...hey, even if nothing comes of it, you cross it off your bucket list."

"Have a threesome with a hot couple, underneath use strapons to sword fight, and knock someone out in a single kick." Ruby joked.

"You know Blake could probably help with one of those." Sun suggested.

"She doesn't need a strapon though." Ruby noted.

"Wait, you know about that?" Sun was taken aback.

"I walked in on her using my bathroom." Ruby explained.

"She left the door unlocked?" Sun inquired.

"Your poison gas attack probably clouded her judgement." Ruby teased.

"Oh hardy har-har." Sun rolled his eyes.

"Though while we're on the subject-" Ruby started.

"Of my gas?" Sun asked.

"Of the penis." Ruby corrected.

"Ask your cat sister." Sun deflected.

"But it'll be weird!" Ruby protested.

"Weirder than asking me?" Sun challenged.

"Well you have to deal with it." Ruby countered.

"And I don't wanna' talk about it!" Sun exclaimed.

"Why?" Ruby asked.

"Because it's weird!" Sun groaned.

"Oh, nothing is weird between us." Ruby scoffed.

"Yes Ruby, talking about my girlfriend's penis isn't weird at all." Sun threw up his hands.

"I just wanna' know how you deal with it." Ruby insisted.

"I don't." Sun declared.

"What, like you never-" Ruby started.

"No!" Sun cut her off.

"Not even once?" Ruby pressed.

"Nope." Sun shook his head.

"Why?" Ruby asked.

"I'm getting you another drink." Sun abruptly stood and started walking away.

Ruby stood to shout after him. "Coward!"